Dear Friends,
Earlier today we celebrated the opening of the new Maptek Advanced Mine Design Center located in the Mineral Industries Building on the School of Mines campus. This new lab provides a one-stop mine design center utilizing the latest state-of-the-art computers and software for mine design and 3-D modeling. This lab is made possible thanks to the generous donations from Maptek, mining companies and alums. http://owa.sdsmt.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://news.sdsmt.edu/press/8180/
Next week, February 17-23, 2008, the School of Mines joins with the Black Hills Chapter of the South Dakota Engineering Society and the local chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers in hosting the 31st Annual Engineers Week on campus. Area and regional junior/senior high school and college students will participate in various activities throughout the week to experience fun and exciting science, math and engineering projects. For more information and a list of events scheduled visit: http://owa.sdsmt.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://sdmines.sdsmt.edu/eweek2008 and http://owa.sdsmt.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://news.sdsmt.edu/press/8169/ .
Also, in conjunction with E-Week, we will be hosting the Engineers Week Luncheon on Thursday, February 21st at 11:00 am in the Surbeck Center Ballroom. During the luncheon, we will hold the Induction of Seniors into the "Order of the Engineer" and recognize the following School of Mines "Outstanding Recent Graduates" for 2008. Congratulations to:
Eric R. Broughton - Electrical Engineering
Joshua G. Goddard - Mechanical Engineering
Jennifer E. Kennedy - Chemistry
Christopher A. Kinney - Metallurgical Engineering
Matthew P. Potts - Computer Engineering
Lance A. Roberts - Civil Engineering
Shawn G. Wilczynski - Mining Engineering
Todd Youngman - Computer Science
The five finalist candidates for the presidential search will visit the School of Mines campus for scheduled meetings with constituents February 19th and 20th. The five candidates are: Lee Cheatham, Kenmore, Wash., executive director, Washington Technology Center; T. Dwayne McCay, Melbourne, Fla., provost and executive vice president, Florida Institute of Technology; Greg R. Weisenstein, Grand Forks, N.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, University of North Dakota; Robert A. Wharton, Pocatello, Idaho, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Idaho State University; and David M. Woodall, Klamath Falls, Ore., interim president, Oregon Institute of Technology. Copies of finalists' professional vitae are posted at http://owa.sdsmt.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.sdbor.edu/sdsmtsearch/ .
Although winter is still here, we are looking forward to the change of seasons and watching our student summer camps fill up! This summer, we are again offering a variety of science and engineering camps to help more students become interested in pursuing science and engineering degrees. After the start of these camps in the summer of 2005, we doubled our growth to summer 2006 and more than doubled from 2006 to 2007! Students can choose from engineering camps, computer camps, geology field camp, leadership camp, and space adventures camp. There will also be day classes and programs offered. For more information, please visit http://owa.sdsmt.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://sdmines.sdsmt.edu/learn.
The next Legislative Cracker Barrel will be held tomorrow, February 16th at 9:00 am in the Classroom Building.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments. I can be reached at charles.ruch@sdsmt.edu.
Charles Ruch