January 11, 2023

Associate Professor Kuilin Zhang (CEGE/CS) and Ph.D. student Yintong Tan (civil engineering) were presented with the Gartner Prize by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) ACP50 Traffic Flow Theory and Characteristics Committee.

The award recognizes theoretical papers with significant methodological contributions.

Zhang and Tan received the Gartner Prize for a paper titled "A Real-Time Distributed Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control Model Considering Time Delays and Actuator Log."

The paper was supported by Zhang's NSF Career Award on connected and automated vehicles.

The next Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM) Graduate Seminar Speaker will present at 4 p.m. tomorrow (Jan. 12) in EERC 103.

Vinh Nguyen will present “Resume and Internship Application Workshop for Graduate Students in Engineering.”

Nguyen started his appointment as an assistant professor at Michigan Tech in 2022. His research focuses on advanced manufacturing through Industry 4.0, human-robot-machine interaction and physics-based/data-driven modeling.

Looking to maximize the returns on the grants you write? Don’t even know where to start? Join Andrew Fiss (HU), associate professor of technical and professional communication, for the workshop "5 Tips for Grant Writing" in the Library East Reading Room from 12-12:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 17)!

From finding solicitations to submission, learn the skills and resources you need to succeed.

Can't join us in person? Join us via Zoom!

Michigan Tech hockey's Blake Pietila has been named the CCHA Goaltender of the Week.

Pietila received the honor for the third time this season and for the 10th time in his career.

He was named the Desert Hockey Classic MVP after going 2-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage last week in Tempe, Arizona. He made 24 saves in a 4-2 victory over host Arizona State, then 31 saves in a 3-2 win over then-No. 6 Boston University in the championship game.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech men's basketball will host Finlandia today (Jan. 11) at 6 p.m. for their final nonconference game of the season.

Tech has not played at SDC Gym since Dec. 11, when they defeated Ferris State 69-68. The Huskies hold a 3-2 record at home.

MTU will then travel to Northern Michigan on Saturday (Jan. 14), tipping off at 1 p.m.

Both games will be carried on Mix 93.5 WKMJ-FM, with local television coverage Saturday afternoon (WLUC TV6 or FOX UP).

Read the preview at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech hockey is hosting Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night on Friday (Jan. 13) sponsored by TIAA (Institutional Financial Services) – Created to Serve, Built to Perform.

Tickets are available to Michigan Tech faculty and staff on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 100 who sign up.

To reserve faculty and staff tickets, please visit BuyHuskiesTickets.com  and enter the discount code TIAATix23 on the payment screen to request your ticket by the deadline: tomorrow (Jan. 12) at 5 p.m. One free ticket per faculty or staff member is available and additional tickets can be purchased online or by phone.

Saturday (Jan. 14) will be Junior Hockey Night and Skate With The Huskies after the game. Youth can get into the game for $5 with the purchase of an adult ticket. Eligible youth are ages 3 through 12th grade. 

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Postings for Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email mtujobs@mtu.edu.

For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

APSRC – Director of Business Operations, Advanced Power Systems Research Center. Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #22334RP, Facilities (AFSCME posting dates Jan. 11 to Jan. 17, 2023 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates).  Apply online.

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 mtujobs@mtu.edu.

Recently graduating Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering student Emily Shaw is the lead author of an article published in Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management.

The article is titled "What can we learn from 28 years of monitoring of fish tissue polychlorinated biphenyls in Michigan's rivers?"

The article can be viewed online.

Danielle Shannon (CFRES/ESC) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $150,759 other sponsored activities co-op/joint agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service.

The project is titled "USDA Northern Forest Climate Hub Coordination."

Patricia Leopold (CFRES/ESC) is a co-PI on this potential two-year project.

*****

Jeffrey Naber (ME-EM/APSRC) is the PI on a project that has received a $268,870 research and development contract from the American Center for Mobility.

The project is titled "Automatic Shut-Off Study on Vehicles Equipped with Keyless Start."

Paul Dice and Brian Eggart (APSRC) are co-PIs on this project.

Jenn Sams (Library), first-year undergraduate Alex Brown-Rohe (mechatronics) and Ph.D. student Rezdul Karim (mechanical engineering) were quoted by WLUC TV6 in a story about resources orientations and tours held for new students by the Van Pelt and Opie Library.

*****

Tom Monahan Smith (ATH) and Nordic ski alumni Mary Lyon ’22 (B.S., exercise science) and Patrick Acton ’21 (B.S., pharmaceutical chemistry) were quoted by the Daily Mining Gazette in a story about the success of the U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships, held in Houghton at the Michigan Tech Trails from Jan. 2-7.

*****

The Mining Journal quoted doctoral student Enid Partika (environmental engineering) and mentioned Will Cantrell (GS/Physics) in a story about Sew Cranky of Hancock’s annual Snowflake Challenge — part of Heikinpäivä, the annual celebration of midwinter.

The story was picked up from the Daily Mining Gazette.

*****

Ben Jaszczak (UMC) and undergraduate Joe Dlugos (environmental engineering) were quoted by Escanaba’s Daily Press in a story about the snow statue workshop conducted by championship snow-sculpting team Sculptora Borealis Jan. 6-8 at Michigan Tech. 

The story was picked up from the Daily Mining Gazette.

*****

The Daily Mining Gazette picked up a Michigan Tech Athletics press release about hockey goaltender Blake Pietila being named CCHA Goaltender of the Week for the third time this season.

*****

The Monroe News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about a book talk planned tonight by author and MTU alum David Gelwicks ’82 (B.S., metallurgical engineering).

Gelwicks will discuss his recently published book, “Michigan Mining Scrip: Paper of the Northern Michigan Copper and Iron Mining Districts.”

*****

The Iron Mountain Daily News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the Dickinson County Road Commission’s 2023 plans and 2022 expenditures. Tech was mentioned as a partner in several of the commission’s recent innovative projects in the story.

*****

Leelanau County’s Glen Arbor Sun and Michigan News Source mentioned Michigan Tech in stories about trees resistant to beech bark disease planted at Sleeping Bear Dunes. MTU researchers assisted with planning and research for the project.

Looking for Resident Assistant Applicants

Residence Education and Housing Services is looking for resident assistant (RA) applicants!

We are looking for students who want to help us create an inclusive and supportive community in the residence halls. If you know a student who would make a great RA, please encourage them to attend one of our information sessions to learn more.

Additional information and applications can be found on our website.

*****

Mileage Rate Increase

The Internal Revenue Service has announced an increase in the standard mile rate for 2023.

As of Jan. 1, the standard mileage rate for business travel is 65.5 cents per mile, up 3 cents from the midyear rate set on July 1, 2022.

The mileage rate for moving purposes remains at 22 cents per mile.

*****

Important Deadline Notice: 2022 Flexible Spending Account Claims

The deadline for employees to submit claims for their 2022 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is March 31. Health care and dependent care claims during the 2022 calendar year are eligible if the date of service was in 2022. Any money remaining in the account after this date is forfeited per IRS regulations.

Dependent care claims require an invoice or receipt from the provider. All medical, dental and optical claims should be processed through your insurance plans before submitting them to your health care reimbursement account.

Attach the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or a claim summary from your insurance plan to the claim form when submitting a claim. For expenses not processed through insurance, submit the itemized receipt.

More information and the FSA claim form can be found online on the Human Resources Flex Spending webpage.

For questions, contact Benefit Services at benefits@mtu.edu or call 7-2517.

*****

Youth Dialogue on the National Climate Assessment

If you are a high school or university student, you are invited to a special Youth Environmental Alliance in Higher Education (YEAH) event on the Draft Fifth National Assessment (NCA5).

NCA5 is a major U.S. government report on how climate change affects people and places in the United States. By attending this virtual event, you will learn how to submit comments to ensure that this report reflects the climate change concerns of young people in the U.S.

The event will be held via Zoom tomorrow (Jan. 12) from 2:30-5 p.m. Register to participate!

Michigan Tech is a YEAH participating institution.

*****

Retirement Reception Today for Carol Asiala

The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) invites the campus community to a retirement reception to honor Carol Asiala, who will retire tomorrow (Jan. 12).

The social will be held in the GMES Atrium (Dow 632) from 2:30-4 p.m. today (Jan. 11). A cake and refreshments will be provided.

Join us in celebrating Carol’s long career, thanking her for her 27 years of service to MTU, and wishing her all the best in her retirement.

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

MLK Craft Day

Wednesday, January 11, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. | Hamar House Center for Diversity and Inclusion

Stop by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion to create your own artwork to honor the late, great Martin Luther King Jr. Artwork will be put on display at the Van Pelt and...

Retirement Reception for Carol Asiala

Wednesday, January 11, 2:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building, 632 (GMES Atrium)

The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) invites the campus community to a retirement reception to honor Carol Asiala, who will retire on...

(Men's Basketball) Finlandia vs. Michigan Tech

Wednesday, January 11, 6 p.m.–9 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Wood Gym

Men's Basketball: Finlandia vs. Michigan Tech, SDC Gymnasium

Middle School Volleyball Development League

Wednesday, January 11, 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose Gym

A four-week developmental program for middle school girls in grades 7 & 8 to learn and improve their skills in preparation for the upcoming interscholastic season. This...

Wednesday Learn to Ski and Snowboard Program

Wednesday, January 11, 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. | Mont Ripley Ski Area

Wednesdays Ages 8-12 Children of all ability levels have an opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard, make new friends, and explore Mont Ripley together. The focus is on...

Adult and Youth Huskies Tennis and Pickleball Lessons (Session 1)

January 11, all day | Michigan Tech Gates Tennis Center

Youth Huskies Tennis Lessons: After school and weekend Youth Huskies Group Tennis Lessons are available this spring! Join in by age group and level for some fun on the tennis...