History of Harvey Mudd College | About (2024)

Harvey Mudd College, the nation’s top liberal arts college of engineering, science and mathematics, was chartered in December 1955.

Two years later, in 1957, when the Space Race made technical education a priority in the United States, the College opened its doors. The founders’ vision—to attract the nation’s brightest students and offer them a rigorous scientific and technological education coupled with a strong curricular emphasis in the humanities and social sciences—has been successfully realized and expanded. In 1963, the College initiated the nationally recognized Clinic Program, which allows student teams to solve problems posed by sponsoring industry, government and nonprofit organizations. The emphasis on undergraduate research for all students has led to Harvey Mudd graduates earning PhD degrees in science and engineering at one of the highest rates in the nation.

Harvey Mudd College Opens

Harvey Mudd College opened in September 1957, less than a month before Sputnik I ushered in the Space Age. Forty-eight students and seven faculty who shared the dream of starting a technical college that would emphasize the humanistic aspects of technology were on hand when the school opened its doors. Nuclear physicist Joseph B. Platt served the fledgling institution as its first president, and new courses and a new curriculum were formulated under a grant from the Carnegie Corp.

The founding faculty of Harvey Mudd College were:

  • Graydon Bell, assistant professor of physics
  • J. Arthur Campbell, professor of chemistry
  • William Davenport, professor of humanities
  • Robert James, professor of mathematics
  • Duane Roller, professor of physics
  • Roy A. Whiteker, assistant professor of chemistry
  • George Wickes, assistant professor of humanities

The First Students

When the first class arrived, the Harvey Mudd College campus consisted of one (almost) completed dorm and borrowed classrooms and equipment. During the early years, most faculty members readily took on administrative responsibilities in addition to their teaching jobs. Some classes were even held in the homes of faculty and staff.

In June 1959, the College held its first commencement ceremony graduating Stuart Black and Peter Loeb, who both transferred to Harvey Mudd their junior years. Because of the diminutive size of the graduating class, the ceremony drew national attention and was televised. Both graduates later became university professors.

Progress and Success

Slowly, classrooms and dorms were built, and students began to fill them. By 1965, 284 students were enrolled in classes and faculty numbered 43. Harvey Mudd celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2015, with student enrollment at 812 and climbing.

In 1976, D. Kenneth Baker became the second president of Harvey Mudd College, followed by Henry E. Riggs in 1988, Jon C. Strauss in 1997 and Maria M. Klawe in 2006. Today, 905 extraordinary students are enrolled at Harvey Mudd College, learning through rigorous and challenging educational experiences from a highly committed faculty. Recently, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges reaffirmed the institutional accreditation for the College. In their final report, the WASC team wrote, “Harvey Mudd is characterized by excellence and success, and is widely regarded as among the nation’s best undergraduate science and engineering colleges.”

The Harvey Mudd College Seal

History of Harvey Mudd College | About (1)

The Harvey Mudd College Seal represents the various ideals of the college. The sun represents energy; the elliptical Mobius strip represents structure; the dividers represent measurement; the inner and outer ellipses can be interpreted as orbital paths, suggesting concern with space; and the globe denotes the humanities and civilization. The dividers are placed in the design to bridge the gap between the sun and the globe, symbolizing the measure of energy and matter as well as the measure of humans and civilization.

Harvey Mudd’s Dream

Harvey Seeley Mudd was born in Colorado in 1888 and died in Los Angeles in 1955.

A mining engineer, he was a graduate of Stanford and Columbia universities. With his father, he founded and later became president of Cyprus Mines Corp., whose Los Angeles-based international enterprises began with thedevelopment of copper mines on the island of Cyprus.

Mudd served as chairman of the Board of Fellows of Claremont College, now The Claremont Colleges Services, for 25 years. He helped plan the undergraduate college of science and engineering chartered in 1955, but he did not live to see it opened.

With the backing of his friends and family, the new college was founded and named in his memory and honor.

Harvey Mudd College Presidents

Joseph B. Platt, 1956–1975.

Downloadable book: Harvey Mudd College: The First Twenty Years

D. Kenneth Baker, 1976–1988.

Downloadable book: Harvey Mudd College: The Third Decade Plus, 1976-1988

Henry E. (“Hank”) Riggs, 1988–1997.

Jon C. Strauss (PDF), 1997–2006.

Maria M. Klawe, 2006–2023.

History of Harvey Mudd College | About (2024)

FAQs

History of Harvey Mudd College | About? ›

Harvey Mudd College opened in September 1957, less than a month before Sputnik I ushered in the Space Age. Forty-eight students and seven faculty who shared the dream of starting a technical college that would emphasize the humanistic aspects of technology were on hand when the school opened its doors.

What is special about Harvey Mudd College? ›

The Harvey Mudd curriculum integrates vigorous STEM and liberal arts courses to educate talented scientists, engineers, and mathematicians— inspiring them to become passionate problem solvers who understand the impact of their work on society.

What kind of students get into Harvey Mudd? ›

Harvey Mudd College has an acceptance rate of 13%. Half the applicants admitted to Harvey Mudd College who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 1480 and 1560 or an ACT score of 34 and 36.

Is Harvey Mudd an elite school? ›

As for those reasons why, first and foremost: the academics. Harvey Mudd is an elite liberal arts college that also happens to have an equally impressive STEM curriculum—hence that Silicon Valley cred.

Is Harvey Mudd an Ivy League? ›

Is Harvey Mudd an Ivy League School? No, Harvey Mudd is part of the Claremont Colleges, which includes five undergraduate liberal arts colleges: Pomona College.

Why is Harvey Mudd so hard to get into? ›

With a GPA of 4.17, Harvey Mudd requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

How prestigious is Harvey Mudd? ›

Harvey Mudd College Rankings

Harvey Mudd College is ranked #16 out of 211 National Liberal Arts Colleges. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

Is Harvey Mudd as good as Caltech? ›

Both Harvey Mudd College and Caltech are highly regarded for their STEM programs, so you really can't go wrong with either choice. However, they do have different environments and focus areas which might impact your decision. Rigor: Both schools are known for their rigorous curricula and demanding workload in STEM.

Is Harvey Mudd College expensive? ›

At Harvey Mudd College, the total cost is $84,896. The net price is the average cost of the university after aid and scholarship funds are discounted from the total cost, which comes in at $36,221 for the average student receiving need-based aid.

Is Harvey Mudd a dry campus? ›

Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Harvey Mudd College.

Why is Harvey Mudd famous? ›

Harvey Mudd is one of the country's top math, science and engineering undergraduate colleges. The school offers a variety of student organizations on campus, from the break-dancing club to the Harvey Wallbangers Climbing Club, among others.

Is Harvey Mudd a party school? ›

Harvey Mudd College

#10 Top Party Schools in California.

What is the gender ratio at Harvey Mudd? ›

Harvey Mudd College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 906 (fall 2022), with a gender distribution of 51% male students and 49% female students.

What major is Harvey Mudd known for? ›

The most popular majors at Harvey Mudd College include: Engineering; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Mathematics and Statistics; Physical Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics; Philosophy ...

How rigorous is Harvey Mudd? ›

You will hear from everyone how challenging the curriculum at Harvey Mudd is. It is probably more challenging than you currently imagine it. But the material you learn, and the intelligent and enthusiastic people you work with every day, makes all the tough studying worthwhile.

What GPA do you need to get into Harvey Mudd? ›

With a GPA of 4.17, Harvey Mudd requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. You should also have taken plenty of AP or IB classes to show your ability to excel in academic challenge.

Why is Harvey Mudd so expensive? ›

The Harvey Mudd College reigns to be the most expensive college in the world. It's a private liberal arts college outside Los Angeles, known for their second highest production rate of STEM PhDs. Also, its undergraduate engineering program is consistently ranked as the best in the United States.

How intense is Harvey Mudd? ›

One of the most difficult colleges in the nation, at least in terms of homework and academic expectations. Freshmen and upperclassmen live together, so you get to meet many different people of all ages and majors.

What makes HMC unique? ›

One of the unique aspects of HMC is their Core Curriculum, which requires students to take a broad range of STEM courses regardless of their major. This interdisciplinary approach fosters a solid foundation in multiple STEM fields and promotes collaboration between students.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kareem Mueller DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6482

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kareem Mueller DO

Birthday: 1997-01-04

Address: Apt. 156 12935 Runolfsdottir Mission, Greenfort, MN 74384-6749

Phone: +16704982844747

Job: Corporate Administration Planner

Hobby: Mountain biking, Jewelry making, Stone skipping, Lacemaking, Knife making, Scrapbooking, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.