Montana Tech to honor five at 2026 Distinguished Honors Celebration

Montana Technological University will honor five individuals for their professional accomplishments, leadership, service and contributions to the University during the 2026 Montana Tech Distinguished Honors Celebration on Friday evening, Oct. 9.

Arthur H. “Art” Ditto (B.S. Mining Engineering, ’64) will receive the Chancellor’s Award of Distinction, Montana Tech’s highest honor. Emily Rose (M.S. Mining Engineering, ’17) will receive the Early Impact Award, and Bob Edwards (B.S. Environmental Engineering, ’79), Brian Gilman (B.S. Environmental Engineering, ’93) and Joe McClafferty (B.S. Business Administration, ’86) will be recognized as Distinguished Alumni.

“Montana Tech has always risen to meet America's emerging needs, and we have a unique opportunity to celebrate a few Orediggers who have had an outsized impact,” Chancellor Johnny MacLean said. “These alumni have influenced their industries and communities in ways that have made this university proud.  I'm excited to honor this year's award recipients."

Established in 2021, the Chancellor’s Award of Distinction recognizes individuals who exemplify the most distinguished personal and professional accomplishments. The award is given at the sole discretion of the chancellor to recognize an alumnus or friend of the University who, through their accomplishments, support and association, has brought distinction to Montana Tech.

The Early Impact Award recognizes Montana Tech alumni who are making a meaningful mark early in their careers through professional achievement, leadership, and service to their communities.

The Distinguished Alumni awards are conferred by the Montana Tech Alumni Association and recognize individuals who have contributed in an outstanding manner to the advancement of their profession and/or have been outstanding contributors to Montana Tech.

“Our 2026 Chancellor’s Award of Distinction, Early Impact, and Distinguished Alumni honorees exemplify the talent, leadership, and generosity that make Montana Tech special,” Montana Tech Foundation Vice President of Development and Philanthropic Engagement Shannon Sullivan Panisko said. “Across generations and career paths, they are strengthening communities, advancing their fields, and opening doors for others. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and the lasting impact they continue to make.”

More about the 2026 honorees:

Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

Arthur H. “Art” Ditto

Arthur H. “Art” Ditto, a 1964 Montana Tech graduate in mining engineering, is a retired international mining executive whose career spanned more than four decades. His professional accomplishments and enduring commitment to Montana Tech reflect a legacy of industry leadership, service and investment in future generations.

Ditto began his career in engineering and supervisory roles in the United States, Chile and Canada. With Anaconda/ARCO, he advanced from project engineer to general manager during the development and startup of the Carr Fork project, a major underground mining and milling complex near Salt Lake City. As president and chief executive officer of Plexus Resources, he transformed a dormant company into a profitable natural resources enterprise and played a key role in bringing Nevada’s Rawhide gold mine into production.

He later held leadership roles with Kinross Gold Corp., including president, chief operating officer, vice chairman and director. As president and CEO of Katanga Mining Limited, he led efforts to rebuild and bring major copper and cobalt operations into production in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Throughout his career, colleagues recognized his technical expertise, business acumen, perseverance, fairness and integrity.

Ditto has maintained a strong connection to his alma mater. He received Montana Tech’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993 and served on the Montana Tech Foundation Board of Directors from 1997 to 2003. In 2022, he made a $1 million gift to establish the Arthur Ditto Scholarship Endowment, providing permanent scholarship support for students pursuing fields that serve the mining and extraction industry.

As a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award of Distinction, Ditto is celebrated for his distinguished career and generosity toward Montana Tech. His support helps the University attract and retain talented students, extending the opportunities he received to the next generation of industry professionals.

Early Impact Award

Emily Rose

Emily Rose has a decade of experience in mining operations and consulting. She earned a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from the University of Mississippi in 2015 and a master’s degree in mining engineering from Montana Tech in 2017.

Her expertise includes large-scale slope stability analysis and mitigation, geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring, ground-control management plans, rock and soil characterization, site investigations and shallow underground geotechnical stabilization. Her work helps mining operations understand and manage challenging ground conditions.

Rose is a mining geotechnical engineer at Barr Engineering, where she provides technical expertise and manages mining projects. She is also active in the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration and Women in Mining and has held executive committee positions in both organizations.

Distinguished Alumni

Bob Edwards

Bob Edwards, a Miles City native, graduated from Montana Tech in 1979 with a degree in environmental engineering. He married his high school sweetheart, Joleen Owens, in 1978. They have two daughters, Angela and Bethany, and two grandchildren, Jace and Arlee.

After spending two summers at Exxon’s surface coal mines in Wyoming, Edwards joined the company full time in 1979. Over the next 16 years, he held roles in engineering, employee relations, project management and operations, ultimately serving as production manager for the company’s two Gillette mines.

Following the sale of those mines, Edwards relocated to Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia, where he served as operations manager and later general manager of Ulan Coal Mines. Three years later, another mine sale brought him back to the United States, where he spent 11 years as engineering manager for Monterey Coal Co. in Illinois. He then moved to Calgary to support Exxon’s Kearl Oil Sands project in northern Alberta, Canada, recruiting and building a multidisciplinary mine technical department of approximately 100 professionals to support the new operation.

Edwards’ commitment to Montana Tech extends beyond his professional career. About five years ago, he brought together fellow Montana Tech graduates from eastern Montana to establish the Eastern Montana Engineering Endowed Scholarship, which supports Montana Tech students from the region. Contributions from Edwards and other founding donors currently fund scholarships for two students, with the goal of supporting a third in the near future.

Brian Gilman

Brian Gilman, a 1993 Montana Tech graduate in environmental engineering, is CEO of Warriors & Quiet Waters, a Montana-based nonprofit that empowers post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive and live purposeful lives. Through experiences in nature and evidence-based programs, the organization helps veterans build connections, navigate life beyond military service and discover renewed peace, meaning and purpose.

Gilman has led Warriors & Quiet Waters since 2020, bringing 27 years of Marine Corps experience to his work serving veterans. His commitment to the mission took shape while serving in the Chairman’s Office of Reintegration on the Joint Staff, where he developed a passion for advocating for service members transitioning to civilian life. That commitment now guides his leadership and vision for Warriors & Quiet Waters.

Before joining the organization, Gilman retired from active duty as chief of staff of Marine Forces Special Operations Command. During his military career, he commanded Marines at the platoon, company, battalion and regimental levels and completed four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. His assignments included scout sniper platoon commander with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines; commanding officer of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion; and commanding officer of the Marine Raider Training Center.

With deep family roots in Butte, Gilman brings a strong work ethic and commitment to community to his leadership. An avid outdoorsman, husband and father of two sons, he finds peace in nature and meaning in his family. Through Warriors & Quiet Waters, he continues his lifetime of service by helping fellow veterans build fulfilling lives and discover their own sense of purpose.

Joe McClafferty

Joe McClafferty, a 1986 Montana Tech graduate in business administration, is a Montana business leader, author, storyteller and motivational speaker whose career has centered on building teams, developing people and strengthening communities. A Butte native and former Montana Tech basketball player, McClafferty was part of three championship teams under coach Kelvin Sampson that were later inducted into the Montana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame.

McClafferty returned to Montana Tech as director of athletics before serving as vice chancellor of development and university relations and CEO of the Montana Tech Foundation. During his tenure, he helped lead transformational initiatives across the University, including Project Dreams, support for the Sherry Lesar School of Nursing and the Natural Resource Research Center, expanded scholarship opportunities and significant endowment growth. He also helped launch DayOne, Montana Tech’s annual giving event. McClafferty created the Charlie the Oredigger brand and authored How the Diggers Got Their Name, which celebrates the history and identity of Montana Tech Athletics.

Today, McClafferty is CEO of Harrington Companies, where his work focuses on culture, leadership development, organizational growth and creating opportunities for employees and communities.

In addition to How the Diggers Got Their Name, McClafferty is the author of The Bison and Firefly. His newest book, The Last Pup of Ireland, is a personal story rooted in his family’s Irish and Butte heritage and is scheduled for release during the 2026 holiday season.

As a keynote and motivational speaker, McClafferty combines storytelling, humor, inspiration and practical lessons drawn from his experiences in athletics, business, philanthropy, coaching and community leadership. His messages explore purpose, gratitude, resilience, belonging, teamwork and the responsibility leaders have to help others discover their potential.

At the heart of his work is a simple belief: Every person has a purpose. Every story matters. Great leaders help others discover both.