Raising for Rockers Sees Another Successful Year for Student Support

The third annual Raising for Rockers giving day at South Dakota Mines saw another year of incredible generosity. Held from noon to noon on Feb. 20-21, this year’s event featured a few new surprises while continuing to provide alumni and supporters with the opportunity to give back to the programs and departments that mean the most to them.

 One notable change this year was the event’s shift from April to February, aligning with a significant moment in Mine’s History- the first day of classes in 1887.  So far this year, Raising for Rockers has raised over $125,000 with more than 225 donors giving gifts to 18 different initiatives, with donations still coming in.

“The students at South Dakota Mines succeed because of the incredible support we receive from our alumni, donors, and friends,” said Annual Giving Director Bailey Ellis. “We are grateful for everyone who makes Raising for Rockers a success each year.”

This year’s fundraising efforts supported a wide range of initiatives, including a robotic dog for Mining Engineering and Management, funding for conference travel and lab supplies across multiple departments, and the Free Food Friday and Hard Hat Ceremony with the Civil and Environmental Engineering department. These initiatives not only enhance students’ experiences on campus but also help shape their future success by providing hands-on learning opportunities, professional development, and essential resources that prepare them for their careers.

This year, the school’s beloved mascot, Grubby, helped play a role in the reveal of the newly designed full-body Grubby. Grubby’s new look was revealed throughout the day as more donations came in. As an added incentive this year, anyone who donated over $100 received a limited-edition magnet of the newly redesigned full-body mascot. This marks the beginning of a five-year collector’s series, with a new limited-edition magnet available each year for donors at that level.

“Integrating the Grubby’s new look into this year’s Raising for Rockers brought fresh excitement to our annual giving day,” Bailey said. “It was fun to see the community rally around the reveal and keep the momentum going with their support.”

There is still time to be a part of this year’s success! If you haven’t made your gift yet, you can explore all of the initiatives available and donate at raisingforrockers.sdsmt.edu- and if you give $100 or more, you’ll still receive this year’s limited edition Grubby Magnet.