Mines News

Eight South Dakota School of Mines & Technology students have been initiated into the Order of Omega national Greek honor society.

Order of Omega has more than 570 chapters throughout North America and recognizes juniors and seniors who have exemplified high standards in the areas of scholarship, leadership and involvement within their respective Greek organizations, their university campuses and their local community. The Xi Tau Chapter was established at SD Mines in 1995.

Students selected for initiation this spring are:

Anthony Benitez, Lambda Chi Alpha 

• Anthony Benitez was born in San Antonio, Texas. He lived in Sioux Falls for most his life and graduated from Brandon Valley High School in May of 2017. He is now attending SDSMT for Electrical Engineering.

Austin Hammer, Theta Tau 

• Austin Hammer is a junior Metallurgical Engineering student at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He has been a member of Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity since 2017 where he has held the offices of blood drive chair and athletic chair. He plans to graduate in May of 2020.   

Ethan Unruh, Theta Tau

• Ethan Unruh is a junior electrical engineering major at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He has been a member of Theta Tau Omega Professional Engineering Fraternity since 2017. He has served as athletic chair and rush chair of Theta Tau and is also a member of Phi Eta Sigma honor society. He plans to graduate in December of 2020.

Jace Johnson, Triangle

• Jace Johnson is a member of Triangle Fraternity at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Jace has been accepted into the Xi Tau chapter of Order of Omega Greek honors society, which promotes continuing leadership, service, scholarship, and exemplary character in the inter-Greek affairs of the institution. Jace is graduating, from the School of Mines, in December of 2019 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

Kaitlyn Dickinson, Alpha Omega Epsilon 

• Kate Dickinson is a sophomore with an Applied Biological Science major with an emphasis in Pre-Medical and a minor in chemistry. After graduation she plans to obtain her master’s in biomedical engineering, however ultimately, she hopes to attend medical school for emergency medicine or cardiothoracic surgery. She is an active member in Alpha Omega Epsilon, Mines Emergency Medical Service Club, Biomedical Engineering Society, and a student ambassador as well as first flautist in Jazz Band. Outside of school, she always enjoys hiking 14ers in Colorado, reading, painting, and volunteering as a Crisis Text Line Counselor.

Kole Pickner, Theta Tau

• After joining the Omega Chapter of Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity last March, Kole has had an eventful year. He currently holds four positions in his House and tries to stay as active as possible. Kole is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and enjoys his work. He is also very involved in the university’s music program, participating in several groups and being a student leader for the department.

Regan Wess, Alpha Omega Epsilon

• Regan Wess is a Geological Engineering Student at South Dakota School of Mines. She is a member of Alpha Omega Epsilon, a professional sorority on campus that supports women in Engineering and Technical Science majors. She states, “The friends and support I have gained from my experience within the sorority and at this school has made my time here incredible. Although juggling classes, campus involvement, and sorority events is challenging, I will always have my friends and sisters to get me through”. 

Shea Krause, Delta Sigma Phi

• Since being at SD Mines, Shea has been involved in numerous activities, while making time for activities such as snowboarding and camping. Being involved in Delta Sigma Phi fraternity has been a big part of Shea’s life and has helped him in networking and making lifelong friends. Studying Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, Shea is planning on graduating in December of 2019. 

The initiation ceremony was held in early April.