The March/Dake Plaza
Design Team
Project Coordinator - Naomi Fossen (far right)
Brandy Pelton, Nick Rogakis, Fanariot Sefa,
Frederick Hartmann (not pictured)
Special Thanks to the following for making the Plaza a reality:
Student project team: Naomi Fossen (CE03, MS CE05), coordinator; Fred Hartmann; Brandy Pelton (CE05); Nick Rogakis (CE07); and Fanariot Sefa (CHE08)
Kerry M. Belden (ME73), Crazy Horse Memorial for finding rocks for the March-Dake building plaques, Dan (CE55) and Nadine Dake and family, Wayne F. Echelberger (CE56), Kathy (Herting) Pesicka, The Family of Trent Matt, Doug Wilson and his crew, Walt Wilson, and Jason Preble with Facilities Services for bringing it all together!!!
In the Spring of 2008, the final touches are now in place. The Plaza now features the building plaques from March-Dake Hall as well as a plaque telling us more about the two men the plaza honors.
Located in the "backyard" of what was once March/Dake Hall, the March/Dake Plaza provides students with a great outdoor space and continues to honor the memory of two men who had a significant impact on many SDSM&T students over the years, Guy March (EE22) and Earl Dake (CE24). With M-Hill in the distance, students have a relaxing space to study, cook a few burgers or just enjoy the sunshine!
The March/Dake Plaza became a reality through the vision of a student project team. In the Fall of 2004, Naomi Fossen (CE03, earning her Masters in 2005) hired a team of undergraduate students to develop a plan and make that plan a reality. Frederick Hartmann, Brandy Pelton (CE06), Nick Rogakis (CE Senior), and Fanariot Sefa (ChE Senior) worked with Naomi and came up with a plan.
During the 2005-2006 academic year, Nick and Fanar continued to work on making the March/Dake Plaza a reality . . . and now the Plaza is near completion. If you missed the ribbon cutting ceremony held on November 3, we have some pictures of the event.
Working on a shoe-string budget, these School of Mines students developed a plan and put that plan into action.
March/Dake Hall . . .
A new men's dormitory was completed in 1959. The $440,000 complex was named in honor of two faculty members who had long been directly involved with student life. The west wing was named March Hall for Guy March and the east wing Dake Hall for Earl Dake.
For the first time in 45 years, March/Dake Hall was empty when classes began in August of 2004. The building was demolished in the summer of 2005.
To ensure that Guy March and Earl Dake are not forgotten, the March/Dake Plaza, an outdoor lounge for our School of Mines students, is now a reality.