Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Marc Vaillancourt, the new Chief Executive Officer of the South Dakota Mines Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement (CARA). Marc joins us from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota where he served as associate vice president for philanthropy. With Marc's wealth of experience and enthusiasm, we are poised to enhance the effectiveness of all our alumni engagement initiatives.
Returning to Rapid City and reconnecting with our university after a 40-year absence has afforded me a fresh perspective on why this institution is more successful today than when I graduated. I've come to recognize the secret to our continued success lies in our ability to preserve the longstanding culture and traditions cherished by all alumni while adapting to meet the demands of an ever-changing world.
The essence of our school's culture and traditions is epitomized by the campus Grubby statue, generously donated by Jim and Connie Green. The inscription on the statue's base reads, in part, "as a reminder of the hard-working, fun-loving spirit that has made this institution great." This sentiment holds true today, just as it did when I first stepped foot on campus as a freshman in 1978.
While Mines has always attracted students with a strong work ethic and a can-do spirit, it is our commitment to nurturing and enhancing that mindset that sets us apart. However, if this culture were to exist within an antiquated and stagnant academic and social environment, our graduates would struggle to meet the demands of today's ever-evolving world.
Fortunately, thanks to visionary leadership and a supportive and engaged alumni base, Mines isn't just keeping pace with the times; it's leading the way in all facets of technology-based higher education. Central to this advancement is our commitment to technology. Through the dedication of our faculty, the evolution of our curriculum, and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at both campus and department levels, we are preparing our students to excel in a competitive landscape, as evidenced by the growing number of companies recruiting on our campus.
The evolution isn't confined to the classrooms alone. Co-curricular and extracurricular activities also play a pivotal role in shaping the quality of our graduates. One area that has particularly impressed me upon my return to Mines is our music department. With the introduction of numerous musical opportunities that were unavailable four decades ago, alongside the enhancement of longstanding programs like the Singing Engineers, our music department is not only enriching the student experience but also contributing positively to the wider community. Music concerts are drawing sizable audiences and garnering acclaim, further enhancing our school's reputation and attracting students who appreciate the synergy between music and technology. I hope you enjoy the article in this magazine highlighting the program’s growth and success.
Exciting developments are underway here, and each of you should take immense pride in being an alum of South Dakota Mines.
