Sigma Phi Epsilon - Missouri University of Science & Technology

PAGE 2 BEARTRACKS D r. Geoff Brennecka '01 was quick to make friends with men of several different fraternities as an undergraduate at Missouri University of Science & Technology, but there was no doubt in his mind which one suited him best. Geoff was impressed by how Missouri Gamma emphasized the importance of a sound mind and sound body to create balanced men. "SigEp caught my attention because it prioritized both academic and athletic success," Geoff said. "The rankings got me in the door, but once I met the guys in the house, it was just an obvious fit." Geoff appreciated that Missouri Gamma gave him the opportunity to mold himself into the man he wanted to become. He has made a career out of developing sound minds as an associate professor in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering and the Colorado Center for Advanced Ceramics at the Colorado School of Mines. "Being a professor is a lot of work, but most of it is self-imposed," Geoff said. "I really enjoy both the teaching and the research. Mines is a terrific fit because the school has a very similar vibe to UMR/S&T but with much better mountains." Electrical ceramics have intrigued Geoff since high school, and that's still where most of his teaching and research are focused. One of his favorite projects that he is working on is a collaboration with a variety of government labs and companies to develop new materials that serve as better filters in cell phones so they don't overheat and drain battery life when using 5G technology. "The courses I teach are all fun in their own way because they involve students getting to apply the boring basics that they learn in their first couple of years to real problems and seeing how materials science is basically how we make chemistry and physics practical," Geoff said. Not all of his classes are technically rigorous— one in particular is just for fun. Shortly after Geoff graduated from Missouri S&T, Dr. Mary Reidmeyer started a hot glass shop on campus. A decade later, Geoff enlisted Mary, a few of her students, and one of his graduate students— who did his undergraduate work at Missouri S&T—to create a similar hot glass shop at Mines. He is glad Mines students now have the opportunity to learn glassblowing. "It's great to escape Rolla when you graduate, but some part of it will always stick with you no matter where you end up," Geoff said. "Embrace that part because it's surprisingly valuable." The relationships Geoff built with his brothers are also very valuable to him. He enjoys catching up with his brothers while soaking up the beauty of the Rockies. "I love being outside and enjoying the Colorado mountains, usually on either a mountain bike or a pair of skis," Geoff said. "I still play soccer and flag football regularly, and I enjoy replacing all those calories (and then some) with delicious Colorado beer." You can connect with Geoff at geoff.brennecka@mines.edu. From Missouri Gamma to Colorado School of Mines SigEp Values Remain Important to Dr. Geoff Brennecka '01 SigEp caught my attention because it prioritized both academic and athletic success. Geoff Brennecka '01 and his partner, Maria Jasso. From left: Geoff Brennecka '01, Tony Clark '00, and Andy Laegeler '01 take a break along the trail during their mountain bike trip a few years ago from Durango, Colo., to Moab, Utah. " "

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