It’s no secret that the coursework at South Dakota Mines is challenging. But Mines students are nothing if not tenacious and dedicated, which is what makes them such great engineers. That dedication and drive is what alumnus Theodore (Jim) Smolik (MetE 63) said is what makes Mines students some of the best to support the society and economy we’re in right now.
“Engineering is important to the world,” he said. “To society in general, to its growth, whether it’s growing more food or designing buildings and bridges, engineers are needed and will be needed in the future.”
This is the main reason Jim chose South Dakota Mines for the creation of two scholarships and made donations to projects such as the Nucor Mineral Industries building. He and his late wife Bonnie were able to establish two endowed scholarships for engineering and metallurgy students with the hope of creating a lasting impact on the students who need it to help make a difference.
“I’m hoping the support I give will provide the young minds, that the new students bring, the right training and the chance for a successful future,” he said.
Jim grew up on a farm near Timber Lake, South Dakota and was always intrigued by technology and the space program when he was in high school. While farming is usually a family affair, passed down generation to generation, Jim’s father always encouraged them to not stay on the farm, but go out and get an education and possibly go into teaching.
However, that agricultural background lent itself well to his time on campus. The first few years of his time at South Dakota Mines were difficult, having come from a smaller high school. But it all came together in his junior and senior years.
“From my agricultural background, I was taught you had to complete things, you couldn’t start something and not finish it,” he said.
Jim went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering in 1963 and a master’s degree in 1965. After school he decided he wasn’t interested in teaching, but rather working in industry and went to work for Kennecott Copper in 1966 doing applied research and operations management. This job led him to work in the mining and gold industries throughout the country and around the world in Canada, Australia, New Guinea, and Chile. He began building mines with Placer Dome, Inc. and contributed to the building of 13 mines over a course of eight to 10 years. He retired from Placer Dome in 2000 and began working for himself, taking on research and many mine evaluation projects.
“It’s been a very challenging career, and very interesting,” he said. “I’ve been lucky to be in mining areas where I was able to use my educational background and operational experience to achieve success. All but one of these mine projects were financially successful. I’ve been challenged and I’ve enjoyed it.”
He attributes much of his prosperous career to his time at South Dakota, whose education provided the background for his comfort with new research and innovation that promotes successful projects.
The importance of a South Dakota Mines education, and alumni from the school make it even more important to give back. Jim and Bonnie’s gifts to Mines provide students the resources and opportunities necessary to become the next generation of STEM leaders and problem solvers.
“I’m at the stage of life where I have the resources and feel the need to contribute to society,” he said. “I feel like South Dakota Mines is one of the best ways I can do that.”