Colorado School of Mines announces 2025 Alumni Award recipients

Colorado School of Mines presented the 2025 Alumni Awards at the Denver Holiday Party on December 2. The recipients embody the highest ideals of Mines’ mission through their leadership, service, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the community. 

Candidates are nominated by their peers, as well as Mines faculty, staff and students, reflecting the respect and admiration of those who recognize exceptional Orediggers who deserve gratitude from the community. Through professional achievement, academic involvement, community leadership, or student impact, our nominees represent the diverse and inspiring ways Orediggers lead with purpose. Awardees are selected by a volunteer selection committee, led by Tiffany Brewster ‘07. 

2025 Alumni Award Recipients

Melville F. Coolbaugh Award

Laurence “Larry” Preble ’61 is this year’s recipient of the Melville F. Coolbaugh Award, given to an Oredigger who has significantly enhanced the reputation and visibility of Mines through sustained leadership, advocacy, and professional excellence. 

Larry is a distinguished Oredigger and lifelong supporter of Mines who has dedicated decades of service to advancing the university’s mission and alumni community. After earning his professional degree in petroleum refining engineering in 1961 and a juris doctor from Loyola Law School in 1968, he built an accomplished career in commercial real estate law, negotiating national and international transactions.

Larry’s commitment to Mines runs deep. He has served on the Mines Alumni Board of Directors, Trustee Development Council, Reunion Giving Program, and as an M Club Leader. A former Mines Magazine editorial board member and current Foundation Board of Governors member, Larry continues to give his time, talent and treasure to advance the university. His generous philanthropy has earned him membership in the Heritage Society, Infinite Miners, Mines Century Society and Partners@150.

In 1998, he received the Mines Distinguished Achievement Medal. 

Outstanding Alum Award 

Delbert Grotewold ’84 is this year’s Outstanding Alum Award honoree, given to an Orediggers whose leadership, generosity, and service reflect Mines’ values and significantly enhance the experience of students, alumni, and/or the broader community. 

Delbert is a nationally respected expert in renewable fuels and chemical processing with more than 40 years of industry leadership. At Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, he has contributed across research, process engineering, operations, technical marketing and product development. His expertise spans process design, membrane technologies, renewable fuels production, advanced modeling, statistical process control and water reuse. He holds five patents, including innovations in applied AI modeling, and has published over 40 articles and presented at more than 30 industry conferences. He is also the engineer behind the high-altitude distillation stills at Breckenridge Distillery, where he continues as a consultant and shareholder.

A dedicated mentor, Delbert has guided engineering students for decades, consistently supporting the development of young engineers. 

M Club Leader of the Year Award 

Mitch Kruse ’85 is the M Club Leader of the Year, honoring an alumni volunteer who goes above and beyond to strengthen the connection between alumni and Mines. 

After earning his BS in mechanical engineering with a minor in material science from Mines in 1985 and an MBA in technology management from the University of Houston, Mitch built a successful career in both the oil and gas and software industries. 
Since 2007, Mitch has dedicated himself to engaging Mines alumni across the Pacific Northwest. Through signature events like the Annual E-Days Alumni Celebration, Seattle Send-Offs for incoming students, and the Mines@150 Gathering with President Johnson, he’s fostered connection, tradition and school pride. Mitch’s inclusive, hands-on leadership style has empowered countless alumni to get involved, volunteer and mentor the next generation of Orediggers.

His dedication continues to strengthen Mines’ presence and impact far beyond campus, ensuring Orediggers in the Pacific Northwest remain connected to each other and to the university they love.

Alumni Academic Involvement Award 

Bailey Burns ’18, MS '21 earned the Alumni Academic Involvement Award, recognizing a member of the Mines community whose meaningful involvement has directly advanced the academic experience, student development, or educational mission of Mines. 

Advancing human spaceflight is central to Baily Burns’ career. With a Mines bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2018 and a master's in space resources in 2021, she now serves as a Systems Engineer at Blue Origin, supporting NASA’s Artemis program and the development of Blue’s next-generation Transporter spacecraft. Her expertise spans ECLSS, crew systems, spacesuits and lunar habitat operations, strengthened by work on multiple analog missions.

Since 2020, Bailey has been a guest lecturer for CSM 250: Engineering Your Career Path, speaking to every section each semester. Students consistently rank her session as their favorite, citing her authenticity, relatable career story and actionable guidance on networking, personal branding and transitioning from Mines to industry. She makes herself accessible to students, follows up with each connection, and models the professionalism she teaches.

Alum of the Future Award 

Bridget Monroe is a senior mechanical engineering student at Mines and will continue in the 4+1 master’s program. The Alum of the Future Award honors a student who exemplifies the spirit and values of the alumni community through extraordinary involvement, leadership, and impact on campus and/or in their community.  

Bridget is a member of Blue Key Honor Society and a Blaster handler, bringing energy, leadership and pride to the Mines community. At the Career Center, she supports major initiatives, including Career Days, workshops, panels and resume sessions. She also serves as a CSM250 TA, where she has supported more than 100 students with thoughtful guidance and feedback. From volunteering at E-Days and Homecoming to assisting with employer events and social media projects, Bridget consistently goes above and beyond. Her positive attitude, work ethic and dedication to student success have made her an invaluable contributor to the Mines community.

Young Alum Award 

Jackie Simens Gant ’13, MS ’15 is the Young Alum Award recipient, honoring an alum within 15 years of graduation who demonstrates early-career excellence and outstanding contributions to their profession, community or Mines. 

She is the CEO of Bond Consulting Services and a leader in digital transformation for small and mid-sized businesses. With more than a decade of experience across Microsoft business applications, change management, and enterprise technology, she has led global teams, launched new service lines and earned multiple industry awards.

A double Mines graduate in applied mathematics in 2013 and 15, Jackie founded the Society for Women in Mathematics and has remained a strong advocate for women and underrepresented groups in STEM. She also created Konsei, a global employee resource group empowering women in tech, and mentors individuals through programs like TechFluent Academy.