Report - The Bent, Fall 2008

Dr. Richard B. Hayter, P.E., South Dakota Beta ’65, is the 2008 Tau Beta Pi National Outstanding Advisor. He is associate dean of engineering for external affairs at Kansas State University and Chief Advisor of Kansas Gamma.

Dr. Hayter has been an active member of Tau Beta Pi for more than 10 years. Receiving his B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1965 at South Dakota State University, he went on to gain an M.S and Ph.D. from Kansas State University in 1973 and 1975 respectively. He is a licensed professional engineer who has also contributed to industry and government.

At Kansas State, he coordinates outreach activities of the college, legislative affairs, international programs, and alumnus and corporate relations. Dr. Hayter served as director of engineering extension during 1980 to 2002 and as a member of the engineering faculty from 1974-77. 

He began service as a Kansas Gamma Advisor in 1999, becoming Chief Advisor in 2001. Officers, local and national, pay tribute to his work in motivating and supporting students and coordinating the needs of the chapter with the support of the college administration. Dr. Hayter’s experience has made him an indispensable source of information at all levels of Tau Beta Pi. His institutional wisdom, practical advice, and probing questions have led the chapter to greater strength. He asks the questions that make everyone stop to think and so make discussions more productive.

Dr. Hayter has provided stability at Kansas Gamma, crucial for any chapter that changes officers every semester. One of its projects is to whitewash and maintain the iconic set of “KS” letters on a hill overlooking the school. Tributes have been paid to the way he knows everyone who can help the project, like the city parks department, local contractors, and even the fire chief, who provides an engine to transport water up the hill for whitewashing.

Despite a hectic schedule, Dr. Hayter attends district conferences and national conventions, encouraging other advisors to attend. He also ensures that as many students as possible attend, and Kansas Gamma often brings the largest group. Indeed, the chapter has a record of some of the best attendance at these events, taking six officers to the 2007 National Convention in Dearborn.

Dr. Hayter began his engineering career as a test engineer with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. He served in the U.S. Air Force during 1966 to 1970, when he went to Kansas State as a graduate fellow with the Institute for Environmental Research. During 1977-80, he was executive vice president of Energy Management & Control corporation, a consulting firm specializing in managing commercial and industrial buildings. He has served as president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers and is past dean of the society’s learning institute.

In addition to publishing 51 papers, 19 of which were peer reviewed, Dr. Hayter has lectured in 34 countries. He received the American Society for Engineering Education-Dow Chemical outstanding faculty award and was named a distinguished engineer by South Dakota State University.

Dr. Hayter was appointed to the Kansas Governor’s cabinet as director of the energy office. He also served as city commissioner for Manhattan, KS, and mayor during 1987-91. Dr. Hayter is a board member of the Boy Scout Coronado Area council and serves on the Manhattan Regional Airport Advisory Board. He lives in Manhattan with his wife Barbara. Their two children are KSU graduates.

In recognition of his leadership abilities, selfless contributions, and talent for inspiring students to create and maintain an effective chapter, Tau Beta Pi hereby recognizes Dr. Richard B. Hayter, P.E., as the 2008 Tau Beta Pi National Outstanding Advisor.