The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. (SME) student chapter of Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University was awarded a prize for recruiting the highest number of new members. The chapter recruited 50 new and 64 renewed members for a total of 114.
The SME Student Chapter Fall Membership Challenge is an annual membership contest between SME student chapters, and is intended to challenge student members to recruit newcomers to join the student chapter and become SME members.
Twenty-four student chapters participated in the 2013 contest, which brought 414 new student members and 375 renewals. Through their membership, a student’s opportunities to be involved with industry professionals and the potential for training and skills development are unmatched.
“As the mining industry’s premier professional society, SME is committed to providing superior opportunities to our young leaders through their membership in a local student chapter,” said SME Executive Director David L. Kanagy. “Student chapters of SME offer the first opportunity for a young person to engage in the world of mining outside of the classroom.”
Cash prizes for the schools with the highest percentage of growth in membership went to:
- South Dakota School of Mines & Tech.
- University of Arizona.
- West Virginia University.
The following schools recruited 25 or more students during the challenge and each received a cash bonus:
- Missouri University of Science and Technology.
- South Dakota School of Mines & Tech.
- University of Arizona.
- University of Kentucky.
- University of Nevada-Reno.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.