December 1, 2023

Associate Professors Mark Rouleau and Roman Sidortsov, along with Berit Kristoffersen, an associate professor in political science at the Department of Social Sciences and the Arctic Centre for Sustainable Energy (ARC) at UiT – the Arctic University of Norway, kicked off the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with the “Just North Workshop.”

The workshop explored the idea that “an economic activity or a project cannot be sustainable if it's deemed ethically deficient by key stakeholders and rights holders. These actors have different life experiences and ethical perspectives that are shaped by divergent value systems.” The presenters led a simulation developed as part of the European Union-funded JUSTNORTH Horizon 2020 project that aims to reconcile such differences and align stakeholders and rights holders to pursue common interests.

Michigan Tech is partnering with researchers at UiT – the Arctic University of Norway and the University of Sussex Business School, U.K., in collaboration with JUSTNORTH Horizon 2020, to host a pavilion where they will present research in the conference's Blue Zone. The Blue Zone is a United Nations-managed space where the official climate negotiations take place. The pavilion offers a wealth of complementary knowledge, expertise and insights on and from northern regions deeply impacted by climate change to attendees (world leaders, government agencies, nongovernmental agencies, think tanks and other climate stakeholders).

Over the next two weeks, there will be over 75 different presentations and discussions planned in the pavilion from a variety of researchers and stakeholders from across the globe. In addition to Sidortsov and Rouleau, sessions will be led by Tech’s Shardul Tiwari, adjunct assistant professor and postdoctoral scholar; Sarah Green, professor emerita; and graduate students Gabriel Ahrendt and Emily Rosky. Sessions will cover a variety of topics, like energy transition, energy security, energy justice and youth engagement. See the complete agenda.

“The presentations in the pavilion let us showcase the strength and breadth of Michigan Tech’s energy transition and climate change work,” said Sidortsov. “We worked with colleagues at other universities to organize an exciting set of presentations, minicourses and press conferences highlighting their perspectives on climate, environmental and energy justice, policy and governance. Presenting the work at a global conference like this, where there’s going to be people from all over the world, is exciting because they’ll see what we might be able to help them with.”

Read more about our participation in COP28 in the Huskies at the UN Climate Conference (COP) blog.

The Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Hardwood Mass Timber Institute (HMTI), an emerging force in the realm of mass timber research and innovation.

The HMTI, a new initiative with great bio-based materials ambitions, aims to support research, design and commercialization of mass timber products and buildings from hardwood and softwood common to the Great Lakes Region. The GLRC, a center of research excellence, is dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation. Here’s what this partnership will mean for GLRC members and HMTI's budding community.

A Strong Foundation for Collaboration: At the heart of this partnership is collaboration. By joining forces, the GLRC and HMTI create a platform for their members to connect, exchange ideas and collaborate on research projects.

Research and Knowledge Sharing: Both GLRC and HMTI members will have access to a wealth of resources, including research facilities, technologies and the expertise of our combined teams. By sharing our resources and expertise, the GLRC and HMTI aim to amplify our impact in these critical areas.

Building Stronger Networks: The GLRC and HMTI can expand and share professional networks. It's an environment where relationships can be nurtured and potential collaborations can blossom.

The Road Ahead: “Michigan Tech is uniquely positioned to make significant research impacts in the use of hardwood for mass timber production and construction methods,” said Tim Havens, director of the GLRC. “The Great Lakes Research Center is thrilled to support this partnership, and we look forward to the HMTI’s successes in transforming future building materials and architecture for the greater good of our environment and built world.”

“This institute will develop the technologies and provide the industry support needed to apply our own forests to our overarching goals of rural prosperity and climate stability,” said Mark Rudnicki, director of the HMTI.  “With this partnership and support from the experienced GLRC staff, we are able to spin up quickly and are very excited to begin making an impact on our region and well beyond.”

Stay tuned for updates, joint events and stories of collaboration.

The Board of Trustees amended Board Policy 11.13 Signing Contracts and Other Legal Documents, opting to follow a common practice of delegating signature authority to the University's president and allowing the president to further delegate such authority. In accordance with this updated policy, the president has delegated signature authority for the 2023-24 fiscal year as described in detail in his memorandum.

To better manage and mitigate the risks associated with contractual obligations, the Office of the General Counsel will maintain a list of employees who are currently authorized to sign contracts on our website and will provide contract training to all of these employees.

It is important to note that this change in signature authority does not change the procurement process. In order to ensure efficient handling of contract review requests, a ticketing system has been established. Contract review requests may be made through the MTU Contract Support Center.

We recognize that this is a change in historical practice and will take some adjustment. In an attempt to answer some of the questions we anticipate, we’ve provided a brief guide on the Contract Management and Signature Authority page.

You will receive a formal letter of delegation and a requirement to sign up for contract training if signature authority is delegated to you.

If you have additional questions or if you see other items that may cause confusion, please contact Heidi Reid at hereid@mtu.edu, as we will continue to build out information on the website, including the frequently asked questions (FAQs).

With the University being closed from Dec. 25 through Dec. 29 for the holiday break, Financial Services and Operations will not be processing payments during that time.

To ensure timely processing of payments for the University and Michigan Tech Fund before the holidays, please submit check requests by Dec. 14.

Request for Invoice forms must be submitted to Accounts Receivable at mtuar@mtu.edu by Dec. 18 if you would like an invoice sent before the end of the year.

The Board of Trustees will meet Dec. 15 from 9-11 a.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom B, and public attendance is welcome.

Members of the public are invited to make public comments to the Board in accordance with Board of Trustees Bylaw 1.14. Those who wish to address items in the agenda, and who have filed their intent with the secretary of the board as required by Bylaw 1.14, will be limited to five minutes. Those addressing general topics are limited to three minutes.

If you wish to provide public comments to the Board of Trustees, please submit your intent to Sarah Schulte, secretary to the Board of Trustees, at shschult@mtu.edu. The deadline to submit your intent is next Friday (Dec. 8).

We would like to invite all members of the Michigan Tech campus community to a moderated free speech forum on Tuesday (Dec. 5) from 5-6:30 p.m. in Fisher 135.

Please join the members of HU5090 Writing Creative Nonfiction for a literary reading and reception on Tuesday (Dec. 5) from 7:30-9 p.m. in Walker 109.

Graduate students in the Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture program will read selections from original works of bibliomemoir — a subgenre of literary nonfiction in which the writer relates episodes from their own life to books of special significance to them. How do the books we read — from religious texts to children’s lit to literary classics — help us to make sense of our own experiences and identities? Insights will be shared and light refreshments will be served.

The Doghouse Classic is an original Michigan Tech event that saw its beginnings over 30 years ago under the direction of Kevin Borseth, head women’s basketball coach at the time.

The tournament will take place in the SDC Multipurpose Room on six competition courts. The number of teams registered will determine the number of divisions and the tournament format for each division. The preferred format will be a double-elimination bracket. Tournament brackets will not be available until the day of the tournament.

Tournament Details:

• Divisions: Boys and girls divisions for grade levels 4-8, JV, Varsity, and Men's and Women's Opens.
• Cost: $120 per team (four players per team)
• Registration Opens: Friday, Dec. 1, at 8 a.m.
• Registration Closes: Monday, April 8, at 11:59 p.m.

This tournament is an excellent opportunity to have some fun playing 3-on-3 basketball in a friendly yet competitive environment. Prizes will be awarded for division champs, and event swag will be available for all participants!

Visit Michigan Tech Recreation's Doghouse Classic Spring 2024 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament page to learn more and sign up.

The Vice President for Research Office announces the Fall 2023 Research Excellence Fund (REF) award recipients. Congratulations to each of the awardees.

The REF team also wishes to thank the individual REF reviewers and review panelists, as well as the deans and department chairs, for their time spent on this important internal research award process.

The principal investigators of the awarded projects include:

Research Seed Grants:

• Flavio Costa (ECE/ICC)
• Shangyan Zou (ME-EM/MARC)

Scholarship and Creativity Grants:

• Laura Fiss (PHC)
• Joel Neves (VPA)

Michigan Tech's Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE) proudly announced the induction of nine distinguished individuals into our prestigious Academy. Established in 1993, the Academy celebrates exceptional graduates and esteemed allies of the department, recognizing their outstanding contributions to engineering, civil affairs and community service.

The Academy Induction was held Oct. 5 at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts.

Elected members of the academy:

• Wayne Bergstrom ’76, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE., F.ASCE, F.ABET
• David M. Thomson ’83, P.E.
• David W. Hand ’80, Ph.D., BCEE
• Emmanuel U. Nzewi ’80, Ph.D, P.E., M.ASCE
• Michael Paddock ’87 ’88
• Leanne H. Panduren ’93, P.E., F.NSPE
• Steven Tomaszewski ‘91
• Thomas M. Keranen, P.E., Esq.
• Zachary Grasley ’01, Ph.D., P.E.

The new inductees showcase diverse achievements, embodying the spirit of leadership, service and excellence that defines the Michigan Tech Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering.

Learn more about the Academy's newest members on the Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering News blog.

Michigan Tech hockey hosts Bowling Green for a CCHA series this weekend.

The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. tonight (Dec. 1) and 6:07 p.m. tomorrow (Dec. 2) at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

Tech is 6-6-3 overall and 4-2-0 in the CCHA. The Huskies received votes in both national polls as they have all season. The Falcons are 4-10-0 overall and 2-4-0 in the CCHA.

Listen live on the radio at Mix 93.5 WKMJ-FM or online at TheMix93.com or Pasty.net. Both games will be livestreamed on FloHockey (a subscription is required — discounts are available for students).

Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday
Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals to tomorrow's game to donate to Toys for Tots in the annual Teddy Bear Toss during the first intermission. University Images is donating 200 stuffed huskies to the cause, which will be handed out to fans to be tossed onto the ice.

Salvation Army red donation bins for canned goods will also be available at the game.

Read the preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Job Postings for Friday, Dec. 1, 2023

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Campus Electrical Engineer, Facilities Management. Apply online.

Director of International Programs and Services, International Programs and Services. Apply online.

IT Support Coordinator, Information Technology. Apply online.

Manager and Senior Business Systems Analyst, Information Technology. 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.

Michigan Radio’s Nov. 27 broadcast of “Stateside” included the Interlochen Public Radio Points North podcast episode featuring Emily Schwiebert (VPOL), who guided a search for a ghost town in the Keweenaw Peninsula. The Points North hosts also conveyed special thanks to Lindsay Hiltunen (VPOL) and Scott Wendt (EHS).

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Fast Company mentioned Michigan Tech in an article sharing tips on how companies can attract young tech professionals.

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WLUC TV6 mentioned Michigan Tech in a story on the inventory The Nature Conservancy is conducting of the Keweenaw Heartlands, more than 32,000 acres purchased by the organization in 2022. MTU is a partner on the project, which “outlines the infrastructure, ecology, timber, and culture of the land.”

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Government Technology referenced Michigan Tech’s Earthquake Magnitude Scale in a story about a flurry of earthquakes in South Carolina’s Columbia area over the past two weeks.

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The Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about regional Toys for Tots efforts happening in the next few weeks. Stuffed animals can be donated by MTU hockey fans in the annual Teddy Bear Toss during the Huskies’ game tomorrow (Dec. 2) at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

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BVM Sports covered Michigan Tech hockey’s Isaac Gordon being named CCHA Rookie of the Month.

Are You Interested in Advising a Student Organization?

Student Leadership and Involvement is looking for staff and faculty who are interested in becoming advisors for registered student organizations (RSOs). While we do not have a specific need at this time, vacancies occur regularly throughout the year due to staffing changes or the establishment of new student groups. Collecting this information before a vacancy occurs allows us to provide a smooth and efficient resource for groups who seek advice or direction on finding a new advisor.

As an advisor, you will have the chance to provide guidance and support to student leaders while fostering an environment that encourages leadership, innovation and collaboration. Learn more about being an RSO advisor on our Advisor Resources page.

To express your interest in becoming an advisor, please take a moment to fill out our interest form. Your participation will not only benefit our students, but also contribute to the overall enrichment of our University community.

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American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course

Registration for the next American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification opens today (Dec. 1) at 8 a.m.

This four-day blended-learning intensive training course will take place at the Michigan Tech SDC Pool from Jan. 4-7, 2024. The certification includes Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR/AED certifications and all training materials.

All participants must be 15 years of age or older by the first date of the course (documentation required). Required water skills include the ability to swim 300 yards continuously, tread water for two minutes and complete a timed event in which participants retrieve a 10-pound brick from a depth of 7-10 feet and swim 20 yards with the object.

Online training prerequisites must be completed by the first day of classroom instruction. The instructor will contact class participants with online course information and directions. Class size is limited.

Course Details:

• Class Dates/Times:
  • Thursday, Jan. 4, from 4-5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Jan. 5, from 4-8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Jan. 6, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, Jan. 7, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cost: $200 per participant
• Registration Deadline: Friday, Dec. 22, at 11:59 p.m.

Discounts are available to participants who apply and are accepted to work at the SDC Pool! Contact Aquatics Manager Annie Bengry at ambengry@mtu.edu or 906-487-2995 for details.

For more information, visit Michigan Tech Recreation's ARC Lifeguard Certification page.

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KIP Seminar with Tan Chen

Please join the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (KIP) today (Dec. 1) from 3-4 p.m. in ATDC 101 for a KIP Seminar with Tan Chen from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at MTU.

This seminar is titled "Control, Robustness, and Contact-based Mechanics in Biped Locomotion."

To learn more about the guest presenter and his research, please to go the KIP Newsblog.

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In-Store Customer Appreciation Sale Today!

The Campus Store and University Images would like to thank you for being loyal Huskies fans, and our in-store Customer Appreciation Day is here!

Visit us in person today (Dec. 1) and receive 20% off almost everything! With a variety of Michigan Tech branded apparel and souvenirs, plus U.P. and Michigan-themed items, you're sure to find special goodies for your Husky pack and maybe a little something for yourself.

Today's Hours: The Campus Store will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and University Images will be open from 8 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.

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Presentation with EF Faculty Candidate Alden Adolph

The Department of Engineering Fundamentals (EF) is conducting a faculty search.

Faculty candidate Alden Adolph will present an active and collaborative first-year engineering lesson at 10 a.m. today (Dec. 1) in Dillman 208.

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Algorithmic Culture Brown Bag

Please join the Brown Bag event presented by Stefka Hristova (HU) and Soonkwan Hong (COB): "Fetishization of Algorithms in Everyday Life."

The sheer presence of algorithms poses existential questions about how deeply computational mechanisms have come to permeate everyday life. Join IPEC's director and associate director in discussing biases and unintended consequences of algorithms and AI.

The event will be held today (Dec. 1) from 12-1 p.m. in the Petersen Library — Walker 318.

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PhD Proposal Defense: Jacob Murchek, GMES

Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) Ph.D. student Jacob T. Murchek will present his doctoral research proposal defense at noon today (Dec. 1) in Dow 610. Virtual attendance is also invited via Zoom. All are welcome to attend.

Murchek is advised by James DeGraff, with Benjamin Drenth, Jeremy Shannon, and Aleksey Smirnov serving as committee members.

The proposal is titled "Integration of Geophysical Data with Geologic Constraints to Infer Tectonomagmatic Controls on Mineral Systems in the Yukon-Tanana Uplands, Alaska, and Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan."

From the abstract:
Critical minerals are necessary for the everyday needs of modern human society and are paramount for the advancement of technology. Lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite are some examples of critical minerals used in cell phones, military equipment, vehicles, batteries, and other essential products. To increase domestic production of critical minerals, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) seeks to identify areas favorable to host deposits of such minerals through the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative. In collaboration with the USGS, the proposed research aims to identify tectonomagmatic controls of mineral systems in the Yukon-Tanana Uplands (YTU), Alaska and along the Keweenaw Peninsula (KP), Michigan using geophysical and geologic data to better understand the distribution and origin of such systems and to judge critical mineral potential in the two areas.

Both the YTU and KP have the potential to host critical mineral deposits, however mineral systems in these areas are not completely understood. Critical minerals in the YTU are most likely to occur as secondary minerals associated with precious metal mineral systems. Aeromagnetic data will be interpreted, modeled, and integrated with regional geology, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and geochemical data to aid in delineating the boundary between the parautochthonous North American Basement (NAb) and allochthonous Yukon-Tanana Terrane (YTT) that underlie the YTU. Establishing a firm boundary for these terranes has major implications for understanding the origin and distribution of mineral systems across the YTU (e.g., porphyry Cu-Au, orogenic Au) and, consequently, the potential for such systems to host critical minerals. The research will emphasize developing geophysically mappable criteria for these and other mineral systems and the plutonic suites that may be associated with their deposition and enrichment. Along the KP copper district and its southwest extension, gravity and magnetic data, and possibly seismic reflection data, will be acquired to model the structure of the Midcontinent Rift System (MRS), thereby testing published cross-sectional models for the rift and the Keweenaw fault system (KFS). Better definition of the KFS is relevant to understanding migration pathways of copper-bearing hydrothermal fluids that produced economic deposits of copper and silver in the region. Quantitative geophysical modeling in the region can be tightly constrained by bedrock outcrops and rock property measurements (e.g., density, magnetic susceptibility). A better constrained subsurface model across the southeast margin of the MRS will establish a stronger tie to offshore geophysical data previously collected across Lake Superior. Such models should also improve definition of known faults in the KFS as well as to identify new faults beneath Jacobsville Sandstone, thus helping to infer mineralization pathways for copper and other elements associated with the MRS.

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MS Defense: Marcus Scese, CS

M.S. in Computer Science candidate Marcus Scese will present his final oral examination (defense) today (Dec. 1) at 4 p.m. in Rekhi 101 and via Zoom webinar.

The title of Scese’s defense is “Design and Implementation of a GraphQL Mesh Gateway: Federating API Endpoints Based on a Defined Data Model.”

Scese is advised by Associate Professor Charles Wallace.

Read the defense abstract on the Computing News Blog.

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

Graduating and Still Looking? Walk In for Coffee and a Chat

Friday, December 1, 8:30–10:30 a.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Are you graduating soon and need help finding a job? Come in for a coffee and chat with one of our career advisors. We can help tailor your search, review your resume, bounce...

Master's Defense: Josef Iwanicki

Friday, December 1, 12 p.m.–1 p.m. | Academic Office Building (AOB), 201

Indust Heritage & Archaeology Advisor: LouAnn Wurst "Not Much of a Job": Everyday Life and Labor at Camp Au Train Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/82515417143

MATLAB Workshop

Friday, December 1, 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...

PhD Defense: Shantanu Harishchandra Chavan

Friday, December 1, 2 p.m.–3 p.m.

Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Advisor: Vijaya Venkata Narasimha Sriram Malladi BREAKING BARRIERS IN SOUND PROCESSING AND CARGO SAFETY: REVOLUTIONARY...

Computer Science Colloquium: Weihua Zhou, Health Informatics

Friday, December 1, 3 p.m.–4 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, 214

Assistant Professor Weihua Zhou, Applied Computing/Health Informatics, will present a Department of Computer Science colloquium lecture on Friday, December 1, 2023, from 3-4...

Uncovering Cellular Subtypes with AI-based Analysis of Heterogeneity

Friday, December 1, 3 p.m.–4 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 610

Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar Kwonmoo Lee, PhD Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School Abstract In the...

Master's Defense: Marcus Scese

Friday, December 1, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, 101

Computer Science Advisor: Charles Wallace Design and Implementation of a GraphQL Mesh Gateway: Federating API Endpoints Based on a Defined Data Model Attend Virtually:...

Master's Defense: Marcus Scese

Friday, December 1, 4 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, 101

Master of Science student Marcus Scese, Computer Science, will present his final oral examination (defense) on Friday, Dec 1, 2023, at 4 pm in Rekhi 101 and via Zoom webinar....

Art-O-Rama Showcase Reception Hosted by Michigan Tech Art

Friday, December 1, 5 p.m.–7 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Galleries

Free, light refreshments will be available. Many of the student artists represented in the show will be present to discuss their artworks. Learn more about...

Chicago Alumni Holiday + Watch Party 2023

Friday, December 1, 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

Get ready to spread the holiday cheer as we come together and connect with fellow Michigan Tech alumni and friends in Chicago, IL! You're invited to a holiday party at Duffy's...

The Cost Is Correct - Game Show

Friday, December 1, 7 p.m.–8 p.m. | Fisher 139

Join for a fun MTU/Keweenaw Twist on the classic game show! Teams of up to 5 people can compete, and there will be two 1-hour games, starting at 7 pm and again at 8 pm. Prizes...

(Men's Ice Hockey) Bowling Green vs. Michigan Tech

Friday, December 1, 7:07 p.m.–10:07 p.m. | John MacInnes Student Ice Arena

Men's Ice Hockey: Bowling Green vs. Michigan Tech

Orchestral Music (sort of) Presented by Michigan Tech Music

Friday, December 1, 7:30 p.m. | Superior Wind Symphony PRESENTER

The Superior Wind Symphony presents a concert entirely of band arrangements of orchestral music. CONTENT GUIDANCE

The Cost Is Correct - Game Show

Friday, December 1, 8 p.m.–9 p.m. | Fisher 139

Join for a fun MTU/Keweenaw Twist on the classic game show! Teams of up to 5 people can compete, and there will be two 1-hour games, starting at 7 pm and again at 8 pm. Prizes...

Art-O-Rama Student Gallery Showcase Presented by Michigan Tech Art

December 1, all day | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Galleries

A showcase of student artworks from the fall '23 Art + Design and Art & Ecology classes. A variety of media is represented including painting, sculpture, installation,...