South Dakota School of Mines, Alumni Association

10/08/2026

“This summer, I traded the Black Hills for five unforgettable weeks in Türkiye, where I explored incredible geology, experienced a new culture, and made memories I’ll never forget. When I decided I wanted to become a geologist, this is exactly what I pictured: adventure, travel, and education all coming together.”

We’re launching Postcard from a Student, a new series bringing alumni a little closer to the students, adventures, and excitement happening at South Dakota Mines today.

Our first postcard comes from Macy Sager, a senior Geology student who spent five unforgettable weeks in Türkiye this summer exploring incredible geology, experiencing a new culture, and making memories along the way.

Read Macy’s postcard and get a glimpse of her summer adventure and what she’s looking forward to in her senior year! 💌

https://cara.sdsmt.edu/postcard-from-a-student-macy-sager/

10/07/2026

They don’t just have each other’s backs on the court. They have each other’s backs in the classroom, too.

Meet Grace Mak. She’s a standout volleyball player, a chemical engineering student, and the kind of teammate who makes everyone around her better.

When Grace isn’t crushing it on the court, you might find her helping freshmen on her team work through a tough class, studying with teammates or cheering them on through an exam.

And that team mentality shows. South Dakota Mines student-athletes had an average 3.38 GPA last year, higher than the 3.19 average for non-athletes.

Because at Mines, the team that studies together… wins together!

Now it’s our turn to show up for them.

From October 11–18, every donor counts in the Blitz Week Donor Count Challenge against Black Hills State University. Let’s back student-athletes like Grace and show those pesky Yellowjackets what Hardrocker teamwork looks like.

Help us Squash the Swarm! 🐝⛏️

https://www.blackhillsbrawl.com/

10/06/2026

💌 You’ve got mail!

Last week, 1,771 scholarship thank-you letters began making their way from South Dakota Mines students to the donors helping make their dreams possible (and there are still more heartfelt letters being processed and headed out soon).

Each letter was written by a student who knows firsthand what it means to have someone believe in them.

This year, 56% of Mines students are receiving scholarship support, including 78% of our freshmen class. For students, that support can mean the difference between worrying about how to pay for college and being able to focus on the things that brought them here: learning, discovering what they’re capable of, and building a future they’re excited about.

And behind every scholarship is a donor who chose to say, “I believe in you. I believe in what you can become.”

That belief matters.

To every donor who funds a scholarship: thank you. Thank you for investing in our students, opening doors, and helping the next generation of Hardrockers chase what’s possible.

10/05/2026

Someone believed in them.

Someone gave them the chance to chase their dreams, discover what they’re capable of, and become the student-athletes they are today.

Now, it’s our turn to show up for them.

From October 11–18, South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State are going head-to-head in the Blitz Week Donor Count Challenge. The goal is simple: rally as many supporters as possible to show up for their school.

Every gift = one donor. Whether you give $10, $100 or $1,000, what matters is that you show up. Because every donor is another vote for the Hardrockers, and another way to tell our student-athletes, “We believe in you.”

https://www.blackhillsbrawl.com/

10/02/2026

After 30 years of wondering where he belonged, Marcus Nelson found a home and a new beginning at South Dakota Mines. A scholarship helped turn his doubts into possibility.

For Marcus, coming to Mines wasn’t a straightforward journey. It took years of hard work, persistence, and a willingness to start over. When he finally made it to campus, a scholarship provided more than financial support; it encouraged him to keep going and reminded him that his work and his future mattered.

Today, Marcus is building that future by working hard, conducting research, and mentoring other students.

Read his full story on our website:

After 30 years of wondering where he belonged, Marcus Nelson found a home and a new beginning at South Dakota Mines. A scholarship helped turn his doubts into possibility.

10/01/2026

It is officially October, Hardrocker Nation. The leaves are falling. The air is crisp. And somewhere in the Black Hills, a swarm of Yellow Jackets is blissfully unaware that its days are numbered.

For months, Grubby has been preparing for the brawl of the century. At dawn, he has hauled boulders up M Hill. At dusk, he has forged his pickaxe in the fires of the deepest mines. He has deadlifted entire mining carts, curled rocks the size of Sting’s ego, and run so many laps with the football team that the very earth trembles beneath his feet.

But alas, even the mightiest miner cannot conquer an entire swarm alone. For this quest, Grubby needs an army. An army of Hardrockers. An army of alumni, friends, fans, and faithful supporters.

From October 11–18, South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State University will face off in the annual Blitz Week Donor Count Challenge. This is no ordinary battle. This is a clash of legends. A war of wills. A contest in which the fate of bragging rights rests not only on the scoreboard, but on the number of supporters who rise to the occasion.

And the rules of this brawl are simple: Every gift to South Dakota Mines counts as one vote against the Yellow Jackets. Whether you give $10 or $10,000, your gift counts as one more Hardrocker standing shoulder to shoulder with Grubby. The team with the most donors wins the challenge.
Every gift supports South Dakota Mines student-athletes across all sports, helping our Hardrockers train, compete, and chase greatness.

So summon your fellow Hardrockers. Rally your allies. Sound the horns. Grubby has trained for this moment, and Sting has absolutely no idea what is coming.

The swarm must be squashed. The brawl must be won. And Grubby? Grubby is ready to make history.

The countdown is on. 10 days until battle. 10 days until Blitz Week. 10 days until we Squash the Swarm.

https://www.blackhillsbrawl.com/

09/30/2026

Rocker Days may be behind us, but the memories are still going strong!

From the Burning of the "M" to the final whistle, Hardrockers came together to celebrate the place, and the people, that make Mines feel like home.

Whether you were a freshman sliding down M Hill for the first time, a new alum cheering from the stands, or a seasoned Hardrocker making your way back to campus, Rocker Days has a way of reminding us that once you’re a Hardrocker, you’re always a Hardrocker.

The years may change. The traditions may evolve. But the feeling of coming home never really goes away.

Thank you to everyone who came back, showed up, cheered loudly, made memories, and helped make this Homecoming one to remember. We’re already looking forward to the next time we get to bring Hardrocker Nation together!

Until next year, Hardrockers!

09/30/2026

For more than 60 years, Surbeck Center has been at the heart of campus life, a place to grab lunch, meet a friend, join a club, celebrate a win, find support, and make the memories that become part of your Mines story.
Now, Surbeck has a little more room for all of it.
Last week, we celebrated the ribbon cutting of the newly expanded and renovated Surbeck Center, creating more space for Hardrockers to create community.
We owe a tremendous thank you to the donors who helped make this next chapter possible. Your generosity is creating more than new dining and gathering spaces. You’re creating more opportunities for students to find their people, discover new passions, build confidence, create traditions and make the memories they’ll carry long after graduation.
You didn’t just invest in a building. You invested in the experience of being a Hardrocker.
Here’s to the next 60 years of Surbeck memories.

09/23/2026

We may have started the week with a few clouds, but the Hardrockers have brought a little sunshine to the Surbeck Center! ☀️🌴

Our student orgs have transformed the new expansion into a colorful Hardrocker paradise, with drawings across the windows and bright banners celebrating our Homecoming Court.

We can’t wait to welcome our alumni back to campus to celebrate Hardrockers in Paradise! 🌺🤘

Check out the full Rocker Days schedule and make sure you don’t miss a thing: https://cara.sdsmt.edu/rocker-days/