Montana Tech Welcomes Roughly 700 New Students to Butte
BUTTE, Mont. — Montana Technological University is welcoming roughly 700 new students to Butte as another fall semester begins, bringing fresh activity to the campus and the surrounding community.
Students and their families began arriving for new student orientation on August 19, filling residence halls, unloading vehicles and getting their first look at life as an Oredigger.
Montana Tech Chancellor Johnny MacLean said enrollment is up and residence halls are filling as the university welcomes the incoming class.
The arrival of hundreds of students is an annual milestone for Montana Tech, but it also has a broader impact throughout Butte as students return to restaurants, stores, apartments and other businesses across the community.
A New Class of Orediggers
Montana Tech scheduled its 2026 new student orientation from August 19 through August 23.
New students checked in at the Student Union Building before moving into campus housing and participating in academic, social and orientation activities designed to introduce them to the university.
The week's events included Montana Tech's traditional convocation at historic Leonard Field, informational sessions for students and families, campus activities and opportunities for new students to become familiar with Butte.
University officials described this year's incoming group as another record class of Orediggers.
For many students, the week also represented their first experience living away from home.
Students Choose Tech for Specialized Programs
Montana Tech has long been best known for engineering, mining, science and technical education, but its academic offerings now extend across a broad range of fields.
Among the students arriving this year is Grace Begger of Wibaux, who selected Montana Tech to study radiology.
Begger said the availability of the program played an important role in her decision and that she also connected with Butte and its surroundings.
Another incoming student, Terren Foster of Billings, arrived to study software engineering.
Like thousands of students before them, the newest Orediggers are beginning their college careers on a campus closely tied to Butte's history and identity.
- Montana Tech is welcoming roughly 700 new students.
- New student orientation ran from August 19 through August 23.
- Residence halls are filling as enrollment continues to grow.
- Students are arriving from communities throughout Montana and beyond.
- Classes begin as Butte enters another busy academic year.
Focus on Student Success
Montana Tech officials have placed increased emphasis on helping students successfully transition from enrollment to graduation and eventually into the workforce.
MacLean has attributed much of the university's success to faculty and staff and the attention students receive throughout their education.
The university promotes what it calls the "Digger Difference," an approach centered on helping students become successful early in their college careers and preparing them for high-demand careers after graduation.
Montana Tech offers programs in engineering and natural sciences alongside business, health professions and other fields where trained workers remain in demand.
More Than a Campus Event
The beginning of the academic year is significant beyond Montana Tech itself.
Hundreds of new students, along with returning students, add to Butte's population during the school year and contribute to the local economy.
Restaurants, grocery stores, retailers, landlords and service businesses traditionally see increased activity as students return to the Mining City.
Families visiting for orientation also spend time throughout the community, introducing many people to Butte who may never have visited before.
That relationship between the university and the city has existed for generations.
Montana Tech traces its roots to the Montana State School of Mines, established in 1900 during the height of Butte's mining era.
More than a century later, the institution continues to have a major presence in the city while attracting students interested in science, technology, engineering, health and other career fields.
Beginning a New Chapter
For the approximately 700 students arriving this fall, the move to Butte marks the beginning of a new chapter.
Orientation activities are intended to help those students establish connections with classmates, understand available academic resources and become familiar with both the university and the community they will call home.
Montana Tech officials have said creating that sense of belonging is an important part of helping students succeed.
As another academic year gets underway, Butte once again finds itself welcoming a new generation of Orediggers — students who will spend the coming years studying on the hill and becoming part of the larger Butte community.
