A South Dakota Mines student has accomplished what only four other students at the Rapid City university have done.
Bennet Outland is the winner of a Department of Defense SMART scholarship. It pays full tuition for up to five years and comes with a full-time Department of Defense job after graduation.
SMART stands for Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation.
Outland has been interested in math and science since he was a kid. He taught himself calculus with textbooks he found.
“The only thing I knew was that I wanted to be an engineer,” Outland said.
While Outland’s parents don’t have a background in science, their support has been crucial to his success.
“Even if they don’t always understand what I’m doing, they help make me feel like I’m able to do this,” he said.
When he reached college, he thought he might become a professor and teach.
Starting with an interest in astrophysics, Outland is currently completing research in orbital dynamics. With the new opportunity, he will enter an accelerated master’s program in mechanical engineering to complete his last three years of school.
After that, he’ll start working on satellites at the Air Force Research Lab Space Vehicles Directorate on the Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Outland knows he’ll have to learn new things along the way, but he feels well prepared.
“Mines does a good job of making sure you have the practical skills as well as the theoretical," he said.
Outland, who is originally from Rapid City, sees himself returning to South Dakota after his time with the Department of Defense.
"I really love the Black Hills and this area."
