Homecoming 2021: DeFilippo and Haig Recognized

Mining took a commanding role in the 2021 Engineering Homecoming Festivities, as MGE alums Makko DeFilippo and Carole Haig each won college-wide awards.

DeFilippo, who earned his BS in geological engineering in 2009 was awarded the Young Alumni Professional Achievement Award. 

After graduation, DeFilippo earned an M.Sc. in metallurgical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and worked in technical, corporate and mining-focused private equity roles. He is now president of Ero Copper, a mining company primarily operating in Brazil. He has kept in touch with many members of his graduating class.

“What makes the University of Arizona special is obviously the focus on research and academics, but also I think because of the size of the university, you have exposure to a lot of diverse viewpoints and perspectives,” he said. “There are a lot of clubs and opportunities for involvement that make for a really holistic education.”

Haig, who earned her BS in mining engineering in 1985, was awarded the Professional Achievement Award.

Haig has known she wanted to be an engineer most of her life. In her career, she has overseen planning, design and construction for major projects, including transit systems, vertical buildings, highways and tunnels. She serves as vice president of commercial projects at global engineering firm WSP USA.

“The world of engineers is so vast, and you need those people who are quintessential engineers, who look at a problem and immediately know what to do,” she said. “But you’re also going to find people like myself, who understand how to take all those pieces and put them together. It takes all kinds to serve the world of engineering.”

Later in the day, the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering hosted the 16th Annual W. C. Lacy Distinguished Lecture.

Richard Adkerson, the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Freeport-McMoRan, spoke to friends of the department about how much the world has changed over the course of his career. In addition to an increased focus on sustainability, he said, the mining industry has developed a greater emphasis on safety and diversity. Women are taking on more leadership roles, and Freeport-McMoRan works to train and hire employees from the communities where it does business.

“That’s the great thing about this industry,” he said. "You can do so much good for people. Give them jobs, help them with their health, their education. It’s a great feeling.”