South Dakota Mines Announces 2024 Community Champions

South Dakota Mines recognized local business Pancheros Mexican Grill and business leader and alumnus Tyler Artz as the 2024 Community Champions during the annual state of the university address yesterday.  

This is the second year for the award, which recognizes a local community member, business, or organization that has dedicated time, treasure, and talent to further the university's mission.

Michael Dowding, senior lecturer in the Mines physics department, nominated Artz for the honor and said his presence on campus is as strong as it was when he was a student. “His love of the school and commitment to our community keeps bringing him back to campus and helping to integrate our faculty, staff and students with local businesses and the community at large,” Dowding said. “He is truly a face of our community and makes our campus and Rapid City a great place to be.”

Artz graduated from Mines in 2015 with a bachelor's in mining engineering and management and, in 2016, with a master's in mining engineering. He is a business development manager and paraplanner for Dakota Summit Financial Advisors, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.

“South Dakota Mines assisted in the development of who I am. I never want to lose my connection with Mines and hope to continue to be a good steward for the university,” Artz said. “I made a lot of friends while attending Mines that I still connect with, and it helped me find careers in the Black Hills, making it my home. I had no idea where I'd be, and I'm thankful to Mines for the opportunities I took advantage of.”

Artz served on the board for the Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement from 2017 to 2023 and currently provides alumni participation and support for the student engagement committee. He also serves on the Rapid City Summer Nights board and chairs the volunteer committee. Artz and his wife Laura (IE 15) attend many Mines athletic and alumni events.

Artz said he is honored to be a Mines community champion and sees it as a win-win for him and the groups he is involved with. "It’s fun to work with people with common goals and have an opportunity to grow one's network.”

Amy DiRienzo, Mines CAMP director, and Mines student William Black nominated Pancheros Mexican Grill, citing owner Paul Mosey's fundraising support for the university’s organizations.

“During the 2023-2024 academic year, CAMP teams hosted 31 fundraisers at the Rapid City Pancheros restaurant, with the restaurant donating nearly $10,000 in profits to our teams,” DiRienzo said. “CAMP teams are not the only Mines organizations that Pancheros supports, so their impact is even greater. Pancheros is a favorite for our students, and its total impact deserves recognition."

Mines students make up many of Pancheros’ customers during the school year, Mosey said, adding that he enjoys supporting school and community organizations. "There are not many days Monday through Friday when we don't have something going on," Mosey said of the fundraisers where Pancheros donates 20 percent of sales over a predetermined time period.

During the address, Interim President Lance Roberts, Ph.D., also gave an update on the presidential search, capital projects, student successes, and research goals.

The fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 26.