A team of students representing the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) recently received recognition at the organization's national conference.
"Our students are passionate about increasing the representation of Native Americans in science and engineering," Scott Wiley, staff advisor to the chapter, said. "Their message is that American Indians are welcomed and urgently needed in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields."
In 2008, AISES revamped its Stelvio J. Zanin Distinguished Chapter of the Year Program to recognize the diverse strengths and skills present within its college chapters. Chapters now compete in four categories - Fundraising and Marketing, Recruitment and Retention, Outreach and Community Service and Professional and Chapter Development — and for one overarching award for overall excellence selected from among the applicants.
The School of Mines AISES chapter received both the Recruitment and Retention Chapter Award and the Distinguished Chapter of the Year Award.
"We are extremely proud of the outstanding achievements of our AISES chapter," School of Mines President Robert A. Wharton, Ph.D., said. "This recognition indicates the high esteem the chapter is held in on a national level and highlights the work of our students in maintaining a vital organization."
The students attending:
- Adam Dell, president (interdisciplinary sciences, Rapid City)
- Jacqueline DeMent, vice president (civil engineering, Rapid City)
- Clarita Begishe, treasurer (mining engineering Rapid City)
- Derek Bankston (mechanical engineering, Rapid City)
- Aarika Begay (undecided engineering, Phoenix, Ariz.)
- Jessica Tsingine (industrial engineering, Tuba City, Ariz.)
- John Watters (undecided engineering, Rapid City)
- Beau White (mechanical engineering, Pine Ridge)
