Montana Technological University

Public university in Butte, Montana, US

Montana Technological University

Former names

| Montana School of Mines (1900–1965)
Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology (1965–1994)
Montana Tech of the University of Montana (1994–2018)
Motto| De re metallica (Latin)

Motto in English

| Of the metals[a]
Type| Public university
Established| 1900; 125 years ago (1900)

Parent institution

| Montana University System

Academic affiliations

| Space-grant
Endowment| $47 Million
Chancellor| Les Cook[1]
Students| 2,429 (Fall 2024)[2]
Undergraduates| 2,224 (Fall 2024)[2]
Postgraduates| 205 (Fall 2024)[2]
Location|

Butte, Montana

U.S.

Campus| 56 acres (23 ha)
Colors|
Green & Copper
Nickname| Orediggers

Sporting affiliations

| NAIA – Frontier
Mascot| Charlie Oredigger
Website| mtech.edu

Montana Technological University, popularly known as Montana Tech, is a public university in Butte, Montana. Founded in 1900 as the "Montana State School of Mines", the university became affiliated with the University of Montana in 1994.[3] After undergoing several name changes, in 2017 the Montana University System Board of Regents voted to designate Montana Tech as part of Special Focus Four-Year Universities, the only such designation in the Montana University System.[4][5] To recognize this new designation and the greater independence with it, the name was officially changed in 2018 from "Montana Tech of the University of Montana" to "Montana Technological University".[6] Montana Tech's focus is on engineering, applied and health science.

In fall 2017, Montana Tech had nearly 2,700 students. It has 13 campus buildings and offers 39 undergraduate degrees along with 15 minors, 5 certification degrees, and 9 pre-professional career programs.[3] Montana Tech also offers 18 graduate degrees and has Ph.D. programs in Materials Science and Engineering,[7] Interdisciplinary Studies,[8] and Earth Science and Engineering.[9]

## History

[edit]

The Enabling Act of 1889, which brought Montana into the Union, allotted land for the creation of a school of mines as one of the four original Montana University System universities.[10] In 1893 the Montana Legislature provided funding to establish the school in Butte. The cornerstone of Main Hall was laid in 1896, and the university opened its doors in 1900 as the "Montana State School of Mines".[5] The first student was a woman, Clara Clark of Butte, and Nathan R. Leonard acted as the first president.[11] Despite enthusiastic local support, even offers of free land for construction,[12] the early history of the school was fraught with poor funding and accusations of fraud,[13][14][15] but with the help of former governor John E. Rickards, the school was opened.[16]

In 1919 the Montana Legislature established the Montana State Bureau of Mines and Metallurgy on the campus in keeping with Montana Tech as a school focusing on the development of minerals and industry. Charles H. Clapp of the mining department served as the first president of the Bureau.[17]

The school was renamed the "Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology" in 1965. It began moving beyond purely engineering and applied sciences, adding social science and liberal arts options. Alumni Coliseum opened on campus.

The university became affiliated with the University of Montana in 1994 with a reorganization of the Montana University System.[3] The name was changed to "Montana Tech of the University of Montana". The Butte Vocational-Technical Center was put under Montana Tech administration as the College of Technology. In 1998 Frank Gilmore became chancellor.

In 2010 the Natural Resource Building (NRB) opened. It now accommodates the Bureau of Mines and the Petroleum Engineering Department. In 2011 Don Blackketter became chancellor. In 2012 the College of Technology became Highlands College, and the Frank and Ann Gilmore University Relations Center (URC) building opened.[5] The first Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering began in 2014 in partnership with University of Montana and Montana State University.[7] The Nursing Department began offering a full bachelor's degree in 2015.[18] In October 2021, the university announced a $7 million donation to the Nursing Department from Dave and Sherry Lesar. This led to renaming the Nursing Department the Sherry Lesar School of Nursing. These funds also contributed to the construction of the Lesar Family Nursing Simulation Center, which opened in spring 2022 in the Science & Engineering building.[19] In 2016, a full Bachelor's of Mechanical Engineering program was added,[20] and the Natural Resource Research Center opened on campus, including a new nano research lab and additional lab space for existing departments.[5]

In 2017 the Montana Board of Regents designated Montana Tech as part of Special Focus Four-Year Universities, the only such designation in the Montana University System, in recognition of Tech's focus on engineering, applied science and health science. This change gives greater independence by reporting directly to the Board of Regents and handling its own finances instead of through the University of Montana.[4] To recognize this, in the summer of 2018, the school's name was changed to "Montana Technological University".[6] Les Cook became chancellor in 2019.

On April 25, 2023, the university announced the largest donation in its history from Ryan Lance, CEO of ConocoPhillips.[21] On September 21, 2023, the university's School of Mines and Engineering was officially renamed the Lance College of Mines and Engineering by unanimous vote of the Montana University System Board of Regents.[22]

### Presidents (1900–1994) and chancellors (1994–present)

[edit]

Source:[23]

1. Nathan R. Leonard, 1900–1909[24][25]
2. Charles H. Bowman, 1909–1919[26]
3. Charles H. Clapp, 1919–1921[27]
4. George Warren Craven, 1921–1928[28][29]
5. Francis Andrew Thomson, 1928–1950[30][31]
6. J. Robert Van Pelt, 1951–1956[32][33]
7. Edwin G. Koch, 1957–1971[34][35]
8. Fred W. DeMoney, 1972–1985[36][37]
9. Lindsay Norman Jr., 1986–1998[38][39]
10. Frank Gilmore, 1998–2011[40][41]
11. Don Blackketter, 2011–2019[3]
12. Les Cook, 2019–present[3]

## Academics

[edit]

Montana Technological University offers 39 undergraduate degrees consisting of 11 associate degrees and 28 undergraduate majors, along with over 15 minors, 5 certification degrees, and 9 pre-professional career programs. Montana Tech also offers 18 graduate degrees including three Ph.D. programs in Materials Science and Engineering,[7] Interdisciplinary Studies,[42] and Earth Science and Engineering.[9]

Montana Tech consists of four colleges:

* Lance College of Mines & Engineering
* College of Letters, Sciences, and Professional Studies
* Highlands College
* Graduate School

## Athletics

[edit]

Main article: Montana Tech Orediggers

MTU athletics logo

The Montana Tech athletic teams are called the Orediggers, named after Butte's mining history. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Frontier Conference since the 1933–34 academic year.

Montana Tech competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, golf, and track & field (indoor and outdoor); women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball.

## Reputation and rankings

[edit]

In 2014, Montana Tech was ranked sixth in the nation for graduates earning the highest starting salaries, according to the Washington Post.[43] In 2015, The Wall Street Journal ranked Montana Tech ninth in the nation for best public universities for return on investment.[44]

Montana Tech has had 1 Fulbright Scholar, 3 Rhodes Scholar finalists, 11 Goldwater Scholars, and 5 Goldwater honorable mentions.[45][46]

## Student life

[edit]

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023[47] Race and ethnicity  | Total

|

White | 82%  | 82

Hispanic | 5%  | 5

Unknown  | 5%  | 5

Two or more races | 3%  | 3

American Indian/Alaska Native | 2%  | 2

Asian | 1%  | 1

Black | 1%  | 1

International student | 1%  | 1

Economic diversity
Low-income[b] | 22%  | 22

Affluent[c] | 78%  | 78

## Notable alumni

[edit]

* Mike Mansfield, former United States Senator
* Arnold Olsen, former United States Representative
* Don Heater, former NFL player
* Craig Kupp, former NFL player
* Ryan Lance, CEO of ConocoPhillips
* Tucker Wetmore, country singer-songwriter

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ De Re Metallica ("On the Nature of Metals") was a book by 16th-century metallurgist Georg Agricola (Georg Bauer).
2. ^ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
3. ^ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Montana Tech Hires New Chancellor". Montana Tech. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
2. ^ a b c "Enrollment Data" (PDF). Montana Tech. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
3. ^ a b c d e "History". Montana Tech. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
4. ^ a b david.mccumber@mtstandard.com, DAVID McCUMBER. "Montana Tech looks to future as special-focus institution". Montana Standard. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
5. ^ a b c d "The History of Montana Tech - STEM college in Montana". www.mtech.edu. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
6. ^ a b McDermott, Ted (May 24, 2018). "Montana Tech officially renamed Montana Technological University". The Montana Standard. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
7. ^ a b c "Material Science Engineering Graduate Program, Montana Tech". www.mtech.edu. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
8. ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies Ph.D." Retrieved September 5, 2023.
9. ^ a b "Earth Science and Engineering Graduate Program, Montana Tech". www.mtech.edu. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
10. ^ Leonard, N.R. (December 21, 1900). "The Montana State School of Mines". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
11. ^ "Montana's School of Mines". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. February 2, 1901. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
12. ^ "For the School of Mines". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. April 21, 1893. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
13. ^ "Charges of Fraud". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. May 17, 1897. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
14. ^ "It May Be Erected". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. November 2, 1895. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
15. ^ "School of Mines Trustees Discuss the Situation". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. December 14, 1900.
16. ^ Smith, Robert (January 6, 1899). "School of Mines". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
17. ^ "New Montana State Bureau of Mines and Metallurgy Has Already Proven of Value to the Mining Interests". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. November 9, 1919. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
18. ^ "Montana Board of Regents Approve 4-Year Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at Montana Tech". www.mtech.edu. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
19. ^ "Montana Tech Nursing Receives Historic Gift". www.mtech.edu. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
20. ^ Renata.Birkenbuel@mtstandard.com, Renata Birkenbuel. "First mechanical, civil engineering students graduate Tech on Friday". Montana Standard. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
21. ^ "Montana Tech Alumnus Ryan Lance '84, Chairman and CEO of ConocoPhillips Company, and his wife Lise make historic $31 million gift to Montana Technological University". www.mtech.edu. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
22. ^ "Montana Technological University celebrates naming of the Lance College of Mines & Engineering". www.mtech.edu. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
23. ^ Bender, Matt (August 18, 1994). "Merger paying off, Tech chancellor says". Montana Standard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
24. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (December 21, 1900). "Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, December 21, 1900, Christmas Number, Image 21". ISSN 2470-3354. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
25. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (July 9, 1917). "The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, July 09, 1917, Image 3". p. 3\. ISSN 2329-5457. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
26. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (April 9, 1919). "Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, April 09, 1919, Image 12". p. 12\. ISSN 2378-833X. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
27. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (July 8, 1921). "The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, July 08, 1921, Image 7". ISSN 2576-7003. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
28. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (September 8, 1921). "The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, September 08, 1921, Image 9". Retrieved July 24, 2020.
29. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (July 19, 1928). "The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, July 19, 1928, Image 2". Retrieved July 24, 2020.
30. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (July 19, 1928). "The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, July 19, 1928, Image 2". Retrieved July 24, 2020.
31. ^ "Hundreds of Friends Express Regret at Resignation of Dr. Thomson, Mining College President 22 Years". Montana Standard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
32. ^ "Dr. J. R. Van Pelt Named President of School of Mines". Montana Standard. March 11, 1951. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
33. ^ "Dr. J. Robert Van Pelt of Mines Will Become Michigan Tech President". Montana Standard. June 24, 1956. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
34. ^ "Dr. Edwin G. Koch Named President of Mining College". Montana Standard. April 9, 1957. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
35. ^ "Tech president to retire July 1". Montana Standard. March 2, 1971. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
36. ^ "DeMoney new Tech president". Montana Standard. March 15, 1972. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
37. ^ McGrath, Karen (August 18, 1984). "DeMoney to retire in '85". Montana Standard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
38. ^ "Former mines bureau chief named Tech president". Montana Standard. February 25, 1986. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
39. ^ "Ex-Tech chancellor accepts helm at Boston-area college". Montana Standard. February 11, 1999. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
40. ^ Rolston, Kortny (March 18, 1998). "West Virginian takes Tech helm". Montana Standard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
41. ^ Gevock, Nick (September 24, 2010). "Tech chancellor to retire in June". Montana Standard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
42. ^ "Interdisciplinary Studies, Ph.D." Retrieved September 5, 2023.
43. ^ "Where to go to college if you want the highest starting salary". Washington Post. September 11, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
44. ^ Belkin, Douglas (March 1, 2015). "Are Prestigious Private Colleges Worth the Cost?". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
45. ^ "Dr. Chris Danielson Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Russia to Teach History". www.mtech.edu. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
46. ^ Staff, NBC Montana (April 4, 2023). "Four Montana students win prestigious Goldwater Scholarship". KECI. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
47. ^ "College Scorecard: Montana Technological University". College Scorecard. United States Department of Education. Retrieved June 20, 2025.

## Further reading

[edit]

* 25 Statutes at Large, 676; 1 Supp. Rev. St. U.S. pp. 645, 648.
* Laws of 1893; Section 1572, Political Code of Montana
* Laws of 1895; Sections 1591, 1594, 1595, 1600, Political Code of Montana
* McGlynn, Terrence D. Montana Tech 1893-1984. Butte, MT: Montana Tech Foundation, 1984.
* Munday, Pat. Biographical entry for C.H. Clapp (1883-1935), geologist and Montana School of Mines President. American National Biography, ed. John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes, 24 vols. (Oxford University Press: 1999): v. 4, pp. 900–1.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Montana Tech of the University of Montana.

* Official website
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