Indiana Institute of Technology - Kekiongan Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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THE KEKIONGAN TDOra TuO - IRPM Editors — Frederick Flor, R. W. Ingram, D. W. Hall, A. Christopher, O. K. Korth. Originator of Name — David H. Moehring Faculty Advisors — Mary E. Weimer, Eugene Montoya, Jr. Copyright 1949, Indiana Technical College, Fort Wayne, Indiana

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ORGANIZATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF INDIANA TECHNICAL COLLEGE Tribute to John A. Kalbfleisch, First President, and William J. Hess, First Vice-President and Treasurer Indiana Technical College was organized in 1930 to provide an acceler- ated engineering program adjusted to the requirements of industry and to the rapid developments in (he engineering sciences. From the start it made a strong appeal to many well-qualified students who lacked the time and money to com- plete the traditional four year engineering course of study. Mr. John Kalbfleisch, able school executive and director, was the first president. Mr. William J. Hess of extensive financial and manufacturing experience was the first vice-president and treasurer. The location of the college was ideal, on Washington Boulevard in the heart of the city of Fort Wayne, the second largest industrial center in Indiana, where manufacturers and wholesalers operated to serve approximately 25,000,000 people within a 300 mile radius in one of the richest industrial and agricultural regions in the United States. Among the many technical and mechanical industries of Fort Wayne there long had been a growing demand for capable technical men and engineers. This demand called for thoroughly practical, yet sound scientific and engineering education and training. Indiana Technical College stands today as a memorial to the wise leadership and guidance of Mr. John A. Kalbfleisch, who organized the college with the assistance of Mr. William J. Hess, who gave unreserv- edly of his wisdom in supporting the program of the institution created to serve Ihe needs of youth and industry. The guiding spirit of these men serves as an inspir- ation to those who have been chosen to carry on their great work to continue to make the school grow in stature and favor through service. The first classes started with approximaiely 100 students. The Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Civil, Structural, and Radio Engineering was offered upon the satisfactory completion of 24 months of study on the college level. This was made possible by the omission of much of the non-technical subject matter. Strong concentration was given in mathematics, the sciences, and the specialized engineering subjects, offering a complete engineering program of courses commonly found in the conventional four-year engineering curriculum. From the beginning the school has operated on a year-round program with four terms of twelve weeks each ln addition to the degree courses in engineering, a short diploma course was f fl ecf ' lH. Mechanical Drafting. Chemical Engineering was added in 1933; and in v 1934 4fer ±wautical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering courses were included 1 curricVjIum. Later, Structural Engineering was made a part of the Civil Engi- ingjg gSjJUment. £» tZfUT O Continued on page 112 657613