When Jan Stenstadvolden (EE 98) first traveled from Norway to Rapid City, S.D. in 1997 to study electrical engineering at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, he would have never guessed that one day both of his sons would follow in his footsteps – not only by choosing the same university, but the same major as well.
Jan is one of more than 800 Norwegian students who, over the last 70 years, have traveled to Rapid City to finish their bachelor’s degree engineering requirements at Mines.
“On my way from the airport to the school, I remember thinking ‘Oh no, did I do the right thing?’” said Jan.
But after about three to four hours of being on campus with the other Norwegian students, Jan felt like he had found his family. Looking back now, he sees how important the Ivanhoe International Center was to his ability to feel like he belonged at Mines.
“I felt at home almost instantly because of the other Norwegian students there,” he said. “If it hadn’t been for the traditions and community already established there, it would have been tough.”
Rapid City quickly earned a special place in Jan’s heart, not only because of his experience at Mines, but because it’s where he fell in love with and married his wife, Stephanie. They had their first child, Anders (EE 22) while Jan was working on his master’s degree. The two moved back to Norway after Jan graduated, and had their second child, Owen.
The family moved around a bit because of Jan’s work opportunities, living in the Caribbean for a while, and eventually Texas, where both boys attended high school. As they grew, Jan noticed both boys had the aptitude for STEM.
“I didn’t push them toward it; they just naturally gravitated toward it,” he said. “But I did encourage them to get a degree in something that is fundamental to our way of living; something that will always be needed.”
Something like engineering.
Anders, who now works for Electrical Consultants Incorporated in Billings, Mont. doing substation design, said he remembers taking a physics class in high school that included an electrical engineering section.
“We were working with circuits, and something just clicked with me,” he said.
When it was time to choose a college, the decision wasn’t difficult. Not only was Mines his dad’s alma mater, but he also had grandparents (Steve and Marty Kalkman) living in Rapid City, so he and Owen were familiar with the area. Having moved around quite a bit as kids, they thought of Rapid City as a “home base.”
“After starting college, I remember talking with friends who decided on larger, more well-known universities, and based on what they were saying, I knew I was getting a better experience,” said Anders. “I was on a first name basis with my professors, and my class sizes were much smaller.”
Owen remembers deciding between studying statistics at Texas A&M, which was closer to his parents, and math and engineering at Mines.
“Texas A&M was so huge,” Owen remembers. “Mines was smaller and more personable. Plus, it always felt like home with our grandparents here. I was going to be out on my own for the first time, so it was kind of a no-brainer. Choosing Mines was the best decision I could have made.”
Owen also remembers talking with Dr. Travis Kowalski, head of the Department of Mathematics, during a campus visit.
“He explained the variety of job opportunities I would have as an engineer with a math minor as opposed to having just a math degree, so that sold me.”
The other aspect of Mines that has been key for both brothers is the music program. Both have been involved in the choir and describe it as being essential to their education.
“Being able to participate in choir has been great because it allowed me to take a break from my technical studies and enjoy something more artistic,” said Anders. “A STEM education is demanding, so being able to step outside of that on a regular basis helps you be more successful.”
Owen agrees and recognizes that at larger universities with many more majors, it can be hard for engineers to get into the music programs.
When asked what he has learned from his sons over the years, Jan said the benefits of their participation in music has been eye-opening.
“I’ve noticed how having that part of your brain active as well can be helpful for a person,” he said.
As for what they’ve learned from him – both identify his calm, collected nature.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him really mad,” said Anders. “Between moving around a lot, losing both of his parents, and of course taking the giant leap to come to America, it takes a lot of willpower to get through all of that. It helps me realize that as tough as things get, I can still do it.”
Owen agrees with his dad’s calm nature, noting a particular family memory that, thankfully, they can all laugh about now. During a family trip to Norway six years ago, they decided to take a drive to the town where Owen was born. They drove for two hours only to realize they had taken a loop which ended right back where they started.
“My dad was just like ‘Oh well, I guess that didn’t work out,’” said Anders, both boys laughing.
Owen, who is in his senior year at Mines and is president of the Engineering Honors Society, said he sometimes needs that reminder to take a deep breath.
“Even when a lot is going on and things are going wrong, he is all cool and collected,” said his dad. “I might be overwhelmed right now, but he reminds me to take a step back.”
Jan attributes much of his calm demeanor to the Norwegian culture, noting that the people have different values and a different way of life. But he also picked up some valuable skills from his first job working offshore as an instrument technician. He worked two weeks on and three weeks off, meaning the workers had to follow good plans so one crew could pick up right where the other left off.
“When you leave work, you really leave, so you learn to keep your work at work and not take it with you,” he said. “You also learn to establish good routines, and I think that trait is still in me today.”
Between visiting their family in Norway, living in the Caribbean for five years, high school in Texas, and South Dakota for college, the Stenstadvolden brothers have had a multicultural upbringing. Owen initially spoke better Spanish than he did English because of his days in the Caribbean.
While it may not have always been easy moving around, both young men recognize that being immersed in different cultures has taught them a lot about life.
“I’ve learned to be open to new experiences and have an open mindset,” said Anders. “It’s helped me to be able to see things through the eyes of other people.”
All three agree that Mines taught them how to learn – one of the most valuable skills they could ask for.
Next up for the boys – learning to speak fluent Norwegian.
Read about the history of Norwegian students at South Dakota Mines in a limited quantity book, The Dream of Rapid.
