| MTU HONORS MINING ALUMNI HOUGHTON, MI--Five alumni of the Mining Engineering Department of Michigan Technological University were honored for their outstanding achievements recently at the Academy of Distinguished Mining Engineers Inaugural Banquet and Induction Ceremony. The Academy recognizes outstanding graduates of the Mining Engineering Department. Election to the Academy is based on the nominees excellence and leadership in engineering and civic affairs. There are over 800 alumni from the 114-year history of Mining Engineering at Michigan Tech, the department being the first organized in what was originally called the Michigan College of Mines. Since 1995, 37 alumni have been inducted into the Academy. The inductees for 1999 are Lawrence B. Farnum, Frank J. Klima, Fay L. Partlo, Charles L. Matson, and Harry E. Roscoe. Lawrence B. Farnum, class of 1941, of Frisco, CO, retired in 1982 as manager of engineering services for Atlantic-Richfield Co. (ARCO), Anaconda Minerals Co. in Denver, CO. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and in the Army Corps of Engineers in the United States, Korea, Turkey, Germany, and Vietnam, attaining the rank of Colonel. He was general manager for the startup of the Sar Chesmeh Mining Co., in Iran, and went on to become manager of engineering services for Anaconda Minerals Co. in Denver, CO. Farnum is a member of the MTU Alumni Association and the Golden M Club. Klima, class of 1954, a native of Alpha, MI, is president of F.J. Klima, Inc., an engineering consulting firm in Virginia, MN. He is also founder and president of the Superior Rock Bit Co. He has applied his knowledge and experience to promote improved mining methods and holds several U.S. patents for products developed for the benefit of the mining industry. Klima has been an MTU Century II Campaign volunteer and is an Alumni Association Lifetime Member. Matson, class of 1949, of Sun City West, AZ, is the son of Professor Robert C. Matson, who taught in the Mining and Civil Engineering Departments from 1918 to 1950. He participated in several mine start-ups as chief industrial engineer for Erie Mining Co. on the Minnesota and Michigan iron ranges. He held several management positions and retired in 1984 as general manager of purchasing and traffic for Pickands Mather corporate properties in Ohio. Matson is a member of the Michigan Tech Alumni Board of Managers. Partlo, class of 1923, of Rapid City, SD, served as instructor, assistant professor and professor of mathematics and physics at Michigan Tech from 1923 to 1944. In 1994 he became head of the MTU Physics Department and Roscoe, class of 1946, born in Hancock, MI and now residing in Belleville, Ontario, is the retired manager of Canada Talc Industries. After serving as a flying officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force, he held various positions with Noranda Mines and Kerr-Addison Gold Mines. He also participated in exploration projects as a bush pilot and geological assistant in the Northwest Territories with the Geological Survey of Canada. He has been a member of the MTU Presidents Club since 1987. "We are very proud of our inductees," said Dr. Francis Otuonye, Chair of the Mining Engineering Department. "I believe that there is a direct correlation between their accomplishments and the quality of education |