Engineering Memory of the Month

A banner day

Commencement, by its very name, is meant to be a time for beginnings. In that spirit, the commencement ceremony of 1967 featured the debut of new banners and shields for Stanford’s schools, including the one shown above for the School of Engineering.

The logos were designed by then chemistry Professor Eric Hutchinson. The objects at the top are redwood tree fronds. Individually, the leaves represent synthesis, symbolizing the creation of knowledge. By arranging the fronds in threes, Hutchinson meant to encompass students, faculty, and alumni. Meanwhile, his almost accordion-like configuration of the hollowed-out diamonds, or “mascles,” is meant to communicate that engineering is a broad and expanding body of knowledge.

The sense of growth and expansion inherent in Hutchinson’s symbolic representations has indeed reflected both the development of the school and the opportunities awaiting its new graduates. At the commencement 40 years ago, these new banners flew over 820 engineering graduates from five departments. These days, the school awards about 1,600 degrees from nine departments.

Meanwhile, the starting salaries that graduates can look forward to as they commence their careers has grown more dramatically. Back in 1967, graduating BS students earned $700 a month, MS grads earned $900 a month, and PhD holders could look forward to $1,200 a month. In 2006, starting salaries for engineering graduates ranged between $5,000 and $8,000 a month depending on degree and discipline.

Congratulations to all those who will walk at Stanford’s 116th commencement this June 16 and 17.

Gather your memorable photos from your school days and take them to the scanner. Then e-mail them to David Orenstein, manager, Communications and P.R.