Thayer School Nears Its 100th Anniversary

“I have the honor to report that the Thayer School of Civil Engineering has fairly opened.”

This simple statement was written September 20, 1871 in a letter from Prof. Robert Fletcher, first director of Thayer School, to General Sylvanus Thayer, for whom the opening of the school was the culmination of four years of determined effort, in the face of many obstacles, to establish an engineering school at Dartmouth.

General Thayer, Dartmouth graduate of 1807 who achieved fame as “the Father of the United States Military Academy,” wrote to President Asa Dodge Smith in April 1867 explaining his plan to give funds for the founding and maintenance of the School. He saw the need for civilian engineering schools to educate men for leadership in the new era created by the Industrial Revolution. His design was to produce engineers who would have a broad cultural background as well as a thorough understanding of all branches of science, mathematics, and engineering. From 1867 to 1871, Thayer searched for a man who could develop the unique program of study he envi- sioned and direct the School. Robert “Bobby” Fletcher, also a West Point graduate, filled this difficult role to perfection from the small beginning in September 1871 until his retirement in 1918. Fletcher, who continued as an Overseer of Thayer School until 1936, lived to see General Thayer’s concept of engineering education and his own implementation definitely accepted throughout the country. It was clear from the records of achievements of graduates that a small engineering school, basing its instruction on a liber- al arts college curriculum, could instruct men well for the profession of engineer- ing.

In 1942, the name was changed to the Thayer School of Engineering, re- flecting the broadened curricula pre- sented. Now, in its 100 th year, the Thayer School offers the bachelor, mas- ter, and doctor of engineering degrees and the master of science and Ph.D. degrees.

During this centennial year of the Thayer School a number of special events will take place. The major cele- bration will be held in September 1971. The specific programs and schedules will be announced later.