Dr. Robert W. Van Houten (January 31, 1905–January, 1986, class of 1930) was the 4th President of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) from 1947 until 1970.

Personal life

Van Houten was born in Newark, New Jersey to Wilford and Ellen Van Houten. He attended public schools as a child. He would have a wife named Martha and two sons, James W. and Ronald R.

Education

Robert graduated from the New Jersey Normal School of Newark, New Jersey in 1924. (New Jersey Normal School is the old name of Kean University) He studied at Newark College of Engineering (NCE which is the old name of New Jersey Institute of Technology) from 1926 earning his masters and graduated with a Phd in Civil Engineering in 1930. He received his degree with highest academic honors and was a member of Beta Alpha Theta local fraternity. When the local became a chapter of Sigma Pi fraternity he was initiated into the national organization.

Career

After graduating from high school in 1924, Robert taught for two years in the public schools of Essex Fells and Roseland. It was there where he found his love for teaching. While pursuing for his BS degree at NCE, he also worked and gained valuable engineering experience during the summers in the engineer's office at Irvington, New Jersey, and later with A. C. Widsor Construction Co., H. R. Goeller, Inc., and Wallace and Tiernan Company in Belleville. Allan R. Cullimore, the 3rd President of NCE, saw something in Robert and offered him an Instructorship in Mathematics during his senior year with small pay and no promises. Robert served successively at Newark College of Engineering as an Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant to the President, Assistant Dean, Dean, Acting President, President before retiring as President Emeritus in 1970.

Notable accomplishments as President of NJIT from 1947 till 1970

Notable Appointments Held

Honors and awards

Honorary Degrees Received

Noteworthy Fact/s