Mines Raises Over $50 Million for Scholarships to Help Remove Financial Barriers for Students

More than $50 million in scholarships raised through the recently completed New Heights Campaign at South Dakota Mines is helping remove financial barriers and open doors for current and future students pursuing careers in STEM fields.

Last month, Mines’ Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement (CARA) announced it had surpassed its original $100 million goal, raising more than $120 million, the most successful capital campaign in university history. A significant portion of the funds raised, more than $50 million, is dedicated to scholarships, ensuring talented students can focus on learning rather than the financial burden of paying for college.

“Scholarships were at the heart of the New Heights Campaign. Raising more than $50 million for student support reflects what our donors care about most — making a Mines education accessible to students who will go on to solve the world's hardest problems,” said Marc Vaillancourt, CARA’s chief executive officer. “The generosity of the Hardrocker community is extraordinary, and we're grateful. Scholarship demand at Mines continues to grow, and so does our commitment to meeting it."

For Cindy Eng, a freshman geology major, scholarships have already made a difference.

Eng, who grew up in Blaine, Minnesota, said she was drawn to Mines for its location in the Black Hills and its hands-on learning opportunities. While she didn't realize geology could be a career path until high school, her fascination with earth science began much earlier. “I remember reading an assignment about Yellowstone and thinking, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’”

At Mines, Eng has already taken part in hands-on field experiences, including a trip last semester to Wind Cave National Park, where students spent a few days camping and studying the area's unique geological formations.

In addition to her studies, Eng also participates as a percussionist in the university’s music program and recently performed with the Black Hills Symphony, playing student-engineered instruments.

Scholarship support has allowed her to fully embrace these opportunities.

“These scholarships help me focus on my studies instead of worrying about how I’m going to pay for school,” said Eng, who received both academic and department scholarship support. “Mines is a challenging school and having that financial burden lifted means I can put my energy into learning and preparing for my future career,” she said. “I know there are a lot of people who struggle financially, have to work on top of school, and then if they fail a class, they have to pay for it again. With that burden off, I can focus on my education.”

She is already preparing for her next step. She will be spending the summer interning with the Bureau of Land Management in Montana.

Stories like Eng’s illustrate the impact of donor support.

“Many of our students come from middle-class families who have worked hard but can’t always make the finances work to attend South Dakota Mines,” said Molly Moore, associate vice president for enrollment management. “We often see students who want to be here but need that extra support to make it possible. Scholarships help bridge that gap and can truly be the difference between attending and not attending. “

By expanding scholarship support, the campaign strengthened the university’s ability to recruit and educate the next generation of engineers, scientists and innovators, graduates who will go on to power industries, advance research and technology and support communities around the world.

With scholarship demand continuing to grow, donor support remains essential to maintaining access to a Mines education.

“I would tell anyone thinking about donating that scholarships really do make a difference,” Eng said. “I believe it really does take the burden off of students by reducing the stress of finances so they can focus on their education.”