Classes began on November 23, 1871, in a new building that the city of Rolla had just built. The college had an enrollment of 28 and three graduates in 1874.[1] The college bought what is now called the "Rolla Building" for $25,000 in January 1875. That building is now used as the Mathematics and Statistics Department's library, chair's office, part of the main office, and other faculty offices following a $2 million renovation in 1995.[17]