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Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology facts for kids

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Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology
Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology seal.svg
Former name
  • Terre Haute School of Industrial Science (1874–1875)
  • Rose Polytechnic Institute (1875–1971)
Motto Latin: Labor et scientia
Motto in English
Work and Knowledge
Type Private university
Established 1874; 151 years ago (1874)
Accreditation Higher Learning Commission
Academic affiliations
  • AITU
  • MUPEC
Endowment $209.8 million (2020)
President Robert A. Coons
Provost Rick Stamper
Academic staff
196 (fall 2022)
Undergraduates 2,169 (fall 2022)
Postgraduates 19 (fall 2022)
Address
5500 Wabash Avenue
, ,
IN 47803
,
United States
Campus Suburban: 1,300 acres (530 ha)
Colors           Red and white
Nickname Fightin' Engineers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division III – HCAC
Mascot Rosie the Elephant
Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology wordmark.svg

Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) is a private university in Terre Haute, Indiana. It started in 1874 with just three programs. Today, it has twelve departments. They offer over thirty programs in science, engineering, and technology. Students can earn bachelor's and master's degrees here.

Rose–Hulman helps students get ready for careers. It also encourages them to do their own research. The school is known for its focus on engineering and technology.

History of Rose-Hulman

How it Started

Rose Polytechnic
Photograph (circa 1881) of the original main campus building
Rose Polytechnic Institute in 1886 detail, from- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. LOC sanborn02512 001-25 (cropped)
Rose Polytechnic Institute in 1886 fire map

The school began in 1874 as the Terre Haute School of Industrial Science. A man named Chauncey Rose and his friends started it. They wanted to train local engineers for railroad building. Mr. Rose gave the land and most of the money.

A year later, the school's name changed. It became Rose Polytechnic Institute. The first campus was just one building. It did not have dorms or places for fun.

The first class had 48 male students in 1883. Most were from Indiana. Many chose to study mechanical engineering. Some studied civil engineering or chemistry. The first president, Charles O. Thompson, based the school on colleges in the East. This made it the first private engineering college west of the Alleghenies.

In the early years, money was a big worry. Teachers and staff sometimes took less pay. In 1889, the school gave out what it called the first chemical engineering degree in the country.

Moving to a New Campus

In 1917, the school had over 300 students. It moved to a new, larger location. The Hulman family of Terre Haute donated the land. The new campus opened in 1922. It included an academic building, now called Moench Hall. It also had the first dorm, Deming Hall. Both are still used today.

Early student life included social clubs and sports. Students also played pranks on each other.

During the Wars

During World War I, Rose Polytechnic taught technical skills. It also started an Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) unit. This unit later became the Wabash Battalion Army ROTC program.

In World War II, the ROTC unit changed. Students could finish their studies faster. This helped support the war effort.

Growing in the 1960s and 1970s

In 1971, the school changed its name again. It became Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology. This was to honor the Hulman family. They had given a lot of money to the school.

The school grew a lot in the 1960s and 1970s. Five new dorms were built. A new student union, library, and recreation center also opened. The school was allowed to have up to 1000 students.

Modern Times

For most of its history, Rose–Hulman was only for men. In 1991, it decided to allow women. The first full-time women students started in 1995.

In 1995, the school made a new rule. All new students had to buy a laptop chosen by the school. This made it one of the first schools to do this.

From 1995 to 2004, the school raised a lot of money. This helped it grow even more. Many new buildings were added. These included the Olin Advanced Learning Center and the John T Myers Center. The Sports and Recreation Center replaced an older building. The National Football League's Indianapolis Colts used it for training for many years. Hatfield Hall, a theater and alumni center, opened in 2002.

In 2018, the student union was updated. It was renamed the Mussallem Union. This building is a central spot for students. It has meeting areas, dining, and health services.

In 2019, the Kremer Innovation Center (KIC) opened. It expanded the Branam Innovation Center (BIC). These centers help students with projects. They have tools for making prototypes and doing experiments.

In 2021, the New Academic Building opened. It has labs for chemistry and food science. It also has study rooms and a large open area. This building is the first in Indiana to apply for WELL recognition.

Academics at Rose-Hulman

Rose–Hulman mainly focuses on engineering and science. It is mostly for students getting their first college degree. There is also a small program for master's degree students. The school does not offer doctoral degrees.

As of 2021, Rose–Hulman has 189 teachers. Almost all of them have a PhD. There is one teacher for every 11 students. The school has three main study periods, called academic quarters. There is also an optional summer session.

Rose–Hulman is part of the College Consortium of Western Indiana. This means students can take classes at Indiana State University and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Accreditation and Recognition

Rose–Hulman has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. Many of its engineering programs are also approved by ABET. ABET is The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

The school is also a member of the Association of Independent Technological Universities. This group helps private engineering schools.

Rankings and Reputation

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Rose–Hulman highly. For 24 years, it has been ranked first among engineering colleges that do not offer a doctorate degree. Its individual programs, like Chemical, Civil, and Mechanical Engineering, are also ranked first.

Student Life

Most students at Rose–Hulman come from the Midwestern United States. However, more students are now coming from other places. About 39% of students are from Indiana. Many also come from nearby states like Illinois and Ohio.

The school has many teams that compete. These include teams for Formula SAE, Shell Eco-Marathon, and various robotics competitions.

There are eight social fraternities (for men) and three social sororities (for women). Some of these groups have houses on campus. About 69% of students are part of these groups. There are also four professional fraternities that welcome all genders.

The Homework Hotline helps students in Indiana. It gives free homework help to middle school and high school students. This program started in 1991.

Rose–Hulman Ventures helps students find internships and jobs. It works with new and established companies. This program started in 1999.

Athletics

The sports teams at Rose–Hulman are called the Rose–Hulman Fightin' Engineers.

Media

The school has a student-run newspaper. It is called The Rose Thorn. It shares news about the campus.

Rose–Hulman also has an amateur radio club. It is called the Rose Tech Radio Club. They have a radio station on campus.

The Rose–Hulman Film Club makes short films. These films are directed by students.

Notable Alumni

  • Tim Cindric (1990) – President of Penske Racing.
  • Ernest R. Davidson (1958) – Winner of the National Medal of Science.
  • Marshall Goldsmith (1970) – A well-known Management consultant.
  • John Hostettler (1983) – Former U.S. Congressman.
  • Don Lincoln (1986) – A Particle Physicist.
  • Art Nehf (1914) – A Major League Baseball pitcher.
  • Abe Silverstein (1929) – An Aeronautical engineer and former NASA center director.
  • Mike Thomas (2000) – Co-founder of Monomi Park, known for Slime Rancher.
  • Jim Umpleby (1980) – CEO of Caterpillar, Inc..
  • Bernard Vonderschmitt (1944) – Co-founder of Xilinx.
  • Robert L. Wilkins (1986) – A Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Instituto de Tecnología Rose-Hulman para niños

  • Association of Independent Technological Universities
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