Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology

{{Short description|Private university in Terre Haute, Indiana, US}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}

{{Infobox university

| name = Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology

| image = Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology seal.svg

| image_upright = 0.7

| former_name = {{indented plainlist|

  • Terre Haute School of Industrial Science (1874–1875)
  • Rose Polytechnic Institute (1875–1971)

}}

| motto = {{langx|la|Labor et scientia}}

| mottoeng = Work and Knowledge

| established = {{start date and age|1874}}

| type = Private university

| endowment = $209.8 million (2020)As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 20, 2021}}

| president = Robert A. Coons

| provost = Rick Stamper

| faculty = 196 (fall 2022)

| undergrad = 2,169 (fall 2022){{cite web |url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/academics/academic-affairs/irpa/reports/2022-23-Academic-Year.pdf |title=Common Data Set 2022–23 |publisher=Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology |access-date=June 12, 2022}}

| postgrad = 19 (fall 2022)

| city = Terre Haute, Indiana

| country = United States

| campus = Suburban

| campus_size = {{convert|1300|acre|ha}}

| sports_nickname = Fightin' Engineers

| mascot = Rosie the Elephant

| colors = {{color box|#800000}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} Red and white {{cite web|title=Rose-Hulman Brand Identity Guidelines 2.0|url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/media/1707886/RH-BrandGuideLines-20.pdf|access-date=June 28, 2021}}

| athletics_affiliations = NCAA Division IIIHCAC{{cite web |title=NCAA member schools > Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology |publisher=NCAA |access-date=August 10, 2006 |url=http://web1.ncaa.org/ssLists/orgInfo.do?orgID=585 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060110070724/http://web1.ncaa.org/ssLists/orgInfo.do?orgID=585 |archive-date=January 10, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}

| free_label =

| free =

| accreditation = Higher Learning Commission

| academic_affiliations = {{indented plainlist|

}}

| website = {{URL|https://rose-hulman.edu}}

| logo = Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology wordmark.svg

| logo_upright = 0.7

}}

Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) is a private university in Terre Haute, Indiana, United States. It was founded in 1874 and houses 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.

==History==

Image:Rose Polytechnic.jpg

=Founding (1874–1917)=

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/about-us/history-and-leadership/detailed-history.html|publisher=Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology|title=Rose-Hulman History Project|date=August 1, 1998}}

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.{{cite web | title=Student Demographics – 1883 Style | publisher=Rose-Hulman Echoes|access-date=August 10, 2006| url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/echoes/summer2003/lookback.htm}} 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.

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

In 1889 the school awarded what it considered to be the first chemical engineering degree in the country.{{cite web | title=BioCrossroads: Assets | publisher=BioCrossroads | access-date=August 10, 2006 | url=http://www.biocrossroads.com/inls/academic-rhit.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321001821/http://www.biocrossroads.com/inls/academic-rhit.htm | archive-date=March 21, 2006 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }} 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.William Crosby Marshall, Graphical Methods for Schools, Colleges, Statisticians, Engineers and Executives. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. 1921. p. V

=Relocation and war years (1917–1951)=

In 1917, the school, having grown to more than 300 students, moved from 13th and Locust Street to a new site consisting of {{convert|123|acre|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.

During World War I, Rose Polytechnic trained students in technical subjects such as vehicle maintenance, and created a 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=

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.

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.{{cite web | title=The Rose-Hulman Story | publisher=Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | access-date=August 10, 2006| url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/125th/history.htm}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.local-movers.org/Moving/Indiana_IN.html|title=The Indiana Institute of Technology Relocation Project|publisher=The Indiana Moving Division|date=November 4, 2006|access-date=January 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107143647/http://www.local-movers.org/Moving/Indiana_IN.html|archive-date=November 7, 2014|url-status=dead}}

=1990s–present=

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/07/us/college-to-end-a-117-year-all-male-tradition.html|title=College to End a 117-Year All-Male Tradition|newspaper=New York Times|date=October 7, 1991}}

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.{{cite web |title=Rally continues Midgley debate |publisher=Rose Thorn |access-date=September 13, 2006 |author= Alex Clerc |url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/thorn/archive/050506/frontpage/3.html}} Midgley resigned as president of the institute on June 11, 2005, less than a year into his presidency, after the faculty,{{cite web |title= Faculty vote: no confidence |author=Alex Clerc |publisher=Rose Thorn|access-date=September 13, 2006 |url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/thorn/archive/050506/frontpage/1.html}} 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.{{cite web |title=Gerald Jakubowski Begins Duties as 13th President of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology |publisher=Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology |access-date=August 10, 2006 |url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/articles/jakubowskibeginsjuly1.htm}} He resigned in 2009,{{cite web |title=President Jakubowski Announces Resignation Effective June 30|access-date=February 23, 2009|url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/notificationcommunity.pdf}}{{cite web|title=Breaking Update: Rose president resigns|access-date=February 23, 2009|url=http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_054104501.html}}{{dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} and the Board of Trustees elected Matt Branam to serve as interim president.{{cite web|title=Alumnus, Executive Matt Branam Named Interim President of Rose-Hulman|access-date=August 4, 2009|url=http://alumni.rose-hulman.edu/news/27236/Alumni-News-Alumnus-Executive-Matt-Branam-Named-Interim-President-of-R.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811094340/http://alumni.rose-hulman.edu/news/27236/Alumni-News-Alumnus-Executive-Matt-Branam-Named-Interim-President-of-R.htm |archive-date=August 11, 2011 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} He became president later that year. Branam died of a heart attack in April 2012,{{cite web|url=http://tribstar.com/news/x733697528/Rose-mourns-president-s-death|title=Rose-Hulman mourns president's death|first=Sue LoughlinThe|last=Tribune-Star|website=tribstar.com|access-date=August 25, 2017}} 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.{{cite web |title=Global Engineering Executive and Engineering Educator Named New President |access-date=March 4, 2013|url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/on-campus/2013/rose-hulman-new-president.aspx}}

In 2017, the school acquired {{convert|4.5|km2|sqmi}} from the former home of Mari Hulman George.{{cite web|url=http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/36209755/rose-hulman-to-add-1100-acres-from-hulman-george-family|title=Rose-Hulman to Add 1,100 Acres From Hulman Family|first=Dan|last=McGowan|website=insideindianabusiness.com|access-date=August 25, 2017}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/2018/Rose-Hulman-President-Steps-Down.html|title=Rose-Hulman President Steps Down|website=www.rose-hulman.edu|access-date=November 7, 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/2018/ribbon-cutting-opens-mussallem-union.html|title=Ribbon Cutting Opens Mussallem Union|website=rose-hulman.edu|access-date=June 12, 2022}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/2019/New-Innovation-Space-Becomes-Hub-of-Activity-Learning.html|title=New Innovation Space Becomes Hub of Activity, Learning|website=rose-hulman.edu|access-date=June 12, 2022}}

In 2021, the New Academic Building was opened, with funding provided by a $15 million lead gift by an anonymous donor.{{cite web|url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/2018/15-Million-Lead-Gift-to-Create-New-Academic-Building.html|title=$15 Million Lead Gift to Create New Academic Building|website=rose-hulman.edu|access-date=June 12, 2022}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/2021/new-academic-building-opens-window-into-rose-hulman.html|title=New Academic Building Opens 'Window into Rose-Hulman'|website=rose-hulman.edu|access-date=June 12, 2022}} The New Academic building is the first building in the state of Indiana to apply for WELL recognition.{{cite web|url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/2021/new-academic-building-seeking-to-be-iIndiana-first-well-certified-structure.html|title=New Academic Building Seeking to Be Indiana's First WELL Certified Structure|website=rose-hulman.edu|access-date=June 12, 2022}}

Campus

File:Moench Hall Rear View 2022.jpg

File:The New Academic Building at Rose-Hulman Institute of Techology, as of Early 2022.jpg

File:White Chapel 2022.jpg

File:Deminghall.jpg

File:percopo.jpg

Most of the university property is in the Terre Haute city limits, though parts extend outside of the city limits. The university as a whole is in Lost Creek Township.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st18_in/place/p1875428_terre_haute/DC20BLK_P1875428.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Terre Haute city, IN|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-12-15|page=3 (PDF p. 4/10)|quote=Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology}}

Academics

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. Admission to the institute remains competitive due to its self-selecting admissions class and applicant sharing with Purdue, and other top universities.{{cite web |title=A New College Ranking |publisher=Laissez-Faire |access-date=September 7, 2006 |url=http://collegeadmissions.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/laissez-faire-1999-2000.txt}} In 2022, 602 freshman students enrolled out of 3,353 accepted applicants.

=Accreditation=

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.{{cite web|title=Accreditation, Rose-Hulman |url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/academics/academic-affairs/irpa/accreditation/index.html|website=www.rose-hulman.edu|access-date=June 28, 2021}} 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).{{cite web |title=Rose engineering, computer science programs earn accreditation |work=Terre Haute Tribune Star |access-date=September 13, 2006 |url=http://www.tribstar.com/archivesearch/local_story_254194736.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205062913/http://www.tribstar.com/archivesearch/local_story_254194736.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2013}}

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.{{cite web|title=American Society for Engineering Education|url=https://www.asee.org/about-us/types-of-membership|website=Asee.org|access-date=August 25, 2017}}

=Rankings and reputation=

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/2021/rose-hulman-is-no.-1-in-U.S.-news-engineering-rankings-for-23rd-straight-year.html |title=Rose-Hulman is No. 1 in U.S. News' Engineering Rankings for 24th Straight Year |publisher=Rose–Hulman institute of Technology |date=September 13, 2021}} 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).{{cite web |url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/about/national-distinction.aspx |title=About--National Distinction |publisher=Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology |access-date=May 7, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/spec-engineering|title=Best Undergraduate Engineering Program Rankings (No doctorate)|website=Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com|access-date=August 25, 2017}} Rose--Hulman is ranked 24th nationally for Return on Investment for Students by PayScale's 2024 rankings.{{Cite web |title=Best-value Colleges {{!}} Payscale College ROI Report |url=https://www.payscale.com/college-roi/page/3 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Payscale}}

Student life

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.{{cite web |title=Rose-Hulman Connections |publisher=Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology |access-date=April 13, 2007 |url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/admissions/connections/index.htm}}

The school has several competition teams that operate out of the Branam and Kremer Innovation Centers. These include Team Rose Motorsports, Grand Prix Engineering (Formula SAE), Human Powered Vehicle Challenge, Rose Rocketry, AIAA Design/Build/Fly, Chem-E-Car, MakerLab, Make It Happen, and various robotics competitions among many others.{{Cite web |title=Branam and Kremer Innovation Centers {{!}} Rose-Hulman |url=https://www.rose-hulman.edu/academics/degrees-and-programs/cross-cutting-programs/BIC/index.html |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=www.rose-hulman.edu}}

There are eight social fraternities and three social sororities, some of which have their houses on campus. As of 2003, nearly 69% of the students were members of Greek social organizations.{{cite web |title=Wondering About Greek Life? |work=The Rose Thorn |access-date=August 10, 2006|url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/thorn/archive/030926/frontpage/0.html}}

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.{{cite web |title=Rose-Hulman Ventures Celebrates 10 Years As A Unique Engineering Education Enterprise |publisher=Rose–Hulman |access-date=January 27, 2010 |url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/articles/2009tenthventures.htm}} 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.{{cite web|title=$24.9 Million Lilly Endowment Gift Expands Successful Rose-Hulman Ventures|publisher=Rose-Hulman Ventures|access-date=August 10, 2006|url=http://fc.rose-hulman.edu/rhv/news/ventures_lilly.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930154730/http://fc.rose-hulman.edu/rhv/news/ventures_lilly.htm|archive-date=September 30, 2007|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

=Media=

The school's student-run newspaper is The Rose Thorn.{{cite web|title=Publications|publisher=Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology|access-date=October 9, 2016|url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-and-services/publications/thorn.aspx}}

Rose–Hulman has an amateur radio club, the Rose Tech Radio Club (call sign W9NAA), that maintains a dedicated on-campus station.{{cite web|title=Amateur License - W9NAA - Rose Tech Radio Club|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=October 9, 2016|url=http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=828739|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011015339/http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=828739|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrz.com/db/W9NAA|title=W9NAA Callsign Page|website=QRZ Callsign Database}}

The Rose–Hulman Film Club produces student-directed short films.{{cite web | title=Film Club | publisher=Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | access-date=October 9, 2016|url=http://www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-and-services/student-life/student-activities/club-info/film-club.aspx}}

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.{{cite web|title= College Radio Watch: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to Sell WMHD to Indiana State University|author=Jennifer Waits|date=June 20, 2014|publisher=Radio Survivor|access-date=October 9, 2016|url=http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2014/06/20/rose-hulman-institute-technology-sell-wmhd-indiana-state-university/}}

Athletics

{{Main|Rose–Hulman Fightin' Engineers}}

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

Notable alumni

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • {{cite book |author=Pickett, William B. |author-link=William B. Pickett |title=To Be the Best: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 1974-1999 |publisher=Four Colour Imports |location=Louisville |year=1999 |isbn=0-91-441401-1 |oclc=42520799 |ref=none}}