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Students, faculty and staff are gearing up for TCM Day, The University of Texas at El Paso’s longest-running student tradition.

“We are very proud of our traditions, not only because they are a reflection of who we are, but because they present us with an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and our profession with the campus community,” said Theresa A. Maldonado, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering.

Activities are scheduled throughout the day to challenge and engage attendees from across the campus. The daylong series of events includes the Team Mining Challenge and the whitewashing of the “M” on the mountain north of Sun Bowl Stadium.

Students also will serenade UTEP President Diana Natalicio at 10:30 a.m. outside the Administration Building. The day’s events begin with registration and a toiletry drive at 8:30 a.m. at Magoffin Auditorium.

TCM Day is celebrated on campus every March in observance of St. Patrick’s Day. The tradition began in 1920 when UTEP was known as the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy, or TCM. It is an annual rite of passage to initiate new engineers and geologists into the Order of St. Patrick, the patron saint of engineers.

After registering, participants will attend the Coming of St. Pat, in which a senior engineering student who is voted by the Engineering Student Leadership Council creates their representation of St. Patrick.

The day’s events will be preceded by a decorating contest. Organizations, departments and individual offices are encouraged to decorate front desks, hallways and other areas to celebrate TCM Day.

On Friday evening, March 15, the “Mining Minds” pickaxe sculpture UTEP’s University Avenue roundabout will be illuminated in orange and blue in honor of TCM Day. “Mining Minds” is an iconic piece of public art installed in 2010 to enhance the UTEP campus.

At night, orange lights illuminate the steel structure while light from LEDs emanates from the perforated “ones” and “zeroes” at each end of the pick. On special occasions, including historic dates, major annual milestones and to celebrate special accomplishments, the pick is illuminated in blue and orange.

Learn more about the statue and its artist by clicking here.

TCM Day Events

8:30 a.m.:  Registration and a toiletry drive at Magoffin Auditorium

10:30-10:35 a.m.: Serenading UTEP President Diana Natalicio outside the Administration Building

11:05 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Whitewashing the “M,” Sun Bowl Drive

12:50-2:35 p.m.: Team Mining Challenge and the Blarney Stone, begins at Magoffin Auditorium 

TCM Day, The University of Texas at El Paso’s longest-running student tradition, continues this week.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in various TCM Day events Friday, March 23. Team-building activities will take place throughout the day to challenge and engage attendees from throughout the campus.

The daylong series of activities includes the Team Mining Challenge and the whitewashing of the “M” north of Sun Bowl Stadium. It begins with registration and a canned food drive at 7:30 a.m. at Magoffin Auditorium.

TCM Day is celebrated on campus every March in observance of St. Patrick’s Day. The tradition began in 1920 when UTEP was known as the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy, or TCM. It is an annual rite of passage to initiate new engineers and geologists into the Order of St. Patrick, the patron saint of engineers.

College of Engineering Dean Theresa A. Maldonado, Ph.D., will experience the long-standing University tradition for the first time this year.

“TCM Day is clearly an important tradition in the College of Engineering, and I am hearing from alums who are joining us from out of town for this day,” said Maldonado, who started at UTEP in fall 2017.

After registering, participants will attend the Coming of St. Pat, in which a senior engineering student who is voted by the Engineering Student Leadership Council creates their representation of St. Patrick.

The day’s events will be preceded by a decorating contest. Organizations, departments and individual offices are encouraged to decorate front desks, hallways and other areas to celebrate TCM Day. The winner will display the “Not So Famous TCM Cup.”

“TCM Day is a fun-filled experience of school spirit mixed with hilarious and long-standing traditions that will make students, faculty and staff proud to be Miners,” said Gabby Gandara, director of Engineering Student Services.

For more information and a full schedule of activities, visit tcm.utep.edu.