There , he was inspired by the eminent professor Amos Eaton , and graduated from Rensselaer in its first class in 1826 .
He still longed to pursue his interest in geology , so decided to attend the Rensselaer School ( now Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ) .
There , he was inspired by the eminent professor Amos Eaton , and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in its first class in 1826 .
He still longed to pursue his interest in geology , so decided to attend the Rensselaer School ( now Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ) .