Introduction
Case School of Applied Science opened its doors in September 1881 in downtown Cleveland, operating from the Case Family Homestead with a faculty of five and sixteen students. At that time, nobody could imagine the loss and the challenges the School will have to face, the immeasurable dedication, creativity, and innovation of future faculty and students, or the high level of success the School will reach in the future.
While the curriculum focused on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, there was a strong component of Civil Engineering. By offering a rigorous program that kept pace with the demands of industry and scientific advancements, Case School expanded its offerings over time to include Mechanical, Electrical and Metallurgical Engineering, along with the steady programs in Physics, Mathematics, and Industrial Chemistry, and the innovative Engineering Administration program.
In 1947, the School changed its name to Case Institute of Technology (CIT) to better reflect an increased engineering focus. Case Institute of Technology continued to offer programs in Physics, Mathematics, Industrial Chemistry, and Engineering but curriculum evolved toward fully embracing the engineering science movement. The CIT added multiple academic spaces, the first dorms, and several new academic disciplines, including System, Computer, Polymer, and Biomedical Engineering.
The federation of Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University in 1967 launched a new era. The very challenging federation process built on each institutions’ strengths to create Case Western Reserve University, a new institution with excellent academic and research programs in engineering, sciences, and humanities.
The federation was finalized in 1992 with the establishment of The Colleges of Arts and Sciences and the Case School of Engineering.
