The 150th Anniversary Hat

Currently, only graduating students who are eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremonies held on May 9, 2024 and May 10, 2024 are eligible to order the Hat.

Place an order on the special events website.

Note that Multipass login is required to gain access to ticket ordering. If you have issues, please email commencement@mines.edu.

The cost is only $25 for graduating students, inclusive of taxes and fees.

There will be two distribution days for fitting and branding the hats on Thursday, May 2, 2024 and Friday, May 3, 2024. Both days will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Stratton Commons.

• You can pick up your hat on EITHER Thursday, May 2 OR Friday, May 3 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Stratton Commons (under the tents).
• Please come prepared to show your ticket. To expedite the process, remind yourself of your hat size and style before coming to the tents.
• You will have the option to try your hat on to confirm the fit. If you need to adjust the fit of your hat, The Cow Lot will have trained hat shapers there to custom fit your hat to you.
• You will have the option to brand your hat when you pick it up with four different Mines logo branding irons. You decide on the brand you want and the location on your hat at pickup.
• We ask for your patience during pickup. If the lines are long, come back at another time. You can go to either tent to pick up your hat, as the process is duplicated in each tent.
• Beginning May 5, those that are unable to pick up their hat on campus can pick up their hat in-person at The Cow Lot, located at 10890 E 47th Ave, Denver, CO 80239 during business hours. They can shape and brand your hat at the store for you. Most of you should plan to pick up your hat on campus, unless you have extenuating circumstances.

This distinctive hat dates back to the 19th century and was a recognizable symbol of engineers working in the mines and an expression of pride for Mines graduates. Hard rock mining engineers in the mid-1800s often wore these hats underground because they repelled water, kept the miner’s head warm, and the brim prevented dripping water from running down their necks. The trapezoidal block also allowed the miners to walk tall under the mine’s timbers. In addition, supervisors out in the field needed something to help others identify them from a distance: “You lookin’ for the engineer? Look for the one over there in the funny hat!”

For decades until the 1970s, Orediggers in their senior year could purchase and wear a low-crown, medium-brim Western-style hat, with a design traced back to the mining industry. The Senior Stetson was a great source of pride for many Mines graduates as it was both a sign of their engineering profession and their accomplishment of becoming a Mines graduate. Many graduates from that era still have and display their Senior Stetsons, and a few even wear them to Mines events.

Our graduating Class of 2024 is a special one. Most students in this group did not get to experience traditional high school graduation ceremonies back in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Coincidentally, this year’s graduating class is also helping celebrate Mines’ sesquicentennial anniversary. It’s a big deal! Now, as these students prepare to cross the stage at the graduation they have long-deserved, they’ll have a special piece of Mines history to take with them.

You’ll have the option to choose either the traditional style (2.5” curled brim, western crown shape with mule kick front and back) or the Western style (4.25” rancher brim, cattleman’s crown). The color shading varies but will be silver belly.

The hats are 100% wool with buckle detail, manufactured by Twister with Mines-branded customizations on the interior (see photos below). Shaping, fitting, and branding provided by The Cow Lot.

There will be a future opportunity for alumni and future graduating classes to purchase the 150th Anniversary Hat that will be rolled out at a later date – more information to come. The intent is to have the 150th Anniversary Hat available for the graduating class for May 2024, so we have prioritized this group. We appreciate your patience!

Graduate students who are eligible to graduate on May 9, 2024 are eligible to purchase a hat. Hat pick-up, customization, and branding will be held on May 2, 2024.

Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. on May 1, 2024. Hats will be available for pickup at the senior BBQ, where you can get them shaped and branded with a unique Mines brand!