October 9, 2024

“Tomorrow's Needs” is a series of opinion pieces from leaders around campus on the role that Michigan Tech innovators will play to define the world’s emerging needs.

In President Rick Koubek’s recent article, he asked: “In 2035, what will society’s most pressing questions be? And what are Michigan Tech’s best opportunities for answering those questions?”

Continuing the discussion, Provost Andrew Storer and College of Engineering Dean Michelle Scherer have identified three pressing energy and environment questions that society will be facing in 2035 and explained how we at Michigan Tech can position ourselves to answer them.

“As a leader in research and education, Michigan Tech must answer the call to identify and address key questions that address the needs of tomorrow,” they write. “These needs are rapidly changing as technology advances at an ever-increasing pace, with big data needs for artificial intelligence skyrocketing and robotics and automation redefining how we manufacture things. These technology leaps in a time of changing climate make energy and the environment two key areas where Michigan Tech leadership is needed.”

Read their full article at Michigan Tech News.

On Monday, Oct. 14, the University will send out a message at 11:55 a.m. to all students, faculty, and staff as a routine test of the emergency alert system. This routine test is an important part of our commitment to the safety and security of all our Huskies.

The initial message will be sent via email with the subject “MTU Alert: Routine test of MTU’s Safety First Alert System.” A secondary message will be sent via text with the same information.

Before Friday, Oct. 11, please log in to the Safety First Alert messaging system to update or confirm your emergency contact information.

If you're traveling through Escanaba, Marquette, Flint, or the metro Detroit area, the face of a Michigan Tech Department of Humanities faculty member will be hard to miss. Billboards featuring M. Bartley Seigel's larger-than-life visage and his poetry have appeared along US-41 and other highways thanks to Michigan Words, a statewide campaign celebrating contemporary Michigan poets.

How does it feel to be featured on billboards? “Weird and wonderful,” said Seigel, an associate professor of creative writing and literature. “Being on billboards along Michigan highways is not where I ever expected to find my work, nor my giant face. It’s one of life’s pleasant absurdities.”

Learn more about the project on the College of Sciences and Arts Newsblog.

A National Science Foundation (NSF) mobile atmospheric research laboratory is coming to Michigan Tech on Friday, Oct. 11, and the campus community is invited to tour the facility.

The SSEC Portable Atmospheric Research Center (SPARC), a 35-foot towable trailer housed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Space Science and Engineering Center, will be open for touring anytime from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday near the Husky Statue.

The trailer is visiting the Keweenaw Peninsula from Oct. 10-23 as part of an NSF-funded education and outreach project called “Lake Induced Trapping of Emissions Along the Superior Coast,” or LITESC. The SPARC trailer’s advanced instruments are able to characterize the lowest 1-2 kilometers of the atmosphere, called the atmospheric boundary layer. The objective of the NSF project is to characterize atmospheric structure, including lake breezes and temperature inversions, and how this structure traps air constituents.

LITESC augments another research project funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the air quality of the Keweenaw. As part of these projects, a team of Michigan Tech scientists and engineers will conduct measurements of the Keweenaw atmosphere in various locations during the SPARC facility’s visit, said Professor Judith Perlinger (CEGE), principal investigator of the NSF project and lead scientist of the air quality aspects of the EPA project.

Led by Perlinger, Assistant Professor Shawn Brueshaber (MAE) and Postdoctoral Scholar Sandeep Chaudhry (CEGE), a team of six MTU students will assist in taking measurements alongside 14 University of Wisconsin-Madison students led by UW Professor Ankur Desai. The measurements will be conducted in sync with sampling for the EPA project.

The MTU Wellness 360 program supports qualifying, benefits-eligible faculty and staff in learning about their health and well-being, encourages them to take steps to improve or maintain them, and offers monetary rewards of up to $450 for participating in the annual incentive program. Participation in the MTU Wellness 360 program is free, voluntary and confidential.

Submission for the 2024 MTU Wellness 360 Incentive is now open! To earn up to $450, participants will simply check off the activities they completed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, and submit the electronic form. Benefits-eligible employees can access the MTU Wellness 360 Incentive 2024 Checklist Google form or navigate to the MTU Wellness 360 website.

The last day to submit the MTU Wellness 360 incentive form for 2024 will be Jan. 10, 2025. Payouts are expected to arrive in late February. Tax-free payout options include lump sums deposited into an employee’s health savings account (HSA) — available only to employees enrolled in the HDHP1/HDHP2 health insurance plans — or flexible spending account (FSA). Taxable payout options include Michigan Tech Gift Card or Keweenaw Cash.

Participation in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's tobacco cessation program and the Wondr Health weight-loss program are open to benefits-eligible employees on a year-round basis. Links to registration for those programs can be found on the MTU Wellness 360 website.

For more information about upcoming Lunch and Learns, wellness tips, wellness events, fitness programs and more, check out the MTU Wellness 360 website or follow Michigan Tech Wellness on Facebook. Questions? Contact Benefits Services at benefits@mtu.edu or 906-487-2517.

The mission of MTU's Wellness Committee and programming is to create an environment that enhances the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of all faculty and staff. Through educational programs, activities and outreach events, we envision more productive employees, happier individuals and a healthier community. Interested in joining the MTU Wellness Committee? Email benefits@mtu.edu for more information.

The nursing program at Michigan Tech, in partnership with UP Health System – Portage, invites the MTU community to our convenient on-campus Fall 2024 Flu Shot Clinics.

Nursing students will be administering flu shots at the following clinics to help protect the health of community members this season.

• Thursday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Rozsa Lobby
• Thursday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Rozsa Lobby

Important Reminders:

• Walk-Ins Welcome: No appointment is needed; just stop by!
• Insurance Information: Please bring a valid copy of your insurance card, or a clear picture of both sides.
• Cost Without Insurance: $40, payable by cash.

Protect yourself this flu season while supporting our nursing program's community health efforts!

The Husky Food Access Network (Husky FAN) and Michigan Tech's Husky Eats invite you to bring an item to donate to the campus food pantry tomorrow, Oct. 10, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., for entry into our Cupcake Decorating Challenge!

Donate your item and decorate a cupcake! The top four designs (selected by Husky Eats and the Husky FAN) will be featured on Husky Eats’ Instagram @mtuhuskyeats for voting. The top-voted cupcake will win the decorator a Dairy Queen ice cream cake!

The most-needed pantry items currently are cooking staples, shelf-stable snacks, hygiene items, canned goods, meal bases and dry goods. See a complete list of priority items needed in the food pantry.

The Husky Food Access Network is a nonprofit organization funded by donations to combat food insecurity on the Michigan Tech campus. The Husky FAN provides multiple resource for our campus community, including the food pantry and emergency food resources. While the pantry is located on campus, it is available to anyone. No paperwork or approval is required.

The Center for Educational Outreach is excited to announce its free annual Planning and Paying for College workshop, which provides high school students and their families with information about how to navigate college admissions financial aid processes, the selection of a “right fit” college, and more. The event will take place on campus at the Memorial Union Building on Nov. 13 from 5:30-9 p.m.

The format of the workshop is 25-minute concurrent sessions. We are seeking presenters to share their expertise on topics related to the following:

• College selection and admissions processes
• Effective application strategies
• Financial aid, scholarships, and budgeting for college
• Time management and study skills for college success
• Navigating campus resources and seeking support services
• The transition to college and student life
• Special opportunities (such as internships, co-ops, and study abroad)
• Stories of success, especially for first-generation college students

If you are interested in presenting, please submit a proposal for your topic by Oct. 25 via the Proposal Submission Form. If you have any questions, please reach out to trio@mtu.edu.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our youth in their educational journey!

As the oldest student organization on campus, The Lode student newspaper appreciates the feedback of all members of the Michigan Tech community. We invite you to complete our Mid-Semester Feedback form about your interaction with The Lode.

The survey takes less than five minutes to fill out and enters you to win one of our crewnecks or a $25 gift card. We ask that you fill out this survey by Oct. 21.

Thank you for your support!

The 41 North Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary from Nov. 7-10 at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts.

One of this year's featured events is the groundbreaking generative documentary “Eno” on Nov. 9. The film is about visionary musician and artist Brian Eno and is directed by Gary Hustwit (“Helvetica,” “Rams,” “Objectified”), who will be in attendance at the festival.

A pioneer at the intersection of technology and art, and a self-proclaimed “sonic landscaper,” Eno has been an innovative and highly influential figure, shaping the sounds of artists such as David Bowie, U2, Talking Heads and Coldplay. Drawing inspiration from its subject, the film “Eno” also blends art and technology through its use of a bespoke generative software developed by Hustwit and creative technologist Brendan Dawes.

Read more about the documentary on the Humanities News, Features, and Other Updates blog.

This year’s Homecoming was one for the books! Students from across campus came together to celebrate with spirit, enthusiasm and a sense of community. From the fierce competition of the “Survivor” themed events to the excitement of crowning the Homecoming Court, the week was packed with unforgettable memories.

Announcing Our Winners!
After an incredible week of challenges, performances and Husky pride, we are thrilled to announce this year’s Homecoming winners:

Homecoming Royalty Winners:
Sydney Peterson, sponsored by Delta Phi Epsilon and Kappa Delta Psi
Cole Pierucki, sponsored by Undergraduate Student Government (USG)

First Place Division Team Winners:
Sigma Tau Gamma in the Men’s Division
Midnight Earthopylae (DHH) in the Women’s Division
Delta Zeta and Kappa Delta Psi in the Co-ed Division

Overall Team Winner:
Delta Zeta and Kappa Delta Psi

Fastest Cardboard Boat:
Sigma Tau Gamma at one minute 31 seconds

Each team brought their A-game, competing with creativity, collaboration and plenty of school spirit. A big thank-you to everyone who participated!

Looking Forward to Next Year
As we wrap up this year’s festivities, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the students, faculty, judges and staff who made this Homecoming a success. Your hard work and dedication truly shone through every event, performance and competition.

Keep the spirit alive, and we can’t wait to see you all again for Homecoming 2025! Let’s continue to make every year even better. See you next year!

The Department of Chemical Engineering (ChE) would like to congratulate the following students as winners of the External Advisory Board (EAB) Poster Session held on Friday, Sept. 27.

Undergrad Research winners:

• First Place — Joseph Curro
• Second Place — Mark Mainville

Student Organization winners:

• First Place (Biogas) — Collin Diehl, Abigail Ruthenberg, Caden Arntz
• Second Place (IAC) — Abbey Schwartz

Graduate Research winners:

• First Place (tie) — Vaishali Sharma and Natalia Krakhaleva
• Second Place — John Szczap

A special thank-you to the EAB members and to all who participated!

The next Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Graduate Seminar Speaker will present at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 10, in MEEM 112.

Darwin Baas will present “Reimagine Trash — Our Journey to Zero.”

As the director of public works in Kent County, Michigan, Baas’ focus is the emerging circular economy — providing leadership and visioning to deliver waste diversion, energy recovery and sustainable material management strategies.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by undergraduate student Rebekah Smith tomorrow, Oct. 10, from 1-1:20 p.m. in M&M 610.

Smith will present “Linking Microstructure and Processing Technology in Wrought Iron from the Turn of the Twentieth Century.” She is advised by Josh Mueller.

From the abstract:
Wrought iron is ubiquitously recognized in ornamental applications and is also known as a material of antiquity with archaeological evidence dating back approximately 5000 years. While this material is simply referred to as wrought iron, the raw materials, processing technologies, and final products varied drastically over the centuries that wrought iron was produced. Perhaps a lesser-known period of wrought iron production is post Industrial Revolution, around the turn of the twentieth century. During this period, wrought iron was produced by a transient liquid phase processing method, known as puddling. While the adoption of steel making technology eventually eclipsed production of puddled wrought iron in the first half of the twentieth century, there was a brief period when wrought iron, cast iron, and steel were distinct engineering materials. With improvement in steel making, the use-case for puddled wrought iron narrowed and some of the attributes associated with wrought iron were discovered to be less significant. The present work delves into the historical process of puddling and discusses effects that this process had on the microstructure of wrought iron making it distinct from cast iron and steel. Microstructure analysis and mechanical testing of wrought iron artifacts are presented to support discussion and showcase the microstructure and performance of puddled wrought iron. State of the art characterization techniques including light-optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with electron backscatter diffraction and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy reveal the anisotropic microstructure and chemical distribution in the ferrite and slag. X-ray diffraction techniques were used to verify phases in the microstructure and to provide a quantitative measurement of grain size and carbon concentration in ferrite. Mechanical testing results indicate the strength of the wrought iron samples. These modern characterization techniques are combined with a historical processing perspective to draw connections between processing, structure and properties.

Smith is an undergraduate student with primary interest in iron and steel metallurgy. Her undergraduate research experience includes characterization of ferrous materials, and she has three years of internship experience in the steel industry. Upon completion of her B.S. degree, she plans to pursue graduate research at Michigan Tech.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by Ph.D. candidate Eli Harma tomorrow, Oct. 10, from 1:25-1:45 p.m. in M&M 610.

Harma will present “Effect of Mg and Si Concentration on Hot Deformation of AA6082.” He is advised by Paul Sanders.

From the abstract:
Within the broad AA6082 specification range, compositions that require a range of extrusion forces may exist. The activation energy for hot deformation is a function of Mg and Si, and this is one mechanism that impacts the extrusion parameters. To quantify these effects, Mg and Si were varied within the AA6082 composition range at constant Mn, Cr, and Fe with a common homogenization treatment. The inverse hyperbolic sine model was fit to hot compression data as a function of temperature and strain rate. The model constants were used in simulations to determine the extrusion properties. Increasing Mg from 0.6 to 1.2 wt% decreased the activation energy from 262 to 220 kJ/mol and increased the extrusion force. In contrast, increasing Si from 0.7 to 1.3 wt% decreased the recrystallization fraction, increased activation energy from 262 to 292 kJ/mol, and reduced the extrusion force.

Harma is a Ph.D. candidate at Michigan Technological University in his third year studying aluminum extrusion alloys. He has his bachelor's and master's degrees in materials science and engineering obtained at Michigan Tech. Fields of interest include hot deformation flow stress analysis, EBSD analysis, alloy design and materials modeling for FEA models.

Wednesday, Oct. 9
• Overwatch will be taking on Rochester Institute of Technology at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 10
• Call of Duty will face off against Fisher College at 8:30 p.m.

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Esports News
Read more in the MTU Esports weekly update.

Missed a game? Past MTU Esports streams are available on YouTube.

Donald Lafreniere (SS/GLRC) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $249,496 other sponsored activities grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The project is titled "Deep Maps and Community Histories: Advancing Transdisciplinary and Public-Facing Scholarship in the Spatial Humanities."

Sarah Scarlett (SS/GLRC), Daniel Trepal (GRF/GLRC) and Mark Rhodes (SS/GLRC) are co-PIs on this potential 15-month project.

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Stephen Techtmann (BioSci/GLRC) is the PI on a project that has received $1,017,126 of a potential $6,443,238 research and development co-op agreement from the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

The project is titled "Energy Generation by Dissolved Organic Matter Fueled Microbial Communities."

Amy Marcarelli (BioSci/GLRC), Jennifer Becker (CEGE/GLRC), Michael Sayers (MTRI/GLRC), Gordon Parker (MAE/GLRC) and Jamey Anderson (GLRC) are co-PIs on the project.

MyScience.org mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about research led by Adjunct Professor Joshua Pearce (MSE). The work is part of a broader effort involving Pearce’s Michigan Tech collaborators, who are focused on converting plastic waste into edible biomass using microbial processes.

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The Daily Northwestern mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Northwestern University’s efforts to address bird safety in new construction projects. Northwestern is working with researchers from Michigan Tech to implement an audio deterrent system, which has shown to reduce bird injuries and fatalities by nearly 85%.

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The Iron Mountain Daily News covered Michigan Tech football defensive back Dante Basanese being named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week.

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9&10 News covered Michigan Tech alumnus J.W. Fisher ’79 (B.S. Civil Engineering) and his wife Yvonne being named the 2024 Philanthropists of the Year by the Midland Area Community Foundation.

Call for Abstracts: ACS Student Research Symposium

Abstracts are being accepted for the 10th Annual American Chemical Society (ACS) Upper Peninsula Student Research Symposium. The symposium will be held at Northern Michigan University on Oct. 26.

The symposium is a venue for students to present their research in chemistry, chemical engineering and related fields. Undergraduate, graduate, high school and community college students from the Upper Peninsula are invited to participate, and we also welcome visitors and community members!

There is no cost to present and lunch will be provided. Prize money will be awarded for the best posters and presentations.

For more information and to register for the symposium, visit the 2024 ACS Upper Peninsula Local Section Student Research Symposium form. The registration deadline is next Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m. EDT.

We ask all attendees — including presenters, visitors and judges — to please register to ensure we have enough food ordered. Contact Momoko Tajiri at mtajiri@mtu.edu for any questions.

This event is sponsored by the ACS Upper Peninsula Local Section, Michigan Tech's College of Engineering and Department of Chemistry, Northern Michigan University, and Lake Superior State University.

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This Week's C-Cubed Luncheon Menu

Carved and Crafted Catering at Michigan Technological University invites you to join the C-Cubed Luncheon for the 2024-25 school year. The weekly luncheon is held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Thursday in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

Menu for Thursday, Oct. 10:

• Pork Sandwich (PR)
• BBQ Tofu “Steak” (PR)
• Macaroni & Cheese (V) (PR)
• Garden Pasta Salad (VG) (PR)
• Coleslaw (V) (AG)
• Cookie Platter (V)

The C-Cubed 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. All vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items on the buffet are labeled for easy identification. No takeout service or personal containers are permitted.

The buffet lunch is $15.50 per person. Cash, credit cards, and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased in the Memorial Union Office (MUB 101).

You can submit C-Cubed feedback using C-Cubed Survey/Comments form. To join the C-Cubed Luncheon Email List and receive weekly menus, please complete the sign-up form.

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CEGE Grad Info Night: Accelerated MS Program

Thinking about pursuing an advanced degree in civil, environmental, or geospatial engineering?

Join the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE) and the Michigan Tech Grad School tomorrow, Oct. 10, at 5:30 p.m. in the Dow Eighth Floor Atrium for an informative session on the accelerated master's program!

Learn about:

• Program requirements
• Double counting credits
• Cost and financial details
• And more!

Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

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GSG Fall Color Tour: Updates

Join the Graduate Student Government (GSG) on Saturday, Oct. 12, for a scenic bus tour to explore the beautiful fall colors! We’ll be departing from the MUB at 10:45 a.m. and returning between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Driving yourself? Please stop by the check-in desk at the MUB between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to receive your wristband for the Mont Ripley chairlift.

Sign-ups for the bus are full. For any modifications or available spots, please contact gsgsocial@mtu.edu. Please let us know if you registered for the bus but plan to take a car instead.

For more details, please review the event flyer and see the trip itinerary. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to gsgsocial@mtu.edu.

Organized by the Graduate Student Government.

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

that thing between my teeth is my foot Exhibit - Michigan Tech Art

Wednesday, October 9, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT Douglas Degges is presenting two parallel artistic explorations in the Rozsa A-Space Gallery. Since the fall of 2019, Degges has been creating...

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Digital Marketers

Wednesday, October 9, 9–10 a.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, G27

Digital Marketers is a group for digital platform managers (digital ads, photo/video production, social media accounts, websites, etc) across campus. We meet every other...

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Finding the Source of the Problem: Root Cause Analysis and Decision Making Tools

Wednesday, October 9, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

When solving a problem, we must first gain a deep understanding of the current situation and set a goal condition. Then we perform a root cause analysis on the gap between how...

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No More Che Day

Wednesday, October 9, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. | Husky Statue

October 9th will mark 57 years since Che Guevara was executed, bringing an end to a reign of terror by the Marxist revolutionary and international thug. Unfortunately, most...

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2024 AMS Online Fall Graduate Fair

Wednesday, October 9, 12–6 p.m.

The Mathematical Sciences Department is excited to be exhibiting at the 2024 AMS Online Fall Graduate Fair on Wednesday, October 9, from noon to 6 p.m. ET. Undergraduates,...

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Creating Biosketches and C&P Support Docs with SciENcv

Wednesday, October 9, 12–1 p.m.

Join us on October 9th at noon to learn how you can create and maintain your biographical sketch and current and pending support documents in SciENcv. Once you get the...

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Husky Hour: Climate Anxiety

Wednesday, October 9, 2–3 p.m. | Library East Reading Room

As the reality of climate change weighs heavily on our minds, many are grappling with feelings of fear, helplessness, and uncertainty about the future. This session led by Dr....

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Café Français - French Conversation Hour

Wednesday, October 9, 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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Flu Shot Clinic

Wednesday, October 9, 4–6 p.m. | Rozsa

Stay Healthy This Season: Come Get Your Flu Shot! As the flu season approaches, protecting yourself and your loved ones is more important than ever. In collaboration with UP...

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Python Workshop

Wednesday, October 9, 5–6 p.m. | Rekhi 113

A free, in person, python workshop for beginners!

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SoundGirls General Meeting!

Wednesday, October 9, 5–6 p.m. | Walker 210

SoundGirls strives to empower women and minorities in the audio industry. This year, we are working on a halloween themed reality TV show.