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

Building Bridges to the Future

Bicentennial Commencement 2024

RPI Bicentennial Commencement guests and students Learn More

Upcoming Signature Events

Take part in a year of Bicentennial celebrations.

October 16, 2024
The Other Side of Silence
The Other Side of Silence examines technology’s role in the fabric of human society and the role it plays in promoting and diminishing our autonomy, as seen through the lens of an Augmentative and Alternative Communication user – someone who uses a synthetic voice to communicate with the world. Through a series of interwoven storylines, this new opera explores what it means to be our true self, and which of our voices - our inner or outer voice - most directly represents our identity.
December 7, 2024
Bicentennial Holiday Concert and Victorian Stroll Kick-Off
Join us for this Bicentennial celebration in partnership with the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce that kicks off the Troy Victorian Stroll. This holiday concert, free and open to the public, will feature the RPI Orchestra and Chorus. Reception to follow.
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