Knudsen to Receive Chancellor's Medallion

Montana Tech Chancellor Don Blackketter will present Dr. Peter Knudsen with the Chancellor’s Medallion at the university’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4, 2019.
The Chancellor’s Medallion is given at the sole discretion of the Chancellor to recognize an alumnus who has excelled in both their educational and professional careers. The award recipients will have earned at least one degree from Montana Tech and will have made significant academic related contributions including professional publications, holding faculty positions, advising graduate students, and participating in academic research.

“I am extremely honored to present Dr. Pete Knudsen with the Chancellor’s Medallion,” said Montana Tech Chancellor Don Blackketter. “Dr. Knudsen has made significant impacts during his many years at Montana Tech. Impacts that include leading and gaining approval for stand-alone Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering programs, Montana Tech’s first PhD in Material Science, establishing the Underground Mine Education Center, and advising a large number of graduate students. Pete’s legacy for the School of Mines is significant and lasting and we owe Pete a great deal of appreciation for his dedication and commitment.”

Awarding of the Chancellor’s medallion began in 2013 with Dr. Joseph E. Cavanaugh and Dr. Lee W. Saperstein receiving the honor. Other Montana Tech alumni receiving the honor are: Dr. Douglas Fuerstenau (2014), Dr. Frank Aplan (2015), Floyd C. Bossard (2015), John Evans (2016), Johnathan Bardsley (2017), and Dr. Dan Bradley (2018).

ABOUT THE AWARDEE:

Dr. Peter Knudsen ’68
B.S. Geological Engineering

Dr. Knudsen was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana and graduated from Great Falls High School. He is a 1968 graduate of Montana Tech. After graduation he worked for the Atomic Energy Commission. Dr. Knudsen interrupted his work with the AEC to serve four years as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Following his discharge, Dr. Knudsen returned to the AEC and developed a keen interest in the newly developing field of geostatistics. He left the AEC in the fall of 1973 and enrolled at the University of Arizona (UofA) to study geostatistics and complete his MS and Ph.D. in Mining Engineering. While at the UofA he obtained an Instructorship and developed a strong love of teaching.

Dr. Knudsen taught at the U of A for four years and Montana Tech for 36 and a half years before retiring. He served as Department Head of Mining of Mining from 1988 to 2004 and Dean of the School of Mines and Engineering from 1996 to 2017. Dr. Knudsen is a registered Professional Engineer and Legion of Honor member of SME. He directed the Montana Tech Band from 1987 to 2017.