Partnerships

A partnership between the Department and the mining industry has been formed through the University of Kentucky Mining Engineering Foundation. Membership is held by various industries with the purpose to advise and consult with the administration of the College and the department on appropriate projects and programs, to solicit and receive gifts, bequests and devises, and to maintain an endowment to provide financial assistance to students, and to make the Department of Mining Engineering one of the finest in the nation.

Background

The Mining Engineering Foundation was established to enhance the mining engineering department. The mining industry made a pledge and contributed money to this endowment. Mr. Catesby Clay, President of Kentucky River Coal, matched the funds up to $500,000 to set up a million dollar foundation.

The interest from this account is used by the department for enhancement. An estimate of the income is given to the department each year from the University of Kentucky Controllers Office, and this figure is used as the basis for the department’s enhancement budget. This budget, which is submitted and approved by the Board of Directors, allows assistance in the area of travel, salaries for graduate students when grants are not available, summer startup money for new faculty, meals for guests of the department, student scholarships, communication with the mining community through mailings and presentations (Distinguished Lecture Series, Technology Transfer Session.)

There is an annual membership drive in the fall. Letters are sent in November to members, potential members and alumni. At this time, they are reminded of the January board meeting (and corresponding event, if any.) Prior to a board meeting, the executive committee meets to go over details of what will be presented to the board. A buffet luncheon in the Mining and Mineral Resources Building precedes the board meeting. If possible, the department will get UK basketball tickets for those members attending the winter meeting who want them. If there is no basketball game scheduled the weekend of the meeting, and the Kentucky Thoroughblades hockey team is in town, the department will try to get hockey tickets for those members attending the winter meeting.

The summer board meeting is held in late May or early June. The date is set at the January board meeting. The Distinguished Lecture series is held in conjunction with the summer board meeting. Following the lecture, there is a reception for all attendees. If you would like to become a member, or renew your membership, of the UK Mining Engineering Foundation, there is a membership application here online which you can print, fill out and send in. We look forward to adding you to the UK Mining Engineering Foundation!

Student Scholarships from the Foundation Budget

AIME/SME-CAS provided funds to the Department of Mining Engineering for scholarships. The Foundation board chose to deposit these funds into the Endowment fund and make annual scholarship awards a permanent part of the Foundation Budget.

The Catesby Clay Leadership Award

This is considered a scholarship award, but is separate from the above. This award is presented at the Mining Engineering Dinner, usually held in early April. The recipient is the incoming president of the student chapter of SME (Norwood Chapter.) The student members vote and choose this individual. It is understood by the recipient that part of the money is to be used to attend both of the Foundation board meetings because the board meetings are usually not held while classes are in session and the student may have to travel some distance to attend the meetings.