Three ways Mines is building momentum in the Fall 2026 semester

The start of the school year always comes with energy, new faces and excitement, and this year was no exception. It’s the 10th anniversary of Oredigger Camp. We just launched the first-in-the-nation undergraduate degree program in quantum systems engineering, which already has about 70 students. All first- and second-year students are living on campus. The federal government is relying on Mines to produce the workforce and technology innovations needed for protected and resilient mineral supply chains.

It’s busy here, and it’s a great time to be at Mines. Here’s a closer look at how some of this energy is taking shape:

1. A more vibrant campus community

We opened the new 800-bed Lookout Apartments in August, fulfilling our dream of having all students live on campus for their first two years. This means more opportunities to work together on projects and assignments, more use of specialized facilities and academic support services, more participation in clubs and organizations, and a much more vibrant
on-campus community.

2. Being leaders in conversations that matter

Critical minerals, energy, AI and quantum are the front-and-center national topics, and we are leading many of those conversations. This fall, we’re hosting a slate of high-profile symposia on critical minerals, geothermal energy and nuclear systems. Our leadership was recently reinforced when President Trump publicly announced a proposed $32.7 million federal investment that enables us to launch a minerals technology development and commercialization hub in Golden. This followed an earlier $67 million federal grant to a Mines-ElementUSA team to launch a plant that produces critical minerals from red muds. Both are great opportunities for visibility and impact.

3. The hands-on power of student competitions

I’m always impressed by how Orediggers invest their time and find success outside the classroom. Whether they are on athletic teams or engineering competition teams, they build resilience, friendships, creativity and technical mastery in ways that stick with students long after graduation. One of our aspirations is for all of our competition teams to be nationally prominent. Check out this issue’s cover story to see how these experiences help students thrive.

All this success is directly connected to alumni. Your professional successes set the stage for some, and your advice and investments lead to others.  We invite you to be engaged as mentors, partners, advisors and supporters. Whether you’re working with a competition team, joining one of our symposia or opening a door for a fellow Oredigger, you’re helping move Mines forward.

Go Orediggers!

Paul C. Johnson
President and Professor