Dr. James L. Meriam got his B.E., M. Eng., and Ph.D. degrees from Yale University. James has contributed to the field of engineering and mechanics as one of the premier engineering educators during the second half of the 20th century. He had early industrial experience with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft and the General Electric Company. During World War 2, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard. James was a Dean of Engineering at Duke University, a faculty member at the California Polytechnic State University, a faculty of the University of California-Berkeley, and visiting professor at the University of California-Santa Barbara. He retired in 1990.

Dr. Meriam always placed great emphasis on teaching, and this trait was recognized by his many students wherever he taught.