South Dakota Mines Honors Community Champions for Dedication to the University’s Mission
South Dakota Mines recognized local businesses RPM Companies, and community leader Lorie Vega as the 2025 Community Champions during the annual state of the university address yesterday.
This is the third 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.
Founded in 1982 by Mines alumnus Robert Mudge (MetE 76, MS MetE 78), RPM & Associates,
Inc. delivers
wear solutions for heavy industries such as mining, cement, and power generation
through the use of automatic welding systems, CNC machining, and innovative material
applications. Based in Rapid City, the company has undergone two major expansions.
In 1996, it launched RPM Solutions, Inc., specializing in manufacturing replacement
structural and wear components for rotary dry scrubber systems that remove sulfur
from industrial gases. Then, in 2013, Mudge established RPM Innovations, a leader
in directed energy deposition laser technology for repairing and 3D printing components
used in aerospace, rocket and defense sectors.
All three companies are led by a talented group of Mines graduates.
“RPM companies support Mines through donation of employee time, company resources and philanthropic giving,” said Mines President Brian Tande, Ph.D. “They support technical tours for classes and STEM groups, engineering design projects, CAMP competition projects and technical outreach events such as high school summer camp field trips and other visits.”
Vega, who has been a federal civil servant for nearly 40 years, is the deputy commander
for the 28th Mission Support Group at Ellsworth Air Force Base, where she oversees more than 1,300
personnel in six squadrons providing civil engineer support, communications, security,
logistics, acquisition, and force support. She also serves as the community partnership
liaison and was recognized in 2022 as an Association of Defense Communities champion.
“She is a key contact on base for organizing projects with the university, providing students an opportunity to apply their technical skills and knowledge to real-world problems at Ellsworth and other military installations,” Tande said. “Her work with our campus leaders and a student project has resulted in a business startup currently housed in the D-Lab at Elevate Rapid City, called CounSil, LLC, owned by Mines alum John Barbour.”
Vega has been instrumental in connecting university resources to the family readiness and education groups on base, providing opportunities for faculty and students to share STEM activities. She arranged for several Mines academic departments to be represented during the 2022 Air Show at Ellsworth, which created wide exposure to thousands of regional attendees.
During yesterday’s address, Tande also updated legislative and community leaders on the state of higher education, student enrollment, graduate outcomes, campus growth and research achievements. His overarching goal is to challenge traditional approaches in higher education and strengthen the connection between education and industry through innovative ideas.
The fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 25.