2005 Scholarship Winners
Profiled here are the eight RMCMI 2005 Scholarship Award winners.
Arizona Winner
Dustin J. Meisburger
University of Arizona
Fascinated by the extensive processes employed in the extraction of resources, Dustin hopes to find a fulfilling career and believes there are no industries more important than mining to the maintenance of our advanced civilizations. He hopes to learn as much as possible through current mine operations or the planning of new mines through development and eventually return to school to earn a MBA.
Dustin's academic achievements are evident through his Highest Academic Distinction and Dean's List with Distinction awards requiring a 4.0 GPA over consecutive semesters. Dustin is also an active volunteer at the University's San Xavier Mining Laboratory and a student member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME).
Dustin's brother E. Paul Meisburger was the 2002 Arizona scholar.
Colorado Winner
Brandice N. Dahl
Colorado School of Mines
Brandi's heavy involvement in organizations on campus displays her dynamic character. She is a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority. She continues to stay active as the Vice President of New Membership Education. Brandi was granted the 1st 2004 SME GEM Award. She is the GEM Chair, Secretary for the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration and a member of the Society of Women Engineers.
She is also involved in CSM's mining team.
Following in the footsteps of her father, uncles, grandfathers, and at one point her mom, she hopes to pursue a career in underground or surface mining with the chance to travel. She finds operating equipment and working with explosives most enjoyable.
Montana Winner
Christopher Roos
Montana Tech
Chris is an active member of many organizations on and off campus, including the Marcus Daly Mining Club (Vice President), Montana Tech Mining Team, SME, Montana Tech pep band and the Prairie Symphonette.
Chris suggests that his natural attraction to math and science made him a good candidate for a degree in Mining Engineering. He hopes to work in this field at a surface coal mine and become a Professional Engineer. He then hopes to earn a Ph.D. and bestow his wisdom on other aspiring mining engineers.
He takes advantage of his academic career by attending guest lectures, field trips, and conferences in order to incorporate the teachings with his understanding of class material.
Chris was also awarded the Sidney deBarathy Mining Engineering Scholarship and continually lands on the University's honor roll.
New Mexico Winner
Paul M. Giles III
New Mexico Tech
Henry S. Howe, a family friend stated, ";Paul wanted to learn how to design things, to build them, to blow them up." Along with these attributes, Paul hopes to use his engineering degree to find a career, which would allow for a lot of time spent outdoors and worldwide travel.
Paul is involved in many outdoor activities, including running, hiking, hunting, and deep-sea fishing. He finds strength in his network of cohorts who support him with the struggles of pursuing a degree in Engineering. Paul understands that coal, being a viable alternative to petroleum economically and environmentally, generates a great demand for this resource. Eventually, he hopes to continue his education by studying Mining Law.
North Dakota Winner
Jerod Klabunde
North Dakota State University
Jerod realizes that the September 11 attacks have revealed the weaknesses in our dependency on foreign oil and energy sources. The expansion and development of the coal mining industry are essential to becoming more self-reliant with our energy resources.
The Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute was introduced to Jerod by his uncle, Donn R. Steffen, P.E., who is a current member of RMCMI and a 1985 scholarship recipient. Jerod is also an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and member in his church, acting as an usher and a Eucharistic minister.
Because of his positive attitudes, involvement in school and community activities, citizenship, sportsmanship, and working towards his highest potential, Jerod was awarded the Super Trooper Honor Award in high school. This has extended to the present where, through civil engineering, he hopes to be an advocate of conservation, reclamation, and good stewardship of the land.
Utah Winner
Matthew C. Florence
University of Utah
How about an engineer who has won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and plays piano and brass? This is one of Matt's most intriguing qualities. He's not just easy on the ears; he has also worked for Certified Fire Protection as a Pipe fitter, installing fire sprinklers for our protection.
Matt believes that Mining Engineering provides one of the best opportunities for meeting individuals in the industry and for gaining related experience as well as being challenging and satisfying as both a field and a curriculum. He enjoys the satisfaction of accomplishments that come from not just performing, but performing well.
Matt hopes to work in the coal or metal industry and expects to extend his education in the future, but is currently looking forward to his imminent graduation.
Utah Winner
Thiess L. Lindsay
University of Utah
As an active student member of SME, Thiess has also been awarded the Browning, Distinguished Browning, Kennecott, and WAIME scholarships.
Thiess enjoys problem solving and the use of the worlds most advanced technology and recognizes that these are integral parts of mining engineering. He also believes that mining engineering will help society progress and sustain life on this planet through mining. In turn, Thiess hopes to be a part of the advancement of the mining world as it strives to fulfill sustainable development.
In hopes of returning to school to earn a MBA with an emphasis in Mine and Business Management, Thiess would like to remain in Eastern Utah or Wyoming.
Wyoming Winner
Neal James Simpson
Montana Tech
Neal finds his inspiration from active members of the mining field and appreciates the diversity of mining techniques. The challenges offered by his courses are exciting and doing something well is very rewarding for Neal.
His devotion to his wife and family have made Neal decide that he would like to remain close to home after graduation. They have been a tremendous source of support and encouragement through his academic career. He also possesses a love of hockey and even coaches a "Pee Wee" hockey league.
Neal worked as an Engineering Technician for the City of Powell where he maintained the city's G.I.S. mapping system. He hopes to begin his career in an established company and eventually move up to management.