History of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a distinguished academic institution for higher learning with a long, interesting, patriotic, and prestigious history. It is in Rapid City, South Dakota and offers many degrees, primarily in engineering and the sciences.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has forged a unique history through its years of providing top notch education in the sciences and engineering fields. It started growing before South Dakota was even a state and was not slowed down by war or economic depression. It continues to flourish in the modern age, producing graduates who are highly sought after in the job market. With 2,859 students enrolled as of the fall semester of 2016, it is what many would consider to be a small school with a strong foundation of community and history.
The Early Years
The Dakota School of Mines started classes in fall of 1887 in what was then just a U.S. territory. A little more than forty books were donated by William P. Blake to form the foundation for the school’s library. In 1889 the school officially changed its name to South Dakota School of Mines after South Dakota became a state -- adding “and Technology” to the end in 1943.
SDSMT During the Great Wars
In 1918, SDSMT responded to World War I by forming a school ROTC battalion. The School also housed training detachments after the US entered the war. During the Great Depression, following WWI, Joseph Connolly took his place as the 10th president of SDSMT and would later become the name sake for Connolly Hall which was constructed in the 1940s and still houses residents today. After the US joined World War II in 1941, SDSMT was used for the Army Specialized Training Program and several campus buildings were used as barracks. Despite the wars and economic turmoil, the school continued to grow and several buildings were added to campus to accommodate the expanding degree offerings.
Recent Years
Between 1942 and 1992 SDSMT would begin offering degrees in physics, chemistry, geological engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer sciences. In addition, during this time computers and the internet were brought to campus. The school continued to expand and thrive at a steady rate until the mid-2000s when media attention would assure the school continued to see continuous growth. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has been named an “America’s Top 100 Best College Buys” school for 17 consecutive years as of 2016. PayScale’s 2016 college ROI Report ranks SDSMT 24th nationally for return on investment. In 2012 Bloomberg News reported that SDSMT graduates out earn Harvard graduates. As of 2016, is it reported that SDSMT graduated out earn graduates from every Ivy League college.
Works Cited
"Great Value." Great Value. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2017.
"South Dakota School of Mines and Technology." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 07 Mar. 2017. Web. 11 Mar. 2017.
"University History." University History. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2017.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a distinguished academic institution for higher learning with a long, interesting, patriotic, and prestigious history. It is in Rapid City, South Dakota and offers many degrees, primarily in engineering and the sciences.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has forged a unique history through its years of providing top notch education in the sciences and engineering fields. It started growing before South Dakota was even a state and was not slowed down by war or economic depression. It continues to flourish in the modern age, producing graduates who are highly sought after in the job market. With 2,859 students enrolled as of the fall semester of 2016, it is what many would consider to be a small school with a strong foundation of community and history.
The Early Years
The Dakota School of Mines started classes in fall of 1887 in what was then just a U.S. territory. A little more than forty books were donated by William P. Blake to form the foundation for the school’s library. In 1889 the school officially changed its name to South Dakota School of Mines after South Dakota became a state -- adding “and Technology” to the end in 1943.
SDSMT During the Great Wars
In 1918, SDSMT responded to World War I by forming a school ROTC battalion. The School also housed training detachments after the US entered the war. During the Great Depression, following WWI, Joseph Connolly took his place as the 10th president of SDSMT and would later become the name sake for Connolly Hall which was constructed in the 1940s and still houses residents today. After the US joined World War II in 1941, SDSMT was used for the Army Specialized Training Program and several campus buildings were used as barracks. Despite the wars and economic turmoil, the school continued to grow and several buildings were added to campus to accommodate the expanding degree offerings.
Recent Years
Between 1942 and 1992 SDSMT would begin offering degrees in physics, chemistry, geological engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer sciences. In addition, during this time computers and the internet were brought to campus. The school continued to expand and thrive at a steady rate until the mid-2000s when media attention would assure the school continued to see continuous growth. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has been named an “America’s Top 100 Best College Buys” school for 17 consecutive years as of 2016. PayScale’s 2016 college ROI Report ranks SDSMT 24th nationally for return on investment. In 2012 Bloomberg News reported that SDSMT graduates out earn Harvard graduates. As of 2016, is it reported that SDSMT graduated out earn graduates from every Ivy League college.
Works Cited
"Great Value." Great Value. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2017.
"South Dakota School of Mines and Technology." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 07 Mar. 2017. Web. 11 Mar. 2017.
"University History." University History. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2017.