Reuppel Hall
In September 1944, the Institute of Geophysical Technology
was founded in Rueppel Hall, a former mortuary at 3621 Olive,
with only 39 students. Father Macelwane was named Dean and
Father Blum was the Assistant Dean. Both were geophysicists
of some renown in their field. Father Macelwane was internationally
recognized as were some members of his team. The University
had a strong interest in geophysics dating back to 1910
with the installation of seismographs on campus. A Department
of Seismography was established in 1925 – the first
in the Western Hemisphere – where the foundation was
laid for geophysics, geology and meteorology.
The Institute was originally named the SEVER Institute
of Technology in recognition of the will of Henry A. Sever
of Chicago, which provided funds for the establishment of
an institute of science in his name at one of ten Missouri
colleges. In March 1944,
the Superior Court of Cook County in Illinois awarded the
funds to St. Louis University. SLU proceeded to open the
Sever Institute of Technology in September. Washington University
appealed the case. In February 1945, the funds were awarded
to Washington University where the engineering school is
currently named the Sever Institute of Technology. SLU had
to change the name of their new school to the Institute
of Geophysical Technology.
In 1946, the Institute was renamed the Institute of Technology
to reflect the expanding scope and interest in engineering,
along with the attendant increase in enrollment. The school
prospered for two decades and moved to the new Macelwane
Hall in 1965. A few years later, enrollment declined and
the school was closed in 1970. Engineering is still offered
today at Parks College
of Engineering, Aviation and Technology.
Macelwane Hall
To share your knowledge of the IT history
with the University, please contact Cindy Amad in Alumni
Relations at 314-977-3980 or camad1@slu.edu
Introduction to Engineering Class
Open House
A room in McDonnell Douglas Hall of Parks College is dedicated
to the Institute of Technology and showcases artifacts and
memorabilia. If you would like to donate 3D artifacts, please
contact: Bob Palank at bob@stlcc.org
