› ALUMNI

I grew up in Texas, South Louisiana and tropical Southeast Asia. When I was invited to apply for the Harvey Scholarship, I had traveled in four continents, but had never visited Colorado. Quite frankly, my first impressions were sub-par: a gymnastics injury meant that I could never hike or ski, Colorado was (frankly) COLD and I spent most of my interview weekend with a raging altitude headache. Four years later, I am glad I valued new experiences and challenges over creature comforts. These last few years at Mines have further instilled me with the confidence, drive and acceptance of diversity that my expat childhood started. One of my fears was that the academics at Mines would be so overwhelming that I would not be able to pursue the service and activity involvement I enjoy. The Harvey Scholarship helped convince me otherwise. I have enjoyed the comradery of the Harvey Scholars even though we are a very diverse group. Hugh and Michelle Harvey have become great examples of warmth and generosity that has been an important touchstone for me as I navigated my path at Mines. Their guiding principles encouraged me to become an admissions tour guide for three years and to accept the challenge of an honors public policy minor. The last four years have provided me with two out-of-state internships that have more than prepared me for my future job as a reliability engineer with an international company. Harvey program backing has meant that I have not only earned a world-class engineering education, but also that I have been encouraged to “pay it forward” to future students through active roles in Tau Beta Pi, Order of Omega, Blue Key, a chemistry TA-ship, Mines cheerleading and multiple leadership roles in Greek Life through Pi Beta Phi. The fact that it is still WAY too cold in Colorado, reminds me too that my real goal is to go back to Southeast Asia through my job and “pay it forward” again working to improve infrastructure and quality of life there.