September 11, 2024

With Michigan Tech's first home hockey game less than a month away, spectators and attendees should be prepared for a more enjoyable experience thanks to renovations completed over the summer at the John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

In April, contractors began removing the ice arena’s original HVAC equipment immediately following the Huskies' last practice. They continued to work tirelessly through the summer, briefly pausing for Spring Commencement, to get the project completed prior to the scheduled installation of the ice sheet in August. All-new air handling equipment was installed, with dedicated dehumidification technology along with new air distribution ducts. This major undertaking will help eliminate the fog and condensation issues that tended to occur in warm weather.

This project is just one of the infrastructure needs identified in the Campus Master Plan. Additional information on Michigan Tech's Campus Master Plan 2022 “Build the Future” is available on the Facilities Management webpage.

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has recognized Michigan Tech for the University's nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts, which fostered high levels of student voter engagement in the 2022 midterm elections. MTU received ALL IN's Silver Seal, reflecting our commitment to ensuring that nonpartisan democratic engagement is a defining feature of campus life.

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. Michigan Tech was recognized alongside more than 500 campuses using data from the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) out of Tufts University, which found that colleges and universities had the second-highest voter turnout among students in a midterm election since NSLVE began measuring this data. The full list of campus award winners can be viewed at ALL IN's website.

Help us increase our impact in 2024!

1. Incorporate voter engagement information into your class this semester with the Voter Engagement module available on the Canvas Commons. Content covered includes a brief introduction to voting in the U.S., MTU students' historic voting rates, voter registration, options for casting your ballot, and resources to assist in becoming an informed voter.
2. Volunteer for National Voter Registration Day or encourage your students to stop by and discuss their vote plan.
3. Encourage students to attend events related to civic engagement being offered around campus.

Applications for Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. on Oct. 23 to the Graduate School. Please email applications to gradschool@mtu.edu.

Instructions on the 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.
2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a Finishing Fellow.
3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a Finishing Fellowship.
4. Must be eligible for candidacy (tuition charged at Research Mode rate) at the time of application.
5. Must not hold a final oral examination ("defense") prior to the start of the award semester.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to Ph.D. candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding Ph.D. candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in the Michigan Tech Strategic Plan.

The Graduate School anticipates funding up to 10 fellowships, with support ranging from $2,000 to full support (stipend plus tuition). Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

The yearly Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC) Student Poster Competition is back, and entries are now being accepted.

Register your student research poster before the deadline at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 27 to participate in this year’s event, which is happening on Oct. 4, the last day of the 2024 Computing [MTU] Showcase.

Winners will receive a scholarship prize. Please visit the Student Poster Competition page for more information.

Entries should be connected in some way to at least one the following areas:

• Biomedical/Digital Health
• Computing Education
• Cybersecurity
• Data Science/Artificial Intelligence
• Cyber-Physical Systems
• Human-Centered Computing
• Computer Architecture and Systems

Please reach out to icc-contact-l@mtu.edu if you have questions on poster content.

Poster printing can be covered through the ICC. Please email icc-contact-l@mtu.edu to set this up, or with any other questions.

Here we go! Huskies Athletics is so excited to begin our first week with Little Huskies sports camps. Missed the deadline? Contact us at sportscamps@mtu.edu to be added to our email list for future camp announcements.

• Little Huskies Girls Basketball League
  • When: Monday-Thursday, Sept. 9-12, from 4-6 p.m.
  • Where: SDC Multipurpose Gym
    
    
• Little Huskies Volleyball Club — Passing Clinic
  • When: Saturday, Sept. 14, following MTU Volleyball's match vs. St. Cloud State (check in between 2:30 and 3 p.m.)
  • Where: SDC Varsity Gym

Visit the Michigan Tech Recreation website for more information. Go Huskies!

HuskiesFit Group Fitness is for everyone! Join MTU Recreation any day of the week for HuskiesFit Group Fitness classes. From belly dancing to yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to ballet, we have everything you need to stay active this fall.

HuskiesFit Punch Card Prices:

• MTU Students: 8-Punch: $33, 16-Punch: $50, Daily Pass: $10
• General Public: 8-Punch: $64, 16-Punch: $96, Daily Pass: $10
• SDC Access Holders: Free!

To learn more, visit the Michigan Tech Recreation website. We’ll see you in the Fitness Studio! Go Huskies!

The next Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Graduate Seminar Speaker will present at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 12, in MEEM 112.

Tim O'Connell will present “Flying on Electrons: Challenges and Opportunities of Electrified Aircraft Propulsion.”

O’Connell leads the powertrain integration efforts at Hinetics, developing hardware-in-the-loop and simulation infrastructure for Hinetics’ advanced electric machines.

The next Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, in GLRC 202.

Tanvir Khan, Ph.D., a senior research engineer with the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), will present "From Homes to Horizon: Advancing Air Quality Measurement with Improved Data and NextGeneration Sensors."

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

Lisha Dong will present a Department of Chemical Engineering (ChE) seminar titled "Enhancement of Flotation Separation Selectivity of Cathode and Anode Materials from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Plasma Treatment."

The seminar will take place on Friday, Sept. 13, at 10 a.m. Attendance is invited in person in Chem Sci 101 or virtually via Zoom.

Attend Lisha Dong's seminar on Zoom.

Dong is a research associate at the Western Australian School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Kalgoorlie Campus, Curtin University, where she studies advanced beneficiation technologies for fine and ultrafine particles as well as pyrometallurgy.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by Edward Laitila, engineer/scientist at Michigan Tech, at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 12, in M&M 610.

Laitila will present "Novel Metal Extraction Process: Chemical Comminution – Iron from Iron Ore."

From the abstract:
Traditionally, ironmaking is accomplished by melting pelletized-fluxed concentrated ore at high temperatures while adding metallurgical coke to remove oxygen, a very energy intensive process, directly producing a large amount of greenhouse gases. The fundamental basis of the reaction rate is determined by the Eyring equation, under normal conditions requiring large temperatures to initiate a spontaneous reaction. Diffusion and in situ chemical reactions that normally require vary large temperatures have been observed at near-room temperature in mechanical alloying attributed to large increases in internal energy overcoming the activation energy due to the materials severe deformation response. Using this approach, iron ore concentrate powders were mechanically milled at room temperature with elemental silicon in air creating elemental iron and a sand mix. Often efforts to reduce the carbon footprint in ironmaking center around incremental reductions in current methods; this new technology, termed “chemical comminution” (patent pending), eliminates direct greenhouse gas production, completely sustainable, while also minimizing sulphur by removing the need for metallurgical coke. Chemical comminution can be applied to any ore, with the exception of lowest compound in the Ellingham diagram which is a simple predictor of the process variable element based on the lowest energy of formation. Given the nature of the process, this could potentially be done at the iron ore manufacturer facilities using existing comminution equipment reducing capital needs as well as energy while leading to a path of zero-greenhouse gas emissions in one of the highest greenhouse gas producing industries with potentially significant cost reductions.

Laitila is from the Baraga area and received his AAS in Electrical Engineering Technology at MTU, where he was hired by Donald E. Mikkola to repair electronic equipment and help manage the X-ray facilities in the MSE department. He earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. in Metallurgical and Materials Science and Engineering while employed at MTU, with research developing a powder metallurgy technology, mechanonanosynthesis, allowing creation of composites of controllable amounts at near-room temperature by simple milling parameter changes such as time.

Additionally, from this work, a new XRD technique to determine the volume of atoms on the grain boundaries of nanoscale materials was developed. This elevated Laitila to his current official title of senior research engineer/scientist II/adjunct assistant professor in the MSE department, focusing on education in the X-ray fields as well as advanced characterization (MSE4520), with an emphasis on teaching critical thinking.

Michigan Tech volleyball setter Tess Hayes has been named the GLIAC Setter of the Week, and the Huskies jumped into the AVCA/Taraflex Top 25 with a No. 20 ranking.

Hayes helped lead Tech to a 4-0 record at the Oredigger Classic. She averaged 10.87 assists per set and 1.93 digs per set while also tallying 12 aces and seven blocks. By match, Hayes recorded 34 assists and three blocks versus No. 13 Regis, 51 assists and six digs against Gannon, 36 assists and four blocks versus No. 17 Colorado Mesa, and 42 assists and 12 digs against host Colorado Mines.

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Job Postings for Wednesday, Sept. 11, 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 Teaching Professor – Nursing, Biological Sciences. Apply online.

Student Disability Services Case Manager, Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success. 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.

Travis White (GLRC) was quoted by the Associated Press and Timothy Havens (CS/ICC/GLRC) was quoted by WLUC TV6 and SooToday in stories about a search being conducted this week for a plane lost in 1968 over Lake Superior. From Sept. 9-13, a team based at MTU’s Great Lakes Research Center is using an autonomous surface vessel (ASV) with wide-array high-resolution sonar to scan the lake bottom for wreckage. The AP’s story was picked up by the Wisconsin State Journal, Toronto's St. Catherines Standard and WNMU-FM. WCMU Public Media also ran a story, and Newswire published a press release by the Great Lakes Smart Ships Coalition.

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The Wall Street Journal mentioned Michigan Tech in a story highlighting the top schools on its 2025 Best Salaries list, which ranked schools “in order of their impact on graduates’ salaries and how this relates to the cost of attending the college.” At No. 15 on the list, MTU was the third-highest public university (only 14 made the top 50).

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Michigan Tech’s Unit Operations Lab was mentioned by The Detroit News in a story about the growing number of women working in the manufacturing industry. In the story, Hailey Ullett ’24 (B.S. Chemical Engineering) described how working in the UO Lab influenced her career choice. The story was picked up by The Sacramento Bee and 29 other news outlets across the country.

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Radio Results Network picked up part of a Michigan Tech News story about the continuing growth of the University’s student body in fall 2024. The enrollment numbers were also covered by WLUC TV6.

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Yahoo! Finance and 27 other news outlets mentioned Michigan Tech in a press release about Intrepid Metals’ new CEO: Ken Engquist ’93 (B.S. Mechanical Engineering).

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Investing.com mentioned Michigan Tech in a press release announcing Todd Wehner ’02 (B.S. Mechanical Engineering/B.S. Electrical Engineering) as Xcel Energy’s new treasurer and vice president.

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

9/11 Never Forget

Wednesday, September 11, 5 a.m.–7 p.m. | Walker Lawn

Young Americans for Freedom at MTU will be creating a memorial on Walker Lawn for all those who lost their lives during the September 2001 Attacks. 2,977 Flags will be placed...

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Lean White Belt Virtual Workshop

Wednesday, September 11, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

The Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI) is offering a virtual workshop where you can earn a Lean White Belt. The workshop, "Processes, Flow, and Waste: Lean Fundamentals...

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Career Fest

Wednesday, September 11, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Stop by for a casual conversation with employers. This is a great way to practice your networking skills while learning about various companies and their career opportunities.

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Resume Review with Employers

Wednesday, September 11, 3–5 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Take advantage of the opportunity to have an employer give you feedback on your resume after each Career Fest event.

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Café Français - French Conversation Hour

Wednesday, September 11, 4–5 p.m. | Walker Arts and Humanities Center, HDMZ 120C

Café Français, the French conversation hour group invites you to join! Practice your French, explore the French-speaking world, and meet new people. Meetings are from 4-5, at...

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Classroom Presentation: Professional Workshop - Career Fest Prep

Wednesday, September 11, 4–5 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Career Fest Prep

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Girls Basketball Little Huskies League

Wednesday, September 11, 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...

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Railroad Night 2024

Wednesday, September 11, 4:00–7:30 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Ball room

Rail Transportation Program Students, Industry, and Faculty The longest-running tradition of the Rail Transportation Program (RTP), Railroad Night is the cornerstone of the...

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5:00pm: Ace Your Technical Interview - Delivered by Amazon

Wednesday, September 11, 5:00–6:30 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, G009

A lot of Silicon Valley companies use interview techniques that are different than traditional behavior-based interviews. Bring your brain and be ready to simulate the...

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Career Fair Prep: Landing a Full Time Job

Wednesday, September 11, 5–6 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 125

Learn what it takes to land a full time job in a competitive market.

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Copper Country Robotics General Meeting

Wednesday, September 11, 5–6 p.m. | Fisher 133

Are you a FIRST Alumni, or just someone who is interested in getting involved with mentoring / volunteering? Come to the Copper Country Robotics General Meeting on Wednesday,...

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Courageous Dialogue

Wednesday, September 11, 5–7 p.m. | Wadsworth Hall G42

Courageous Dialogue is designed to foster meaningful and transformative conversations. In today’s world, engaging in open, honest, and authentic dialogue is essential for...

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Engineers Without Borders General Meeting

Wednesday, September 11, 5–6 p.m. | Dillman 211

Welcome new members, introduce projects, organize project teams, and complete administrative tasks

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WiNR Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, September 11, 5:30–6:30 p.m. | Room 144 U.J Noblet

For our first meeting we want to see all of your wonderful faces! We will be hosting an ice cream social with all of our new and returning members as well as CFRES non-male...

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Healthy Relationships - One Love

Wednesday, September 11, 6–8 p.m. | Wads Hall

This is a 90-minute informational session about what Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships look like. Using material from the One Love Foundation. One Love Foundation is a...

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Theme Park Engineering Group General Meeting

Wednesday, September 11, 6–7 p.m. | Fisher 125

Come join us this Wednesday for our first general meeting of the year! We will talk about what Theme Park Engineering is and what we do, talk about future haunted house...

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7:00pm: Ace Your Technical Interview - Delivered by Amazon

Wednesday, September 11, 7:00–8:30 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, G009

A lot of Silicon Valley companies use interview techniques that are different than traditional behavior-based interviews. Bring your brain and be ready to simulate the...

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Intro to Swing Dancing

Wednesday, September 11, 7–9 p.m. | DHH Patio

Come join the Swing Club to learn the basics of swing dancing! There will be a lesson at 7 p.m. followed by an open dance from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. (No partner or experience...