March 6, 2026

Michigan Technological University announces the selection of Sri Beldona as the new dean of the College of Business (COB).

Beldona will begin his new role starting July 1. His selection comes as the result of a national search that narrowed the field of applicants to three outstanding finalists. The search committee, led by College of Computing Dean Dennis Livesay, included COB faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, and staff, along with representatives of the University Senate and other areas of campus.

“I look forward to working with Dr. Beldona as he draws on his experience in guiding the development of high-impact academic programs and collaborating with the business and philanthropic community to help elevate the College of Business in the coming years,” said Andrew Storer, Michigan Tech provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Beldona comes to Michigan Tech from East Texas A&M University’s Dallas location, where he oversees academic operations, serving as the chief academic officer and special assistant to the president. His broad experience includes serving as associate dean for academic affairs in the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas and as dean of the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University. 

“I am deeply grateful to Provost Storer for the trust and confidence placed in me through this appointment,” said Beldona. “I’m excited to join Michigan Tech at such a pivotal time in the College’s continued growth and momentum.” 

Beldona holds both a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration and a Master of Science in International Business from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Pune University of India; and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Gulbarga University of India.

“During my visit, I was struck by the dedication, collegiality, and unwavering commitment to student success demonstrated by the faculty and staff, and I look forward to working closely with them in the months ahead,” said Beldona. “Together, we will build on the College’s strong foundation, cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit across our programs, deepen engagement with our alumni and industry partners, strengthen collaboration with colleagues across the University, explore innovative new offerings aligned with workforce needs, and expand opportunities that prepare our students to lead with purpose and impact.”

Electronic Form 1095-Cs are now available on Employee Navigator for all employees who log in to consent to an electronic copy. Paper copies of the Form 1095-Cs will be mailed out starting this week from NELCO on behalf of Michigan Tech.

Form 1095-C is an annual reporting form of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that provides information about the health coverage offered by your employer.

If you would like to receive an electronic copy of your 1095-C:

• Log in to Employee Navigator using the username and password created during Benefits Open Enrollment.
• From your Employee homepage, click "View and Download 1095 Form" from the Quick Links tab on the right.
• Review and agree to electronic consent.
• In Tax Forms, click "View" (the document icon on the right) for form type 1095-C.
• Your form will download as a PDF that you may view or print.

The next Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, March 9, in GLRC 202.

Abdolmajid Erfani, assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering, Michigan Tech, will present “Explainable and Responsible AI for Engineering Decision-Making”.

Read Erfani’s abstract on the University Events Calendar.

The Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) is represented at the annual Michigan Science Teachers Association Conference, where Mi-STAR has an exhibition booth and several presentations. The conference is being held today and tomorrow, March 6 and 7, in Kalamazoo. 

Mi-STAR is a middle school science curriculum supporting both the Next Generation Science Standards and Michigan Science Standards, while empowering students to use science and engineering practices to address real-world issues. The curriculum was spearheaded by Michigan Tech faculty and staff, and launched in 2015 with a $5 million gift from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation.

The following conference sessions feature GLRC presenters. Names marked with an asterisk denote Noyce Fellows participating in the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program — a partnership between Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan University.

Conference Sessions:

• “Real Life Engineering Tools: Help Your Students Select the Best Solution for Your Problem-Based or Place-Based Unit” (Lindsey Watch, Chris Geerer and Jen Pera)

• “Mi-STAR Share-A-Thon” (Jen Pera, Marianne Semones, Chris Geerer, Tony Matthys and Lindsey Watch)

• “Is that Evidence? - A Foundational CER Lesson for 5th and Middle Grade Students” (Tony Matthys and Jen Pera)

• “What’s the Story? Help Students Make Sense of Graphs” (Tony Matthys and Jenne VandePanne* of Newaygo Public Schools)

• “Cracking the CER Code: How a Mi-STAR Lesson Can Help Your Students Construct Explanations and Argue from Evidence with Confidence” (Chris Geerer)

• “Increasing Student Motivation with Authentic Assessment” (Robin Allen* of Midland Public Schools and Chris Geerer)

WLUC TV6’s “Upper Michigan Today” morning show aired a feature segment on Michigan Tech student Haley Peterson (mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering) highlighting her achievements in the sport of pankration alongside her sister Nicole. The feature follows a profile of Peterson published by MTU’s Stories from Husky Nation.

Dennis Livesay (CC) was quoted by the Daily Mining Gazette in a story about Michigan Tech’s new Department of Data Science within the College of Computing, which was approved at the Feb. 27 Board of Trustees meeting and is expected to launch July 1.

UPword quoted University President Rick Koubek in a story about the economic impact of public universities in Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, highlighting MTU’s role in generating nearly $1 billion in economic activity and supporting regional workforce development.

The Daily Mining Gazette quoted Terri Frew (VPA) in a story about the Rozsa Art Galleries’ “Women’s Rights are Human Rights” poster exhibition, on display through March 28 at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts.

The Daily Mining Gazette covered Michigan Tech hockey defenseman Jack Anderson earning the CCHA Defenseman of the Month award for the second straight month.

9&10 News featured Michigan Tech alum Reid Goble ’21 (B.S. Biological Sciences) in a story about his role as a guide for Paralympian Jake Adicoff as they prepare to compete in Paralympic cross-country skiing at the Games in Italy.

The University of Iowa mentioned Michigan Tech alum Greg LeFevre ’06 (B.S. Environmental Engineering) in a story about the recipients of the 2026 Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Awards.

MSE Seminar with Alexis Voulgaropoulos

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by Alexis Voulgaropoulos, Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University.

The seminar will be held today, March 6, at 4 p.m. in M&M 610.

Voulgaropoulos will present “Chemical recycling of plastics: Mapping a path for responsible future technology integration”.

From the abstract:
Since the commercialization of plastics in the 1950s, over 8300 million metric tons of plastic have been produced. Despite the ubiquity of plastics in daily life, only 5% of plastics in the United States are recycled annually. There is a critical need to reduce landfilled plastic waste and increase plastic recycling rates. Currently, mechanical recycling makes up the majority of plastic recycling processes, but it is limited due to polymer degradation and the need for high feedstock purity. Chemical recycling is an emerging plastic recycling solution that converts bulk polymers into commodity chemicals, showing promise for upcycling a more robust range of plastics and increasing plastic recycling rates. Despite its potential, there is opposition to the implementation of new chemical recycling facilities. After engaging with policymakers and the public at the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty, I observed that many environmentally conscious stakeholders are hesitant to embrace chemical recycling as an implementable, widespread solution. In this seminar, I discuss 1) the reasons for public doubt of chemical recycling, 2) the cyclical trend of chemical innovation and environmental externalities, and 3) how chemical engineers can move forward to reduce environmental hazards associated with technology development.

Voulgaropoulos is a chemical engineering Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University studying chemical recycling of plastics. She conducts research under guidance of Chris Tassone at SLAC National Lab, where she uses X-ray scattering to understand the fundamentals of plastic degradation and optimize chemical recycling catalysts. She is also keenly interested in the intersection between chemical engineering and policy. On the policy front, she is the chair of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ (AIChE’s) Public Information and Information Committee, where she engages with AIChE members on policy issues pertaining to chemical engineering.

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Recreation in March!

This March, let the fun begin with Michigan Tech Rec! 

From heart-pumping workouts and family-friendly events at the Student Development Complex (SDC) to fast-paced and fun pickleball matches at the Gates Tennis Center and unforgettable excursions with the Outdoor Adventure Program, there’s something for every age, interest and ability level. Whether you’re looking to stay active, try something new, or connect with others in the community, we’ve got your recreation covered. Be sure to visit our website for registration links, and check back often — new and exciting programs are always being added!

Plan ahead for spring break! Be sure to review our Open Rec Hours to schedule your recreation time accordingly. Please note that building hours are currently limited, now through Sunday, March 8, for spring break.

Interested in building membership and taking advantage of all the great components? We’ve got you covered! Check out the details of an SDC Membership or Gates Membership. Questions? Reach out to recreation@mtu.edu.

March Recreation Programs:

• Sports Camps and Events — Spring Camps
  (Registration is open now!)
  • Volleyball High School Skills Academies
  • Girls’ Basketball Little Huskies
  • Boys’ Basketball Little Huskies
  • Football Little Huskies
  • Doghouse Classic 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
  • Indoor Triathlon
    
    
• Sports Camps and Events — Summer Camps
  (Registration opens March 9 for hockey / March 16 for all others)
  • Boys’ Basketball 
  • Girls’ Basketball
  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Figure Skating
  • Soccer
  • Strength and Conditioning
  • Volleyball
    
    
• Aquatics
  • Adult Swim Lessons and Adult Swim Training
  • Private/Semi-Private Swim Lessons
  • Youth Group Swim Lessons
  • Youth Competitive Swim Training
  • Aqua-Fit Class
  • PADI Open Water SCUBA Course
  • Huskies Diving Clinic
  • WIBIT Events
    
    
• Fitness Coaching and Classes
  • Personal and Partner Fitness Coaching
  • Group Fitness Classes
    
    
• HuskiesFit Programs 
  • Indoor Rowing 
  • Adult Aikido
  • Youth Aikido
  • Tumbling
    
    
• Ice Arena and Rental Center
  • Open Skate and Open Hockey
  • Equipment Rental and Skate Sharpening
    
    
• Outdoor Adventure Program
  • Indoor Rock Climbing and Log Rolling
  • Snowshoeing
  • Snowshoe Hike
  • Outdoor Equipment Rental
    
    
• Shooting Range 
  • Concealed Pistol License Course 
  • Defensive Handgun Course
  • Hunter’s Safety Course
    
    
• Gates Tennis Center 
  • Adult Tennis Lessons (Group and Private) 
  • Youth Tennis Lessons (Group and Private)

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

Men's Tennis vs TBD

Friday, March 6, 12–3 a.m.

Men's Tennis vs TBD

Women's Tennis vs TBD

Friday, March 6, 12–3 a.m.

Women's Tennis vs TBD

Women's Rights are Human Rights: International Posters on Gender-based Inequality, Violence, and Discrimination Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries

Friday, March 6, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Art Galleries, Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT Women’s Rights are Human Rights is a fitting title for an exhibition of women’s rights and advocacy posters, as it was a term used in the women’s rights movement and was the title of an important speech given by Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1995 at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. This exhibition features posters created by artsit of all genders to celebrate and acknowledge the vital role that all citizens should play in protecting and promoting human rights while challenging gender inequality and stereotypes, advancing reproductive and sexual rights, protecting women and girls against brutality, and promoting women’s empowerment and participation in society. These poster images challenge patriarchal attitudes that subordinate, stigmatize or restrict women from achieving their fullest potential. These images argue for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls enabling empowerment of women and achievement of real equality between women and men that fosters societal stability and human dignity. Learn more at womensrightsarehumanrights.org Things to know ROZSA ART GALLERIES HOURS | M-F 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and…

Mont Ripley Ski Patrol 90th Anniversary Celebration

March 6, all day | Michigan Tech Campus

Please join us in celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Mont Ripley Ski Patrol. The weekend will offer a variety of activities, including a campus tour, socials, a celebratory dinner and of course, skiing! Register by Monday, March 2, 2026 to choose from a variety of events over the two-day celebration.

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.