Two UMR students were chosen as the first UMR School of Mines and Metallurgy academy scholars during UMR’s annual Academy of School of Mines and Metallurgy meeting on April 16.

Left-to-right: Richard Hunt, UMR School of Mines and Metallurgy Academy member; Craig A. Heimericks of Argyle, Mo., a senior in nuclear engineering; Laura L. Castle of Rolla, Mo., a senior in metallurgical engineering; and Dr. William Horst, UMR School of Mines and Metallurgy Academy member.

Laura L. Castle of Rolla, Mo., a senior in metallurgical engineering, and Craig A. Heimericks of Argyle, Mo., a senior in nuclear engineering, each received $500 and a Tag Heuer watch engraved with their initials and year awarded. Both students will graduate May 15.

"We were very pleased with the initiation of the program and hope to continue it in the years to come," says Dr. Tom O’Keefe, Curators’ Professor emeritus of metallurgical engineering at UMR and member of the academy’s scholarship committee.

Candidates are nominated by students with guidance from their department chairs. To qualify for nomination, an individual must possess outstanding leadership skills, service and academic achievements at UMR. One must also have demonstrated potential to become a future leader and significant contributor to the profession, says O’Keefe.