Staying ahead of the curve and making a difference

There are many exceptional qualities that define Orediggers, but what has stood out to me most recently is the ingenuity of the Mines community and their drive to stay ahead of the curve. Orediggers don’t just solve the problems we face today—they also anticipate the challenges that might arise in the near future and work hard to make a difference with the skills they gained from Mines.

As you’ll read in this issue, Orediggers remain at the forefront of some of the latest industry innovations and technological advancements. Many Mines alumni are working on new ways to solve problems they encounter in their day-to-day lives, such as protecting wine grapes from wildfire smoke or storm drain contamination. Others are leading the second quantum revolution and ensuring the next generation of engineers has the necessary skills to lead the future of that technology. And there are some Orediggers who are putting their Mines backgrounds to good use by helping us see the beauty of the natural world in new ways.

All of these instances demonstrate the value of challenging the status quo and investigating new possibilities, new solutions and the benefits of expanding one’s skills and knowledge. No matter where Orediggers end up in their careers and everyday lives, I’ve learned you can count on them to face any challenge head on and exceed expectations.

Oredigger ingenuity and the drive to make a lasting, positive difference in the world truly cannot be found in the same way anywhere else, and I can’t wait to see what the Mines community gets up to next.

Ashley Spurgeon