Clarkson University - Clarksonian Yearbook (Potsdam, NY)

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There were six courses of instruction: electrical engi- neering, domestic science, and four types of mechanics arts and manual training. Only the E.E. course led to a four year degree. November 30, 1896, Thomas S. Clarkson's birthday, was chosen as an appropriate time for the formal opening and dedication of the school. Pictured is J. R. Weston's after a fire in 1890. The entire structure was later tom down and the build- ings as we know them today were built. The old Currier-Freeman building to the far right is presently the Dew Drop. The fire pictured took place in 1896 on the East side of Market Street. These buildings were later tom down and replaced by the Arlington Inn. 3

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Charles W. Eaton Director 1896-1897 It was in September of 1894 that the people of Pots- dam first began to hear talk of a new school to be built in Potsdam. The tragic death of Thomas S. Clark- son in August of that year spurred his three sisters, Elizabeth, Frederica, and Lavinia to put into realistic and living form the cherished ideas of their brother: to build a school to aid young men and women who show a desire to aid themselves. An institute of tech- nology was contemplated as a living memorial to their brother. Plans for the building were submitted by Ar- chitect Edgar A. Josselyn of New York and in June, 1895, ground was broken and the building began to take shape. Charles W. Eaton, a professor at Pratt In- stitute in Brooklyn was given the position of Director of the Thomas S. Clarkson Memorial School of Tech- nology. His duties were to take charge of the erection of the school building, and to provide for the equip- ment and organization of the school until it was fully opened. On March 19, 1896, the board of Regents granted a charter for the school and on September 2, the doors opened for 5 young men in the prep class, 8 men in the freshman class and 4 women in domestic science. 2

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Burton Cruikshank Director 1897-1901 In 1897, Burton Cruikshank succeeded Charles Ea- ton as director of the school. Tuition was $80 a year for engineering this year. The day began for all officers and students in the assembly hall on the third floor of the school building. All were expected to attend daily chapel here at 8:45 a.m. The curriculum was beginning to expand as Mechanical Engineering was included this year. In June of 1898, Clarkson awarded the first three certificates for its two-year course in Home Economics, and added a four-year course in Civil Engineering. That fall Clarkson's football team was organized to represent “the tech by George Stebbins, captain the two following years. At the commencement of June 22, 1900, Clarkson awarded its first four Bachelor of Science degrees, one in Mechanical Engineering and three in Electrical Engi- neering. Two months earlier, the trustees adopted the original school seal (the steam engine) and the Clark- son Athletic Association was founded by the students in October of that year. 4 The original Clarkson School Seal as adopted by the Board of Trustees in April, 1900. Above is the Mechanical Engineering lab in Old Main.