Dr. Victor C. Alderson was Acting President of the Armour Institute of Technology in Chicago when he looked over the Mines campus during early summer of 1903 and sent his letter of acceptance.  For the first time in the history of Mines, a President would act almost entirely in an administrative capacity, although he taught an English course and a course in stocks and bonds. 

Dr. Alderson served as President from 1903 to 1913 and from 1917 to 1925.  CSM became the first institution to establish a formal curriculum in geological engineering and to offer the degree of geological Engineer during his tenure.

Dr. Alderson became the most controversial figure ever to preside over the Mines campus.  Prominent alumni sided with him or against him.  He was a vigorous fellow who had definite opinions and ideals, and he ranged from egoistic to kind-hearted.

He wanted graduates of Mines to be both engineers and gentlemen, or so he said. He expected a lot out of students, yet told them he "didn't wear horns."  Proper English was a must with him.  All quiz papers were reviewed by him and former students can remember the succinct notes: O.K., Poor, Do Better, or Conditional, with his own initials, V.C.A.  Certain faculty thought they were being treated as lackeys. One of his shortcomings was his lack of diplomacy.

In the summer of 1904 Dr. Alderson initiated several changes, and prominent names began to appear in the catalogs as guest lecturers.   Mines joint-ventured an outdoor and practical school in mining and metallurgy with Harvard, Yale, Columbia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  

"Shorty" Ellsworth became head coach and athletic director in 1904, and Mines began a great era in sports.  Mines started playing basketball that year and introduced the sport to the Rocky Mountain region in the spring of 1905.

On October 2, 1905, Alderson laid the cornerstone for Guggenheim Hall, named for Simon Guggenheim who donated $80,000 for the building and furnishings.  Guggenheim Hall was dedicated October 17, 1906.  At that time, it housed the administrative offices, the library, the Geology Department, lecture rooms, and an assembly hall. 

Also during 1905, the assay laboratory facilities were enlarged, and the Power House rehabilitated so that it could house the Mining Department, which moved from Stratton Hall.  The big M, and enduring Mines symbol, was also installed during Alderson's tenure.  In May, 1908, Professor Joseph T. O'Byrne, '05, laid out the M on the drawing board, and Walt Brown, '10, laid the outline of the M-blem on the mountain.  The M is 104 by 107 feet with 10-foot-wide legs.  In those early days, students packed all materials up the mountain on burros.

Miners held their first Senior Day on March 18, 1912, starting what would become one of Mines' greatest traditions.  Seniors selected "special detectives" to serve warrants on the faculty.   Dr. Alderson pleaded guilty to carrying concealed "syllogisms," and was "fined cigars all around."  Those early Senior Days would fall on or near St. Patrick's Day, as he is the patron saint of mining and miners.