In the 1850's two notable developments occurred which fostered the teaching of engineering at the University. In 1850 the State of Mississippi established the State Geological Survey and the University was given prime responsibility for its execution. In 1852 several University professors made the first survey and as a result of this, surveying courses were introduced into the curriculum.

In 1854, the world-famous scientist and educator, Dr. Frederick Augustus Porter Barnard, joined the University as Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, and Civil Engineering. Thus, Dr. Barnard was the first professor of Civil Engineering at the University, a post he held until the school closed due to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.

After the Civil War, the University reopened again in 1865. The student body consisted of young men who had come from families which were formerly rich, but because of the devastation of the war were no longer wealthy and thus studied with a determination born of necessity. In 1865 a chairmanship of Physics, Astronomy, and Civil Engineering was established and first held by General Alexander P. Stewart (for only a few months) and then by General Francis A. Shoup, both generals in the Confederate Army. This chair was discontinued in 1868, but a new chair of Mathematics and Civil Engineering was established in 1872. This was discontinued in 1875, and engineering was dropped from the curriculum until 1900. During the span of 1865-1875, twenty students pursued a program in civil engineering, but only two graduated. The first civil engineering graduate was William Henry Calhoun, from Memphis, in 1872. The second was John Hull Wildy, from Los Angeles, in 1874. During this period specific courses taught included: mechanical drawing, surveying, descriptive geometry, mechanics, hydraulics, materials, framed structures, masonry and highway construction. From 1875 to 1900 only courses in surveying, mechanics, and descriptive geometry were taught. The School of Engineering at The University of Mississippi was officially established by the Board of Trustees in 1900 and programs in civil, electrical and mining engineering were organized. Probably the most endeared professor and scholar at Ole Miss, Dr. Alfred Hume, taught surveying and drawing that year. Dr. Hume came to Ole Miss in 1890 from Vanderbilt University where he had earned the degrees of Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Doctor of Science. Dr. Hume later became Chancellor of the University. Dr. Hume must be considered as the single man who did the most to start the School of Engineering at the University of Mississippi.

From 1901 to 1906 sixteen students graduated from Ole Miss with engineering degrees. Five of these became engineers for various railroads, two became hydraulic engineers working on levees, four became city engineers, one became a county engineer, two became mining engineers, one became an engineering teacher, and another became a lighthouse inspector.

In 1946, the civil engineering program initiated options in construction and municipal engineering, but these were dropped in 1956. The civil engineering program was accredited in 1949, followed by chemical engineering in 1954, geological engineering and mechanical engineering in 1959, and electrical engineering in 1969. Since their first accreditation, all of the programs have retained accreditation continuously through today.

Curricula in civil engineering throughout the country has changed in many ways since 1900, with the program at Ole Miss maintaining a position at the forefront of civil engineering education. The many graduates who have achieved notable professional and personal success over the years attest to the continuing high quality of the civil engineering education that is provided at Ole Miss.

Research and graduate civil engineering education have also flourished for some time at Ole Miss. The first Master's degree in civil engineering was awarded in 1949 and the first Ph.D. in civil engineering was awarded in 1971, and there has since been a steady continuation of the awarding of these advanced degrees.

Civil engineering has been a strong and vibrant program at Ole Miss since 1900, and as such is steeped in tradition. The blend of tradition and innovation, where lasting values are combined with the newest technologies, provides, we are convinced, the perfect setting for civil engineering education. (Cortributed by Drs. Sam DeLeeuw and Allie Smith)