The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences has a rich history dating back more than a century, from the original focus on mining engineering, to today's interdisciplinary focus on earth, energy, and materials sciences and engineering.
Note: The majority of events prior to the 1990s are documented in earlier historical publications (see “The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State” book by E. Willard Miller) and are intentionally not repeated here.
The University (then known as the Pennsylvania Farmers' High School) offers its first course in geography and meteorology, a required course in the scientific and agricultural program.
Penn State Board of Trustees approves the establishment of the Department of Mining Engineering.
The growing Department of Mining Engineering is renamed to the School of Mines; Magnus Ihlseng serves as dean until 1899.
Construction on Penn State's Obelisk finishes. Located adjacent to the Old Main Mall, the Obelisk is a collaborative effort of faculty, students, and the Pennsylvania Mining Industry, and it contains more than 280 stones from 139 locations across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Obelisk supports research on the durability and characteristics of building stone, displays the various stones for builders and architects to examine, and, since the stones are arranged in geological sequence, aids instruction in Earth Sciences.
A major in mining geology is established in the School of Mines and Metallurgy. The first B.S. degree in mining geology is conferred in 1912 and the first M.S. degree is first conferred in 1913.
The Department of Ceramic Technology is formed, another predecessor to today's materials science and engineering program.
A bachelor of science degree in geology is first offered, replacing the degree in mining geology.
Dr. Edward Steidle renames the school to the School of Mineral Industries, "symbolizing a philosophy that the school would provide an all-inclusive educational program for the mineral industries of the state and the nation."
The Mineral Industries Library is created; today this is known as the Fletcher L. Byrom Earth and Mineral Sciences Library.
He serves as assistant professor of economic geography.
The school's Department of Geology establishes a major in petroleum and natural gas engineering, offering B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees.
The college publishes its first issue of the Mineral Industries Bulletin to promote research and increase university-industry collaborations.
The Department of Fuel Technology, the first of its kind in the U.S., is established. This program is a predecessor to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Today it is housed within the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering.
This is a predecessor to today's materials science and engineering program. The first weather forecasting course is taught in the Department of Mining Engineering.
The Mineral Industries Art Gallery holds its first public exhibition. Artwork is displayed in the dean's office and conference room because there is no dedicated museum.
The first M.Ed. degree in geography is granted in 1939.
The Department of Geology, Mineralogy and Geography is renamed to the Department of Earth Sciences.
On April 11, the gallery opens and located in a new wing of the Mineral Industries Building.
The first Ph.D. in petroleum and natural gas engineering is granted by Penn State. The degree is the third such degree granted in the U.S.
The reorganization is to include the Department of Earth Sciences, the Department of Mineral Engineering, and the Department of Materials Technology.
The Division of Meteorology, part of the Department of Earth Sciences, is formed.
Dr. E. Willard Miller serves as first chief of the division, which offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees.
The Department of Mineral Engineering is formed.
The first M.S. is granted in 1947 and the first Ph.D. is granted in 1949.
A program in mineral economics — the first of its kind in the U.S. — is formed at Penn State. The first B.S. degree in this program is awarded in 1947, the first M.S. in 1948, and the first Ph.D. in 1954.
The Combustion Laboratory, the predecessor to today's EMS Energy Institute, is founded.
Initially, degrees are granted in geophysics, geology, mineralogy, and geochemistry.
Today, the laboratory is one of the main research facilities in the Millennium Science Complex.
And the School of Mineral Industries becomes the College of Mineral Industries.
The Division of Geography becomes the Department of Geography.
The Division of Meteorology becomes the Department of Meteorology.
This is the predecessor to today's Materials Research Institute.
The Division of Earth Sciences was organized into four units: Geography, Meteorology, Geology and Geophysics, and Geochemistry and Mineralogy.
Today, this is known as the Deike Building.
The building was renamed the Deike Building in honor of renowned alumni George Deike, Sr., George Deike, Jr., and their family.
The building is renamed to the Steidle Building in honor of Edward Steidle, dean emeritus of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
Under the leadership of Dean Charles Hosler, construction on the Walker Building is completed. Today, this houses the administrative offices for the Department Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, and the Department of Geography.
The Obelisk Society gives special honor and recognition to individuals who make extraordinary contributions to the college.
The center brings together students and faculty in meteorology, geosciences, and geography. The first director is Eric Barron (also a former president of Penn State).
This honor is the highest distinction Penn State bestows on faculty members.
The Graduates of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GEMS) Alumni Society for EMS is formed with an initial membership of nearly 5,000 alumni.
Named the Centennial Career Development Professorship in Mining.
This is offered through the the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering.
This is a predecessor to today's Earth and Environmental Systems Institute (EESI).
The Department of Geography begins offering its first online program, a master's certificate in geographic information systems.
This program is offered through the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering.
Under the leadership of Dean John Dutton, the college establishes an institute-focused on developing the best online courses possible, named the e-Education Institute.
The college's e-Education Institute is renamed the John A. Dutton e-Education institute to honor Dr. Dutton, former dean of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, who was instrumental in creating the institute's vision.
Through the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, and an online master's in geographic information systems taught through Penn State World Campus.
The EMS Environment Institute is renamed to the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute (EESI), one of the main research institutes today in EMS and part of the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment.
Energy engineering is offered through the the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering.
The John A. Dutton E-Education Institute launches its Open Educational Resources initiative, which allows users to access the content of more than 100 online courses created by the Dutton Institute.
Penn State begins offering a master's degree in homeland security; the geospatial intelligence option is administered by EMS and taught by EMS faculty.
Longtime college supporters John and Willie Leone donate $5 million, endowing the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering and creating opportunities such as a faculty chair, undergraduate scholarships, and graduate fellowships.
These online degrees are offered through Penn State World Campus. EMS faculty and instructors teach the majority of courses required for the program's four options.
This reflects the department's expanded research and teaching focus.
Extensive renovations on Steidle Building, to improve research and teaching space, are complete.