The collection is open for research.
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Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Clarence Trent Papers, 1958-1991, Ms1985-010, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The collection was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in February 1992.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Clarence Trent Papers was completed prior to 2003.
Clarence E. Trent was born on September 26, 1904. A native of Northfolk, West Virginia, Trent attended Bluefield Junior College in Bluefield, Virginia, where he earned a two-year academic diploma in 1925. In 1930 and 1931 he earned a BS and an MS in Electrical Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). In 1935 and 1936 he earned BS and MME degrees in Mechanical Engineering at VPI. Trent was appointed an assistant professor at VPI in 1931, teaching at first in the Department of Mathematics. In 1932 he was sent to Bluefield to organize the VPI Engineering Branch School in cooperation with Bluefield College. He served as head of the Branch School for eleven years. He returned to VPI campus in 1943, where he remained until his retirement in 1973, teaching both electrical and mechanical engineering.
Trent played an active role in the history of the Virginia Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) from 1945 until his death in 1991. In 1981 he was awarded the grade of Life Fellow of the ASME. Serving on the History and Heritage Committee, Trent was a prime force in the selection of two national mechanical engineering landmarks: the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower at Fort Chiswell, Virginia, and Norfolk and Western Railway's 611 steam locomotive. Trent was the co-author (along with Earl B. Norris) of the book Applied Thermodynamics (New York: McGraw Hill, 1955).
Trent died on December 1, 1991, at the age of 87.
The Clarench Trent Papers contain materials dealing with his activities in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Lutheran Campus Ministry at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and his engineering education. Further biographical information on Trent may be found in Folders 1 and 27, the latter of which deals with the Distinguished Alumnus Certificate which Bluefield College awarded him in 1986.
The collection is arranged into three series according to subject matter:
Series I: Biographical, c.1982-1989
Series II: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 1958-1991, n.d.
Series III: General, 1968-1977, 1982-1986, n.d.
The guide to the Clarence Trent Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).