West Virginia Universitys mining engineering students have been recognized with the Outstanding Student Chapter Award from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) for its community service and outreach efforts.

The activities that helped the chapter garner this national recognition included visiting area high schools to speak to students about careers in the mining industry; leading mining-related activities during Eighth Graders Day; raising money for Adopt-a-Family and Hurricane Katrina relief; and hosting a minerals booth for kids and families at the annual Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show at Mont Chateau State Park, W.Va. earlier this year.

We want to give back to the community and to help educate people about mining and the mining industry,said chapter president Morgan Sears, a mining engineering senior at WVU .

Chapter members will travel to Denver in February for the Annual SME Conference to receive the award.