Stories

When Jeremy Feist (CE 2017) packed his bags for Seattle after graduation, he was eager to test himself on some of the biggest structural engineering projects in the country.

At 96 years old, Lowery Smith (GeolE 51) has lived through nearly a century of change, but some things remain constant. When he returned to South Dakota Mines for the all-school reunion this summer, he was reminded that while buildings may shift and faces come and go, Mines still feels like home.

When Dan Carlson (ChE 77) pulled into Rapid City for this year’s All-School Reunion, it marked a special milestone—50 years since attending his very first.

When Cody Marshall (MetE 2023) arrived at South Dakota Mines in spring 2019, he already knew how to forge steel—but he was about to learn how to forge something even stronger: leadership.

The slide rule came with bragging rights—and a story Donn Lobdell (ME 58) would never forget.

When Randy Parcel (MineE 67) and Marv Truhe (ME 67) met at South Dakota Mines over 60 years ago, they couldn’t have imagined that their bond—first forged in a debate team meeting and strengthened through lifelong friendship—would one day rekindle a tradition that could shape generations of engineers and scientists to come.

When Linda Rausch (ChemE 75) arrived on the South Dakota Mines campus, she didn’t know anyone—but that didn’t last long. Like so many others, she quickly found her footing in the close-knit community of students who shared not just classes but aspirations.

For Scott (ME 96) and Abbie (IE 96) Wickersham, South Dakota Mines isn’t just an alma mater—it’s the foundation of their personal and professional lives.

One thing that holds true for every South Dakota Mines graduate is knowing that your degree can take you anywhere and open doors you never thought possible. From government and military engineering contracts to exploring the depths of the Earth, anything is possible for South Dakota Mines graduates – even becoming a National Football League (NFL) referee.

Andrea Brickey (MinE 99) has been connected to South Dakota Mines for over 30 years, and in those 30 years has received countless awards and recognitions, but she humbly accredits all of that back to the school, rather than her own accomplishments.

“When dinosaurs ruled the Earth” is something kids grew up hearing from the wildly popular Jurassic Park series. For many, the Jurassic Park franchise became a staple in households with kids and quickly became many children’s favorite movies. For others, like Kelsey Mills (PALEO 2023) and Kayleigh Johnson (GEOL 2017 and PALEO 2018), it became their career and their passion. 

The experiences that students get while attending South Dakota Mines often transcend well beyond the classroom, past the quad, across the stage at graduation, and into their careers and daily adult lives. Those experiences connect them in a unique way and instills a sense of pride in being alumni of South Dakota Mines.

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.

Many students who attend South Dakota Mines leave behind a family legacy of attending the school. Generations of family members often walk across campus, all with their own story and legacy.

Take a stroll across campus and it is very clear the impact that former President Jim Rankin (EE 78) had on South Dakota Mines. The footprint of the campus alone is different thanks to his six years of leadership in the head office.

Terry Mudder (CHEM 74) saved the fish in Whitewood Creek, but that is only one of his impressive accomplishments in his career. He has received many awards, started his own business with his wife, wrote a handful of books and published articles, and was even the first inductee for the International Mining Technology Hall of Fame. However, he says he’s most proud of having his band inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Erin McCullough (MinE 14) was a self-described rock collection kid. “While out exploring, I would pick up interesting rocks, put them in my pocket, and eventually they would end up in the washing machine.”  

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.

NASA has a rich history in developing technologies that benefit space travel and exploration but that also contribute value back to life on Earth. For example, Velcro was a NASA-developed technology created to resist vibrations during launch and flight. Of course, now it is used on Earth for everything from hanging pictures to kids’ shoes.

When Mitchell Sueker was a first-year student-athlete at Mines in 2017, he was asked why he was proud to be a part of the Hardrocker Men’s Basketball Program. His response was, “I’m proud to be a part of a family that challenges themselves in the classroom as well as on the court. We strive to be great in many areas of life, in addition to basketball.”

One of Bruce Bad Moccasin’s (CE 72) memories from growing up in Pierre is of watching his dad work.

“My dad worked a lot. He worked outside. I watched him all the time. He was a strong man.”

Even when all of the cards were stacked against him – when most people probably would have thrown in the towel – Hani Shafai (CE 87) never gave up on his dream to become an engineer. Never. 

If you would have told Andrea Brickey (MinE 99) as an undergraduate that she would one day return to South Dakota Mines as a professor, she probably would have laughed.

 “Being a professor was not on my list of things to do,” she said.

Toward the end of his commencement speech this May, Chami Senarath (Physics 18, MS Physics 21, CSc 23) reminded his fellow graduates that they have the power to choose how to move forward during challenging times.

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. 

After holding several global leadership positions, founding his own private firm, and serving on several public and private company boards, Gaurdie Banister Jr. (MetE 80) thinks he gained one of the most important leadership skills from his alma mater.

Marv Truhe (ME 67) was 27 years old when racial tensions sparked the USS Kitty Hawk Riot of 1972. The aircraft carrier was engaged in airstrikes off the coast of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War when a conflict broke out between sailors the night of Oct. 12. Twenty-five black sailors were charged with rioting and assaults, while not a single white crew member was charged. 

Lisa Zacher, M.D., MACP, FCCP (Chem 85) knew from a young age that she wanted to help people, and specifically that she wanted to go into medicine or science.

“We didn’t have any history of doctors in our family, and everyone always had so much respect for the town physician.”

Hardrocker couple devotes time to nonprofit and to growing software job opportunities in Rapid City Todd Gagne (GEOL 97) said one of the most important pieces of knowledge he gained from his education at South Dakota Mines was the ability to look at almost any problem...

When Jerry Logan (MinE 83) was a student at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, it never crossed his mind to talk to the Navy submarine recruiters when they were on campus. He had never really considered going into the military, and current events at that time didn’t necessarily turn him on to the idea.

Alumnus rockets to success: Scott Lehr talks taking risks and going your own way When Scott Lehr (CE 84) was 5 years old, he sent a letter to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) asking if watches worked in space. Not only did NASA answer his...

Alumnus' behind-the-scenes work cultivated Mines-Nucor relationship When Terry Rasmussen (MetE 91) graduated from South Dakota Mines, he never imagined he’d go on to have such a big role in the university’s history. But on April 21, he found himself on campus with his...