Golden, Colorado, established in 1859 as Golden City, served as a supply center for miners and settlers in the area. In 1866,
Bishop George M. Randall arrived in the territory and, seeing a need for higher education facilities in the area, began planning
for a university which would include a school of mines. In 1870, he opened the Jarvis Hall Collegiate School in a building just
south of the town of Golden and in 1873, the School of Mines opened under the auspices of the Episcopal Church. In 1874, School
of Mines became a territorial institution and has been a state institution since 1876 when Colorado attained statehood. Courses
offered to students during the early years included chemistry, metallurgy, mineralogy, mining engineering, geology, botany, math
and drawing. The focus of the early academic programs was on gold and silver, and, in particular, the assaying of those minerals.
As the institution grew, its mission expanded to include petroleum engineering, earth sciences, environmental engineering,
materials science and applied sciences.The first building on the current site of the school was built in 1880 with additions completed in 1882 and 1890. The
building, known as "Chemistry Hall," stood where Hill Hall is now located. The next building to be added to the campus was
Engineering Hall built in 1894 which is still in use today. Other firsts include the first Board of Trustees meeting held in
1879; the first formal commencement held in 1883 for two graduates; the first international student graduated in 1889; and the
first female student graduated in 1898. In 1879, there was some discussion about merging School of Mines and the State University
in Boulder. Apparently, because of the specialized focus of School of Mines, it was decided that such a merger would not be
appropriate. During the early years of the institution the chief administrator was the "Professor in Charge." The designation
President was first used in 1880. John U. Trefny, the current CSM President, was appointed in 2000. The "M" on Mt. Zion, a
prominent feature in the Golden area, was constructed in 1908 and lighted in 1932.Early academic "departments" were "draughting," physics, metallurgy, chemistry and mining. In the 1920's, departments were
formed in geology, petroleum engineering and geophysics. Petroleum refining was added in 1946. Current degree-granting
departments are Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Refining, Chemistry and Geochemistry, Economics and Business, Engineering,
Environmental Science and Engineering, Geology and Geological Engineering, Geophysics, Mathematical and Computer Sciences,
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Mining Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and Physics. The Division of Liberal Arts and
International Studies and the Department of Physical Education and Athletics provide nontechnical educational opportunities for
Mines students. Other facilities include: Parker Student Center, Arthur Lakes Library, Computing Center and the Edgar Mine.