Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Founding

Founder Chauncey Rose, along with nine friends, created the Terre Haute School of Industrial Science in 1874 to provide technical training after encountering difficulties in local engineer availability during construction of his railroads. Mr. Rose donated the land on 13th and Locust St. and the majority of the funds needed to start the new school. A year later, the cornerstone of the new institution was laid and the name was changed to Rose Polytechnic Institute despite the objections of the president of the board of managers and chief benefactor, Mr. Rose. The original campus was a single building, with no dormitories or recreational facilities.^[5][6]

The first class of 48 students entered in 1883, chosen from 58 applicants. Of the 48 students, all were male, and 37 came from Indiana. All but four students chose to major in Mechanical Engineering with Civil Engineering and Chemistry the only other majors. Nearly half of the original students would eventually quit their studies before graduation for a number of reasons, including poor grades or conduct.^[7] The first president was Charles O. Thompson, who modeled the education of Rose Poly after eastern institutions. Rose Poly was thus founded as the first private engineering college west of the Alleghenies.^[6]

During the beginning years of the school, money was a major concern. A lot of faculty and staff were forced to take pay cuts in order to stay at the institution.^[6]

In 1889 the school awarded what it considers to be the first Chemical Engineering degree in the country.^[8]

Relocation

In 1917, the school, having grown to more than 300 students, moved from 13th and Locust St. (on which now sits Chauncey Rose Middle School) to a new site consisting of 123 acres (0.50 km²) of farm land on U.S. 40 donated by the Hulman family of Terre Haute. The cornerstone of the new campus was laid in 1922. The new campus consisted of an academic building and the institute's first dorm, Deming Hall, which is still used by freshman today.

Early life at Rose consisted of social fraternities, athletics, and the occasional "high jinks." A popular "high jinks" involved the sophomore class inviting the freshmen class to a baseball game but were told to "leave their pipes with the nurse." The freshmen would produce the pipes at a specific time and a brawl would ensue.^[6]

War years

During World War I Rose Poly trained students in technical subjects like vehicle maintenance, and created a ROTC Engineer unit. During World War II the ROTC unit was replaced with an Army Specialized Training Unit and students could enter and graduate after every quarter in order to support the war effort. This enrollment schedule continued through the post-war years until 1951. A tank was located behind the north sides of Moench Hall and Myers Hall as a reminder of Rose Poly's war contributions, but has recently been moved from the campus for reasons unknown.^[9]

1960s–1970s

In recognition of the Hulman family's significant contributions and continued financial support, Rose Polytechnic was renamed Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology in 1971.^[6]

During the 1960s and 70s, growth accelerated under president John A. Logan. Five new residence halls, a new student union, library, and a student recreation center were all constructed between 1963 and 1976. Permission was sought and received to increase the student population to 1000.^[10]

The quarterly cryptology journal Cryptologia was founded and published at RHIT from 1977 to 1995, at which time it was moved^[11] to the United States Military Academy.

1990s onwards

For most of its history, Rose–Hulman was a men's-only institution. It voted to become coeducational in 1991, with the first full-time women students starting in 1995.^[12] Also in 1995, the college required all incoming freshmen to purchase laptop computers, becoming one of the first schools to do so.

In the decade following 1995, Rose–Hulman's growth was aided by a major fundraising campaign called "Vision to be the Best." Originally a $100 million campaign over ten years, it met its goal in half the time. The goal was extended to $200 million, and by the end of the campaign in June 2004, over $250 million had been raised. In 2002, Hatfield Hall, a state-of-the-art theater and alumni center was opened. Five years earlier Shook Field House was replaced with the $20 million Sports and Recreation Center, which is a major reason that the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts used the campus for their summer training camp from 1999–2010.

After the 2004 retirement of institute president Samuel Hulbert, who had led the school since 1976, the college faced a leadership crisis. Soon after John J. Midgley arrived as the new president, rumors of conflict between Midgley and the administration started to circulate. Students, some wearing T-shirts proclaiming "Hit the Road Jack," held a rally calling for Midgley's resignation.^[13] Midgley resigned as president of the institute on June 11, 2005, less than a year into his presidency, after the faculty,^[14] staff, and Student Government Association approved votes of no confidence. During the succeeding academic year, Robert Bright, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, served as interim chief executive officer.

At a press conference on March 17, 2006, Bright named Gerald Jakubowski, Vice President and Professor of Engineering at Arizona State University, as the thirteenth president of the Institute. Jakubowski took over effective July 1, 2006.^[15] On February 23, 2009, Jakubowski announced that he would be resigning from the position of president, effective June 30.^[16][17]

On June 11, 2009, the college announced that the Board of Trustees had elected Matt Branam to serve as interim president.^[18] On December 4, 2009, the Board elected Branam as permanent president. In April 2012, Branam suffered a heart attack and was rushed to a hospital where he died shortly afterward.^[19] The cabinet subsequently selected Robert A. Coons as the Institute’s Interim President.

On March 4, 2013, the Rose-Hulman Board of Trustees named James C. Conwell as the institute's 15th president starting May 1, 2013.^[20]

In 2017, the school acquired 4.5 square kilometres (1.7 sq mi) from the former home of Mari Hulman George.^[21]

A view of Percopo Hall (left) and White Chapel.

White Chapel at Rose–Hulman.

Deming Hall.

Speed Lawn behind Speed Hall.

Percopo Hall (rear view).

Root Quadrangle, Logan Library (left) and Olin Hall (right).

Accreditation

The Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, and Software Engineering programs are accredited by The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).^[23]

In addition to institutional membership in the American Society for Engineering Education, the Institute is also a member of the Association of Independent Technological Universities, a group formed to further the interests of private engineering schools.^[24]

Rankings and reputation

As of 2018, the institute has been ranked #1 among engineering colleges that do not offer a doctorate degree by U.S. News & World Report for 20 consecutive years.^[25] Each individual program assessed has also been ranked first since the magazine has published individual rankings. These programs are the Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, and Biomedical Engineering programs (Biomedical Engineering programs have only received assessment in the 2015 rankings).^[26][27]

Fight Song

"Dear Old Rose" the Rose Polytechnic Institute school song, arranged by Malcolm C Scott, class of 1922, and melody by "Beta Rose"^[34]

Dear Old Rose

Dear Old Rose

The sweetest flower that grows

Here's to your colors rose and white

Here's to the ones who've kept them bright.

Colors true for those who honor you

Here's to everything you've done,

Here's to every fight you've won.

Dear old Rose.

It is performed by the Pep Band and sung only at football and basketball games after a victory.