Montana Tech honors mining engineering student Mike Shaw as Student Veteran of the Year
Mike Shaw knows a thing or two about perseverance.
When you ask Montana Technological University’s 2026 Student Veteran of the Year about what has kept him going as he returned to college at age 56, pushed through a cancer diagnosis, and pressed restart on a career in mining engineering when many of his peers are preparing for retirement, he’ll tell you that having a good network and putting in a lot of hard work are key components.
“I don’t know how to quit,” he said.
Montana Technological University recently recognized Shaw as the recipient of the 2026 Student Veteran of the Year Award, also known as the Distinguished Student Veteran Award. The honor comes after a highly competitive nomination process, with 19 student veterans nominated by more than 40 faculty, staff, and students across campus.
“Watching our student veterans balance the rigors of academia with the unique responsibilities they carry is nothing short of inspiring,” Graduate Program Manager and School Certifying Official Tyler Regan said. “Their work ethic sets a high bar for the entire student body. This award isn’t just about one individual’s success; it’s a celebration of the resilience and tireless dedication that the entire veteran community contributes to our campus culture every single day.”
Shaw, a mining engineering student, served a combined 25 years between law enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, including activation and deployment to the Northern Persian Gulf and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba following the events of Sept. 11. In 2022, he was pursuing a retirement plan raising kids, building a house and farming garlic. A major life event happened which changed his course. He made the decision to pursue higher education for the first time, starting from the ground up academically. He originally thought he’d use his VA benefits to become a diesel mechanic, but the folks at Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) office had him take an aptitude test. It indicated engineering would be a good fit. They told him it would take four or more years of college to complete.
“I hadn’t sat in a math class in 40 years,” Shaw said.
He embraced the challenge, though, started at the pre-college algebra level at North Idaho College and worked his way forward, relying on online resources like Khan Academy, great professors and long hours of study to rebuild his academic foundation. Now progressing through the calculus sequence, Shaw said not giving up is important on the student journey and in life.
“Just because you fail a math class once, don’t quit and change your major. Take it again,” he said.
That mindset has defined his time at Montana Tech, where he has become known not only for his determination, but for his willingness to help others succeed. Nominators highlighted his leadership in the classroom and his commitment to supporting fellow students. One nominator wrote, “Mike has a wealth of knowledge, both in school and in the real world. Mike reaches out to students he shares classes with to ask how they are doing, offering helpful advice and takes time to listen.”
Shaw’s path has not been without obstacles. During his first year as a student, at the end of his first semester, he was diagnosed with cancer, related to his military service. He stepped away briefly undergoing treatment, then returned to continue his coursework.
“I worked through it, quitting is not an option,” he said.
Now in remission, Shaw credits the support of faculty, classmates, and the broader campus and local community with helping him stay on track.
“The mining department and my non-traditional family in this community were very supportive,” he said.
That sense of community has also fueled his involvement outside the classroom. Shaw serves as vice president of the Student Veterans Association and is working to help establish mentoring opportunities for students navigating college for the first time. When he is not in class or studying, you can find him at the HPER in the weight room. Physical fitness is an important part of a balanced life.
“I’m all about trying to help the new students come in the door, catching a freshman and letting them know you care about their success will make a difference,” he said.
His passion extends to the mining field itself. After being introduced to the discipline early in his time at Montana Tech, Shaw quickly found his calling.
“The more I’m in mining, the more passionate I am about it,” he said.
He now encourages others—especially fellow veterans and nontraditional students—to consider both higher education and careers in mining, pointing to strong workforce demand and opportunity.
“Go. You’re never too old to start learning something new,” Shaw said.
He especially encourages veterans to check in with the VR&E program.
“Through their help, I was able to pretty much get the equivalent of a full-ride scholarship,” Shaw said.
Shaw also encourages students to take opportunities that might seem a bit out of the ordinary. He recently traveled to the Women in Mining Conference in in Tucson with five amazing Montana Tech students. Thought it was a bit awkward to be one of about 20 men at the conference in a sea of 500 women mining professionals, Shaw said the experience was phenomenal and important.
“I saw aspects of the mining industry that I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise,” Shaw said.
He believes he’ll be a better supervisor one day because of his open-mindedness to learn about his fellow mining professionals.
For Shaw, the journey is as important as the destination. He approaches each day with a focus on gratitude and forward momentum.
“I wake up every morning, and when I wake up, I thank God I’m alive,” he said. “And then I think of four more things that I’m grateful for because gratitude’s an attitude.”
As he continues his studies at Montana Tech, Shaw remains focused on learning, growing, and helping those around him do the same.
If asked about a major life change or returning to school, he has one response. “Get up your, story is not over yet.”