Cecil Green, a long time and loyal friend of Mines, is a renowned geophysicist and philanthropist. With a masters degree in electrical engineering from MIT and experience at General Electric and Raytheon in the early 1930s, Cecil Green joined the newly-formed company Geophysical Services, Inc.

There he developed the field of reflection seismology, which revolutionized the use of geophysics in the search for petroleum. Many Mines graduates were employees of GSI, and Green considered their ability, loyalty and devotion to be an important part of his business success. His path-breaking work helped his company evolve into the giant Texas Instruments Inc.

Cecil and Ida Green are also remembered for their generous support
of education and research programs at universities throughout the world.

Each building on the CSM campus has a history of its own and the
Green Center has a special history in relation to Earth science. It represented a return to philanthropic giving for buildings on Mines campus after a long hiatus.

The concept of a Graduate and Professional Center to be used by the public and Mines community was planned and implemented by four years of unusual dedication and perseverance of Orlo Childs, A.G. Pegis, Vice President for Development and others in the administration.

Efforts to raise money included a private contributor for preliminary design and drawings, state appropriations for site purchase and preparation ($600,000), gifts from five foundations and many individuals ($1,800,000), and a large gift from Cecil and Ida Green ($1,700,000), for whom the building is named.