South Dakota School of Mines, Alumni Association

When Christina and Shawn McFarland think back on their time at South Dakota Mines, it’s not a diploma that comes to mind first. It’s the people who invested in them, the professors who pushed them, and the opportunities that helped turn long days on campus into the start of meaningful careers.

By the time they crossed the stage, both had multiple job offers waiting, a milestone that still stands out in their story. “That kind of outcome doesn’t happen by accident,” said Shawn. “It happens because of faculty, scholarship donors, career support, and a culture that holds students to a high standard.”

For them, that support wasn’t abstract, it was personal. Both Christina and Shawn came to Mines as scholarship recipients, their futures shaped by the kindness of individuals they didn’t know.

“Someone before you made it possible,” they reflected. “That support came from people who never met us but believed in what Mines produces. The least we can do is keep that chain intact for someone else.”

That perspective has only deepened with time. Now, as parents, they understand even more what it means to give a student the freedom to focus on learning, growing, and discovering what they’re capable of.

“We want students focused on the experience, not worried about whether they can afford to finish it,” they said.

Today, the McFarlands are giving back as members of the Catalyst Society, a community of young alumni choosing to invest early in the future of Mines. By committing to give $4,000 before age 40, Catalyst Society members support scholarships and experiential learning, stay connected to the university, and help open doors for the next generation of STEM leaders.

Because every Hardrocker story begins the same way: with someone who believed in them. Join the Catalyst Society and help keep the chain going.

https://cara.sdsmt.edu/catalystsociety/

We're continuing our countdown to the Heritage Awards by celebrating the remarkable alumni whose expertise, leadership, and innovation are making South Dakota Mines proud around the world.

Next up: Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Allen Sehn.

Growing up on a family farm near Linton, North Dakota, Allen transferred to South Dakota Mines midway through his freshman year and went on to earn both his bachelor's ('81) and master's ('83) degrees in civil engineering. After completing his Ph.D. in civil engineering at Virginia Tech and gaining professional engineering experience, he began a successful academic career focused on teaching, research, and mentoring the next generation of engineers.

For 13 years, Allen taught undergraduate and graduate courses, advised students, and conducted research on cement-based grouts, soil-cement mixtures, and concrete materials. His dedication to education earned consistently strong student evaluations and the College of Engineering Outstanding Teacher Award in 1996-97.

In 2003, Allen joined Hayward Baker Inc., the leading geotechnical construction contractor in North America, as Chief Engineer. Over the next 16 years, he advanced to Senior Vice President of Engineering for Hayward Baker and Keller Foundations, where he helped shape engineering standards, quality control procedures, and technical risk management practices across more than 30 ground improvement technologies. He became a recognized expert in aggregate pier foundation systems, wet soil mixing, and dry soil mixing methods, contributing to projects and engineering practices across the United States and Canada.

Throughout his career, Allen has shared his expertise through industry organizations, conferences, and professional leadership roles, helping advance the field of geotechnical engineering while mentoring engineers and supporting innovation throughout the profession.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Allen Sehn, whose accomplishments exemplify the technical excellence, leadership, and lifelong pursuit of knowledge that define the spirit of a Distinguished Alumnus.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting this year's Heritage Award honorees leading up to our celebration this fall.

What makes summer so great? Easy: Hardrockers.

This month has been packed with incredible moments, from Denver to Sioux Falls to Houston, from pub crawls and baseball games to welcoming future Hardrockers into the family and catching up with alumni who haven’t seen each other in years.

And the fun hasn’t stopped there. Our Development Officers have been hitting the road too, sharing coffee, meals, and conversations with alumni across the country. Hearing your stories, learning about your careers, and discovering what inspires you to stay connected to South Dakota Mines is one of the best parts of what we do.

Ready to reconnect with fellow Hardrockers, make new memories, and stay connected to the university you love? Check out our upcoming alumni events at the link below:

https://cara.sdsmt.edu/alumnievents/

No matter how far you roam, there’s always a place for you in the Hardrocker family. We hope to see you soon. 💙

Help us meet the moment.

What makes a South Dakota Mines education so valuable? Opportunity.

The opportunity to learn from world-class faculty. The opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and equipment. The opportunity to conduct research, join student organizations, build lifelong connections, and discover a future filled with possibility.

Creating those opportunities takes more than classrooms and labs, it takes a community willing to invest in student success.

That's why the Mines Advancement Fund matters.

The Mines Advancement Fund provides support where it's needed most, helping Mines respond to new opportunities and emerging needs as they arise. Whether it's expanding scholarship opportunities, enhancing labs with new equipment and technology, supporting faculty excellence, improving facilities, strengthening programs that enrich the student experience, or creating meaningful opportunities for alumni to stay connected, engaged, and invested in the future of Mines, this fund helps ensure Hardrockers have the resources and community they need to succeed.

When you give to the Mines Advancement Fund, you're investing in the people, programs, and experiences that make a Mines education extraordinary.

Your gift helps us meet today's needs, seize tomorrow's opportunities, and create a brighter future for the next generation of Hardrockers.

https://cara.sdsmt.edu/maf/

We're continuing our countdown to the Heritage Awards by celebrating the remarkable alumni whose leadership, innovation, and impact are making South Dakota Mines proud across the country.

Next up: Distinguished Alumnus Clark Moseley.
Throughout a distinguished career in mining and energy development, Clark Moseley has helped shape major projects and organizations across the western United States. Known for his vision, leadership, and ability to turn opportunity into action, he built a reputation for successfully developing, designing, and opening new mining operations while driving growth and operational excellence.

The defining chapter of Clark's career came as CEO of Navajo Transitional Energy Company from 2014 to 2022. Under his leadership, the company grew from a startup operation into the third-largest coal producer in the United States. His ability to build teams, navigate complex challenges, and create sustainable growth helped establish the company as a major force in the energy industry.

Over the course of his career, Clark has been recognized as an innovative and results-driven leader who consistently identified opportunities, developed strategic solutions, and guided organizations through periods of growth and transformation. His contributions to the mining industry earned him the prestigious Floyd W. Parsons Award from the Rocky Mountain Mining Institute, one of the industry's highest honors.

Clark's impact extends beyond his professional accomplishments. He has remained a dedicated supporter of South Dakota Mines and a strong advocate for Native American students, helping create opportunities for future generations of engineers, scientists, and industry leaders.

Please join us in congratulating Clark Moseley, whose career exemplifies the leadership, determination, and commitment to others that define the spirit of a Distinguished Alumnus.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting this year's Heritage Award honorees leading up to our celebration this fall.

We'll be honest: the CARA office has come down with a serious case of missing our alumni blues. It's gotten pretty bad. There have been dramatic sighs, long stares out the window, and at least one suspiciously emotional sticky-note poem. We can't confirm that someone is currently working on a sad ballad titled "Where Have All the Hardrockers Gone?" but we also can't rule it out.

That's where you come in! If you're visiting the Black Hills this summer for work, vacation, or just passing through, stop by the CARA office and say hello! We'd love to catch up, hear what you've been up to, and remind ourselves that our alumni aren't just legends from stories we tell around the office.

And if campus isn't on your summer travel plans, don't forget to check out our Hardrocker events happening across the country. We'd love to see you wherever you are and spend some time with the people we miss most.
https://cara.sdsmt.edu/alumnievents/