University of Texas at Austin Mechanical Engineering Class of 1958 Fifty Year Reunion

Composite of eight members of the class of 1958 attending the reunion

AUSTIN, TEXAS— April 29, 2008

The Texas Exes, Cockrell School of Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering are preparing to greet the attendees of the Class of 1958 50th Class Reunion.

After the Texas Exes scheduled lunch at the Alumni Center on Thursday, May 1st, the Department of Mechanical Engineering will be hosting a departmental tour specifically for the ME Class of '58 alumni and their spouses/guests, followed by a reception with the Dean at the Cockrell School of Engineering.

Looking back to the 1950s, the Department of Mechanical Engineering experienced a large increase in enrollment and the addition of several new faculty members. The department chairmen during the 1950s had parties, picnics, senior breakfasts and fish fries in an effort to bring the department closer together, as it began to grow into one of the premier ME programs in the country. The Chairman of Mechanical Engineering in 1958 was V. L. Doughtie, the 13th Chair of ME. There were 148 BSME graduates in the Class of 1958, one of the largest increases of BSME graduates in our 95-year history.

The year before had seen the culmination of "Operation Gopher," in which the original Taylor T-Room was dedicated. Many of the "Operation Gopher" participants were members of the Class of '58, and these are also many of the wonderful alumni who have generously contributed to the current T-Room and newly dedicated Mechanical Engineering building renovations.

We welcome the ME Class of 1958 for their reunion.