Colorado School of Mines
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| Established | 1873-1874 |
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| Type | Public |
| President | Dr. Myles W. (Bill) Scoggins |
| Undergraduates | 3,209 |
| Postgraduates | 770 |
| Location | Golden, Colorado, USA |
| Campus | Suburban, 373 acres (1.5 km²) |
| Athletics | 18 varsity teams |
| Colors | Blue & Silver |
| Website | www.mines.edu |
The Colorado School of Mines is a public research university devoted to engineering and applied science located in the town of Golden, Colorado. The school was originally founded in 1873 by the Episcopal Church, but in 1874 it was transferred to the Territory of Colorado. It became a state institution when Colorado attained statehood in 1876.
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[edit] Early history
Golden, Colorado, established in 1859 as Golden City, served as a supply center for miners and settlers in the area. In 1866, Bishop George Maxwell Randall of Massachusetts arrived in the territory and, seeing a need for higher education facilities in the area, began planning for a university which would include a school of mines. In 1870, he opened the Jarvis Hall collegiate school in the central building of the Colorado University Schools campus just south of the town of Golden, accompanied it with Matthews Hall divinity school in 1872, and in 1873 the School of Mines opened under the auspices of the Episcopal Church in charge of Edward J. Mallet Jr.. In 1874 the School of Mines, supported by the territorial government since efforts began in 1870, was acquired by the territory and has been a state institution since 1876 when Colorado attained statehood.
The first building on the current site of the school was built in 1880 with additions completed in 1882 and 1890. The building, known as "Chemistry Hall," stood where Hill Hall is now located. The next building to be added to the campus was Engineering Hall built in 1894 which is still in use today by the Economics and Business Division.
Other firsts include the first Board of Trustees meeting held in 1879; the first formal commencement held in 1883 for two graduates; the first international student graduated in 1889; and the first female student graduated in 1898. In 1879, there was some discussion about merging School of Mines and the State University in Boulder (University of Colorado at Boulder). Apparently, because of the specialized focus of School of Mines, it was decided that such a merger would not be appropriate. During the early years of the institution the chief administrator was the "Professor in Charge." The designation President was first used in 1880. The "M" on Mt. Zion, a prominent feature in the Golden area, was constructed in 1908 and lighted in 1932.
Early academic "departments" were "draughting," physics, metallurgy, chemistry and mining. In the 1920's, departments formed in geology, petroleum engineering and geophysics. Petroleum refining was added in 1946. The Division of Liberal Arts and International Studies and the Department of Physical Education and Athletics provide nontechnical educational opportunities for Mines students. Other facilities include: Ben Parker Student Center, Arthur Lakes Library, Computing Center and the Edgar Mine which is located in Idaho Springs.
[edit] Today
The Colorado School of Mines is a public research university devoted to engineering and applied science. It has the highest admissions standards of any public state university in Colorado. Mines has distinguished itself by developing a curriculum and research program that is geared towards responsible stewardship of the earth and its resources. In addition to strong education and research programs in traditional fields of science and engineering, Mines is one of a very few institutions in the world having broad expertise in resource exploration, extraction, production and utilization. As such, Mines occupies an unusual position among the world's institutions of higher education.The school is currently in the process of building a new student recreation center, and is expanding its main computer center (the CTLM). The petroleum engineering department will soon be breaking ground on a new building as well.
On June 19th, 2006, Dr. Bill Scoggins took office as the 16th president of the school, replacing the retiring Dr. John Trefney, who held the position since 2000.
The school operates one of the country's most prestigious geology museums. The museum displays rock and mineral specimens collected from Colorado's numerous mining districts as well as around the world. The museum's exhibits include specimens from the Frank Allison gold and silver collection, part of the famous Nininger meteorite collection, and Sweet Home Mine rhodochrosite, as well as a model uranium mine and various pieces of mining related art.
The school also maintains the second oldest mountainside monument in the United States (second only to the University of Utah). Perched on Mount Zion above the campus, every evening, the stone monument of the school's M logo is illuminated and can be seen from miles away. During holidays and special occasions, such as finals week, the structure is illuminated different colors and patterns to reflect the season. Also, every year during the first week of school, the incoming freshmen class hikes up to the "M" and contributes a 10 pound rock to the formation and gives it a fresh coating of whitewash.
Mines is the host of the annual Colorado State Science Olympiad, which draws teams from both the northern regional (hosted at Poudre High School) and southern regional (hosted at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs) competitions. One or two teams usually advance to the national finals, depending on the number of teams registered to compete. Mines also hosts the Colorado Regional Science Bowl, and shares hosting of the Colorado State MathCounts Competition with University of Denver, alternating biennially.
[edit] Buildings
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[edit] List of majors
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[edit] List of Presidents
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Notes: * Professor in Charge ** Began as Professor in Charge, became the first President *** Served as President Twice
[edit] External links
| Public Colleges and Universities in Colorado |
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| Adams State • Colorado • Colorado-Colorado Springs • Colorado-Denver • Colorado-Health Sciences • Colorado School of Mines • Colorado State • Colorado State-Pueblo • Fort Lewis • Mesa State • Metro State • Northern Colorado • Western State |
| Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference |
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| Adams State • Chadron State • Colorado Christian‡ • Colorado–Colorado Springs‡ • Colorado Mines • Colorado State–Pueblo‡ • Fort Lewis • Mesa State • Metro State‡ • Nebraska–Kearney • New Mexico Highlands • Regis‡ • San Francisco State† • Western State • Western New Mexico † wrestling-only member • ‡ non-football member |
