October 24, 2023

After a 41-year career in higher education, Dave Reed has announced his plans to retire from Michigan Tech on June 30, 2024.

Reed has held the position of Vice President for Research since 2001 and is a professor of forest biometrics in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. Under his leadership, the University achieved $100 million in research expenditures last year, the highest ever recorded. His ability to resolve complex issues and provide guidance allowing faculty and staff to see the bigger picture has been instrumental in the success of the University.

“Dave has served Michigan Tech with a breadth of knowledge, experience and wisdom for the past 41 years, including stints as provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, dean of the Graduate School and interim CFO,” said Rick Koubek, president. “He has touched nearly every facet of this University and his imprint will be felt for many years.”

Reed has directly contributed to nearly three decades of research growth for Michigan Tech.   During his tenure, he has overseen the creation of the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), the Health Research Institute (HRI), the Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC), the Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC) and other initiatives like Superior Ideas and the new H-STEM Engineering and Health Technologies Complex. He led the successful effort to expand the University’s presence in the Lower Peninsula via the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) in Ann Arbor, our Global Campus programs and various initiatives in the Grand Traverse region.

Reed also played integral roles in the creation of Tech’s Research Integrity and Compliance division, the growth of the University’s Innovation and Commercialization sectors, and the team that stood up the COVID-19 diagnostic testing lab at Michigan Tech — the first and only such lab in the Upper Peninsula when it began, and one of the few campus-based testing labs in the nation without prior certification to handle human samples.

Under Reed, research expenditures at Michigan Tech have more than tripled, from about $30 million when he became Vice President for Research to $102.3 million in fiscal year 2023. MTRI expenditures alone have grown from $4 million to over $13 million, and the institute itself has expanded from 24 to 99 employees. Funding awards to various research centers and institutes have grown significantly in the last five years. GLRC awards are up 121% since FY19, to over $9.4 million; HRI awards have quadrupled, to over $4.5 million; ICC awards have more than doubled, to over $5.8 million; and APSRC awards have risen 65%, to over $8 million.

Reed himself has been principal investigator or co-PI on over $9 million in externally funded research and has authored or co-authored more than 130 technical publications and reports, as well as two books.

Numerous recognitions received for his teaching and research include the Scientific Achievement Award from the International Union of Forest Research Organizations. This international recognition of scientific achievement in forest research is given to no more than 10 scientists worldwide every five years. He also received the 2002 Forest Science Award from the Society of American Foresters and the Faculty Excellence Award from Tech’s student chapter of the Society of American Foresters in 1994. In 1996, he traveled to Portugal’s Technical University of Lisbon as a Fulbright Scholar.

Reed has been an active member of local, regional and academic communities, serving in various capacities on a number of boards and professional service organizations. He has been president of Superior Innovations since 2011 and of the Michigan Tech Entrepreneurial Support Corporation since 2010. He has been vice chair of the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation since 2003. He currently serves on the MTEC SmartZone Board of Directors and is a past member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Research Advisory Committee, serving from 2005-08. He also served on the Oak Ridge Associated Universities as a councilor representing Michigan Tech from 2001-22, including as board member (2007-10), chair of the council on sponsoring institutions (2013-14), board vice chair (2015-16), board chair (2017-18) and board chair emeritus in 2019. 

Reed said he’s looking forward to traveling and spending time with his six grandchildren as they grow up, but leaving Tech won’t be easy. “It’s been an honor and privilege working with the people I’ve been able to work with to accomplish the things we were able to accomplish,” he said. “That’s what’s made it worthwhile: forming teams, taking advantage of everyone’s special skills and knowledge, and accomplishing goals. That and forming lasting relationships with people while doing so.”

“I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to work with Dave,” said Koubek. “He is an unequivocal statesman in the world of higher education and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his service to Michigan Tech.”

The University will soon launch a national search for the next Vice President for Research.

This year’s theme for Open Access Week 2023 is “Community over Commercialization.” This theme encourages a candid conversation about which approaches to open scholarship prioritize the best interests of the public and the academic community — and which do not. Successfully avoiding predatory publishers when deciding where to publish is a fitting subject, and one the Van Pelt and Opie Library can help with.

While not exclusive to Open Access (OA) publishing, predatory or fraudulent publishers frequently pose as an “open” publishing option. These publishers, whose sole objective is profit, contact potential authors through frequent emails, and generally promise rapid publication (including the peer review), low fees and high impact scores. In reality, what they deliver is the opposite: unqualified or non-existent editorial review, hidden fees, fake impact scores, damage to researcher reputation and the possibility of misinformation entering the scholarly record.

The library can help in multiple ways. We provide access to Cabells Predatory Reports, a searchable database of journals identified as probable threats to ethical academic publishing. Searching for the journal in curated databases like Web of Science or other library databases can be an indicator of quality. Finally, don’t hesitate to contact a librarian! We have expertise in predatory publishing practices and other aspects of the academic publishing process. Contact us at library@mtu.edu with any questions.

Tomorrow we’ll discuss how the library can help make your OA work findable online with Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech, the University’s institutional repository.

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES) Dean Search Committee will be holding a meeting today (Oct. 24) at 9 a.m. in Noblet (Forestry) G004.

The meeting is open to all Michigan Tech faculty, staff and students.

Donations for the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter — a safe place in the Houghton community for survivors of domestic violence and their children — will be accepted tomorrow (Oct. 25) from 1-4 p.m. at Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

If you traditionally donate to the shelter during the month of October, please consider bringing your supplies to Walk a Mile in Her Shoes outside the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI). We will be out rain or shine collecting donations.

The CDI and the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX are hosting Walk a Mile in Her Shoes — the International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence. Students will have the opportunity to walk in women's high-heeled shoes to actively confront gender stereotypes and expectations. This event will be an opportunity to raise awareness and support for the shelter.

The shelter's wishlist is as follows:

• New standard-size bed pillows
• Diapers (sizes 5 and 6)
• No tears baby shampoo
• Women’s cotton underwear (all sizes)
• Women’s pajamas (sizes S-2XL)
• Dryer sheets
• Hairbrushes
• Lotion
• Shower gel/body wash
• Chapstick
• Nail clippers
• Hair conditioner
• Plastic shower caddies
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Napkins
• Kleenex (no lotion)
• Storage bags (sandwich, quart and gallon sizes)
• Trash bags
• Ice melt/salt
• Cash
• Tadych's MarketPlace Foods receipts

Please join us today (Oct. 24) from 5-6 p.m. in the Humanities Digital Media Zone (HDMZ), located in Walker 120A, for an hour of laid-back Spanish setting with board games and good conversations. All levels welcome.

Upcoming La Peña dates: Nov. 14 and Nov. 28.

Michigan Tech’s Air Force ROTC program was fortunate in welcoming alumnus Dr. Gary Krasicky ’77 M.D. on Sept. 29.

Krasicky is a graduate of Tech’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 400, and his involvement has continued through a long history of support for his former AFROTC program and commissioning source. He had the opportunity to talk with cadets, tour the ROTC Building and have lunch with the cadre/staff.

Krasicky graduated from Tech in 1977 with a degree in Chemistry, though his schooling was far from over. Through the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program, he attended the University of Michigan and obtained a radiology and nuclear medicine degree. From there, he went on to serve as the chief of nuclear medicine at Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center in the Washington, D.C., area. He told the cadets that without the Air Force, he might not have ended up in the profession that he loved in the first place.

The ROTC Building is the oldest building on campus with a rich history dating back to 1904. Krasicky has provided the means to maintain and renovate several areas of the detachment over the years. Both of the classrooms have undergone an extensive remodel and all of the painted woodwork has been stripped and restored to its original beauty.

The most recent project Krasicky funded was the renovation of the Cadet Activities Office this summer, which was in dire need. The remodel consisted of repairing walls and the ceiling, new subfloor and carpet tiles, and a fresh coat of paint. The window shades were replaced and the old radiator was stripped and repainted. The transformation was night and day. One cadet described the changes as a “more spacious and homey space for the cadets to enjoy.”

Krasicky made the trip up to Tech all the way from North Carolina on Sept. 29, and his words and generosity inspire current and future cadets to hold to the Air Force values and take as many opportunities as possible. He and his wife Marcia have ensured that this detachment remains strong and able to support future generations of cadets!

The Michigan Tech soccer team went unbeaten on the road this weekend, completing sweeps of Wisconsin-Parkside and Purdue Northwest.

The Huskies bested the Rangers 3-2 at the Wood Road Soccer Field on Friday (Oct. 20), completing the series sweep. First-year Husky Brooke Green scored the game-winning goal.

"I am so proud of the team for doing everything they had to do to get the win today," head coach Turk Ozturk said. "Today's match was a little tricky and posed unique challenges, but we responded well and got it done. We saw three goals from three different contributors, which is always nice to see that level of teamwork." 

Tech closed the lid on another sweep Sunday (Oct. 22) with a 2-1 victory over the Pride. The win was fueled by season-first goals from Alyvia Sanom and Julia Pietila, who had the game-winner.

"It wasn't our best collective field performance today, but we managed to get the win," Ozturk said. "PNW has a very talented team and their athleticism and physicality made it very difficult for us at times. We saw a beautiful goal by Alyvia Sanom off a really nice assist by Kiersen Korienek in the first half and another nice goal off a corner scrum by Julia Pietila."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

No. 17 Michigan Tech hockey went 0-2 against the University of Wisconsin at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena this weekend.

Tech fell 4-2 on Friday (Oct. 20) to Wisconsin. The Huskies led in shots 12-4 in the third, but it was the Badgers who scored the go-ahead goal 7:42 into the final period and then they added an empty netter.

"It was a good hockey game," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "We still haven't won a game, and we need to find some better results. We competed well tonight, and I'm pleased with the special teams."

MTU lost to the Badgers 5-2 on Saturday (Oct. 21). The Huskies struck first but surrendered four straight goals. Logan Pietila and Tyrone Bronte found the back of the net for the Black and Gold.

"We didn't have the jump and spark that we did on Friday," Shawhan said. "Wisconsin is a really good team. They play well with the puck and can play with speed. We're a young team that is looking for growth. We have to come to the rink for practice with the mindset that we need to continue to learn and get better and play for each other."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech volleyball team began a stretch of road games this weekend, winning against Saginaw Valley State and losing to Wayne State.

The Huskies came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Cardinals 3-1 on Friday (Oct. 20) at Hamilton Gym.

"Our offense was really strong, especially once we got that first set out of our system," Tech coach Matt Jennings said. "Our first ball touch was shaky at times still, but we got some really good blocking from our front line as the match went along."

MTU fell 3-2 to the Warriors on Saturday (Oct. 21). The Huskies came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the match before the WSU won 15-11 in the fifth.

"We dug ourselves a hole that we simply couldn't get out of," Jennings said. "Our offense was good enough to win this match, but our backcourt was just too inconsistent. We need to get better back there."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech cross country squads totaled six all-conference performances at the GLIAC Cross Country Championships, held at the Tech Trails on Saturday (Oct. 21).

In the team race, the women placed fifth overall with 113 points, while the men earned a fourth-place team finish scoring 95 points.

The Huskies saw First Team All-GLIAC performances by Hannah Loughlin (ninth place) and Sam Lange (sixth place) to go with four Second Team All-GLIAC honors for first-year Sophia Rhein (17th place), Anabel Needham (18th place), Nick McKenzie (17th place) and Henry Snider (20th place).

"I'm so proud of how today went," head coach Kristina Owen said. "It's a real treat to get this opportunity to race on our home course where we train day in and day out. This is a true cross country course and it's not an easy one — it's got big hills, muddy sections and some technical footing. Our student-athletes ran their hearts out. They are so gritty and tenacious and absolutely a joy to work with."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech football team battled hard against the No. 9 nationally ranked Ferris State before ultimately falling 35-21 at Kearly Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 21).

"I love the way our guys battled. I thought we played hard right from the opening kick, and guys believed we had a chance to be in the game," head coach Dan Mettlach said. "Ferris State is loaded — unbelievably talented — and made enough plays when they had to get scores. I give our guys a ton of credit to be down 21-7 at half, to come out and get the score to answer. But, we couldn't get the timely turnover or big play in the fourth quarter."

The Huskies fall to 4-3 overall with a conference standing of 1-3.

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Tuesday (Oct. 24)
• Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ-FM

Friday (Oct. 27)
• Soccer vs. Ferris State, 4 p.m. at Kearly Stadium on FloSports
• Volleyball at Davenport, 6 p.m. on FloSports
• Hockey at St. Lawrence, 7 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ-FM & ESPN+

Saturday (Oct. 28)
• Volleyball at Grand Valley State, 2 p.m. on FloSports
• Football at Grand Valley State, 3 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ-FM & FloSports
• Hockey at Clarkson, 7:30 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ-FM & ESPN+

Sunday (Oct. 29)
• Soccer vs. Saginaw Valley State, Noon on FloSports

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Athletics News
Read more in the MTU Athletics weekly update.

Tuesday (Oct. 24)
• League of Legends vs. Aquinas, 7 p.m. NACE Varsity Premier

Wednesday (Oct. 25)
• Call of Duty vs. Keiser, 7 p.m. NACE Varsity Plus
• Rocket League A vs. (3) Thomas, 8:30 p.m. LCQ RO 16 Monday win dependent.

Thursday (Oct. 26)
• Super Smash Bros: Ultimate B vs. Central Michigan, 7 p.m. NACE Varsity Plus
• League of Legends vs. Maryville, 7 p.m. NACE Varsity Premier

Friday (Oct. 27)
• Rocket League A vs. South Dakota SMT, 5 p.m. Great Lakes CRL Fall Minor Day 1

Times are subject to change. Check Twitter @MTUEsports for updates.

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Esports News
Read more in the MTU Esports weekly update.

Watch MTU Esports on Twitch.

Michigan Tech faculty and students traveled to IEEE's Frontiers in Education Conference, held Oct. 18-21 in College Station, Texas, and presented a plethora of scholarly work.

• "Learn how to design high-quality qualitative educational research! - A workshop for disciplinary STEM faculty by disciplinary STEM faculty" 
  Co-facilitated by Michelle Jarvie-Eggart (EF) with John R. Morelock (University of Georgia), Heather Chenette (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology), Sara Hooshangi (Virginia Tech), Sarah Wilson (University of Kentucky), Iglika Pavlova (University of North Carolina Greensboro) and Rebecca M. Reck (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
• "Work-In-Progress: Preliminary Work Introducing Automated Code Critiques in First-Year Engineering MATLAB Programming"
  Presented by Laura Albrant (CLS graduate student) with co-authors Pradnya Pendse (CS Ph.D. student), Mary E. Benjamin (CEGE Ph.D. student), Michelle Jarvie-Eggart and Jon Sticklen (both EF), and Laura Brown and Leo C. Ureel II (both CS).
• "Work-In-Progress: Python Code Critiquer, A Machine Learning Approach"
  Presented by Pradnya Pendse (CS Ph.D. student) with co-authors Laura Albrant (CLS graduate student), Daniel T. Masker (CS Ph.D. student), Laura Brown and Leo C. Ureel II (both CS), and  Jon Sticklen and Michelle Jarvie-Eggart (both EF).
• "Co-sharing secondary qualitative research data to understand technology adoption in engineering education courses"
  Co-presented by Michelle Jarvie-Eggart (EF) and Dominik May (University of Wuppertal, Germany), with co-authors Deborah Moyaki (University of Georgia Ph.D. student), Katrina Carlson (CLS M.S. student) and Landon Smith (University of Georgia undergraduate student).
• "Extending the Usability of WebTA with Unified ASTs and Errors"
  Presented by Joseph Roy Teahen (CS Ph.D. student) with co-authors Daniel T. Masker (CS Ph.D. student) and Leo C. Ureel II (CS).
• "Engaging Novice Programers: A Literature Review of the Effect of Code Critiquers on Programming Self-efficacy"
  Presented by Mary E. Benjamin (CEGE graduate student), with co-authors Michelle Jarvie-Eggart and Jon Sticklen (both EF) and Leo C. Ureel II and Laura Brown (both CS).
• "The role of peer dialogue as disruptor in critical ethical analysis for computing students"
  Presented by Charles Wallace (CS) with co-author Andrew Ciminski (CS graduate student).
• "A Replication Study: Validation of the 19-item Short Form for the MUSIC Inventory for Engineering Student Engagement"
  Presented by Susan L. Amato-Henderson (CLS emeritus) with Jon Sticklen (EF).
• "Beyond Summer Reading: Enabling Covert Student Learning Through a Cross-Campus Connecting Theme"
  Presented by Charles Wallace (CS) with co-authors Laura Fiss (PHS), Brett Hamlin (EF), Heather Love (University of Waterloo), Linda Ott (CS) and Steven Walton (SS).
• "An Educational Modeling Software Tool That Teaches Computational Thinking Skills Through STEM Classes"
  A poster by Dominika Bobik, Pradnya Pendse, Katie H. Ulinski, Trevor X. Petrin, Rhys W. Brockenshire and Leo C. Ureel II (CS).

Nathan Manser (GMES) was interviewed by WJMN Local 3 for a story about the mining process and management of byproducts in the past and present, as well as what could lie ahead for the mining industry relative to future mineral exploration in the Upper Peninsula. 

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Mary Cyr (VPA) was quoted by WJMN Local 3 in a story previewing the Haunted Smelter Tours at the Quincy Smelter next week from Thursday to Saturday (Oct. 26-28). The tours are a collaboration between MTU visual and performing arts students and the Keweenaw National Historical Park.

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The Daily Mining Gazette covered Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist’s early look at Michigan Tech’s H-STEM Engineering and Health Technologies Complex during his visit to Houghton on Saturday (Oct. 21). University President Rick Koubek accompanied Gilchrist on the tour.

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The Iron Mountain Daily News and Escanaba Daily Press 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. The story was picked up from the Mining Journal.

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Hydro Review mentioned Michigan Tech’s collaboration with Dairyland Power Cooperative and Mine Storage International AB to explore the potential for pumped storage hydropower in the Upper Midwest in a story about Dairyland’s new chief strategy officer.

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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about ultramarathoner Andrea Larson ’08 (B.S. Chemical Engineering), who set a new speed record on the 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail. While at MTU, Larson ran cross country for the Huskies.

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The Daily Mining Gazette picked up the announcement of Alec Broetzman (ATH) being named assistant hockey coach for the Huskies.

Call for Abstracts: ACS Student Research Symposium

Abstracts are being accepted for the eighth annual American Chemical Society Upper Peninsula Student Research Symposium! The symposium will be held at Northern Michigan University on Nov. 11.

This symposium is a venue for students to present their research in chemistry, chemical engineering and related fields. It is open to undergraduate, graduate, high school and community college students from the Upper Peninsula. We welcome visitors and community members! There is no cost to present and lunch will be provided. Prize money will be awarded for best posters and presentations.

For more information and to register for the symposium, visit our Student Research Symposium page. The registration deadline is next Tuesday (Oct. 31) at 5 p.m. EST. All presenters, visitors and judges, please register to ensure we have enough food ordered.

Contact Momoko Tajiri at mtajiri@mtu.edu with any questions.

The Student Research Symposium is sponsored by the Department of Chemistry at Michigan Tech.

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 24, 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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Dissertation Proposal: Saket Chaturvedi, Computer Science

Tuesday, October 24, 8:30–10:30 a.m. | Rekhi Hall, 101

PhD student Saket Chaturvedi will present his dissertation proposal on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 8:30-10:30 am in Rekhi 101 and via Zoom online meeting. The title of the...

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MATLAB Workshop

Tuesday, October 24, 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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Flu Shot Clinics

Tuesday, October 24, 4 p.m.–6 p.m. | SDC Wood Gym Balcony

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...

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Prototype Your Innovation

Tuesday, October 24, 4 p.m.–6 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), The Alley Makerspace

So you've got an innovative idea that you think is great. Have you ever tried to demonstrate it to someone? Join us for a workshop in which you build a rough prototype of...

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Adult Huskies Swim Lessons Fall 2023 Session 2

Tuesday, October 24, 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...

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Adult Huskies Swim Training Fall 2023 Session 2

Tuesday, October 24, 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...

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It's Not Too Late to Study Abroad in Spring 2024

Tuesday, October 24, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Alumni Lounge C

Miss the MTU study abroad application deadline for Spring 2024? There may still be time to submit an application! Attend this information session to learn more about study...

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La Peña Spanish Conversation Hour

Tuesday, October 24, 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...

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Student Community Meals

Tuesday, October 24, 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....

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Pumpkin Carving

Tuesday, October 24, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. | MUB Commons

Get ready for the spooky season with some pumpkin carving! Pumpkins and tools will be provided, but if you have your own carving tools it is highly encouraged to bring them....

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Winter Coat & Boot Drive

October 24, 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...