Engineering Excellence: Mines Student and Professor Recognized by Nation's Oldest Engineering Society

A standout undergraduate and a distinguished professor from South Dakota Mines have earned national recognition, joining an elite circle of leaders shaping the future of engineering.

Annaliese Braucht, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering and biology, and Cassandra Birrenkott, Ph.D., the Alva L. Addy Professor in the Leslie A. Rose Department of Mechanical Engineering, have been honored by Tau Beta Pi—the nation’s oldest and most prestigious engineering society. With notable members like Buzz Aldrin, Judith Resnik and Jeff Bezos, Tau Beta Pi recently unveiled its 2025 award recipients, naming Braucht to the Tau Beta Pi Laureate Program and Birrenkott as the Outstanding Academic Advisor.

“I was truly honored to learn I had been named the 2025 Tau Beta Pi Outstanding Academic Advisor,” said Birrenkott, who has served as the academic advisor for a decade. “Tau Beta Pi advisors represent an exceptional group, and I’m grateful to be recognized among them. What makes this especially meaningful is that it’s a student-nominated award – being acknowledged by our students in this way is both humbling and deeply rewarding.”

In 2007, Birrenkott joined the society as an undergraduate student at Mines.

“Tau Beta Pi provides academically talented students with opportunities to grow beyond the classroom through leadership development, networking and career exploration,” she said. “The chance to engage in these experiences during their junior and senior years allows students to become more well-rounded engineers, which is truly a special and valuable part of their undergraduate journey.”

One academic advisor has been recognized each year since 1996, when the convention established the award. In those 30 years, Mines has had one other advisor honored: Larry Simonson, Ph.D., a Mines alumnus and alumni ambassador to the president. The award recognizes outstanding performance among chapter advisors who make important contributions to students and collegiate chapters.

“What I find most rewarding about advising is having a front-row seat to the students’ growth and accomplishments,” Birrenkott said. “It’s a true privilege to support and celebrate their successes, both big and small, as they develop into the next generation of leaders and innovators.”

Laureates are recognized for excelling in areas beyond their technical majors with categories including arts, athletics, diverse achievements and service. Braucht, nominated by her chapter for her work in the arts, will receive a $2,500 cash award and join the outstanding list of 131 Tau Beta Pi laureates since the program began in 1982.

The nomination recognized Braucht for bridging the gap between technical innovation and creative expression through leadership roles and a passion for the arts.

“Initially, I didn’t really believe it,” Braucht said of learning of the award. “It is such a high honor that I never anticipated receiving it. I am proud to be representing our small South Dakota chapter.”

Despite her success in engineering, Braucht grew up wanting to be something else – a professional dancer.

“I started dancing when I was three years old, and I loved it,” she said. At 6, she was dancing competitively, and at 12, Braucht was learning the Cecchetti method, a classical ballet technique developed by Italian ballet master Enrico Cecchetti.

In high school, Braucht studied under the Cecchetti Council of America, spent a summer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Canada and the Kansas City Ballet.

An injury, coupled with the shutdown of performances and arts programs during COVID, pushed Braucht to reconsider her path.

While on a family trip to Rapid City, she toured South Dakota Mines.

“A professor shared the research happening at Mines and how it aligned with my interests,” she said. “I remember leaving campus absolutely thrilled.”

She completed her senior year of high school and, with the dance world still on pause, made the unexpected decision to pursue engineering.

“It’s a path I never would have predicted,” she said. “There were some surprising turns along the way, but I like to believe they led me exactly where I’m meant to be. It has ended up being such a wonderful fit for so many reasons, especially in ways I never imagined.”

That includes her involvement with Tau Beta Pi, where she has spent the past two years as vice president for the Mines chapter.

“It provides wonderful networking and leadership opportunities, scholarships and fellowships,” Braucht said.

Aside from her involvement in Tau Beta Pi, Annaliese is a piano teacher and dance instructor, using her expertise to inspire and advance STEAM education.

Last year, Braucht and Birrenkott - along with fellow Tau Beta Pi members from the Mines chapter - hosted the society’s international convention in Rapid City, welcoming more than 450 students and professionals from around the world to the area.

Both Birrenkott and Braucht said hosting the convention was a highlight of their time with Tau Beta Pi.

“Working with students to plan, host and enjoy this event was so much fun,” Birrenkott said.

The two will be recognized along with other honorees during the annual Tau Beta Pi Convention in Albuquerque in October.

A complete list of 2025 Tau Beta Pi award winners can be found here.