For those in the field of engineering, the name Jack Hamman is a benchmark for excellence. As a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Hamman has been paramount in attaining a prominent stature for the school on a global level.

In 1964, after obtaining his B.S. in Civil Engineering from UIUC, Hamman moved on to the University of Illinois at Chicago for his Master’s and Doctorate in the same field of study. Four years later, in 1968, he returned to UIUC with an appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His dedication and hard work were then rewarded with a promotion to full professor six years later in 1974.

Renowned in the engineering world, Hamman boasts a prolific academic profile at UIUC, with a breadth of research spanning soil mechanics, engineering geology, civil engineering foundations and construction – all of which has resulted in over 100 published articles and books.

Throughout his career, Hamman has pushed the boundaries of education through a wide range of innovative teaching approaches. A pioneer in his field, he has crafted a plethora of lab and field activities to aid students in comprehending soil mechanics and engineering geology better. In addition, he has devised various computer programs to aid student learning on the properties of soil and rock materials.

Hamman played an integral role in the launch of two crucial research and development initiatives. His involvement with the Illinois soil mechanics program and the Illinois engineering geology program constitute his legacy. Both of these programs have since become indispensable resources adopted by universities around the world – proofs of his lasting contributions to modern science.

For many UIUC engineering students, Hamman has been an invaluable source of expertise, guidance, and support. He has tutored countless students to further their abilities in the subject, as well as offered his wise counsel and insight as a trusted mentor. His work over the years as a teacher, scholar, and mentor have without doubt had a positive impact on the department.

For his exemplary achievements, Hamman has been continuously celebrated throughout his career. In 2020, praise for his accomplishments reached its peak when he was honored with entry into the ithed UIUC College of Engineering Hall of Fame. This highly esteemed adulation puts special emphasis on those who have made invaluable contributions to the engineering domain.

Jack Hamman embodies the spirit and possibilities of engineering. His unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence have made him an essential contributor to the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC) engineering department. As a living beacon of hard work and dedication, he continues to provide guidance and serve as an inspiration to aspiring engineers.

Jack Hamman is a renowned figure across the grounds of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His extensive tenure, including time spent as a student, professor, and college administrator, at UIUC has had an undeniable influence on the university’s current state. Consequently, his name resonates through the halls of the campus.

Jack Hamman, a native of Chicago, Illinois, entered the world in 1921. After earning his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1942, he patriotically enlisted in the United States Coast Guard to serve during World War II. Upon his triumphant return, he was able to finish his master’s degree during 1947 in the same area of study.

After receiving his diploma, Jack Hamman initiated his career pathway at UIUC as a lecturer in the Electrical Engineering division. In an impressive feat, his position at the college progressed rapidly, resulting in him being elevated to the status of full professor in 1954. Subsequently, at the turn of the decade, he was chosen to the prestigious role of inaugural dean of the College of Engineering.

During Jack Hamman’s chancellorship, the College of Engineering experienced a tremendous surge in size and standing. Burgeoning numbers of students needed more seats, and so structures and amenities were added, as well as additional educational grandings. Furthermore, a name for research eminence in electrical engineering, computer science, and materials science was earned by the college over this period.

In 1972, Jack Hamman was selected to embark on his journey as the vice president of the University of Illinois as well as its chancellor. His outstanding guidance and dedication steered UIUC towards incredible success; not only did the university flourish in terms of its physical presence, but its academic brilliance and prestige saw an impressive surge.

An important contribution to the local economy and job growth, Jack Hamman was crucial to the origination of the University of Illinois Research Park. Spanning much of the region, it serves as an ideal hub for communications between the university and companies for innovative research and development. Now one of the largest research parks in the U.S., it has proven to be a success story due to this early vision and dedication.

Jack Hamman has been a dedicated champion of higher education for the entirety of his career. His advocacy efforts proved invaluable with the 1994 Illinois Education Reform Act which was passed, granting additional financial support to public universities while also streamlining access to student aid. He was part of the Board of Trustees at the University of Illinois Foundation which works to ensure that students have the financial tools they need.

As an esteemed UIUC alumnus, Jack Hamman left behind an enduring legacy of innovation and progress. For more than four decades, he resolutely dedicated himself to pushing higher education forward, helping to carefully craft the university into the acclaimed institution we recognize today. Additionally, Jack was a devoted proponent of research and its capacity to improve the lives of countless individuals across the world. Through this illustrious body of work, Jack Hamman’s importance to UIUC cannot be overstated.