Former South Dakota School of Mines president dies November 10, 2013

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1 Former South Dakota School of Mines president dies November 10, 2013 Harvey Fraser, a former president of the School of Mines, died on Sunday in Louisville, Colorado, at the age of 97. Fraser was known for overseeing several construction projects during his nine-year tenure at the school, his military background, a tenacity to swear frequently, and his addiction to squash. Fraser was the thirteenth president of the university, serving from 1966 to He was born in Elizabeth, Illinois, on August, 11, 1916, and served in the Army, including stints in England, Germany and Pearl Harbor during World War II, and taught history at West Point for 17 years. "Harvey Fraser was devoted to the School of Mines and served it well," current Mines President Heather Wilson said in a statement. "In my few months here I've heard several stories from alumni and faculty about him; all were told with laughter and affection. He will be missed by colleagues, friends and former students." On Monday, Joan Fraser Yeash, one of Fraser's three children, remembered a man who has long held a distinctive place in the school's history. "He was honestly bigger than life," Fraser Yeash said. "He was just very 'old time army.' If you ever saw the movie 'Patton,' every other word out of his mouth was a little off-color." Fraser Yeash said her father was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, only 20 minutes from Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese attacked on December 7, "They were awoken by the bombs going off in Pearl Harbor," she said. "So my dad jumped out of bed, ran outside, and they could see the smoke rising towards Honolulu." Fraser Yeash said her dad was remembered for taking care of those he led as a company commander. That included looking out for his Japanese crew when the Army tried to remove them from his company. "He flat out refused," she said. "He said, 'no, they are great soldiers, they are staying in my unit." Fraser retired from the military as brigadier general when he was 49 years old and joined the School of Mines as dean of engineering in He was appointed president a year later. Fraser became known as the "bricks and mortar" president after overseeing nearly $8 million of construction on the school's campus. He also oversaw reconstruction of several buildings damaged during the Rapid City Flood on June 9, That flurry of construction included the school's first squash court, one of Fraser's great passions. "I don't remember him ever not playing squash," said Fraser Yeash, adding that her father was often bloody after particularly intense games. Fraser was also known for being a stickler for tidiness. He would arrive at the school's campus early in the morning and pick up trash. His motto was clean, green, and serene. Fraser left the school in 1975, believing he had accomplished as much as he could in his 9-year tenure. He then worked as a dean at higher education institutions in Oregon and California before retiring in Harvey and Jean Fraser returned to South Dakota in 1986 and spent the next 10 summers living in Hisega, a few miles west of Rapid City, while traveling to Arizona for the winters.

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3 SDSM&T Wellness and Recreation Center November 2013 Background: SDSM&T students voted to fund a Wellness and Recreation Center expansion project by increasing their general activity fee by $10 per credit hour to generate a $6.8 million bond. We are extremely impressed with our students initiative to begin this grassroots effort. Student Association President, Spencer Ferguson, stated, An upward trend in student population as well as an increase in student activity, caused by a stronger emphasis from society on personal fitness, has made clear the need for a larger recreation facility. This attitude serves as a testament to the pride that our students share and their interest in the importance of healthy living and in supporting the university s strategic priority to increase our enrollment to 3500 students by Project Summary: 1) Expand the wellness area (cardio and group exercise) in the King Center from about 4,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet 2) Build a recreation annex (two basketball court area) to the King Center varsity basketball, varsity volleyball, and varsity track and field practices intramural sports 3) Total project cost: $10.0 million Fundraising Plan: An additional $3.2 million will be needed to supplement the $6.8 million bond. 1) Honor former President Harvey Fraser, [also Dean of Engineering ( )] 2) Contact School of Mines graduates from 1966 through ) Contact Rapid City community people who were associates of Harvey Fraser when he and his family lived in Rapid City from 1965 to ) Project coordinator: Larry Simonson (EE 69) Larry.Simonson@sdsmt.edu (605) [cell] Timeline: 1) Spring SDSM&T students voted to support the Wellness and Recreation Center project 2) April 4, Board of Regents approved the Wellness and Recreation Center project 3) June Approval received for naming: Harvey Fraser Gymnasium 4) April Construction is scheduled to begin 5) May Construction is expected to be completed Additional Information: 1) Retired General Fraser celebrated his 97 th birthday on August 11, 2013, and passed away in Louisville, Colorado, on November 10, ) Harvey s grandson, Erik Yeash, played football for the Hardrockers and graduated in May President Fraser Harvey and Jean Fraser grandson Erik Yeash SDSM&T Foundation Wellness Center Project 306 E Saint Joseph St - Suite #200 Rapid City, South Dakota 57701

4 SDSM&T Student Wellness and Recreation Center Harvey Fraser Gymnasium 14,777 SF

5 Contributions to the Harvey Fraser Gymnasium Fund (part of the Wellness Center project) Date: November 22, 2013 Gifts $200,000 Larry Pearson (ME 72) matching gift for the next $200,000 (beginning November 1, 2013). Gifts $100,000 Gifts $50,000 Tom Eizember (ChE 76) Gene McPherson (EE 68) Randy Parcel (MinE 67) Larry Simonson (EE 69) Gifts $25,000 Gifts $10,000 Dale Farmen (MinE 76) Jerred Yeash (grandson) Gifts $5,000 Dennis Krause (EE 68) Charles Lien (Fraser Friend) Lansing Sloan (Phys 69) Marv Truhe (ME 67) Gifts $2,500 Lynn Ebbesen (ME 70) Harvey Fraser, Jr. (son) Janet Fraser Hale (daughter) Joan Fraser Yeash (daughter) Jim Kotas (EE 68) Gifts $1,000 Gary Bertelson (CE 77) Wayne Binfet (EE 68) Dan Carlson (ChE 77) Judd Hansen (ME 78) John Etienne (ChE 69) Marvin Hoshaw (CE 66) James Hughes (EE 77) Jerome Jarding (ME 74) Monte Krier (ChE 72) Norm Ligtenberg (ChE 71) Richard Mickelson (ChE 69) Bob Moe (CE 75) Ed Opbroek (CE 66) Galen Smolik (MetE 66) Justin Yeash (grandson)