Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement (CARA)

Board Chair

Julie Carver (GeolE 86)

First Vice Chair

Rich Wells (ChE 82)

Second Vice Chair

Amy Koenig (ChE 95)

Treasurer

Tim Ogdie (ChE 80)

Secretary

Toni Richardson (IS 95)

CARA CEO

Paul Krueger

Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement

330 E. Kansas City St. Rapid City, SD 57701 Office: 605.394.2347 / 800.394.2394 cara@sdsmt.edu

Dear Hardrockers,

As we close out another school year, I know many of us are looking forward to connecting with others. Whether we’re going on a family vacation, having an annual get together with friends, or planning to spend more time in nature, summertime seems to know how to bring us together and help us reflect on what’s important.

While you consider all of the ways you’ll connect with others this summer, I encourage you to consider your fellow Hardrockers. Mines alumni share a powerful connection; I think it’s our secret superpower. The traditions we took part in as students bonded us for life, and as alumni we must hold on to those friendships and professional connections that keep serving us in our personal lives and in our careers.

Part of remaining connected to our fellow Hardrockers includes students who are about to graduate and those who recently joined our alumni community. Find out if your organization has any recent Mines graduates. Mentoring a young professional is the perfect way to remain connected to Mines and to give back to the university.

Speaking of giving back – thank you to all of you who donated during our Raising for Rockers 24-hour giving event. Collectively, 400+ alumni and friends raised $160,000+ for athletics and academic departments at Mines. For many, it was your first ever gift to Mines. Making your first donation to Mines is a milestone, marking a point in your life when you recognize your ability and willingness to give back to the university that helped you become who you are today.

Lastly, congratulations to Lorin Brass (MetE 75) on receiving an honorary doctorate from Mines this May. Lorin’s career and his commitment to South Dakota Mines is inspiring. We’re grateful for all he and his wife, Mary (CE 77), have done for Mines.

Thank you for being a part of the Hardrocker community. We have so much to look forward to in the coming year, including seeing our Nucor Mineral Industries Building come to fruition. As you can see from the front cover of this magazine, it’s coming together quite nicely.

For more information, visit https://cara.sdsmt.edu/MineralIndustriesBuilding.

Have a wonderful summer.

JULIE CARVER (GeolE 86)

P.S. I hope you’re planning on joining me and our strong alumni community on campus for Rocker Days, Sept. 15-16. More information will be coming soon!

135 Years Ago

1888

A South Dakota Mines geology class makes its first trip to the South Dakota Badlands via horse and wagon.

85 years ago

1938

The O'Harra Memorial Stadium is dedicated and the Hardrockers defeat the SD State Jackrabbits 18-7 in the first football game.