October 10, 2023

Former Pavement Enterprise Team members and Thompson Scholars Program recipients got together with co-benefactor Bob Thompson to share memories, including the impact the initiatives had on their careers, during Michigan Tech’s 2023 Alumni Reunion.

The team — active from 2000 to 2008 — was one of the earliest in Michigan Tech’s Enterprise Program. It was funded jointly with the Thompson Scholars program thanks to a gift from Bob and Ellen Thompson in 1999. Their gift was given in two parts: funds to start and run the Enterprise team and funds to support scholarships. The overall goal was to recruit graduates into the pavement industry to relieve a workforce shortage. To that end, a board of industry leaders helped advise the team.

Brett Stanton ’03, one of the program’s first graduates, helped organize the gathering at Hancock Beach. Stanton worked for asphalt contractors for 15 years before joining the Asphalt Pavement Association of Michigan as its executive director in 2020.

“Tech’s Enterprise Program set us up for future success,” Stanton said. “We would work on projects and present our findings to the board like we were on ‘Shark Tank.’ They showed no mercy in their comments on our work, but it really prepared us. The connections made through that program have carried into my career. I still talk to many of the board members and my classmates on a weekly basis.”

Learn more about the celebration and the success of the programs at Michigan Tech News.

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES) Dean Search Committee will be holding another open meeting for Michigan Tech faculty, staff and students today (Oct. 10) at 1 p.m. in Noblet 144.

The search committee is looking for input on the position description at this meeting.

The Sponsored Operations Office and the Sponsored Programs Office invite the campus community to participate in an in-person training on how to create and certify a proposal using the recently implemented Cayuse Sponsored Projects software. Specifically, research-active faculty, research scientists and research support staff are invited to attend on one of the following dates:

• Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  Register for this session

• Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
  Register for this session

All training will be held at the Van Pelt and Opie Library in Library 242.

If you anticipate submitting any externally funded proposals in the next year, consider attending or viewing the online training videos on the Cayuse Training webpage.

Additional information is available on our Cayuse Implementation webpage. Please reach out to Sponsored Operations at soo-l@mtu.edu with any questions.

Nominations are now open for the 2024 MAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Thesis Award. Please submit nominations to the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. Oct. 19, following our online instructions. This year, nominations are being accepted from dissertations in the fields of:

1. Biological and Life Sciences
2. Humanities and Fine Arts

Michigan Tech may nominate one student in each field. Master’s students who have completed all of their degree requirements between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023, are eligible. The fields of competition for 2025 will be Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering; and Social Sciences.

Nominations must be emailed to the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. on Oct. 19. Contact Debra Charlesworth at gradschool@mtu.edu if you have any questions about the competition.

Summer Youth Programs (SYP) is currently accepting proposals for our Visiting Instructor Program and we would greatly appreciate your help spreading the word!

The Visiting Instructor Program invites educators to propose their own SYP course for next summer. Educators will enjoy benefits, including a salary of $920, up to $350 of reimbursement for travel expenses, on-campus lodging and meal plan, and a student from their school or organization will also receive a scholarship to attend an SYP course! Educators will also have the opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous Keweenaw Peninsula during their evenings.

Full details regarding proposal requirements and selection expectations can be found on the Summer Youth Programs website. Proposals are due Nov. 1, and proposals for middle-school-level programming are especially encouraged!

If you have any questions regarding SYP or the Visiting Instructor Program, please contact us at syplogic@mtu.edu.

Join us today (Oct. 10) at La Peña! Come unwind and meet new people at the Spanish Conversation Hour, all while you refresh your Spanish! Everybody is welcome. We will meet from 5-6 p.m. at the Humanities Digital Media Zone (HDMZ), Walker 120A.

Next Peña: Oct. 24.

Tatyana G. Karabencheva-Christova from the Department of Chemistry at Michigan Technological University will be presenting at this week's Chemistry Seminar. The seminar will be held virtually at 3 p.m. Friday (Oct. 13) on Zoom (use passcode 275064).

Karabencheva-Christova’s presentation is titled "Revealing Catalytic Strategies of Metalloenzymes."

From the abstract:
More than 30% of all human enzymes with essential physiological functions contain metal ions in their active sites. Therefore, metalloenzymes are critical therapeutic targets in developing inhibitors and drugs. The discovery of effective therapeutics that target metalloenzymes requires a thorough understanding of metalloenzymes' structure and catalytic strategies. Computational chemistry methods have become a powerful tool for exploring the structure and revealing mechanistic insights into metalloenzyme catalysis, which cannot be obtained experimentally. Applying multilevel computational chemistry methods, we explored the catalytic mechanisms and structure-function relationships of two large groups of metalloenzymes: (1) zinc (II)-dependent matrix metalloproteinases and (2) non-heme Iron (II)-containing enzymes. In particular, the research implements multilevel computational chemistry methods to explore the conformational diversity of enzyme-substrate complexes and to study enzyme reaction mechanisms within the natural protein environment. These findings illuminate atomic and electronic scale details, which cannot be obtained by experimental techniques. Ultimately, the research provides insights into the structure-function relationships of metal-containing enzymes that permit fundamental advances in artificial metalloenzymes design, chemical biology, and drug discovery.

Bianca Mercado-Velez and Katy Matson will present as part of the Department of Biological Sciences (BioSci) Seminar Series on Thursday (Oct. 12) from 3-4 p.m. in GLRC 202.

Mercado-Velez's presentation is titled "Physicochemical Characterization of Tumor-derived Exosomes using Atomic Force Microscopy."

From the abstract:
Exosomes are lipid bilayer vesicles released from cells containing cargo (e.g., DNA, RNA, and proteins) unique to their parent cell. Exosomes are found in most bodily fluids (e.g., saliva, blood, urine) and are released by many cell types, including cancer cells. Tumor-derived exosomes aid cancer progression by being one source of metastasis; thus, they are a valuable biomarker for cancer diagnosis due to their circulation in different body fluids. However, exosome heterogeneity hinders the isolation and purification needed for accurate diagnostics. Therefore, improved biophysical characterization of exosomes at the single-particle level could improve diagnostic sensitivity for cancer-derived exosomes.

Matson's presentation is titled "miR-483 deficiency induces pancreatic beta-cell dedifferentiation and oxidative stress."

From the abstract:
MicroRNA’s (miRNA) are a group of small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate target gene expression in response to metabolic changes in pancreatic islets. Dysregulation of miRNAs plays a crucial role in controlling the pathogenesis of diabetes, specifically the function of beta-cells in response to metabolic changes. Beta-cell dedifferentiation is a pathological mechanism that contributes to the loss and dysfunction of beta-cell during the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D). … Our data indicates that miR-483 is vital for protecting beta-cell identity, and miR-483 deficiency induces beta-cell dedifferentiation and oxidative stress.

Have you noticed that different people have vastly different experiences in classes, meetings, informal and formal events and other interactions on campus? Ever notice that this is dependent upon visually identifiable identities (gender, skin color, etc.)? Would you like to learn more about becoming an ally in the moment and to help intentionally craft the culture at Michigan Tech to position every single individual for success (not just those who fit the "historically typical" mold)?

You are invited to attend one of two sessions (held concurrently) of a workshop that explores the impact of gender and race on faculty members’ experiences of the University campus climate. Through small group discussions, a review of the existing research and large group discussions, these sessions will seek to shift the dialogue from individual problems and solutions experienced by underrepresented faculty to seeking to acknowledge and identify institutional challenges and solutions related to gender and racial inequity in higher education.

If you'd simply like to learn more about these issues in a collegial environment, please attend. If you would like to practice allyship, attend and bring a friend!

This workshop will be led by Michigan Tech's own Advocate Team members (cisgender-men-only session) and by ADVANCE's PI team/Advocates and Allies Advisory Board members (women and other genders session). Details on Advocates and Allies are available on the ADVANCE webpage.

Lunch will be served at the workshop. Please RSVP no later than Friday (Oct. 13) so we can place our food order.

Workshop Details:

• What: ADVANCE Advocates and Allies Workshop
• When: Monday, Oct. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: Memorial Union Ballrooms A1 and A2
• Who: All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.

This workshop is being sponsored by the Advocates Team, the Advocates and Allies Advisory Board (A3B) and the ADVANCE Initiative at Michigan Tech.

ADVANCE at Michigan Tech is an NSF-funded initiative dedicated to improving faculty career success, retention, diversity, equity and inclusion. To learn more about our mission and programming efforts, and to check out our growing collection of resources, email us at advance-mtu@mtu.edu, visit our website or stop by our office in Library 102B.

Michigan Tech volleyball went unbeaten at home on the weekend, dropping only one set with 3-0 and 3-1 victories at SDC Gym.

The Huskies picked up their fourth sweep of the season with a 3-0 dismantling of Purdue Northwest on Friday (Oct. 6). Tech dominated the first two sets 25-14 and 25-18. The Pride pushed back in the third, leading 23-18 before the Huskies rallied and scored the final seven points.

"It felt good. It was a pretty clean performance, and the first two sets were the best we've played in some time," Tech coach Matt Jennings said. "The comeback in the third is a good test, and we scored it in ways where we felt in control."

MTU came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the University of Wisconson-Parkside 3-1 on Saturday (Oct. 7). UWP won the first set 26-24 before the Huskies rebounded 25-23, 25-20 and 25-20.

"I'm super happy with the way we played and the outcome. The way we played is what I'm most proud of," Jennings said. "We had a tough week last week, and I'm proud of the way we committed to improving this week in practice. The win is important for standings but also for comfort and momentum. We wanted to end the first half of the season on a high note."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The Michigan Tech soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against No. 19 Northern Michigan at Kearly Stadium on Friday (Oct. 6).

"I'm extremely proud of my team," head coach Turk Ozturk said. "Northern Michigan is obviously a very good team and very dangerous offensively. I'm extremely proud of my group and it's an opportunity to learn and grow, and we're going to be just fine."

Seulgi Lee scored in the 33rd minute of the first half for the Huskies, and MTU held the lead until the last three minutes of the game. The Wildcats found the equalizer in 87th minute.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The Michigan Tech cross country squads completed the regular season at the Lewis Crossover in Romeoville, Illinois, at the Lewis Cross Country Course on Saturday (Oct. 7).

Both teams placed 13th overall in the team race. The women's field showcased 33 teams and the men's race saw 25.

"We ran good races today," head coach Kristina Owen said. "Our strength is when we work together as a pack, and we saw a lot of our athletes working together and finishing tightly grouped. Hannah Loughlin had another great one out there today, running another PR (personal record) and almost a minute and a half faster than she was at this race last year.

"Our freshmen Sophia Rhein and Hailiee Zimpel continue to impress, and Anabel Needham saw nice improvement on last year's time as well. On the men's side, Sam Lange is coming back to full strength, and he, Nick McKenzie and Henry Snider are a powerful lead trio."

"We ran some strong races in what very well could be the best Division II meet until the national championships," assistant head coach Robert Young added. "Competition of this caliber allows us to really test ourselves, and our student-athletes will benefit from having the chance to race in fields like these. Evidence of this is clear, as we saw a huge portion of our team run personal bests today."

Find out where individual Huskies finished at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The Michigan Tech football team fell shy of victory over Wayne State in a 23-21 clash at Tom Adams Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Saturday (Oct. 7).

The Huskies struggled to get out of their own way at times, accruing 10 penalties for 102 yards. In addition, Tech saw three missed field goals in the first half — two from over 45 yards — during the windy conditions.

"We came away empty too often in the first half," head coach Dan Mettlach said. "We didn't make enough plays when we needed to, but I thought the guys played hard. Our defense played well. I think there were just too many self-inflicted wounds at crucial times, and it, unfortunately, cost us."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

No. 10 Michigan Tech hockey skated to a 2-2 tie at No. 17 Minnesota Duluth in the US Hockey Hall of Fame Game on Saturday (Oct. 7) at Amsoil Arena in Duluth.

The Huskies twice came back from a one-goal deficit in the season-opener and got goals from Ryland Mosley and Patriks Marcinkevics.

"It was a good hockey game, and I liked the resilience the guys showed," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "We weren't able to match their compete early in the game, but Blake (Pietila) kept us in it. We were much better in the second and third than in the first. The tie is huge for us, especially on the road. We have a lot of work to do on a number of areas, but it's a starting point."

Saturday was the third meeting between the Bulldogs and Huskies. All three meetings have ended in a draw. The teams tied 2-2 in 1990 and 6-6 in 1981.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Tuesday (Oct. 10)
• Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ-FM

Friday (Oct. 13)
• Volleyball at Midwest Region Crossover against TBD
• Blue Line Club Lunch, 11:50 a.m.
• Soccer at Grand Valley State, 7 p.m. on FloSports
• Hockey vs. Alaska, 7:07 p.m. at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Mix 93 WKMJ-FM & FloHockey

Saturday (Oct. 14)
• Volleyball at Midwest Region Crossover against TBD
• Hockey vs. Alaska, 6:07 p.m. at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Mix 93 WKMJ-FM & FloHockey
• Football at Northern Michigan, 7 p.m. on 920 AM & 107.3 FM WMPL, FloSports, & FOX-UP

Sunday (Oct. 15)
• Soccer at Davenport, Noon on FloSports

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Athletics News
Read more in the MTU Athletics weekly update.

Job Posting for Tuesday, Oct. 10, 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 humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Embedded Clinician, Residence Education and Housing Services. 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 humanresources@mtu.edu.

Zhanping You (CEGE/MTTI) is the principal investigator of Proposal 23-0936-P0003, a project awarded $390,000 by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).

The project is titled "FHWA Climate Challenge: Using LCA to Reduce Embodied Carbon in Pavement Infrastructure at MnDOT: Development of Process to Lower GWP of Construction Materials."

The research team will work with Washington State Department of Transportations (WSDOT) and MnDOT, the University of Washington and industry partners to collaborate to reduce embodied carbon in asphalt pavement infrastructure by adopting life cycle assessment methods into the procurement, specification and asset management processes.

This is a two-year project.

Stephanie Carpenter, assistant professor of creative writing in the Department of Humanities, presented a paper at the annual conference of the Communal Studies Association (CSA), held this year in New Harmony, Indiana.

Carpenter's paper, “Women Talking About . . . ? Old Colony Mennonitism in Miriam Toews’s Novel and Sarah Polley’s Film Adaptation,” examined narrative strategies and representation of Mennonitism in the two works.

Carpenter also serves on the board of the CSA.

Kyle Rubin (URE) was quoted by the Daily Mining Gazette in a story recapping a presentation on MTU’s enrollment numbers at the Board of Trustees meeting last Friday (Oct. 6). Robert Hutchinson (COB) was pictured in the story’s main photo.

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Dennis Livesay (CC), Vinh Nguyen (ME-EM) and Randy Berry ‘82 (B.S. Computer Science) were quoted by the Mining Journal in a story covering Showcase[AI], held at Michigan Tech late last week (Oct. 4-6). The story was picked up from the Daily Mining Gazette. The showcase featured speakers, panels, workshops and interactive events on artificial intelligence and its impacts, and was previewed in a Michigan Tech News story.

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Tara Bal (CFRES/ESC) was quoted by California’s San Diego Union-Tribune in a story listing five places to see outstanding fall colors this year. Bal commented on how stress can affect a tree’s autumn leaf colors. The story was picked up from the New York Times.

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MTU student Allyana Grochowski was mentioned by the Mining Journal as one of five recipients of the Catalyst Awards, given annually by the Community Foundation of Marquette County.

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U.S. Sen. Gary Peters mentioned Michigan Tech’s “incredible engineers” during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Friday (Oct. 6).

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WLUC TV6 mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the keynote at Showcase[AI], an AI-centric event hosted by the University late last week (Oct. 4-6). The keynote was presented by Automation Alley CEO Tom Kelly.

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Members of the Huskies Pep Band, their usual stripes complemented by plaid, were pictured by the Daily Mining Gazette alongside a story about the world-record-breaking gathering of 1,740 people wearing plaid at Houghton High School on Friday (Oct. 6). MTU was also mentioned in WLUC TV6’s coverage of the event.

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Michigan Tech hockey’s Kyle Kukkonen was mentioned by the Hockey News in a story highlighting “The Top 100 NCAA Players to Watch in 2023-24.” Kukkonen was ranked No. 43.

Spring 2024 PHF Graduate Assistantship Nominations Open

Applications for Spring 2024 Portage Health Foundation (PHF) Graduate Assistantships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. next Tuesday (Oct. 17) to the Graduate School. Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

1. Must be a Ph.D. student conducting a research or outreach project that will promote and/or improve the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon communities.
2. Must be a Ph.D. candidate at the time of application.
3. Must be two years after starting the graduate program at the time of application.
4. Must not be a prior recipient of a PHF Graduate Assistantship.
5. Preference will be given to applicants with long-standing local connections to Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga or Ontonagon county.

Priority will be given to students originally from Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga or Ontonagon counties. Nonresident students and international students are encouraged to apply if their health research is applicable to health needs and job shortages of our local community (obesity research, rural health, medical informatics, drug delivery and lab testing, physical therapy, etc.).

These assistantships are available through the generosity of the Portage Health Foundation. They are intended to recognize outstanding Ph.D. talent in health-oriented research areas. Applicants should be a catalyst for promoting and improving the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon communities through one of the following:

• health research and technology development
• health education or preventive and wellness initiatives
• rural health care access, informatics and assessment of care

Students who receive full support through a PHF Graduate Assistantship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a PHF Graduate Assistantship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

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Learn About a New Mechatronics Student Exchange Program Tomorrow

The mechatronics program at Michigan Tech has established an undergraduate and graduate student exchange program with the mechatronics and robotics program at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences in Germany. The exchange program begins in spring semester 2024.

Tomorrow (Oct. 11) in EERC 422, faculty from Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences will be on campus to discuss the exchange program’s opportunities and meet with interested students. Students may stop in for the meet and greet anytime between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Questions? Please contact Professor Alex Sergeyev at avsergue@mtu.edu.

Read more on the College of Computing Advising blog.

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CoE Dean Search Committee Meeting

The College of Engineering (CoE) Dean Search Committee will be holding a public forum to receive feedback on the position description.

The meeting is tomorrow (Oct. 11) from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in MUB Ballroom A2.

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HR Support Center Streamlines Questions and Transactions

Human Resources has launched the Human Resources Support Center, located online at hr-help.mtu.edu. Similar to the Business Support Center, the HR Support Center provides employees with a centralized, streamlined ticketing system for human resources-related questions and transactions.

As part of this process, we are transitioning to one general email. All inquiries related to benefits/wellness, employment and payroll services can be submitted two ways:

• Via the online portal at hr-help.mtu.edu
• Via email at hr-help@mtu.edu

Submitting questions either way initiates a process similar to the IT Help process: You’ll receive an email with your ticket number and can track its progress online.

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Water Ski & Wakeboard Club Seeks Advisor

The Water Ski & Wakeboard Club is working toward registering as an official student organization. We currently have 25 hardworking, dedicated students full of ideas for community and student involvement and ready to represent MTU in the competitive water skiing world. We have our constitution, risk management plan, student organization request form, waiver and budget completed. 

All we need is an advisor.

If you are a full-time faculty or staff member who enjoys any kind of watersports, please contact President Trent Verboncouer at taverbon@mtu.edu or Secretary Austin Jordan at aujordan@mtu.edu with any questions or to express an interest in being our advisor. We appreciate your support.

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

Layered in Between: Prints by Erin Hoffman Presented by Michigan Tech Art

Tuesday, October 10, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Galleries A-Space

Erin Hoffman is an artist and printmaker from Muskegon, Michigan, who deals primarily with political and social concerns. Through the presentation of mismatched ideas and...

Flu Shot Clinics

Tuesday, October 10, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Rozsa (Lobby)

The Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being is partnering with UP Health Systems to bring students, faculty, and staff accessible flu shot clinics throughout the month...

CTL Lunch and Learn- Accessible and Affordable Learning Materials

Tuesday, October 10, 12 p.m.–1 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library

Join the Center for Teaching and Learning for the following opportunity: CTL Lunch and Learn: Accessible and Affordable Learning Materials https://mtu.libcal.com/event/11225954

CTL Lunch and Learn: Accessible and Affordable Learning Materials

Tuesday, October 10, 12 p.m.–1 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Alumni Lounge

Are you passionate about making higher education more accessible and affordable for your students? Make plans to attend the next CTL Lunch and Learn on Oct. 10 at noon in the...

Live at Lunch with Alice Kristiansen

Tuesday, October 10, 12 p.m.–1 p.m. | MUB Commons

Join for some live music in the MUB Commons! Alice Kristiansen is the guest this time around for live at lunch, add some fun and music to your Tuesday afternoon!

MATLAB Workshop

Tuesday, October 10, 2 p.m.–4 p.m. | Online

Free MATLAB Workshop! Women in Physics is hosting a MATLAB workshop that is available to anyone who is interested. It is a 7 week course that will begin with the basic...

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons Fall 2023 Session 2

Tuesday, October 10, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons provides aquatic education for the beginner to the intermediate swimmer who is looking to become more comfortable in the water and learn the...

Adult Huskies Swim Training Fall 2023 Session 2

Tuesday, October 10, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Training provides additional attention and competitive guidance to swimmers ages 18 and older who are looking to improve their swimming skills and fitness...

La Peña Spanish Conversation Hour

Tuesday, October 10, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | Walker Arts and Humanities Center, 120A

La Peña is the Spanish Conversation hour that Modern Languages in the Humanities department hosts twice a month throughout the semester. Come unwind, meet new people, and...

Student Community Meals

Tuesday, October 10, 5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Cooked by students, for students this new community meal is always homemade and always free. Enjoy cooking or looking for an outlet to volunteer? Meal prep begins at 5p.m....