--- title: Why We Went Digital description: Managing Editor Mike Ray shares thoughts on why the Hardrock is going digital. image: https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/hubfs/Hardrocks2a.jpg --- [![Hardrock_Logo_White](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/hubfs/Hardrock_Logo_White.svg "Hardrock_Logo_White")](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/winter-2022) [![Hardrock_Logo_White](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/hubfs/Hardrock_Logo_White.svg "Hardrock_Logo_White")](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/winter-2022) - [Class Notes](https://cara.sdsmt.edu/connect/class-notes) - [Alumni Events](https://cara.sdsmt.edu/AlumniEvents) - [Archives](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/archives) - [In Memoriam](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/inmemoriam-1) - [Give Back](https://cara.sdsmt.edu/donate) ## [![Hardrock_Logo_White](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/hubfs/Hardrock_Logo_White.svg "Hardrock_Logo_White")](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/winter-2022) [✕](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/why-were-going-digital#atbs-keylin-offcanvas-mobile) - [Class Notes](https://cara.sdsmt.edu/connect/class-notes) - [Alumni Events](https://cara.sdsmt.edu/AlumniEvents) - [Archives](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/archives) - [In Memoriam](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/inmemoriam-1) - [Give Back](https://cara.sdsmt.edu/donate) [Spring/Summer 2022](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/tag/spring-summer-2022) [Why Digital](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/tag/why-digital) # Why We Went Digital [by Mike Ray (Geol 97)](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/author/mike-ray-geol-97) June 1, 2022 at 12:00 AM ![](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/hubfs/Hardrocks2a.jpg) The [first edition of *The Hardrock* circulated in the fall of 1934](https://explore.digitalsd.org/digital/collection/sdsmt/id/37863/rec/5) and it has been published on and off for almost 90 years. This publication is tied to the legacy of our alma mater, and it is not a tradition we plan to discontinue.   But to keep up, we must evolve. The cost of printing is increasing rapidly, and alumni feedback shows many of you prefer a digital copy. Going digital saves the university over $30,000 each year, which can be put to better use for scholarships and research. The digital *Hardrock* also allows all of us to better share articles with prospective students via social media.  Those who want to interact with a hardcopy of any *Hardrock* article have the option to print at home. The [Class Notes](https://cara.sdsmt.edu/connect/class-notes) and In Memoriam sections remain an important part of the publication. Both are maintained by CARA with links at the top of *The Hardrock* site.   You can upload and access Class Notes at any time. To safeguard privacy, you must create an alumni account to view and publish to Class Notes. We encourage everyone to log in and use this method to keep fellow Hardrockers updated on your personal and professional life.  It seems worth noting that *The Hardrock* has been sustained at Mines through university and alumni support and feedback. In that inaugural edition in October 1934, the editor wrote that the future of the publication “will be determined by your reaction.”   This has not changed. We welcome your feedback. Sincerely, Mike Ray (Geol 97)  Managing Editor, *The Hardrock*  [Spring/Summer 2022](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/tag/spring-summer-2022) [Why Digital](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/tag/why-digital) [Follow my website](https://cara.sdsmt.edu/) [Send me an email](mailto:cara@sdsmt.edu) Print [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/why-were-going-digital) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/why-were-going-digital) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/why-were-going-digital) [Previous Article](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/engineering-a-better-tomorrow-hardrocker-ally-association) [Next Article](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/alumnus-behind-the-scenes-work-cultivated-mines-nucor-relationship) #### You may also like [![](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich-Trudy-Wells.jpg?width=600&height=450&name=Rich-Trudy-Wells.jpg)](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/empowering-the-best-rich-trudy-wells-step-up-to-help-mines-students) [Spring/Summer 2022](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/tag/spring-summer-2022) ### [Empowering the Best: Rich & Trudy Wells Step Up for Mines Students](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/empowering-the-best-rich-trudy-wells-step-up-to-help-mines-students) [![](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Isiah-and-Orlando-and-Jeremiah-1.jpg?width=600&height=450&name=Isiah-and-Orlando-and-Jeremiah-1.jpg)](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/hardrockers-celebrate-back-to-back-winning-seasons) [Stories-Winter-22](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/tag/stories-winter-22) ### [Hardrockers Celebrate Back-to-Back Winning Seasons](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/hardrockers-celebrate-back-to-back-winning-seasons) [![](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Nucor%20-Rasmussen.jpg?width=600&height=450&name=Nucor%20-Rasmussen.jpg)](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/alumnus-behind-the-scenes-work-cultivated-mines-nucor-relationship) [Spring/Summer 2022](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/tag/spring-summer-2022) ### [Alumnus’ Behind-the-Scenes Work Cultivated Mines-Nucor Relationship](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/alumnus-behind-the-scenes-work-cultivated-mines-nucor-relationship) - © 2022 South Dakota Mines - [CARA](https://cara.sdsmt.edu/) - [Our Team](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/our-team) - [Careers](https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sdsmt.edu%2Femployment%2F&data=05%7C01%7CCharles.Ray%40sdsmt.edu%7C8483aa9ee6614b37a84908da4edcce57%7C867083e60b14435f9b4e8be26f01d84e%7C0%7C0%7C637909007520476021%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=9HWtMdRYeueqsDPaSL%2BtXRINxBClcGXKNq%2BzZmnKHKQ%3D&reserved=0) - [Refer a Student](https://www.sdsmt.edu/Alumni-Referral-and-Recruitment/) - [Privacy & Legal](https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/privacy-legal) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SouthDakotaMinesCARA) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.linkedin.com/in/south-dakota-mines-center-for-alumni-relations-and-advancement-83737147/) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/southdakotaminescara/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJGlRDOdxBjCXUNP6jmQxw)