Stevens Institute of Technology - Link Yearbook (Hoboken, NJ)

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History of Stevens n the early l87O's this country was nurturing a new social era. The move- ment was evident in two fields particularly, those of science and of edu- cation. Scientists and educators may or may not have foreseen a new era, but in the decade after l87U they increased the number of technical colleges from seventeen to eight-five. The first of such colleges established in that decade was Stevens Institute of Technology. Eor the creation of most of those colleges, thanks are due to the United States government for its generous Land Grant Act of 1882. For the creation of Stevens, thanks are due to but one man-Edwin Augustus Stevens. No other single man was more representative of the scientific and edu- cational leaders of that new era than was Edwin Augustus Stevens. This man was the son of Colonel Iohn Stevens, one of the great American scientists of the nineteenth century. Iohn Stevens was a wealthy man as well as a man of scientific ability, and his son inherited both his estate and his abilities. Wealth was to Edwin A. Stevens simply a convenience whereby he might use his scientific ability for the benefit of mankind. And mankind has truly benefited, for after a life devoted to scientific research and invention, he bequeathed a plot of ground adjoining his Castle Point estate and 38501100 for the estab- lishment of an institution of learning. Edwin A. Stevens died in 1858, and plans were promptly started for the construction of the new Institutes buildings, the organization of its faculty, and the outline of its course of study. In l87l announcement was made of the school of mechanical engineering. Two Iuniors, three Sophomores and six- teen Ereshmen enrolled, and in September, 21 students and 7 professors as- sembled for the first time in the class-rooms, laboratories and shops of Stevens Institute of Technology. A drawing card for the new Institute was its personnel. The executors of the Stevens will had become the first trustees. They chose for the first president of the Institute Dr. Henry Morton, a man whose name stands second only to -I-' -31' 'IVFW36 Twenty-one

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that of the founder of the list of those most responsible for Stevens' success. He was eminent in both literary and scientific fields. The original faculty of seven men was drawn largely from the faculties of other colleges. ' Since the inception of what we have called the new social era, progress in society has probably been most in the two fields of science and education. Stevens being an offspring of both of these, its progress has been as inevitable as it was rapid. Changing professional and living requirements have necessitated changes in and additions to the course of study. The first one of importance was the creation of the Department of Applied Electricity Clater Electrical Engineeringl. The courses in other departments have been improved as better laboratory facilities and class-rooms have been built. The Departments of Languages and Belle-Lettres have combined into the Humanities Department. Under the administration of President Davis the Humanities have received particular emphasis. More evident but no more important have been the improvements of buildings and grounds. The Institute buildings have been never spectacular, sometimes crowded, always complete. Stevens in its early years was housed under one roof, that of the present Administration Building. Pew changes have been made on the original building, but in l888 the east wing was vacated by the Stevens School, which moved into its new building Cnow the Recitation Buildingl. ln l9l7 the Preparatory School severed its connection with the lnsti- tute and moved from the campus, leaving its building for college use. Through the generosity of Andrew Carnegie a much-needed new labora- tory was built and opened in l902. ln l906 the Morton Memorial Laboratory of Chemistry was completed, and land for the present athletic fields was obtained by the lnstitute from the Stevens estate. The Castle was similarly acquired in l9lO. Since then the most important additions have been the William Hall Walker Gymnasium, which was built in l9l6, and the Navy and Library Build- ings, which were purchased from the government after the War. ln l929 the Institute purchased the camp property in lohnsonburg, and thus in one jump increased its acreage from 30 to 360. Inevitable as progress, but as lamentable as progress is encouraging, are the deaths of leaders and friends of the lnstitute. After sixty-five years, not one of the original faculty is living, of the first three classes' l4 graduates only one is with us still. Dr. Vlfilliam E. Geyer, who was first a teacher in the Preparatory School, the last surviving member of the original faculty, died last Fall. I. H. Pezandie, l875, holds the lowest class numerals of any living alumnus. President Morton's career of inspiring service and leadership was ended by his death in 1902, when his office was filled by Alexander C. Humphreys, '8l. Dr. Humphreys devotedly served his alma mater as its President for 25 years. Under his leadership it thrived and grew through a difficult period of its history. ln l927, President Humphreys died, and his successor was Harvey N. Davis. A liberal, progressive policy has been followed since then, and Stevens has seen few better days than these. Sixty-five years have brought to Castle Point new buildings, new faces, and new ideas, but the original purpose, to establish an institution for the- benefit, tuition, and advancement of the youth, has been faithfully retained. 'ra-If um: - ---r ---- Twenty-two