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Colorado Engineer Magazine: Engineering Students Celebrate 100 Years of Publishing

CEM students celebrated 100 years of publishing with a birthday party and cake.

It was 1904 and the School of Applied Science was entering its 11th year when students published the first issue of what would later be called the Colorado Engineer.

Some 200 students were enrolled in CU's civil, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering programs, and graduates were in high demand as shown by a letter from the American Bridge Company quoted in historical accounts: "We can give two or three of your graduates in civil engineering a position in our drafting room at a salary of $12 per week to start at; advancement depending upon ability."

The Journal of Engineering was a technical publication distributed to students, practicing engineers, and other universities. Published by the Associated Engineering Societies, the Journal carried such articles as "Applications of the Funicular Polygon to Continuous Loads" and "The Differential Telephone." In 1912, the Journal was supplemented by a general interest publication, Colorado Engineers" Magazine, and the two were combined in 1921 as the Colorado Engineer.

The magazine, now referred to simply as CEM, has chronicled life in the college and beyond through such articles as "Women of the Orange Tassel" (1958), "The Slide Rule: How to Impress Your Professor" (1987), and "Rebuilding the Indestructible," a CU-Boulder professor's perspective on the World Trade Center (2001).

This spring, students celebrated 100 years as the oldest student publication at the University of Colorado with a special exhibit and reception for students and alumni.

The magazine has received numerous awards over the years from Engineering College Magazines Associated, a national organization of engineering student magazines, culminating in CEM's selection as Magazine of the Year in both 2003 and 2004.

CEM students created a centennial exhibit showcasing the magazine's long history.

"CEM feels and looks like a professional industry magazine," wrote one of the ECMA judges. "The time and thought put into it is evident. Its staff clearly works like a team to present good stories with great design."

"CEM's strengths are creativity in content and presentation," said another judge. "The look and the writing makes this magazine appealing even to non-engineers."

Times haven"t always been so good. The magazine ceased publication in 1990 due to lack of student interest, but was revived in 1991 with support from Dean Richard Seebass and Associate Dean David Clough. Alumnus Melvin Clark (ChemEngr"37) subsequently led an initiative to establish an endowment and advisory board that would provide scholarships to students who volunteer considerable time to working on the magazine.

Clark, who has maintained contact with CEM editors ever since, attributes his first job after graduation to his experience with the Colorado Engineer. "I really think my experience there in the 1930s was more responsible for my career successes than anything else I can think of," he says.

To read Colorado Engineer Magazine online, order a subscription, or buy an ad, visit cem.colorado.edu