Montana Tech University of Montana - Magma Yearbook (Butte, MT)

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A Historical Sketch The foundation for the Montana School of Mines was laid in the Enabling Act. This act provided for an appropriation of forty thousand acres of public land to each of the Dakotos, and one hundred thousand acres to the State of Montana for the establishment and maintenance in each of a State School of Mines; this legislation was a congruous sequence to the Morrill Act of 1862, which provided for the establishment of state schools for instruction in agri- culture and the mechanic arts. The State of Montana promptly accepted the donation of lands for a School of Mines, and appointed officers to select the amount allowed by the government. The state legislature resolved to have the School of Mines estab- lished and put in operation as soon as the necessary preliminaries could be arranged. It chose the City of Butte as the location for the school and appointed a commission consisting of five persons to prepare plans and spacifications for the erection of the building. The original School of Mines building, (now the Main Hall), was erected m 1896-7 on a plot of ground which comprised the Mint and Vanderbilt lodes, donated to the school by General Charles S. Warren, and Messrs. George H. Casey, Levi J. Hamilton, R. H. Wearing, Joseph R. Silver, Robert A. Day, and Henry Haupt. The legislature at this session in 1899, contemplated the opening of the school at some time in the year 1900, and made an appropriation of $26,300 for the equipment of the building and for maintenance to the end of the fiscal year, November, 1900. The School of Mines was opened for the reception of pupils September 1 1, 1900. The total number admitted during that year was 39, classified as fol- lows: Freshmen, 17; Sophomores, 3; Juniors, 1; and 18 students enrolled in special and preparatory courses.

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President Koch This Magma for 1960 serves as a mirror, from the pages of which are reflected the images of cherished friends and associates, events we remember fondly, and memories of many activities which have contributed to a very successful and pleasant year at MSM. These images will enrich our reveries of future years, helping us to remember if memory lags. The past year has been marked with many noteworthy accomplishments. We have watched our student union building become a physical reality after nearly two years of plan- ning and work. The Student Council has worked hand in hand with the administration on this project from the beginning, through preliminary and final plans, choice of furnishings, color schemes, plans for utilization, and organization for management and operation. Fac- ulty-student co-operation and understanding have improved through mutual effort, resulting in increased participation of students in campus government. The Student Council has dem- onstrated outstanding leadership in effecting this and other student-faculty liaison. The var- ious student organizations, dramatics, publications, athletics, all have made impressive and noteworthy contributions to an outstandingly successful year. For our seniors we wish the best of good fortune and success in the years ahead. What you did here to prepare for the future will be your badge of distinction. Wherever you go, whatever you do, Montana School of Mines goes with you, wishing you well and depending upon you to uphold and support your Alma Mater.