1900-01-01 00:00:00

Andrew Carnegie founds Carnegie Technical Schools.

Andrew Carnegie’s profound belief in the transformative power of education leads him to initially promise a $1 million endowment to fund the Carnegie Technical Schools. (He continued to support the new institution substantially until his death.

1903-01-11 00:00:00

Arthur A. Hamerschlag (1903-1922) is named first director of Carnegie Tech.

Arthur Anton Hamerschlag, a well-known figure in industrial education in New York, is named as the first director of Carnegie Technical Schools. In 1912, his title was changed to president.

1905-01-01 00:00:00

Carnegie Tech's first building, Industries Hall (now Porter Hall) opens.

1905-11-12 00:00:00

Tartan is adopted as the official school color.

Based on the Carnegie family design, its four colors symbolize each of the founding schools: Engineering, Arts, Industries and the Women’s School.

1907-03-24 00:00:00

Andrew Carnegie makes his first visit to campus.

1908-01-01 00:00:00

The university graduates its first class, consisting of 58 students.

1911-06-30 00:00:00

First Beaux Arts Ball is held.

This infamous multidisciplinary art party and costume ball quickly became a campus tradition and was held every four years until the 1990s.

1912-04-18 00:00:00

Tech begins offering four-year degrees.

The Carnegie Technical Schools evolves to grant four-year degrees and becomes the Carnegie Institute of Technology.

1912-06-30 00:00:00

Alumni organizations combine.

The alumni organizations of each of the Carnegie Technical Schools combine into the first institution-wide General Alumni Association. Today, it’s known as the CMU Alumni Association, connecting the more than 135,000 Tartans worldwide.

1913-07-01 00:00:00

Mellon Institute of Industrial Research is founded.

Andrew W. and Richard B. Mellon found the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research and School of Specific Industries at the University of Pittsburgh.