Coal & Energy Division

As a member of the Coal & Energy Division of SME, you have access to professional networking and leadership opportunities with peers who share your career objectives.

The Coal & Energy Division of SME:

  • Provides a forum for cooperation and communication among professionals interested in any way in coal and other mining-related energy sources,

  • Promotes the use of coal as a major source of energy,

  • Advances technologies in coal exploration, mining, and utilization through meetings, programs, publications and education, and

  • Creates interest in the coal industry as a career opportunity.

Coal & Energy Division Annual Luncheon & Silent Auction

This event is a fantastic opportunity for division members to network while supporting the C&E Division scholarships. 

Many thanks to our generous sponsors!

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Click here to view the luncheon photos on SME's Flickr page!

Coal & Energy Division Bylaws
Coal & Energy Division Handbook Vol. I
Coal & Energy Division Brochure

Coal & Energy Division Meeting Minutes

2021 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2020 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2019 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2018 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2017 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2016 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes

Coal & Energy Division Committees

The Howard L. Hartman Award, established in 1989, recognizes distinguished contributions in practice, teaching or research in the field of underground ventilation engineering.

Name Position Start End
Arash Habibi Co-Chair 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Mr Craig Stewart, B.S.M.E Co-Chair 03/01/2022 02/28/2024
Heather N. Dougherty, PE, PHD Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Mr J. Daniel Stinnette, PE Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2025
Dr. Karoly C. Kocsis, Ph.D. Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Dr. Gerrit V. Goodman, PhD Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2024
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

Underground Ventilation Unit Committee is open to anyone with an interest in underground ventilation.

Name Position Start End
John R. Bowling Publications Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Arunkumar Rai, MS MBA Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Purushotham Tukkaraja Program Planning Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Jack D. Trackemas, MS Program Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Rohit Pandey Program Planner Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Dr. Abhishek Choudhury Program Planner Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Rock Mechanics Award and select the recipient. The Rock Mechanics Award is awarded to recognize distinguished contributions toward the advancement of rock mechanics.

Name Position Start End
Wesley B. Johnson Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Brijes Mishra, PHD Representative 03/01/2021 02/28/2025
Dr. Anil K. Ray, PhD Representative 03/01/2020 02/28/2024
Emily Rose Representative 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Anna P. Perry Representative 03/01/2021 02/28/2025
Laura Claire O'Connor Representative 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Jim Haughey Representative 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Deniz Tuncay Representative 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Aplan Award and select the recipient. The Frank F. Aplan Award (Aplan Award) recognizes engineering or scientific contributions that further the understanding of the technology of coal and/or mineral engineering. Eligible areas of recognition include agglomeration, classification, comminution, electrical and magnetic separation, flocculation and sedimentation, froth flotation, and other related processing operations.

Name Position Start End
Emily A. Sarver Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Dr. Barbara J. Arnold Representative 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Scott C. Koermer Representative 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Robert V. Washnock, QP Representative 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Dr. Paul W. Conrad Representative 03/01/2021 02/28/2024
Mr. D. Erik Spiller Representative 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Award is administered by SME’s Coal & Energy Division.

Name Position Start End
Dr. Tathagata Ghosh, PhD Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Steven J. Schafrik Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025
Susan B. Bealko, MS, MPH Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025
Mr. Ryan M. Murray Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Dr. Paul W. Conrad Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2024
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

The C&E Unit Committees are responsible for planning appropriate programming within their specific interest area.

Name Position Start End
Thomas A. Gray Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Matthew D. Furniss Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Vaibhav Raj, PHD Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
John A. Gefferth Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2024
Sampurna Arya Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2024

The Erskine Ramsay Award Committee is responsible for reviewing the nominations for the Erskine Ramsay Award and selecting the recipient. The Ramsay Award recognizes distinguished achievement in coal mining to include both bituminous coal and anthracite.

Name Position Start End
Dr. Sukumar Bandopadhyay Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Brian N. Shaffer, P.G. Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
J. Eric Shereda, PE Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Sampurna Arya Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2025
Michael A. Trevits, MBA, PG Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Dr. Abhishek Choudhury Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Robert P. Kudlawiec Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Baojie Zhang Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Committee shall have oversight of all activities within the Coal & Energy Division.

Name Position Start End
Dr. Tathagata Ghosh, PhD Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Dr. Paul W. Conrad Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Steven J. Schafrik Vice Chair 05/22/2023 02/28/2025
Susan B. Bealko, MS, MPH Past Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Steven J. Schafrik Secretary-Treasurer 03/17/2023 02/28/2024
Edward F. Zeglen, Jr, PE Program Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Samuel C. Baker Program Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Elham Rahimi Representative 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Michael Keener Representative 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Jason N. Todd Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Brett A. Ashley, PE Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Vaibhav Raj, PHD Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
J. Eric Shereda, PE Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Jim Haughey Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2024
Michael A. Trevits, MBA, PG Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2024
Margaret W. Staub Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Joshua Brady, CMSP Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Karin Harrington SME Staff 07/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Howard N. Eavenson Award Committee is responsible for reviewing the nominations for the Howard N. Eavenson Award and selecting the recipient. The Eavenson Award recognizes distinguished contributions to the advancement of coal mining.

Name Position Start End
Michael A. Trevits, MBA, PG Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Mr. Ryan M. Murray Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Heather Trexler Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Dr. Vladislav Kecojevic Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025
Dr. Michael Karmis Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Committee selects the recipient(s) of the J.W. Woomer Award. This award brings recognition of engineering professionalism to young people working in the coal industry.

Name Position Start End
Dr. Tathagata Ghosh, PhD Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Matthew R. Gray Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Susan B. Bealko, MS, MPH Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Gregory S. Barclay Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Nikky M. LaBranche, PE Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2024
Thomas C. Rauch Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050
Name Position Start End
Mr. Ryan M. Murray Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
J. Eric Shereda, PE Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Matthew R. Gray Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Deniz Tuncay Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Jim Haughey Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Karin Harrington SME Staff 02/01/2022 02/28/2050

The C&E Unit Committees are responsible for planning appropriate programming within their specific interest area.

Name Position Start End
J. Eric Shereda, PE Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Jim Haughey Vice Chair 03/01/2021 02/28/2024
Amir Eskanlou Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Bobby Burgess Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Rohit Pandey Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2024

The C&E Unit Committees are responsible for planning appropriate programming within their specific interest area.

Name Position Start End
Mr. Ryan M. Murray Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Samuel C. Baker Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Mr Adam Peterson Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Brett A. Ashley, PE Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Robert A. Kimutis Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026

The C&E Unit Committees are responsible for planning appropriate programming within their specific interest area.

Name Position Start End
Sampurna Arya Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Rohit Pandey Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Mr. John R. Loff-Peterson, CMSP, CRSP, CSP Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Mr Tushar Gupta Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2024
Vasu Gangrade Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Mr. Wm. Randolph Reed Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Name Position Start End
John R. Bowling Program Planner 03/01/2020 02/28/2026
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Nominating Committee selects members to serve on division committees as members or SME committees as the C&E representative.

Name Position Start End
Dr. Tathagata Ghosh, PhD Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Steven J. Schafrik Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Susan B. Bealko, MS, MPH Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Dr. Paul W. Conrad Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2024
Mr. Ryan M. Murray Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Heather Trexler Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2024
Karin Harrington SME Staff 08/02/2021

The Committee selects the recipient of the annual Percy W. Nicholls Award. Established in 1942, funded by AIME and ASME in alternating years, the Percy W. Nicholls Award is given for notable scientific or industrial achievement in the field of solid fuels.

Name Position Start End
Robert P. Kudlawiec Chair 03/01/2020 02/28/2024
Brijes Mishra, PHD Representative 03/01/2021 02/28/2025
Deniz Tuncay Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Committee shall review all applications for the Coal & Energy Division Scholarship and the John Sidney Marshall Scholarship and select the recipient(s).

Name Position Start End
Jason N. Todd Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Jon M. Bobbera Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Vasu Gangrade Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2024
Rohit Pandey Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025
Baojie Zhang Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2024
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Committee selects the recipient(s) of the Stefanko Best Paper Award. The Coal & Energy Division Stefanko Best Paper Award is awarded to recognize authors presenting papers in the Coal & Energy Division technical sessions for their contributions to the body of knowledge.

Name Position Start End
Steven J. Schafrik Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Edward F. Zeglen, Jr, PE Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Samuel C. Baker Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2024
Dr. Liming Yuan Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2024
Rachel Boothby Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Ashish R. Kumar, PE Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Carol Kiser SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

Coal & Energy Division Awards

Howard L. Hartman Award

The Howard L. Hartman Award, established in 1989, recognizes distinguished contributions in practice, teaching or research in the field of underground ventilation engineering. There are no limitations regarding age, nationality, professional field, membership in the Society, or otherwise.

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Coal & Energy Division Distinguished Service Award

The Coal & Energy Division Distinguished Service Award was established by the Coal & Energy Division in 1989 and the first Award was given in 1990. This Award will be presented to an individual for achievements in the coal mining industry. All candidates must be SME members in good standing and must be living at the time of their selection in order to receive the award. Members of the current award committee are not eligible to receive the award during their term of service on the award committee.

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Howard N. Eavenson Award

Howard N. Eavenson (1874-1953) obtained a bachelors degree from Swarthmore College and a civil engineering degree a few years later. At 26, he became chief engineer for United States Coal & Coke, a subsidiary of US Steel. For the next 18 years, he opened up several coal deposits and built 15 large coal plants in West Virginia and Kentucky. In 1920, Eavenson established his own consulting firm in Pittsburgh, PA and, by the time he became president of AIME in 1934, he was a director of Pittsburgh Coal Co. and chairman of the board of Appalachian Coals - a joint selling agency through which 137 producers of bituminous coal marketed more than 45 Mt/pa (50 million stpy).

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The Percy Nicholls Award

At a joint Fuels Meeting of the ASME Fuels Division and the AIME Coal Division in St. Louis, Missouri in 1942, the fall after Percy Nicholls died, the first Percy Nicholls Award was presented. This award was established by the two divisions to commemorate the outstanding contributions that Nicholls had made in the science and technology of fuels utilization. It is presented jointly by the Fuels and Combustion Technologies Division of ASME and the Coal & Energy Division of SME.

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Erskine Ramsay Award

Erskine Ramsay (1864-1953) graduated from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA in 1883. By age 20, he was the superintendent of H.C. Frick Coke Co.'s Monastery mines and coal works, which produced the third largest amount of coal in Pennsylvania. He then joined the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Co. at its Pratt Mines near Birmingham,AL and, in 1895, became the assistant general manager. An avid inventor, Ramsay was granted his first patent in 1897, for a coal and mineral washer. Subsequent inventions centered on improvement in the coal-mining process and in the safety of miners. Ramsay was involved in the design of a mine car with a safety cage and an automatic car stop.

Other inventions include the rotary car dump, the swivel coupling, the use of shaking screens and improved washers.The latter two inventions improved the process of removing coal from other minerals in a more efficient manner.

Ramsay served as head of the Republican National Committee and, in 1911, was appointed by the U.S.Bureau of Mines as member of a commission to study coal-mining methods in Europe. During World War I, he served on the Committee on Coal Production. He received the William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal in 1937.

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Rock Mechanics Award

The Rock Mechanics Award shall be given for distinguished contributions to the advancement of the field of rock mechanics and is open to all regardless of age, nationality, SME membership, or professional field. There are no limitations regarding nationality or membership in the society, though preference is given to society members. All candidates must be living at the time of award presentation.

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Stefanko Best Paper Award

The Stefanko Best Paper Award, established in 1983, recognizes authors presenting papers in the Coal & Energy Division technical sessions, at SME Annual Meetings, for their contributions to the body of knowledge. The award shall consider: 1) technical quality of the paper; and 2) quality of presentation. The award shall consist of a cash gift and certificate(s) for the author(s). In case of multiple authors the cash gift shall be divided equally among the authors. No Nominations will be accepted.

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J.W. Woomer Young Engineer Award

The J. W. Woomer Award (formerly the Young Engineer Award) established in 1976, brings recognition of engineering professionalism to young people working in the coal industry. Election to this honor is by the Coal & Energy Division Officers with notification to the SME Executive Committee. The nominee must not reach their 35th birthday before the Award is to be presented at the Annual Meeting.

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Coal & Energy Division Scholarships

C&E Division & John Sidney Marshall Memorial Scholarship

The Coal & Energy Division of SME annually awards scholarships to promising college students who have chosen as a career path the field of mining engineering with an emphasis on coal mining, coal processing, or other mining -related energy sources (including geothermal, oil sands, oil shales, coal bed/mine methane, uranium, unconventional oil sources through mining, etc.). Eligible students may submit one application in consideration for both the Coal & Energy Division Scholarship and the John Sidney Marshall Memorial Scholarship. The John Sidney Marshall Memorial Scholarship, funded by AIME, is administered by the Coal & Energy Division and awarded annually to one or more undergraduate mining engineering students planning to pursue careers in the coal mining industry. To submit an anonymous recommendation letter for a student, please email it to scholarships@smenet.org with the student's first and last name and the scholarship name as the file name.

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

Mine Ventilation Scholarship

The Scholarship (Mine Ventilation Scholarship) was established in 2014 by the SME Underground Ventilation Committee in honor of Dr. Malcolm J. McPherson, John R Marks and Dr. Rudolf Greuer, all world renowned ventilation experts; and all other ventilation engineers who have given their careers to the improvement of mine ventilation. The SME Underground Ventilation Committees gives this scholarship to improve the mine ventilation profession through education of mining engineers ultimately improving the safety and health of underground miners. The Scholarship is awarded annually to one or more students pursuing a graduate degree in mining or minerals engineering, with a desire to use their skills to apply mine ventilation technology to improve the safety and health in the underground mining environment.

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.