From South Africa to Montana Tech

Gordon Parker made the long journey to Butte, Montana, from his native South Africa in 1954, wearing a blue blazer, brown suede shoes, flannel trousers and his school tie—traditional school gear, from his perspective. He was greeted by his fellow students who were wearing T-shirts and blue jeans with big belt buckles. But, as Gordon relates, "they were all most welcoming," and he soon settled into his studies. From his first day on campus to the last, "I had a wonderful experience."

Gordon has two degrees from Montana Tech: a Mining Engineering degree he received in 1958 and a master's degree in Mineral Dressing received in 1959. Gordon enjoyed a long, successful career in the mining industry, joining Newmont in 1981 as vice president of operations. He was elected CEO of Newmont in 1985 and chairman in 1986.

Over the years, Gordon has been actively involved in the Montana Tech Foundation. He served on the Montana Tech Foundation Board of Directors, established an endowed scholarship, and received both an honorary doctorate and a Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2017, Gordon was elected to the National Mining Hall of Fame, an organization of which he was a founding member.

Gordon has also provided for the future by naming the Montana Tech Foundation as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. The funds from this policy will go toward the enhancement of the Gordon R. Parker Scholarship Endowment and benefit mining students long into the future.

"I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend seven years as a full-time student," Gordon says, "five of them funded by affiliates of Newmont Mining Corporation, and four of those five at Montana Tech.

"It is little wonder that I have derived much satisfaction from remaining connected and witnessing the growth of the institution that played such an important role in my life. The act of giving back and contributing to the education of others over the past many years has been most compelling and rewarding to my wife, Pam, and me."

We thank Gordon for his service to the mining industry, to the Montana Tech Foundation and for providing for future generations of Orediggers through his thoughtful generosity.

How You Can Help

Like Gordon and Pam, you can help make a difference at the Montana Tech Foundation. To learn how, contact Luke Meyer, MSPR at 406-496-4144 or lmeyer@mtech.edu.