Project Highlight
Building Wellness: University Launches New Construction Project
In December 2025, Michigan Tech Board of Trustees approved construction of the Chang K. Park Center for Student Wellness. A $55 million dollar gift from Chang K. Park will fully fund project. The 90,000 square foot facility will be located between the Memorial Union and Administration buildings. The Center will support the four pillars of Michigan Tech's Be Well Initiative: Live Well, Play Well, Connect Well, and Recharge Well. The Center will advance student emotional, physical and mental health, with dedicated space for instructional areas, a fitness center, locker rooms, group training rooms, a medical clinic, outreach and prevention offices, and accessible wellness amenities throughout. Design planning is currently underway with construction slated to begin in the spring, and opening planned for the fall of 2028. To learn more about this project, visit MTU's wellness page.
Success Stories
Central Energy Plant Continues to Modernize
The Central Energy Plant celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025, providing steam, hot water, humidification and electricity to most of the campus buildings. During its lifetime, the plant has been modernized and improved in many ways. In the 1950s, the plant was fueled by coal, and the operation was labor-intensive and fairly manual. Today, you will find a modern, clean and automated plant that is well-maintained.
The most recent upgrade involved replacing older lighting systems with energy-efficient LED lights controlled by sensors. During the retrofit work, the lighting circuit for the main plant area carried 13 amps of electrical load, after the replacement, the total draw was only 1 amp. This project was eligible for an energy rebate, which Michigan Tech uses to perform additional energy-saving projects.
Another benefit of the lighting upgrade was the immediate improvement in the work environment; bright, flicker-free lighting makes a significant difference for the operators and maintenance technicians in the facility. Excellent lighting improves visibility, reduces eye strain and enhances overall comfort in the space. It saves energy AND makes the plant a better place to work.
