April 17, 2026

Michigan Tech will honor more than 1,300 graduates during its Spring Commencement ceremonies next Friday, April 24, and next Saturday, April 25, in the John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena at the Student Development Complex (SDC).

The Graduate Student Commencement Ceremony begins at 3 p.m. Friday, followed by the Undergraduate Student Commencement Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Speakers include Michigan Tech Board of Trustees member and honorary alumnus Jeffrey Littmann, mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics Ph.D. candidate Houssein Yassin, and environmental engineering major Caelan Mead-O’Brien. 

Doors open 90 minutes prior to each ceremony for ticketed guests. Parking is available in Lot 22 near the SDC and Lot 24 near the football field. Both ceremonies will be livestreamed and recorded.

Learn more at Michigan Tech News.

The Van Pelt and Opie Library is thrilled to officially announce that it has entered into a three-year open access publishing agreement with Springer Nature!

This is the library’s largest open access publishing agreement to date, allowing the library to provide support for article processing charges (APCs) for over 2,000 hybrid journals published within the Springer, Adis, Palgrave Macmillan, and Academic portfolios. The complete list of eligible journals can be found on Springer Nature’s Open access agreement for Michigan Technological University webpage. Funding eligibility will also display as part of search results when using Springer Nature’s Journal and funding finder tool.

In addition to APC support, this agreement also provides full-text access to more than 2,000 journals from 1997 to the present! This greatly expands Michigan Tech’s access to Springer Nature journals, making learning, teaching and research easier than ever before.

For more information about this and other agreements, including eligibility requirements, please visit the Library Support for APCs and Open Access Publishing guide or contact the library with any questions that you might have.

Electronic grades submission for the spring 2026 semester will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21.

Grades are due by 8 a.m. the following Tuesday, April 28.

Submit grades by logging in to Michigan Tech’s Experience online service dashboard and finding the Faculty Grading Self Service card.

Instructors have two options for grades submission. Select either Faculty Self Service Grade Submission or Course Tools for the Canvas Grade Wizard.

For help with grades submission, your Canvas Course, or using the Canvas Learning Management System, contact eLearning in the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.). You can also submit an IT Support Ticket.

Resources and Contact Info:

• Web: CTL Instructional Resources for Canvas 
• Email: elearning@mtu.edu
• Phone: 906-487-3000

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE) at Michigan Technological University celebrated outstanding achievement at its 2026 Departmental Awards Ceremony, recognizing undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty for excellence in scholarship, research, teaching, leadership and service.

The following were recognized:

• Department Scholar: Ryan Keen
• Nicole Bloom Award for Environmental Sustainability: Kris Crawford
• Danielle Ladwig Award for Graduate Excellence: Israel Adeoye
• Wilbur Haas Graduate Research Award: Meng Wu
• GTA of the Year Award: Kevin Brockett, Ara Hakim, and Linh Nguyen
• Assistant Professor/Assistant Teaching Professor of the Year: Daniel Dowden
• Associate Professor/Professor/Professor of Practice of the Year: Zack Fredin

The 2026 CEGE Departmental Awards Ceremony highlighted the depth of talent, dedication and impact across the department. From undergraduate leadership and global engagement to graduate research excellence and faculty mentorship, this year’s award recipients exemplify the values and mission of Michigan Tech.

The 16th Biennial Conference on University Education and Natural Resources (BCUENR) will be hosted from May 3-5 by Michigan Technological University’s College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science.

The conference will be held in person on Michigan Tech’s campus, and will consist of plenary, synchronous talks, panels, workshops and optional field trips. For more details about the optional field trips, keynote speakers, conference schedule and more, please visit the BCUENR webpage.

Registration for the conference will close at 11:59 p.m. EDT today, April 17.

Questions? Please feel free to contact Sierra Williams at sierraw@mtu.edu or David Flaspohler at djflaspo@mtu.edu.

Do you know a high school student who could benefit from a head start on their college journey?

Upward Bound is a federally funded TRIO program that supports first-generation, income-eligible high school students in preparing for success after high school. Through academic support, college readiness programming and enrichment opportunities, the program helps students build the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to pursue and complete a college degree. Students are eligible to join beginning the summer after completing eighth grade.

A key component of the program is the six-week residential Upward Bound Summer Program, where students live on campus and experience college life firsthand. Participants engage in academic courses, develop independence and connect with peers in a structured, supportive environment.

This summer, students will also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning beyond the classroom. They will work alongside Copper Country Habitat for Humanity on a home build project, gaining valuable teamwork and community service experience. In addition, students will explore creative expression through workshops at the Finnish American Folk School.

The program concludes with a celebratory trip to San Francisco, California, giving students the chance to explore a new environment, learn about career pathways and reflect on their growth throughout the summer.

If you know a student who would benefit from this opportunity, we encourage you to share this information and support them in applying.

Your encouragement could make all the difference in helping a student take the next step toward their future.

Students interested in participating this summer must be accepted into Upward Bound and register before April 27. For questions or more information, please contact TRIO Pre-College Programs hosted at Michigan Tech at trio@mtu.edu or visit mtu.edu/trio.

Mahler Resurrection Symphony – Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and Choirs of Michigan Tech
Saturday, April 18 | 7:30 p.m.
Rozsa Center
Michigan Tech Music Series

Tomorrow, April 18, the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts hosts the final performance of its 25th Anniversary Season. The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra combines with the Choirs of Michigan Tech, musicians from across the Upper Peninsula and Upper Midwest, and soloists Lara Neves and Kathryn Summersett to perform Gustav Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony.

Conductor Joel Neves, professor of music and director of orchestral activities at Michigan Tech, has wanted to bring this experience to our local community for a long time.

“The Mahler Resurrection Symphony I think, is the G.O.A.T. of all symphonies, the greatest of all time,” he said. “When you experience Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony it is an emotional thing. No other symphony takes you on such a journey like this one.”

This is the first time Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony has ever been performed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan — a fitting capstone to the Rozsa’s 25th Anniversary Season. 

To learn more about the symphony before the event, watch a video interview with Joel Neves giving context to this composition and explaining why it holds such a special place in the world of classical music. 

Tickets are still available.

Greg Furlich from University of Colorado Boulder will present at today’s Physics Colloquium.

Furlich’s presentation is titled “Applied Astronomy: Using Astronomy Methods for Ground or Space-based Remote Sensing of Anthropogenic Objects in Space”.

The seminar will be presented  at 11 a.m. today, April 17, in Fisher 127.

Read Furlich’s abstract and bio on the University Events Calendar.

Job Postings for Friday, April 17, 2026

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Research Program Manager, College of Engineering

Senior Office Assistant (12 months, 40 hours), Financial Services and Operations. (​UAW posting dates are April 17 to April 23, 2026. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal ​UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal ​UAW posting dates.)

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment or for an interview at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or humanresources@mtu.edu.

Holly Hassel (HU) gave an invited talk on Friday, April 10, as part of Stanford University’s 2026 Teaching Commons Conference.

Hassel’s talk focused on developing generative artificial intelligence policy in writing and literacy programs. It was part of the conference’s morning panel discussion, co-sponsored by the Program in Writing and Rhetoric and Stanford’s Teaching Commons.

Marine Technology News mentioned Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center in a story about developing human-robot teams for underwater missions. The GLRC hosted MIT equipment tests involving an autonomous underwater vehicle and human divers last summer. The story was picked up from Massachusetts Institute of Technology News.

The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned the Huskies Pep Band in a preview of the Michigan Upper Peninsula Veterans Hockey Club’s “T2T at the Dee” game against the Minnesota Warriors tomorrow, April 18, at Dee Stadium.

Industrial Automation interviewed Michigan Tech alum Seth DeLand ’08 ’10 (B.S. M.S. Mechanical Engineering) in a story about how generative artificial intelligence is shaping modeling and simulation in engineering design.

GEI Consultants mentioned Michigan Tech alum Dan DeVaun ’03 (B.S. Civil Engineering) in a story about his appointment as the firm’s central regional growth leader.

Engineering Fundamentals Honoring Retiring Faculty

The Department of Engineering Fundamentals invites you to join us for a celebration congratulating AJ Hamlin and Brett Hamlin on their upcoming retirement from Michigan Tech. A Retirement Open House will be held from 4-6 p.m. on April 28 in MUB Ballroom A1. 

Campus and community members who wish to honor AJ’s and Brett’s many distinguished contributions to the Department of Engineering Fundamentals and the Michigan Tech community are invited to stop by. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served, with a short program taking place at 5:15 p.m.

RSVPs are appreciated by Tuesday, April 21. Please complete the RSVP form, email Darlene Saari at dfsaari@mtu.edu, or call 906-487-3057. We hope to see you there!

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Mathematical Sciences Seminar with Andrew Fiss

Please join the Department of Mathematical Sciences as we welcome Andrew Fiss, associate professor of technical and professional communication here at Michigan Tech. With an undergraduate degree in mathematics and graduate degrees in history and philosophy of science, he works at the intersection of technical communication and STS and has been an invited speaker at math events in the U.S. and U.K.

The seminar will be held today, April 17, from 1-2 p.m. in Rekhi G005. Refreshments will be provided.

Fiss’ presentation is titled “Singing Math: American College Traditions from Book Burnings to Observatory Parties, 1880-1930”.

From the abstract:
“Singing Math” is a practice that linked American colleges particularly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A part of broader college singing traditions, it stood apart because of its subject matter: mathematical sciences. Noting how math songs were sung especially in homes, theaters, observatories, and outdoors, this talk explores stories of book burnings at Yale and Ohio Wesleyan; theatrical productions at MIT, Purdue, and Michigan Tech (when it was known as the Michigan College of Mines); and observatory parties at Vassar Observatory, Lick Observatory, and Harvard Observatory. Overall, it argues that math songs are a form of technical communication, one that has enjoyed large reach, particularly because of its multiple meanings and varied practices.

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ChE Seminar Series Speaker: Rui Shi

Rui Shi will present as part of the Department of Chemical Engineering (ChE) Seminar Series today, April 17, at 10 a.m. in person in EERC 100 and virtually via Zoom.

Join the ChE Seminar on Zoom.

Shi will present “Advancing Sustainable Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Secondary Sources through Systems Analysis”.

Read Shi’s abstract and bio on the University Events Calendar.

Shi is an assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University.

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Upcoming Banner Maintenance

A production system maintenance window is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The following production services will be unavailable during that time: 

• Apps.mtu.edu  
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• Banner Self Service  
• Degreeworks  
• Experience  
• MyMichiganTech  
• ASPIRE  
• Course Tools  
• OAP Rental System  
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If you have any questions or concerns, we can help. Email IT or call 906-487-1111.

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Advancing Sustainable Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Secondary Sources through Systems Analysis

Friday, April 17, 10 a.m. | Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC), 100

Chemical Engineering Seminar Dr. Rui Shi Assistant Professor Pennsylvania State University Abstract Rare earth elements (REEs, consisting of lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium) are considered critical materials and are used in a variety of modern technologies including wind turbines, lasers, consumer devices, and electric vehicles. However, the current production of REEs relies on energy and chemically intensive processes (beneficiation, leaching, solvent extraction, and refinement) from mining REE ores primarily in one geopolitical region, posing significant sustainability and supply chain vulnerabilities. Investigations into more sustainable supplies of REEs from abundant secondary sources, such as impaired waste streams, are critical to securing a stable REE supply chain while also mitigating the environmental risks associated with waste storage and disposal. This work presents a systems-level approach to addressing these challenges by exploring a novel opportunity to recover REEs from phosphogypsum (PG), an abundant industrial waste byproduct of phosphate fertilizer production. With REE contents of ~0.02 wt%, PG could meet the entire annual U.S. REE demand (~9,000 tons/year…

Physics Colloquium with Greg Furlich

Friday, April 17, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 127

Greg Furlich from University of Colorado Boulder will present at this Friday Physics Colloquium. Greg Furlich's presentation is titled "Applied Astronomy: Using Astronomy Methods for Ground or Space-based Remote Sensing of Anthropogenic Objects in Space". The seminar will be presented at 11:00 a.m. on Friday (Apr.17) in Fisher 127. Abstract Space has become congested and contested as access has proliferated for defense, civil, and commercial applications. To ensure free access for all to collectively benefit from these commons, the United States Space Force has identified Space Domain Awareness as one of its core missions. Research within the Data Exploitation Lab for Trusted Autonomy (DELTA) at CU Boulder's Center for National Security Initiatives focuses on novel use of data, algorithms, and sensor systems to expand and deepen the impact of the USSF’s SDA mission. Dr. Furlich will present an overview on SDA and these overlaps to astronomy as well as his research projects ongoing at DELTA and their impact the SDA. He will focus more in detail on a research project called Open-data Weather Imagery Launch Alerts and Tracklets (OWLAT). OWLAT has been demonstrated successfully on…

Rage Room

Friday, April 17, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Husky Statue

Take a break from finals stress and let it all out at our Pop-Up Rage Room! Join us on April 17 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM by the Husky Statue for a fun and satisfying way to release built-up tension. Students will have the chance to write their worries on a plate before smashing it to pieces! It’s the perfect opportunity to physically and mentally let go of stress, recharge, and head into finals feeling lighter. We hope to see you there!

Math-Sci Seminar Series - Andrew Fiss

Friday, April 17, 1–2 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, G005

Please join the Department of Mathematical Sciences as we welcome Dr. Andrew Fiss, Associate Professor of Technical & Professional Communication here at Michigan Tech. With an undergraduate degree in mathematics and graduate degrees in history and philosophy of science, he works at the intersection of technical communication and STS and has been an invited speaker at math events in the US and UK. Title: Singing Math: American College Traditions from Book Burnings to Observatory Parties, 1880-1930 Abstract: “Singing Math” is a practice that linked American colleges particularly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A part of broader college singing traditions, it stood apart because of its subject matter: mathematical sciences. Noting how math songs were sung especially in homes, theaters, observatories, and outdoors, this talk explores stories of book burnings at Yale and Ohio Wesleyan; theatrical productions at MIT, Purdue, and Michigan Tech (when it was known as the Michigan College of Mines); and observatory parties at Vassar Observatory, Lick Observatory, and Harvard Observatory. Overall, it argues that math songs are a form of technical communication, one that…

A Combined Computational and Experimental Investigation of Nonphysiological Shear Stress (NPSS)–Induced Blood Damage and Its Application to Device Optimization

Friday, April 17, 3–4 p.m. | Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, 102

Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar Ge He, Ph.D. Lawrence Technological University Abstract In this talk, I will present our recent efforts to investigate nonphysiological shear stress (NPSS)–induced blood damage and its application to the design and optimization of blood-contacting medical devices. NPSS generated by devices such as ventricular assist devices (VADs) is widely believed to damage blood cells and proteins, contributing to adverse clinical events including thrombosis, bleeding, and infection. However, the quantitative relationship between NPSS and blood damage remains incompletely understood. To address this gap, I will first introduce a custom-designed blood shearing device capable of generating well-controlled and spatially uniform NPSS, along with precisely defined exposure times. This platform enables systematic quantification of the relationship between shear stress, exposure duration, and resulting blood damage metrics, such as hemolysis. Next, I will present how the experimentally derived NPSS–blood damage relationships were incorporated into a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) framework using ANSYS Fluent. This integrated computational–experimental approach…

Rugby Watch Party with the Women's Rugby Club!

Friday, April 17, 6:00–8:30 p.m. | Wads

Come and watch professional women's rugby with the Women's Rugby Club! Learn how the rules of rugby and connect with our team! Hope to see you there!

The Graduate School is pleased to announce the following dissertation, thesis and report defenses occurring next week. Please consider attending to learn more about our students’ scholarship and celebrate their academic accomplishments. Check the University Events Calendar for last-minute updates to times, dates and locations.