It was a small class, this first one in engineering at Cornell University, but the seven Bachelors of Civil Engineering who graduated in June of 1871 were the vanguard of 25,000 Cornell engineers who have contributed to the technological development of the United States and the world during the past one hundred years. The story of this century of engineering education is a part of the history of a great institution, a compound of noble ideas, imaginative leadership, commitment, hard work, philanthropic support -- and a bit of luck from time to time. The record of engineering at Cornell is long and distinguished, and what follows represents only a quick brush stroke over a century of progress.