THAYER SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
The year 1911-12 was of large importance to the Thayer School. Last December, just before the Christmas recess, the school removed from the cramped and entirely inadequate building oh Park Street to the ample and attractively remodelled Bissell Hall on the Campus. The work of the school was commenced in the new location directly after the Christmas recess.
Upon the completion of the new Alumni Gymnasium, Bissell Hall was assigned by the trustees to the use of the Thayer School. Members of the. class of 1911 took for their thesis the remodelling of the building to meet the requirements of the school. The Director of the Thayer School was designated to take supervision of the renovation, and the direct charge of the work was assigned to Mr. Hunter, T. S. C. E. '02, Superintendent of Buildings for Dartmouth College. The finished building attests to the thoroughness' and effectiveness with which the work has been accomplished. Continued use of the building increases the appreciation of instructors and students, and causes the former to wonder how the old quarters were made to serve so long.
The building was formally opened to the public at a reception held by the President and faculty of the Thayer School on Saturday, March 16. Those in attendance were pleasantly surprised to find so many spacious, well-lighted rooms in the building.
The basement contains a series of hydraulic tanks extending nearly the length of the building on the easterly side. There is also room for ample piping over the tanks. This combination enables the students to make all necessary tests of nozzle flow, flow from an orifice, flow over wiers, flow through pipes, coefficient of friction in pipes, action of a piston pump, an hydraulic ram, et cetera. There are also, in the basement, a cement laboratory, a testing room, an electrical laboratory room, and a machine room. Mr. Allen Hazen, a civil engineer, of New York City, gave, in memory of his brother Richard Hazen, 1909, $500 toward the equipment of the laboratory.
The first floor has two offices, an instrument room, a recitation room, and an electrical laboratory. The latter room fills a long-felt want and makes possible a more adequate exposition of the electrical principles which a civil engineer should know.
The second floor has two offices, a good library and reading room, an ample recitation and general meeting room, a materials' museum, and am alumni room. In the last named rooms are placed plans and photographs of works upon which Thayer School men have been engaged, and photographs of the men themselves.
On the third floor are two drafting rooms, a mineralogy and photography room, dark rooms, and a room for the custodians. Extending from the basement to the third floor are fireproof vaults.
The Thayer Society has maintained its substantial financial aid, but, as stated in these columns last year, the Thayer School is in great need of increased funds. "An addition of $75,000 to the foundation and $25,000 more on account of the building and its maintenance would satisfy the most pressing needs at this time."
The graduation exercises of the second-year class occurred on April 23. There were fourteen men in the graduating class. After the presentation of the theses at Bissell Hall, the enjoyment of the remaining exercises was enhanced by sharing them with the Medical School and Tuck School. The hope expressed by President Nichols that there may be, in the not distant future, a dormitory with a common meeting room devoted to the use of the graduate schools is shared by the Thayer School.
On April 24, the first-year class of twenty men was examined by the Board of Overseers. Most of the men were students in Dartmouth College who had elected Thayer School work for their senior year. These men received the Bachelor's degree from the College in June.. Those students who return and complete a fifth year will receive the degree of Civil Engineer from the Thayer School. The men all have good positions,—the second-year men of a permanent character, while many of the first-year men have only temporary appointments, since they will return to the Thayer School in September. The first-year class for 1912-13, sixteen in number, began the work of the year on July 16.
The board of instruction for 1912-13 will be the same as for last year: Professor Fletcher (Director), and Professors Hazen, Holden, Austin, and Mr. Ruggles. Mr. Ralph E. Whitney will assist in the field work during July, August, and September. Upon the return of the second-year class, Mr. Whitney will pursue work for the degree of Civil Engineer. The members of the faculty have, as usual, been engaged in consulting and expert'work during the year.
The policy of the school remains the same as in the past,—to give its students a training in the fundamental principles of the science and art of engineering. Extreme specialization and mastery of details of any particular subject are left until the student actually gets located. The wisdom of such a policy is frequently commented upon by our graduates, who often find themselves engaged in very different lines of work from what they had anticipated while in the school. Prominent engineers in public addresses are advocating such a course. In a recent public address a consulting engineer of Boston who employs a large number of engineering assistants, in stating the "chief requisites for success" enumerated among'other things—"knowledge of the fundamental principles of engineering which underlie all practice. This should be the aim of the scientific schools rather than an attempt to cover too much detail. The latter can be acquired after the school years. The great majority of graduates of the scientific schools get into some line of work which is different from what they had expected, and it is for this reason that a man should be well grounded on fundamental principles, so that he may undertake with intelligence any work which is put up to him. * * * If a man can afford the time and money, a combination of the college and the technical school should be of great advantage to him." (This engineer gave his son such an education.)
The administration of the school feel that there are being sent into the engineering, as well as other professions, too many men of inferior ability, character, and ideals. They have, therefore, for a long time, endeavored to admit only men of high scholastic attainments, good character, and lofty ideals. An earnest effort is made through long and severe training to graduate men well drilled in engineering principles, who have a lively appreciation of the dignity of their profession and of their civic and moral responsibilities. That these efforts meet with a good measure of success is the testimony of many employers and graduates.
The intensive work required of the students, as also the ability which it is desired Thayer graduates shall possess, make it necessary that, as stated in the Thayer School Annual, candidates for admission must "pass an examination which is both oral and written," and that all must be received on probation to demonstrate their fitness to carry the work. "Students of approved ability and proficiency in the College may elect the first-year courses in the Thayer School for their work of senior year. At the close of the year, they may formally graduate from the College with the Bachelor's degree. They may become eligible for the degree of Civil Engineer after pursuing the advanced engineering courses, post graduate studies of the second-year group. * * * Only young men of correct habits and high character will be accepted or retained. Indulgence of an appetite for intoxicating drink will be sufficient reason for rejection of an applicant:—and such indulgence, or any other immorality, by an accepted member of the institution during his course will be sufficient cause for summary dismissal." The standard required of men in the three years in College before entrance to the school is at least 75 per cent in the aggregate in mathematics, graphics, physics, astronomy, and chemistry, and "not less than 85 per cent in at least three, nor less than 60 per cent in any one (not less than 75 per cent, however, in algebra, trigonometry and descriptive geometry)." For entrance to the second-year a student must have an average of 75 per cent in the work of the first-year.
Much inspiration and information have been given during the year by the alumni through lectures and letters. The courses have also been amplified and elucidated by trips of inspection to engineering works near Hanover, as also in the vicinity of Boston.
