Christopher J. Bise, professor and Robert E. Murray Chair of Mining Engineering at West Virginia University, has been awarded the 2012 Erskine Ramsay Medal from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. The award was established in 1948 to recognize distinguished achievements in the coal mining industry.

Bise earned the award “for his distinguished leadership and achievement as an engineer, consultant, researcher, educator, author and administrator,” said David L. Kanagy, executive director of SME. He was also recognized for his “ability to integrate various advances in science, engineering, and management for the betterment of the U.S. coal-mining industry.”

Throughout his career, Bise has been associated with the planning, engineering, operation, management, teaching and research aspects of mining and occupational and environmental health and safety. He is a registered professional engineer and a certified mine safety professional.

After earning his undergraduate degree in mining engineering from Virginia Tech, Bise worked for the Consolidation Coal Company as a resident engineer for two underground coal mines in eastern Ohio. He started graduate school at Penn State University in 1974 and joined the faculty in 1976. He rose through the professorial ranks and later became chair of the program.

During his tenure, he created and chaired the Industrial Health and Safety Program. After resigning at the rank of professor emeritus from Penn State, Bise joined the staff at WVU in 2006.

SME is an international society of professionals in the minerals industry with more than 13,000 members in nearly 100 countries. Recent Erskine Ramsay medal winners include Syd Peng, former chair of the department.

-WVU-

mcd/02/23/12

CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon
304-293-4086; mary.dillon@mail.wvu.edu

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