PACIFIC SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION O F CHEMISTRY TEACHERS HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE AT CLAREMONT R. NELSON SMITH Pomona College, Claremont, California
WITH THE recent incorporaton of the new Harvey Mudd College (engineering) in the group of colleges at Claremont, California, a bold new step was taken in the current effort to produce additional scientific leadership. The drive for the development of this college came largely from a group of highly successful engineertrustees. It was established with the generous assistance of the family of the late Harvey S. Muddy internationally known mining engineer. It was founded in the belief that a special need exists for ~hysical scientists and engineers who are broadly trained in the social sciences and humanities so that they may assume technical responsibility with an understanding of the relation of technology to the rest of society. To head this new venture the Board of Trustees has wisely selected the Young (401, able, experienced ~ h ~ s i c i s Dr. t , Joseph B. Platt. Professor Platt is known for his unusual qualities as teacher, researcher, and administrator. As associate chairman of the physics department a t the University of Rochester he supervised the undergraduate teaching program in physics and "for his significant contribution to the life of the students over and above his regular duties as a member of the faculty,, received an alumni association award. He assisted in the planning of Rochester's 2.4 X lo8-volt cyclotron and headed the research team which discovered and investigated the X-rays from mesonic atoms (nuclei with negative a mesons), D ~ Ivar 'I he worked with the radar group at ing M.I.T. He was Chief of Physics Research for the Atomic Energy Commission for the period 1949-51 and since 1951 has heen a to the A.E.c. H~ has also a consultant since 1952 to the oficeof Ordnance Research and since I955 to the National Science Foundation. Harvey Mudd College is actually the fifth of the ~ ~ ~colleges ~ at ~ claremont i ~ ,and t hecause ~ d of this association it has available a t its inception the 250,000 volumes and 180,000 government documents of the Honnold Library, and a cultural, social, and intellectual atmosphere which has developed over a period of seventy years. This association of residential colleges (Pomona, Claremont, Scripps, Claremont Men's, and Harvey Mudd) offers the principal advantages of a
university without losing the essential advantages of the small college. Each college is a separate corporate entity with its own president and hoard, its own traditions, and each takes pride in its small classes, large faculty-student ratio, and ample opportunity for discussion and individual attention. H~~~~~~ ~ college d d will follow this tradition, Construction of classrooms, laboratories, and dormitories will start soon, though the first class will start in academic facilities shared with the Associated Colleges. President Platt will choose vvith great care his freshman faculty and his freshman class. Approximately sixty freshmen will be admitted in september 1957 (scholarships are even available!) ; in September 1958 frosh-soph rivalry will be possible; in 1959 it will he possible to have the first junior prom (Tvith from Pomona and Scripps); and in 1960 the hardy remnants of those admitted in September 1957 ill be making application for technical jobs or graduate in engineering or physical science, ~h~ student body is expected to grow t o approximately 350. T~ quotefrom the firstinformation bulletin: The first two years of study a t ~ a r v e ~y u d college d are common to all students, and the decision to concentrate in chemistry, engineering, mathematics, or physics can be deferred until the end of the sophomore year. During freshman and sophomore years all students take two years of English composition and literature, two years of mathematics, two years of chemistry, and two -years of physics, together with a year's study of the history ~of Western civilization and some training in mechanical drawing and machine shop practice. I n the junior and senior yeam students will in general devote approximately 60% of their time t o their fields of special interest, and 40% of their time to further study in the social sciences and humanities. The work of the iunior and senior years is designed to give the student a good technical background for his subsequent professional growth, whether in industrial employment or in graduate study. It is also intended to give him an acquaintanceship with human sffdrs, so that he will be able to grow as well in responsibility and understanding in his dealings with others. Students graduating will receive the degree of Bachelor of Science.
As one talks with President Platt about his new adventure one can't help but share his enthusiasm as he puts his heart and his head to his statement "Harvey Mudd College has a real opportunity to demonstrate the contribution the liberal arts college can make in the field." We wish him Godspeed!
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