RAPID CITY, S.D. (April 29, 2013) — South Dakota School of Mines & Technology will host its 167th commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 4, in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena. Nearly 270 candidates will receive their Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
South Dakota Gov. Dennis M. Daugaard will deliver the commencement address, providing inspiration to students and insights to his career in politics, financial services, the nonprofit sector and law. Prior to becoming South Dakota’s 32nd governor, Daugaard served as South Dakota’s lieutenant governor from 2002 to 2010 and as a state legislator from 1996 to 2001. He received a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of South Dakota in 1975 and a law degree from Northwestern University in Chicago in 1978.
Carlos A. Beatty, Jr., a candidate for a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and engineering management from Rapid City, will deliver the senior class message. Beatty has been an active member of the Mines campus and local community and was recently inducted into the prestigious School of Mines Leadership Hall of Fame. Following graduation, Beatty will begin his professional career as an operations associate engineer for Peabody Energy at the North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Gillette, Wyo.
Vernon L. Bump, a 1961 School of Mines graduate in geological engineering, will receive the Guy E. March Medal award for his positive interaction with students, the institution and alumni. Also to be recognized will be graduates from the class of 1963, celebrating their 50-year anniversary.