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Alumni Spotlight - Grant Nelson (ME 19)

Young alumnus shows Graco what it means to be a Hardrocker

If you ask the right questions, you can accomplish anything. That’s something Grant Nelson (ME 19) learned when he was a student at South Dakota Mines. 

“Being a student at Mines sort of reprograms your brain to first consider, ‘What questions should I be asking?’” he said.

He put that philosophy to work in his class projects, as a member and president of the Formula CAMP team, and even now in his current role with Graco in Minneapolis. In just four years with the company, Grant has moved from Field Application Sales Engineer to Technical Application Specialist and now to Global Product Manager working in the fluid handling industry. 

Part of his job entails inspiring others who are working toward a common objective. It was with the Formula team at Mines that Grant, of Fargo, ND, noticed his knack for leadership and his love of working with others toward a similar goal. 

“I found it very rewarding to see all of us get on the same page,” he said. “[CAMP] is where I learned just how much can get accomplished even in a short period of time when everyone is aligned and has a single greater purpose.”


And Grant knows something about accomplishing a lot in a short period of time. Aside from leading the Formula team in his sophomore and junior years, he was inducted into the South Dakota Mines leadership Hall of Fame his senior year. He also completed a Certificate in Finance and Management from the Harvard Business School Online that year. In his second year with Graco, he earned the President’s Club Award for Sales Achievement. He is currently pursuing his MBA through the University of Illinois.

Grant also manages a Graco volunteer project called "Paint-a-thon" where about 30 employees spend a couple of days each summer fixing up and repainting the exterior of a Twin Cities resident who is unable to do it themselves.

“I have really been enjoying the challenge and reward of helping people out with this annual event,” he said. 

Even though he is plenty busy at Graco, Grant has also been involved with the South Dakota Mines Twin Cities Alumni Chapter. Last year he organized a send-off event for high school seniors from the Twin Cities who were preparing to attend Mines. He also enjoys attending the Career Fair to bring more Mines grads to Graco.

“It’s inspiring to me to continue to meet more alumni and also to inspire the next generation of students and encourage them.”  

Speaking of the future generation of engineers, Grant also understands the importance of giving back financially when you have the means. He donates regularly to CAMP and recently worked with other ME alumni to raise more than $576,000 for the Stensaas Laboratory

“I think back to the days when I was president of the Formula team, and I remember that without those donations, a project could just fall apart,” he said. “You don’t have to donate $5,000 to make a difference. If I can give $50 a month or maybe $75 during a fundraiser, I know that every dollar helps.”  

It makes sense that Grant is still invested in CAMP students. When he toured Mines as a high school student, the program is ultimately what swayed him to attend Mines. He was set to attend NDSU, but a friend had toured Mines and was impressed. 

“The small class sizes and being in the Black Hills were all pluses, but then I saw the CAT lab. That really sealed the deal. I loved the idea that everything you learn is application based and that you can design, manufacture and test something yourself.” 

He thinks this is what gives South Dakota Mines students a “secret sauce.” 

“There’s a lot of technical learning that you do in the classroom, and when you apply that to a work hard mentality, your options and potential are unlimited. That’s why we have so many grads who go into leadership positions.”

He also credits faculty such as Dr. Dan Dolan. 

“I wouldn’t be who I am without Dr. Dolan. He pushed me to be better and smarter.” 

As a young professional, working better and smarter is something he has thought about a lot.

“Working hard doesn’t mean working 60-hour weeks. It means being committed to achieving results, not just churning out output.” 

He also wants current students to keep an open mind about what they want their path to look like, as well as to know that the future of engineering is collaborative.  

“Gone are the days when an engineer is in her or his own silo,” he said.

The Formula team needed a new president in his sophomore year, and during a meeting Grant asked his peers who they thought should be president. They all looked at him and said, ‘Well, we were all thinking you could do it, Grant.’” 

It’s pretty easy to understand why. Thanks, Grant, for representing South Dakota Mines in the most positive way, and for always remembering you’re a Hardrocker.

Grant Nelson (ME 19), left, with Graco colleagues after painting the exterior of a Twin Cities home for the "Paint-a-thon" volunteer project he manages.