9 | STEVENS STUDENT HANDBOOK HISTORY AND TRADITIONS History of the University and the Founding Family Campus Traditions On February 15, 1870, an act to incorporate Stevens Institute of Technology was approved by the State of New Jersey, making it the first institution in the United States to offer the degree of Mechanical Engineer. The story of Stevens largely begins with Colonel John Stevens III (1749-1838) who, as an inventor and former New Jersey State Treasurer, was one of the first to demonstrate the feasibility of steam-powered transportation in the United States in the early nineteenth century. His two sons, Edwin A. Stevens (1795- 1868) and Robert L. Stevens (1787-1856), went on to establish the Camden and Amboy Railroad, one of the earliest railroads in the country and the first in New Jersey. When Edwin passed away in 1868, he set aside a bequest in his will as well as a block of land adjoining his family’s estate in Hoboken for an “institution of learning.” His widow, Martha Bayard Stevens (1831-1899), served on the founding Board of Trustees and was particularly instrumental in ensuring this institution would perpetuate the Stevens family’s legacy of innovation and be “devoted to the study of mechanical engineering.” Dr. Henry Morton, the prominent Philadelphia scientist, professor and polymath, became the school’s first president and sought to bring mechanical engineering “out of the workshop” and raise its professional status in the eyes of industry. Morton helped shape the school’s curriculum to balance the principles of engineering with a broad foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, metallurgy, drawing, as well as in the humanities and foreign languages. When Stevens officially opened its doors in the fall of 1871, the student body consisted of 21 students (two juniors, three sophomores and 16 first-year students). The first graduating class in 1873 consisted of one person, John Augustus Henderson, who went on to have a successful career in the Engineer Corps of the United States Navy. To learn more about the history of Stevens, the Stevens family and much more, visit the Samuel C. Williams Library Archives & Special Collections website or contact the Archives & Special Collections staff at leah. [email protected] and [email protected]. Stevens has a long history rooted in tradition and pride. Throughout the academic year, the campus community comes together to recognize our shared connection to Stevens and our pride in the Ducks. Notable traditions include the Wittpenn Walk, which represents the beginning and end of a student’s undergraduate academic journey at Stevens. New students, led by their class banner and Attila, walk up Wittpenn Walk surrounded by cheering students, faculty and staff members as they make their way to New Student Convocation. Graduating seniors walk down the same path, surrounded by the same cheering crowd, on their last day of classes on their way to the Senior Toast. Stevens students, faculty and staff come together in community at Fall Festival, Quack or Treat, MLK Day of Service, and Attila’s Spirit Day. Students take great pride in traditions such as Midnight Breakfast, the LeadHERship Conference, Unity Showcase, and Founder’s Day Ball. Visit the Campus Traditions page to learn about Stevens’ annual traditions.
