Lacy Lecture Series

Formal photograph of W.C. Lacy, an older man wearing a gray suit and a bolo tie

The annual W.C. Lacy Distinguished Lecture is a tribute to Willard C. "Bill" Lacy, the first head of the combined Department of Mining and Geological Engineering at the University of Arizona.

Speakers are chosen for their prominence in, and outstanding contributions to, the mining industry. In their talks, they share personal experiences, examine case studies and offer best practices for the modern mining engineer.

The 2021 speaker will be Richard Adkerson, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, Freeport-McMoRan

Previous Lecturers

2006: Leigh Clifford – CEO, Rio Tinto
2007: James R. Moffett – Chairman, Freeport-McMoRan
2008: James Baker – Vice President, Environmental Affairs and Sustainability, Newmont Mining Corp.
2009: Geoff Loudin – Chairman, Nautilus Minerals
2010: Gregory H. Boyce – Chairman and CEO, Peabody Energy
2011: J. David Lowell – President and CEO, CIC Resources Inc.
2012: Ross R. Bhappu – Chair, Molycorp Inc., and Partner, Resource Capital Funds
2013: Douglas B. Silver – Board Chair, Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources
2014: Charles Jeannes – President and CEO, GoldCorp
2015: William Wilkinson – Vice President of Exploration in Africa, Freeport-McMoRan
2016: Lukas H. Lundin – Principal, Lundin Group of Companies
2017: Gary Goldberg – President and CEO, Newmont Mining Corp.
2018: Michelle Ash – Chief Innovation Officer, Barrick Gold Corp.
2019: Jean Savage – Vice President of Surface Mining and Technology at Caterpillar
2021: Richard Adkerson – Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Freeport-McMoRan

About W.C. Lacy

Willard C. "Bill" Lacy was born in 1916 to parents home on furlough from their posting as educational missionaries in China.

Lacy received an undergraduate degree in chemistry from DePauw University and an MS from the University of Illinois, where he met his wife, Jo. When his PhD program at Harvard was interrupted by World War II, he took a job with Titanium Alloy Manufacturing Co. to help seek materials critical to the war effort and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After finishing his degree, he went to work for Cerro de Pasco Copper Co. in Peru. He rose to the position of chief geologist in 1953.

Lacy returned to the U.S. in 1955 and was appointed full professor of geology at the University of Arizona. When John Forrester became dean of the College of Mines in 1956, Lacy was asked to establish and head the combined Department of Mining and Geological Engineering.

Lacy defined requirements for undergraduate programs in mining engineering and geological engineering, had the programs accredited by the Engineers' Council for Professional Development, and recruited students. He also established MS and PhD programs in both disciplines and prioritized hiring top professors, including John Abel, Bill Peters and John Sumner.

Students characterized Bill Lacy's teaching technique as challenging them with unsolvable problems while providing a framework for analysis – always with a focus on understanding the big picture of mining.

The UA Department of Mining and Geological Engineering is pleased to further his philosophy and carry out his legacy with the annual Lacy Lecture Series.

Distinguished Alumni Lectures

Prior to 2006, the department offered a distinguished alumni lecture series:

2002: "The Iron and Steel Business"
Thomas J. O'Neil – President and Chief Operating Officer, Cleveland-Cliffs Mining
2003: "Sustainable Development and the Gold Business"
Jack E. Thompson Jr. – CEO, Homestake Mining
2004: "The Copper Business"
Dennis M. Bartlett – Senior Vice President of Development, Phelps Dodge
2005: "The Future of Coal and Clean Energy Technology"
Gregory H. Boyce – CEO, Peabody Energy