Alumni Spotlight - Shawn (CE 09) and Christina (ChemE 12) McFarland

Grads share love story rooted in campus traditions

Most alumni agree that one of the best things – maybe THE best thing – about South Dakota Mines is the traditions and campus experiences that form strong connections. These connections aren’t easily lost, and for some, they become the reason two people might strike up a conversation in the first place. 

That was the case with Christina (ChemE 12) and Shawn (CE 09) McFarland when they met through mutual friends in Denver in 2013. They quickly realized they had both attended South Dakota Mines, and the rest was history. 

“Having that shared experience was a fun way to get to know someone,” Christina said. “It was a commonality that made it feel like we already knew one another despite not having met while on campus.” 

Christina and Shawn were married in 2016. They now have two children, Finn (3) and Remi (1). 

While their pride for their alma mater may have initially stemmed from the strong education, campus experiences and friends they made, it now extends beyond that. Once they reached milestones such as getting married, buying a home, and starting a family, Christina and Shawn realized their degrees from Mines offered something more tangible than that – a strong return on their investment. 

“Both of us had multiple job offers even before graduation,” Christina said, emphasizing the impact of campus career fairs and alumni connections. This early success laid the foundation for financial stability and the lifestyle they live today in the Denver area. “We love hiking, biking, and almost anything we can do outside, so the Denver area is perfect for us,” Shawn said. 

In addition to Mines already being affordable, both Christina and Shawn were scholarship recipients, and they understand how beneficial that was. 

“South Dakota Mines is always at the top of our charitable giving list every year, and it’s because we are grateful to the university, but also because we want to keep it affordable for other students,” said Christina. 

“We are very aware of the doors that opened for both of us as a result of going to Mines,” said Shawn. 

Christina and Shawn apply the problem-solving skills they developed at Mines in business operations, focusing on continuous improvement and the clean energy transition. “The ability to think outside the box and find new ways to solve problems, we attribute all of that to South Dakota Mines,” said Shawn. 

Christina, of Gettysburg, SD, comes from a long line of South Dakota Mines engineers, including her father, Duane Quiett (ME 74).

“It wasn’t really a question where I was going to go,” she said. “Dad always said, ‘You can be anything you want to be if you become an engineer,’ and I think he’s right.” 

They plan to continue conveying that message to their own children, one of whom is already shaping up to be a “little engineer” as they put it. 

“We plan to carry on that tradition,” said Christina. “They can be anything they want to be. After they become a Mines engineer.”