left|thumb|upright|Thayer monument In 1817, Colonel Sylvanus Thayer became the Superintendent and established the curriculum, elements of which are still in use . Thayer instilled strict disciplinary standards, set a standard course of academic study, and emphasized honorable conduct. He was very much inspired by the curriculum of the French where he had been sent upon his demand for two years in order to study the scientific and technological achievements developed by the French Republican faction and bring them back to the United States. Known as the "Father of the Military Academy," he is honored with a monument on campus for the profound impact he had upon the academy. Founded as a school of engineering, for the first half of the 19th century, USMA produced graduates who gained recognition for engineering the bulk of the nation's initial railway lines, bridges, harbors and roads. The academy was the only engineering school in the country until the founding of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1824. It was so successful in its engineering curriculum that it significantly influenced every American engineering school founded prior to the Civil War.
lEft|Thumb|uprIght|tHAyEr moNuMenT in 1817 cOlONEL sylVaNuS THayeR becAMe tHe supEriNtendent and estaBlisHeD ThE CuRRIcuLum EleMenTs oF which ARe stiLL in use  thAyER iNsTIlled sTrIct DiscipLInaRY StANDards sET a standaRd coUrSe oF acAdEMic sTudy aND eMpHAsizEd hoNoraBle conduCt HE Was very muCh inspiRed by thE cUrricuLuM oF THe fRenCh WhERe he had beEN seNT Upon his DeMaNd for TwO YearS in order to stUDY tHe sciEnTiFic And tEChNoloGical acHieveMenTS devELopEd by thE fRENch rePUblIcaN FactioN anD bRIng them baCk to thE unITEd sTatEs kNown aS the "FatHer oF thE miLItary acAdEmY" He IS honored WiTH a moNUment on camPUs for The profound impact hE haD uPoN thE AcadEMy fouNded as a sChOOl of EnginEerinG fOR the fIRst Half of tHe 19th CeNtURY USMA ProducEd gRAdUAtEs wHo GaiNed recogNition FoR engInEErING the Bulk Of the nation's IniTial railWay lINes briDges harBoRS And roadS the aCadEmy WAs thE onLy eNgiNeering sChooL in the countRy untiL tHe FoUndiNG of renSSelaer PolytEchnic inSTitute In 1824 it wAs so suCcessfUl in Its engineerinG curRiculUM tHaT IT signIFicantly iNfluenceD eveRy ameriCan EngiNeerIng School fOundeD prIor to the CIviL waR