Gator Engineering

The College of Engineering at the University of Florida provides formal education and research in more than 12 fields of engineering, including: aerospace, agricultural, biological, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, industrial, materials, and mechanical. The College of Engineering was founded in 1910. Dean John R. Benton led five faculty members who taught 48 students a curriculum of civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. The first engineering building, later named Benton Hall, was finished in 1911. The purpose of the college was to "prepare young men... for useful careers by training engineers and technical employees." The college's first graduating class consisted of five men. By 1915, the college had 35 graduates, 23 being employed in engineering, mostly in the state of Florida. In 1918, most university activities were subordinated to activities supporting the World War I effort. The college was home to U.S. Army training school work and a war-measures school for radio operators. Following the war, enrollment increased. The 1920 freshman class exceeded 300 men — almost twice the size of the previous year, and UF began charging tuition fees.
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