SD Engineers Inc history

The Civil Engineering Department of South Dakota State College is one of the oldest departments on campus, being established in 1885 along with the establishment of the South Dakota State College.

The first curriculum in the 1886 catalog included basic courses in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Mechanics, along with such courses as Latin, Political Economy and Zoology.The curriculum has been modified continuously but still includes basic Mathematics, Sciences, and Mechanics.

The first class was held almost two years later in 1887.

South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889, simultaneously with North Dakota.

The first graduate in Civil Engineering was William F. Allison, White, South Dakota, in 1895.

The first Civil Engineering department head as such came into being in 1900 in the person of Austin Benjamin Crane, B.S., Professor of Civil Engineering and Agricultural Engineering.

In 1901, the school newspaper, The Aurum, was published for the first time.

The first M-Day was on October 5, 1912, when the “M” was constructed on M-Hill.

In 1913, electrical engineering course of study was offered for the first time.

The world was thrown into pandemonium in 1914, with the beginning of World War I. 3 years later, the US enters the war.

In 1918, training detachments began to be housed on campus.

Starting in 1920, the Civil Engineering department experienced continual growth both in students and staff.

The M Club was formed at Mines in 1922.

Professor Snader served until 1923 during which time the department had grown to the point where another staff member was required.

On April 27, 1928, the cornerstone was laid for the School of Mines gymnasium, which was completed the following year.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected 32nd president in 1932 and worked to build the US economy.

A student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers was founded in 1933 and has ranked as one of the best student chapters in the United States.

In 1942, a degree program in Engineering Physics was established, as well as Chemistry and Industrial Engineering.

A year later in 1943, a degree program in mechanical engineering was established.

The largest graduating class graduated in 1951 with a total of 35.

The October Membership Night tradition also began in 1961.

Construction began on the Surbeck Center in January 1962.

February 1963 – Frank Heidelbauer, Raven Industries, on balloon launching, tracking, and recovery.

The South Dakota Chapter hosted its first Region IX CRC April 10 and 11, 1964.

The cost of transportation and dinner at the Brookings Supper Club was noted as $5.50 for the December 1965 joint meeting.

The first of the traditional Valentine Parties was held in February of 1966.

Ph.D. programs expanded in 1967, with Ph.D. programs authorized for electrical engineering, geology, and geological engineering.

The 75th Anniversary year of ASHRAE was observed by meeting on September 10, 1969 (the anniversary of the founding). All chapters held meetings on that date and participated in an attendance contest.

The Presidential Award of Excellence (PAOE) system was established in the 1970-71 Society year.

In 1971, Terry Helms joined the firm and eventually became a partner with the firm.

The South Dakota Chapter hosted the 1972 CRC May 4-6 in Sioux Falls.

In August of 1973, with the sponsorship of the chapter, and ASHRAE Explorer Scout post was begun.

Also, in May of 1974, the Chapter Board of Governors began discussing the idea of sponsoring a new chapter in the Black Hills area.

Two mechanical engineering students from South Dakota State University, James Natzel and Curtis Klaasen, were presented with $200 scholarships at the May 1975 meeting.

Frank Hughes and Bob Hoisington, students at South Dakota State University , were recipients of the chapter scholarships in 1977.

In 1979, Helms opened an office in Aberdeen which is Schmucker, Paul, Nohr Incorporated doing business as Helms and Associates.

One of the highlights of the 1980-81 year was a meeting in Vermillion, SD, which included a tour of the Dakota Dome.

In 1982, the chapter began efforts to establish a student branch at South Dakota State University.

The South Dakota State University student branch received its charter January 31, 1985.

The chapter’s 25th anniversary year was observed in high style with a special program on November 7, 1986.

Construction of the Classroom Building begins in 1988 and was completed the following year.

The South Dakota Chapter hosted its fourth CRC at Sioux Falls in August of 1991.

The South Dakota Chapter had a member serving as a Regional officer beginning in 1992.

In 1993, the School of Mines site was selected for the National Weather Service Office for western South Dakota.

In 1995, the Mines team wins the national concrete canoe competition.

In 1997, PLTW launched its “Pathway To Engineering” program in 12 New York State high schools.

In 1999, Sun Microsystems established a high-performance computing lab on campus.

AN UPDATE TO THE ORIGINAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTH DAKOTA CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEATING, REFRIGERATING, AND AIR-CONDITIONING ENGINEERS (5/15/2000) By Robert A. King SD Chapter Historian

In 2004, Peterson Hall opens to house the steadily-growing student body.

In 2006, the Black Hills Business Development Center opens on campus.

In 2008, it was announced that the School of Mines is the only university in the nation where starting salaries for graduates are equivalent to the cost of a four-year degree, the nation’s best college investment.

Research at Mines reached new heights in 2009, when Mines researchers were awarded nearly $21 million in research and development funding, the highest amount in the history of the university.

In 2014, Mines was accepted as a full member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and in May construction began on the new student Wellness and Recreation Center.

PLTW is selected to 100Kin10 and commits to train 27,602 teachers by 2018 to teach interdisciplinary STEM courses.