January 28, 2026

Michigan Tech's Office of Alumni Engagement, together with staff from the University Archives and current student members of the Blue Key National Honor Society, invite all University alumni to join us in the Opie Reading Room in the Van Pelt and Opie Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 7 for a Winter Carnival Alumni Social. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided.

Come see the special limited-time exhibit, “Snowy Themes and Festive Scenes: Photos and Memorabilia of Carnivals Gone By,” featuring vintage photos, memorabilia, pictorials and yearbooks, especially those keepsakes that celebrate snow statues and outdoor winter fun from carnivals gone by.

Please stop by as your schedule allows, browse the various treasures from the Archives, share experiences, and warm up!

Thanks to generous alumni gifts, two funding opportunities are now available to help Michigan Tech students develop climate change leadership skills. Please share widely with your networks!

Please visit the Student Funding Opportunities webpage for more information. Feel free to send questions to Alan Turnquist, director of sustainability and resilience, at sustainability@mtu.edu.

Funding Opportunities:

1. Frank Chernosky Climate Ambassador Award (upper-level undergraduates only)
Includes $8,000 tuition scholarship plus up to $1,600 for professional development. 

• One award available for 2026-27. 
• Funds usable through August 2027. 
• Includes partial tuition and funds/support to pursue professional development. 
• Apply on the 2026 Chernosky Award application form. 
• Deadline: March 13.

2. NextGen Climate Leaders Fund (all student levels)
Up to $1,000 per student (a minimum of $10,000 total is available for 2026).

• Supports eligible professional development activities that build climate leadership skills and networks.
  – Note for graduate students: Research expenses are ineligible. For proposed conference travel, please demonstrate how the experience is complementary to your research and coursework.
• Apply on the 2026 NextGen application form. 
• Deadline: Rolling applications accepted through 2026 (review time of 10 business days).

Human Resources is excited to announce our new Monthly HR Connect sessions! These virtual meetings are designed to keep you informed, supported and connected with the HR team.

Whether you have questions about benefits, want to learn about new policies, or just want to stay in the loop, these sessions are for you.  If you have suggestions on topics you would like to hear about, please email us at hr-help@mtu.edu and we can add it to our list!

Session Details:

• When: The second Tuesday of every month from 1-2 p.m.
• Where: Virtually on Zoom. Meeting links for each month's session will be provided the week prior in Tech Today and can be found on our HR Events Calendar.

How it Works:

• Variable Topics: Each month will focus on a different theme — ranging from new policies and procedures to open Q&A forums.
• Stay Informed: HR will announce each session's topic one week before the meeting in Tech Today, and a reminder will appear the day before the session is held.

Next Thursday, Feb. 5, starting at 1 p.m., Michigan Tech IT will be working with a vendor to apply upgrades to the campus phone and voicemail systems. Phones will continue to operate as normal and fail over to backup systems if necessary. Incoming and outgoing calls will be unavailable during a phone reboot, which will only take a few minutes.

If the work is not completed by 6 p.m. next Thursday, we will continue the work next Friday, Feb. 6, starting at 9 a.m.

If you have any questions or concerns, we can help. Email IT or call 906-487-1111.

Nominations are open to celebrate and recognize the individual and group efforts of students involved across campus at the 32nd Annual Student Leadership Awards! The nomination deadline for all awards is March 9 at 11:59 p.m. Each week leading up to the nomination deadline, we will highlight awards for which you could nominate an outstanding member of our community!

• William and Josephine Balconi Community Service Award: The William and Josephine Balconi Community Service Award honors students who demonstrate meaningful contributions to their community, regardless of their background or field of study. This award was established by Dr. David and Marie Blum in memory of Marie’s parents, Josephine and William Balconi. Known for their kindness, warmth and dedication to helping others, the Balconis lived in the Houghton area and left a legacy of selfless service. Through this award, their spirit of generosity continues to inspire and recognize students who share their commitment to making a difference. Help us celebrate the next generation of change-makers! Students eligible for this award are rising seniors with at least one remaining semester who intend to graduate from Michigan Tech. Your nominee has the chance to win a $5,000 scholarship if selected. Nominate a deserving student who exemplifies these values! Nominate someone on the William and Josephine Balconi Community Service Award nomination form.

• Gail and Glenn Mroz Emeritus President Leadership Award: The Gail and Glenn Mroz Emeritus President Leadership Award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional leadership abilities through their activities at Michigan Tech or philanthropic efforts that benefit the University and the greater Keweenaw community. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who lead with humility, integrity and an unyielding will to make a difference. Whether through inspiring others, driving positive change or supporting the community with purpose, the ideal recipient is a leader who leaves a lasting impact. Nominate an outstanding leader today! Students eligible for this award are first-, second-, and third-year undergraduate or continuing graduate students. Your nominee has the chance to win a $3,000 scholarship if selected. Help us honor a student whose leadership inspires those around them! Nominate someone on the Gail and Glenn Mroz Emeritus President Leadership Award nomination form.

Find more award information and nomination forms on the Student Leadership Award webpage.

Student Leadership and Involvement (SLI) and the Order of Omega are excited to announce our Spring 2026 Blood Drive! The blood drive will take place on Feb. 10 and Feb. 11. You can donate between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the MUB Ballroom.

Donating blood is a simple way to make a real impact — every donation can help save lives. The American Red Cross strongly encourages all donors to schedule an appointment in advance through their website to ensure a smooth experience.

To thank participants for giving back, all donors will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice through the American Red Cross.

In addition, donors who sign up in advance will have the opportunity to receive a newly designed, limited-edition Red Cross x Metallica T-shirt and guitar pick. Participants will also be entered for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind ESP Guitars Snakebyte guitar, featuring an exclusive Red Cross x Metallica design and autographed by all Metallica band members.

For more information, visit the Student Leadership and Involvement Blood Drives webpage.

We hope to see you there and appreciate your support in giving back to the community!

Financial Services and Operations (FSO) will hold our next Lunch and Learn session on finance-related topics on Feb. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. EST.

This session will be hosted virtually on Zoom and recorded for those unable to attend. Please register for the Lunch and Learn to receive the Zoom link and recording.

We’ll be covering the following topics. When you sign up, you'll have the opportunity to share any questions in advance and we’ll be sure to address them during the session.

1. Budget Office
   • What are budget/fund transfers?
   • How to process a budget transfer in Experience
     
     
2. Navigating Perceptive Content (PC)
   • How documents get uploaded to PC
   • How to look up specific documents (invoice, PO, journal, etc.)
   • How to review and approve documents in PC

If you have any questions, please reach out to Jamie Meleen at jameleen@mtu.edu or 906-487-2122.

Come make a splash with MTU Aquatics’ inflatable pool obstacle course called the WIBIT! You can test your individual skills on the course or challenge a friend to a race across the obstacles.

The WIBIT is open to current MTU students and SDC Access Pass holders (minimum 1-month). Student ID/Access Pass ID is required upon entry (no pre-registration required).

Not a current student or SDC Access Pass Holder? Purchase a WIBIT Wednesday Pass.*
* Capacity is limited. Receipt is required upon entry. Completion of a waiver and concussion awareness form is also required. No SDC day passes or action passes will be accepted for admission.

The course is set up in the deep water and requires users to be able to pass our swim test. A full list of WIBIT rules and swim test options as well as featured obstacle combinations can be found on the WIBIT page on the Michigan Tech Recreation website.

WIBIT Dates:

• Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 5-8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 5-8 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 25  | 5-8 p.m.

Featured WIBIT Obstacles:

• The Step — This piece allows users to climb up onto the course.
• The Cliff — Users must navigate either side of a slope using the handles and their balancing skills.
• The Slope — Users must climb up a six-foot wall that leads to a slide into the pool water below!
• V-Connect — Users must use limited footing space to navigate across the horizontal structure.

See you at the pool!

Registration for Session 2 of MTU Aquatics’ spring 2026 programs is almost here! Registration opens next Wednesday, Feb. 4, for all programs.

Explore our programs for all ages and abilities:

• Huskies Group Swim Lessons Parent & Child Aquatics (ages 6 months to 3 years)
• Huskies Group Swim Lessons Preschool Aquatics (ages 4-5 years)
• Huskies Group Swim Lessons Learn to Swim Levels 1-5 (ages 6-17 years)
• Huskies Swim Training (ages 6-17 years)
• Adult Huskies Swim Lessons (ages 18 and older)
• Adult Huskies Swim Training (ages 18 and older)
• Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons
• PADI Open Water SCUBA Course
• Huskies Diving Clinic

Important Information for Parents/Guardians:
To register your child for MTU Aquatics programs, you must have a DSE user account with Michigan Tech Recreation.

Additional Resources:

• How to create your user account
• How to create your child’s affiliate account

Questions? Contact Aquatics Manager Annie Boyle at ambengry@mtu.edu or 906-487-2995.

See you at the pool!

Join the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science this Friday, Jan. 30, at 3 p.m. in Noblet G002 to listen to a seminar by Brian Aukema, a professor of forest entomology at the University of Minnesota.

The seminar is titled “Climate change, insects, and the demise of mature tamarack in Minnesota.”

Virtual attendance is also invited: Join the CFRES Seminar on Zoom.

Aukema works at the interface of forest insect ecology and global change, examining how insect-tree relationships are affected by climate change and invasive species. He holds master’s and Ph.D. degrees in forest entomology and a master’s in biometry (statistics) from the University of Wisconsin, and began his career as a federal scientist with the Canadian Forest Service in western Canada prior to moving to Minnesota. He has mentored more than 30 graduate students and postdocs on various insect challenges of consequence to the Great Lakes region, such as the emerald ash borer, spongy moth, spruce budworm, satin moth, mountain pine beetle and more.

Seminar Synopsis:
Eastern larch or tamarack (Larix laricina) is a deciduous conifer whose southern range dips through northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The species forms a vital component of lowland conifer ecosystems. Traditionally, the species has been relatively free of insect challenges. Over the past 25 years, however, an ongoing and historically unprecedented outbreak of eastern larch beetle (Dendroctonus simplex) has been unexpectedly decimating our tamarack resource. This presentation will describe how a changing climate appears to have shifted interactions between a non-native defoliator, a native bark beetle and the host tree. Changes in tree phenology and insect demographics have the potential to shift the distribution of tamarack farther north as we witness climate change in action.

The next Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Graduate Seminar speaker will present at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 29, in EERC 103.

Larry Kenneth Aagesen Jr. will present "Multi-scale modeling of the evolution of structure and properties in materials for nuclear energy applications."

From the abstract:
In this talk, I will give an overview of the approach and tools used, and several examples of application, including performance of nuclear fuels, understanding radiation-driven formation of nanoscale void and gas bubble superlattices, and powder densification through electric field assisted sintering.

The next guest speaker of the semester in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BioMed) Seminar Series will present Friday, Jan. 30, at 3 p.m. in Chem Sci 102 and virtually via Zoom.

Join the BioMed Seminar on Zoom.

Jessica Oakes from Northeastern University will present "Respirable Particles in the Lung: Impact of Wildland Fire Smoke and E-cigarettes on Respiratory Structure/Function."

Read Oakes’ abstract and bio on the University Events Calendar.

Job Posting for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 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.

Workforce Relations Specialist or Workforce Relations Senior Specialist, Human Resources.

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.

Michigan Tech student Andrew Hemstreet (electrical engineering), president of Blue Key National Honor Society at Tech, was quoted by WLUC TV6 in a story about Michigan Tech’s upcoming Winter Carnival. The story highlighted this year’s theme, new events and preparations for winter conditions.

JAZZ88 KBEM-FM of Minneapolis featured Adam Meckler (VPA) in a story about the single “Do You Feel Good” from his recent album “Sampled.”

MLive featured Michigan Tech researchers in coverage of the University’s annual Isle Royale Winter Study, the world’s longest-running predator-prey research project. The story covered the team’s arrival on Isle Royale last week during the extreme cold temperatures that hit the region.

Ski Area Management mentioned Michigan Tech alum Andrew Nicolas ’01 (B.S. Mechanical Engineering) in a story about his appointment as CEO of Prinoth’s U.S. snow grooming division.

COB Dean Semifinalist Presenting at Open Forum

The College of Business (COB) Dean Search Committee has invited three semifinalist candidates for on-campus interviews.

Candidate 3 Open Forum Presentation:
Thursday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m. in Chem Sci 102

The third candidate’s interview will be held tomorrow and Friday, Jan. 29 and 30. The candidate will present their administrative philosophy and vision for COB at an open forum at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 29, in the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, Chem Sci 102.

Information on all candidates, interview dates and open forum information can be viewed at the Academic Affairs Dean Search page. A Michigan Tech login is required to view resumes and provide comment. The open forums will be video recorded and posted to the website for viewing.

The COB Dean Search Committee encourages the campus community to interact with each candidate during the interviews and to provide feedback by completing the anonymous comment form provided at the website. Feedback forms will be available for 72 hours following the last candidate.

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ESC Hosting Off-Campus Writing Retreat Today

The Ecosystem Science Center (ESC) is hosting an off-campus writing retreat today, Jan. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Finnish American Heritage Center!

This event is open to any MTU faculty, staff or graduate students who would benefit from quiet co-writing in a distraction-free, supportive environment. The heritage center's community hall has Wi-Fi, work tables and a quiet setting — all you need is your brain and a laptop (we’ll bring the coffee).

The schedule is flexible, which means you’re welcome to join for any portion of the retreat during the day. If you’re interested, please RSVP on our ESC Writing Retreat RSVP Form.

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NIH and NSF Changes in Administrative Requirements

Reminder for Upcoming NIH Submissions: 
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for due dates on or after Jan. 25, 2026. More information is available in the notice issued by NIH on Dec. 2, 2025.

NSF Certification Requirement Change: 
The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently started requiring authorized organizational representatives (AORs) to certify that all of their organization's senior/key personnel have completed NSF Research Security training. Previously, principal investigators (PIs) were required to self-certify their training had been completed in research.gov as part of the application. More information is available in the NSF policy notice issued on Dec. 8, 2025.

As a result of this certification requirement moving to Michigan Tech's AOR, our Sponsored Programs Pre-Award analysts will ask PIs and other senior/key personnel to send them confirmation of their training for NSF proposal submissions. NIH implements the same requirement in May 2026.

This is an annual training requirement that can be completed through the CITI Program, Michigan Tech's primary tool for training and documentation. Please find more information on Research Integrity and Facilities' Training webpage.

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

I-9 Verification at the MUB

Wednesday, January 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Memorial Union Building; Room 101

Human Resources will be on-site at the MUB to verify I-9 documentation for new hires.

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Resume Lab

Wednesday, January 28, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building (Admin, Building 1), 220 Career Services

Bring your own device and update your resume with experiences from last semester. Career Services staff with provide guidance and feedback.

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Resume Lab: Update your resume with semester experience

Wednesday, January 28, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building (Admin, Building 1), 220 Career Services

Bring your own device and update your resume with experiences from last semester. Career Services staff with provide guidance and feedback. See Handshake for additional details.

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Accessible Tech Challenge Working Session: Headings

Wednesday, January 28, 2–3 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library

Join the Center for Teaching and Learning (Technical Workshops) for the following opportunity: When: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Where: Library Room 243 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us for an Accessible Tech Challenge Working Session, a practical, hands-on opportunity to strengthen the accessibility of your digital course materials. Each session focuses on one key skill area, explains why it matters for students, and gives you dedicated time to work on your own content and get real-time guidance from campus digital accessibility experts. Topic for January 28th: Headings Clear, consistent headings help students understand the structure of your content and make navigation more efficient for assistive technology users. In this session, you'll learn how to apply proper heading levels in Canvas and document editors to create materials that are easier to navigate and more usable for all learners. Register today to reserve your spot https://mtu.libcal.com/event/15778874 and bring your laptop to work on content you'd like to improve. Accommodation requests can be made on the registration screen, by emailing ctl@mtu.edu, or by calling (906) 487-3000.

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Submission and Formatting 101: Master the Dissertation, Thesis, and Report Process

Wednesday, January 28, 2–4 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 404

Students who are completing a dissertation, thesis, or report are invited to join the Graduate School to learn about the resources available to them to assist in scheduling their defense, formatting their documents, and submitting their documents. In one afternoon, you can learn everything you need to be successful and complete your degree in a timely fashion! Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend. Attend the entire event, or stop in for the seminar that interests you. Registration: Please register online to receive reminders and the link to attend online. The seminar will be available in person or online.Detailed schedule 2 – 3pm – Submission 101 Learn what is required to submit your document to the Graduate School and the deadlines for the upcoming semester. Best for students who are completing their degree this semester or next semester.3 – 4pm – Formatting 101-103 Learn about templates, checking your document with Adobe Acrobat, and how to use copyrighted materials. You’ll also learn where resources are on the web page so you can learn more about the topics that interest you.4pm - ? - Questions We'll be available to answer any additional questions you have.If you are unable to join us, the event will be taped and available online after the event. The previous semester’s seminars are always available online. Information on submitting, formatting, and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

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Michigan Tech Minor Fair - Match a Minor to your Major!

Wednesday, January 28, 3:30–5:00 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, East Reading Room

You are invited to: Michigan Tech’s Spring 2026 Academic Minor Fair Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 3:30pm - 5pm East Reading Room - Van Pelt Library The Michigan Tech Academic Minor Fair is an opportunity for students to explore curriculum that can help them identify their own personal interests, give students an “edge up” in their job search, while adding skills that will prepare you for success in your first career and future careers that have not been created for you yet! Explore your options with academic advisors at the Fair and map out your next steps. Come explore 80 different academic majors and find your fit! See the list here. Participating Academic Departments: GMES Applied Computing Kinesiology & Integrated Physiology Social Sciences Mathematical Sciences Chemical Engineering Humanities College of BusinessVisual and Performing ArtsEngineering FundamentalsBiomedical EngineeringCollege of Forest Resources and Environmental ResourcesCollege of ComputingPsychology & Human FactorsCivil, Environmental, and Geospatial EngineeringMechanical and Aerospace EngineeringChemistry

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MTU Academic Minors Fair

Wednesday, January 28, 3:30–5:00 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library (Building 17), East Reading Room

The Michigan Tech Academic Minor Fair is hosted by the Essential Education program. This is an opportunity for students to explore curriculum that can help them identify their own personal interests, give students an 'edge up' in their job search, while adding skills that will prepare you for success in your first career and future careers that have not been created for you yet! Come explore 80 different academic majors and find your fit! See the list here. Participating Academic Departments: GMES Applied Computing Kinesiology & Integrated Physiology Social Sciences Mathematical Sciences Chemical Engineering Humanities College of Business Visual and Performing Arts Engineering Fundamentals Biomedical Engineering College of Forest Resources and Environmental Resources College of Computing Psychology & Human Factors Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Chemistry

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Huskies Swim Training - Session 1

Wednesday, January 28, 4–5 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Huskies Swim Training is a program that provides additional attention and competitive guidance to advanced swimmers looking to focus on stroke technique and efficiency. Sessions will be designed to improve swimming through stroke drills and swimming sets focused on endurance, speed, and race strategy. Coaches will provide feedback and stroke correction in a group environment with an emphasis on promoting a love for competitive swimming and lifelong skills such as discipline, dedication, and teamwork. Come be part of the pack! Competitve swimming opportunities are now availabe to current Huskies Swim Training participants!

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HuskyGOLD Information Session

Wednesday, January 28, 4–5 p.m. | MUB Alumni Lounge A

Learn about Michigan Tech’s new HuskyGOLD program, designed to prepare students for lifelong engagement in their communities. With a variety of options, you can shape your own HuskyGOLD path based on what matters most to you. This session will cover what the program is, how it works, and how you can join. Find more details about HuskyGOLD on the Student Leadership & Involvement website.

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SoundGirls General Meeting

Wednesday, January 28, 5–6 p.m. | Walker 210

Join SoundGirls for our weekly general meeting! We will talk about music, the audio industry, and fun events around campus.

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WIBIT Events

Wednesday, January 28, 5–8 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash with our inflatable pool obstacle course called the WIBIT! You can test your individual skills on the course or challenge a friend to a race across the obstacles. The course is set up in the deep water and requires users to be able to pass our swim test. A full list of WIBIT rules and swim test options as well as featured obstacle combinations can be found on the WIBIT page on our website. All pool rules can be found here.

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Air Plant Workshop 6PM group

Wednesday, January 28, 6–7 p.m. | The Alley Makerspace

Pick an air plant and make a display or your choice. Air plants are easy to care for and mess free, the plant and all materials are free. We'll be making stone/wire stands and hanging "Jelly fish". An RSVP is required for this event. Be sure to sign in when entering the Makerspace.

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SMLS Bi-Weekly Meeting

Wednesday, January 28, 6–7 p.m. | Fisher 231

Welcome to the Society of Medical Laboratory Scientists! We host meetings every other week to discuss topics within the major, career development opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and do MLS themed crafts. We are open to all majors, and welcome anyone with an interest in MLS.

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Air Plant Workshop 7PM group

Wednesday, January 28, 7–8 p.m. | The Alley Makerspace

Pick an air plant and make a display or your choice. Air plants are easy to care for and mess free, the plant and all materials are free. We'll be making stone/wire stands and hanging "Jelly fish". An RSVP is required for this event. Be sure to sign in when entering the Makerspace.