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Alumni Spotlight - 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awardee - Arts & Sciences Borden Putnam The first day Borden Putnam stepped into a New Mexico Tech classroom in the early 1970s, he quickly found himself on a bus headed into the desert with Professor Clay T. Smith. No fanfare, no introductions, just boots on the ground and notebooks in hand, mapping. That was his welcome to Tech, and it was at that moment he knew he had chosen the right place. Borden graduated in 1977 with a B.S. in Geology and again in 1980 with an M.S. in Geology (Geochemistry), but his education was far more than degrees. It was nights in Workman Hall tending fragile vacuum extraction lab equipment, learning persistence when experiments failed, and discovering inspiration from mentors like Dr. David Norman, who would remain a guiding force in his career and his life. It was also friendship and belonging: Frisbee on the quad with the dogs, laughter in the “Ore House” and decades of music with The Vigilante Band, first formed in Socorro and though ‘dis-banding’ in 2018, many of them still play together today. His career began in the field with AMAX Exploration and later, Newmont Mining, where his geological research and insights led to one of his proudest professional accomplishments: the discovery of an +800,000-ounce gold deposit along Nevada’s Carlin Trend. It was not an obvious find, but rather a geochemically “blind” discovery that came from his analysis of carbonate stratigraphy and recognition of the hydraulic importance of unconformities. It was the kind of breakthrough that defined his work, rooted in science, sharpened by persistence, and bold enough to trust his instincts all paired with his persuasive commentary. Leadership followed. He managed exploration districts across the Great Basin and the Midcontinent before stepping into Chief Geologist and VP Geology roles with Mineral Resources Development, Inc (MRDI). Then came an unexpected turn, a leap into investment management. At Robertson Stephens & Co., and later with Eastbourne Capital, he became a Principal and Managing Director (Partner), applying his geological knowledge and business acumen to guide multimillion-dollar mining investments. Since 2009, Borden has worked as an independent mining consultant, bridging science and finance with a unique perspective shaped by both. But the achievement he speaks of most often is not his own discovery or his leadership roles, it is the program he helped build for others. In 2006, inspired by the field trips to mining districts lead by advisor Dave Norman, Borden proposed and launched the Society of Economic Geologists’ Student Field Trip Program. Over its two decades, the program has provided opportunities for over 500 students to visit and study mining districts across the world, guided by 67 professional mentors. Funded by over $1.5 million in continuing donations, it has become a legacy of mentorships that has changed lives and launched careers of many students early to geology. For Borden, this work is a direct continuation of what New Mexico Tech gave him: discovery, belonging, and the confidence to pursue what mattered most. His story is one of resilience, of saying yes to opportunities even when the path was uncertain, and of paying forward the mentorship he once received. When asked what this honor means to him, Borden is quick to shift the focus: “I hope my story resonates with all students, not only those in geology. Take the time to explore academic offerings. Find the career work that fascinates you enough to last a lifetime. New Mexico Tech did that for me.” To be named a Distinguished Alumnus of New Mexico Tech is recognition not only of a career rich in discovery and leadership, but also of a life lived in service to others: students, colleagues, and the profession of geology itself. |
Borden Putnam