September 3, 2024

Guided by the Campus Master Plan, Michigan Technological University continues to align our space and infrastructure with our academic reputation. Year two of classroom renovations was completed over the summer.

Multiple classrooms on the second floor of the Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC) have undergone extensive renovations, including new finishes, adaptive furniture and upgrades to IT and audio/video systems, lighting and HVAC, to create new active learning spaces. In Rekhi Hall, Rekhi G06 was also repurposed from an underused distance learning studio into a new active learning classroom with all-new finishes, lighting, furniture, and IT and audio/video systems. Next summer’s teaching space renovations are already in the planning phase.

Additional information on Michigan Tech's Campus Master Plan 2022 “Build the Future” is available on the Facilities Management webpage.

Advanced Career Management (ACM) is a peer mentoring program focused on career planning and strategies for midcareer faculty. Associate professors are invited to an orientation session on Sept. 24 from 1-2 p.m. in MUB Alumni Lounge C.

Please complete the ACM Interest Form by Sept. 20 to indicate your interest and RSVP for the orientation. If you are interested in the program but cannot attend the orientation, you will be contacted by email.

The session will introduce the ACM program, provide tools for career self-development and explain the ACM affinity groups. If you have any questions, please check the ACM website for information or send an email to Shari Stockero at stockero@mtu.edu.

The ACM program was developed by ADVANCE at Michigan Tech, an NSF-funded initiative dedicated to increasing faculty retention, improving campus climate and enhancing the career success of our faculty, and is now supported by the Office of the Provost.

Michigan Tech IT and the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs are pleased to announce that Sponsored Research data is now updated and populated in Digital Measures at Michigan Tech (DM).

Users should review their Sponsored Research data and report any issues to dm-admin@mtu.edu.

If you have any questions, please contact the DM administrator at dm-admin@mtu.edu or 906-487-2135.

When Michigan Tech faculty began the journey to update the general education curriculum several years ago, they wanted to do more than a revision. They set out to design a curriculum that engaged, challenged and enriched students and supported the disciplinary curriculum by making it easier for students to connect what they learn in their Essential Education courses with their disciplinary content. They studied what the American Association of Colleges and Universities calls high-impact practices, one such practice being the integration of folio thinking and learning portfolios.

Folio thinking encourages deeper thinking, self-assessment and growth by maintaining a personal collection of work, ideas and reflections. This approach helps students track their progress, identify areas for improvement, and develop a habit of continual self-improvement. If you have a complete LinkedIn profile, you’ve already engaged in a simple form of folio thinking by curating the information you feel best reflects your professional identity.

The Michigan Tech version, Husky Folio, is a more structured yet flexible way of collecting learning experiences and reflective activities and integrating them into portfolios. Students in the First-Year Seminar courses can practice reflection and develop their own “About Me” portfolios in PebblePad, the platform supporting Husky Folio.

To learn more about folio thinking and ePortfolios, visit the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning Open House on Thursday, Sept. 5, between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. You can also attend a Lunch and Learn on Oct. 22 and learn more about how faculty are employing folio thinking pedagogy in their courses this semester. Email the Husky Folio program director, Nancy Barr, at nbbarr@mtu.edu to discuss how a Husky Folio could creatively support your course needs.

Learn more at the Essential Education Newsblog.

Michigan Tech’s Safety Team — Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and the Office of Risk, Insurance, Safety, Security, and Compliance (RISSC) — will be hosting our next monthly Safety Round Table: a place for all Huskies to share a cup of coffee and learn about the importance of campus health and safety.

We invite you to join us tomorrow, Sept. 4, from 9-10 a.m. in the MUB Alumni Lounge.

What should you do in the event of an injury on campus? When injuries are of a serious nature, calling 911 is the standard response of most people. But, what if the injury is not serious — for example, a mildly sprained ankle, etc.?

John Velat, the director of Michigan Tech’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS), will lead a discussion on our Husky EMS team, which provides free, timely and quality emergency medical response 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the Michigan Tech community and campus visitors.

In addition, there will be announcements for newly opened EHS staff postings, along with an informal opportunity to talk with our campus safety professionals.

So mark your calendars and come ask the questions you have always wanted to ask and get the answers you need about Michigan Tech safety programs, legal compliance issues and additional resources… and have a cup of Joe with the Safety Crew!

Interested in studying away? Join us for a Q&A featuring six recently returned students to learn more about their insights and experiences on various MTU faculty-led, exchange, and third-party programs.

This week's panel will be held today, Sept. 3, from 4-5 p.m. in MUB Alumni Lounge B.

Panelists will represent the following MTU Study Away and Abroad experiences:

• Topics in German Speaking Cultures (faculty-led)
• Community Transformations in Wales (faculty-led)
• Semester exchange program at Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) semester program at Universidad Politecnica de Valencia
• Local Communities and Development in Mexico (faculty-led)
• Spanish Language in Barcelona (faculty-led)

Are you moving to a new office or campus location? Michigan Tech IT wants to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible. Please contact us at least two weeks in advance of your move date and we will arrange to transfer your phone and computer, ensuring they are connected properly in your new space.

For questions about office and equipment moves, we can help. Contact us at it-help@mtu.edu or call 906-487-1111.

The Sponsored Programs Office is providing a reminder of the two-tier internal deadline structure. This structure includes all pre-proposals, proposals and letters of intent. The two-tier structure includes deadlines for all final internal, nontechnical and technical documents.

All final internal and nontechnical related sponsor documents are due to Sponsored Programs no later than 7 a.m. five business days before the sponsor deadline. If applicable, the application package must be completed in the appropriate submission system (Research.gov, Grants.gov Workspace, NIH ASSIST, etc.) except for the budget forms, which are to be completed by Sponsored Programs personnel.

Internal documents include the completed and approved Cayuse proposal form, budget approved by Sponsored Programs, budget justification and cost share approval document(s), if applicable.

Nontechnical document requirements vary by sponsor or funding opportunity and include items such as a biographical sketch or CV; current and pending support form; letters of support; cost proposal volume; data management plan; and facilities, equipment, and other resources documents, as well as any sponsor-specific required budget forms.

All final technical related documents are due to Sponsored Programs no later than 7 a.m. on the day of the sponsor deadline. Technical documents include items such as the project summary, project description, research strategy, technical volume, specific aims and references cited. The assigned analyst will assist in identifying the nontechnical and technical related documents needed for each proposal submission.

For proposals that include subawards, all required subrecipient documents are due to Sponsored Programs no later than 5 p.m. 10 business days before the sponsor deadline to allow time for a compliance review, correspondence with subrecipient personnel and incorporation into the proposal package.

Please contact Sponsored Programs at 906-487-2226 or spo-l@mtu.edu if you have any questions.

Kick off the new season in style with the Rozsa Soirée season launch party and fundraiser this Friday, Sept. 6. It’s a celebration, a concert and a chance to make your mark on the upcoming season!

Exclusive Backstage Concert
Join us for an electrifying backstage concert by pop star Gina Chávez of Austin, Texas. Her unique blend of Latin pop, infused with her multi-ethnic background and powerful voice, will set the stage for a spectacular year of performances. Watch Chávez’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert and TED Talk, and listen to her on Brené Brown’s podcast, "Unlocking Us."

Cast Your Vote
Want to have a say in the concessions you enjoy during Rozsa events? Now’s your chance. Enjoy curated pairings by Margaret Hanson of Teach to Taste, and cast your vote for the featured concessions item of the season. Hors d’oeuvres and dessert for the evening are catered by The Bonfire at The Continental.

Support the Rozsa’s Mission
The Rozsa Soirée supports the Rozsa’s mission of cultivating a vibrant and connected campus and community through shared experiences. Your generosity throughout the evening helps fund our strategic accessibility initiatives with programs like Pay As You’re Able, Class Acts, sensory-friendly performances, and our ongoing sustainability practices, making the Rozsa more accessible for years to come.

Whether you come for the music, fun or to support the cause, this night will delight. Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate, support and shape the season ahead. We can’t wait to see you there!

Tickets are available online, or in person or via phone at 906-487-1906 during Rozsa Box Office hours.

Event Details:

• What: 2024 Rozsa Soirée featuring Gina Chávez
• When: Friday, Sept. 6, from 7:30-10 p.m.
• Where: Backstage at the Rozsa Center
• Tickets: Pay As You’re Able ($50 full fee)

Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity! Due to high demand, we've extended the registration deadline for our highly anticipated workshop, High-Impact Strategies for Difficult Dialogue with renowned expert Ronald L. Jackson II.

Workshop Details:

• What: High-Impact Strategies for Difficult Dialogue
• When: Thursday, Sept. 12, from 8-9:30 a.m.
• Where: MUB Ballroom
• Registration: Deadline extended to Thursday, Sept. 5

Spaces are filling up fast for this transformative event in our Bridging Communities Series. Here's why you can't afford to miss it:

• Learn game-changing strategies to navigate contentious topics on campus
• Enhance your ability to facilitate respectful and productive conversations
• Gain invaluable skills particularly beneficial for classroom settings
• Network with colleagues over a complimentary breakfast

Register now to secure your spot and join your peers in developing crucial communication skills that will benefit you both personally and professionally.

Remember, registration closes on Thursday, Sept. 5, and we expect the remaining spots to fill quickly. Act now to ensure you're part of this enriching experience!

This program is partially sponsored by the Visiting Professor Program, funded through a grant to the Office of the Provost from the state of Michigan's King-Chávez-Parks Initiative.

Students who are completing a dissertation, thesis or report are invited to join the Graduate School to learn about the resources available to them to assist in scheduling their defense, formatting their documents, and submitting their documents. In one afternoon, you can learn everything you need to be successful and complete your degree in a timely fashion! Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend. Attend the entire event, or stop in for the seminar that interests you.

• When: Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 2-4 p.m. (see a detailed schedule on our blog)
• Who: Students completing a dissertation, thesis or report; faculty and staff who assist students with submission.
• Where: Virtually via Zoom (please register to attend online and receive participation instructions) and in person in Admin 404 (room capacity is 30).
• Registration: Please register to receive handouts via email or attend online. The seminar will be available online as well as on campus.

If you are unable to join us, the event will be taped and available online after the event. The previous semester’s seminars are always available online.

Information on submitting, formatting and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

Apparao Rao of Clemson University will present at a Physics Colloquium this week. The seminar will be held in person at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Fisher 139.

Rao's presentation is titled "Sustainable Batteries for Future Energy Storage."

Read Rao's abstract and bio on the University Events Calendar.

This talk is made possible through the generous support of the Jim ’66 and Shelley Williams Applied Physics Annual Fund.

Please join the Department of Humanities' Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture (RTC) graduate program for the first Brown Bag of the semester with Professor Charles Wallace (CS). The Brown Bag will take place on Sept. 13 at noon in the Petersen Library in Walker 318.

Wallace's presentation is titled "Black Box or Sandbox: Computational Approaches to Interpreting Michigan's Clean Slate Law."

Wallace's collaborators include Joshua Alele-Beals (CS), Ali Ebnenasir (CS), Susanna Peters (SS) and Kamau Sandiford of the nonprofit organization Safe & Just Michigan.

From the abstract:
Michigan’s Clean Slate statute, defining conditions under which prior convictions can be removed from an individual’s public record, has allowed thousands of people to lead freer and more productive lives. In compliance with the statute, the Michigan State Police have implemented and deployed a “Rules Engine” that automatically detects some expungeable convictions and removes them from individuals’ records. The Rules Engine has greatly increased the throughput of set-aside cases and scaled up the benefits of Clean Slate. Yet there are confounding aspects to the law: its complex and evolving nature has led to confusion and disagreement even among legal professionals, and the Rules Engine in its current form is a “black box” with a fixed, idiosyncratic interpretation of the law and minimal explanation for the general public. There is a risk that this approach will ultimately diminish individuals’ sense of agency and engender a passive attitude toward their criminal records.

In this talk, I articulate some of the confusion and disagreement over the interpretation of the Clean Slate statute, as gleaned from interviews with legal professionals. Second, I explain the operation of the Rules Engine, following the relatively sparse explanation available, and I discuss the consequences of this effective but inscrutable tool. Finally, I present my team’s initial work on an alternative computational approach: a digital “sandbox” in which legislators, lawyers, judges, and citizens can explore the consequences of legislation. The sandbox environment will allow differing interpretations of statutory law, or various revisions to existing law, to be expressed formally and compared through automated analysis. We see opportunities for computation not only to expand the benefits of criminal justice reform but also to enhance individuals’ understanding and agency with regard to the law.

The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) will host a technical workshop Friday, Sept. 6, from 10-11 a.m. in Library 243 to introduce instructors to iClicker Cloud software.

iClicker Cloud helps instructors engage with their students in the classroom by asking polling questions that can promote discussion, identify areas of confusion and generate questions. Michigan Tech has a campus site license for iClicker Cloud, so instructors can use this tool at no additional cost to their students.

In this CTL technical workshop, we’ll review how to get started using iClicker Cloud in your classroom. We’ll review how to set up your instructor account, iClicker Groups, make custom course settings to meet your needs, and integrate the course with your Canvas course.

Register for the CTL technical workshop — make plans to join us!

Contact the CTL at elearning@mtu.edu with any questions about this workshop or using iClicker Cloud in your class this fall semester.

The Michigan Tech football team took No. 25 Bemidji State to overtime before ultimately falling to the Beavers 19-13 in the teams' first meeting in over 30 years last Thursday, Aug. 29, at Chet Anderson Stadium.

"Bemidji has a really good football team — I thought our guys played their butts off," head coach Dan Mettlach said. "I think we had way too many self-inflicted wounds, but our guys played hard. I love our football team and we'll get better from this, but we've got some stuff we've got to clean up."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Haiying Liu (Chem) is the co-author of a paper published in Chemical & Biomedical Imaging.

The paper is titled "Precision imaging of biothiols in live cells and treatment evaluation during the development of liver injury via a near-infrared fluorescent probe."

LaReesa Wolfenbarger (CSA) was profiled by Women in Academia Report in a story covering women recently selected for dean positions at universities.

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Roman Sidortsov (SS) was quoted by The Mining Journal in a story discussing past and future energy transitions in the Upper Peninsula. Sidortsov suggested that distributed generation might be better suited to the geography of the Upper Peninsula than large, centralized power plants. The story was picked up from Michigan Advance.

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The University of South Florida mentioned Michigan Tech as a partner on a project awarded $17 million by the Federal Railroad Administration. The project’s goal is to stabilize employment in the railroad industry via training programs, internships and career development opportunities, as well as a campaign to raise awareness of the range of positions the rail industry offers.

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WZMQ 19 News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about a national award won by the Michigan Department of Transportation for its MTU-adjacent US-41 reconstruction project. The project won the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Quality of Life/Community Development Award in the Small Project category.

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BestLifeOnline.com quoted Michigan Tech’s What are the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)? webpage in a story about a time-lapse video of the aurora captured from the International Space Station the weekend of Aug. 10-11.

Celebrate Diversity at the 2024 Parade of Nations

Michigan Tech's much-anticipated 2024 Parade of Nations is set to take place on Sept. 21, and the Parade of Nations Committee is thrilled to announce a call to action for local business vendors and community organizations to join us in this vibrant celebration of cultural diversity. This year, we aim to make the parade bigger and better than ever before, and we need your participation to make it a resounding success!

The MTU Parade of Nations is an annual celebration hosted by Michigan Tech dedicated to promoting cultural diversity and understanding within our community. The parade features vibrant floats, traditional music, dance performances and an international food festival. It is a day of unity, learning and celebration for people of all ages.

Apply To Be a Vendor
Local businesses have a unique opportunity to showcase their products and services to hundreds of attendees. We invite all vendors to apply for a spot at Dee Stadium during the Parade of Nations Multicultural Food Fest. This is an excellent chance to connect with the community, increase your visibility and be a part of a beloved local tradition. From food to local business, we welcome all applications.

To apply, contact Katie Draves at kadraves@mtu.edu.

Join the Parade with a Float
Community organizations and businesses are also encouraged to apply to have a float in the parade. This year’s theme is “Holidays Around the World.” This is your chance to creatively display your organization's spirit, values and cultural heritage. Floats can be an engaging and dynamic way to interact with the community and contribute to the colorful, festive atmosphere of the parade. Whether you are a school, nonprofit, local business or cultural group, your themed participation will help us celebrate the diversity that makes our community so special.

To register a float, please visit the Parade of Nations website. The application deadline is Friday, Sept. 6. Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to apply early to secure your spot.

For any questions or to request additional information, please email paradeofnations@mtu.edu.

Let’s come together to celebrate and showcase the diverse cultures that enrich our community. We look forward to your participation in making the 2024 Parade of Nations an unforgettable event!

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New Parade of Nations Route

The highly anticipated 2024 Parade of Nations, a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity hosted by Michigan Tech, is set to dazzle the community with a new and exciting parade route. This year's parade will be held Sept. 21 with the theme "Holidays Around the World." The route will take participants and spectators on a journey through the heart of the MTU campus and into downtown Houghton, ending at the historic Dee Stadium with a grand celebration of food and entertainment.

2024 Parade Route:

• Parade walkers will gather at the Rozsa Center to get their flags and prepare.
• Parade floats will stage in Lot 1 by the Administration Building, accessible by Cliff Drive.
• Parade walkers will begin the official parade through Michigan Tech's campus.
• Parade floats will line up at the stop sign at the intersection of Cliff Drive and College Avenue while the walkers approach.
• Parade walkers will pass under the University's new Alumni Gateway Arch onto College Avenue. Here, parade guides will alternate walkers and floats.
• The full mixed parade will proceed along College Avenue through downtown Houghton.
• The parade will turn right at The Ambassador, and then make another right onto Lakeshore Drive.
• The Parade of Nations will end at Dee Stadium for food and entertainment.

Though the route is new, the food and fun remains the same! Attendees can expect dishes from around the world and various entertainment. Here are some of the student and community orgs folks can expect:

MTU Student Vendors:

• Indian Students Association
• Bangladeshi Student Association
• Iranian Community at Michigan Tech
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
• African Students Organization
• Nepalese Students Association
• Muslim Students Association
• Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

Local Booths:

• Gen X,Y&I Podcast
• MTU Study Abroad

Local Vendors:

• Border Grill
• Sky Sushi
• Griffin Cafe

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CTL Open House

Join the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) for our open house!

Discover the resources and services the CTL provides, meet the CTL staff, connect with fellow educators, and explore our upcoming events and book clubs on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 1-2:30 p.m. in the CTL office, located in Library 219.

Experience a journey through our interactive stations, each offering valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your teaching practice. Enjoy refreshments and take home some exclusive swag! Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your teaching experience and engage with our vibrant learning community.

For additional details, please visit our blog. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Registration Open: Innovation Showcase Student Poster Contest

The Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC), the MTEC SmartZone and Kupari Ventures are hosting a research poster contest on Sept. 19 from 2-5 p.m.

This is a great opportunity for students to present their research, and there are two prizes: Most Innovative Research ($500) and Most Commercial Potential ($500).

Students will present their research in an elevator pitch to the audience and will give individual poster presentations to a panel of judges.

Students must register for the poster contest by next Wednesday, Sept. 11, to participate.

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Spring 2025 CSCHF Graduate Assistantship Nominations Open

Pre-proposals for Spring 2025 Copper Shores Community Health Foundation (CSCHF) Graduate Assistantships are being accepted and are due to the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. next Tuesday, Sept. 10. Students who best meet the foundation’s criteria will be invited to submit a full application, which will be due on Oct. 22. Instructions for the pre-proposal, full application and evaluation process are found online.

Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

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

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

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

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

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

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NSF GRFP Application Writing Support

The Graduate School is assisting graduate students who wish to apply for the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP). Support includes Zoom workshops, support via Canvas modules, and one-on-one writing support.

Fellowship recipients earn an annual stipend of $37,000 and a $16,000 cost-of-education allowance. To be eligible, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident; have never previously applied to the GRFP while enrolled in a graduate degree program; have never earned a master’s or professional degree in any field; and have not completed more than one academic year in a graduate degree-granting program. Application deadlines begin Oct. 15.

The Graduate School is offering an NSF GRFP Canvas course to support applicants, and students may self-enroll for the NSF GRFP 2025 competition year.

The Grad School is also offering workshops for applicants and their reference letter writers:

• NSF GRFP Workshop 1: Overview and Tips
  • When: Thursday, Sept. 5, from 2-3 p.m.
  • Presenter: Sarah Isaacson, NSF GRFP Support Coordinator 
  • Co-Presenter: Deb Charlesworth, NSF GRFP Reviewer
  • Register for Workshop 1
    
    
• NSF GRFP Workshop 2: Crafting Your Statements (Content and Organization)
  • When: Monday, Sept. 9, from 2-2:50 p.m.
  • Presenter: Sarah Isaacson, NSF GRFP Support Coordinator
  • Register for Workshop 2
    
    
• NSF GRFP Reference Letter Writer’s Workshop
  • When: Thursday, Sept. 26, from 2-2:50 p.m.
  • Presenter: Deb Charlesworth, NSF GRFP Reviewer
  • Register for the Reference Letter Writer’s Workshop

See the NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship Program website for more details. Questions? Contact Sarah Isaacson, NSF GRFP support coordinator, at sisaacso@mtu.edu.

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Interested in Coaching Lacrosse?

Attention to anyone interested in helping out their community! The Women’s Lacrosse team here at Michigan Tech needs help from someone who can lead and provide guidance to our members. Having someone to host practices and schedule games would help our club get to more of a competitive level.

The time commitment is every Tuesday from 7:30-9 p.m. at MTU's lower-level soccer field. No previous lacrosse experience is needed, just a willingness to learn and help out! As well as practice, we are trying to schedule at least two games this academic year, so we are hoping to be busy!

If you’re interested, please reach out to Anna Zawlocki, club vice president, at 920-461-9767 or amzawloc@mtu.edu.

Follow along with our season @mtuwlax on Instagram! Go Huskies!

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Share Your Expertise at Professional Development Day

The clock is ticking! Time is running out to submit your proposal for Professional Development Day on Oct. 17. This is your chance to share your expertise, learn from colleagues and grow professionally — all in one full-day event.

Why Participate?

• Share Your Knowledge: Showcase your skills and passions by leading a session. Inspire others and contribute to a culture of continuous learning.
• Expand Your Skillset: Attend sessions led by your peers and discover valuable insights on a range of topics, from tech tips to wellness strategies.
• Network and Connect: Forge new connections and strengthen existing ones with colleagues from across campus.
• Invest in Yourself: Professional development is key to career advancement and personal growth. Take advantage of this dedicated day to enhance your skills.

We Need Your Proposals!
Have a passion for project management? Excel wizardry? Maybe you've mastered the art of work-life balance. Whatever your expertise, we want to hear about it! Need inspiration? Here are some session ideas from previous years:

• A Study of ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’
• Thinking Like an Investigator: Using Critical Thinking to Everyday Problems
• Advising with Impact: Transforming Student Experiences
• Stitching Life-Long Learning Into Your Daily Strategy

Don't Wait! The deadline for proposals is Friday, Sept. 6.

Let's make this Professional Development Day the best one yet. Submit your proposal today and be part of this exciting learning opportunity.

Remember: Registration information will be announced in Tech Today soon. Stay tuned!

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Rotaract Club Searching for Advisor

The Rotaract Club at Michigan Tech is looking for an advisor.

Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18 and older to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service. In communities worldwide, Rotary and Rotaract members work side-by-side to take action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotaract is changing communities everywhere.

Our Michigan Tech Chapter is supported by the Houghton and Hancock Rotary Clubs.

If you are a faculty or staff member who enjoys helping others through service and acts of kindness, please contact us with any questions you might have or to express an interest in being our advisor. We appreciate your support.

Please reach out to Austin Jordan at aujordan@mtu.edu for more info/any questions.

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Michigan Tech Theatre Auditions: 'The Glass Menagerie'

Michigan Tech Theatre is holding auditions for our fall semester production of Tennessee Williams’ play, “The Glass Menagerie.” Auditions will be held Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 6-10 p.m., and are open to all students, faculty, staff and members of the off-campus community.

Interested individuals may contact production director Nich Radcliffe (VPA) at nradclif@mtu.edu, or sign up directly on the Glass Menagerie Audition Sheet.

Actors are asked to prepare a monologue not more than two minutes in length, but may choose to read a monologue provided at the audition instead.

Come be a part of this exciting multimedia production of the play that launched Tennessee Williams to Broadway fame!

Performances are Nov. 13-16.

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K-Day 2024 is This Friday!

K-Day, short for Keweenaw Day, is an annual tradition at Michigan Tech held on the Friday after Labor Day. It is a registered student organization fair with around 200 groups in attendance. Each year on K-Day, classes release at noon so our students can learn about ways to get involved and connected at Tech. This year, K-Day is Friday, Sept. 6, from 1-5 p.m. at Chassell Centennial Park.

K-Day typically sees around 3,500-4,000 students participate, so be sure to check out this amazing event so you don't miss out!

K-Day would not be possible without all the help from our volunteers. There are volunteer opportunities all day long. You can sign up to help out on our K-Day 2024 Volunteer Sign-Up.

If you advise a student organization, this is also a great opportunity to connect with your members and have some fun.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Taylor Piering at rso@mtu.edu.

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Diversity Literacy Online Workshop Registration Continues for Spring

The Diversity Literacy Online Workshop training (DLOW) for the 2024-25 academic year remains open for registration; however, all fall refresher courses are full. There is still plenty of space in the full courses (both fall and spring) and in the two spring refresher courses.

If your DLOW status is only valid through spring 2025, please register for one of the spring refresher courses. If you are new faculty, please consider registering for one of the full courses. The workshop dates can be found on the training website. Faculty should use the online registration form (scroll down to the bottom of the page) and please allow 48 hours for processing.

See the Diversity Training Status page for a list of current training status for all faculty (ISO sign-on required).

This workshop is part of Michigan Tech's ongoing commitment to faculty diversity in building a supportive campus climate. Up-to-date DLOW training status is required to serve on faculty hiring and tenure and promotion committees. The workshop is organized as a three-week asynchronous online course in Canvas (with 2-3 hours of work per week) covering legal aspects of hiring and promotion processes, building literacy in recognizing unconscious bias, and cultivating diversity-centered practices.

For those who have already taken the full three-week course, there are one-week refresher courses that engage with new research and current best practices with respect to hiring and retention of a diverse faculty. A refresher course is required once every four years to maintain a current status. Those with expired status are required to take the full course.

DLOW training cannot be offered on demand, so we appreciate everyone's proactive attention to maintaining training status. The provost's office will not grant exceptions to serve on search committees or PTR committees for faculty who are not current on their DLOW training.

Please note: Exceptions will not be made if your status expires while on sabbatical. Please enroll in a course before you leave on sabbatical to maintain your status.

The DLOW course content and format continue to be managed by faculty members in collaboration with Michigan Tech's Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX office, distinguishing it from other training courses at the University. Course content and format are reviewed and revised annually to continuously adapt to the landscape of DEI initiatives and needs at Michigan Tech with support from the Office of the Provost.

If you have any questions about the Diversity Literacy Online Workshop and training, contact Sarah Fayen Scarlett, DLOW coordinator, at sfscarle@mtu.edu.

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

Huskies Swim Training - Session 1

Tuesday, September 3, 4–5 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Huskies Swim Training is a program that provides additional attention and competitive guidance to advanced swimmers looking to focus on stroke technique and...

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Study Away Alumni Q&A Panel

Tuesday, September 3, 4–5 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Alumni Lounge B

Interested in studying away? Join our Alumni Q&A Panel of recently returned study away students! This week's Panel will include students who participated in MTU Faculty Led...

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Main Meeting!

Tuesday, September 3, 7–9 p.m. | WADS G42W

Main meeting for our organization where we listen to preaching, take communion and have fellowship

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First Practice of the School Year!

Tuesday, September 3, 7:30–9:00 p.m. | Lower Soccer Field

Join us for our first practice of the 2024-2025 school year! This is a great way to meet new people and stay active. If you need a ride, reach out to 920-461-9767!