Second, the amended charter authorized Clarkson itself to grant collegiate degrees. Before this
change, Clarkson's Bachelor of Science degrees were awarded by the University of the State of New York.
Third, the amended charter authorized Clarkson to award graduate degrees. The first two Master of
Science degrees were awarded in 1916; the first Doctor of Philosophy in 1963.
Eaton's Vision.
With the site of the school building secured and its plans approved, the Trustees turned in
1895 to the choice of a headmaster. The man chosen was Charles W. Eaton, a professor at Pratt Institute in
Brooklyn. He was to begin his duties on July 1, 1895, and to continue at the pleasure of both parties. His
duties were to take charge of the erection of the school building and to provide for the equipment and
organization of the school until it was fully opened. On February 25, 1896, Eaton presented to the Trustees a
curriculum spelled out in a circular entitled
First Circular of Information, 1896-1897.
Aims of the School.
Detailing the broad aims of the school, this
First Circular of Information
reflected
Director Eaton's vision:
1. Technical. Training the student for an engineering profession, and for special skill in the various branches of
industrial and domestic arts and applied sciences, by giving instruction in such subjects as are found to develop the qualities of
self-reliance, sound judgment, and logical reasoning; together with laboratory methods of learning, which have been
acknowledged to be the best means of giving lasting results.
2. Normal. Giving the student a thorough preparation for the profession of a teacher or manual training subjects in
the public school service.
3. Liberal. Believing that there should be added to the scientific and
technical studies and exercises, which tend to make men resolute, exact and strong, at least a moderate amount of those culture
studies which tend to make men broad and liberal, a certain amount of this work has been added to the other studies.
His plan to aid young men and young women who showed a "desire to aid themselves" certainly was in
keeping with the philosophy of Thomas S. Clarkson. Self-reliance, sound judgment, and logical reasoning
were to be taught through scientific and technical studies; and liberal ideas were to be stimulated through at
least a moderate amount of cultural studies: a vision calling for high academic standards at the school. His
plan was adopted, and the charter was approved on March 19, 1896.
In all probability the original founders would have been satisfied with a two-year trade school which
would train artisans well for their chosen crafts. However, due to Eaton's foresight and his four-year plan, the
Clarkson School would educate engineers for their professions in the most modern types of technology.
For this education, Director Eaton had purposely created severe requirements. Only students with
ability were admitted. In spite of the difficulty of these entrance examinations, 17 students began classes on
that first day, September 2, 1896, with the following faculty as the staff:
