A historical perspective: Frank Andrews and acoustics at The Catholic University of America

Abstract

The Catholic University of America has a long history in the field of acoustics dating back to the 1930s. Some notable acousticians associated with Catholic University during the early development of the acoustics program there include Father Frances Fox, Karl Herzfeld, Theodore (Ted) Litovitz, among many others. Herzfeld and Litovitz are responsible for an enormous amount of pioneering work in the field of acoustic dissipation. Under the direction Litovitz, Acoustics moved from its original home in the Physics Department to Engineering in the early 1960s. Litovitz in turn recruited Frank Andrews. Andrews took the helm of acoustics at Catholic University and expanded the scope of the program from largely research focused to include a broader emphasis on both graduate teaching and developing the critical connection to practical Navy interests. This presentation will describe the history of acoustic research at Catholic University with a focus on Frank Andrews’ accomplishments and contributions to Catholic University and the acoustics community at large.