SUMMER/FALL 2020

Advancing the frontier of innovation THE HARDROCK

The HardrockTM is published twice a year by South Dakota Mines. The HardrockTM is a trademarked name of the Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement (CARA). Submissions of articles and photographs are encouraged. We reserve the right to edit for style, clarity, and content. For information, free subscriptions, a digital version, or address corrections: CARA 330 E. Kansas City St. Suite 100 Rapid City, SD 57701 605.394.2347 / 800.394.2394 [email protected] www.sdsmt.edu/hardrock

Executive Editor Ann Brentlinger

Managing Editor Mike Ray (Geol 97)

Photography Brian Hill Lynn Taylor Rick Bryan Konechne Mike Ray

Writers Lynn Taylor Rick Mike Ray Bryan Konechne Donn Lobdell (ME 53)

Graphic Designer Brian Hill

Contributors Devereaux Library

About the Cover: Read more about the new university brand on page 10.

Forum Printing

13,050 / $.70 SUMMER/ FALL 2020 THE

HARDROCK 2 Alumni Presidents' Letter

3 Flashback

5 From the President

6 Ask the Mines Expert

8 12 7 The A in STEAM

8 Head On

10 Rebranding the University

12 Hardrockers of the Greatest Generation

14 High Impact Hardrockers

15 Mapping the Moon 10 16 From Rwanda to the White House

18 Legacy Leaders

20 Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement

22 Distinguished Alumni

23 In Memoriam

15 16 24 Class Notes

40 Alumni Gatherings  Digital version at www.sdsmt.edu/hardrock Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement (CARA) Dear Hardrockers,

It has been a pleasure to serve as co- Board President presidents of the Alumni Association prior Julie Carver (GeolE 86) to the CARA merger and to get to know many of you as fellow alumni. We take First Vice Chair away wonderful memories, though it’s Ken Miller (CE 75) been quite a challenging year. First, South Dakota weather curtailed our ability to Second Vice Chair travel and meet more of you in person Greg Hintgen (EE 99) and then COVID-19 hit, which was all very disappointing. We did manage to attend a new alumni welcome reception, a Treasurer couple of first Thursday lunches in the Black Hills and another great Pierre-area Tim Ogdie (ChE 80) chapter celebration. What great traditions! We recognize and appreciate all who do what they can to gather, either in person or virtually. It’s great to see the spirit of South Dakota Mines prevail in these difficult times. That reminds us to Secretary give a huge thank you to all who contributed to the Student Emergency Fund. Jeff Allen (ChE 77) Wow! Well done, fellow alumni! We hope you have seen the video where the students express their gratitude. Staff We are proud of the significant contributions South Dakota Mines alumni have CARA Interim Presient made to the world and are pleased to honor them through various programs Sharon Chontos (ChE 87) such as the March Medal, the 50-year graduate reunions, the Distinguished Alumni Awards, and the Outstanding Recent Grads. We still look forward to Alumni Director whenever these alumni will receive recognition in person. Congratulations, all! Shane Lee (MinE 10) The merger of the Alumni Association and Foundation into the Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement (CARA) is another significant event of the past Center for Alumni Relations year. An article on pages 20-21 covers this topic. It has been a great pleasure to & Advancement work with the dedicated board members who give so willingly of their time and talents, including the Student Engagement Committee that provided support and leadership to student activities, the Alumni Engagement Committee that 330 E. Kansas City St. nurtured three new area chapters this year and virtual Lunch-and-Learn events, Suite 100 the Communications Committee that kept alumni informed on the merger and Rapid City, SD 57701 the pivot to Reunion 2021, and our Nominating (now Governance) Committee Office: 605.394.2347 currently working hard on board selection criteria and training. We are very [email protected] enthused about the future possibilities! If you’d like to know more about being on the Board of Directors, contact the CARA office.

Our alma mater needs support now more than ever. Alumni play a vital role in recruiting new students. There are many stories of how just a simple chat with a high school student (or parent of) led to a very successful South Dakota Mines experience. Please keep spreading the good word.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Reunion 2021, July 7–11! Meanwhile, stay safe and Hardrocker strong.

Lorin & Mary Brass

2 The Hardrock FLASHBACK

100 years ago 70 years ago 50 years ago 35 years ago 1920 1950 1970 1985 The Mines beanie is given The Permanent Reserve The Devereaux Library South Dakota Mines to the freshman class for Officers Training Corps is completed. Library celebrates its centennial with the first time. “The greatest (ROTC) is established on materials moved from a range of activities. honor that the School of campus. O'Harra to the new building Mines can grant to its new in two days thanks to the citizens is the permission assistance of students in to wear the freshman Circle K, Drill and Crucible, cap.” – Pahasapa Quarterly and ROTC. December 1920. CREDIT Anne Susko (IE 14) Dear Hardrockers,

It’s safe to say that 2020 is among the most challenging periods in our 135-year history. Just as in past crises, like the 1918 flu epidemic and the accelerated engineering curriculum of World War II, our students, faculty, staff, and alumni met the challenges with creative problem solving and old-fashioned hard work that Hardrockers pride ourselves in.

Our alumni and campus community contributed more than $240,000 to a student emergency fund that is ensuring the next generation of Hardrockers continues forward. This is on top of $720,000 available in CARES Act funding for students in need.

Our faculty and students made an incredible 180-degree transition to all online classes in March. We went on to graduate 357 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students in May.

We established the Rockers Return to Campus Task Force that is guiding our efforts to ensure the safety of our community while continuing our mission into the 2021 academic year.

While the university was sparsely occupied for three months, we were not stagnant. We continued work on our year-long effort to rebrand our alma mater. Many of you contributed your feedback and we’ve incorporated your input into our new logo. Read more on pages 10-11. The South Dakota Mines Foundation and Alumni Association concluded a multi-year effort to merge into one stronger entity, the Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement (CARA). You can read more about that effort on pages 20-21.

South Dakota Mines has a long history and rich tradition of fostering top-tier scientists and engineers who are leaders around the world. We’re continuing this effort, and I think it’s important to note that we have added the word “inclusion” to our values. We believe that science and engineering teams are strongest when they include a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. The global marketplace is increasingly diverse, and industry demands graduates that thrive in collaboration with individuals from all backgrounds and identities.

The first half of 2020 has been difficult for us all, and more hurdles undoubtedly remain. However, it’s safe to say that anyone who calls South Dakota Mines their alma mater shares the grit and tenacity necessary to tackle current challenges and forge a bright future.

Warm Regards,

Jim Rankin, PhD PE (EE 78) President South Dakota Mines

Summer/Fall 2020 5 bother? You are still having a positive impact and you are Ask the Mines Expert protecting yourself and others. How can this be? Masks act like a net, catching particulates that are drawn into the filter. The holes of the “net” are too big to stop all the viral particulates coming at you, but we know they stop Dr. Elizabeth Racz, MPH some. Wearing masks lowers the viral load that will reach is an epidemiologist in the chemistry, biology, and you during an exposure event, to what degree depends on health sciences department at South Dakota Mines. the quality and fit of the mask. Imagine you are diligently studying and suddenly an infected person next to you coughs in your face. That short burst could be delivering Do masks really work? Why a massive viral load right into your nasal passages, eyes, should I bother wearing a and your mouth (if you gaped at their rudeness for mask? coughing directly in your face). A mask would protect you from inhaling a portion of the viral load coming at you Very small particulates, (even an imperfect net will make a catch) thus, reducing including novel Coronavirus your exposure over this very short period. Fewer viruses virions with diameters with spikes binding to your ACE-2 (angiotensin-converting between 60 and 140 nm, enzyme 2) receptors and destroying alveolar type II cells are not filtered by ill- in your respiratory tract is a good thing. These type II cells fitting masks or masks produce a surfactant that reduces the surface tension in not designed to handle your alveoli. Basically, they help keep the air sacs of your viruses carried on lungs open and exchanging gases (also a good thing). If aerosolized droplets self/lung preservation is not enough, know that masks that are ≤ 5 microns. also help others. They help you keep your microbes to So, why should you yourself. Not only is this polite, it may protect your fellow Hardrockers and loved ones who are struggling to stay healthy.

Reunion 2021 COME HOME HARDROCKERS Wednesday, July 7 to Sunday, July 11, 2021 Science, Technology Engineering, ARTS, and Math

At the edge of human Innovators are a wide project planned for knowledge, where the range of individuals with installation on the ceiling work of previous diverse backgrounds: from near the front door of the scholars offers little the physicist who makes university Music Center (Old help, science and a discovery that expands Gym). The project includes engineering our understanding of the aspects of mechanical pioneers must universe to the everyday and electrical engineering. take a leap engineer who finds an It’s designed to sense the into the elegant solution to an location of an individual unknown. immensely difficult problem. below it and play various One thing these forerunners notes based on the person’s have in common: almost movement. Black Hills all cite the critical Energy saw promise in the importance of team’s design and offered creativity in the a $4,500 grant for its discovery process. installation.

A team of South “I see engineering as part Dakota Mines of art,” says Kliche, who students, is the visionary for the including collaborative project. “The Alexandra same creative process is Kliche (IE 20), required in engineering, Alex Kringen (IE 20), art, and music. All these Kate Knott (IE 20), pursuits are about bettering and Hans Leonhardt human life.” (IE 20), are exploring the boundaries of Like many South Dakota engineering, art, Mines students, Kliche says and music. Their her study of engineering senior design, and math has improved her called “Gateway,” art and music. is an interactive COVID-19 brought an engineered art abrupt end to the plans for installation of Gateway, but a future team may be able to take up where this team left off. A degree in Kliche is now pursuing her master's in engineering engineering does not management at South exclude you from Dakota Mines. Find pursuing art and more on this story at sdsmt.edu/research. music.

Summer/Fall 2020 7 HEADOvercoming the Obstacles of COVID-19 O

Like the rest of the world, South Dakota through April 3, and shortly thereafter Mines has faced countless challenges as the South Dakota Board of Regents it manages the COVID-19 pandemic. We called for online classes to continue are proud of how we’ve come together through the end of the semester. to find the best solutions during a difficult time, and we continue adjusting Before we knew it, we were a campus and innovating during the return to without students. campus. Faculty adapted classes to online In mid-March, as news of the COVID-19 formats from their home offices, and virus outbreak continued to spread staff developed outreach and support around the world, President Jim Rankin services to be delivered virtually. sent his first Covid-19-related email to Students faced a swift learning curve as campus. It notified students that their they went from in-person instruction to spring break would be extended and Zoom classes. asked the campus community to take Essential staff at South Dakota Mines care to prevent the spread of the virus. continued to work on campus to clean, Only one day later, the governor of oversee emergency management, South Dakota ordered state entities to ensure housing to students without begin remote operations, which meant other options, and provide dining all but essential employees of South services to those students. Everyone Dakota Mines began working remotely. worked long hours to provide the Just three days later, President Rankin smoothest transition possible, including announced the move to online classes students who faced an adjustment to the changed learning format. It wasn’t Senate also joined in to help, professor Dr. Jason Ash (ME easy for anyone, but South Dakota donating $50,000 to the fund. 99) and Dr. Elizabeth Racz, an Mines not only finished its semester By early July, the fund had epidemiologist and professor online, but held a virtual video-game raised more than $245,872. in the chemistry, biology and themed commencement ceremony health sciences department recognizing 357 graduates. It wasn’t • Research and development of at South Dakota Mines. how we had intended to recognize personal protective equipment Ash and Racz collaborated the May 2020 graduates, but we made or PPE. In an effort to help local with Monument Health on the best of it with more than 500 healthcare providers overcome the model, which has been people viewing the video on the consulted by the health university’s YouTube channel. We system and the state have invited these graduates the when tracking the opportunity to participate in any pandemic. future commencement ceremony they choose. • Manufacturing hand sanitizer. Staff members As we headed into summer, the Margaret Smallbrock decision was made by the Board (Ch 05), a chemist, and of Regents to hold summer classes Aaron Grimm (ChE 18), virtually as well. And so, we a chemical engineer, remained a campus largely without concocted 230 gallons students. We did not, however, lose a global shortage of PPE due to of hand sanitizer which was our innovative spirit. the COVID-19 pandemic, South donated to Monument Health Dakota Mines began working in April. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our in March to design masks. The students, staff, faculty, and researchers effort included faculty and These efforts are not over. Our staff, continue to be innovators, developing students in the departments researchers and students will continue products, models, ideas, and more of industrial, mechanical, to step up when needed to help our to help the community and the state chemical, biological and community combat this virus. As we manage this health crisis. Some of the biomedical engineering as prepared to return students, staff and ways Hardrockers have stepped up well as chemistry, biology, faculty to campus for fall semester, a include: and health sciences. The campus task force laid out the Rockers departments began by 3D Return Plan for doing so safely using • The Student Emergency printing prototypes, which guidelines from medical experts from Fund, created by the Center led to new designs and such agencies as the Centers for for Alumni Relations & collaboration. South Dakota Disease Control & Prevention. This Advancement (CARA) to Mines partners with Monument includes introducing a hybrid model help students affected by Health for any production and that combines in-person instruction the pandemic. Early on, the distribution of items. with online teaching to keep classes Foundation small, which allows for social recognized that distancing. We are requiring students many students to wear masks in public indoor spaces were struggling and encouraging them to continue to with a loss of social distance and practice proper income from hygiene. work study jobs and regular We will continue to take it one day jobs that had at a time as we try to safely educate ended due to the next generation of scientists and the pandemic. engineers at South Dakota Mines. We The Foundation do so with optimism, an innovative moved swiftly spirit, and tenacity all Hardrockers to set up the emergency fund, • A real-time coronavirus pride themselves in. Stay safe, which fielded hundreds of tracking tool, developed everyone! requests for financial help. The by mechanical engineering South Dakota Mines Student

Summer/Fall 2020 9 Rebranding the University

10 The Hardrock In the past 135 years, South Dakota people have shortened it to various A prime example is when President Mines has grown from a 19th century nicknames throughout the years – Rankin traveled wearing the M logo mining school to an engineering, Tech, School of Mines, Mines, SMD, lapel pin on his jacket, and people science, and technology university. SDSM&T, and various other versions. commented “Go Blue” referencing the Over the last year, we asked those It’s critical that we establish a singular University of Michigan. with deep connections to Mines name that identifies us universally. to reflect on where we have Our new logo is a contemporary been and who we are today. After much deliberation and reimagining of our classic M and is We challenged our various discussion, the decision has been inspired by the transformational story audiences to share their made to call our university South behind South Dakota Mines from a thoughts. We are extremely Dakota Mines. Mines is unusual word mining school to a top-tier engineering excited with the results. to encounter in the higher education and science university. This mark has a space. It’s memorable and unique, and sense of calculated movement that is We worked with a marketing pairing it with South Dakota makes it at the core of what it means to be on agency with years of higher truly our own. Pairing it with the name the frontier of innovation. Borrowing education experience and lockup “An engineering, science, and the historic, yet timeless, black with staff members that technology included a former vice university” president of enrollment and paints a more an industrial engineer. The complete process began with several picture of who face-to-face discovery we are. sessions with students, lettering of the university’s official faculty, staff, alumni, donors, Tagline seal, our new mark conveys a sense and community members. of calculated movement, with lines Advancing the frontier of innovation Those who couldn’t attend that transition from thick to thin, and in-person sessions were “Frontier” is an emotionally precise notched corners that evoke a given the opportunity to charged word that parallels the sense of progressive curiosity. complete an online survey. university’s experience – it can be As one of the nation’s leading All in all, we received input a daunting, demanding place with engineering, science, and technology from over 1,200 people. This lots of challenges. Students must be universities, South Dakota Mines is provided the agency curious, ambitious, at the forefront of what’s next. We’re with a strong foundation resourceful, curious. We’re tenacious. And we’ve got on which to build our determined, what it takes to change the world. brand message and hardworking, and visual brand identity. brave to succeed at Brand Positioning South Dakota Mines. What is a brand? A brand Pairing the word For prospective college students is the story of who we are, with “innovation” who are serious about their future, what makes us unique, and highlights the passionate about STEM, and eager to why we are a great university. The important connection between past solve society’s most pressing problems, brand message means taking all of and present. “Advancing” not only South Dakota Mines delivers a best-in- what we know we are and condensing positions us as academic leaders in class education at an affordable price, it into selling points. It’s a visual STEM research, but also plays into with a supportive and collaborative identity that will stand out from other the idea that this is a place that gives campus community that prepares universities. A brand is more than a everyone the opportunity to succeed. graduates to become in-demand logo. It is a story of who we are and leaders what we represent. It encompasses our Logo in today’s reputation, our history, and our future. fastest The old M logo failed to accurately growing One of the challenges was how we convey the value of our alma mater to industries. referred to our university. The full the world. It was often confused with university name is a mouthful, and logos belonging to other universities.

Summer/Fall 2020 11 Hardrockers of the Greatest Generation

In World War II, the United After he finished Mines, States had a desperate need for Graversen went to work for scientists and engineers. South General Motors making the Dakota Mines responded with machine guns used in Allied an accelerated engineering airplanes. As an engineer, his program. This article includes contributions were vital to the the stories of two alumni who war effort. He later received graduated during this period. a master’s degree from the University of Utah and his Curt Graversen (MetE 43) career included a stint teaching remembers finishing his junior engineering in Butte, Montana. year in May and starting his He joined the company Precision senior year about three days later Cast Parts when it was a startup. in June. “This put our graduation Today, it’s a global firm with over in January,” Graversen recalls. $10 billion in annual sales. He also worked for Omark Industries While in school, Graversen which made chain saw chain; worked a number of jobs from this sent him all over the world, being a janitor, bartender, “wherever logs were being cut,” ground crew worker, and he says. fossil preparator. He has fond memories of his 1942 summer His advice for the students of job on a National Geographic- today: “It’s worth all the suffering funded fossil hunting expedition and studying you have to do. It It’s worth to the Badlands. was a hardship, but it was a lot of fun. I’d recommend that these “We slept in a tent and on the all the freshmen students stay at Mines ground,” he recalls. “It was hotter and get a degree. That degree will suffering than the dickens with no place leave you pretty well equipped to to get any shade.” Some of the do almost anything.” and studying you fossils Graversen discovered are have to do. now on display in the Museum Harlan Meyer (CE 44) worked in a of Geology. “We made $75 per local hotel as a night clerk, which month. When I returned to helped pay his room and board. school, I had three months’ pay He and a fellow student shared and I felt like I was living high on one room and worked the front the hog,” he says with a laugh. desk in shifts between studying

12 The Hardrock and attending classes. “We slept in turns,” Meyer recalls. “We would go to class until 2 or 3 p.m. then we could run the front desk in shifts between studies until the next morning at 7 a.m. when we went back to class.”

In the summer of 1943, Meyer and fellow student Bill Coyle (CE 44) eagerly volunteered to search for bentonite in the North Dakota Badlands and surrounding areas. “It was a necessary occupation for the war effort,” Meyer says. “We found it all over the place and enjoyed our time that summer,” he says. “When you go to South Dakota Mines you have all kinds of different experiences.”

Meyer served in the Pacific Theater with the Navy Seabees in WWII. “I made up my mind when I got back from the service I wanted to work in South Dakota,” he says. Following his return to the state, his career included 16 years as the city engineer for Huron and 25 years as the executive director of the Associated General Contractors before retiring in 1987.

His advice for students of today: “Be sure and be serious about your studies. What you learn at Mines is really valuable to you after you get out.” +Ζ*+Ζ03$&7 HARDROCKERS

Dr. Valentine T. McGillycuddy

Valentine T. McGillycuddy was the first person to have the title of president, South Dakota Mines. Before that, he was a medical doctor, a topographical surveyor, a surgeon with General Crook’s command in the 1876 wars, a friend of Crazy Horse, the first agent at Pine Ridge Reservation, president of an early bank in Rapid City, one of the founders of Black Hills Energy, a member of the committee that developed the constitution of South Dakota, a member of the state legislature, surgeon general of South Dakota, adjutant general of South Dakota, and the first person recorded as reaching the top of Black Elk Peak (formerly known as Harney Peak), all of this before he reached his 50th birthday.

But he didn’t stop there. Later he served as mayor of Rapid City; then he returned to the practice of medicine in California, experiencing the great earthquake of 1906 and serving during the influenza pandemic of 1918-1920 as a public health doctor in the western U.S. and Alaska. He has been the subject of two biographies and sections of other books. He was sought out by many historians for information on the settling of the west in the last decades of the 19th century because he had participated in making parts of that history. For more detailed information on this remarkable person who helped create and guide South Dakota Mines, go to sdsmt.edu/research.

14 The Hardrock Mines Alumna sees work on lunar geologic map published by the USGS and MAPPING NASA

It’s not everyone who gets a chance to help map a celestial body.

Shannon Harrel (MS Paleo 19) was part of a United States Geological Survey team that completed the first ever unified geologic THE map of the moon. Her work on the project was completed thanks to a NASA space grant. Harrel used hard copies of the original six lunar maps published in the MOON 1970s as a reference alongside current satellite images of the lunar surface to help map the moon at 1:1.25M scale.

She was also tasked with identifying and digitizing new or previously unidentified craters, mare ridges, rilles, graben, and basin rings using ArcGIS for the more comprehensive lunar map. In total, she was able to map an additional 3,000-4,000 features on the surface of the moon.

Harrel has advice for young I didn't people interested in STEM. "Don't give up know I on childhood dreams,” she says. “I didn't know I could follow my dreams because no could follow my one ever told me it was possible, but now I dreams because am telling you, anything is possible.” no one ever STEM studies open the door to a world told me it was of possibilities for South Dakota Mines possible, but students, with one caveat: excelling in science and engineering fields requires now I am telling effort and tenacity. you, anything “The age-old adage still stands; anything is possible. worth having requires hard work,” says Harrel. “But more importantly, have fun while you're doing it. Science should be exciting and if it starts to feel too much like work and no longer a passion, you're doing it wrong," she says.

Today, Harrel is working with the New London Public Museum in Wisconsin. She is providing expertise in paleontology to assist with identifying, cataloging, and rehousing fossil specimens at the museum. )URP WRWKH

South Dakota Mines Alumnus Makes His Mark

Thirteen years ago, Emmanuel Tuombe experience was so overwhelming,” Tuombe decided early on that he (MS CE 07) arrived at South Dakota Tuombe says of walking into the West would become an engineer. No matter Mines from Rwanda with little money Wing to receive the honor. “I knew where he was, he wanted to make a in his pocket and no connections to that it was something bigger … that it positive impact in his community. the community. What he did have was beyond myself. I was so excited was optimism, hope, and a drive to because of all the people who I was Thanks to a scholarship, Tuombe succeed. representing.” attended National University of Rwanda for engineering. It was there, Fast forward to February 2020. The Tuombe, who speaks six languages, while volunteering as a student on Mines civil engineering alumnus arrives grew up in Rwanda following the 1994 a water project, that he met South in Washington, D.C. to accept an award genocide when 800,000 people were Dakota Mines civil and environmental as one of this country’s Game Changers killed over the course of 100 days. engineering professor Dr. James at the White House’s Entrepreneurs He witnessed firsthand his country’s Stone. Stone recalls Tuombe as a and Innovators Summit. The event was struggle to recover physically and highly curious and intelligent student held during Black History Month. “The emotionally from the destruction. who asked, “a million questions.” He

16 The Hardrock impressed the professor so much that He kept saying, ‘Where are all the president came and spoke about how by the end of the project, Stone offered people?’” entrepreneurs are the backbone of Tuombe a research assistantship this country. The experience was so position as a graduate student in the Tuombe graduated with a master's overwhelming.” civil and environmental engineering degree in civil engineering in 2007 department at Mines. and accepted a position as a project Tuombe says he quickly realized he engineer for a company in Colorado. was representing much more than Tuombe arrived at Mines in 2006, From there, he moved to a job in himself. He represents people like him, borrowing money to make the trip Memphis, Tennessee, and then immigrants and international students possible. At Mines, he skipped meals Virginia. In 2015, he returned to who come to the United States to and pinched pennies to make his Memphis where he decided to launch improve themselves and the world dream of earning a master’s degree his own business, ABES Engineering, around them. come true. “I had a teaching assistant Inc. “I knew it was not going to be position, but I had to manage every easy,” he says. “But I had seen the Tuombe, who served as the director single penny I had. You are in survival worst in life … and I had faith that of the Rwandan chapter of Engineers mode. I told myself I am going to last at everything was going to work out.“ without Borders and recently started this school,” he says. “I was focused on another chapter in Gabon, wants the moment.” And it did. Since its inception, ABES students and immigrant businessmen has grown and thrived, working for and women to understand that He dove into the international student the city of Memphis on multiple anything is possible. At the Game community at the projects. “I know my business needs Changer reception, Tuombe met “high- International to keep growing,” Tuombe says. “I’m level people that I never imagined I Student, Inc. looking forward to partnering with would meet.” He sat at the table with house and the large companies so we can make a big billionaires, met innovators, and made Ivanhoe Center difference in people’s lives.” connections with business leaders on campus. He from around the country. One meeting connected with To this day, Tuombe isn’t sure who has led to discussions about a future professors and local nominated him as a Game Changer. partnership. churches. “It didn’t When he first received the invitation take me long before I to the White House to receive the He’s not stopping there. Tuombe could hopes to one day meet adjust,” he says. “I innovators like Bill Gates was a little prepared and Warren Buffett. “I with my background would like to sit in the living in a country room with the big guys, where the genocide so we can share ideas had happened. I had and make an impact. It’s some resiliency in not far-fetched,” he says me.” with the same optimism he arrived at South Stone recalls Tuombe Dakota Mines with 13 working on project years ago. “It might take in remote Harding another 13 years … but County, South it’s what I’m shooting for. Dakota, as part of I dream big.” his graduate thesis. “I remember the He wants others like first time Emmanuel him to dream big as traveled to the field well. He invites them sites in the Cave Hills to recognize their story region,” Stone says. “He was amazed by award, he wondered if it was real, in his. Whether they start at South the open space and the lack of people. even hesitating to tell many people. Dakota Mines as he did, or at other In his home country, there were similar “I started realizing it was real when I universities, Tuombe hopes his story open lands; however, the population got there, when I met a person from can be a catalyst for their hopes and density was dramatically higher than the Department of Energy,” he says. dreams. “Stand tall, be proud, and he observed there in Harding County. “Another person was an inventor. The dream big,” he says.

Summer/Fall 2020 17 Legacy Leaders

Scott was always there to Dr. Scott Kenner consult, mentor, and share his depth of knowledge with The greatest educators have an impact a kind heart and a big smile. far outside of their own lives—their He was totally dedicated to work is amplified, many times over, the success of his students in the success of the students they and the civil engineering inspire. program, and it has been an absolute honor to work with The career of Scott Kenner (CE 77, Scott and call him a friend.” MS 79), PhD, PE, exemplifies the positive impact a dedicated college Kenner’s reputation as a professor can have on the world. His passionate educator with a work at South Dakota Mines, spanning contagious excitement for the more than three decades, includes concepts he teaches, coupled a Fulbright scholarship to Mongolia, with a kindness and sincere the Benard A. Ennenga Award for desire for his students to excellence in teaching, Presidential succeed, will be his lasting Award for Outstanding Professor, and legacy. the Guy March Medal, among other honors. As the head of the program assistant. More information Department of Civil and Environmental on the Kenner/Haffner Scholarship Perhaps his success is best measured Engineering (CEE), Kenner’s career Fund is on the CARA website. by the achievements of his past stands out not only for his excellence This scholarship ensures Kenner’s students. Today they are leaders in fostering student success, but also legacy of supporting students will around the globe. John Henderson, (CE for his excellence in research, which continue for another generation of 94) PE, Assistant Secretary of the Air is primarily centered around water Hardrockers. For him, the students Force, is one example of many. quality and watershed management. were the best part of the job. “Working “Dr. Scott Kenner is an amazing A new scholarship has been with students, what a joy,” says Kenner. leader and brilliant professor,” says established for a junior or senior in “It’s just tremendously rewarding. It’s Henderson. “His enthusiasm for CEE at South Dakota Mines in honor of hard to let go,” he says with a little our profession inspired an entire both Kenner and Ellen Haffner, who is crack in his voice. generation of Hardrocker engineers. retiring after 18 years as department

18 The Hardrock Legacy LeadersTwo Retiring Department Heads Have Scholarships Established in Their Names.

dentists, physical therapists, Lori Coble and other medical providers," she says. "Student success Shaping the future through education was my main motivation at is an art form that requires dedication, Mines for 37 years. I may drive and the will to succeed. As Lori have contributed a lot but I’ve Coble reflects on her career and recent received so much more back,” retirement, we can argue that she she says. “My life has been so exceeded this definition. blessed and there have been so many great people that I Coble came from humble beginnings have met. I have had so many as a small-town teacher and moved to great experiences and so Rapid City to pursue a love for fast- many laughs—it kind of keeps pitch softball. With a full and dynamic you young I guess.” career as a coach, educator and leader at South Dakota Mines, Coble In 2016, she received the exemplifies the type of person that Benard A. Ennenga Faculty leaves a legacy through her selfless Award—a highlight of her actions. career. Coble said “I never thought of myself as being Coble served as the women's The Lori Coble Family Athletic on the same level as some of the basketball assistant coach for 28 Scholarship has been established at seasoned professors who had been seasons before stepping down in May South Dakota Mines. This scholarship at the university for a long time. I still of 2011 to take on a full-time biology is to be awarded to a member of the thought of myself as still filling in, so it instructor position in the Department women's varsity basketball team. was an incredible honor.” of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Coble still helps with recruiting, She was instrumental in the reference letters and advising. She development of Mines' biology major plans to spend more time with family and very involved in student retention, in the coming months, but she will not advising, and recruitment through be a stranger. She hopes to support the years. "I was passionate about all the athletic events and continue to the success of my students, many of offer her expertise on campus. which went on to become doctors,

Summer/Fall 2020 19 Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement

A New Chapter in a Long History

By On July 1, 2020, through time, talent, and treasure. Endowment the South Dakota Some alumni and friends give back Association. Shane Lee (MinE 10) Alumni Director Mines Alumni to the university through their time Years later, South Dakota Mines Association and experience by volunteering, while the AA worked & (AA) and others will donate financially, and with the Sharon Chontos (ChE 87) Foundation were some do both. Working together under university Interim CARA President South Dakota Mines merged from the shared mission of supporting the to turn that two separate university makes it easier to identify endowment non-profit where we have overlaps and gaps, as into the South corporations into a single 501(c)(3) well as opportunities to adapt new Dakota Mines non-profit corporation, the Center methods for engagement, services Foundation. for Alumni Relations & Advancement to students, faculty, and alumni, or Today, we (CARA). The action that both boards even fundraising for scholarships and have come have taken was done with much facilities. full circle thought, debate, and consideration. by bringing these two important In fact, discussions between the AA Many past presidents of the AA organizations back together again, and Foundation had been ongoing were directly involved in the merger so that we can support the university for many years on topics such as discussions that took place over the better than ever before. Within CARA, collaboration, sharing resources, years. This merger would not have the alumni office will continue to development strategies, funding happened if it meant that alumni focus on engagement and recognition agreements, and responsibilities of relations would be second priority to and the development staff will how we each support the university. scholarships and fundraising. On the continue to focus on fundraising. The The boards of both organizations contrary, both boards acknowledged merged organization provides more believe this is the right path forward that the AA carried a great deal of resources for communications and to reduce the duplication of efforts history and tradition that is important event planning, and time to focus on and to expand on the capabilities to our alumni and community. Just fostering that feeling of community of the staff involved in supporting as the AA has its roots, beginning in among our students, faculty, and the university. While the AA and 1934 with a small group of alumni that alumni. There are many programs that Foundation have different missions, wanted to support the university and have deep and meaningful roots in the we share a common purpose: to each other, then registering with the AA, such as: support South Dakota Mines and all State of South Dakota in 1960 as a non- its stakeholders, especially its alumni, profit organization, the Foundation • March Medal students, faculty, and staff. As alumni also has its roots. It began in 1956 with • 50-year Graduate Reunions of this great institution, we want to members of the AA and the university who wanted to start a scholarship see it grow and flourish; we support • Distinguished Alumni Awards the university in a variety of ways program for students who could not afford tuition; it was called the

20 The Hardrock • Outstanding Recent Graduates his whole life to this university and campus. Once they leave campus, the in many ways made Mines what it organization will continue to nurture • 5-year Reunions is today. In fact, not only was Pop the relationships that started here. March an alumnus (EE 22), but his As each Hardrocker’s career matures, • Alumni Weekends wife, Gail (1893-1993), was also given so do those relationships. When a • Homecoming an honorary degree in 1988 for her Hardrocker is ready to offer support contributions to the campus and back to the university, the CARA • Area Chapter Gatherings students. We remember Pop March organization will facilitate that too. every year at spring graduation when When you reflect on your time at South These--and the numerous other alumni we recognize alumni with the March Dakota Mines, was there an alumnus events--will continue to be a priority. Medal which embodies that spirit of who made an impact on your life? Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and service to our great institution. This Recognizing the impact of previous community members have been award is earned through years of generations on yourself is incentive enriched by many people who have giving back to the place that helped to maintaining connections with other worked for the South Dakota School them become the engineer, the Hardrockers and offer support to the of Mines & Technology and supported scientist, or the professional that they university. By giving back through its advancement. Throughout our have become. The tradition continues. your time and experience, you may rich history, there are a few people be that person who helps change the When a student arrives at South that truly dedicated their lives to course of a student’s life. That is why Dakota Mines, they become part of the the university and its students over CARA strives to help connect alumni to Hardrocker family. Through the work of the years. One was Guy “Pop” March campus. That is Hardrocker spirit! CARA, scholarships and facilities enable (EE 22) (1895-1981), who embodied each student to maximize their time on the Hardrocker spirit and dedicated

Summer/Fall 2020 21 22 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI The Hardrock ALUMNI Distinguished principal/partner at Integrus Architecture since 2006. evaluating lead-contaminated soilsatanationallevel. projects thatinclude establishing newapproachesfor ofenvironmental Shehasbeeninvolved inavariety Omaha. environmental compliance officer at Kiewit Corporationin Consultants in Colorado. She is currently vice president and management. HercareerstartedwithWoodward-Clyde and policestations. buildings, commercial to correctional/detentionfacilities design ofeducationalfacilities,communitylibrariesand Corcoran’s professionalprojectsspanfromthestructural experience. Hehasservedasexperience. 36 years of structural engineering design engineer in Omaha. He has professional career asastructural Tom Corcoran began his (CE 83) Tom Corcoran environmental engineering and than 30yearsofexperiencein Connie Determan has more (CE 84) Determan Connie first female general manager of Idaho Falls Power. She is She Power. Falls Idaho of manager general female first works directorforSheridan, WY. In 2006, she became the state ofWashington. PublicUtilitiesinthe ofTacoma thedirector/CEO currently University inNashville. the StevensonProfessor ofMathematicsatVanderbilt as a professor and a Since researcher. 1988, he has been Wisconsin, the University ofTexas,and TexasA&M University at StanfordUniversity.Hespent22 years atUniversity of from Mines. Today, Innovative Systemsemploys47 alumni andinterns Minesgraduates. goodjobsfor hasbeentocreate his goals Innovative Systemsin1998asafamilypartnership.Oneof Roger Musick In 2000, she became the public and Natural Resources in Pierre. Department ofEnvironment as an engineer with the SD Jackie Flowersbegan her career (CE 92) Jackie Flowers masters and PhD in mathematics masters and PhD in mathematics his finished Schumaker Larry After graduatingfromMines, (Math 61) Schumaker Dr. Larry partner in1974.Hestarted Mitchell and becamean equal joined Martin and Associates in Dakota Mines,RogerMusick Following graduation from South (EE 71) In Memoriam The names below include those who have passed (based on our database records) in the last 10 years, but whose names have not appeared in a previous Hardrock magazine. Please contact us if you know of any errors in this list. Going forward, it will be helpful if you share information about the passing of alumni you may know. The names below were received by October 5, 2020, and are listed alphabetically by year of graduation.

Don Mansfield (GenE 48) 11/22/19 Joseph Pletka (ME 59) 1/3/20 Lynn Vanbockel (MetE 75) 6/14/17 Glen Madsen (ChE 50) 4/20/20 John Shuler (ChE 59) 2/17/20 Steve Warren (ME 75) 5/2/20 Robert May (GenE 52) 8/19/19 Larry Allaman (MS Chem 60) 4/28/20 Ron Powell (MinE 76) 5/23/20 James Smith (Chem 52) 9/23/20 Warren Barnum (CE 61) 4/5/20 Tom Ochsner (MinE 78) 10/2/20 Raymond Clancy (EE 53) 2/21/20 John Evans (GeolE 61) 1/20 Ron Bowar (CE 79) 7/6/20 Paul Jones (MinE 53) 2/15/20 Richard Moen (MetE 62) 3/12/20 Max Sachau (EE 79) 3/25/20 Leland Grebe (EE 54) 1/22/20 Roger Opp (MS Math 65) 4/14/20 James Hammerquist (CSc 80) 3/3/19 Francis Smit (MetE 54) 3/22/20 David Suliin (MS MetE 65) 2/17/14 Paul Rafter (EE 80) 6/29/20 Howard Haberman (ME 55) 4/6/20 Gary Young (CE 66) 3/28/20 Karl Lalonde (Geol 82) 5/16/20 Richard Patch (EE 55) 3/18/20 Roger Eatherton (ME 69) 3/23/20 Virginia Massie (MS CE 83) 11/20/19 John Linn (ME 56) 6/17/20 Ron Perrone (CE 70) 6/12/20 Cheryl Strachan (Phys 89) 9/13/20 James Bump (CE 57) 8/18/20 Larry Hoogshagen (ME 71) 11/3/18 Rod Bach (EE 95) 6/16/20 Ching-Shi Liu (ME 57) 1/12/19 Dave Zwetzig (ME 71) 8/5/20 Jody Skyberg (EE 95) 8/22/17 Norm Shyne (EE 57) 5/6/20 Gordon Henderson (Math 73) 4/21/17 Zachary Zelecki (MinE 16) 5/17/19 Peter Koskinen (MetE 58) 5/1/20 Lynn Crane (EE 74) 2/28/20 Former Faculty/Staff: Dave Seefeldt (GeolE 58) 8/5/20 Lee Neal (MS EE 74) 5/13/20 Dave Grow (EE professor) 8/23/20 Dave Grow (EE 59) 8/23/20 Ron Tholen (Math 75) 12/3/19 Roger Opp (Math professor) 4/14/20

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traveling this coming year care facilities. There are Max Gassman (ME 56) and visit Mines, but the virus about 300 staff to manage “After graduation, the John 1950s pandemic messed up my and care for all of us. So far, Deere Product Engineering plans. Maybe next year for all is good.” Center gave me 30 years of the 5-year reunion.” very interesting employment. I then worked for 25 years Roger Baird (EE 53) “Donna as an ME professor at Iowa and I live in the Acacia Creek State University (ISU). I have Retirement Community and received eight US Patents and pretty much stay in our rooms published the Engineering because all group activities textbook Hydraulic Power have been cancelled. We System Analysis, Taylor get our meals delivered Al Dougal (CE 50) “My career & Francis, 2006. I married and are encouraged to keep consisted of one year at Elizabeth Evans from Belle our exercise activities going Convair in Fort Worth, 11 Fourche in 1955. We have two individually. Life is tolerable years at Forrest and Cotton sons, seven grandchildren, and we can gather in small in Dallas, three years with and four great grandchildren. groups with proper spacing. HDR in Dallas, and 18 years We are retired in Ames, IA. But the Turkey Roost, our with the County of Plano as Our youngest grandson bar which normally serves John (EE 56) and Alice Mohr Director of the Planning and received his BS degree in draft and bottled beer as along with others built Engineering Department. I supply side management well as premium wines a Pinewood Derby style now live at a retirement from ISU.” on tap and in bottles, has racetrack. “Numerous fellow community in Plano.” been closed. Since I am the residents at the Aberdeen Victor Dosch (EE 51) has volunteer managing director, Heights Retirement had a rough year. “I lost my known as the Bar Czar, I Community in Kirkwood, MO, wife on October 18 after 66 am out of a job and I don't built cars using a Boy Scout years of marriage. I also lost qualify for unemployment car kit. The track is 32 feet a good friend, classmate, compensation. We have long and the cars speed at and roommate at 815 West about 200 residents and the about 20 mph. Bill Hoskins Blvd during our years at Masonic Home has about (ME 51) also lives at the same Mines, Arthur Childers (CE 300 residents which includes retirement community.” 51). I was hoping to do some skilled nursing and memory

24 The Hardrock CLASS NOTES 25 Summer/Fall 2020 I received at Mines were I received at Mines were great and led to a fulfilling career. I met my wonderful wife Shirley from Tennessee while an officer in theUS in Engineers of Corp Army Germany where she was engineering R&D firm. firm. R&D engineering Mary, my fantastic wife of 53 wonderous years, died again consulted I 2010. in for two more years before I nuclear my in handed finally clearance. Now I can sail on my timetable. I fell in love with the ocean while in the Air Force stationed in the the Texas in and Caribbean sailing started and 1950’s I ago. years 20 seriously here family have fortunately who also love to sail, as it now takes at least two to sail ‘Dances on Water.’” 59) (GenE Clare Paul “The education met and I friends Water’ (Caliber 47 LRC) to Water’to LRC)(Caliber 47 for weather cooler seek the summer from what experience on I will now I Florida. coast of west the 1990 in time first the retired for after 32 years working Safety the National Nuclear Administration/Department Alamos of Energy at the Los the National Laboratory, Nevada in Nuclear Test Site Chemical Dow the and Nuclear Plant in Colorado. after I retired again in 2009 independent consulting and ofpresident vice as years ten Sonalysts, Inc., a Connecticut

Don Houck (ME 59) Don Houck (ME “Like everyone else, I am planned I had homebound. the East Coast up trip a on on sailboat ‘Dances on my not register. This led Carolyn led This register. not moneythe like do to me and yourself ’pay managers say, our of balance the For first.’ we marriage, of years 1/2 57 problem cash a had never another missed never and took Lord The reunion. Carolyn home on May 19, I willing, Lord The 2015. plan to attend the reunion in 2021.” that Reunion 2020 had to that Reunion to 2020 had The $25 be postponed. fee reminded registration 1960 reunion whenme of the at which $25, was fee the 5% of a the time was about opposed month’s salary as hour’s an than less little a to working was I now. salary of Department SD the for Rapidin Highwaysandliving a problem City. Because of the of end the closing with paid not were we year, fiscal until the 6th or 7th of July. On the day of the registration onlyhad we reunion, the for Needless to say we did $20. ” “After Bud Petik (EE 64). “I'm disappointed Richard "Dick" Berg (CE (CE "Dick" Berg Richard 58) hope to again ride my bike hope across South Dakota and the and hills beloved those campus.” (Note: Burt Mines race Iditarod on worked for matters organizational many years and finished races sled dog Iditarod seven between 1981 and 1992.) Burt Bomhoff (CE 58) has lived in Chugiak, AK, since Rapid through rode “I 1960. summer last Mines and City mymotorcycleall on then Hills. Black the through and April in 85 turned I apartments in Taylorsville, Taylorsville, in apartments my that say to sad I’m UT. (EE 57), buddies Bill May Floyd and (CE 57), Jundt Clyde died. ThisBrown (EE 57) have LakeSalt the missed I’ve year skiing and meetings alumni with Bill Nissen (MetE 57) (MetE Nissen Bill 52 years at our Salt Lake be Sue and I will City home, the active senior moving to

“I was degrees, and now love living in the Black Hills.” worked for Rockwell Collins for Rockwell worked and other companies while completing MS and PhD Senior Center in Rapid City. Rapid in Center Senior Bill, GI the on Mines to came “I spends time playing pool, pool, playing time spends working and dancing, line Lake Canyon the at out Warren Ruhnow (Math 79) (Math Ruhnow Warren pray that the pandemic will pandemic pray that the be over soon, and America will bounce back.” I don't have to leave home. My daughter lives with me Let’s thing. a good that's and about the consequences of all of consequences the about thatblessed feel I guess I this. that a few businesses are are businesses a few that lots with to open beginning of restrictions. I'm concerned has come to a screeching has come to a screeching halt. There are some signs was postponed until next next until postponed was surprise came as no year. It in CA since most everything Bob Annett (ME 56) so disappointed when I 2020 Reunion that learned required crab dinner.” required crab dinner.” Harlan Hartman (ChE 56) (ChE Hartman Harlan “On a delightful cruise to for my Alaska with family teaching in a US Army high physical health; however, head at Baylor University. in Rapid.” CLASS NOTES school. We had our 57th Shirley has significant mobility As a leader in the fields of Jon Spargur (ME 61) “Jeannie anniversary this year. I spent and now memory issues. This Information management and I continue to enjoy life 16 years as an engineering year we have outlived any and change, I consulted, in and around our Carolina manager for Kaiser Aluminum apparent COVID issues with lectured, preached, and Arbors 55+ community. Not in Washington, Kentucky, no impact even though 81+. wrote. Navigating Your yet ready to move to the California, Australia, and Last year, Shirley had both Change Mazes has been used continuing care facility for New Jersey and 18 years hips replaced and survived in businesses, universities, which we have signed up. as president of Hudson rehab very well. She needs a and with church leaders. We Plenty of space and trails here Technologies, a company knee replacement; however, now write kids’ stories and for walking since the fitness of 250 located in Ormond we are concerned she cannot minister to young families. center is closed. I also have a Beach, FL. During our years do the required rehab. We Cheke continues to fill our small community garden plot of retirement Shirley and had hoped to attend the home with music, Godly to ‘mine’ some vegetables I have been able to travel 2020 reunion. We miss our insights, and JOY.” and flowers. Our trips for this back to where we previously many past travels and hiking, year are canceled, but we lived. Many of the trips but praise the Lord for our may get one family trip to the have included children and blessed experiences in all beach later on. Continue to grandchildren.” the prior years.” be amazed by all the great Bruce Johnsen (CE 59) opportunities, projects, and “Shelter-in-place day #67 research happening currently [May 24]. Zoom and FaceTime at Mines, and all the things have become sturdy friends in which the students are in my consulting business. Tom Lutz (Math 60) “It’s involved.” A lot to be thankful for, been a long time and millions Robert Nelson (CE 61) “We John Sibert (Chem 62) "I have along with the engineering of miles traveled since Cheke are all preoccupied with had an interesting career path education I got at Mines.” and I were dorm parents COVID issues throughout since my chemistry days at at Connolly Hall and I was California and here in Mines, none of which would teaching math to Air Force Riverside. I even made my have been possible without aviators from Ellsworth and front yard bush comply.” 1960s the School of Mines. That finishing my senior year. God education experience gave has blessed us with two me the confidence to take on children who have given us a variety of challenges. I spent 10 grandchildren (pictured at many years in academia as a our 80th). Awarded an IBM professor and administrator Sabbatical appointment, at Yale, Caltech, and the Cal I earned my master’s in State system. I also spent part operations research at of my career as manager of NYU in 1969. God opened corporate research for ARCO doors to travel the world, John Morris (EE 61) “Jan and and founding director of live all over the country, and I are doing fine. We summer the Alaska Science and serve Him while working as in Wyoming and winter in Technology Foundation and an IBM applied scientist, California. Hope to see even got into local politics CJ DeLange (ME 60) “Shirley business leader, CIO at the some of you next summer as council member and and I are both in good general Mayo Clinic, and department

26 The Hardrock CLASS NOTES

mayor of Malibu, CA. Now I noticed that we must have such an important side of the $1M budget to investigate we are mostly retired and been seated alphabetically higher Norwegian education citizen complaints, travelling, though I am still since my closest friends had system that some of us have recommend police policy consulting about 4 weeks/ last names beginning with H written the book: Drømmen changes, and conduct year with NASA at JPL. We to K and I am surprised to see om Rapid (The Dream of community outreach. We were looking forward to the that we had only one woman Rapid).” The book can be have an influential position reunion this year, COVID-19 in our graduating class. I am ordered directly from the in the Albuquerque Police changed those plans, but we glad that I got to be in class publisher: BODON I FORLAG Department (APD) policy may do a road trip to the with the large group from AT www.bodoniforlag.no. development process. These Black Hills anyway." Bergen, Norway, they were are the procedures that Lonnie Ludeman (EE 63), fun to be around.” police follow in interacting Harlan Miller (GeolE emeritus professor of with the public. APD has been 62) “I lost my wife of 51 Gary Velder (CE 62) serves electrical and computer under a consent decree with years from complications on the Butte-Meade Sanitary engineering at New Mexico the Department of Justice for following surgery. It was NOT Water Advisory Board of State University, was honored about five years as a result of coronavirus. I’m planning Directors and helps his son with one of two Alexander a finding of a pattern of police on visiting the campus, with the haying operation J. Lindsay, Jr. Unsung violence and use of force. The but not until this pandemic on the farm. Heroes Awards for 2019 in oversight responsibilities of is over – hopefully during recognition in his voluntary the agency were significantly the all-school reunion next career in archaeology. increased in response to the summer.” The awards are presented DOJ findings. I spend a lot of annually at the Pecos Daniel Lee (CE 62) “After time in what are currently Conference by the Arizona receiving an MS degree in virtual meetings with police Archaeological and Historical structural engineering from and city officials dealing with Society (AAHS) to recognize Cal Berkeley, my aircraft use of force issues, citizen the importance of individuals structural analysis career Sitting: Lars Seeberg (EE complaints, and policy whose work has often gone included work on the F111, 70), Bjørn Ask (EE 70 EE), development.” unacknowledged, but that XC142, UH1N, F16, F15, F22, Per Kragseth (CE 62), Egil is critical to the success of Richard Frank (ME 63) “2020 A12, 747, 707, and MiG21. Ertresvaag (professor at others in archaeological, will be a transition year as I The MiG was a reverse the University College of anthropological, or historical complete my responsibilities engineering effort on a plane Bergen editor). Standing: research. “Mines prepares as executive chairman flown to Israel by an Iraqi Nils Mæhle (former director us for everything.” of Darby Equity/Franklin defector. I can hardly believe of the University College of Templeton. Looking forward that I have been retired for Bergen), Godtfred Nymark Bill Kass (Chem 63) “I to spending more time on 13 years. I enjoyed working (EE 69), Jo Gjerstad (Bodoni continue to serve on the the Mines international and I enjoy retirement as editor), and Hans Nilsen Albuquerque Civilian Police programs launched by the well. My last big engineering (EE 70). “From the start of Oversight Agency Board and Frank Family Foundation 12 job has been designing and the early fifties, about 800 was recently elected Chair. years ago. We started funding building an elevator and its Norwegian students have The board consists of nine opportunities for Mines control system into a house come to Mines. Most of these members selected by the students to live and work in addition that Mary Lou and students came from Bergen city council to represent developing countries, thanks I designed and that we Technical School (BTS) but the community. The agency to the inspiration of Ron continue to live in. Looking some also came from other has an executive director, Jeitz (CE 69). Strong support through the 1962 yearbook Norwegian schools. This is four investigators, and a has continued from Mines

Summer/Fall 2020 27 Presidents - Heather Wilson Larry Ayres (CE 64) “Just Hardrockers, but several a month or so during the CLASS NOTES and Jim Rankin (EE 78). been reflecting back on the good old friends wished that summer back in the Midwest Among the areas of priorities 56 years, this month, since I they had gone to Mines!” visiting relatives and friends. is developing a technical and graduated. It was the days of However, due to the COVID- Dick Schlumpberger (CE 65) business model for Waste T-Squares and slide rules and 19 pandemic this year, those “Mary and I were planning to Energy (WTE) operations manual calculations. These plans might be scrapped. In to spend the summer in in Latin America. The goal is days I sometimes stop by March, Jerry Brown (CE 65), Rapid in our condo and to combine a unique form construction projects to who spends time during the enjoy the reunion. What of renewable energy with just watch how automation winter months in AZ, and I a disappointment. We attractive environmental has increased productivity. played golf at Saddlebrook's will probably get to Rapid benefits. We still reside in Sioux Falls Mountain View Golf Course sometime this summer when where I started my post- with Dan Hoshino (ME 65). Oliver “Bud” Petik (EE 64) the COVID-19 lockdown is college career building the This was the annual gathering “Since my retirement 15 softened. We have become interstate west across SD and of Triangle brothers for golf. years ago, Mary and I have lovers of the Hills (again) retiring after doing consulting Dan graciously hosted us been very fortunate to enjoy since we bought the condo and design in manufacturing at his home for the most traveling to visit our families, a couple of years ago. If any and fabrication. Now that important part of the day, friends, and destinations. Last of my classmates visit Rapid, I am a great grandfather, I socializing.” summer we toured Ireland get in touch with the alumni look forward to sharing my for three terrific weeks, with group as they know where we life stories with a generation fellow alumni Ray (ME 64) are. I look forward to having that will graduate high school Frank Hahn (CE 66) “I am and Judy Rossi. We would a beer and/or conversation.” in 2038. I can easily see how retiring from Hahn Surveying highly recommend Ireland people of that generation will Group that I started in for its charming people and see us as truly ancient! But Indianapolis in 1976. During its beauty. In mid-March, then I think back to those the initial ten years I used the we were scheduled to be in who graduated 60-70 years profits to invest in real estate. Spain. Like everyone else, we before me and recall how At that time, I read an article ended up house bound. To they were ancient to our about a man who moved to pass the time, I put on my times. My family still lives in Gary Erickson (CE 66), Mike Aspen but still managed his Geppetto hat and turn pens Brookings and Minneapolis. (ChE 65) and April Gustafson, East Coast business. That and small bowls on my wood We are thankful that COVID- and Donna Erickson met for sounded like a plan to me, lathe. I have built Mary a 19 has spared us any personal lunch in Mesa, AZ, on May so I turned over the day cherry buffet and finished my challenges (except staying at 28. From Gary: “All is well to day management to 3 3rd grandfather’s clock, out home) and look forward to with my wife Donna and key employees. I moved to of black walnut. Three years the slightly ‘delayed’ Mines me in AZ where we have Prescott, AZ, to concentrate ago, a few of us organized reunion next year. I have chosen to spend our years on real estate investing there a Salt Lake Mines alumni never missed one and so in retirement. We purchased as well as in Indiana. Over the group. We found there are look forward seeing all the our home in Casa Grande in next 34 years, I gifted 90% approximately 150 alumni familiar and new faces.” 2010. I spend several days of the shares and profits to in the Salt Lake area and a week on the municipal those employees. I continue typically meet about four Daryl Pratt (EE 65) returned golf course and am active to credit Mines with the times a year for lunch. Now to Sioux Falls last September in our church home and discipline to start my own that our local shooting range for his 60-year reunion at currently serve on the church company and have funded is open, I am going to resume Washington High School. council. We usually spend the Engineers Make Great trap shooting.” “There were no fellow

28 The Hardrock CLASS NOTES

Entrepreneurs program volunteer organizations that in the silver shop. I used a for three years. My wife I supported in South Dakota Gorman tile as an original is also retiring from her and will have to seek out new to relearn how to brush and career as a teacher and opportunities in Maple Grove, mix paints again. After that theatrical director. Since MN. I can also reconnect with I made a bracelet.” she says she married me other Twin Cities alumni that I Gary Lower (ME 69) “I really for better or worse, but not knew before moving to South enjoyed the 2019 50-year for lunch. We look forward Dakota.” graduation reunion events. to traveling more and visiting Harold (MeteE 68) and Marge It was the first time I had our scattered four children Bross live in Destrehan, LA, a been back on campus since and three grandsons.” New Orleans suburb. “I retired the 1985 reunion. Much has Dana Peterka (Chem 67) in April 2006 after a career changed in Rapid City, and “Sally and I have enjoyed of 38 years with Shell. My on campus, since 1969. lakefront living since retiring last position was technology So great to see so many Paul Axtell (ChE 68) “I am to Rockwood, TN, in 1999. manager for development of looking forward to South classmates (total of 28, I After living/working in 3 of the equipment utilized in drilling Dakota pheasant hunting in believe) from the graduating 4 largest US cities, it is nice to and production of gas and the fall. My new book is out. I class. Had not seen many live in a rural area (especially oil wells and development am pleased to see the press of them since graduation. I with COVID-19 pandemic). of seismic technology for about how a Mines education have been living in Houston I have been doing a lot of maximizing oil recovery. is a sound investment.” since 2002. My daughter and volunteer work focusing on Marge retired in 1995 after her family (three grandsons) business and education. I 25 years as co-owner of a living nearby. I spent my have been a SCORE volunteer travel agency which handled entire career in the oil and for 15 years. I provide free groups and meetings/ gas business including the and confidential counseling conventions throughout US and living in five other to local small businesses the US and Europe. We both countries ranging from and conduct workshops in love travel and have traveled southeast Asia to Europe a dozen area counties. I am extensively before and after and Scandinavia. It was nice chair of the local Chamber of retirement. Also, we spend to get to see the world as Commerce and immediate about six weeks a year in our part of my work life, and an past chair of the Roane Destin, FL, condo. We plan incredible experience for my State Community College to attend the Mines reunion Allan Martens (MS Phys 68) wife and daughter. I finally Foundation. I have been now planned for July 2021.” “I retired from 3M in 1996, fully retired in 2014 following involved with the college lived on a boat for five years a consulting assignment here for 18 years. We are looking before living in a motor home in Houston.” forward to the 2021 reunion!” for a few years. We have lived in Tucson on and off for 10 Wayne Binfet (EE 68) “After years. My wife, Sue, is in a living in the Sioux Falls area nursing home and I cannot for almost 13 years, we see her, so for something to decided to move back to do I drug out my paints from

Minnesota to be closer to 15 years ago and started family. That meant I had to painting again. Before all leave all of the really good this mess I spent my time

Summer/Fall 2020 29 Milton Schleve (Math 69) Keowee in the northwest the mess. CLASS NOTES “My brother and sisters corner of South Carolina. We are blessed to be here 1970s are still in Rapid and I’m in Our oldest daughter, and enjoy cruises (especially Denver working 3 days a Jennifer, lives in San Antonio river cruises), visiting friends week. I keep in touch with where she is the head of & families at reunions and Dave Ohlen (MetE 69), Rod the physics and astronomy in Florida each winter, and Michael (ChE 69), and Mike department at Trinity the many things you can Hobler (Math 68).” University. She graduated do in the mountains and Jim Russell (EE 69) “We have from Rice University with lakes. We are both in good been blessed with good a PhD in physics. Stephen health and as with everyone health and are still active Jr. is married and works for else, are getting a bit tired enjoying kids/grandkids Pandora in Oakland. He too of the restrictions required Barb (Math 70) and Lin and some traveling. Kids graduated from Rice with a for COVID-19. Hopefully (ChE 69) Seder “Our plans and grandkids are living in dual degree in economics things will get back to some for 2020 started out well. We Minnesota, New Jersey, and and music. Our youngest normalcy soon.” celebrated our 50th wedding Colorado. I still work part time daughter graduated from anniversary on February 7. for FEMA which has taken me TCU in communications Our anniversary picture all over this great country and is also married living in shows us as most people see the last 14 years and I have Southlake, TX. They have a us – walking hand in hand. helped its citizens recover 2-year old son and a daughter Our wedding was in Rapid from disasters of all types. on the way due in October. City. Thanks to a convenient I have seen a lot of things Mary is VERY excited about Chinook it was 70 degrees that I hope I never see again!” this and looking forward to that day. Our celebration spending even more time plans are like our retirement Dianne Hinsch (Chem 70) in Texas. plans. Rather than bring “My husband Milt Hinsch Bill Bundschuh (EE 71) people to us, we’ll go visit (MS Chem 71) passed Mary helped organize and retired from Silver Bay Power them. All went according to away on November 8, 2017 spends a lot of time at the Company (Minnesota) in plan in February, we went to after a valiant 9-year battle organic garden we built in December after working for Houston visiting friends and with cancer. He is survived the community. I get a little 48 years. “So far retirement catching up on old times. On by me, three sons, four tired of eating all of the green feels good, despite the the way home, we stopped grandchildren, two sisters, stuff all summer! She plays isolation caused by the virus. in Big Springs to visit with and 1 brother.” limited golf, is starting to play I spend my time in my wood Doug Lykken (ChE 71) pickle ball, and enjoys all of shop building reproductions Steve Steele (ME 70) “I and his wife Jana. Then our the women’s social activities of 18th century furniture retired in 2004 after 35 plans were disrupted. Stay in the community. She is in from the Queen Anne and years with the Shell Oil & at home! Stay at home! We’ll charge of the “Tie-One-On” Chippendale periods of Shell Chemical Companies just continue our celebration group that get together each furniture making. I am a and have remained active in later. And all the ’elderly,’ month to cut & tie together member of the Society of sports as much as the body please remember it isn’t how 2-layer felt blankets for the American Period Furniture allows! It is pretty much golf you avoid dying, it is about senior citizens and the needy Makers and am just now. Mary and I moved from how you live.” in Pickens County. They completing a Chippendale Houston in 2006 and built a surpassed 1,000 blankets chair that I have worked on house at the Cliffs at Lake last year. I get to clean up and off for three years.”

30 The Hardrock CLASS NOTES

Frances (Math 71) and the annual Senior Ski Day Advantage Foundation (ME 71), all four of us went Jim (MinE 73) Krupka are sponsored by Terry Peak. (www.macarioadvantage. on to earn PhDs thanks completing construction Dr. Larry Stember recently org), and have devoted to visionary investment in of a home on six acres of announced his retirement much of our time since academics engendered by ranchland on the small after 36 years working 2015 to fundraising, project Paul Gnirk. I joined Sandia Hawaiian island of Molokai. as a chiropractor and planning, project completion, National Labs in 1988 and “It is like South Dakota but acupuncturist. He continues and follow-up support to continued engineering and with an ocean! We plan to to live in Bemidji, MN, and St. benefit local humanitarian scientific research until divide our time between Paul. Plans are to do a lot of organizations that serve retiring as senior scientist Molokai and our northern skiing, golfing, and restoring young children, homeless and in 2017. In March of 2020, I Michigan vineyard. Jim old Chevys. abused youth shelters, and was honored with the Waste published his second elderly care homes. When Management Symposium book, Make Your Marriage not engaged in projects in Wendell D. Weart Lifetime Unbreakable, based on his the islands from November Achievement Award.” work helping couples prepare through April of each year, for and enrich marriage. we live on 30 acres of grazing This book follows an earlier and gardening property west Rob Howe (EE 72) “There has release, The Benevolent Edge, of Houston, TX.” been a lot of growth in my offering charities and small family since graduation. We businesses leading edge get together annually, last strategic planning and year at Lewis & Clark Resort management skills.” in Yankton, SD. 33 out of 38 made it. Evie and I have six kids and 24 grandchildren. Alan (EE 74) and Liz Bergeron I am now retired from the had an exceptional trip to US Navy, John Deere, Howe Patagonia and Easter Island Consulting, LLC, and adjunct January/February 2020. They professor in the University Frank Hansen (CE 73) learned a great deal about of Sioux Falls MBA program. “Having graduated from the regions, marveled at the We all are doing well and no Philip High School, Professor beauty, and appreciated the COVID-19 in the tribe. Evie Coyle kept a close watch opportunities to interact and I live in Sioux Falls, SD. on me while at Mines-he with residents. The history Feel free to stop in and visit always favored M.R. and of Easter Island, home to when in the area. We hope was a little suspect of me. over 900 moai statues, is everyone is well.” In 1974, Dr. Paul Gnirk (MinE rich and controversial and 59) approached me about its inhabitants have seen Clair Menning (CE 73) “I joining Gary Callahan (ME destruction of the ecosystem have been retired for six Mark Fischbach (ME 73), 70) and Leo Van Sambeek over the years. The trip years, and just finishing Bill Keller (ME 71), Larry (MinE 72) at RESPEC, a young included visits to several the 5th year of completing Stember (ME 72) and Steve company investigating an glaciers in Patagonia, and humanitarian projects in Wider (GeolE 71) skied emerging research field of a stop at Cape Horn, the the eastern Caribbean together at Terry Peak for geologic disposal of nuclear southernmost point of the islands. My wife, Magoe, their 50th ‘ski patrol’ reunion waste. Including the next Tierra Del Fuego archipelago. and I co-founded the Macario in February. It coincided with employee, Joe Ratigan Something they will always

Summer/Fall 2020 31 remember is the wind. Lots 2012. One interesting place I sons, two of whom live in suffered financially due to CLASS NOTES of wind, even more than worked for three weeks was Chicago and one in Knoxville, COVID-19.” South Dakota! During this Port Colborne, Ontario. The TN. Our oldest, Nathan, Scott Kenner (CE 77) has trip, they ate extremely plant was on the waterfront who lives in Knoxville, is retired from his position well and had some amazing right next to the head locks married and has three as professor and head of red wines (mostly Malbec)! that bypass Niagara Falls. children. Needless to say, civil and environmental They hope to return to You could reach out and we have traveled there quite engineering at Mines. His Patagonia someday as it almost touch ocean going frequently to keep up with career included 12 years in was a spectacular adventure. vessels as they passed. I the grandkids. Other CB&I private practice, five years have been married for 42 Mines graduates have also Richard Buchheim (ME at the University of Florida, years to my beautiful wife retired over the last couple 75) “This is my first time and 28 years at SD Mines. Niki, have four children, of years. Those folks were answering the call. I retired “I look forward to taking 11 grandchildren, and four Jeff Walker (CE 74), Steve from a successful career with my grandchildren fishing, great grandchildren. I am Danekas (ME 71), Jeff Dietz the Bureau of Reclamation spending a little time on the really enjoying retirement (CE 72), and Gary Bertelson and Corps of Engineers in golf course, and traveling because of not working long (CE 77).” 1997 at the age of 50 and with my wife Mary (IS 99).” hours and being away from moved to Traverse City, MI, John Zoss (CE 76) “I retired home and family for weeks Kathy Hanley (CE 77) retired in 1999. I enjoyed retirement last December after 43 years or months at a time.” at the end of the spring until December 2019 when with Cargill. We are still living semester after 13 years as I had 4 bi-passes and a Darles Scheibe (CE 76) “I in Lafayette, IN. I spend a a part-time CE instructor just new aortic valve. I have retired on April 2 after 43 lot more time playing golf in time to welcome her sixth two brothers-in-law who years with Chicago Bridge & and my wife, Donna, is still a grandson, Connor James, graduated from Mines, Kelly Iron (CB&I). Doesn't seem like full-time instructor at Purdue born on Mother’s Day, seven Kober (ChE 80) and Rodney that long working for CB&I as University. We now have weeks early, weighing in at 4 Christopherson (CE 82).” I enjoyed what I was doing three grandchildren and pounds 14 ounces. “Connor as a project manager for try to get away as much as will not take after his grandma most of those years. Each possible to see them. Looking in pushing the deadline to project had its own unique forward to the reunion in the last second! I will miss challenges and enjoyment, 2021!” working with the high caliber as I love seeing structures Julie Dahl (Math 76) “I’ve just students and excellent being built. I have traveled retired after teaching math faculty, administration, and the world with CB&I from for almost 40 years at Mines. staff at Mines.” Saudi Arabia to Australia This last spring turned out and New Zealand. My wife to be the most challenging Vivian and I enjoy the outside John Alley (ChE 76) “I worked semester ever. I’m very proud working in the gardens and for Archer Daniels Midland, of the students–our future doing some traveling which an agricultural processing alumni–who rose to the unfortunately has been company, for 36 years in 16 challenge and adapted to restricted somewhat right different states and three the changes. And thanks to now with the COVID-19. We Canadian providences in all alumni who contributed to do have a trip booked to a variety of positions from the Student Emergency Fund. Ireland this fall, so hopefully plant manager to general It made a big difference to things will straighten out manager before retiring in some of our students who soon. We have three fine

32 The Hardrock CLASS NOTES

startup last fall as well as Brian Hardy (MS ME 78) “I working as a project manager with companies in Ireland, am retired and live in Sioux and providing electrical and Poland, and Israel. Busier Falls. Family, golf, bridge, PM mentoring to young than ever but having a lot of hunting, and fishing are electrical engineers learning fun still solving interesting great. Work doesn’t get in the utility and renewable energy problems. Sue, Chris, and I way. My wife, Robin Prunty, is systems design.” still reside in Woodbury, MN, a CPA at Avera Hospital in her and look forward to life after last year of working. We have shutdown.” five children: Allison, Megan, Marley, Matt, and Ben, and Kip Squire (CE 78) will be spouses; 11 grandchildren celebrating his 40th year ages 0-8 and are enjoying as a structural engineer the time we have to be with with Thompson Dreessen them. Life is amazing!” Dorner in Omaha, NE. “Deb and I live on a lake outside of Bennington, NE. We Al (EE 82) and Pam Jerry Tystad (MinE 77) have three daughters and 1980s Goldschmidt “We are both spent some time at O’Harra six grandchildren. I enjoy retired over four years now Stadium and concluded, “my Mark Grebner (ME 80) “I swimming and fishing with and relocated to Ashville, arm strength isn’t quite what retired from West Plains the grandkids, and we are NC, in October. We love it. it used to be when I was in Engineering on Jan. 1, 2019. disappointed about the There is so much to see college.” In July of 2019, Kathy and I reunion this summer, but moved to an acreage near and experience. After living Bill Betten (Phys/EE 77) are looking forward to the Ethan, SD. I’ve been busy on the west coast (CA in “I enjoyed being back on 2021 reunion.” with an addition to the particular) for pretty much campus last fall for the house and other updates. all of our lives (save for my Tom Ochsner (MinE 78) University Advisory Board 2019 and 20 brought a couple time in SD), an entire new “A cool, dry, long spring in meeting and the President’s of grandkids into the flock. world has opened up to us Aberdeen has extended our Dinner. I had a chance Grandkids and retirement on the east coast. With the planting season. Brother to catch up with college are a lot alike. If I’d known situation we are now in it Robert Ochsner (MinE 75) classmate Jeff Allen (ChE they were so much fun, I will be fortunate for us to retired May 19 on birthday 77), who has retired back to would have had them first.” be able to travel by car to 67 after 45 years working in the Black Hills after a long see so much.” the coal mine. He and cousin career at Caterpillar. I was Jon Bauer (GeolE 81) “I have Kent Hoisington (ME 88) Jim Schieffer (EE 82) “After 33 disappointed that the COVID- done a 180-degree change in joined me for a fishing trip this years as an avionics systems 19 virus interfered with a careers after graduating from first weekend in June. James and installation engineer return visit in the spring Mines and am currently a Pulfrey, son of the late Roy and with my wife’s (Jacqui) as well as the summer’s carpenter building log homes Pulfrey (CE 76) and Carrie, permission, I retired in reunion. I thought I might out of Black Hills Ponderosa and I are planning a fishing March. While my retirement slow down a bit after my Pine.” trip before the 4th, too. My plan is robust, I have had to wife Sue retired a couple of March Hall roommate Ron Laura Williker (EE 81) “I make some tweaks to the years ago, but my medical Powell (MinE 78) passed have changed companies fun things I planned to do device consulting business away on May 25.” to David Evans and Assoc. due to recent changes in has kept me busy and I got in Portland, OR, and am the environment. Looking engaged with a Boston-area

Summer/Fall 2020 33 forward to the discovering SELF. I do plan on pulling of activities have been essential food producers CLASS NOTES the ‘New Normal’ and a the retirement handle while cancelled, including the PhD requiring our help in electrical second career.” I still am capable of enjoying defense and graduation at construction, engineering, the finer things of life. I had Oklahoma University for factory automation, Mike Harris (CSc 83) “My planned it for mid-June, but son, Blake James (CEng 12). instrumentation, and now work continues at IBM in certain viral events derailed Karleen worked from home OT. We have a nice crop North Carolina. Our oldest those plans. I plan on splitting for several weeks. At least I of Hardrockers here that son is a rising senior at time between the house in could go to Menards and get unfortunately I don’t get UNC needing to complete Minnesota and the lake project supplies, so several to see much anymore, but distance challenged labs and house in SD, at least come home and church projects they continue to be a big research. Our youngest son the thaw next spring.” got accomplished. Karleen part of driving our success in experienced drive-by high made several face masks for many areas of our business school graduation and plans us to use; so now I go places and from many different to enroll as an engineering in style. I had a Mines t-shirt locations. I’m grateful for student at NC State.” that was ready to be retired, them every day. Loren Chuck Widhalm (EE 83) so with some careful cutting Schmidt (CEng 05), Darin “Carol and I are disappointed and sewing, I got this one. Winterringer (EE 90), Shane that Reunion 2020 was Looking forward to Friday Heier (EE 09), Chris Myers postponed, but we are evening with friends, no (EE 08), Chris Albers (ChE planning to be there next more church-on-TV, going to 93), Cory Mergen (ME 16), year! After graduating, I a movie at an actual theater, and Eric Determan (CEng Vicki Franzen (MinE 85), moved to Dallas for 3-5 years Corvette Club meetings, and 00). Although I support the along with family and friends, to work for Texas Instruments all the other normal summer decision to hold off on the organized a ‘COVID’ style Defense Group (ended up things we do.” reunion, I was really looking birthday party for her mother, being 14 years). Every time forward to connecting again Nancy Christensen, wife of I looked to move away, I with the many Hardrockers the late Jim Christensen found another job in the DFW I call friends. Until next (GenE 57), to celebrate her Metroplex. After 36 years year!” [Note: Dave Crumrine 85th birthday on April 27. in DFW, I am semi-retired is president of Interstates Nancy lives at the Courtyard while dabbling in some Construction located in Sioux at West Hills Village in Rapid entrepreneur activities and Center, IA, with offices in City. working in technical sales for eight states.] the defense industry and for the wireless carrier market. Dave Crumrine (CE 86) “I We have finally moved out am happy to report that we of Texas and are now living will have another Hardrocker in northwest Arkansas.” this fall. Jake will be pursuing Gene Rye (EE 84) “There industrial engineering. Older is big news on the horizon sister Beth (IE 17) lives and finally. Come September, I works in Rapid, so hopefully I Scott (CSc 86) and Karleen will no longer be with the will ramp up my visits to the (ChE 86) James. “The last Boeing Company or any school and area. Interstates is Tim Klaus (ChE 87) is couple months have been other company other than still cranking despite COVID- the senior managing crazy and weird. Lots 19. Many of our clients are director of Light Vehicle

34 The Hardrock CLASS NOTES

Driveline Asia-Pacific for of employment at Gerdau and all of the outdoor Dana Incorporated, a US Special Steel in Monroe, activities. Rafe and family automotive supplier. “I am OH. I continue to work traveled to Sweden during based in Bangkok and lead as a product metallurgist the summer of 2019 where Dana's Light Vehicle Driveline providing customer Elise and Aiyanna danced at business in Thailand, China, technical support as well as a midsummer festival in the India, Japan, and Taiwan. Our supporting mill operations. town of Edsbyn. “This was an business in Asia is growing After the untimely death of amazing trip and we are so and doing well despite my husband in 2014, I met proud of our amazing girls! At a temporary slowdown and married Mark Allison in the start of 2020, Rafe took a because of COVID-19. I have November 2018. Our family new role at Intel Corporation 2000s spent 15 of the last 18 years is now comprised of his two as Intel’s Global Air program Chuck Cox (ME 00) “I have outside the US, also living children (Justin, practicing manager.” been a regional market in Shanghai China twice, law in San Francisco, and manager with Grupos de Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Hanna, working as a child- Cementos de Chihuahua Wiesbaden, Germany. My life specialist in Columbus) (GCC) for almost seven years wife Eiko and I have three and my two children (Jillian, and LOVE that I am back children who are wrapping starting her junior year at home in South Dakota with up their college experiences. Ohio University majoring Mike (CEng 98) and Jessica friends and family. I have Our son graduated from in journalism, and Beau, a (IS 00) [Rayhill] Jager “Our two kiddos who mean the Notre Dame in 2019, one junior at Perrysburg High son, Gage, will be enrolling world to me and enjoy every of our daughters graduated School). Our summer will at Mines this fall to study moment that I have with them ‘virtually’ from NYU in 2020, be spent attending Beau’s computer science. Gage from watching their sports to and our second daughter will travel lacrosse tournaments received his diploma from jumping on the trampoline graduate from Notre Dame (the joys of travel sports!).” Bennett County High School to vacations. Ethan will be in 2021.” in Martin. Hopefully, little a senior at O'Gorman HS Gary Liknes (EE 89) “We sister, Grace, will become where he excels in soccer, are doing the quarantine a Hardrocker as well in two track, and computer gaming. thing...sourdough starter and years.” He shocked me late last year associated recipes: biscuits, as he told me that Mines is waffles, crackers, and pizza his #1 school right now...so crust. I am still working at fingers crossed! Camdyn will home at about 80% normal be a third grader at St. Mary as a contractor for Lockheed and loves art, soccer, and Martin. The real news is that basketball even though she both daughters are attending denies her knack for math. Mines this fall.” We enjoy spending time at Rafe (ChE 98) and Leticia our cabin in the Hills, hiking, [Penaloza] Christopherson fishing, and playing in the 1990s along with their two girls, creek.” Elise (14) and Aiyanna Wendy [Fauth] Allison (10) continue to live in the (MetE 91) “I recently Portland, OR area where completed my 15th year they enjoy the mild winters

Summer/Fall 2020 35 CLASS NOTES 2010s

Matt (ME 04) and Meredith Pfister live and work in the Rapid City area. They have Steve Sobania (ME 14), Sarah Snelting, Colter (ME been blessed with four Shawn (CE 09) and Christina 10) and Codie (ChE 12), amazing children all adopted [Quiett] (ChE 12) McFarland Mitch (IE 06) and Tracy Burleson, Sarah and Brian through foster care. They welcomed Finn Michael, born Nachtigall welcomed their (IE 10) Davis, and Lindsay started foster care in 2014 on April 20, 2020. Shawn second child, Molly Dean, (CE 11), and Chris (ME 13) and are on their way to and Christie live in Denver, to the world in early May Shagla enjoy a January trip adopting a 5th foster care CO, and both work for Xcel pictured here with 2-year- to St. Thomas. child in 2020. Matt is working Energy. locally as a facility engineer old big sister Sadie. Trevor Moheit (ChE 14) “I for the Indian Health Service. joined the Nuclear Propulsion Meredith has a full-time job Officer Candidate Program watching all of the children (NUPOC) for the Navy. ranging from 3 to 11 years Training has taken me to of age. New Port, RI; Charleston, SC; Saratoga Springs, NYk; Groton, CT; and Pearl Harbor, HI, where I currently work as a nuclear engineer on the USS Charlotte.” Michael (ME 09) and Valeri [Eisenbraun] (IS 09) Grave Brian (CE 16) and Lillian celebrated the birth of their [Temple] (CE 15) Freed are second son Marshall Dean on expecting their first baby in Cassandra (Degen) 7/3/2019. “We also purchased early July 2020. “We don't Kit Talich (EE 06), Rachel, Birrenkott (MetE 07) married the Lewis & Clark Resort in know a gender or anything and stepdaughter Emery Jake Birrenkott in September Yankton, SD, in 2019 and are yet.” 2018 and welcomed baby Menning welcome pandemic running it as our full-time girl Emmy in August 2019. daughter Aurora Rose on jobs!” April 2. Cassandra continues as associate professor of Milea Franklin-Webb (EnvE mechanical engineering at 10) “My husband, Ken Webb Mines and Jake is a project (electrical engineer from manager/engineer for Heavy Dayton, OH), and I have spent Constructors. “We are happy the last few years living in and to have an outdoorsy girl to exploring Japan working for share our love of the Black the USAF in the Civil Engineer Hills!” Squadron at Yokota AB.”

36 The Hardrock CLASS NOTES

2020s

Some of the chemical engineers (and their Alana MacLachlan (ABS friends and family) still Nicole Miller (ME 20) 18) “I am a student in the in Rapid City gathered to Photos from campus visit in Sarah Johnson (ChE 16) “I PhD materials science watch the graduation live October 2014 and just before work as a research engineer at and engineering program stream. Standing: Joseph graduation in April 2020. “I Philadelphia Mixing Solutions at Auburn University. My Hilsendeger (ChE 20), enjoyed the ceremony online and have started my PhD research focuses on capture Michelle Scoggins (ChE in my pajamas! I recently in chemical engineering of rare cancer cells in the 20), Neil Leyda (ChE 20), moved to the Minneapolis while continuing to stay blood for early diagnoses and Josi Minor (ChE 20). area and am looking for a competitive in bodybuilding.” and personalized medicine.” Kneeling: Noah Oehlke (ME full-time position in the area.” 20), Grubby, Eric Spilman (ChE 20), and Jared Cogswell (CE 20). The celebration included grilling, games, and a slideshow with memories from the last four years. The group will be heading to their engineering positions in Rapid City; Minneapolis; Green River, WY; Denver; Jacob Swanson (MetE 17) Aiken, SC; and Sioux City. and Therese Frels (Phys 17) Matt (EMgt 18), Whitney, were married on September and Nolan Hanley, along Hannah Stevenson (CE 20) 28, 2019. “Members of the with grandparents, Jim is completing a summer wedding party included (CE 76) and Kathy (CE 77) internship in Seattle, WA, Nishanthi Perera (GeolE Hanley, welcomed Connor to and will attend the University 17), Luke Malsom (ME 17), their family on Mother’s Day. of Washington in the fall Peter Moon (ME 17), and Noah Oehlke (ME 20), to earn a MS in structural Joel Swanson (Chem 19). Joseph Hilsendeger (ChE engineering, but of course, “I Many other Mines friends 20), Michelle Scoggins (ChE will always be a Hardrocker!” and grads attended the 20), Neil Leyda (ChE 20), wedding, and everyone had Eric Spilman (ChE 20), Josi a great evening.” Minor (ChE 20), and Jared Cogswell (CE 20).

Summer/Fall 2020 37 Mines during fall 2020 and CLASS NOTES spring 2021 and finishing my last year as a member of the Mines men’s basketball team.”

Jack Fiddler (ME 20) Mitch Sueker (EE 20) celebrated graduation at celebrated his graduation home in Colorado with a with his parents, Erik and hike with his mom, Cecile. Carrie, and his sister, Kaia, He also celebrated with his Cooper Courtney (IE 20) “I in Marshall, MN. He has younger brothers, Jacari and celebrated my graduation at Jalear, and his dad, Doug. Nicole Schrader (ChE been accepted into the home in Overland Park, KS, He has accepted a job with 20) is working at Abbott University of North Dakota with my whole family and the Naval Undersea Warfare Laboratories in Plymouth, biomedical engineering will be moving to Denver. Center in Keyport, WA. MN, as a research and master’s program and will be I appreciate everyone’s development intern in the a graduate transfer to play DI support in academics and electrophysiology division. “In basketball for the University athletics which allowed me to the fall I will be attending the of North Dakota for the next have a wonderful four years. University of Washington in two years. “Thank you to Go Rockers!” Seattle to obtain my master's everyone who has helped in applied bioengineering.” me along the way!”

Rio Johnson (MinE 20) with fiance Brianna Kosma Hardrocker basketball “whom I proposed to on players Wilfred Dickson Thanksgiving. Now that I (MinE 20) and Logan have graduated, we plan Elers (MetE 20) celebrated Trey Smith (CE 20) with to remain in Rapid City for graduation in Rapid City, most of the summer while Sami Steffeck (IE 20) his mother Melisa Smith, SD. Both Dickson and Elers the quarantine still remains celebrated graduation girlfriend Alexis Powell, originate from New Zealand, and our new puppy gets a bit with her parents, Mike and father, Marc Smith. and chose Mines for the older. After the world returns and Nicki, and little sister “Graduation celebrations high academic and athletic to normality we hope to Ashley, in Fort Collins, CO. included spending time standards. Dickson will be move to Montana and work She started working on May with those I love most and completing his senior year of at the Sibanye Stillwater mine 26 with Nucor Steel Seattle, enjoying dinner together NCAA eligibility while studying in Nye, MT.” Inc., as a safety engineer. with family and loved ones. for a master’s in engineering “Thank you to everyone I will be working for R.G.C. management, while Elers will who has encouraged me & A in Powell, TN, for the stay at Mines to complete his and supported me on my second summer in a row. MS in materials engineering journey!” Post-graduation activities and science. include grad school at SD

38 The Hardrock CLASS NOTES

by watching the virtual graduation.

Alex Kliche (IE 20) celebrated her graduation with her parents, Chuck (MinE 74) and Donna (MS MTRO 90) Kliche and Al Rodriguez (ME Marcus Martinez (CE 20) is Vanessa Kee (ChE 20) "My 94) by eating at Curry Masala. excited to pursue a career family and friends watching Alex is pictured wearing her in transportation and has the live graduation video with father’s graduation gown accepted employment with me and cheered as my name from 1974. Felsburg Holt & Ullevig in Noah McKenzie (CSc 20) “I flashed across the screen.” celebrated my graduation Sioux Falls. with my fiancé Danielle Wellman in Timnath, CO. I am currently working for Schneider Electric in the field of network and cybersecurity. Danielle and I were married Cole Osendorf (MetE 20) on June 9, 2020. I am excited “My mom and dad, Brenda to be starting my journey in and Bob, from Bowman, adulting!” ND, came to Rapid City to Jared (CE 20) and celebrate graduation with me brother Kane Cogswell Jake Fitzgerald (IEEM 20) by watching the ceremony, enjoyed graduation in his has moved back to his having a nice breakfast, and hometown of Murphy, TX. hometown of Goodyear, climbing M Hill to see the Jared accepted a position AZ, and is missing the cooler senior plaque.” with the Federal Highway summers in Rapid City. “While Administration in their looking for an industrial or professional development manufacturing position, I am program in Lakewood, CO. also training and working out His first project will be in the to make a NFL team.” Helen Squyer (CEE 20), Redwood National Forest in Emily Schimbeno (IE 20), northern California. Alexia Hodgson (Biol 20), Alyssa Ottman (IE 20), Sam Johnson (ATM 20), Hannah Stevenson (CE 20), Find more on our Facebook Page and Hannah Dudak (ChE facebook.com/SDMinesCARA 20) celebrated graduation

Summer/Fall 2020 39 $/801,Gaerings ALUMNI GATHERINGS

February 1, 2020. The Salt Lake City Alumni Chapter met at the Legends Grill. Seated: Doug (EE 82) and Carron Kopren, Joyce and Bill (EE 57) Benda, Rick Hanzlik (CSc 83) and Bill Nissen (MetE 57). Standing: Oliver Petik (EE 64), Irina Rose, Ariana and Warren (CS 03) Rose, Kaye and Terry (ME 76) Meidinger, Laurie and Dan (EE 81) Brett, and Baron Fidler (MinE 93).

Event Organizers: Seated: Steve Pirner (CE 72), Brian January 11, 2020 – Gustafson (GeolE 81), and Mike Cepak (MinE 76). Pierre, SD, area alumni Standing: Steve Johnson (CE 83), Jim (GeolE 71) celebrated their annual and Jeanne (GeolE 79) Goodman, Kevin Marton Tailgate (CE 02), Mike Perkovich (MinE 83), Nayyer Syed (Geol 94), and Marc Macy (GeolE 04).

Song Leaders: Paul Gnirk (MinE 59), Jeanne [Christensen] Goodman (GeolE 79), and Steve Pirner (CE 72)

40 The Hardrock By the numbers:

&29Δ'5HVSRQVHDW

  PHHWLQJVEHWZHHQ0DUFKDQG$XJXVW OLWHUV  RIKDQGVDQLWL]HUPDQXIDFWXUHG WRWDOOHGPLQXWHV RQFDPSXVIRU0RQXPHQW +HDOWKDQG8QLYHUVLW\XVH  LQ&$5(6$FWIXQGLQJ DYDLODEOHIRUVWXGHQWV  SDJHVLQWKH 5RFNHUV5HWXUQ  3ODQ

 5DLVHGLQ3ULYDWH'RQDWLRQVE\WKH6RXWK'DNRWD 0LQHV)RXQGDWLRQ &$5$ LQ6XSSRUWRI6WXGHQWV  )UHTXHQWO\$VNHG 4XHVWLRQV0DLQWDLQHG RQWKH5RFNHUV5HWXUQ 6RXWK'DNRWD0LQHV :HEVLWH EUDQGHGPDVNVGHOLYHUHGIUHHWRVWXGHQWVIDFXOW\ DQGVWD΍E\WKH5RFNHU6KRSZLWKDGGLWLRQDO PDVNVLQVWRFN

0RUHWKDQ 0LQHVIDFXOW\ZKRWRRNWKH VXPPHUFRXUVHȊ7HDFKLQJ 2QOLQHȋWRSUHSDUHIRU)DOO  GD\V LQZKLFKIDFXOW\VWD΍DQG VWXGHQWVWUDQVIHUUHGDOOFODVVHV FDPHUDV DQGFRXUVHPDWHULDOIURP LQVWDOOHGLQFODVVURRPVODEVDQGPHHWLQJURRPVRQ LQSHUVRQWRRQOLQH FDPSXVEHWZHHQ-XO\DQG$XJXVW 501 E. Saint Joseph St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Mines In-State Tuition Awards = $4,000/yr. in savings.

Children of Alumni For qualifying students with at least one parent or legal guardian who graduated from South Dakota Mines.

South Dakota Advantage New freshmen and new transfers from North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado pay in-state tuition.

Minnesota Reciprocity Minnesota students receive in-state rates.