Mining Minds: Special Lighting to Celebrate UTEP's Major Research Milestone

Last Updated on December 05, 2019 at 12:00 AM

Originally published December 05, 2019

By UC Staff

UTEP Communications

The University of Texas at El Paso will illuminate the "Mining Minds" pickaxe sculpture at the campus' Sun Bowl-University Roundabout in blue and orange on Thursday evening, Dec. 5, in celebration of the University surpassing $100 million in annual research expenditures for the first time in its history.

The University of Texas at El Paso will illuminate the "Mining Minds" pickaxe sculpture at the campus' Sun Bowl-University Roundabout in blue and orange on Thursday evening, Dec. 5, in celebration of the University surpassing $100 million in annual research expenditures for the first time in its history.

UTEP President Heather Wilson announced Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, that the University is reporting $108 million in research expenditures for fiscal year 2019 to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for its Survey of Research and Development Expenditures at Universities and Colleges.

“UTEP is one of the top research institutions in the nation,” President Wilson said. “We produce meaningful research of public value and make a positive impact on the community we serve.”

Annual spending totals take into account research and development expenditures across all sources of funds, including federal, state, industry and foundations. This figure is a measure of UTEP’s research productivity that is consistent with the Carnegie R1 designation awarded to the University in December 2018. The $100M+ milestone also represents a doubling of total annual research expenditures since 2008.

“Mining Minds” is an iconic piece of public art installed in 2010 to enhance the UTEP campus. At night, orange lights illuminate the steel structure while light from LEDs emanate from the perforated “ones” and “zeroes” at each end of the pick.

The University illuminates the pick in blue and orange on special occasions such as historic dates, major annual milestones and celebrations of special accomplishments.