John T. Rettaliata dedication collection, 2010

John T. Rettaliata (1911-2009) served as Illinois Institute of Technology's second president from 1952 - June 30, 1973. His tenure at IIT began in 1945 as a professor of mechanical engineering. He held various campus positions prior to become president including director of the mechanical engineering department, dean of engineering, and vice-president for academic affairs. As president of IIT, he also served as president of Armour Research Foundation where he had previously been a consultant in the ARF mechanical engineering division. Rettaliata's presidency marked a time of continued expansion of the physical campus and IIT's building program. In addition, it was under Rettaliata that the school developed into a university as a result of administrative reorganization and expansion of the school's academic programs.