2004 Scholarship Winners
Profiled here are the eight RMCMI 2004 Scholarship Award winners.
Arizona Winner
Sasha L. Meyer
University of Arizona - Mining Engineering
Sasha Meyer has loved mining since she was a child visiting underground mines with her father. Growing up with parents Lynn and Marta Meyer, Sasha remembers the mining crew that was always willing to take time to encourage her. She finds mining an industry that is welcoming to women and she recognizes the professional propensity, personal challenge and opportunities that mining engineering offers. Sasha visualizes her future in production management and law. She has learned the value of good communication skills and the importance of teamwork through her internships in Safety and Health within the industry.
Sasha enjoys multiple academic honors, including Dean's Honor Roll, Robert M. Smith Scholarship Program, Conrad Fraps Memorial Scholars and Daniel Harper Memorial Scholar. She is active outside of the mining industry, participating in tennis, quilting, and orchestra. Sasha is active in local politics and is a member of the University of Arizona Republican Club. She enriches her community with service projects for kids and aging Alzheimer patients.
Colorado Winner
Carolyn S. Houser
Colorado School of Mines - Mining Engineering
When Carolyn Houser was growing up, her mother Debra Houser was always checking her pants pockets for "pretty rocks"; a hint of her early fascination with rocks and minerals. Carolyn still thoroughly enjoys all aspects of mining from working with the equipment to learning the numerous safety regulations. She is enamored with explosives and heavy equipment, and wants to work in Australia, Germany or other areas of the U.S. Carolyn considers learning an adventure and will pursue a career in either hard rock mining or coal.
Carolyn boasts numerous athletic and academic honors including Dean's List and Honor Roll, and Top Sketching Student. She is active in Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. Her varied interests include Sports Editor for the SCMU newspaper, astronomy, drama and music.
Montana Winner
Eric Fagley
Montana Tech - Mining Engineering
Pursuing a degree in mining engineering has been a life-long goal of Eric Scott Fagley, son of Tim and Marty Fagley. His father Tim, Montana RMCMI Vice President, helped spark the interest in mining that continues today. Eric plans to remain in the Rocky Mountain region pursuing a career in coal mining.
Eric keeps learning exciting by working as an intern and relating these hands-on mining experiences to his schooling. He has lettered for two years playing varsity college football and was a high school member of the All State football team. You may have seen Eric at one of the four RMCMI conventions he has attended in the past. He plans to continue participation after graduation helping RMCMI promote the positive services that the coal industry provides.
New Mexico Winner
Dominic D. Hoy
New Mexico Tech - Geology
Dominic Hoy is pursuing a degree in Geology to help support his family while protecting the ecology and landscape for his children and future grandchildren. He is planning to earn a teaching certificate while still in school, allowing him the ability to work in the education field while still pursuing a career in Geology. Dominic knows the importance of teamwork and strives to think creatively in difficult situations.
Dominic boasts academic and athletic honors including the Dean's List and the Santa Fe College Foundation for Academic Excellence. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Santa Fe Geological Society and is a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church. Dominic's dedication to his family is his motivation to achieve his educational goals and protect his cultural heritage.
North Dakota Winner
Lee A. Becker
University of North Dakota - Civil Engineering
Lee Becker has enjoyed viewing first-hand all types of mining activities since his father has worked for 30 years in surface mining. Lee's parents, Jerry, an RMCMI member since 1986, and Darlene Becker, encouraged him to pursue a degree in civil engineering in order to build a good base of knowledge for surface coal mining. Lee plans to graduate with a degree in civil engineering and work on mine pit plans, haul road plans or in the environmental department with permitting and sediment pond designs.
Lee's lengthy list of honors, awards and scholarships include Sigma Phi Epsilon's Balanced Man Scholarship Finalist, Ward T, Neville Academic Scholarship, Who's Who Among America's High School Students and the Cross-Country Hardest Worker Award. Lee's varied interests include band, golf, trap-shooting, speech and weight lifting. Lee finds learning most exciting when he can work together with other engineering students, discovering that helping others results in an increase in his own productivity.
Texas Winner
Joshua Hoffman
University of Missouri / Rolla - Mining Engineering
Joshua Hoffman has been fascinated with explosions since childhood, a love that led him to the mining industry. Joshua is the son of Frank Hoffman of La Grange, Texas and Barbara Hoffman of Fort Davis, Texas. He plans to obtain a B.S. in Mining Engineering and continue working toward an M.S. and possibly a PhD in Mining. In later years, he sees himself returning to the educational system to pass his knowledge on to the next generation of miners. Learning is provocative and exciting for Joshua since he is pursuing his lifelong dream.
Joshua's awards include Gold Medalist in Experimental Design and the Award of Excellence from the State Science Olympiad Tournament. He earned a Pflugerville H.S. Letter Jacket for Academic Achievements and was nominated as the national delegate representing Texas at the National Summit of Young Technology Leaders. He is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and Who's Who Among American High School. Joshua served as his high school band captain and loves working with the fireworks displays at University football games.
Utah Winner
Alyson Boye
University of Utah - Mining Engineering
Mining Engineering combines the two things Alyson Boye loves most, geology and engineering. Alyson loves getting dirty in the world outside of the office and as a student intern has participated in exploration drilling programs and underground surveys. Alyson wants to begin her career in coal mining in the Western United States immediately after earning her undergraduate degree.
Alyson is the Mining Engineering Student Advisory Committee chairperson and is an active member of the student chapter of SME. She has been a river guide for the Boy Scouts of America and has served as a Girl Scout leader. Alyson enjoys a wide variety of activities that include painting, skiing, kayaking, hiking, mountaineering and triathlons. She is the daughter of James and Christine Boye of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Wyoming Winner
Erik C. Jones
Colorado School of Mines - Mining Engineering
Erik Jones' summer job in the RAG Coal West Engineering Department further inspired him to pursue Mining Engineering as a profession. Erik is looking forward to his 2004 summer internship with Peabody-North Antelope / Rochelle surveying in the Powder River Basin. He plans to work in the Powder River Basin or in Colorado as a mining engineer after graduation. The son of Chris and JoAnne Jones of Gillette, Wyoming, Erik originally hails from Tucson, Arizona.
Erik's academic and athletic honors include Honor Roll his freshman semester, the "True Gentleman" Fraternal Award and election as House Manager of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. In high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society and recipient of the Presidential Academics Award. He has lettered in cross county, track, advanced jazz and marching band. Erik's diverse interests include swimming, football, soccer and wrestling and he enjoys playing the saxophone and guitar.