As explored in last week’s edition of this column, Stevens originated with a single building, Edwin A. Stevens Hall. However, around 30 years into the school’s history, it became evident that it needed more space. But, the then relatively new school did not have the funds to build the new state-of-the-art facility until a long-time supporter and Trustee came forward, saying it would give him “the very greatest pleasure” to fund the construction of the new building. The philanthropist, tycoon of steel, and Trustee of Stevens who was willing to donate tens of thousands of dollars, embodying the American Dream: Andrew Carnegie.
Andrew Carnegie was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, on November 25, 1837. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1848 and settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Throughout the 1850s and ‘60s, Carnegie worked in telegraphy, rail, and steel. He focused on innovative processes and technologies. When elected to the Board of Trustees in 1891, he was one of the wealthiest men alive.
On June 20, 1899, then-President Henry Morton of Stevens received a letter from Mr. Carnegie in which he offered $50,000 for the new building, citing that he owed much to the school “for the many valuable men that have come to us from it.” The Board of Trustees acted almost immediately upon the letter. Within two months, the Board presented Mr. Carnegie with three possible designs for the building.
Stevens alumni William S. Ackerman, Class of 1891, designed the plans chosen. The architectural style of the building includes a Roman arcade (a continuous series of columns) atop a cement basement with a Corinthian entablature. Structurally, a steel frame and cement make up the building, making it completely fireproof. With higher construction and material costs than expected, Mr. Carnegie increased his donation to $65,000. On June 7, 1900, construction began. Construction lasted about a year and a half.
On February 6, 1902, the school held the opening and dedication of the building. The ceremony included Mr. Carnegie and his wife, the Stevens family, and members of the school community like Alexander C. Humphreys and President Morton. Mr. Carnegie gave a rousing address and presented the keys to Mr. Dod, President of Trustees and Stevens by marriage. Morton then presented Mr. Carnegie with a piece of the Stevens Rail from 1831, the first in America, in a box made by Tiffany and Co. The banquet that followed included elaborate contraptions to serve punch and rail pin molds as cake pans. The next day, Mr. Carnegie gave another check for $100,000 for the maintenance of the building. A few years later, following the death of President Morton, Mr. Carnegie gave another $125,000 as an endowment. Altogether, Mr. Carnegie donated $290,000, totaling over $10,000,000 today.
Today, the Carnegie Laboratory of Engineering includes the PROOF lab, MicroDevice Lab, as well as classrooms and offices. The first addition, continually used and a defining part of the school is all possible because of the generosity of one man — Andrew Carnegie.
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