WVU mining engineer receives prestigious international acclaim

Vladislav Kecojevic, the Robert E. Murray chair and professor of mining engineering at West Virginia University, has been awarded the Medal of Honor by the president and board of directors of TH Georg Agricola University in Bochum, Germany, for his contributions to strengthen the international academic network in education and research.

By Olivia Miller
Communications Specialist

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Established in 1816, TH Georg Agricola University of Applied Sciences is one of the most internationally recognizable institutions in mineral resources engineering.

“This award is significant because it recognizes both the individual and WVU for developing and expanding the international and multicultural character of an academic institution, its faculty and students,” Kecojevic said. “This significantly contributes to internationalization of WVU, the Statler College and the Department of Mining Engineering.”

The acclaim recognizes Kecojevic’s contributions and commitments to global engagement and service throughout his career. A longstanding member of the Society of Mining Professors (SOMP), his 2015-2016 term as president of the society recorded an all time high of memberships. In addition, he has served on multiple SOMP committees. His efforts in these committees and mentoring of faculty through the tenure and promotion process have been documented in two peer-reviewed journals.

In his nomination of Kecojevic for the award, Jürgen Kretschmann,president of TH Georg Agricola and 2018-2019 president of SOMP, stated, “In the mining academia today, WVU is a global player with an excellent reputation and network. This is without a doubt result of the outstanding efforts of Dr. Kecojevic,” he said. “He is one of the few truly global players in mining academia.”

In July 2018, Kecojevic was unanimously elected by his international peers as the SOMP secretary-general for a five-year term. In addition, he was an integral part of the SOMP leadership team that developed the new strategic plan toward 2020 and beyond, stressing the need for global partnerships between institutions, the importance of integrity and ethics in educational and research programs, and providing a climate that cherishes diversity.

“I am pleased to have been awarded this Medal of Honor because it recognizes the leadership role of WVU mining engineering faculty and the exemplary contributions to education, research and service to the international mining community,” Kecojevic said.

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