GOLDEN, Colo., Nov. 6, 2014 – Colorado School of Mines President M. W. Scoggins announced today that he plans to retire in 2015. Scoggins became the university’s 16^th president in June 2006 after more than 34 years in the global oil and gas industry with Mobil and ExxonMobil, retiring as a senior executive in 2004. He remains active in the industry through service on several boards of directors.

“The Board of Trustees would like to thank Dr. Scoggins for his extraordinary service to Mines,” said Jim Spaanstra, chairman. “Through his leadership, Mines reached remarkable levels of excellence, grew its global reputation and strengthened its financial health despite periods of economic turbulence.”

During his tenure, significant university achievements include:

• Increasing the graduation rate for undergraduate students to 75 percent, and freshman retention rates to 94 percent. 
• Expanding the national demand for a Mines education with undergraduate applications increasing from 6,000 to more than 13,000, and non-resident students growing from 26 percent of the freshman class to 41 percent.
• Growing faculty headcount by nearly 35 percent to 277, and establishing the financial resources to grow to 305 in the upcoming year. 
• Nearly doubling the annual sponsored research to more than $60 million.   
• Breaking university fundraising records in three consecutive years, raising more than $47 million in 2014, and increasing the Mines endowment to $271 million.
• Increasing donor-established chairs and professorships from 23 to 35.  
• Transforming the Mines campus through an investment of more than $230 million dollars in new buildings, facilities and other capital improvements.
• Establishing the residential campus initiative: creating facilities, programs and services that enhanced the comprehensive educational experience for Mines students.
• Creating the Colorado Scholars scholarship program to ensure that a Mines education remains affordable for the brightest students in the state with the greatest financial need.

In his communication to campus, Scoggins said, “The dedication, excellence, and work ethic of Mines students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are the true hallmarks of this extraordinary institution. I look forward to thanking the many individuals who have contributed so much to the success of Mines. In the meantime, our work continues as we strive to advance Mines’ stature as a premier research university.”

The Mines board of trustees will announce plans for the presidential search in the upcoming days. Scoggins has agreed to the board’s request that he continue to serve as president until his successor is available.

Contact:

Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations, Colorado School of Mines / 303-273-3541 / kgilbert@mines.edu
Kathleen Morton, Communications Coordinator, Colorado School of Mines / 303-273-3088 / kmorton@mines.edu