Alumni Spotlight – Gary Christman (ChemE 74)
Like many in-state students, Gary Christman (ChE 73.5) came from a farming background. He quickly discovered that many of the skills he acquired on the farm were applicable to his studies and beyond.
Gary grew up on the family farm outside of Lemmon, South Dakota and as he pondered college choices, he received many recommendations from friends and family to attend South Dakota Mines. Several of his high school classmates also ended up attending Mines; in fact, 9 of 81 in his graduating class went on to study at Mines. Two siblings – Jim (CE ’72) and Julie (C SC ’83) also went to SD Mines.
Gary chose Chemical Engineering as his major because of his admiration of his freshman Chemistry teacher Dr. Willard and because it would be “aiming high” as he had been encouraged to do. The problem-solving skills acquired at Mines and the idea to always aim high proved to be the keys to success in the business world that took him places that he didn’t expect when he started at school.
After a brief period at Texas Instruments, Gary moved on to the oil industry when he joined Exxon in 1975. That started an adventure that took him throughout the world – 14 different locations worldwide including foreign postings in London (twice), Baku, Calgary, and Jakarta. Ultimately, he finished his career directly participating in or managing operations on 6 continents while working with Exxon, Pennzoil, and BP.
His main technical role throughout his career was in oil and gas well construction and maintenance. He also had roles in Corporate Strategic Planning and in the development of training programs for new professional hires as well as programs for enhanced professional development.
Reflecting on his career, Christman credits South Dakota Mines for providing him with the foundation for a fulfilling life. “The university gave me the ability to live in many places, meet diverse people, and solve complex problems,” he said. “It opened up a world I didn’t know existed.”
Throughout his career, including two stints as Area Alumni VP in Houston, Gary felt a strong pull to return to the South Dakota Mines campus. Even after retiring in 2014, this calling persisted. In 2018, he and his family made the move back to South Dakota, and Gary promptly became an active alumnus, eager to contribute to the institution he held dear.
“Being away from the school from 1973 to 2018, except for many 5-year All-School Reunions, it’s really great to see how the university has grown,” he said. “Getting to meet the people who run the university now makes me reenergized for participating to help them do whatever has to be done. I will be available to help however I can.”
In 2022, Christman was elected as the Honorary Alumni President and will finish out his term this year. In this role, he has been dedicated to supporting the university’s mission and inspiring alumni involvement.
As the school year commences, Christman imparts valuable advice to incoming students: “Never stop challenging yourself. Continue to aim high and seek out opportunities beyond the classroom that can enhance your development. These opportunities abound on campus, encompassing student government, mentoring relationships, the renowned entrepreneurship program, CAMP, and more. All of these experiences serve to complement the exceptional technical education you’ll receive at SD Mines, providing a well-rounded and enriching educational experience. Go Hardrockers!”