March 23-24, 2000

ITEM 106-1503-R0300 Professor Emeritus Status for Professor Thomas E. Finch; Montana Tech of The University of Montana

THAT: Upon the occasion of the retirement of Professor Thomas E. Finch from the faculty of Montana Tech of The University of Montana, the faculty wishes to express its appreciation for his years of dedicated and valued service to the College, the Department of Mining Engineering, and the State of Montana by recommending that the rank of Professor Emeritus be conferred upon him by the Board of Regents of the Montana University System.

EXPLANATION: Tom Finch was born in Sterling Illinois. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in Mining Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1963 and 1964 respectively. He received his Ph.D. in Mining Engineering from the University of Idaho in 1978. Professor Finch joined the faculty of Montana College of Mineral Science & Technology in 1966 as Assistant Professor and left in 1969 to join the faculty of Wisconsin State University. He returned to Montana Tech in 1971.

Promotion to Associate Professor was achieved in 1976 and in 1983 he was promoted to Professor. Professor Finch was named the Ingersoll-Rand, Utah International Professor in 1983, and in 1996 was named the Newmont Mining Professor. He served as Department Head of the Mining Department from 1981 to 1988.

Professor Finch is an outstanding teacher who takes great interest and pride in his students. In 1975 he received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award and in 1978 received the Amoco Outstanding Teacher Award. In 1995 the Old Timer�s Club, a national organization of coal mining executives, awarded Professor Finch the Old Timers faculty award for being the most outstanding mining professor in the nation.

In addition to outstanding service to students, Professor Finch has been extremely active in professional societies. He received Professional Engineer certification in 1979 and served on the Professional Certification Committee for SME. He has served as Head of all the education committees of SME and has been an accreditation visitor for ABET since 1982. Professor Finch was a member of the Montana Coal Board from 1990 to 1997.

With this recommendation goes sincere thanks for 31 years of invaluable service, congratulations, and best wishes for the future.