Mines: The Engineering Academy

This short history recounts the story of Colorado School of Mines, particularly from 1947 to the early 1960s, its student life, and the traditions and excellence which was one of the most stringent in the country whch developed some of the great engineers in the US The saga of the first hundred years of the Colorado School of Mines also known as Mines (CSM) was founded to fulfill a technological need in Colorado Territory, and rose to greatness through the establishment of a harsh, unforgiving environment with arguably the strictest academic standards ever seen on the North American continent. Its graduates dominated earth science industries having passed mental and physical tests of knowledge and endurance unthinkable in today’s academic institutions. Even with selective admissions, CSM ultimately graduated less than one-third of its students, and many of those long after the normal four years of study.

This short history recounts the story of Mines, particularly from 1947 to the early 1960s, its student life, and the traditions and excellence lost in a changing environment. Nothing lasts forever, particularly institutions subject to tinkering by outside forces unable to recognize the value of engineering and fearing greatness in others. Teachers were replaced by corporate managers and research scientists, and students were recruited to represent the image Mines presidents wished to present to the state and the surrounding community. This is a history of a great educational institution by former students