Article content
Colorado School of Mines celebrated its 2025 Midyear Undergraduate Commencement on Dec. 19, conferring a total of 293 bachelor’s degrees during a ceremony at Lockridge Arena.
The ceremony's distinguished speaker was Mines Board of Trustees member David Lawler ‘90. The chief executive officer of Caturus, an integrated gas and LNG company, Lawler has more than 34 years of experience in the energy sector. He graduated from Mines with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering and also holds an MBA from Tulane University.
Watch the ceremony and download the official Commencement program at commencement.mines.edu.
FALL 2025 OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIORS
As part of the undergraduate ceremonies, Mines honored its Fall 2025 Outstanding Graduating Seniors. Chosen by faculty and staff and each representing a different academic major, the nine students were recognized for their high scholastic achievement and on-campus engagement.
Selvage, of Lakewood, Colorado, plans to return to Mines to pursue a master’s degree.
Favorite Mines memory: Late-night study sessions with friends.
Cole Kics, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Kics, of Shorewood, Illinois, will work in the pharmaceutical industry before considering graduate school in a few years.
Favorite Mines memory: Trips to the mountains with new friends and communities.
Greta Martin, Civil Engineering
Martin, of Boise, Idaho, will pursue a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering, with an emphasis on geotechnical engineering, at Mines.
Favorite Mines memory: Hosting the first clothing swap for Mines Sustainable Fashion club.
Rai, of Aurora, Colorado, will finish her master’s degree in data science at Mines and then work as a software engineer at Salesforce.
Favorite Mines memory: Running and organizing the DECTech STEM summer camps for elementary and middle school students.
Zakhem, of Beirut, Lebanon, will work as a substation design engineer at Black and Veatch in Denver.
Favorite Mines memory: Serving as a resident advisor for three years.
Wilson, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, will pursue a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering at Mines and then work in environmental consulting as a remediation engineer.
Favorite Mines memory: Sunrise hike at Oredigger Camp.
Caden Paschke, Mechanical Engineering
Paschke, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, has accepted a job at Ursa Major in Berthoud.
Favorite Mines memory: Meeting his future wife in Calculus 2 and being a part of Salt Company at Storyline Church.
McGinnis, of Chesterland, Ohio, will attend the University of California, Berkeley to pursue a PhD in materials science and engineering.
Favorite Mines memory: Being an Oredigger Camp counselor and getting his camp groups on President Paul C. Johnson’s Instagram.
Tong, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, plans to apply to medical school while continuing to work as a researcher with Assistant Professor John Yang at Vanderbilt University and gaining clinical experience by working at a hospital, clinic or medical office near Golden.
Favorite Mines memory: Making blankets for Children’s Hospital Colorado with fellow Harvey Scholars.
UNIVERSITY-WIDE AWARDS
The Dan Fox Outstanding Student Service Award is presented by the Division of Student Life to the students who, during their tenure at Mines, above their academic role, vigorously participated in activities for the greater benefit of their peers and community to promote excellence and well-being: Lauren Billi
ADDITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS
Computer Science
- Faculty Choice Award: Katrina Ngo, Jaden Nguyen
Mechanical Engineering
- Emeritus Faculty Exemplary Undergraduate Student: Jack Hickisch
- Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Student Athlete: Meghan Slaninka
- John Steele Commemorative Service Award: Viviana Nelson
Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
- Alan Kissock Award: Ryan McGinnis
- Clark B. Carpenter Award: Rachel Chase
MILITARY COMMISSIONS
The following students will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army:
- Jack Keenan
The following students will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Air Force:
- Wilson Hyatt
- Grantham Roche
- Kameron Salazar
/filters:format(webp)/prod01/mines/media/minesedu/admin-media/placeholder-images/Guggenheim.png)
About Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society – all to create a more prosperous future.
