The Women's Auxiliary to the American Institute  of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, Inc. (WAAIME)

2016 Special Citation

The Women’s Auxiliary to the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers was founded in 1917 with a mission to serve its country and communities with respect to the mining and energy industries.  Yet in the early days, the Auxiliary found itself responding to any crisis – from funding gear for soldiers fighting abroad during World War I, to scholarship programs aimed at helping immigrant and underprivileged young people obtain and complete an education. In its first 10 years, the organization grew to be 1,400 members strong, with ten sections and an increasing focus on social and educational work.

Over the years, WAAIME has grown to have a presence not only across the United States, but also in several foreign countries.  Its investment portfolio, which is predominantly restricted to scholarship distributions to deserving students and worthy education and outreach initiatives, has grown into a multi-million-dollar portfolio.  Scholarships are typically offered in such disciplines as mining, geosciences, metallurgy and materials sciences, petroleum engineering, mineral economics, chemical engineering and related disciplines.

In 2008, WAAIME merged with the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc. and now functions as the WAAIME Division of SME.  Through members’ imagination, dedication and persistence, the WAAIME scholarship fund is now one of the most widely-recognized educational funding sources in the mining and earth science industries.  The number and amount of scholarships distributed annually to students varies based on the funds available and by the financial needs of the applicants.  In recent years, about a quarter-million-dollars in scholarship money has been distributed to more than one hundred students each year.  These students are attending universities both within and outside the United States.  With a 100-year track record of scholarship and community service, a great number of today’s mining, metallurgical and energy professionals can attribute some of their opportunities and successes to the generous support of WAAIME.

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