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Engineering on a Grand Scale with the Smallest of the Small

Lead Story

Engineering on a Grand Scale with the Smallest of the Small

Microbes living on or in the human body are critical for health. Outnumbering our own cells, we literally couldn’t survive without them. The same can be said for microbial life in our natural environment, where clean water and oxygen are just two essentials that come largely courtesy of microorganisms. Yet, while microbes are such heavy lifters in our natural environment, their role in our built environment is limited. But that’s changing, and various members of the Colorado School of Mines community are contributing to the transformation as they explore new ways to put microbes to work.

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Feature Stories

Half a Century of Outreach: The Peace Corps Turns 50 Half a Century of Outreach: The Peace Corps Turns 50

An assembly of service-minded individuals from Mines has pledged muscle and mind to countries cooperating with the Peace Corps over the last half-century. As the 50th anniversary of the organization recently passed, we asked some of those volunteers why they went, what they did, and how the experience has influenced their professional and personal journeys.

New College, New Digs, Bright Future: Q&A with Terry Parker, Executive Vice President and Provost New College, New Digs, Bright Future: Q&A with Terry Parker, Executive Vice President and Provost

Division of Engineering students returned to campus this August to some big architectural changes—not only to the bricks and mortar, but also to the division itself. As expected, the 78,000-square-foot addition to Brown Hall had been completed; but along with the new configuration of the building, their division had been reorganized into Colorado School of Mines’ first college.

It’s There for the Taking: Geothermal Technology Heats Up It’s There for the Taking: Geothermal Technology Heats Up

The promise of low-impact, renewable energy that is always on tap continues to drive geothermal energy research, and Mines faculty and students are hot on the trail.

Web Extras

Farewell, Abu Dhabi Farewell, Abu Dhabi

The past four months have gone very quickly and it’s hard to believe that I will be leaving Abu Dhabi in a few days. Before I reflect on the experience as a whole, let me fill you in on what we’ve been up to recently.

Alumni Profiles

Wild Women ’85-’90: An Unbreakable Bond—25 Years of Friendship, Beginning at Mines Wild Women ’85-’90: An Unbreakable Bond—25 Years of Friendship, Beginning at Mines

In 1987, President Reagan was managing Iran-Contra, the U.S. stock market crashed on Black Monday, a gallon of gas cost $0.89, and the Wild Women held their first weekend getaway in South Fork, Colo.

Spotlight

Georgianna Zelenak: Junior, Geophysical Engineering, Harvey Scholar Georgianna Zelenak: Junior, Geophysical Engineering, Harvey Scholar

Her goal is a career in oceanography, so Georgianna (Georgie) Zelenak thought she could use some study time in a setting other than the foothills of Colorado. That’s how she ended up in 2010 on Hawaii’s Big Island, taking three courses in six weeks in Hilo’s Marine Science Summer Program at the University of Hawaii.

New Frontiers

Balls Bump up Efficiency of Hydraulic Fracturing Balls Bump up Efficiency of Hydraulic Fracturing

Trillions of cubic feet of natural gas and billions of barrels of oil are now economically recoverable, thanks to advances in hydraulic fracturing technologies, and more enhancements might soon be on the way.

Scoreboard

Women’s Soccer: Twelve Shutouts, Two All-Americans and the First RMAC Tournament Title Women’s Soccer: Twelve Shutouts, Two All-Americans and the First RMAC Tournament Title

To some observers, the most exciting game of the Mines women’s soccer team’s seventh season was one in which no goals were scored. A 17-2-4 season ended on November 18, 2011, with a penalty shootout 2-4 loss to the two-time defending champion, Grand Valley State.

Inside Mines

Newmont CEO Speaks on Leadership at Midyear Convocation Newmont CEO Speaks on Leadership at Midyear Convocation

At Midyear Degree Convocation on December 16, Colorado School of Mines conferred 174 bachelor’s, 162 master’s and 31 doctoral degrees during ceremonies held in the Lockridge Arena. Central to the program was guest speaker Richard O’Brien, president and CEO of Newmont Mining, who spoke on leadership and integrity.