Dr. Nathan Manser, Professor of Practice in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES), has been named the inaugural Richard J. Saccany ’71 Endowed Faculty Fellow in Mining Engineering. His five-year appointment will begin on July 1, 2026. We congratulate Nathan on this well-deserved recognition.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to be selected as a recipient of the Richard J. Saccany ’71 Endowed Faculty Fellow in Mining Engineering,” said Manser.
“This generous investment in the future of mining engineering at Michigan Tech not only provides essential support for research and student development endeavors that will strengthen the industry in many ways, but also serves as a powerful reminder of the strong connection to our distinguished alumni base and the legacy of excellence this award represents.” — Dr. Nathan Manser, Professor of Practice in Mining Engineering
Dr. Manser’s contributions to the department and to the mining profession closely align with the purpose of the fellowship, which is to support “students engaged in cutting-edge research, faculty pursuing excellence in teaching and research, state-of-the-art equipment, and professional expenses such as travel to conferences for faculty and students, with a focus on future endeavors supportive of practical minerals industry advancement.”
Dr. Manser has been instrumental in the development, accreditation, and growth of the Mining Engineering program at Michigan Tech. He teaches several core courses in mining methodology, materials handling, rock mechanics, mine ventilation, and environmental impacts of mining, as well as the Capstone Mine Design I and II sequence. He also serves as faculty advisor for the Innovative Global Solutions Enterprise.
An educator of exceptional skill and dedication, Dr. Manser leverages his broad educational background, professional licensure, and extensive industry experience to create a learning environment that effectively integrates theory with real-world application. He frequently invites mining professionals, including Michigan Tech alumni, to engage with his classes, providing students with direct exposure to current industry practices. Through these connections, he has expanded student access to professional networks and experiential learning opportunities, including participation in SME conferences and the SME/NSSGA Student Design Competition, where teams he has advised have reached the national finals three times in the past five years.
Dr. Manser also continuously updates his courses to incorporate new technologies and innovative teaching approaches. His work explores the use of biotechnology and sustainable extraction methods aimed at reducing environmental impact and improving resource recovery. In recognition of his professional contributions, Dr. Manser received the 2022 Robert W. Piekarz Award from the Industrial Minerals and Aggregates Division of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME).
The faculty fellowship endowment was established by Richard J. Saccany, who completed his baccalaureate degree in mining engineering at Michigan Tech in 1971. He later earned a master’s degree in managerial economics from Cornell University before beginning a long and distinguished career in the mining industry. Rich started in uranium mining as a production analyst and advanced into leadership roles, including mine superintendent and senior engineering positions. His career has taken him across the United States and internationally, with professional assignments in Puerto Rico, Canada, New Zealand, Turkey, Peru, and Mongolia. He has held key roles with organizations such as American Mine Services, NERCO Minerals Company, Inmet Mining Corporation, McIntosh Engineering, and Stantec Consulting, where he currently serves as a Senior Consultant in Mining, Minerals & Metals.
Over more than four decades in the minerals industry, Rich has developed extensive expertise in mining engineering management, project development, and mine planning, with experience spanning precious metals, base metals, and uranium operations. His technical background includes a wide range of underground mining methods, including mechanized and conventional cut-and-fill, longhole, room-and-pillar, sublevel retreat, and other mining systems. A member of both the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum and the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Rich remains actively engaged in the profession. Through this endowed faculty fellowship, he is investing in the continued strength of Michigan Tech’s mining engineering program and supporting high-impact education for future generations of students. In recognition of his contributions, Richard was inducted into the Academy of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences in 2022.
This appointment reflects the combined impact of alumni generosity and faculty excellence in advancing Michigan Tech’s mining engineering program.