 The following is a production of New Mexico State University. When New Mexico State University began in 1888, the Wild West lifestyle was still very much a part of the culture. Nothing typifies this more than the fate of Samuel Steele. In 1893, Samuel was 17 years old and the only member of the senior class at what was then called New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. Just a few months before the school's first commencement, Samuel Steele was gunned down. The New Mexico Collegian stated, We do not consider it in place to refer to the details of this ghastly deed. We only trust that the human fiend who committed the crime is now secure in jail. It was not until the following year, 1894, that New Mexico State had its first graduating class, this time with five members. For the early years, I'm Carla Aragon. This was a Centennial Minute from New Mexico State University. The preceding was a production of New Mexico State University. The views and opinions in this program are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the NMSU Board of Regents.