Leaders in learning, champions in action

by | May 15, 2025 | Inside Mines, Spring 2025 | 0 comments

Paul Johnson

At Mines, we’re committed to preparing our students to be technical experts and versatile leaders capable of making a meaningful impact in a rapidly changing world. Our dedication to developing engineers and scientists who excel both academically and outside of the classroom is reflected daily in the success of our students and alumni.

From winning prestigious national competitions like the national Battery Workforce Challenge, the International Mining Games and launching a rocket more than 40,000 feet above Earth to producing NCAA national champions and the most Academic All-America student-athletes in NCAA Division II history, Mines students continue to showcase their talent, determination and diverse skills. These accomplishments are a direct result of the abundant opportunities they have to engage in hands-on projects, collaborate across disciplines and develop leadership skills that will serve them throughout their careers and lives.

Mines offers a unique environment where these experiences are readily available. As you’ll read in this issue’s cover story, students build a strong technical foundation at Mines while also learning how to communicate complex ideas, collaborate across disciplines and connect their work to society. Their involvement in teams, student organizations and other extracurricular activities allows them to lead, problem-solve and think creatively in ways that complement their technical expertise, fostering adaptable engineers and scientists who are ready for whatever lies ahead.

As alumni, you and your success are living proof of the transformative power of the well-rounded Mines experience. I’m incredibly proud of what our students, faculty and alumni continue to achieve, and I look forward to seeing how Mines graduates will continue to build on their Mines experiences and reach even greater heights. 

Go Orediggers!

Paul C. Johnson
President and Professor