Mines Magazine: Spring 2024

With the encouragement of an alumni mentor, Catherine Smith ’14 made a career leap from mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering to the oil and gas industry.

Current Mines student Rowan Welch comes from a long line of Orediggers, spanning 124 years and counting: His father, his uncle, two of his great-grandfathers, his great-great uncle and his great-great-grandfather all earned degrees from Mines

Chris Valdez ’00 and Ty Harrison ’98 work together on the leadership team for PureWest Energy, an independent natural gas producer in Colorado.

“I loved my experience at Mines, and it’s really exciting to help improve campus and be involved in projects that are helping it to become an even better school,” one alum said.

Mines graduates are working as design and product engineers at top golf companies like PING, Callaway and Edel Golf, enhancing golf clubs, balls and other types of gear—including mobile apps—to help golfers at every level improve their game.

The Volunteer with Mines platform makes it easier than ever for Mines alumni to get involved on campus and stay connected with their alma mater.

After a career in entrepreneurship, Zack Bennett ’99 is now the founding director of the Mines Venture Program and Beck Venture Center on campus.

As Colorado School of Mines progresses into its next 150 years of producing leaders in science, technology, engineering and math, it’s providing new opportunities to help shape an innovator’s mindset and set graduates up for success in industry and business.