DayOne 2025

As Montana Tech marks 125 years of educating problem-solvers and builders, Metallurgical & Materials Engineering (MME) is carrying that legacy forward, igniting curiosity, opening doors, and welcoming the next generation of Orediggers.

Building the Pipeline: The MME Summer Program

In just three years, the MME Summer Program has become a transformative week for high school juniors and seniors—and an incredibly effective recruiting tool for Montana Tech.

Proven results: Over 80% of rising seniors from the inaugural 2023 cohort enrolled at Montana Tech in Fall 2024, with five choosing MME as their major.

National reach: Each year we welcome 30 participants from across the U.S., including Montana, California, Colorado, and Illinois.

Hands-on learning: Students dive into lectures and lab exercises, tour the Orphan Girl underground mine, visit local industries, and cap the week with a fan-favorite knife blade forging competition that even drew local media attention.

Access for all: The program is offered free of charge, thanks to generous donors and the time and expertise of our faculty, students, and community volunteers.

The 2025 program cost nearly $30,000, supported by WAAIME, the Harmel A. “Bull” Dawson and Jane Sauerbier Dawson Endowment, and by gifts made during last year’s DayOne including a powerful match from Mark Johnson ’81. 

Looking ahead, the 2026 program (June 14–19) will continue this momentum and expand access to hands-on engineering experiences for motivated high school students.

DayOne is about fueling opportunity—today. Your gift to the Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Outreach and Recruitment Fund sustains the MME Summer Program and other high-impact outreach that introduces young people to materials, metals, and the world of engineering.

DayOne Matching Opportunity

This DayOne, through a matching commitment alumni Mark Johnson ’81 will match your gift 1:1 to the MME Outreach and Recruitment Fund—up to $12,500. 

That means every dollar you give is immediately doubled to support recruitment, access, and hands-on learning.

Join Us and Share the Momentum

Your generosity helps Montana Tech honor 125 years of “learn by doing” while investing in the next century of Oredigger innovation. Thank you for your support and please help us spread the word! Share this project on social media, by email and tell your friends!