Recap the happenings from Alumni Reunion 2024. Learn more about this year's alumni award winners and Board of Directors. And mark your calendars for Alumni Reunion 2025.
2024 Alumni Reunion Recap
At Alumni Reunion 2024, Michigan Tech alumni and friends were treated to many exciting activities, including boat cruises on the Ranger III and RV Agassiz, a pasty dinner, and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of computer science at Michigan Tech. Thirty-six alums of the Class of 1974 were on hand to celebrate their 50th reunion and induction into the Golden M Society. Among the memories the new Golden M members shared was this gem from Donald Hill '74: "While at Tech, I didn't appreciate Dr. Bredekamp’s eight-hour chemical engineering Unit Operations Lab. However, I later heard a vice president of operations tell my future boss, 'If you want someone to design your plant, hire someone from MIT. If you want somebody to run your plant, hire someone who went to Michigan Tech!'"
2024 Alumni Award Winners
Michael A. Pulick Jr. '86
Distinguished Alumni Award
Pulick graduated in 1986 with a degree in electrical engineering and spent the first 12 years of his career at General Electric. In 1999, Pulick joined W.W. Grainger Inc., and advanced to the role of president, Grainger International. In 2015, Pulick joined the private equity firm Warburg Pincus. He currently serves as executive chairman for Kano Laboratories and Thermal Technology Distribution Solutions.
Brenda R. Ryan '76
Outstanding Service Award
Ryan earned a degree in metallurgical engineering in 1976 and went on to a remarkable career. She has founded and serves as president for two companies that serve the automotive industry. Ryan served two stints on Tech's Board of Trustees: 1979-89 and 2015-22. She was inducted into the Presidential Council of Alumnae in 2002 and currently serves on the Michigan Tech Fund Board of Directors.
David D. Reed
Honorary Alumni Award
Reed came to Tech as a professor in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science in 1982. He earned a number of recognitions for his teaching and research, including the prestigious Scientific Achievement Award. From 2001 until his retirement in 2024, he served as the University's vice president for research, helping create the Michigan Tech Research Institute in Ann Arbor and the Great Lakes Research Center on campus.
Danna R. Kasom '14
Humanitarian Award
As a health science specialist at the US Department of Veteran Affairs, Kasom is dedicated to the evaluation and implementation of complementary and integrative health therapies for veterans as well as addressing healthcare disparities among vulnerable veteran populations, ensuring equitable access to quality care. She graduated from Tech in 2014 with a degree in biological sciences.
Andrea (Walvatne) Falasco '12
Outstanding Young Alumni
Falasco is a lead mechanical engineer at Kimberly-Clark, where she leads equipment installs and designs components and systems for a tissue-making line. She earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Tech in 2012 and worked as an industrial engineer at Oshkosh Defense prior to moving to Kimberly-Clark in 2021.
Anne Dancy Maher '12
Outstanding Young Alumni
Maher graduated from Tech in 2012 with a degree in biomedical engineering. She works as a senior program manager in research and development at Medtronic, responsible for next-generation cardiac products for the health technology firm. Prior to Medtronic, Maher worked for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, where she completed the highly selective Chrysler Institute of Engineering rotational leadership development program.
By the Numbers
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435attendees
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58class years represented, ranging from 1954 to 2024
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27states (and Canada) from which alumni traveled to campus
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36class of 1974 alumni were present to celebrate their 50th reunion and induction into the Golden M Society
Alumni Board of Directors
Celebrating Traditions. Creating Connections.
The Alumni Board of Directors is a group of volunteers elected from around the country to represent their fellow alumni. These volunteer leaders partner closely with the University to connect alumni and support students.
Learn how you can make a difference as a volunteer.
Save the Date for Alumni Reunion 2025!
Michigan Tech will host Alumni Reunion weekend on campus July 31 to August 2, 2025. Featured classes are as follows:
- 1955—70 years
- 1960—65 years
- 1965—60 years
- 1970—55 years
- 1975—50 years
- 1985—40 years
- 1995—30 years
- 2000—25 years
- 2005—20 years
- 2015—10 years
Alumni from any year are invited to join the festivities.
Michigan Technological University is an R1 public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, 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.
