Outstanding Woman in Business: Emma LaFleur - Engineering Management
“Choosing to attend Michigan Tech has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have
made thus far in my life. Choosing to study within the School of Business and Economics,
majoring in Engineering Management, has had a tremendous impact on my career aspirations.
With the help of my professors, I have excelled academically while developing leadership
abilities through extracurricular activities.
Within the School of Business and Economics, I am President of the American Society
for Engineering Management (ASEM). ASEM is a professional organization which advances
the practice, principles, and theory of management to promote the development of the
profession. ASEM has given me the opportunity to join the Dean’s Student Advisory
Council (DSAC) for the past two years.
Outside of class, I serve as Vice President for the figure skating club and am an
engineering management intern for Systems Control in their MTEC SmartZone remote office.
I accomplished significant things during my time at Michigan Tech. It is an honor
to be selected to represent the SBE student body as Outstanding Woman in Business.”
Outstanding Man in Business: Joe Platz - Accounting
“I was an all-state high school football player from a large downstate school. I had
big dreams. I went to football camps and visited many schools, including Michigan
State and schools in the Ivy League.
Michigan Tech offered me a football scholarship. Coach told me I was the classic MTU
player: smart, physical, and stayed out of trouble. MTU was going to give me a chance
to continue my football dreams, but I couldn’t get over one thing. I wanted to go
into business and did not want to major in engineering.
I found the School of Business and Economics because of my opportunity to play football
at Michigan Tech. MTU Football improved my interpersonal skills, challenged me to
go outside of my comfort zone, taught me the importance of time management, and provided
me lasting friendships. I am proud to have represented Michigan Tech as a student
athlete, but I knew it was time to focus on my career. Representing Michigan Tech
as a student athlete is something that can never be taken away from me.
After two seasons, I found a new place to focus my energies. So I hung up my cleats
and began to concentrate on my education and career development in SBE.
Getting involved in clubs and organizations in SBE is a priority; KSI, AICPA, MICPA,
Beta Gamma Sigma, and my final year taking part in the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance) program. This involvement stretches my learning, networking, and resources
so I may reach my full potential.”
Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
