The SME Norwood Student Chapter at UK has been selected as the 2018 recipient of the MEC Student Chapter Award. The award recognizes the outstanding efforts of an SME Student Chapter on a college campus and their faculty and industry advisors for their accomplishments in community outreach and mining/mineral education to serve the mission of the MEC. The faculty advisor for the student chapter is Jack Groppo, professor in the Department of Mining Engineering.
In addition, the University of Kentucky Explosives Research Team (UKERT) will be honored as the 2018 recipient of the MEC Organization Recognition Award. The award recognizes a group for exceptional efforts of involvement with MEC. According to the award notification, "UKERT, through outreach events both on campus and at their underground research facilities, is dedicated to educating and inspiring others about the importance of mining." The faculty advisor for UKERT is assistant professor Jhon Castro-Silva.
Both organizations will receive their awards at the SME 2019 Annual Conference & Expo and CMA 121st National Western Mining Conference in Denver, Colorado, February 24-27, 2019.