page_title: Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology
section_title: Founding
hierarchical_section_title: Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology / History / Founding
caption_attribution_description: English: Apr 1886. 27 Sheet(s).
context_page_description: Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology is a private college specializing in teaching engineering, mathematics, and science and located in Terre Haute, Indiana.
context_section_description: 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.
  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 several reasons, including poor grades or conduct. 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.
  During the beginning years of the school, money was a major concern. Many faculty and staff accepted pay cuts to stay at the institution.
  In 1889 the school awarded what it considers to be the first Chemical Engineering degree in the country.
caption: Rose Polytechnic Institute in 1886 fire map
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