Alumni Profiles

Gholamreza (Reza) J. Abbaschian (BS U Tehran, 1965, MS MTU MY 1968, PhD U Cal-Berkeley 1972). Dr. Abbaschian is currently the dean of UC Riverside's Bourns College of Engineering, Riverside, CA. Prior to his present position, he was the Vladimir A. Grodsky Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida, where he served as the department chair from 1986 to 2005. He held visiting faculty positions at NASA-Huntsville, MIT, and the University of Illinois-Champaign. He served as chair of the Pahlavi University in Shiraz, Iran, from 1972 to 1976. Abbaschian is an accomplished researcher and innovator, with more than 230 scientific publications, four patents, eight patent disclosures, and eight books. He was the recipient of U Florida's Top Researcher or Research Achievements . . .

Joyce graduated from Michigan Tech in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Industrial Management. She began her career at American Can and moved on to Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation in Spokane, WA. In 1981, she was the foreman of the company’s Trentwood Works Division. She then accepted a position with Kimberly-Clark Corporation where she remains today. During her 22 years with K-C she has held various manufacturing positions with Infant Care, Tissues, Adult Care, Wet Wipes, Nonwovens, and Technical Paper Businesses. She is currently at her fifth K-C location, serving as the Product Supply Director for the company’s Business-to-Business Group in Roswell, Georgia. While a student at Michigan Tech, she was a member of the Black Student Association . . .

Carl Adams received his BS degree in Applied Physics from Michigan Tech in 1962. He earned an MS degree in 1963 and a PhD in 1966 from Purdue University in Industrial Administration. In 1966, he joined the Systems Analysis Group in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. Since 1970, he has been a professor in the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He has served as the chairman of Minnesota's internationally recognized Information and Decision Sciences Department since 1983. From 1995 to 1996, he was elected and served as chairman of the University of Minnesota Faculty Consultative Committee. He has contributed numerous articles to professional journals in the areas of information systems and decision making. Adams served as charter member on the Advisory . . .

Dr. William Adams earned the degree Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1954, and went on to pursue an MSEE degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Purdue where he stayed on as Assistant Professor. In the early 1960s he left academia to join the Industrial Nucleonics Corp. where over the next thirty years he successively led groups in engineering, field service, manufacturing, and marketing and attained the position of Senior Vice President. He was responsible for much of the company’s leadership work in automatic control and instrumentation. His group developed the company’s first computer-based paper machine control systems incorporating some of the early applications of distributed process control. . . .

Dave Adler completed his baccalaureate degree in geology from Michigan Tech in 1982 and began his career as a tunnel geologist for the Colorado Highway Department. His first assignment involved mapping and engineering geology during the construction of a drill and blast highway tunnel for the last unfinished section of Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon on the western slope of the Rockies. In 1985 Dave began working in consulting engineering, specializing in engineering geology, hydrogeology, environmental geology, and geotechnical engineering. In 2007 he began working on the Detroit River International Crossing, serving as senior geologist for the deepest rock coring investigation conducted in the Detroit area. In 2015 Dave became intimately involved in the project, now known as the Gordie . . .

Clouds arise out of nowhere and dissolve into nothingness, an intricate interaction of heat and cold, dampness and dust. Michael Adler aims to describe a portion of that dance in numbers, the sign language of physics. Adler is a senior majoring in both physics and applied/computational mathematics. An accomplished violinist, he is minoring in music, sings with the Michigan Tech Concert Choir, and plays with the Marquette and Keweenaw symphony orchestras. He received the 2013 Provost's Award for Scholarship, Michigan Tech's highest honor for academic excellence. For his senior research project, Adler is developing a mathematical model to describe how clouds form, in collaboration with physics professor Raymond Shaw. The model is based on Rayleigh-Bénard convection, which anyone who has . . .

Marilyn received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Michigan Tech in 1981. She also received her teaching certification and taught junior and senior high math and other courses at Houghton-Portage Township Schools from 1981 to 1987. In 1990, she earned her master’s degree in mathematics from Michigan Tech, and worked as an instructor in the department. Then in 1997 she received her PhD in statistics from the University of Minnesota and began working at Pfizer Inc. in Groton, CT. She worked as a biostatistician, analyzing data from clinical trials. In 2000, she received the Pfizer Central Research Achievement Award for her work in analyzing electrocardiogram data. In 2001, she transferred to Pfizer’s Ann Arbor Laboratories, and is now a Senior Manager in Clinical . . .

Frank Agosti joined Detroit Edison as a student engineer in 1957, earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1958, and returned to the company full-time. Agosti progressed upward through a number of engineering and management posts at Edison's coal-fired power plants and was responsible for the start-up of the Monroe power plant. He later served as vice president for nuclear operations (1982-1987) during the start-up of the Fermi 2 plant. After more than 30 years experience at Detroit Edison's coal-fired power plants, he was elected senior vice president for power supply in 1990. Agosti has been awarded the Board of Trustees Silver Medal in 1990, is a member of the Michigan Tech National Advisory Board and the College of Engineering Industrial Advisory Board, and serves on . . .

How (and why?) do you run a marathon? by Dennis Walikainen '92 '09 You start with a cause. Or, at least you do if you are Mike Agostini '97, who has run two Boston Marathons: one properly, one not so well. "I started running in Japan in 1993;94 during a study abroad trip," he says. "I did it to curb my hunger, since running is an appetite suppressant, and I was broke. Fast-forward thirteen years. Agostini is living and working in Boston, home of the world's most famous 26.2-mile jaunt. No longer hungry, he found a different inspiration to take up running in a serious way. "Some colleagues [at MathWorks] were running for the Dana-Farber cancer research center, and I wanted to help out," Agostini says. "So, for that first marathon, in 2007, I raised over $8,000 for a couple family members hit . . .

Theresa Ahlborn graduated from Michigan Tech with her Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering in 1986 and her Master's Degree in Civil Engineering in 1987. She also holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Ahlborn is a professor in the Deparment of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering at Michigan Tech. She is also director of the Center for Structural Durability. Dr. Ahlborn has an active research program in the area of structural concrete related to concrete buildings and bridges, including the use of ultra-high performance concrete for bridges and remote sensing technologies for bridge condition assessment. She is a respected international scholar with over 110 publications, and has been PI or co-PI on over $10M in research. As the Director of the Center . . .

In 1979, Gary started his career at Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company in Ishpeming, Michigan. After an increasing number of western assignments, he moved to Colorado where he became CCI's Chief Engineer and soon after, Manager of the Western Division. He is a national authority on oil shale and served as chairman of the National Oil Shale Association. Gary has had a distinguished career of professional publications, diverse program and venture management for his company and varied public service to governments, universities and professional organizations. Some highlights include Director of the Colorado Mining Association, Chair of the American Mining Congress, Synfuel Subcommittee, committee service to both the University of Kentucky and the University of Colorado School of Mines, Chairman . . .

"Make your own success every day. Don't wait for it to come." Johnathon M.E. Aho '08 continues a tradition and philosophy he developed at Michigan Tech and puts it into practice as he continues at the Mayo Clinic. His ability to excel might not surprise those who remember the accomplishments of the Michigan Tech President's Award for Leadership winner, and his service to others on the Michigan Tech campus and in the community. A double major, in mathematics and biological sciences, with an international minor in German, didn't stop Johnathon from taking on leadership roles. As 2008 Blue Key Honor Society President he helped spearhead a 33 percent spike in winter carnival funding that made it possible to add online registration, bring back the traveling trophy, and make other infrastructure . . .

Only at Michigan Tech can the start of a great engineering career begin with being a Zamboni driver. When Jon was growing up in Hancock, the decision to attend Michigan Tech was an easy one. "My dad worked at Michigan Tech, and I was interested in math and science, so it was the logical choice…it is  right across the bridge!"  Being a long time hockey fan helped seal the deal, especially when he got the job to drive the Zamboni at the SDC to help put him through college. "I can remember when I was first starting out learning how to drive it, and I thought I had it down pretty well, but I forgot to lift the blade off the ice when I was coming off and I took out the undersurface boards. I sure was glad no one was around to see it!" Thinking he got away with it, he threw out the . . .

Katerina E. Aifantis enrolled at Michigan Tech in 1999 at age 16 and received her Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 2002 at age 19. With a graduate research fellowship from the National Science Foundation, she earned her Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Cambridge and her Doctorate in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Groningen at the age of 21, becoming the youngest person ever to get a PhD in the Netherlands. After spending time as a postdoc in various institutions, including Harvard, she was awarded, at age 24, a five-year European Research Council Grant ($1.5 million) to continue her work in Greece. She also is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Physics at Michigan Tech. She has published over twenty scientific papers and . . .

Michael Aimone served with the Department of Defense for 23 years. He served in the Pentagon as the Assistant to the Director for Emergency Plans and in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Security Policy. In his last DoD assignment, he directed the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization’s facilities engineering group. Currently, Mr. Aimone is the Vice President of Engineering for SKM Systems Analysis Inc. His military awards include the Secretary of Defense and Air Force Civilian Meritorious Service Awards, and a Bronze Star with Valor for combat service in Vietnam. From 1997 Induction to the Department of Electrical Engineering Academy

Cathy received her BS degree in Geological Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1971. She then spent seven years in industry: four years with mining companies in Canada (Ontario and BC) and then three as Geological Engineer and Geotechnical Engineer with consulting companies in Washington State and Illinois. In 1979 she returned to academia and a doctoral program at Northwestern University where she received her PhD in Mineral Resources Engineering and Management. Since 1981 she has been at New Mexico Tech, where she is now Chair of the Department of Mineral and Environmental Engineering. She currently serves on the U.S. National Committee for Rock Mechanics of the NRCC, National Academy of Science. From 1996 Induction to the Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences Academy

Bernie Alkire completed his baccalaureate degree in civil engineering at Michigan Tech in 1961. After graduation, he served for two years in the US Army as a Lieutenant and then five years with the Michigan Department of State Highways as a Highway and Bridge Design Engineer before going on to earn an MS and PhD in civil engineering at Michigan State. He returned to Michigan Tech in 1971 as an Instructor and was promoted to Assistant Professor after completing his PhD in 1972. In his 40 years as faculty in the Department, he taught a range of geotechnical, materials, and transportation related courses. In 2011 he retired from his academic career at Michigan Tech and is now a. Dr. Alkire was also very active in research and professional service over the years, serving on numerous ASCE committees . . .

Jennifer graduated from Michigan Tech in 1996 with her bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. She later went on to earn her master's in mechanical engineering in 1998 from Oakland University. She is currently the Senior Manager: Safety Recall Administration & Execution at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) where she is responsible for the execution of safety and quality customer campaigns from recall to repair of the vehicle. After graduating from Michigan Tech, Jennifer started at FCA after interning with them for 4 summers. She was selected for the Chrysler Institute of Engineering (CIE) program where she rotated through various areas of the company while she worked on her master’s degree. She then moved around for several years within FCA, before reaching her current position. . . .

Benjamin D. Almquist '04 examines life at nano-scale, but thinks big. Currently a Lecturer at Imperial College London where he leads his own research team, Ben came to Michigan Tech as an undergraduate for the welcoming culture, easy access to faculty, excellent reputation, and area beauty. Here the award-winning researcher developed and refined an admirable life philosophy: "Leave the world a better place than when you arrived and find a way to enjoy making it happen." Thinking back to what really stood out about Michigan Tech, Ben recalls, "Professor Bruce Pletka took the time to lead a one-on-one visit around the department and campus. There was no scheduled meeting length or time, unlike every other school I visited. Teamed up with the beautiful location, it convinced me that Michigan . . .

What is your job and why is it your dream job? I'm a dentist, and it is my dream job for several reasons: I get to work with my hands and draw upon my artistic side, I enjoy the challenging nature of the job, I have the opportunity to build connections with patients and I have the satisfaction of owning my own business. Why did you choose Michigan Tech? After my freshman year I had the opportunity to transfer to Tech from another university. In doing so I could continue playing basketball and go to a school with a strong academic focus I took advantage of it! Tell us about a memorable experience you had with a class or about a favorite professor? I really enjoyed Janice Glime's biology class. Her love of sphagnum is forever burned in my memory. Now, how about a memorable experience outside . . .

Tony Altobelli has served as Assistant Treasurer at Google for eleven years since joining the company in 2007. In his role as head of the investment portfolio management group, Tony designed and established Google's investment management platform to manage the company's worldwide cash portfolio that presently exceeds $100 billion. Tony is now the head of Risk and Strategy at Google Treasury, responsible for investment and hedging strategies and risk management activities. During his tenure at Google Tony has also held several other treasury leadership positions in the areas of corporate finance and capital markets, managing the company's liquidity and financing activities, financial derivatives strategies, foreign exchange risk management, capital structure, and strategic corporate initiatives, . . .

Beau Anderson wants to engineer a planet with more heart. The earnest alumnus says, "Humanity is something I would love to bring to the whole world; make sure every single person has water to drink, every person has shelter, food, health, and people around them caring for them. I don't want to make the world a huge monoculture. Differences are awesome. But every culture should provide humans with all their physical needs." Anderson, who describes himself as "my young and ambitious self," graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in May 2008. While a senior, he participated in the study-abroad program for four months in Copenhagen, Denmark. He worked on a vehicle that can drive on both the road and on a monorail system. He calls the project "futuristic." Being in a different culture . . .

Britta Anderson '15, a new member of the Alumni Board of Directors, says that she didn’t choose Michigan Tech—Michigan Tech chose her. "I was visiting for the Leading Scholars competition. My host, along with some other hosts and scholars, were down at Prince's Point enjoying the late evening snowfall. The moment that I crested the hill walking back up is forever solidified in my mind's eye. In that moment, I was no longer a high school senior, but a student already at Michigan Tech. From that moment on, Michigan Tech was the place for me." "Michigan Tech students are driven, motivated, and smart. These qualities have helped tremendously at work. While you learn theory in school, having skills such as these are really what counts when you learn the job specific skills." Britta . . .

Chris graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1972 with a masters degree in biological sciences. Prior to attending Tech, she earned a bachelors degree in biological sciences from Michigan State University. Chris began her career as an earth sciences and chemistry teacher in the Sun Prairie, Madison school system in 1974. During this time she has began work on a second masters degree at the University of Wisconsin. In 1979, she received her masters in education administration. Chris returned to Michigan Tech in 1981, accepting an instructor's position in the biology department. In 1983, she became the University's Director of Summer Youth Programs which led to being named the Area Coordinator for Educational Opportunity in the Education, Cultural and Public Service department in . . .

Christine (Tina) graduated from Michigan Tech in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. She continued with her education and received her master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University in 1996. Over the next several years, Tina was employed with Raytheon. The positions she held at the company included Project Engineer for Underwater Coastal Surveillance System, and Design Engineer for Mobil Offshore Base. Tina took a temporary leave from the corporate world in 1999 to spend more time at home with her children. In addition to being a full-time mom, she has used this time to develop skills in the education field. She was on faculty at the Community College of Southern Nevada where she taught algebra. She later tutored high school students in . . .

Cindy Anderson graduated from Michigan Tech in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. She later received a MS in Engineering Management in 1988 from Santa Clara University. In 1992, she joined Cornerstone Imaging in San Jose, Calif., and became the vice president of quality and information systems, steering the company through its growth from $14 million to $100 million in revenues and from a small start-up to an IPO. Several years following the successful IPO, she left Cornerstone to join the software company Actionpoint, also in San Jose, as the vice president of operations. Meanwhile, she co-founded BigCeramicStore.com, a successful internet retailer of ceramic supplies for artists. She is currently the president of that company, which includes a 500-plus page . . .

Donald Anderson completed his baccalaureate degree in civil engineering in 1966. He started his career with the Michigan Department of Transportation as a Survey Crew Chief and Lead Inspector. In 1969 he shifted his focus to estimating and bidding on bridge and highway construction projects with Midwest Bridge Co. After seven years with Midwest Bridge he joined the John Bemis Company with a focus on Highway Signing and Traffic Safety. However, in 1977 he returned to bridge construction with C-Way Construction Co. based in western Michigan. At C-Way he was Chief Engineer and responsible for all estimating, bidding, and project management. In 1986, when C-Way suspended operations in Michigan, Anderson and a partner, Gerrit TerLaan, decided to form their own company, AnLaan Corporation. AnLaan . . .

Gary Anderson, a leader in industry, has stood on the shoulders of giants—that is, his parents, whom he speaks of with fondness and admiration. Anderson grew up in Ishpeming on Michigan’s iron range. His grandfather was killed in a mining accident, so his father had to quit school at age 15 and go to work in the mines to support the family. When his parents started their own family, they worked their hearts out for their children. His mother wanted to make sure he had a good education; his father wanted him to have a better life than he had. "They never had anything beyond the basics," Anderson recalls, and he’s amazed yet at their sacrifice, so he could go to college. Anderson went on to earn a BS in chemical engineering in 1967. Tech proved to be tough, but he welcomed . . .

Iver Anderson grew up in Hancock and chose Michigan Tech because it was excellent for metallurgy, his first choice in engineering departments. He earned his BS in Metallurgical Engineering in 1975 from Michigan Tech and credits the school for providing him with solid fundamentals of metallurgical engineering. He credits Professor Darrell Smith for "opening my eyes about the power of phase diagrams!" and enjoyed his time at Michigan Tech, including plenty of time at Mont Ripley after he made the ski team in his sophomore year.  Anderson went on to earn his MS and PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison. After completing his studies in 1982, he joined the Metallurgy Branch of the US Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. His career path has led him to . . .

Mark A. Anderson (BS MTU MY 1960). Mr. Anderson has more than 40 years of diversified industry experience in both technical and managerial roles, including project feasibility, mine operations and product due diligence. His experience includes evaluation of base and precious metal properties with emphasis on processing, metallurgy, project management, and feasibility analysis. He has most recently served as chairman and senior associate of Behre Dolbear & Company, one of the oldest continuously operating mineral industry consulting firms in the world. Prior, he served as president of Columbia Resources, Inc., and in supervisory roles in several mining operations in Colorado and Nevada. He began his career as a process development engineer for Aerojet General Corporation in Sacramento, CA. . . .

R. Dyche Anderson is a native of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He received is BSChE in from Michigan Tech in 1981, where he was active in such organizations as Alpha Phi Omega and the AIChE student chapter. In 1996, Dyche was hired by Ford Motor Company to work on electric vehicle batteries and in 2008, he moved into research, taking lead of the newly established research group for battery controls in Ford Research & Advanced Engineering. His present position is Technical Expert for Battery Controls & Safety. This role also involves significant consulting with product teams on battery controls, battery systems, and diagnostics. Dyche is the recipient of Ford’s highest technical award, the Henry Ford Technology Award, for the development of model-based battery controls.

Mr. Richard O. Anderson, a 1971 civil engineering graduate of Michigan Tech, is President of SOMAT Engineering, Inc., in Taylor, MI. After receiving his baccalaureate degree, he continued on and received his MS degree in civil engineering from Michigan Tech in 1972, with a specialty in geotechnical engineering. Mr. Anderson returned to school after five years of consulting practice and received his MBA from the University of Michigan in 1977. In the 24 years following graduation from Tech, his consulting assignments have included over 5000 geotechnical investigations for major commercial and industrial structures throughout the Midwest, nuclear power plants, and a liquefied natural gas plant in Indonesia. He has specialized in the design and analysis of deep foundations and earth retention . . .

Retired President and Chief Operating Officer, Hanna Mining Company Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Iron Ore Company of Canada Robert Anderson earned a BS in Mining Engineering from Michigan Tech and received an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering in 1978. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from St. Francis Xavier University. He began his career with Hanna in 1947 and held many positions before his promotion in 1978 to President and CEO. Anderson served during World War II as 1st Lieutenant in the Army Air Force. He received the Michigan Tech Board of Trustees Silver Medal in 1971. He is a member of the Michigan Tech Presidents Club and served as a Trustee of the Michigan Tech Fund. He and his wife are members of the Second Century Society. Anderson is a member of AISI, . . .

Upon graduation, Robert Anderson went directly into the U.S. Army WWII serving three years as Infantry Sgt. In Europe and received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge. Upon leaving military service, Robert spent 35 years with the General Electrical Co. He holds 31 Patents and was awarded the GE Gold Medallion, the 100th Anniversary Edison Plate Plaque, and the GE Distinguished Inventors Award. He started with GE in the Engineer Test Program and went on to work on Photoflash Lamp Designs, Related Production Equipment, Introduction of New Products to Factory Production, Factory Inspections and Trouble-Shooting. He is a member of the GE Elfun Society, and a Licensed Professional Engineer-State of Ohio. From 2000 Induction to the Department of Electrical Engineering . . .

Steve Anderson is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Light Industries North America business segment within Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company. Ecolab is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that provide and protect clean water, safe food, abundant energy and healthy environments. With 2017 sales of $13.8 billion and 48,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive programs and on-site services to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use and improve operational efficiencies for customers in the food, healthcare, energy, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world. Throughout his 19 years with Ecolab, Steve has held various roles in the areas of sales, sales management, business . . .

Terry Anderson completed his baccalaureate degree in civil engineering in 1970. After spending six years on active duty with the US Army he joined the Michigan Department of Transportation. His MDOT career spanned over 32 years starting at the level of Transportation Engineer and retiring as a Senior Policy Executive in 2008. During this time he also simultaneously continued his career with the US Army. He served as a reserve officer from 1976 and retired from military service with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1993. In his years with the Michigan Department of Transportation, Terry was assigned to a series of teams charged with producing a MDOT mission statement and business plan. The focus was to improve development and delivery of products and services as well as to make significant . . .

Mr. Anderson began his career in 1944 working on the Manhattan Project as a Process Engineer with Tennessee Eastman Corporation. In 1954 he returned to Michigan Tech rising to the rank of Professor, Assistant head of Electrical Engineering in 1970 and Acting Head in 1972 and 1979-80. In 1984, he was appointed to the position of Director of the School of Technology. He retired from Michigan Tech in 1988 after forty years service. He has received several gubernatorial appointments to state licensing boards. In 1957, he received the Michigan Tech Distinguished Teacher Award. Mr. Anderson was featured in an article in the Spring 2007 Michigan Tech Magazine, entitled "Michigan Tech and the Manhattan Project." From 1996 Induction to the Department of Electrical Engineering Academy

Attending a Women in Engineering summer camp at Michigan Tech was the driving factor in Molli Andor enrolling as a student a year later. "I fell in love with the Keweenaw's natural beauty," she said. "Campus is positioned near so many prime outdoor locations to explore. Plus, spending the week on campus opened up my eyes to the engineering opportunities available." Molli earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2015. She recalls her Introduction to Design and Manufacturing class helping shape her passion for learning how things are made and understanding how to better design them. She soon became a lab assistant for the course, teaching other students how to operate equipment. "This was a great opportunity to get my hands dirty and to ignite a spark of passion for learning in other students." . . .

Paul Angeli earned the degree Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1987. He was awarded a graduate fellowship from General Electric to continue his studies at Michigan Tech, earning the degree Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1988 while studying under Professor Paul Lewis. In 1992, he became licensed as a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Minnesota. He is a past member of IEEE, and served for several years on the industrial advisory board for the Michigan Tech Department of Biomedical Engineering. Mr. Angeli began his professional career in 1988 with 3M Company in St. Paul, Minnesota, as an automation engineer. He earned several technical promotions with 3M and was recognized with the 3M Technical Circle of Excellence Award in 1993 . . .

From the age of three, when she attended a special early kindergarten on a state teachers’ college campus, Pat Anthony has followed her dream of being a teacher and mentor. Science and college prep courses took center stage while she was in high school in Grandville, Michigan, and a visit from Michigan Tech’s Glee Club opened her eyes to the promise of an education at Tech. She hit the Michigan Tech campus in 1963, the first woman to enroll in electrical engineering. She was active at Tech, serving as vice president of Lambda Beta sorority, as a DJ on Wadsworth Hall’s radio station and a member of the army ROTC auxiliary, the Silver Stars. She graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, the first female to do so at Tech. IBM hired Pat right . . .

Jim Anttonen ’65 became a pioneer in environmentally sustainable construction long before the term "sustainable" became a household word. In 1985, Anttonen launched ARS Denver Inc. with his partner, Kim Haarberg. The Colorado-based corporation has grown to become one of the top firms in the country specializing in soil stabilization and asphalt reclamation. Using methods that are friendly to the environment, including the grinding and repurposing of existing asphalt, ARS Denver prepares roadways and other thoroughfares to be paved. "We were one of the companies that pioneered full-depth asphalt reclamation in this part of the country," said Anttonen. The green practices that helped cement ARS Denver’s success don’t just preserve the environment. Sustainable measures reduce . . .

Dr. Apelgren graduated from Michigan Technological University with a B.S. degree in Biology in 1970. He went on to Medical School at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1974 followed by a one year rotating internship at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. He received residency training in surgery at the University of California Davis from 1976 to 1980 and went on to do further training in surgical nutrition at Harvard from 1981 to 1983. He was on the faculty at West Virginia University School of Medicine from 1983 to 1988 and came to Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Department of Surgery in 1988 where he continues to serve. Dr. Apelgren was promoted to the rank of Professor in 1992. His academic interests include surgical nutrition, medical ethics, medical history, . . .

Ruth joined the Air Force in 1980, an Honor Graduate from basic training, and was stationed at Kl Sawyer Air Force Base as an Avionic Instrument Systems Technician. The Air force selected her to attend Michigan Technological University in 1984. While here, she received the Carl Schonberg Award, given by the faculty at Tech to the student selected as the outstanding electrical engineering undergraduate. In 1986, Ruth graduated from Michigan Technological University (summa cum laude) with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. She went on to complete Officer Training School as First Honor Graduate. Ruth spent the next six years at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, first as a COMSEC Electronics Engineer, then as the Chief of the Electromagnetics Signatures Branch. She moved . . .

Elio Argentati, a native of Iron Mountain who moved to Iron River, Michigan, graduated from Michigan Tech with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1950, after which he fashioned a notable career. At Tech, he was a member of the Rifle Team, the Varsity Club, and the Air Force ROTC program. He served in the Air Force in Japan and Korea from 1950 to 1953, and then began his career, which saw him go from an engineer to the head of the Upper Peninsula Power Co. After his military service, Elio worked at his family business for three years, then joined the Erie Mining Co. in Minnesota. In 1960, he signed on at UPPCO as an applications engineer and spent the rest of his career with that utility. He steadily rose through the company’s ranks. He was the division manager, . . .

Dr. Richard J. Arsenault (BS MTU MY 1957, PhD MY Northwestern 1962). After graduating with a doctorate in Metallurgy from Northwestern University in 1962, Dr. Arsenault joined Oak Ridge National Labs as a research scientist. In 1967, he joined the faculty of the University of Maryland in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He then joined the Department of Chemical Engineering and later the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science and Engineering. Dr. Arsenault enjoyed a long and productive academic career, with a strong reputation in the area of mechanical behavior development in metal alloys and composites. He has published over 250 scientific papers, authored a book, and served as editor for nine others. He was elected a fellow of TMS in 1998 and served on the US Air Force Scientific . . .

Peter graduated from our department in 1959 with a BS in geology. He couldn't find geological work after graduation so he went to work for Ingersoll Rand Manufacturing Co., who transferred him to Calgary after a year and he became manager of compressor manufacturing. He stayed with the company until 1975, but then he made a bold move to get back to his geological roots. He took his savings and started his own oil and gas company, which first centered around a single drill hole in central Alberta, that he hoped would be successful. It was, and he has been in his own geological business every since with three energy related companies: Aubry Consultants, Ltd., Wescal Gas Ltd., and Bopete Resources Ltd. In the last five years Peter has turned to minerals exploration where he currently has projects . . .

Nancy earned a PhD in Biological Sciences from Michigan Tech in 1995. She completed a bachelor’s in Biology from the University of Minnesota in 1973 and a master’s in Natural Resource Ecology from the University of Michigan in 1997. Nancy’s career began in 1978 when she was employed as a zooplankton/fishery biologist at the University of Michigan Great Lakes Research Laboratories. From 1978-1981 she progressed from being a laboratory technician to supervising a field and laboratory team for a study of the ecological effects of two power plants located on Lake Michigan. She also edited and co-authored a large volume on the Identification of Larval Fishes of the Great Lakes published in 1982 by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. In 1984 she joined Michigan Tech as a part-time . . .

Don Autio began his career with Hanna Mining Co. in Iron River as an electrical engineer. After five years, as the mines were closing, Don moved to E. I. DuPont in their construction division as an instrument engineer. After two years in construction, he accepted a job in Midland, Michigan with Dow Corning Corporation. Don spent the next 30 years with Dow Corning in various engineering and management positions. During this time, he completed the MBA degree at Central Michigan University. Don retired from Dow Corning in 1994. He has been an active volunteer at Michigan Tech, serving on the Advisory Boards for the Electrical Engineering Department, the School of Business and the Career Center. From 2000 Induction to the Department of Electrical Engineering Academy

Dr. John Auzins holds a 1959 vintage BSEE from Michigan Tech and a 1963 MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. In 1959, John started his career with Lear Siegler in Grand Rapids and in 1960 he joined PR Mallory Co. in Indianapolis. In 1963, he started his 34 year career with General Motors at Delco Electronics (DE) working on thin film integrated circuits. He led the establishment of monolithic integrated circuits at DE in the early 1960s and the development and implementation of hybrid modules for automobiles such as regulators and ignitions. His last seven years at DE were spent in Advanced Development/Systems Integration where he was responsible for research funding. Since retirement from General Motors, John has been consulting through his company JXA, LLC. From 2000 . . .

Carl Avers earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1962. He continued his education in 1968 at Stanford University completing a special course in Special Finance, Economics, Accounting and Engineering Economy. Carl began his career in 1962 at the San Diego Gas & Electric Company as a Junior Engineer. He advanced in the company to the level of Project Manager before becoming a successful entrepreneur and consultant in the thermal energy area beginning in 1970 when he first developed Applied Energy, Incorporated. From 1975 until 1980 he was the Director of Advanced Energy Systems Division for Ellers, Fanning, Oakley, Chester & Pike, Incorporated. Avers was the principal business architect for a start-up company in 1980 that by 1987 became a 500 employee, . . .

Why did you choose Michigan Tech? I wanted to study engineering and Michigan Tech was and still is the best University in Michigan to attend for an engineering degree. Tell us about a memorable experience you had with a class or about a favorite professor One of my favorite classes was taught by Dr. Kahn [back in the 70's] on machining. He was friendly, knowledgeable and very funny. Now, how about a memorable experience outside of class? Generally the friendships I made and continue to have with many of the people who attended MTU with me. Bonds that will never be broken. How well did Michigan Tech prepare you for your career? Very well. I have had a very successful and varied career and having attended MTU was a big plus with any place I was seeking employment or advancement. What . . .