Reigning Best: Mines Material Advantage Chapter Named Top in the World

by | Oct 3, 2017 | Fall 2017, Inside Mines | 0 comments

Mines Material Advantage Chapter was named the organization’s Most Outstanding Chapter for 2016-2017 and was recognized on Oct. 9, at Materials Science and Technology 2017, a technical meeting and exhibition in Philadelphia.

The chapter also received the award in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 and was named a Chapter of Excellence for 2015-2016. Chapters are judged by their programming, career development activities, service, social activities and chapter management.

“I believe that, more than anything, cooperation and communication among the members of the executive committee is what helped to set us apart,” said Reid Winchester, the new chapter president. He cited students’ success in the Materials Bowl and bladesmithing competitions organized by  The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) and the ceramic disc throw competition at MS&T.

The Material Advantage program provides undergraduate and graduate students in materials science and engineering programs with memberships to four organizations at a lower cost: The American Ceramic Society, Association for Iron & Steel Technology, ASM International and TMS. Winchester noted the interests of all four societies are well represented among the chapter’s membership. “This is reflected in the engagement of a lot of students in CSMMAC activities,” he said.

This semester, the chapter is putting together a YouTube committee to promote the different aspects of materials engineering, from micro- to macroscopic. The group also launched a chapter of Keramos, the professional fraternity for ceramic engineering. Keramos will manage the hot glass shop in Mines’ Hill Hall foundry. “We are also working on collaborating with more clubs on campus to expand our presence beyond the MME department,” Winchester said.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized as the Most Outstanding Chapter,” Winchester continued. “There are over 100 chapters worldwide, and we’re proud to be the leader and represent Mines.”