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A History of THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING University of Utah Historical notes relating to the teaching of Engineering at the University of Utah 1850 to 2000 By DIETRICH K. GEHMLICH Professor Emeritus College of Engineering University of Utah 2003 Foreword The title of this work is “A History of the College of Engineering”, but it is perhaps better described by the sub-title, “Historical notes relating to the teaching of Engineering” in the College of Engineering and it’s predecessors, The State School of Mines, and the School of Mines and Engineering. Much of the history of the first 100 years, starting with “pre-engineering”, came from early University of Utah Bulletins. Details for the last 50 years came from University of Utah Bulletins, College of Engineering bulletins and newsletters, departmental newsletters, and newspaper clippings saved by Professor Joseph Andrade while he was dean. Other material was gleaned from stacks of “stuff” I have accumulated in my 50+ years in the Electrical Engineering department and in the Dean’s office. Clearly, this history is not complete; I am sure that others could add much to it. I would encourage anyone that is so inclined to do so. Also I end my work with the end of the century, and trust that someone else will carry on with the history of the College of Engineering from 2000 on. An addendum to this work is a short pictorial section that is entitled: “Where Engineering Education Happened”. In it, I have tried to show pictures of the actual buildings where pre-engineering and engineering education took place, and where those buildings were located, both in the down-town locations of the original University of Deseret, and on the present day campus. I am indebted to the members of the Dean’s office, College of Engineering, for their support and interest in this work, and for providing space and facilities for my use. My special thanks go to Anne Grossenbach and Michael Kay for their encouragement, assistance and suggestions that were always cheerfully given. My special thanks to Dana Robison, Executive Secretary in the Dean’s Office, College of Engineering, for her careful and detailed reading and correcting of the document. Deter Gehmlich June, 2003. Contents Chapter Page 1. Introduction – The Early Beginnings of the University of Utah……………1 2. Rapid Growth of Engineering and Mines………………………………….16 3. Post-War Era Brings Growth and Change…………………………………24 4. 1950 to 1960 – A Decade of Real Growth…………………………………31 5. The Decade of the Sixties – New Buildings, Expanding Curricula, and Continued Growth……………………………………………………..42 6. The Decade of the Seventies – Expansion…………………………………67 7. The Decade of the Eighties…………………………………………………81 8. The Decade of the Nineties…………………………………………………111 Name Index………………………………………………………………..132 Addendum – Where Engineering Education Happened…………………..147 HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY OF UTAH DIETRICH K. GEHMLICH 1. INTRODUCTION – The Early Beginnings of the University of Utah Very soon after the arrival of the Mormon pioneers in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, Brigham Young and others began making plans for an institution of higher learning to be located in Salt Lake City. Brigham Young staked off a proposed campus on the east bench, roughly east of 1300 East and extending east to the mountains allowing for growth and eventually a large campus. On February 28, 1850 the University of Deseret was incorporated by an act of the provisional government of the state of Deseret. In 1851, the legislature of the newly formed Territory of Utah ratified the incorporation act and approved the class-work, which had already begun the previous fall. The first session was to have been held in the new State House (later called the Council House) being built on the southwest corner of Main and South Temple Streets; however, it was not ready by the fall of 1850. On November 11, 1850 the first class of 25 male students began classes in rented space in the home of Mrs. John Pack, near the corner of West Temple and First North (now Second North) Streets. By February 1851, the Council House was ready and the second term commenced in it with about 40 students attending. The tuition was $5.00 per term. During 1851-1852, the third and fourth terms were held in the 13th Ward schoolhouse with nearly 80 students enrolled. Emphasis was given to mathematics, English, grammar, geography, and other subjects necessary for the training of teachers. In 1852, the first general school law was passed by the territorial legislature setting up districts to oversee the education of those in the district. In parallel with this bill, the legislature passed a resolution rescinding the $5000 annual support for the University of Deseret. As a result, the University closed its doors in the spring of 1852. However, a chancellor and a board of regents who were elected by the legislature in 1850 continued meeting and planning for a full-scale university. Under the direction of Dr. John R. Park, chancellor, classes were reestablished in 1869, the sessions being again held in the Council House. In September 1876, the University moved to the old Union Academy on First North and Second West. The LDS Church had need for the Council House, so the move was made in one weekend before the Academy Building was fully ready. During this period, basic courses in classical, normal (teaching), and science were offered at freshman and sophomore university levels. In the science area, basic courses were offered in physics, chemistry, mathematics, geography, geology, and architectural and mechanical drawing. Meanwhile, the city of Salt Lake gave the University a ten-acre block, known as Union Square, to establish a new campus with the expectation that the University would be able to raise sufficient funds to pay for the construction of the physical plant necessary. The 1879 territorial legislature had given the University a $20,000 grant to begin the planning and building of the new campus. Plans were drawn for a new university hall. With the partial funding provided by the 1 legislature, foundations and part of the building were underway with the expectation that more funds would be available from the territorial legislature to complete the building. The 1886-87 Annual Bulletin of the University of Deseret describes the problems in getting the building built for the University. The city of Salt Lake donated the 10-acre block so that the state funds could be used to begin the building with the anticipation that subsequent legislatures would appropriate more money to finish construction. In 1882, neither the governor nor the legislature provided any funds, and the partial building was in danger of being destroyed through exposure and lack of care. Therefore, private donations were found to at least put up the walls and complete the roof of the building. In 1884, it was again expected that the legislature would provide some funds, but again no money was forthcoming. The legislature did upgrade the University's charter to allow it to grant degrees. Supported by tuition fees and other donations, enough rooms were completed in the building so that in August of 1884, it was occupied and classes were begun. The 1885, 1886, and 1887 legislatures provided no further funding for the University of Deseret. By 1888, the faculty had grown to twelve, and the coursework considerably expanded as indicated by the following list of faculty and their teaching assignments: John R. Park - Normal School, arithmetic and grammar Joseph B. Toronto - mathematics, surveying and history Joseph T. Kingsbury - physics, chemistry, mineralogy, geology, civil government, and geography Orson Howard - zoology, physiology, botany, astronomy Joshua H. Paul - writing, elocution, grammar, reading, and English Henry C. White - studies in the deaf/mute department George M. Ottinger - free-hand drawing Evan Stevens - vocal music Henry A. Tuckett - vocal music Honorable J. G. Sutherland - law Don Carlos Young - civil, mechanical and architectural drawing and architecture Alfred Andre - French Basic chemistry, physics, and mathematics were taught as well as mechanical and architectural drawing so as to prepare students in the practice and elements leading to engineering and architecture. Classes taught on the new campus were divided into four ten-week terms. The following dates from the 1886-87 bulletin were typical: Term 1 September 6-November 12 Term 2 November 15-January 28 Term 3 January 31-April 8 Term 4 April 11-June 17 Tuition was $12.00 per term for science oriented curricula. As reported in the 1888-89 Annual Bulletin of the University of Deseret, the legislature of the State of Utah finally made a generous appropriation not only to complete the University building that had been, for many years, in an unfinished condition, but also to liquidate the indebtedness that had been incurred in its partial erection. The building was complete and ready for occupation by the fall of 1889. As of the Fall term of 1889, the University was organized into the following six departments: The Department of Science, Literature, and the Arts The Normal Department 2 The Department of Music The Department of Art The Deaf/Mute Department The High School Department The University had grown to eighteen faculty, with three of them, Joseph B. Toronto, Joseph T. Kingsbury, and Orson Howard, involved in the teaching of sciences, mechanics, math, and drawing. A new faculty member, Mr. William Ward, was added to the faculty, teaching architecture and mechanical drawing. The building as described in the 1889-90 Annual of the University of Deseret "is now so far completed as to furnish nearly every convenience to the students in the way of facilities for instruction and comfort. It is supplied with the latest and best improvements in the way of capacity, natural light, steam heating, gas and electric lights, water, and other facilities for the accommodation of the school.

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