September 9, 2024

Michigan Technological University continues to build momentum, welcoming the University's largest student body in decades. This fall, Tech opened its doors to 7,430 students, marking another year of enrollment growth and reflecting the growing demand for a Michigan Tech education.

This year, Michigan Tech's overall enrollment has increased by 110 students, bringing the total number of Huskies to 7,430 — a 1.5% rise from last year. This continues Tech's steady trend of growing enrollment, marking the largest student body on campus since 1982. Undergraduate enrollment has seen a significant boost, up by over 2%. The University also achieved its highest-ever retention rate at 88.7%, reflecting its commitment to student success.

Read the full story on Michigan Tech News.

Nominations will be accepted for University and Distinguished Professors, which recognize the achievements of some of Michigan Tech’s most outstanding faculty members.

The University Professor title recognizes faculty members who have made outstanding scholarly contributions to the University and their discipline over a substantial period of time.

The Distinguished Professor title recognizes outstanding faculty members who have made substantial contributions to the University and their discipline but are not presently recognized through an endowed position or faculty fellowship.

Nominations for both positions must be submitted to your respective dean by Oct. 25. Nomination packets will be reviewed by the Deans Council and an advisory committee organized by President Koubek. Eligibility and nomination requirements, as well as detailed information regarding these titles, can be found on the Academic Affairs Honors & Awards page.

A draft of the 2025 updated Michigan Tech Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is available for review. The original plan was developed in 2008 to protect the health and safety on Tech’s campus, and it was updated in 2020 after the Father’s Day flood. A plan update is required by FEMA every five years. Our current plan expires on Jan. 15, 2025.

View the 2025-2030 Draft Plan.

Michigan Tech values the input and feedback from the community, and any feedback provided will be reviewed and addressed in this plan prior to the final submission to FEMA before adoption.

Comments on the MTU Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Draft can be provided anonymously through the Michigan Tech Hazard Mitigation Plan Feedback form. They can also be emailed directly to Lori Weir at llweir@mtu.edu.

The deadline to provide feedback is Sept. 25.

The Michigan Technological University Office of Innovation and Commercialization, in collaboration with MTEC SmartZone and Kupari Ventures, is hosting an Innovation Showcase from Sept. 18-20 in Houghton. During the event, we will showcase our successes and seek input on how we can further improve our ecosystem. An agenda with more information is available at Eventbrite.

Michigan Tech has a robust and growing research portfolio that develops technologies that will drive economic and societal impact for generations. A startup accelerator recently launched by MTEC SmartZone just graduated its inaugural cohort, where four of the five graduating companies are technologies created by Michigan Tech researchers or alumni. The fifth company leveraged our innovative Enterprise programming for technical product development and prototyping support. There are new initiatives at Michigan Tech that we want to share and we appreciate your input.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions. For planning purposes, please RSVP by Friday, Sept. 13, at Eventbrite.

After you register, we will follow up with a Google survey and calendar invites allowing you to sign up for specific events.

Michigan Tech instructors are encouraged to participate in the Inclusive STEM Teaching Project (ISTP), a six-week course beginning the week of Oct. 7. This course presents a unique opportunity for professional development, focusing on the critical topics of equity and inclusion in STEM education.

Facilitated by a local cohort, this course is designed to provoke deep reflection and foster meaningful discussions on creating inclusive learning environments within various institutional contexts. Whether you're a doctoral student, postdoctoral researcher or faculty member, this course aims to enhance your awareness, self-efficacy and ability to cultivate inclusive STEM classrooms for your students.

Participants will engage in a range of activities aimed at examining issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education. Moreover, instructors will gain practical insights into identifying and implementing learner-centered structures and strategies to better support their students' diverse needs.

The online portion of the course is a flexible commitment of approximately three to four hours per week; this allows the course to fit into your busy schedule while providing valuable skills and knowledge to enhance your teaching practice. Participation in the local learning community enhances the benefits of the course by providing a venue for weekly 50-minute facilitated discussions that dig deeper into the course content, connect participants to others in the community and contextualize applications. Learning communities usually consist of about 8-12 other learners from Michigan Tech who are also enrolled in the course.

Visit the official course page for more information and to register for the online portion. To express your preferences for participating in your local learning community, complete the Fall 2024 iSTEM Local Learning Community form. We encourage participants to register by Sept. 30.

Opening Reception for Art Exhibition 'that thing between my teeth is my foot' — Friday, Sept. 13, from 5-7 p.m.
2024/25 Rozsa Season: Michigan Tech Art Series

Join featured artist Douglas Degges and Rozsa Art Galleries Director Terri Frew in the Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space from 5-7 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 13, for the opening reception for 'that thing between my teeth is my foot.' Enjoy refreshments, meet the artist in a relaxed environment, see spectacular art and hear from Degges about his vision and inspiration for this exhibition.

The exhibit is free and open to all through Nov. 2.

A-Space Gallery Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Saturday: 1-8 p.m.

View all events coming to the Rozsa Center.

Juan E. Peralta of Central Michigan University will present at a Physics Colloquium this week. The seminar will be held in person at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, in Fisher 139.

Peralta's presentation is titled "Molecular Magnetism from Density Functional Theory."

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

This talk is made possible through the generous support of the Vasant R. Potnis Physics Fund.

Facilitating Difficult Conversations is a two-part workshop being offered on Sept. 30 and Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will be required to attend both sessions, as the information builds a knowledge base moving through the workshops.

This in-person workshop is open to all Michigan Tech faculty and staff. The number of participants is limited, so please complete the registration form to save your seat. Once you are signed up, you will receive a calendar invitation, which will include the location.

For more information, feel free to contact Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX at 906-487-3310 or eocompliance@mtu.edu.

Michigan Tech quarterback Alex Fries produced a school record 471 yards passing with five touchdown passes in the longest game played in Michigan Tech history.

It took four overtimes, but the Huskies outlasted South Dakota Mines 52-50 at Kearly Stadium last Thursday, Sept. 5.

Fries broke the single-game passing record of 441 yards set by Tyler Scarlett in 2012. Additionally, wide receiver Ethan Champney neared the school record for single-game reception yards with 227 on 10 receptions — a record set by Brian Janeshek (247 yards) in 2003.

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

In an absolute defensive clash of a game, Michigan Tech soccer team opened the season on the road with a 1-0 victory over St. Cloud State last Thursday, Sept. 5.

"I am extremely proud of this group," head coach Melissa Kuhar said. "It was a battle from kickoff and we came out and played Tech soccer. Our girls dug deep and found a way to score. We stuck to our game plan and were able to create a lot on the attacking side of the ball throughout both halves."

"A huge shoutout to our back line and goalkeeper as well for getting the shutout and keeping a solid SCSU team scoreless," Kuhar added. "This team is special and this is the first of many wins. We did it as a group and will continue to do so. I am beyond blessed to coach this team."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Job Postings for Monday, Sept. 9, 2024

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Assistant Professor, Psychology and Human Factors. Apply online.

Assistant Teaching Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. 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.

Radio Results Network, PR Newswire and more than 20 other news outlets picked up a press release announcing Michigan Tech as the new engineering services provider for the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The partnership was the subject of a story at Michigan Tech News.

*****

Don Lafreniere, Sarah Fayen Scarlett and Mark Rhodes (all SS) and Dan Trepal (GLRC/SS) were named by the National Endowment for the Humanities as co-recipients of a grant through the Institutes for Advanced Topics in the Digital Humanities program. The grant will fund a two-week residential institute at MTU and a series of virtual sessions on geospatial technologies and digital deep mapping. 

*****

Rupali Datta (BioSci) was mentioned by MIT Technology Review in a story about investigations into phytomining as a means of harvesting critical minerals from the soil. Datta leads one of seven phytomining projects awarded a total $9.9 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy.

*****

Michelle Scherer (COE) was profiled by Women in Academia Report in a story covering women recently selected for dean positions at universities.

*****

Jared Anderson (VPA) was quoted by The Keweenaw Report in a story previewing the Rozsa Soiree, a backstage concert event held Sept. 6 at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts to kick off the 2024/25 Presenting Series season.

*****

Taylor Piering (SLI) was quoted by The Keweenaw Report in a story previewing Michigan Tech’s annual K-Day, held Sept. 6 at Centennial Park in Chassell, Michigan.

*****

The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Michigan Tech’s Husky Food Access Network in a story previewing the return of Geek U.P., a celebration of writing, artistry, comic books and other fandoms, to MTU’s campus. The convention was held in the Memorial Union Building on Saturday, Sept. 7, raising funds and resources for the Husky FAN.

*****

Sandia National Laboratories’ LabNews mentioned Michigan Tech’s solar energy Regional Test Center in a story about a new project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to identify methods of securing the nation’s solar infrastructure against severe weather, such as snowstorms.

*****

The Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech in a preview story for the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation’s Bracelets for Survivors event being held Thursday, Sept. 12, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Walker Lawn. MTU students and faculty and community residents are invited to participate and make bracelets to support sexual assault survivors.

Submission and Formatting 101: Master the Dissertation, Thesis and Report Process

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.

*****

Guidelines for Political Activity

With the elections fast approaching, many members of the Michigan Tech community have questions about the extent to which University employees and students may engage in political activity, both on campus and off.

All members of the University community have the right to fully engage in political activities on their own time and on their own behalf. However, Michigan Tech and anyone acting on the University’s behalf are prohibited by state law from using public resources to support or oppose a candidate or to qualify, support or oppose a ballot initiative.

In practical terms, here’s what that means for MTU employees:

• You may wear buttons, shirts and hats that advocate for a political candidate or ballot issue on campus, so long as the context does not imply you are acting on behalf of the University. For example, when speaking to a group as a representative of the University (including while teaching), it is not appropriate to wear such items.
• Posters, flags and similar materials advocating for a political candidate or ballot issue may be displayed on campus in the same manner as nonpolitical material, so long as the context does not imply University endorsement. For example, you may display such material in your own private office, but not in a front-facing office or community break room (unless, e.g., a bulletin board is equally available for all). No outdoor campaign signs are permitted on University property.
• When engaging in political activities on your personal time, do not purport to speak for or campaign on behalf of the University — and do not make statements that could lead a reasonable person to think you are doing so. You should either refrain from stating your University affiliation or, if you include your University affiliation, include a disclaimer stating your affiliation is only for identification purposes and does not indicate University support for or endorsement of your views.
• Do not use your University office, computer, email, phone, listserv or social media account for activity supporting or opposing a political candidate or ballot initiative.
• Do not use University paper, postage, copiers or printer ink for materials supporting or opposing a political candidate or ballot initiative.

The potential penalties for violating these rules are not insignificant. It is a misdemeanor to knowingly violate Section 57 of Michigan’s Campaign Finance Act, and you may be subject to fines of up to $1,000 and imprisonment lasting up to one year. Further, if Michigan Tech resources are used illegally, the University could be fined $20,000 or an amount equal to the value of the resources used, whichever is greater.

If you have questions about political activities, please contact Heidi Reid in the Office of the General Counsel at hereid@mtu.edu or 906-487-2229.

*****

CTL Technical Workshop: Getting Started with Panopto Basics

Are you looking for a way to incorporate video recordings to increase student engagement or provide course materials to be viewed in preparation for class? Perhaps you’re seeking a recording tool for lectures or meetings which can capture multiple video sources at the same time, and then easily edit and share them. Compatible with multiple operating systems and file formats, Panopto is a robust and straightforward tool to fit those needs and many more.

Join the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) for an Introduction to Panopto technical workshop tomorrow, Sept. 10, at 3 p.m. in Library 243.

For questions or accommodation requests, please contact Jess Hendrickson at jelhendr@mtu.edu or 906-487-2275.

Register for the CTL technical workshop.

*****

Fully Funded PhD Opportunity in Mechatronics

Assistant Professor Amna Mazen (AC/MMET) is seeking applications for a Ph.D. position in mechatronics starting in spring 2025. The research will focus on leveraging mobile manipulators for tasks in health care and industrial applications. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Ideal candidates should possess the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in mechatronics, robotics, computer science, electrical engineering or a related field
• A solid foundation in ROS, SLAM, MoveIt, mobile robot navigation, manipulator motion planning and robot perception
• At least one published paper
• Proficiency in programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, C++
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Exceptional communication and teamwork skills
• Preference will be given to candidates with additional experience in mobile manipulators and human-robot interaction

How to Apply: Interested candidates should email the following documents to Amna Mazen at amazen@mtu.edu with the subject line: “Ph.D. Application_FirstName_LastName”.

*****

Supporting Fall Career Events 2024

Michigan Tech’s Fall 2024 Career Fest and Career Fair events are right around the corner, and your involvement is key to student and alumni success!

How you can help:

• Faculty: Inform students, encourage attendance, and integrate event details into your classes.
• Staff: Promote through campus channels and assist students in preparation.
• Alumni: Share experiences, attend, network, and follow our Career Services LinkedIn for updates.

Volunteer opportunities:

• Volunteer at Career Fair.
• Offer space for Interview Day.

Mark your calendars and get involved! Your support is greatly appreciated.

Thank you! Go Huskies!

*****

EPSSI Seminar/Honrath Memorial Lecture

Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI) guest Bo Zhang, senior research scientist at the National Institute of Aerospace, will deliver the EPPSI Seminar and the Richard E. Honrath Memorial Lecture today, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m.

Zhang's talk is titled "Constraints from Airborne Radionuclides on Convective Transport and Aerosol Scavenging in GEOS and GEOS-Chem Global Models."

This will be a hybrid event; the speaker will be remote while the audience is encouraged to gather in M&M U113.

For the abstract, visit the Fall 2024 EPSSI series webpage.

The Richard E. Honrath Memorial Lecture is a Joint EPSSI/Environmental Engineering graduate seminar honoring the memory of Richard E. Honrath Jr., late faculty member of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering and the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences, and a founding faculty member of the Atmospheric Sciences doctoral program. Honrath died in a tragic kayaking accident in 2009.

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

First Year Students: Making the Most of Career Fair

Monday, September 9, 1–2 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 126

Learn about what to expect from career fair, why you should go and how to prepare.

Hot Cocoa/Lemonade Handout

Monday, September 9, 1–3 p.m. | Fisher Rock Garden

Come join us and keep cool or warm (weather dependent) and learn about who Christ is in the Fisher Rock Garden

EPSSI Seminar: Dr. Bo Zhang (HONRATH LECTURE)

Monday, September 9, 4–5 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), Room U113

This will be a hybrid event, the speaker will be remote while the audience is encouraged to gather in M&M U113. The Richard E. Honrath Memorial Lecture Bo Zhang, Senior...

Girls Basketball Little Huskies League

Monday, September 9, 4–6 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multipurpose Gym

This league is open to girls entering grades 2 - 5 as of Fall 2024. Learning skills, working as a team, and having fun: that’s Michigan Tech’s Little Huskies Girls’ Basketball...

Parent & Child Aquatics - Session 1

Monday, September 9, 5:10–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash in Huskies Group Swim Lessons! American Red Cross Parent & Child Aquatics levels are being offered at the SDC Pool for ages 6 months to 3 years old. A...

Preschool Aquatics - Session 1

Monday, September 9, 5:10–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash this in Huskies Group Swim Lessons! American Red Cross Preschool Aquatics levels are being offered at the SDC Pool for ages 4 to 5 years old. Space will...

September GBM

Monday, September 9, 7–8 p.m. | Fisher 129

Stop by the Railroad Engineering and Activities Club's first meeting of the year! We will be hearing from a few members and their internship experiences from the summer....

Young Americans for Freedom First Meeting

Monday, September 9, 7–8 p.m. | Fisher 231

Join YAF for their first official meeting of the semester! We will have pizza and pop, so please invite your friends and come for some good conversation about the plans we...