The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is honoring veterans and active duty students and staff with a Veterans Day salute on Thursday, Nov. 9. The SD Mines Veterans Club is also hosting its annual chili cookoff on Nov. 15 in the Surbeck Center Ballroom (details here). Hardrocker athletics recognized veterans at the Military Appreciation Day football game on Nov. 4.
SD Mines has 173 students and 32 faculty/staff who are either Vets, Active Duty, Reserve Military, National Guard or ROTC with one student currently deployed. Recently returned from deployment last year are two SD Mines staff members and one student.
The Veterans Day salute begins at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 9 with an Honor Guard flag raising and presentation for our deployed student outside the main entrance of the Surbeck Center. Following the flag raising we will kick off in the SALC area with posting the colors, a Vets Club plaque dedication, and a USMC birthday cake cutting. There will be a singing performance of the National Anthem, a few words from MSG Ryan Wheele, and a speech from Mines Interim President Jan Puszynski.
Additionally, SD Mines is running a care package drive for our deployed student. Items may be brought to the Veterans Day salute on Nov. 9 or to the lower level of the Surbeck Center in the Veteran’s Resource Center any time before.
Items sought include: dried fruit, protein bars, protein powder, cereal packets, Little Debbie snacks, Rice Krispie treats, individual cookie packages, beef jerky/Slim Jims, powdered drink mixes, pretzels, Cheetos, Chapstick, deodorant, disposable hand/foot warmers, breath mints, sunblock, hard candy, baby wipes, foot powder, Ramen, toothbrushes, 5 hour energy, mechanics gloves, and handmade cards.
SD Mines has been ranked for the past seven years by Military Times Edge magazine in their annual “Best for Vets: Colleges” survey. Mines has also been ranked number 7 in the nation by BestCollegesOnline.com for “25 Colleges with Incredible Veteran Support” and has been designated as a Military Friendly School for seven years by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
