School of Mines News Stories

Four hundred and fifty students qualified for the Dean's List for the 2009 fall semester. To qualify, undergraduate students must earn a grade point average of 3.50 or higher for the semester, carry 12 or more credit hours and not have any "F" or "Incomplete" grades.

A graduate of MIT and current director of the Duke University Marine Laboratory, Van Dover has conducted pioneering deep-sea research, authored more than 100 publications and communicated her discoveries broadly within the scientific community and to the general public.

Dr. Jennifer Karlin, associate professor, industrial engineering, will join 48 of the nation's brightest young engineering researchers and educators selected to take part in the National Academy of Engineering's (NAE) first Frontiers of Engineering Education (FOEE) symposium.

Scott Eddie, a South Dakota School of Mines and Technology student majoring in chemical engineering, has been awarded a Donald F. & Mildred Topp Othmer National Scholarship Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is pleased to welcome Xinhua Bai, Ph.D., as an assistant professor in the Department of Physics.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology freshmen students recently went to the polls and elected class representatives to the Student Association, the student governing body.

The Career Service Council at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has given its Traditions of Excellence Awards for September and October 2009 to Tamara Moore and Steve Bauer respectively.

In recent years, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has made a renewed focus on energy issues and sustainable practices.

When the Fall 2009 term began, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology welcomed a well-prepared, academically strong and ethnically as well as geographically diverse group of new students to campus.

Cindy Lee Van Dover, Ph.D., has been named the 2009 recipient of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's prestigious Mines Medal. The Mines Medal was established by School of Mines President Robert A. Wharton, Ph.D., to bring tribute and recognition to a leader in engineering or science.

Anastasia Baker, a School of Mines student majoring in metallurgical engineering, has been awarded the George A. Roberts Scholarship from the ASM Materials Education Foundation.

In line with the university's renewed focus on energy and sustainable practices, School of Mines President Robert A. Wharton, Ph.D., has joined two energy initiatives.

Marcus Baue, a metallurgical engineering major from Hysham, Montana, and Ashley Stewart, a civil engineering major from Scotland, were elected Homecoming King and Queen during the M-Week ceremony held Thursday night at the School of Mines.

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology showcased new renovations and opened its doors to the community during the Surbeck Center Ribbon Cutting, held Friday, September 18.

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology may be the best college investment in the nation based on the comparison of total costs and average starting salaries of graduates. More importantly, based on data analysis, it appears that the School of Mines may well be the only university in the nation where starting salaries for graduates average the total cost of a four-year degree.

Deanna Shoup has recently been named a recipient of a prestigious Indian Health Services (IHS) scholarship.

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has been named a Military Friendly School for 2010 by G.I. Jobs magazine, a publication providing information on education and job opportunities for those transitioning from the military.

The Career Service Council at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has given its Traditions of Excellence Award for July 2009 to Deborah East.

The project, funded through a $90,000 donation from Black Hills Power, will consist of three components: one 20 kW ReDriven wind turbine, one 2.4 kW Skystream 3.7 wind turbine, and three EnPhase photovoltaic panels.

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) team finished in fourth place at the International Aerial Robotics Competition, held at the University of Puerto Rico.

Dr. Jan Puszynski, a professor in the chemical and biological engineering department, has been named a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).

During the 2008-2009 academic year, the School of Mines forecast team, consisting of seven undergraduate and graduate students and one faculty member, ranked 37th overall out of 78 participating universities.

The Career Service Council has given its Traditions of Excellence Award for July 2009 to Reta Davies.

Three School of Mines students have been awarded $25,000 to pursue a senior design project on multi-touch applications for K-12 education.

Governor Rounds spoke to graduates at the SD GEAR UP Honors Program Closing and Graduation Ceremony at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology researchers have been awarded nearly $21 million in research and development funding during Fiscal Year 2009, the highest amount in the history of the university and more than double the $10.1 million received in Fiscal Year 2008.

More than 50 students were named to the 2009 spring semester Academic Recognition List.

More than 400 students were named to the 2009 spring semester Dean's List.

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is pleased to announce that Duane C. Hrncir, Ph.D., will serve as the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs through the 2009-2010 academic year.

The school year is over and campuses are quiet. Nonetheless, many South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students are making the most of their summer and will return with far more than they left with - valuable experience gained through internships, co-ops, and undergraduate research.

Kelli Shuman has been named an emerging leader by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources and invited to attend the annual Association Leadership Program.

The Career Service Council at the School of Mines has given its Traditions of Excellence Award for June 2009 to Sarah Steiner.

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is pleased to announce the selection of Michael C. Gunn as the associate provost of enrollment management. He will begin his role on June 29, 2009.

The Career Service Council at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has given its Traditions of Excellence Award for April and June 2009 to Beth Francis and Pam Cox respectively.

A summer fixture on the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology campus, the SD GEAR UP Honors Program, is back for the 17^th consecutive year.

A team of students matched up against 15 teams from across the United States and Canada during the 2009 National Timber Bridge Competition.

The voice of the South Dakota School of Mines Hardrocker athletics, Tom Rudebusch, was recently honored by the Rapid City Sports Officials by being inducted into the Rapid City Hall of Fame.

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is pleased to announce the selection of Richard (Dick) A. Kaiser as the university's athletic director (AD).

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology broke ground Monday, May 18 on the Chemical and Biological Engineering/Chemistry Building (CBE/C), a project that will transform the educational experience for School of Mines students.

A team of students has received an honorable mention in the National Workplace Innovation & Design competition.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology researchers and professors have been awarded a record amount of research and development funding during Fiscal Year 2009. As of May 15, 2009, the School of Mines has been awarded nearly $17.3 million in grants and research awards, the highest amount in the history of the university.

The School of Mines robotics team recently competed against 28 teams at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Region 5 competition in Lubbock, Texas.

The Spring Feathering Ceremony to honor graduating Native American students was held on May 8.

The School of Mines  is pleased to announce the selection of Ronald J. White, Ph.D. as the university's vice president for research. White will begin his role on July 1.

A team of School of Mines students led South Dakota in the 25th Annual Mathematical Contest in Modeling, receiving an honorable mention.

This summer, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology will host more than 130 students participating in earth sciences and engineering field camps in not only the United States, but also in Turkey and India.

The Mines Medal has been established by School of Mines President Robert A. Wharton, Ph.D., to bring tribute and recognition to a leader in engineering or science.

A team of students placed second at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) District C Student Professional Development Conference.

Dr. Duane Abata, executive director of the Center for Bioenergy Research and Development and professor of mechanical engineering, has been named a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

Amanda Bumann, a mechanical engineering student from Sioux Falls, has been selected to receive the Jack First Scholarship award.

A memorial scholarship fund has been established at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in honor of Clifford Fauk.

Dr. Damon Fick, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, has been chosen to participate in the 2009 ExCEEd (Excellence in Engineering Education) workshop at Northern Arizona University in July.

Dr. Andrea Surovek, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, was recently elected to the executive committee of the Structural Stability Research Council (SSRC) for a three-year renewal term.

Adam Dell, a South Dakota School of Mines and Technology student from Rapid City, has been named the Region 5 Representative to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES).