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Rose-Hulman observing 125th year
In the late 1860s, industrialist and entrepreneur Chauncey Rose was faced with a
problem that was similar to a dilemma American businesses face today——a shortage
of technically trained employees.
As founder and president of the Terre Haute and Richmond Railroad, Rose was bringing a new
form of transportation to Indiana and Illinois. One of his most serious challenges was a
lack of workers with the skills railroad expansion required. Workers didn’t want to
come so far west at that time and remain until the railroads were completed.
The worker shortage was so great that Rose began to consider creating a school where
students would be taught the industrial sciences.
Rose ultimately selected two trusted advisers to travel to the polytechnic schools
operating in the United States to gather information.
With the support of a number of business associates, Rose formed a corporation known as
the Terre Haute School of Industrial Science.
The date was September 10, 1874.
Rose’s vision led to the creation of the first engineering college west of the
Allegheny mountains. That college is now one of the nation’s best undergraduate
colleges for engineering, mathematics and science education.
In 1999, Rose-Hulman will honor its past and look toward the future as it celebrates the
125th anniversary of its founding.
“This is a special year, a significant milestone for Rose-Hulman and its
people,” stated President Samuel Hulbert.
“It’s also a time to examine how far we’ve come and how far we want to go.
This year, we will plan for the future to ensure that Rose-Hulman will be the best it can
be when it celebrates its 150th anniversary,” he said.
Several anniversary projects and special events are under way or being planned.
Special sections in the next issues of Echoes will recall historic achievements, campus
developments, traditions and people. Your involvement in creating those sections is
important. (See story on page 3 to learn how to submit your memories of Rose Poly and
Rose-Hulman for use in upcoming issues of Echoes.)
The 125th anniversary logo, unveiled for the first time on this page, will be used
extensively to create awareness about the Institute’s celebration.
An editorial team led by Rose-Hulman history professor William Pickett is writing a new
institute history book. The publication will begin chronologically where the school’s
centennial history by John Bloxsome, Rose: The First Hundred Years, ended. Pickett said
the new history will contain numerous historic photographs and will cover the
Institute’s development from 1974 to present. It will include such milestones as
receipt of the first grant from the Olin Foundation in 1981, and the decision in 1991 to
become a coeducational college. The new book will be available in the fall.
A 125th anniversary Web page will be created on the Rose-Hulman Web site. The page will
include details about anniversary special events and projects. Photo highlights of
different eras in Rose-Hulman history will also be featured along with other special
anniversary information.
On Feb. 26-27, the Commission on the Future of Rose-Hulman will reconvene on campus. The
Commission will learn about progress to achieve Vision to be the Best fund-raising goals
it helped create with its report in 1993. The Commission will also discuss future
Institute needs.
The anniversary will be observed at numerous alumni events nationwide and during many
annual campus events such as Homecoming and graduation.
Activities are being planned to involve students and to increase their knowledge about
Rose-Hulman’s history.
The anniversary celebration will be highlighted on the Institute’s founding date as
special events are being planned for the weekend of Sept. 10-11, 1999.
The April issue of Echoes will provide more details about the 125th anniversary observance
and events.
— by David Piker
 
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