News

Even though you've graduated from the campus, staying connected as a proud Colorado School of Mines alum is essential. Stay informed about the latest advancements at Mines and in the loop with your fellow alumni. Explore inspiring stories and campus updates, and who knows, you might rediscover an old friend or a favorite tradition that brings back fond memories of your time at Mines.

NEWS

Alumni and Foundation News

We've gathered the top news to make it easier for Orediggers to stay informed. Please scroll to read the latest!

NEWSLETTER

The Mines Monthly alumni e-newsletter is published each month.

VIDEO

We've curated a listing of video recordings that keep you connected to the Mines community. Browse now!

MAGAZINE

Mines Magazine is published three times a year for alumni and friends of the school.

Featured News

May 27, 2025: Joan Stratton’s Lasting Legacy at Mines

Joan Stratton ’74 was a proud Oredigger—an alumna, volunteer, sports fan, and generous donor. Her deep connection to Mines included years of involvement in M Club events, Homecoming activities, and service on the Board of Governors and Geology Enhancement Committee. Joan’s lasting legacy lives on through her estate plans, which ensure continued support for the university she loved.

May 6, 2025: Carving a path to the energy future with Payne Institute for Public Policy

"Mines is on the verge of greatness, and we have an opportunity coming into our second 150 years to elevate the school to a whole new level. We all must put our shoulder to it. I’m living proof that the contributions from one alum can have an impact toward making that a reality.” Rick Tallman ’85, MS ‘92

May 5, 2025: MINES@150 Campaign Close

In the final months of the Campaign for MINES@150, President Johnson looks back on the accomplishments during this historic campaign that has transformed so many aspects of Mines and students' experiences.

More News

2025 Spring Order of the Engineer Colorado School of Mines

Record-breaking number of Mines students inducted into the Order of the Engineer

Members of the Order, an international honorary engineering society, take a solemn oath to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession, similar to physicians’ Hippocratic Oath.

M Clubs expand to 43 worldwide

Mines' alumni network has expanded to 35 U.S. cities and 8 international hubs. That includes three new locations plus three that alumni have relaunched this year.

E-Days ‘Round the World brings Mines spirit home

Mines alumni are celebrating E-Days ‘Round the World in 21 cities in the United States and around the globe. Is there a party near you?

Joey Tucker Mines alumni hat branding 2024

3 ways to cheer on 2025 grads as a volunteer

The next class of Mines graduates will walk the stage to accept their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in May, and we’re looking for alumni volunteers to help with the festivities.

MINES@150 Campaign Impact Report - Spring 2025

The Campaign for MINES@150 Impact Report reflects inspirational stories of people and organizations that have invested in critical initiatives and programs.

Boy at a science fair at Colorado School of Mines

Capstone Showcase judging is a decade-long alumni family affair

For the past decade, Greg Lafave ’97 has been a judge for the Capstone Senior Design Showcase. And most of those years, one of his sons has joined him--on Take Your Child to Work Day.

#idigmines Giving Day brings out the Mines love

The 9th annual #idigmines Giving Day was another success to make a difference for students and university causes. The Oredigger community gave $368,550!

Alumni eager to find great employees at Career Days

Career Days at Mines had nearly 300 alumni return to campus for the two-day event in January 2025—jobseekers and recruiters alike.

Arthur Daman, 1915

Arthur C. Daman, a 1915 graduate and a pioneer in modern mineral processing, made a gift to fund installation of the carillon that has sounded chimes from the Guggenheim tower since the mid-1960s.

Read More about Arthur Daman, 1915

Campaign for MINES@150 Impact Report

The aspirations of the MINES@150 strategic plan launched the Campaign for MINES@150. Since October 2016, individuals, foundations and companies have invested more than a half-billion dollars.

Historic gift will amplify business education at Mines

Lowell Shonk MS '79 and his wife, Cheryl, made a $5.5 million gift to establish the Lowell and Cheryl Shonk Endowed Chair for the Head of the Economics and Business Program and double graduate funding in Mineral and Energy Economics.

Orediggers Earn Top Seed In South Central Region For 2024 Division II Championship

After sweeping the RMAC regular season and tournament titles with Saturday's win, the Mines women's soccer team earned the #1 seed in the South Central region for the NCAA Division II Championship.

Aramco’s gift to Mines’ E&I Ecosystem will fuel student innovation

Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, has made a financial gift to Colorado School of Mines’ burgeoning Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem.

Homecoming Weekend – 150 Years of Oredigger Pride

Mines' 150^th anniversary celebration brought together 4,000 alumni and friends for a weekend packed with events, including the Global Energy Leaders Summit, department open houses, and festive gatherings like Blaster’s Bash.

Three people--and Blaster--named honorary alumni

President Paul C. Johnson, Terrance Tschatschula, David Wagner and Blaster the Burro epitomize the pride, integrity, spirit, philanthropic service and humble leadership of Mines.

Daman, James inducted into National Mining Hall of Fame

Arthur C. Daman 1915 and Patrick M. James ’68, will be inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame in November 2024.

Mines Alumni Break Out Helluva Whiskey at Blaster’s Bash

Kraig '10 and Kameron Weaver '12 founded the Block Distilling Co. They debuted the first batch of Helluva Wheat Whiskey during Homecoming.

Alumni volunteers come back for more

Mines alumni gave over 300 hours of their time at Helluva Welcome Week events in August. Find out why Joey Tucker ‘77, Cindy Marshall ‘98 and Marcin Koral ‘22 keep coming back to volunteer.

New Kiewit Scholars Program will shape future construction engineering leaders

Kiewit Corporation and company board chairman Bruce Grewcock ’76 have made a nearly $2 million investment to create Mines’ newest scholar community—one designed to shape future construction engineering leaders.

Colorado Springs M Club blazes a trail in alumni involvement

The Colorado Springs M Club spent an afternoon building a fence on one of Colorado's most popular hiking trails in June 2024. It’s just one way that the club has helped alumni stay connected with their alma mater and their community.

A couple’s generosity will empower multiple generations of Mines Scholars

Together, individually and posthumously, Stewart ’50 and Johanna Collester have created one of the most generous endowed scholarship funds that will benefit Mines students for generations.

Lt. Edward E. Bennett ’42 honored with 2024 Wendell Fertig Award

Sometimes you have to go back in time and honor a member of the Greatest Generation. For those who came of age during World War II, they endured great hardships and are known for giving back to society.

$5M endowed chair to chart new approaches for solving existential issues

Joe W. Gray, PhD, a 1968 Mines graduate in physics has made a $5M gift to create the Joe and Jane Gray Endowed University Chair. Gray funded the endowed chair to support Mines’ multidisciplinary efforts to address existential issues facing humankind.

100+ Orediggers join the Order of the Engineer

More than 100 Mines alumni and graduating seniors took a solemn oath to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession as they were inducted into the Order of the Engineer in April 2024.

Allie York and Julian Liu join the Mines Alumni Board

Allison "Allie" York, who earned her master's degree in chemistry from Mines in 2019, and Zhijun "Julian" Liu, who earned his PhD in petroleum engineering from Mines in 2019, have joined the Colorado School of Mines Alumni Board.

Civil engineering alum’s gift honors his parents’ love and tenacity

It took Josef Ressel three attempts to escape communist East Germany after World War II. As he crawled under the barbed wire fence for the last time in 1948, the 15-year-old left behind his sister and the extended family who had taken them in.

MINES@150 breaking records for campus impact

The Mines community has accomplished a remarkable feat since October 2016: About 27,000 people and organizations—including 7,000 alumni—contributed $470 million* to the Campaign for MINES@150.

Young alum and her mom pay it forward through an endowed scholarship

Frank Zurey PhD '77 was drawn to Mines because of the school’s outstanding materials and metallurgical engineering program. He passed on his passion for the outdoors and the Orediggers to his family.

Mines couple uses blended giving approach to create grad student support fund

Michael ’07, MS ’09, PhD ’13 and Kari Sanders ’97 understand what it feels like to be a graduate student whose trajectory is put in jeopardy because of a financial crisis.

Scholarship donors, students inspire at annual celebrations

Supporters who create scholarships for Mines students love to see the impact on the Orediggers who receive them. Students are also excited to meet their donors—to thank them, to learn about their Mines connections and to build relationships.