Embury Hitchcock (1866-1948) started as professor of mechanical engineering in 1893 and served as dean of the College of Engineering from 1920 to 1936. He was considered an expert in natural gas and was often called upon to settle gas disputes.
He was actively involved in the early development of hydro-electric power in Tennessee and was the first to study the possible use of electric power in the Copper Hill district in Tennessee. Hitchcock had several inventions to his name and was credited with having made the first complete heat-balance test of railroad locomotives in service.
He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Engineering Education, National Society of Professional Engineers and chair of the engineering section of the Association of Land Grant Colleges