South Dakota Mines Takes Over State Capitol Rotunda Friday

South Dakota Mines will host its annual Mines Day at the Capitol event in Pierre from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Feb.4. The event allows Mines students, faculty, and staff to share their innovative work with state lawmakers and leaders.

Mines student organizations will host numerous demonstrations. The university American Chemical Society and Society of Physics students will provide their popular root beer floats made with liquid nitrogen ice cream. Leaders of South Dakota Mines Student Senate will also be on hand to speak with lawmakers.

Mines faculty and staff will be represented by the university's admissions office and Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement. Mines Associate Vice President for Research-Economic Development Joseph Wright will represent the Entrepreneurs in Residence Program on campus and Dr. Ralph Davis, vice president of research, will join faculty members representing the Office of Research Affairs. Dr. Rob Hall, the head of the Department of Mining Engineering and Management, will be on hand to talk about the new Mining Hub, which brings together diverse partners working in convergent research areas including technology development, implementation, digitalization, human factors, and others that support sustainable recovery of the Earth's resources,  and ensure a stable national supply of materials and supporting the nation's needs.

Mines student and faculty research has a positive economic impact on the state.  University researchers have landed more than $63 million in research funding over the past four years from organizations like the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation. Mines has a track record of turning research into local start-up companies like VRC Metal Systems and Endlas, which in turn are creating local high-paying jobs.

Mines also supports the emerging high-tech economy in South Dakota with a talent pipeline of well-trained scientists, engineers, and business leaders. Mines graduates provide the backbone for a range of companies with South Dakota offices such as AEsir, B9Creations, Memsense, Banner Associates, Black Hills Info Sec., Caterpillar, IMP, POET, Raven, Vishay, and many more.

Mines success in past research and economic development efforts have led to some growing pains. The university needs more space to complete funded research, and is asking state lawmakers in Senate Bill 97 for support in a $5.25 million purchase of the Ascent Innovation Building on campus that will provide 40,000 square feet of new research space and an excellent return on investment for the state.