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Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology

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The Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) is a private university in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was founded in 1874 with only three bachelor's degree programs. It has since grown to twelve academic departments with over thirty undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, and engineering management, leading to bachelor's and master's degrees.

Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology
Former name
  • Terre Haute School of Industrial Science (1874–1875)
  • Rose Polytechnic Institute (1875–1971)
MottoLatin: Labor et scientia
Motto in English
Work and Knowledge
TypePrivate university
Established1874; 150 years ago (1874)
AccreditationHigher Learning Commission
Academic affiliations
Endowment$209.8 million (2020)[1]
PresidentRobert A. Coons
ProvostRick Stamper
Academic staff
196 (fall 2022)[2]
Undergraduates2,169 (fall 2022)[2]
Postgraduates19 (fall 2022)[2]
Address
5500 Wabash Avenue
,
Terre Haute, Indiana
,
IN 47803
,
United States
CampusSuburban: 1,300 acres (530 ha)[2]
Colors    Red and white [3]
NicknameFightin' Engineers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division III – HCAC[4]
MascotRosie the Elephant
Websiterose-hulman.edu

Rose–Hulman's curriculum focuses on both career preparation and undergraduate-driven research in STEM-fields. It is classified among "Special Focus Four-Year: Engineering and Other Technology-Related Schools".[citation needed]

History

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Photograph (circa 1881) of the original main campus building at 13th and Locust

Founding

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Rose Polytechnic Institute in 1886 fire map

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 recruiting local engineers during construction of his railroads. Mr. Rose donated the land, at 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]

The first class of 48 students entered in 1883, chosen from 58 applicants. All students were male, and 37 came from Indiana. All but four chose to major in mechanical engineering, with civil engineering and chemistry the only other majors. Nearly half of the original students would eventually leave their studies before graduation for several reasons, including poor grades or conduct.[6] The first president was Charles O. Thompson, who modeled the education of Rose Polytechnic after eastern institutions, making it the first private engineering college west of the Alleghenies.[5]

During the early years of the school, finance was a major concern. Many faculty and staff accepted pay cuts to stay at the institution.[5]

In 1889 the school awarded what it considered to be the first chemical engineering degree in the country.[7] In 1897 John B. Peddle was appointed professor of machine design, a post he held until 1933. In 1910 he published the Construction of Graphical Charts, which was the first book in the English language treating the art of graphical representation.[8]

Relocation

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In 1917, the school, having grown to more than 300 students, moved from 13th and Locust Street to a new site consisting of 123 acres (0.50 km2) of farmland east of town, donated by the Hulman family of Terre Haute. The old location was used continuously by the Vigo County School District from 1922 to 2013; as of 2020 the Terre Haute Boys & Girls Club occupies the site. The cornerstone of the new campus was laid in 1922. The new campus consisted of an academic building (now known as Moench Hall) and the institute's first dormitory, Deming Hall, both of which are still in use 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.[5]

War years

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During World War I, Rose Polytechnic trained students in technical subjects such as vehicle maintenance, and created an Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Engineer unit which later became the Wabash Battalion Army ROTC program. During World War II the ROTC unit was replaced with an Army Specialized Training Unit and students could enter and graduate after every quarter to support the war effort. This enrollment schedule continued through the post-war years until 1951.

1960s–1970s

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In recognition of the Hulman family's significant contributions and continued financial support, in particular a $15 million addition to the endowment, Rose Polytechnic was renamed Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology in 1971.[5]

During the 1960s and 1970s, 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.[9]

The quarterly cryptology journal Cryptologia was founded and published at RHIT from 1977 to 1995, at which time it was moved to the United States Military Academy.[10]

1990s–present

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For most of its history, Rose–Hulman was a men's only institution with some cooperative arrangements with Saint Mary Of-The-Woods College women's school and Indiana State University. It voted to become coeducational in 1991, with the first full-time women students starting in 1995.[11] In 1984, recognizing the importance of the personal computer, Rose–Hulman started making the Zenith Z-150 desktop computer available to the students at a reduced cost, although they were not required to have it. In 1995, the college required all incoming freshmen to purchase a laptop computer designated by the school, becoming one of the first schools to do so.[citation needed]

In the decade following 1995, Rose–Hulman's growth was aided by a major fundraising campaign, "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 1997, many physical changes were made to the Rose–Hulman campus. Using a gift from the F. W. Olin Foundation, an expansion of Olin Hall known as the Olin Advanced Learning Center opened. Additionally, The John T Myers Center for Technological Research opened, with space for research laboratories, presentation rooms, classrooms, and academic offices. Shook Field House was replaced by the $20 million Sports and Recreation Center, which the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts used for their summer training camp from 1999 to 2010. In 2002, Hatfield Hall, a theater and alumni center, was opened.

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.[12] Midgley resigned as president of the institute on June 11, 2005, less than a year into his presidency, after the faculty,[13] 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.

In 2006, Gerald Jakubowski, Vice President and Professor of Engineering at Arizona State University, became the 13th president of the institute, taking over July 1, 2006.[14] He resigned in 2009,[15][16] and the Board of Trustees elected Matt Branam to serve as interim president.[17] He became president later that year. Branam died of a heart attack in April 2012,[18] and the cabinet subsequently selected Robert A. Coons as the institute's interim president. In 2013, the Board of Trustees named James C. Conwell as the institute's 15th president, starting May 1, 2013.[19]

In 2017, the school acquired 4.5 square kilometres (1.7 sq mi) from the former home of Mari Hulman George.[20]

In 2018, Conwell resigned as president, and Senior Vice President Robert Coons was appointed to serve as acting president and then, in November 2018, as the university president.[21] In the same year, the Hulman Memorial Student Union was renovated and renamed the Mussallem Union after the primary donors, the Mussallem Family. The Mussallem Union is centrally located on campus and provides student meeting spaces, dining areas, conference rooms, health services, bookstore, and administrative space.[22]

In 2019, an expansion of the Branam Innovation Center (BIC), the Kremer Innovation Center (KIC) opened. The BIC and KIC provide rapid prototyping and manufacturing options to students, in addition to housing thermofluids and wet lab facilities, conference rooms, classrooms, and project team workshops.[23]

In 2021, the New Academic Building was opened, with funding provided by a $15 million lead gift by an anonymous donor.[24] The New Academic Building is home to the Engineering Design program, chemistry laboratory facilities, food science laboratory, breakout and study rooms, as well as a large atrium. Together with Moench Hall and the Myers Center, a new courtyard was opened.[25] The New Academic building is the first building in the state of Indiana to apply for WELL recognition.[26]

 
Rear View of Moench Hall
 
New Academic Building
 
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)

Academics

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The curricula at RHIT concentrate on engineering and the natural sciences. The school's primary focus is undergraduate education, though there is a small graduate program for master's degree students. There are no doctoral programs. As of 2021, Rose–Hulman has 189 faculty members, 99% of whom hold a PhD. The current student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1.[2] Admission to the institute remains competitive due to its self-selecting admissions class and applicant sharing with Purdue, and other top universities.[27] In 2022, 602 freshman students enrolled out of 3,353 accepted applicants.[2] The school operates on three academic quarters plus an optional summer session.

Rose–Hulman is a member of the College Consortium of Western Indiana. This membership allows students who are full-time at their home institution to take classes at the other member institutions of Indiana State University and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Accreditation

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Rose–Hulman has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916, with the most recent reaffirmation of accreditation having occurred in the 2014–2015 accreditation year.[28] The Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Design, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, and Software Engineering programs are accredited by The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).[29]

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.[30]

Rankings and reputation

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As of 2021, the institute has been ranked first among engineering colleges that do not offer a doctorate degree by U.S. News & World Report for 24 consecutive years.[31] 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).[32][33]

Student life

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The student body tends to come mostly from the Midwestern United States, though, as the school has gained prominence, it has gradually attracted a more geographically and ethnically diverse applicant pool. 39% of students are from the state of Indiana with large numbers of students from the nearby states of Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota.[34]

The school has several competition teams that operate out of the Branam Innovation Center. They compete in collegiate series such as Formula SAE, Shell Eco-Marathon, Human Powered Vehicle Challenge, Rose Rocketry, AIAA Design/Build/Fly, Chem-E-Car and various robotics competitions among many others.

There are eight social fraternities and three social sororities, some of which have their houses on campus. The fraternities are: Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Sigma Phi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Gamma Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Nu, Theta Xi, and Triangle. The sororities are Delta Delta Delta, Chi Omega, and Alpha Omicron Pi. As of 2003, nearly 69% of the students were members of Greek social organizations.[35] There are also four gender-inclusive professional fraternities: Alpha Chi Sigma, Alpha Phi Omega, Delta Rho Sigma,[36] and Kappa Theta Pi.

The Homework Hotline provides free homework help and tutoring to Indiana middle school and high school students.[37] The program started in 1991 and is funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. and Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology.[38]

Rose–Hulman Ventures serves as a source of internships and job opportunities with startups and established companies of all sizes for Rose students and alumni.[39] Rose–Hulman Ventures was established in 1999 with a $30 million grant from the Lilly Endowment and received a $24.9 million follow-up grant in 2002.[40]

Athletics

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Main article: Rose–Hulman Fightin' Engineers

The team's sports teams are called the Rose–Hulman Fightin' Engineers.

Media

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The school is served by an independently funded, student-run newspaper, The Rose Thorn, that focuses on campus news.[41]

Rose–Hulman has an amateur radio club, the Rose Tech Radio Club (call sign W9NAA), that maintains a dedicated on-campus station.[42][43]

The Rose–Hulman Film Club produces student-directed short films.[44]

The campus radio station was WMHD-FM 90.7 FM, "The Monkey". The station originally broadcast with a very low power transmitter and antenna located on campus, but later operated with an off-site transmitter at 1400 watts. The studio facilities for the station were in the basement of the BSB residence hall. The station was operated entirely by student volunteers, and all disc-jockeys choose their own format and playlists. In August 2014, the station was sold to Indiana State University.[45]

Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Common Data Set 2022–23" (PDF). Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  3. ^ "Rose-Hulman Brand Identity Guidelines 2.0" (PDF). Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  4. ^ "NCAA member schools > Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology". NCAA. Archived from the original on January 10, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Rose-Hulman History Project". Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. August 1, 1998.
  6. ^ "Student Demographics – 1883 Style". Rose-Hulman Echoes. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  7. ^ "BioCrossroads: Assets". BioCrossroads. Archived from the original on March 21, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  8. ^ William Crosby Marshall, Graphical Methods for Schools, Colleges, Statisticians, Engineers and Executives. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. 1921. p. V
  9. ^ "The Rose-Hulman Story". Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  10. ^ "The Indiana Institute of Technology Relocation Project". The Indiana Moving Division. November 4, 2006. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  11. ^ "College to End a 117-Year All-Male Tradition". New York Times. October 7, 1991.
  12. ^ Alex Clerc. "Rally continues Midgley debate". Rose Thorn. Retrieved September 13, 2006.
  13. ^ Alex Clerc. "Faculty vote: no confidence". Rose Thorn. Retrieved September 13, 2006.
  14. ^ "Gerald Jakubowski Begins Duties as 13th President of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology". Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  15. ^ "President Jakubowski Announces Resignation Effective June 30" (PDF). Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  16. ^ "Breaking Update: Rose president resigns". Retrieved February 23, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "Alumnus, Executive Matt Branam Named Interim President of Rose-Hulman". Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  18. ^ Tribune-Star, Sue LoughlinThe. "Rose-Hulman mourns president's death". tribstar.com. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  19. ^ "Global Engineering Executive and Engineering Educator Named New President". Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  20. ^ McGowan, Dan. "Rose-Hulman to Add 1,100 Acres From Hulman Family". insideindianabusiness.com. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  21. ^ "Rose-Hulman President Steps Down". www.rose-hulman.edu. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  22. ^ "Ribbon Cutting Opens Mussallem Union". rose-hulman.edu. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  23. ^ "New Innovation Space Becomes Hub of Activity, Learning". rose-hulman.edu. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  24. ^ "$15 Million Lead Gift to Create New Academic Building". rose-hulman.edu. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  25. ^ "New Academic Building Opens 'Window into Rose-Hulman'". rose-hulman.edu. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  26. ^ "New Academic Building Seeking to Be Indiana's First WELL Certified Structure". rose-hulman.edu. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  27. ^ "A New College Ranking". Laissez-Faire. Retrieved September 7, 2006.
  28. ^ "Accreditation, Rose-Hulman". www.rose-hulman.edu. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  29. ^ "Rose engineering, computer science programs earn accreditation". Terre Haute Tribune Star. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2006.
  30. ^ "American Society for Engineering Education". Asee.org. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  31. ^ "Rose-Hulman is No. 1 in U.S. News' Engineering Rankings for 24th Straight Year". Rose–Hulman institute of Technology. September 13, 2021.
  32. ^ "About--National Distinction". Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  33. ^ "Best Undergraduate Engineering Program Rankings (No doctorate)". Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  34. ^ "Rose-Hulman Connections". Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
  35. ^ "Wondering About Greek Life?". The Rose Thorn. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  36. ^ "Delta Rho Sigma Homepage". Delta Rho Sigma Homepage. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  37. ^ "Lilly Endowment Continues Support for Rose-Hulman's Homework Hotline with $1.8 Million Grant". Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  38. ^ "Homework Hotline Fact Sheet" (PDF). Homework Hotline. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 1, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  39. ^ "Rose-Hulman Ventures Celebrates 10 Years As A Unique Engineering Education Enterprise". Rose–Hulman. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  40. ^ "$24.9 Million Lilly Endowment Gift Expands Successful Rose-Hulman Ventures". Rose-Hulman Ventures. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  41. ^ "Publications". Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  42. ^ "Amateur License - W9NAA - Rose Tech Radio Club". Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  43. ^ "W9NAA Callsign Page". QRZ Callsign Database.
  44. ^ "Film Club". Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  45. ^ Jennifer Waits (June 20, 2014). "College Radio Watch: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to Sell WMHD to Indiana State University". Radio Survivor. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  46. ^ Schnatz, Pete (May 30, 2004). "Penske again up to speed Tim Cindric has helped guide the racing outfit's turnaround". Philly.com. Philadelphia Media Network. Archived from the original on December 28, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  47. ^ "Idaho Governor Barzilla Worth Clark". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  48. ^ "Rose Hulman Article on Thomas's Involvement in Slime Rancher Development". Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  49. ^ Grant Smith, Alumnus Robert Wilkins is Driven to Make a Difference as Federal Appeals Court Judge, Rose–Hulman Alumni Affairs (June 3, 2014)

Further reading

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39°28′57″N 87°19′27″W / 39.48250°N 87.32417°W / 39.48250; -87.32417

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