Lee Saperstein: A Dedication to Mining Environment, Health, Safety & Education

Dr. Lee Saperstein’s leadership at Penn State, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Missouri-Rolla, as well as his extensive work with ABET and NIOSH, helped elevate safety, professional training, and the technical rigor of mining programs nationwide. For industry insights, priceless advice, and fascinating stories from the mines, listen to Dr. Lee Saperstein’s oral history. Segment Synopsis: 00:00:06  Introduction 00:00:53  My Childhood In New York City & Introduction to the World of Mines 00:07:07  Family, Early Aspirations, and Influential Statistics 00:10:52  Over and Underground – Summer Jobs & Stories from the Mines 00:18:23  The Greatest Influence in My Life – Why I Left Montana for England 00:25:02  My Career at Penn State – Modernizing Curriculum and Moving Up 00:29:55  The Rebirth of Mining at the University of Kentucky 00:34:53  Memories of the School of Mines and Metallurgy & Gifted Colleagues 00:44:35  How to Keep Miners Awake – My Introduction to Mining Health and Safety 00:50:27  The State of Health and Safety in Industry, Then & Now 00:55:45  The Opportunities and Benefits of My Career – The Meaning Behind It All 01:00:10  Industry and Family – Finding Balance in Personal and Professional Life 01:03:50  Member Societies and the Future of Mining Education 01:09:32  Final Career Reflections and Signing Off – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly To learn more about Lee Saperstein, please visit: https://aimehq.org/what-we-do/oral-hi... Copyright © 2026 - American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers. Photo credits: Lee Saperstein University of Kentucky Music by: Instrumental Background Music (www.instrumentalbgm.com) Edited By: Ideal Exposure Photography, LLC. Category Science & Technology