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

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fa History of Stevens TEVEXS Institute of Technology perpetuates the name of a distinguished family that left to the world many noteworthy achievements in the art and science of engineering. Of the eleven children of Colonel John Stevens the lives of two are directly con- nected with Stevens Institute. They were Robert Livingston and Edwin Augustus. Castle Stevens was designed and built by Robert Stevens. lfpon the death of Robert Stevens his brother Edwin inherited the Stevens estate. Edwin A. Stevens survived his brother by twelve years. dying in 1808. ln his will he set aside one city block and 5650.000 for the establishment of an institute of learning. He stipulated that 5150.000 was to be used in constructing a building and the remainder was to be set aside as a permanent endowment fund. The executors of the estate agreed that in recognition of its founder's profession that the new col- lege should be devoted to the teaching of mechanical engineering. The college's first faculty consisted of eight members. ,Xt their head was Doctor Henry Horton. the first President of Stevens. President Nlorton had gained renown as the translator of the hieroglyphics on the Rosetta Stone. The formal opening of Stevens lnstitute of Technology was held in September. 1871. At that time the enrollment consisted of two Juniors. three Sophomores. and sixteen Freshmen. Because of the small enrollment during the first years of Stevens special students were admitted and the degree of Ph.D. or l3.S. was conferred upon these students. lvpon the death of President Horton. Doctor Alexander Crombie Ilumphreys became President of Stevens. Doctor Humphreys had graduated from Stevens in 13

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ltltll and had become eminent in the engineering profession. being both an authority on gas and an outstanding consulting engineer. ln l00l the Institute acquired land by purchase. which was turned into an athletic field. and tennis courts. llpon a section of this land a gymnasium was erected in l9l0. This gymnasium came as a gift from William llall Walker of iil00.000. -Xgain in IQIO property was purchased consisting of Castle Stevens and its grounds. l00T was an epochal year in the history of Stevens. In this year the College adopted the honor sy stern. livery student ol' Stevens learns to appreciate the train- ing and sense of right the honor system gives lo the undergraduate body. A violator ofthe honor sy stem is tried by a Student llonor Board. The advent ofthe honor system was but one of a series of steps which tended to bring the students and faculty of Stevens into closer relationship. ln IQ08 student self-government was established and five years later the Student Council was organized. The World War gave rise to marked activity at Stevens. The Navy Building and the l . S. Steam lflngineering School were quickly erected by the government. Haste and economy made it impossible to erect these buildings in agreement with the architecture ofthe surroundings. lloth of these buildings were purchased by Stevens after the Armistice. The buildings were altered and put into use by the College. The Nay y building is occupied by the lfilcctrical Department of Stevens with a section of it used as a museum. The lv. S. Steam Engineering School became the Library . Dr. Frank L. Sevenoak. a member of the faculty graciously served in the capacity' of temporary President for one year after Dr. llumphreys'death.while the Trustees of the Institute were selecting a man to become the next President. The choice of the Trustees was made public during the latter part of the college year of 1927-1928. They selected Dr. llarvey Nathaniel Davis. an eminent scientist and authority' on steam. who was at that time Professor of Mechanical lingineering at llarvard. llnder President Davis the present sliding scale plan of tuition was inaugurated. This unique innovation called for a raise in the hase rate of tuition from 3480 to 35600. llowever. every student was given the chanee under this system to win all or part of his tuition back. The tuition rebates are called lindowment Participation Certificates and are awarded on the basis of honor points which are accumulated both for scholastic achievements and extra-curricular activities. The college in 1930 purchased a large tract of land in johnsonburg. N. J.. which is now the site of a civil engineering camp. Freshmen at the end of their first year course spend six weeks at the camp where surveying occupies most of their time. 14