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Walfrid Been Collection

 Collection — sc_box: MS 1, Folder: 18
Identifier: MS-256

Collection Scope and Content Summary

Collection, circa 1917-circa 1931, compiled by Walfrid Been, a Michigan Technological University alumni and professor. Includes unidentified photographs, probably of early students at Michigan College of Mining and Technology as well as a menu and dinner program from the Houghton Club in 1931. Also includes a 1917 fund raising letter in support of the equipment of a metallurgical testing laboratory and financial report for the George Koenig Endowment Fund (George Koenig, who passed away in 1913, is generally considered to be the father of chemical education at Michigan Technological University).

Dates

  • Circa 1917-Circa 1931

Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

The late Walfrid (Wally) Been received a BS in Mining Engineering from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in 1928. During his college years, he was involved in Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Rho Fraternity, Student Council, Inter-Fraternity Council, and the Mining Club, and was also president of his senior class. Wally started his diverse career in 1928 when he went to work for the Copper Range Company in Painesdale, MI as an efficiency engineer. In 1931, he worked for Calumet and Hecla, Inc. in Ahmeek, MI as a safety engineer, and, in 1934, as a laboratory technician for the White Star Refining Co. in Trenton, MI. In 1936, he traveled overseas to work as an engineer for Patino Mines and Enterprises, Inc. in Bolivia. Three years later, Wally returned to the U.S. to work for Isle Royale Copper Co., and was appointed underground superintendent. In 1942, he started a 13-year career at U.S. Steel Corp., where he worked as a mine superintendent in the Oliver Iron Mining Division in Duluth, MN. U.S. Steel selected Wally to represent the U.S. Government’s People to People program to assess mines in India and South Africa from 1947-1948. From 1955 until his retirement in 1975, Wally served as professor and head of the Mining Engineering Department at Michigan Technological University. Wally was chairman of the Michigan Mine Safety Board, the Community Chest in Chisholm, MN, the City’s housing authority, and the Kiwanis Club. He was also a member of AIME, the Rotary Club, the Hibbing Lodge F and AM, and the Algonquin Club of Hibbing, MN. Wally served the MTU community through his long-standing career in the Mining Engineering Department, and was also an Alumni Association Golden M Member.

Extent

0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection, circa 1917-circa 1931, compiled by Walfrid Been, a Michigan Technological University alumni and professor. Includes unidentified photographs, probably of early students at Michigan College of Mining and Technology as well as a menu and dinner program from the Houghton Club in 1931. Also includes a 1917 fund raising letter in support of the equipment of a metallurgical testing laboratory and financial report for the George Koenig Endowment Fund (George Koenig, who passed away in 1913, is generally considered to be the father of chemical education at Michigan Technological University).

General Physical Description note

0.18 cubic feet1/2 manuscript box (letter size)

Processing History

Elizabeth Russell,3/17/2010

Title
Walfrid Been Collection
Author
Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Russell
Date
3/17/2010
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US