The History of Biomedical Engineering at Rose-Hulman

Early 1970's - The bioengineering program was instituted at RHIT - graduates included Niles Noblitt ('74) Chairman of Biomet Inc., Robert Kaufmann ('74) Associate Professor of Maternal and Fetal Medicine at Southern Illinois University, Richard Henthorn ('74) Assistant Professor of Cardiology, University of Alabama, Michael Box ('74) Dow Chemical Co., Global Business Director, Michael Rominger ('74) Medical Director, St. Luke's Memorial Hospital, Utica, New York, Michael Mueller ('74) US Air Force Chief Bioenvironmental Engineer, David Rardon ('73) Assistant Professor of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Roger Ward ('73) HNTB Corporation Vice President, Harold Adamson ('71) Clinical Engineering Director, Metrohealth Medical Center, Medina, Ohio.

Late 1970's - The bioengineering program became inactive. Key faculty members left Rose-Hulman, and sufficient resources were not available to sustain the program.

May 1993 - The Institute voted to reactivate the Biomedical Engineering M.S. degree program due to increased student and faculty interest. In May 1993, four students graduated with an M.S. degree in biomedical engineering. A biomedical engineering committee was appointed to oversee the program.

January 1997 - President Hulbert asked the Biomedical Engineering Committee to consider the future of the RHIT biomedical engineering program and to recommend a structure for the program.

May 1997 - The Biomedical Engineering Committee presented a proposal to the Dean of Academic Affairs, President Hulbert and the Graduate Studies Committee. The committee proposed that Biomedical Engineering become a department at RHIT. The President, Dean, and the Graduate Studies Committee all approved the proposal.

June 1997 - The proposal to make biomedical engineering a department at RHIT was presented to the Curriculum Committee. The Curriculum Committee approved the proposal.

May 1998 - At the May 27, 1998, Institute meeting Rose-Hulman faculty voted 50-21 to recommend to the president the creation of the Department of Applied Biology and Biomedical Engineering.

July 1998 - The Department of Applied Biology and Biomedical Engineering came into existence.

May 2000 - Rose-Hulman faculty recommended by a 53-22 margin that a program leading to the Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Biology be approved by the Institute's Board of Trustees.  The trustees considered and approved the recommendation.

September 2001 - Rose-Hulman accepted the first freshman class of applied biologists.

September 2003 - Rose-Hulman accepted the first freshman class of biomedical engineers.

May 2004 - The first BS degrees were awarded to students who majored in applied biology.

May 2005 - The first BS degrees were awarded to students who majored in biomedical engineering.