October 20, 2023

Michigan Technological University is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Bulleit as Vice President for Student Affairs following an internal search led by members of the campus community. Bulleit will begin her new role on Monday (Oct. 23).

“I appreciate and thank the search committee for their work in identifying Michigan Tech’s next leader in Student Affairs,” said University President Rick Koubek. “Laura is passionate about student success at Michigan Tech and I look forward to working with her to foster a positive educational experience for our students.”

Bulleit has worked in the Dean of Students Office for the past 10 years, serving as both assistant and associate dean of students. Prior to her appointment as interim dean of students, she oversaw the Office of Academic and Community Conduct and the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being as the associate dean of student development.

Bulleit holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan Tech.

“I have always been a strong advocate for students and am excited to continue this work at a higher level,” said Bulleit. “Michigan Tech is fortunate to have a great team in Student Affairs, and I look forward to working with them and the entire campus community to promote a culture that prioritizes student success. I am really excited to help bring about change while remaining true to our Michigan Tech values. As an alumna, I believe that my unique perspective will guide me in this new role.”

P.A.W.S. (Peer Awareness for Well-being and Support) is a new program at Michigan Tech that equips students with knowledge and tools to effectively recognize signs of a mental health crisis, give appropriate and supportive aid, and refer a peer to professional mental health resources if they're struggling. The program seeks to involve students from multiple backgrounds and experiences who are natural, key peer supporters on campus and want to help bring a higher level of mental health awareness and advocacy to the Husky community.

Promoting student mental health and well-being is a whole-campus effort, and Michigan Tech students are crucial in helping to support student mental health on campus. Research shows that students who struggle with mental health often reach out to their peers first, while a smaller percentage reach out to their on-campus counseling center.

Over six weeks of training, P.A.W.S. gives students the skills to help peers experiencing crisis or distress. Participants meet each week for one hour. The core purpose of P.A.W.S. is to increase the number of student support leaders on campus who are trained to identify peers in need of aid and confidently refer them to the appropriate professional mental health resources, and who embrace a holistic approach to well-being by expanding and enriching the network of support on campus.

Once students have completed the six-week training program, they are considered members of the P.A.W.S. network for the remainder of their time at Michigan Tech. Completing this program will open up future opportunities for participating in mental health and well-being advocacy on campus, getting involved in future continuing education or peer programs, and being a leader in promoting mental health resources on campus. With only six weeks of training, students will learn valuable skills that are useful even after their years at Michigan Tech.

Each week brings up a new topic for students to learn and discuss with other peers in their group:

• Week 1: What is Mental Health?: Acceptance and Avoidance
• Week 2: Empathy
• Week 3: Depression and Anxiety
• Week 4: Use of Alcohol and Other Substances
• Week 5: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
• Week 6: Stages of Change, Getting More Help

Faculty, staff and students who are passionate about mental health awareness on campus are invited to nominate a student to participate in the P.A.W.S. spring 2024 cohort. Limited spots are available. Nominees not accepted into this cohort will be waitlisted for the next academic year. Nominated students must have at least one year left in their academic program and will receive an email requesting a completed application form and their schedule availability.

To learn more, visit our table in the Van Pelt and Opie Library next week from Monday to Friday (Oct. 23-27), check out our website or email us at PAWS@mtu.edu.

The Crowdsourcing Ticks Project at Michigan Tech is being continued throughout fall 2023 due to a sharp increase in the number of adult ticks. 

The Genomic Sequencing Lab at MTU wants ticks from you, your family and your pets. The goal of this project is to identify the prevalence of tick-borne illnesses in the Copper Country. Through the fall, please bring any ticks you find to the collection box on the Michigan Tech campus:

• Collection Box Location: U. J. Noblet Forestry Building — Main Entrance

Current Results from Community Tick Submission
Of 891 ticks collected and submitted to the lab, current testing results are as follows: 

• 135 Lyme positive ticks
• 42 Anaplasma positive ticks
• 299 Rickettsia positive ticks
• 8 positives for Ehrlichia
• 0 positives for Babesia and Tularemia

Top locations for disease-positive ticks include Maasto Hiihto Trails, Chassell, Stanton-Liminga Road and Pilgrim River Trails. Several disease-positive ticks were submitted from unknown locations. Please note that not all Rickettsia bacteria cause disease — we will be performing sequencing analysis to determine the types of Rickettsia found in those ticks.

If you have any questions, please contact Aimee Marceau, sequencing lab lead, at ahmarcea@mtu.edu. 

How to Remove and Preserve Ticks

1. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause its mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth parts with tweezers. If you cannot remove the mouth easily with tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
4. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by:
   1. Placing it in a sealed plastic storage bag. Multiple ticks from the same location can be placed in the same bag.
   2. Once the tick is sealed inside the plastic storage bag, bring it to a drop-off point within eight hours or place the bag with the tick in a freezer until dropping it off at Michigan Tech.
5. Follow the directions at the drop-off site to ensure the tick is properly preserved.

Michigan Tech is excited to announce the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day scheduled next Saturday (Oct. 28) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! This is an opportunity to properly dispose of expired and unused prescription drug medication. Michigan Tech Public Safety and Police Services is a registered drop-off/collection site and is located at 206 MacInnes Drive, Houghton, Michigan. As a reminder, this prescription drug medication disposal is for pills only (no liquids please).

Michigan Tech Public Safety and Police Services has a 24/7/355 thru-wall drug disposal box that can be used any day of the year to dispose of your unused medications.

Peer review is a common element in scientific and academic fields. It is most often used in the review of journal manuscripts and grant funding applications. In response to the observed bias that has been documented in peer-review outcomes for scientific journals, one commonly suggested change to the process is the move to “double-masked” peer review, where both the manuscript author and reviewer are unaware of the identities of the other party.

This month's article evaluates the potential impact of double-masking the manuscript review process. The authors conducted a study with a large, randomized sample of manuscript submissions to the journal Functional Ecology, which had been randomly assigned to typical single-masked or a new double-masked review process. The review outcomes and editor decisions were evaluated across a range of characteristics, such as author gender, economic development index in the author’s country of residence, and English proficiency in the author’s country of residence.

Results of this paper are wide-ranging and worth reviewing. Importantly, the authors found no significant difference by gender in the proportion of papers likely to be sent out for review, the review scores received, or the editor’s ultimate decision on the paper, regardless of whether the papers were evaluated under the single-masked system or the double-masked system. However, the papers that were evaluated under the double-masked system fared far worse across the board, compared to papers that were reviewed under the single-masked system. This implies that a system of voluntary choice in the review process, where authors are allowed to select the style of review they receive, would actually systematically hurt the authors who felt they were making a choice to be reviewed in a more neutral manner.

The study authors suggest that review style is an important consideration for a journal, and double-masking does appear to level the playing field for authors from non-English speaking countries and countries with a lower index of economic development — but a decision to make reviews double-masked should be applied evenly across the journal as a mandatory feature, not as an optional feature, because of these unintended consequences.

Today’s feature was shared with us by the MTU Advocates team. If you have an article you think we should feature, please email it to advance-mtu@mtu.edu and we will consider adding it to the ADVANCE Monthly Roundup.

The ADVANCE Monthly Roundup is brought to you by ADVANCE at Michigan Tech, an NSF-funded initiative dedicated to improving faculty career success, retention, diversity, equity and inclusion. Past articles are available on the ADVANCE Newsblog.

To learn more about our featured topic, our mission, programming efforts, and to check out our growing collection of resources, contact us or visit our website.

Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI) guest Mary Herrmann-Foley, manager central support for the PetroSigns SSW application at Shell, will give a talk on Monday (Oct. 23) at 4 p.m. in M&M U113.

The talk is titled "Role of Subsurface Engineering and Geology in the Energy Transition World."

Details are available on the University Events Calendar.

From the abstract:
The world is in the midst of the first “truly global energy crisis” the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its World Energy Outlook in October 2022. It’s multidimensional and is coming with the challenge of global warming and the need to reduce / eliminate CO2 emissions. We are all experiencing the impact of rising CO2 in the atmosphere: ocean levels rising, more intense storms, and rising temperatures with corresponding impact on us and the environment around us. Conflicting pressures linked to continued high energy demand, the need for energy security, and the imperative for a reduction in CO2 emissions is driving unprecedented renewable energy growth. This presentation will touch on the challenges related to these conflicting pressures and how existing and start-up energy companies are addressing some of these challenges through numerous renewable energy and carbon sequestration options, particularly focusing on the crucial role subsurface engineering and geology can and are playing in this journey. Highlights of the current situation in Michigan and some related business opportunities will also be discussed.

The next Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 23) via Zoom (use passcode 646893).

Jiali Wang, atmospheric scientist, Environmental Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, will present "Community Research on Climate and Urban Science (CROCUS)."

Read the abstract on the University Events Calendar.

Former hockey captain Alec Broetzman has been named an assistant coach with the Michigan Tech hockey team. Broetzman started the position at the beginning of October.

"It's with great pride that we add Alec to our staff," said head coach Joe Shawhan. "I had great respect for Botz as a player and a person during his days as a Husky. He will bring a great quiet strength to our group as he transitions to a new phase of his career."

"I'm thankful to Joe and Suzanne (Sanregret) for the opportunity to begin my coaching career in a place that has become my home," Broetzman said. "It was a privilege to serve as the captain of the Huskies while I was a player, and I'm eager to learn from Joe, Tyler (Shelast) and Jordy (Murray) as we try to build a championship-level team."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech soccer team concludes a four-game road trip this weekend, traveling to Wisconsin-Parkside and Purdue Northwest.

The Huskies will take on the Rangers today (Oct. 20) at 2:30 p.m. and the Pride on Sunday (Oct. 22) at noon.

Fans can catch the contests on FloSports (a subscription is required — discounts are available for students).

Read the preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

For the first time in a decade, the Michigan Tech cross country teams are set to welcome conference foes to the Tech Trails for the GLIAC Cross Country Championships tomorrow (Oct. 21).

The women will take to the start line first at 10 a.m., with the men to follow at 10:45 a.m.

Live results of the meet will be provided by SuperiorTiming with a stream on FloSports (a subscription is required — discounts are available for students).

Read the preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Seven photographs of mineral specimens by John Jaszczak (Physics/Museum) are featured in an article in Rocks & Minerals.

The article, titled "Collectors of Tiny Mineral Treasures in the Keweenaw of Michigan," is authored by alumnus Tom Rosemeyer.

The article also features three photos by alumnus Travis Olds ’12 (B.S. Chemistry), including an image of jeankempite, which was named in honor of Jean Kemp, curator of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum from 1975 to 1986.

Ph.D. candidate Elise Rosky (physics) was quoted by Michigan Advance in a story about discussion of a resolution urging Congress to grant federal wilderness protections for Upper Peninsula four sites at the Oct. 17 meeting of the Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture. The story was picked up by the Iron Mountain Daily News and Lansing City Pulse.

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Aerith Cruz (management information systems) was profiled by SWE Magazine as a recipient of the Society of Women Engineers’ 2023 Outstanding Collegiate Member Award.

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MLive mentioned Michigan Tech Theatre as a collaborator in offering Haunted Smelter Tours at the Quincy Smelter next week from Thursday to Saturday (Oct. 26-28).

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The Mining Journal mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the results of the most recent labor study in the Upper Peninsula, which found that 25% of the degrees awarded in the U.P. are engineering degrees.

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The Daily Mining Gazette and ABC 10 mentioned Michigan Tech in stories about the Hancock City Council’s Oct. 17 approval of the city’s purchase of three former Finlandia University buildings: Nikander, Mannerheim and Wargelin halls. Their potential to house Michigan Tech students and other area residents was discussed at the meeting. ABC 10’s story was picked up by the Keweenaw Report.

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The Daily Mining Gazette published a story on the history of the former Michigan Tech Employee Credit Union, now called Breakwater Federal Credit Union, created by the University in 1952.

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Lansing’s Fox 47 News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the season’s late fall colors across the state. An MTU webcam image of Houghton’s fall colors accompanied the story.

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Michigan Tech hockey’s Blake, Logan and Chase Pietila — and their cousin, Jed Pietila — were mentioned by NHL.com in a story about brother combinations on NCAA hockey rosters this season.

Human Resources Office Closure

The Human Resources office will be closed today (Oct. 20) for its annual department retreat. Regular office hours will resume on Monday (Oct. 23).

Questions during this time can be sent to hr-help@mtu.edu or via the HR Support Center ticketing portal.

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

Friday, October 20, 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...

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PUSH Update: Reusing Mines for the Grid-Scale Energy Transition

Friday, October 20, 9:00–11:59 a.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Ballroom A

Learn how Michigan Tech and local partners are reusing mines for grid-scale energy transition, unleashing the power of hydroelectric energy to power our homes and businesses....

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(Women's Soccer) Michigan Tech at Parkside

Friday, October 20, 12:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.

Women's Soccer: Michigan Tech at Parkside

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Chemical Engineering External Advisory Board Poster Session

Friday, October 20, 12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m. | Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, 3rd Floor

Lunch provided for judges and participants 11:30–12:30 p.m. Cash prizes for the following: Student OrganizationUndergraduate ResearchGraduate ResearchMichael...

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MATLAB Workshop

Friday, October 20, 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...

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Light-Sheet Imaging and Biomechanical Effects to Study Cardiac Trabeculation

Friday, October 20, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 610

Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar Dr. Juhyun Lee University of Texas at Arlington / UT Southwestern Medical Center Joint Department of...

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PhD Defense: Daniel Kestner

Friday, October 20, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 133

Physics Advisor: Alexander Kostinski Applications of Independent and Identically Distributed (IID) Random Processes in Polarimetry and Climatology

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Portage Waterway Cruising

Friday, October 20, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | East Houghton Waterfront Park

The Sailing Club at Michigan Tech has weekly cruises on the Portage Waterway, most Friday nights in the fall semester (weather permitting). No previous sailing experience is...

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Husky Watch Party - Hockey vs Wisconsin in Appleton, WI

Friday, October 20, 5:30 p.m.

Join us in showing your support for our Huskies at Appleton Beer Company on Friday, October 20, 2023, as Michigan Tech Hockey faces off against the University of...

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(Women's Volleyball) Michigan Tech at Saginaw Valley State

Friday, October 20, 7 p.m.–10 p.m.

Women's Volleyball: Michigan Tech at Saginaw Valley State

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(Men's Ice Hockey) Wisconsin vs. Michigan Tech

Friday, October 20, 7:07 p.m.–10:07 p.m. | John MacInnes Student Ice Arena

Men's Ice Hockey: Wisconsin vs. Michigan Tech

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Winter Coat & Boot Drive

October 20, all day | Michigan Tech Campus, Various locations on campus and in the community

The Husky Closet Collective is seeking winter coat and boot donations for the Clothing Closet at Michigan Tech. To help keep our Huskies warm, we need to secure donations of...