By Srujan Mishra, Ph.D. Candidate, Nano
On the early morning of September 19, 2012, we all learnt the sad news of the sudden passing away of the eighteenth president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Dr. Robert A. Wharton. This news came as a shock to all of us. Dr. Wharton was looking healthy a week earlier, and we were told that he was in office the previous day. This news of his passing away will take some time to sink-in. Here, on this blog, I would like to share some wonderful experiences that we, the India Club, and I have had with Dr. Wharton.
Dr. Wharton was a gentleman. He was the best president of SDSMT that I had known so far. He was particularly friendly with students and was very approachable. He had great visions for the School of Mines and that showed in his undertaking of numerous projects that he proudly named, "Mines Pride." I remember in the Fall of 2010, Dr. Wharton and first lady, Dr. Carolyn Fassi Wharton invited the entire India Club students over to their residence for a post-Diwali dinner. It was the president's way of recognizing our student organization, to thank us for the biggest cultural event on-campus, and to learn more about us and international students, in general. That was a very kind gesture from the president. We were made to feel so comfortable at their home, that we soon forgot that we were at the president's residence.
My last meeting with Dr. Wharton was at the Graduate Student's reception at the beginning of the Fall 2012 semester. I remember shaking hands with him and he was asking me about my research and Ph.D. Almost every student I know who has ever met him has told that the president had shook hands with them. That showed how friendly and open he was towards the students.
I am very honored to have received my Master of Science degree from Dr. Wharton at the 162nd commencement in December 2010. His approach to the School and his vision of the future for SDSMT was great! He coined the phrase, "Legacy of Excellence", and I am sure that all of us would agree to continue that legacy.
The memorial service for Dr. Robert Wharton was held at the Quad on Monday, September 24. Like the Student Association president, Spencer Ferguson, said, "Dr. Wharton will be missed but not forgotten."
I will leave you with this video of the Hardrocker Athletic team remembering Dr. Wharton at the Mines vs William Jewel College football game.
On the early morning of September 19, 2012, we all learnt the sad news of the sudden passing away of the eighteenth president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Dr. Robert A. Wharton. This news came as a shock to all of us. Dr. Wharton was looking healthy a week earlier, and we were told that he was in office the previous day. This news of his passing away will take some time to sink-in. Here, on this blog, I would like to share some wonderful experiences that we, the India Club, and I have had with Dr. Wharton.
Dr. Wharton was a gentleman. He was the best president of SDSMT that I had known so far. He was particularly friendly with students and was very approachable. He had great visions for the School of Mines and that showed in his undertaking of numerous projects that he proudly named, "Mines Pride." I remember in the Fall of 2010, Dr. Wharton and first lady, Dr. Carolyn Fassi Wharton invited the entire India Club students over to their residence for a post-Diwali dinner. It was the president's way of recognizing our student organization, to thank us for the biggest cultural event on-campus, and to learn more about us and international students, in general. That was a very kind gesture from the president. We were made to feel so comfortable at their home, that we soon forgot that we were at the president's residence.
My last meeting with Dr. Wharton was at the Graduate Student's reception at the beginning of the Fall 2012 semester. I remember shaking hands with him and he was asking me about my research and Ph.D. Almost every student I know who has ever met him has told that the president had shook hands with them. That showed how friendly and open he was towards the students.
I am very honored to have received my Master of Science degree from Dr. Wharton at the 162nd commencement in December 2010. His approach to the School and his vision of the future for SDSMT was great! He coined the phrase, "Legacy of Excellence", and I am sure that all of us would agree to continue that legacy.
The memorial service for Dr. Robert Wharton was held at the Quad on Monday, September 24. Like the Student Association president, Spencer Ferguson, said, "Dr. Wharton will be missed but not forgotten."
I will leave you with this video of the Hardrocker Athletic team remembering Dr. Wharton at the Mines vs William Jewel College football game.