Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The "M" Step Project, a fundraiser leading to the sponsorship of one classroom in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's new engineering building, is underway. The 266 steps leading up to the largest "M" in the world, a proud symbol for mining and UWP, are being sponsored by UWP alumni and friends. In return, the sponsor's name or names will be engraved onto a plate that will be permanently attached to the face of the step. The first step will be named in honor of "M" founders Pat Medley and Alvin Knoerr. Recently, one of their friends and classmates, Larry Roe, sponsored the second step at a premium price.

Still a strong proponent for mining at age 90, Roe talks with spirit about the advantages of going into mining and engineering. Roe graduated from the Wisconsin Mining School in 1937 along with Knoerr. During the previous summer, Medley (class of 1936), Knoerr and Roe worked in a mine in Colorado. After seeing a large letter "M," signifying mining, on a hillside there, they envisioned an even larger "M" to represent Platteville miners. That winter, Medley and Knoerr tromped through the snow, marking out the shape of the "M." Their vision was completed in the spring with the help of fellow mining school students. Because Roe had to work on the weekends when the "M" was being created, he was unable to help in the building of the "M"; however, as co-editor of the Geode, the school's newspaper, Roe had access to an office where he and the other students planned the "M." The symbol was based on the monogram of the School of Mines (1936) and was made with 400 tons of dolomite limestone rock, which continues to be whitewashed by the Theta Tau co-ed engineering fraternity each year.

Born in 1916 in Cassville, Roe graduated from Cassville High School in 1933. Originally, he hadn't planned on becoming a miner. When he graduated from high school, Roe thought he would be a journalist. But one day, Roe met a man who changed his life forever. Roe said, "He convinced me to go into mining. I'm indebted to him." Thus, he worked for a year to save up the $119 it cost to attend school and started at the Wisconsin Mining School in 1934.

After completing his courses at Platteville, Roe finished his degree at the University of Missouri-Rolla mining school. Throughout his mining career, he worked for 12 companies in all 50 states and every continent except for Antarctica. He retired from Brown and Root, Inc. in 1984. Since 1981, he has run a business called Roeco, Inc., a consulting, research and engineering firm. Under Roeco, Inc., he has authored and published four books.

In one of these books, "Wisconsin Mining," Roe explained that he taught mineral processing at UW-Platteville in 1983 and used the letter "M" to emphasize what mineral processing is all about: "Making Minerals Meet Maximum Marketability." He also took numerous pictures of the "M" for his book. Other occasions that brought Roe back to Platteville include when he was the Distinguished Speaker for commencement in 1949 (the school was then known as the Wisconsin Institute of Technology) and when he spoke at the "M" steps dedication ceremony.

The "M" is a symbol that reminds Roe of many memories from his mining school days. The opportunity to take part in the "M" Step Project by sponsoring the second step means a lot to him. He said, "It's just wonderful. The word is pride. Looking back, one of the right things I did in life was go to the Platteville Mining School and work hard as a serious student." Sponsoring the second step also allows Roe to stay close to his friends. He said, "I have great respect for Al Knoerr and Pat Medley. I'm proud to have known them."

Dennis Cooley, director of the UWP Foundation and University Relations, said, "Every visit with Larry Roe is like a history lesson on southwest Wisconsin and mining. He embodies the 'can-do' spirit of the miners who helped build UW-Platteville into the comprehensive university it is today. We think it's wonderful that Larry is a key part of this project."

Roe and his wife, Kathryn, are residents of Madison and will celebrate 65 years of marriage this year. They have three grown children.

Contact: Dennis Cooley, director, UWP Foundation and University Relations, (608) 342-1182,cooleyde@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Kate McKinney, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, mckinnka@uwplatt.edu