Welcomed At Statehouse: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology President Gerald S. Jakubowski is greeted by Wabash Valley state legislators Vern Tincher (middle) and Clyde Kersey (right) during Rose-Hulman Day at the Indiana statehouse.  Both representatives helped introduce a resolution that recognized the college for its decade of excellence in undergraduate engineering education.

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology was  recognized on January 26 by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and other state legislators during a special Rose-Hulman Day at the statehouse in Indianapolis.

A concurrent resolution was introduced by the General Assembly that honors Rose-Hulman for its “Decade of Excellence” in being ranked No. 1 in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual college guide of undergraduate engineering institutions. The resolution was offered by state legislators Tim Skinner, Clyde Kersey, Vern Tincher, Richard Bray and Teresa Lubbers.

Rose-Hulman President Gerald S. Jakubowski and other campus leaders met with Gov. Daniels and Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman during the event. The day also included a special luncheon with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett and local legislators, and displays at the State House Atrium to educate legislators and staff members about Rose-Hulman Ventures and other campus outreach programs.

For 10 consecutive years, Rose-Hulman has been ranked the number one college or university that offers the bachelor's or master's degree as its top degree in engineering. The ranking is based on a national survey of deans and senior faculty conducted by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to the college's overall ranking, four individual Rose-Hulman engineering programs received number-one ranking for nine straight years: civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Rose-Hulman's chemical engineering program received a number-two ranking.

Honored By Indiana Senate: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology President Gerald S. Jakubowski and other officials listen as a special resolution honoring the college is read on the floor of the Indiana Senate by senator Richard Bray.  State senator Tim Skinner of West Terre Haute is on the left side of the floor.  Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman is in her leadership position overlooking the senate chamber.

"The U.S. News ranking is an indicator of the excellence Rose-Hulman strives to achieve on a daily basis," Jakubowski said. "The number-one ranking affirms our reputation as a national educational leader . . . The quality of our students, the effectiveness of our faculty and staff, our hands-on approach to learning, and the success of our alumni tell how the college impacts individual lives and society in general."

Helping coordinate the day's special activity was Jeff Papa, a 1993 Rose-Hulman alumnus who is chief of staff and chief legal counsel for the Indiana Senate; Mark Lindemood, vice president of institutional advancement; Brad Kelsheimer, associate vice president for financial affairs; Peter Ciancone, director of external affairs; Brian Dyer, executive director of alumni affairs; and Dee Reed, associate director of communications and marketing and publications.

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A copy of the resolution was transmitted from the Indiana Secretary of the Senate to President Jakubowski and Robert E. Bright, chairman of Rose-Hulman's Board of Trustees. It reads as follows:

Whereas, in 1874, Chauncey Rose and nine partners established a charter for a college for engineers in Terre Haute under the name of The Terre Haute School of Industrial Science;

Whereas, the school incorporated in 1875 under the name Rose Polytechnic Institute and began construction of a building on the corner of Thirteenth and Locust streets in Terre Haute;

Whereas, the school opened its doors to students on March 7, 1883. Within twenty years, the school's enrollment grew to more than 200 students;

Exchanging Ideas: Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (right) discusses ideas with Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology President Gerald S. Jakubowski about how the nationally-recognized college is an asset that can assist the state achieve its short- and long-term economic and education goals.

Whereas, in 1922, the school, having outgrown its original building, began construction of a new campus located on grounds east of Terre Haute donated to the school by the Hulman family;

Whereas, in recognition of the Hulman family's continuous philanthropic efforts on behalf of the school, in 1971, the name of the college was changed to the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology;

Whereas, the school, throughout its existence, has devoted its energies to the technical, moral, cultural and physical education of its students, with an emphasis on excellence, impact and leadership;

Whereas, the quality of Rose-Hulman's work has been recognized by being selected as the nation's number one undergraduate engineering college for ten consecutive years;

Whereas, Rose-Hulman graduates have provided engineering innovation, leadership and business success that has changed the world; and

Whereas, Rose-Hulman continues to provide an active resource to the state of Indiana in education and economic development: Therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, the House of Representatives concurring: That the Indiana General Assembly honors Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on being selected as the nation's number one undergraduate engineering college for 10 consecutive years.