200 Years
of Innovation

Welcome to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Bicentennial Year, 2024!

We are marking this historic milestone with a year-long program of events and activities that honor our past, celebrate our present, and chart our course forward.

Founded in 1824 for applying science to the common purposes of life, RPI is the first technological research university in the United States. Today, it is recognized as a premier university, noted for its robust and holistic learning community that connects creativity with science and technology.

Join us as we embrace this important moment!


The stories
of RPI

We invite our entire RPI community to share their Rensselaer stories. To our students, alumni, faculty, staff, partners and supporters, thank you for being part of our journey and making history every day. Whether it's a transformative event, a cherished memory, or a moment of inspiration, please share your story, let's together capture the essence of what makes RPI special.


200 on top of a blueprint of a ferris wheel

Two centuries of education

This commemorates RPI's 20 decades of innovation, excellence, and impact. From groundbreaking discoveries to life-changing educational experiences, we celebrate the countless and remarkable ways in which those who have studied at RPI have impacted the everyday lives of people everywhere. Explore the world of Rensselaer Firsts to learn just how world-changing our students and graduates are.

Read more firsts

Upcoming Signature Events

Take part in a year of Bicentennial celebrations.

April 26, 2024
RPI Athletics DIII Week BBQ
RPI Athletics will celebrate DIII Week on Friday, April 26th! RPI Baseball takes on NYU at 12PM and 3PM. RPI Athletics BBQ will go from 2:30PM - 5PM. NCAA Division III Week was April 1-April 7. Division III Week is a positive opportunity to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and our student-athletes on the RPI campus and surrounding community. Come out to Robison Field at Karl Steffen Ballpark to cheer on the Engineers! Let's Go Red! *Due to weather, date was changed.
April 27, 2024
GameFest
GameFest is an annual showcase of student talent in game development, bringing together students from around New York State and the Northeast to exhibit their games. The GameFest awards recognize excellence in game design, technical innovation, artistic quality, and narrative design, and are awarded by a panel of expert judges from game studios in the Capital Region. This year GameFest marks both RPI's Bicentennial Year and the 20 year anniversary of the launch of the Game Design program.
May 11, 2024
Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Siena College, Sarazen Student Union at 3 p.m.
May 17, 2024
Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony
The hooding ceremony is a unique recognition of the achievement of each student who has earned a doctorate. Each doctoral candidate is introduced individually during the ceremony. They will have their hood placed on them while standing on the stage in the concert hall. Check-in starts- at 7:45 AM Ceremony- at 8:30 AM Refreshments- after the ceremony concludes.
May 17, 2024
The Bicentennial Commencement Colloquy
More information can be found at https://commencement.rpi.edu/bicentennial-colloquy
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