January 18, 2024

Fieldwork for the Isle Royale wolf-moose project — the oldest predator-prey study in the world — is led by researchers at Michigan Tech and supported by volunteers. Last summer’s researchers included two Husky undergrads. Neither student minded being off their phones. Both put their cameras to regular use.

Wesley McGee (biomedical engineering) and Jack Schafer (ecology and evolutionary biology) were part of a four-student team that spent a month on the island beginning in late May. They backpacked roughly 150 miles both on- and off-trail to help research the relationship between moose, wolves and environment. Their duties included measuring density and new growth of balsam fir — a primary winter food source for moose.

Read about their research adventures at Stories from Husky Nation.

Faculty for the Barcelona Study Abroad program will answer your questions at an info session tonight (Jan. 18) from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the HDMZ (Humanities Digital Media Zone), Walker 120A.

• The Barcelona program will take place during summer 2024, Track B.
• No previous Spanish language knowledge is needed.
• Spend seven weeks in Spain with Tech students and faculty.
• Take up to three of the following classes: HU3293, HU3294, HU3261 (in English) or HU3264 (in English) that will count for a Spanish international minor or general education requirements.
• The program fee is $3,800 (there is a $1,000 fellowship for Humanities majors and Spanish minors).

Check out the program's detailed information on the Barcelona Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program page.

Provost Andrew Storer will be holding open office hours from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 24) and again March 28 from 1-3 p.m. in the Library Cafe. Feel free to stop by; appointments are not required for open office hours.

Office hours continue to be held from 1-3 p.m. each Thursday during the 2023-24 academic year. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to schedule an appointment by emailing Amie Ledgerwood at asledger@mtu.edu.

The information provided here is also available on the Academic Affairs website. To view it, click the office hours icon in the bottom right corner of the banner image.

Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX has long-standing relationships with community partners who assist with resources and services for our campus. In 2023, Dial Help, Portage Health Foundation and Copper Country Senior Meals merged to form Copper Shores Community Health Foundation.

One entity within the foundation, Copper Shores Community Support and Outreach, offers victim services, the crisis line (call 800-532-7622 or text 906-356-3337) and prevention work to our campus community, as Dial Help did previously.

Please visit the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation website to learn more about the services they provide.

Just a reminder: Spring Career Fair Forged by Nucor will be held Feb. 13 from 12-5 p.m. at the Student Development Complex.

We are very excited about the many opportunities Career Fair provides our students. Please let us know if you have any questions. Career Services is hosting multiple prep workshops to prepare students for this event.

More details can be found on our website, on Handshake and in emails from Handshake. Registration is open on Handshake as well. Go Huskies!

We are excited to be hosting the 2024 Spring Career Fair Forged by Nucor at Michigan Tech on Feb. 13! As we have done in the past, Interview Day will be Feb. 14, and we need your help.

In order to provide the best interview experience for both students and employers, we are requesting office and room spaces for interviews on campus. Please submit any available rooms to be included for our Interview Day schedule using our Rooms for Interviews form.

On average, there are over a thousand individual interviews conducted on campus following Career Fair.​​

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to CareerFair@mtu.edu.

We are looking forward to another great Career Fair this spring!

The Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts is injecting a spark of excitement into this blustery week with three thrilling events: a rollicking Mardi Gras feast fueled by New Orleans jazz, a play directed by Michigan Tech Theatre’s newest faculty member, and a bespoke museum experience crafted just for the Keweenaw. Tickets are on sale now! 

1. Michigan Tech Music presents "Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday" — Get ready for an epic Fat Tuesday, fueled by live jazz and a New Orleans-inspired dinner hosted by Michigan Tech Jazz’s own Workshop Brass Band, freshly back from their NOLA tour! The party starts Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. backstage at the Rozsa.
   
   
2. Michigan Tech Theatre presents "Imagining (Im)Possibilities: Museum Explorations" — Experience a captivating 30-minute tour through the world of immersive museum exhibits. Explore the magic behind museum design and dive into spectacular sets crafted by talented theatre students, each one transporting you to a unique space through interactive displays. Tours run Feb. 15-17 from 7-9:30 p.m. in McArdle Theatre.
   
   
3. Michigan Tech Theatre presents "Purple Hearts" by C.S. Wallace, directed by Nich Radcliffe — Witness the heartbreaking, inspiring and sometimes funny story of three men who, in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor, find themselves trapped aboard the now-sunken USS West Virginia. Inspired by true events, this award-winning play directed by new Michigan Tech faculty member Nich Radcliffe (VPA) is sure to move you. Attend the show April 10-13 in McArdle Theatre.

Get Tickets
Don't miss your chance to experience these exciting events! Tickets for all three are available online 24/7, or at the Rozsa Box Office in person or by calling 906-487-1906 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets are part of this season’s new Pay As You’re Able ticketing. 

To learn more, visit the Rozsa website, email rozsa@mtu.edu or call 906-487-1906.

Save the Date: Join Research Development on Feb. 1 from noon to 1 p.m. for the next session in the VPR Research Series: "SciENcv: Creating Biosketches and C&P Support Docs.”

Join us via Zoom to learn how you can create and maintain your biographical sketch and current and pending support documents in SciENcv. Once you get the initial setup done, you'll be able to easily make updates and generate biosketches and current and pending documents that are compliant with the current rules of the agency.

Note: As of Oct. 23, 2023, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has required that all senior personnel listed on NSF proposals use SciENcv to prepare their Biographical Sketch and Current & Pending Support forms, which are required proposal elements. This session is for anyone interested in NSF proposals who has not yet learned the SciENcv system. The session will cover all steps from sign-up to producing the required documents; no prior experience is necessary.

Any questions should be addressed to rd-l@mtu.edu.

Department of Physics graduate students will be presenting their research progress at this week's Physics Colloquium:

• Jeff Kabel (advised by Yoke Khin Yap)
• Hitendra Singh (advised by Ranjit Pati)

This will be an in-person event — the students will give their talks at 4 p.m. today (Jan. 18) in Fisher 139.

Event details, including the students' presentation titles and abstracts, are available on the University Events Calendar.

Make plans to attend the next William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Lunch and Learn on Jan. 30 from noon to 1 p.m. We’ll explore innovative tools and strategies to support student group engagement and provide formative feedback.

Learn about the new iClicker Cloud groups feature, which enhances group learning by efficiently enabling student groups and fostering enhanced collaboration and consensus building. We’ll also review strategies to provide your students with formative feedback of their learning through the use of Panopto video quizzes and quick knowledge checks in Canvas content pages with Design Plus tools. This session is an opportunity for instructors to gain insights into these technologies, share experiences and discuss best practices in enhancing student learning.

Please register to attend. Lunch will be provided to those who register by noon next Thursday (Jan. 25).

The event will be held in the MUB Alumni Lounge (MUB 107A and 107B).

To request accommodations or for any questions, please contact the CTL at ctl@mtu.edu or 906-487-3000.

The next Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM) Graduate Seminar speaker will present at 4 p.m. today (Jan. 18) in MEEM 112.

Wayne Weaver is a professor, associate department chair and director of graduate studies. This talk will focus on the policies and procedures of the ME-EM graduate program, including the courses, credits, requirements and steps for each degree.

The next Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday (Jan. 22) in GLRC 202.

Jacob Novitch, M.S. in Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University, will present "Development Of A BioWin-Based Model Of A Small Lagoon Wastewater Treatment System."

Read the abstract on the University Events Calendar.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by M.S. candidate Andrew Walch today (Jan. 18) from 1:25-1:45 p.m. in M&M 610.

Walch's presentation is titled "Rapid Bayesian High Entropy Alloy Designs Fabricated via Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing."

From the abstract:
Enhancing power plant efficiency and reducing carbon emissions can be achieved by elevating operating temperatures and pressures. The adoption of ultra-supercritical power generation represents a contemporary approach that uses high entropy alloys (HEA) in high-temperature components to meet these conditions. These HEA are needing to be designed, optimized, and fabricated rapidly to match the fast paced advance of modern technology. This study aims to look into optimized HEA that were fabricated via wire arc additive manufacturing. The impact of incorporating vanadium or tungsten into the HEA was investigated through scanning electron microscopy. The specific outcomes in the study include cracking propensity, corrosion performance, and yield strength of the alloys to best simulate the environment of ultra-supercritical steam power plants.

Speaker bio:
Walch is an M.S. candidate working under the supervision of Paul Sanders. He received his B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering in spring 2023. His current research focuses on the microstructural analysis of nickel superalloys for ultra-supercritical steam power plants. Upon completing his M.S., Walch plans to pursue his Ph.D. at Michigan Tech.

The Michigan Tech women's basketball team has taken to the road for the first two games of a five-game road stand.

The Huskies are traveling to Parkside today (Jan. 18), taking on the Rangers at 6:30 p.m. They will visit Purdue Northwest on Saturday (Jan. 20) for a tilt against the Pride at 2 p.m.

Fans can listen live on the radio at Mix 93.5 WKMJ-FM or online at TheMix93.com or Pasty.net.

Today's game against Parkside will be livestreamed on FloHoops (a subscription is required — discounts are available for students). The Huskies' contest against Purdue Northwest on Saturday will be streamed on JEDtv Sports Network.

Read the preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech men's basketball team begins their longest road trip of the season this week, traveling to Parkside today (Jan. 18) and Purdue Northwest on Saturday (Jan. 20) for two of five upcoming road contests.

The Huskies' matchup with the Rangers begins at 8:30 p.m. tonight. On Saturday, Tech will take on the Pride at 4 p.m.

Fans can listen live on the radio at Mix 93.5 WKMJ-FM or online at TheMix93.com or Pasty.net.

Tonight's game against Parkside will be livestreamed on FloHoops (a subscription is required — discounts are available for students). The Huskies' contest against Purdue Northwest on Saturday will be streamed on JEDtv Sports Network.

Read the preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Michigan Tech hockey is hosting Bemidji State in the Huskies' first home series of 2024. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. tomorrow (Jan. 19) and 6:07 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 20) at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

The teams split their first meeting Nov. 10-11 in Bemidji, with the Huskies winning the first game 4-2 and the Beavers taking the second 6-4. Tech is 9-10-4 overall and 6-6-0 in the CCHA. The Beavers are 9-13-0 overall and 8-6-0 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).

Read the preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Michigan Tech volleyball has added Abbi Perkins to the Huskies' recruiting class for the 2024 season. Perkins is transferring to Tech from Aquanis College as a fifth-year student-athlete.

Perkins is a 6-1 right-side/middle hitter from Spring Lake, Michigan. She was a two-time First Team All-Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference selection. As a senior, she ranked second in the conference in total kills (430) and was second in kills per set (3.68) in conference matches. She scored 480 points, averaging 4.0 per set, and hit .280 in conference play. She also hit double digits in kills 20 times.

The Saints went 31-9 overall in 2023 with a second-place finish in the conference and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

"Abbi is an impressive and versatile athlete who can be a major presence at the net," Tech coach Matt Jennings said. "Strong and touching over 10 feet, Abbi can score with the best of them and will most definitely add to our already quite physical front line. She can play all three front positions and really proved herself this season on the right side for her team. I've seen Abbi play a number of times, and we're fortunate to have her coming our way for next season."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Undergraduate Darius Willis (human biology) was interviewed by the Daily Mining Gazette for a feature story highlighting the Michigan Tech football receiver’s school record for career receptions. Dan Mettlach (ATH) was also quoted in the story.

*****

Undergrad Eli Schaefer (geospatial engineering) was interviewed by WJMN Local 3 for a story about astounding video of a cougar taking down a deer captured by his trail camera in December.

*****

The Keweenaw Report previewed the Center for Educational Outreach’s Planning and Paying for College Workshop, held yesterday (Jan. 17) at Michigan Tech.

*****

The Ludington Daily News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about West Shore Community College’s hosting of a season-opening FIRST Robotics event earlier this month. WSCC partnered with MTU to begin offering an associate’s degree in robotics and advanced manufacturing in fall 2023.

14th Annual Sustainability Film Series Kicks Off Thursday

The Sustainability Film & Discussion Series begins tonight (Jan. 18) at Michigan Tech.

Series Details:

• When: Third Thursday of each month, from January to May, at 7 p.m.
• Where: Fisher 135 or 138 (refreshments in lobby)
• Cost: Free. $5 donations are greatly appreciated — make a donation to the Sustainable Film Series.

Now in its 14th year, the Sustainability Film & Discussion Series continues to bring relevant and provocative films to Michigan Tech’s campus to spur discussion and reflection amongst faculty, staff and students at Michigan Tech, as well as the entire Keweenaw community. The series provides an opportunity for people of diverse ages, backgrounds and life experiences to engage in meaningful discussion facilitated by a local expert on the topic.

This year, films will be shown at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, January to May, in Fisher Hall on MTU's main campus. Everyone is welcome to attend. Each film will be followed by a discussion with refreshments and coffee. All films are free. A suggested $5 donation is appreciated.

Film Schedule:

• "2040" — Jan. 18, Fisher 135
  The film producer, a father, asks, "What will be the legacy that I leave for my 4-year-old daughter?" This hopeful documentary looks at the technologies that we already have that could greatly contribute to reversing climate change by 2040.
  
  
• "The Seeds of Vandana Shiva" — Feb. 15, Fisher 138
  Explore the interconnectedness of seeds, food, environment and social justice through the remarkable life story of the Gandhian eco-activist and agro-ecologist, Vandana Shiva.
  
  
• "Going Circular" — March 21, Fisher 138
  Imagine a future where we mimic the genius of nature — to re-calibrate the way humankind lives, breathes, builds — respecting the limits of our resources and transforming the modern world. The film investigates the concept of circularity, an economic system that eliminates waste and saves the planet’s resources, and offers concrete solutions to move toward a more circular economy.
  
  
• "Climate Sisu" — April 18, Fisher 135
  Take a journey through Michigan in search of community knowledge about climate action, resilience, adaptation and education. Climate SISU offers an urgent, yet optimistic call for climate action.
  
  
• "The Engine Inside" — May 16, Fisher 138
  Follow the lives of six individuals from around the globe who have devoted themselves to a simple, age-old machine — the bicycle. Witness how bicycles have the potential to transform lives and contribute to a better world.

The film series is coordinated by the Michigan Tech Office of Sustainability and Resilience. Film sponsors include Michigan Tech's Department of Social Sciences, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering, Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Sustainability Demonstration House, Students for Sustainability, and Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action, as well as the Keweenaw Co-Op, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Keweenaw Land Trust, Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, Friends of the Land of Keweenaw, and WUP MiSTEM.

*****

Today's C3 Luncheon Menu

Menu for Thursday (Jan. 18):

• Cauliflower General Tso's (Vegetarian, Soy, Sesame, Gluten, Dairy, Egg)
• Orange Chicken (Sesame, Dairy, Gluten, Egg, Soy)
• Basmati Rice (VG, AD, AG)
• Garden Salad (VG, AD, AG)
• Vegetable Stir Fry (VG, AD, AG)
• Vegetable Spring Rolls (Vegetarian, Dairy, Sesame, Gluten, Egg)

Join Carved and Crafted Catering for this week's C3 Luncheon, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

The C3 lunch buffet menus are created and prepared by Chef Luis Delgado and his culinary team. As the name suggests, the meals are meant to foster conversation, community and collegiality. Attendees may bring their lunch instead of purchasing the buffet. Fruit-infused water, coffee, tea and cookies are available free to all attendees.

The buffet lunch is $15 per person. Cash, credit cards and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased or redeemed in the Memorial Union Office (MUB 101).

We have incorporated new food icons moving forward. Please follow the guide listed below and you will see these included into our menus and used in dining facilities across campus.

AG = Avoiding Gluten
AD = Avoiding Dairy
VG = Vegan
V = Vegetarian

We will continue to list out any additional top-nine allergen items that are included in each dish. We look forward to seeing you at our next luncheon.

*****

Career Fair Volunteers Needed

Career Fair Forged by Nucor will be Feb. 13, from 12-5 p.m. Career Services is actively seeking volunteers from the Tech community to contribute during this event.

We have a variety of shifts, tasks and responsibilities to fill. Your participation in this event is pivotal for the future success of many Huskies, and your assistance would be highly valued. We sincerely appreciate your willingness to help!

Visit the Spring Career Fair Volunteer Sign-up form to sign up. Thank you in advance!

*****

MSE Seminar with Henry Summers

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by M.S. candidate Henry Summers today (Jan. 18) from 1-1:20 p.m. in M&M 610.

Summers will present "Mechanical Integrity of Bioresorbable Zn-Based Alloy under Corrosion-Fatigue Loading."

From the abstract:
Zinc-based alloy systems are attractive candidate materials for use in the construction of temporary, bioresorbable stents due to their ideal corrosion behavior and biocompatibility. Despite the numerous improvements that have been made to the mechanical and corrosion performance of these alloys, their mechanical stability while undergoing the combined effects of corrosion and cyclic loading has not received substantial attention by researchers working to advance the development of temporary stent materials. This study aims to elucidate the impacts of secondary phases present in the microstructure of a hot-extruded Zn-Ag-Mn-Cu-Zr-Ti alloy on the corrosion-fatigue performance. An annealing treatment was used to reduce the volume of secondary phases by roughly 40%. Fatigue experiments were conducted on samples in as-extruded and annealed conditions. Physiological conditions were simulated by immersing the samples in a body-temperature (37°C) Hank’s balanced salt solution during fatigue tests and compared with similar tests in air. Fracture surfaces were utilized to identify differences in fracture mechanisms caused by microstructural and environmental variables.

Speaker bio:
Henry Summers is an M.S. candidate in the MSE department working under the guidance of Jaroslaw Drelich. He received his B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from MTU in spring 2023. His current research focuses on the characterization of mechanical and corrosion behaviors in novel zinc-based bioresorbable alloys for medical implant devices. Upon completion of his M.S., Summers plans to pursue his Ph.D. abroad, continuing work with bioresorbable implant materials.

*****

Gaspard Ulliel: First Café Français of the Semester

Bonne année 2024! Please join us for the first "spring" session of Café Français, which will take place in our usual location, Walker 120C, from 5-6 p.m. today (Jan. 18).

In this week's conversation, we will commemorate the life and career of the late French actor Gaspard Ulliel, who passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 19, 2022 — two years ago this Friday. You may know Ulliel from such movies as "A Very Long Engagement" (Un long dimanche de fiançailles), "Paris, I love you" (Paris, Je t'aime), and "It's Only the End of the World" (Juste la fin du monde). For this last performance, Ulliel won the César Award for Best Actor (the French equivalent of an Oscar) in 2016.

After catching up a bit and allowing any newcomers to introduce themselves, we will watch and discuss the beginning of "It's Only the End of the World." Coffee and tea will be served. À jeudi!

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

Interview Prep

Thursday, January 18, 10:15–10:45 a.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Workshop in how to get ready for an interview, in preparation for the Career Fair.

*****

The Biomechanics of Compensation: Understanding How the Body Responds to Stress, Strain, and Injury

Thursday, January 18, 11 a.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 610

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Candidate Seminar Rachel Jones, PhD Adjunct Instructor New Jersey Institute of Technology Abstract The human body’s musculoskeletal system...

*****

Mechanical Integrity of Bioresorbable Zn-Based Alloy under Corrosion-Fatigue Loading

Thursday, January 18, 1 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 610

Materials Science and Engineering Seminar Henry Summers MS Student, Materials Science and Engineering Michigan Technological University 1–1:20 p.m. Abstract Zinc-based...

*****

Rapid Bayesian High Entropy Alloy Designs Fabricated via Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing

Thursday, January 18, 1 p.m. | R. L. Smith Building (MEEM), 610

Materials Science and Engineering Seminar Andrew Walch MS Student, Materials Science and Engineering Michigan Technological University 1:25–1:45 p.m. Abstract Enhancing...

*****

Husky LEAD - Student Org Budgeting

Thursday, January 18, 4–5 p.m. | Memorial Union Building - Alumni Lounge A

Budgeting for student organizations can be difficult. Explore sources of funding for your group, develop a working budget to track funds, and understand financial rules for...

*****

Physics Colloquium - Graduate Student Presentations (Kabel/Singh)

Thursday, January 18, 4–5 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 139

Please join physics graduate students, Jeff Kabel and Hitendra Singh for their in-person presentations on Thursday, January 18th at 4 PM - Fisher Hall 139. PHOTOSTABLE...

*****

Policies and Procedures of the MEEM Graduate Program

Thursday, January 18, 4 p.m. | R. L. Smith Building (MEEM), 112

ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker Series proudly presents Wayne Weaver, PhD Professor, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (MEEM) Director of Graduate Studies, MEEM,...

*****

Huskies Group Swim Lessons - Learn to Swim Levels 1-5 - Spring 2024 Session 1

Thursday, January 18, 5:10–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash in Huskies Group Swim Lessons! American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-5 are being offered at the SDC Pool. Huskies Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-5 (ages 6-17...

*****

Barcelona Study Abroad Information Session

Thursday, January 18, 5:30–6:30 p.m. | Walker Arts and Humanities Center, 120A

Faculty for the Barcelona study abroad program will answer your questions about the program. The Barcelona Faculty led program will take place during Summer 2024, Track B. No...

*****

(Women's Basketball) Michigan Tech at Parkside

Thursday, January 18, 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Women's Basketball: Michigan Tech at Parkside, DeSimone Gymnasium - Kenosha, Wis.

*****

Laser Tag

Thursday, January 18, 7–8 p.m. | Tactical Respawn Laser Tag

Join the brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon for this fantastic event. Stop by to learn more about how we can help you create lifelong relationships that enhance educational,...

*****

(Men's Basketball) Michigan Tech at Parkside

Thursday, January 18, 8:30–11:30 p.m.

Men's Basketball: Michigan Tech at Parkside, DeSimone Gymnasium - Kenosha, Wis.