Growing up on a Missouri farm, Dale Elifrits had an early pull towards soil conservation and geological engineering. After earning his PhD in geological engineering, Elifrits quickly transitioned into mining and began his tenure as a faculty member at the University of Missouri, Rolla. Elifrits began his passionate career in education as an earth science teacher in public schools and later became a mining professor. Serving SME, AIME, and ABET accreditation, Elifrits and his wife, Kathy, devoted themselves to mining outreach and education. The Dale and Kathy Elifrits Outreach Award was established in honor of the Elifrits’ commitment to education and their community by SME. Elifrits notes that the most rewarding part of his career is seeing the successes of his many thousands of students over the years. Through his research, professorship, and work as a Corps of Engineers consultant, Elifrits has had a fulfilling and enjoyable career contributing to the history of mining engineering and SME.