October 16, 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, Dennis Livesay, Dave House Dean of Computing, and Jeffrey D. Naber, Richard and Elizabeth Henes Endowed Professor (Energy Systems) in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, present three pressing questions regarding the coming impacts of computing and artificial intelligence.

“It isn’t hyperbole to say all aspects of society and industry will be impacted by advances in computing and AI,” they write. They hope their questions “will illustrate that while computing expertise underlies AI algorithms, a broader set of knowledge is needed to apply them responsibly and effectively. By leaning into this, Michigan Tech can situate itself to be a leader in the application of AI to other domains.”

Read their full article at Michigan Tech News.

The program for this year’s 41 North Film Festival is now available on the film festival website.

The festival will be joined this year by filmmakers Katie Dellamaggiore and Gary Hustwit, as well as panelists from around campus and the community who will bring their perspectives to Q&As following many of the films.

The festival will be held from Nov. 7-10 in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, with additional films screened by MTU Film Board in Fisher 135. Look for more announcements about specific events in the coming days.

Fall Break Open Rec Hours:

Shooting Range
Oct. 16: Regular hours | Oct. 17 and 20: Closed

Fitness Center
Oct. 16, Oct. 19-20: Regular hours | Oct. 17-18: 12-9 p.m.

Multipurpose Room, Track & Racquetball Courts
Oct. 16, Oct. 19-20: Regular hours | Oct. 17-18: 12-9 p.m.

OAP Climbing Wall
Closed

SDC Pool (Open/Lap Swim Only)
Oct. 16, Oct. 19-20: Regular hours | Oct. 17-18: 12-4 p.m.

Ice Arena & Skate Rental Center
Oct. 16, Oct. 20: Regular hours | Oct. 17-18: Closed

Gates Tennis Center
Oct. 16, Oct. 18-20: Regular hours | Oct. 17: Closed

OAP Rental Center
Oct. 16-20: Regular hours

SDC Ticket Office
Oct. 16-18: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Oct. 19: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Oct. 20: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Visit the Michigan Tech Recreation website for more information.

Don Lee, a Ph.D. candidate in environmental and energy policy, recently led an effort with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s Natural Resources Department (KBIC NRD) to develop a proposal for a Michigan Public Service Commission grant program to support renewable energy development. The funded project provides the KBIC NRD with $726,870 to install solar energy and battery storage systems at two of their facilities, supporting decarbonization and energy sovereignty.

Lee has worked with the KBIC NRD for over three years as a research assistant on the Michigan Community & Anishinaabe Renewable Energy Sovereignty (MICARES) project funded by National Science Foundation. Through listening to and learning from KBIC NRD staff, Lee was able to support the KBIC in articulating their goals through this proposal. Previous work by the Alternative Energy Enterprise provided initial input on solar siting for the KBIC NRD.

This intentional collaboration highlights the kind of engaged, impactful, community-centered work that the environmental and energy policy program can prepare students to successfully conduct. Through this funding, Lee has contributed directly to advancing energy justice and energy sovereignty.

The next Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21, in GLRC 202.

Aytug Gencoglu, assistant professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Tech, will present "Electrokinetics and Droplet Microfluidics: Two Subfields of Microfluidics for Biological Monitoring and Research."

Read Gencoglu’s abstract and bio on the University Events Calendar.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by Raymond Monroe, executive vice president, Steel Founders' Society of America (SFSA).

The seminar will be given tomorrow, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. in M&M 610.

Monroe will present "Steel Founders Society of America - Technological Developments & Challenges in the Steel Industry."

From the abstract:
Steel is a fundamental material required for modern life. Steel Founders' Society of America has supported the steel casting industry for over 100 years and is an exclusive organization with steel casting producers as the only members. We have partnered with Defense for over 30 years to develop critical technology needed. Recently, we have become more active in supply chain reliability and challenging the next generation of engineers to use their skills and creativity in the steel casting industry. The presentation will give an overview of some of the developing technology and the challenges we all face in manufacturing.

Monroe joined the SFSA as executive vice president in 1988. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University, an M.S. in Engineering Science from the University of Alabama (Birmingham), and a Ph.D. in Manufacturing Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Monroe supports the U.S. Department of Defense as a panelist for the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel, Metals Subpanel. This panel reviews the DoD MANTECH projects for advanced manufacturing. He instigates the Steel Performance Initiative, a DoD program to invest in advanced specialty steel technology for U.S., domestic producers to meet strategic DoD requirements. He also serves as the organizer for the Cast in Steel competition and Casting Dreams, an opportunity for high school students, to encourage young people to come into our industry.

Michigan Tech hockey players Max Vayrynen and Elias Jansson were named CCHA Players of the Week.

Goaltender Max Vayrynen backstopped the Huskies to a nonconference sweep of Alaska on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12. He stopped 15 shots on Friday in a 2-1 overtime win and made a career-high 29 saves in a 2-1 victory on Saturday. On the weekend, he had a CCHA-best 0.98 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage.

Forward Elias Jansson scored the overtime game-winner on Friday. He finished the weekend with six shots on goal, the second-most on the team.

Read more hockey news at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Wednesday, Oct. 2
• Overwatch will be taking on Eastern Michigan University at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 3
• Call of Duty will face off against Rochester Institute of Technology 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.

Job Postings for Wednesday, Oct. 16, 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.

Food Service Helper (12 months/ part-time, no base/ shift varies) #24070RP, 24229, 24307, 24298, 24085, Dining Services (AFSCME posting dates Oct. 16 to Oct. 22, 2024 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Food Service Helper (nine months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #24299, 24297, 24302, Dining Services (AFSCME posting dates Oct. 16 to Oct. 22, 2024 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #24318, Facilities Management (AFSCME posting dates Oct. 16 to Oct. 22, 2024 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #24317, Facilities Management (AFSCME posting dates Oct. 16 to Oct. 22, 2024 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Head Golf Professional, Portage Lake Golf Course. 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.

Professor Jeff Allen and Ph.D. student Shahriar Alam from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) presented at the 246th meeting of the Electrochemical Society (ECS) in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Allen and Alam also participated in a meeting of the International Energy Agency (IEA) on the modeling of fuel cell systems for the IEA’s Task 37, which seeks to design and develop software for open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for use in fuel cell technology as well as promoting globally available resources for more effective modeling science.

Additionally, MAE Professor Greg Odegard is attending the 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy, where over six thousand space industry professionals and academics from the global community are meeting to affirm and promote a more sustainable and peaceful future for space exploration and resources.

Danielle Cyrus (FSO) and William Roberts (ADV) were quoted by WLUC TV6 in a story about Michigan Tech’s celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Husky Statue and Husky Plaza. The statue, unveiled in 2014, was made possible by a $100,000 donation from Dan and Joan Lorenzetti.

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WalletHub featured Professor Emeritus Barry Solomon (SS) in a Q&A about energy efficiency. Solomon shared insights on cost-effective, energy-efficient technologies for homes, common consumer mistakes when improving energy efficiency, and tips for energy-conscious individuals.

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The Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the University’s Keweenaw Research Center receiving the 2024 Jack Donnelly Award for Excellence in Counterintelligence.

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Visit Keweenaw mentioned Michigan Tech and the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts in a roundup of local Halloween events. The Rozsa Center will host “Manuel Cinema’s Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster” on Saturday, Oct. 19, along with the “IncredibleBank Monster Mash Party.” Additionally, MTU’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts partnered with the Quincy Mine Hoist Association to create the “Haunted Hoist House: Fears and Phobias” experience at the hoist house from Oct. 24-26.

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Michigan State University’s Center for Regional Food Systems mentioned Michigan Tech students in a story about the 2024 Upper Peninsula Food Distribution Symposium, held in Marquette on Sept. 24.

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The Daily Mining Gazette covered Michigan Tech hockey players Max Vayrynen and Elias Jansson being named CCHA Players of the Week. Vayrynen earned Goaltender of the Week honors, while Jansson was recognized as Rookie of the Week.

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Former Michigan Tech basketball player and assistant coach Ben Stelzer ’15 (B.S. Finance) was mentioned by The Daily Mining Gazette in a story about his appointment as assistant coach for the Santa Cruz Warriors. During Stelzer’s career with the Huskies, he finished as the program’s all-time leader in 3-pointers and was also named NCAA Division II All-American, Academic All-American and Midwest Region Player of the Year.

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The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about alumnus Russell Becker ’89 ’91 (B.S. M.S. Civil Engineering) being named the publication’s 2025 Executive of the Year.

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SME.org mentioned Michigan Tech alumna Amberlee Haselhuhn ’11 ’16 (B.S. Biomedical Engineering, B.S. M.S. Materials Science and Engineering) in a story about the 2024 Susan Smyth Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineers. Haselhuhn was recognized for her contributions to manufacturing, including innovations in materials and digital solutions aligned with U.S. Department of Defense priorities.

Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

Applications for Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. next Wednesday, 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.

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Register a Service Site for Make a Difference Day!

We are just one month away from our largest annual day of service — Make a Difference Day!

Last year, 501 Huskies gave back at 60 unique service sites across the Keweenaw. We anticipate a similar number of volunteers for this year’s event, which will take place on Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Do you know of an organization, agency or community member who is in need of assistance? We can help! Request support yourself by completing our site registration form or pass it on to others who would benefit from having some Husky Helpers.

Past activities completed by our volunteers include organizing donations, chopping wood, cleaning storage facilities, fall lawn cleanup, trail maintenance and more.

Thank you for helping to make a difference in our community!

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Husky Folio Lunch and Learn

Folio thinking encourages deeper thinking, self-assessment and growth through the practice of 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.

Join the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Essential Education program for a Lunch and Learn about the Husky Folio, a structured yet flexible way of collecting learning experiences and reflective activities and integrating them into portfolios. Participants will be able to see examples and practice folio thinking via the new platform PebblePad.

Event Details:

• What: Husky Folio Lunch and Learn presented by the CTL and Essential Education
• When: Tuesday, Oct. 22, from noon until 1 p.m.
• Where: MUB Alumni Lounge
• Registration: Register to attend (registration is required)

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National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and all members of the Michigan Tech community are encouraged to participate.

We all play an important part in fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone is recognized for their abilities. This year's NDEAM theme, "Access to Good Jobs for All," confirms the commitment to ensuring disabled workers have access to good jobs, every month of every year.

For specific ideas about how the Michigan Tech community can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy webpage. Suggestions range from putting up a poster to hosting a disability education program for your department.

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Cayuse Sponsored Projects User Training

The Sponsored Operations Office invites the campus community to participate in a Zoom session for users of the Cayuse Sponsored Projects software.

Two sessions will be offered:

• Proposal Approvers — Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 12-1 p.m
  Register for the Proposal Approvers Session

• Proposal Creators — Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 12-1 p.m.
  Register for the Proposal Creators Session

Zoom links will be emailed to those who register for a session.

The Proposal Approvers session is geared for those with a department or special teams approver role in Cayuse. We will highlight the steps for approving a proposal and managing your approvers, as well as provide reference to the available resources.

If you anticipate submitting externally funded proposals in the next year, consider attending the Proposal Creators session. This session is geared toward anyone who will be creating and certifying proposals in Cayuse. It will also cover the Conflict of Interest (COI) project-based disclosure certification process.

Additional information is available on our Cayuse Implementation webpage. Please reach out to Sponsored Operations at soo-l@mtu.edu with any questions.

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Call for Presenters: Planning and Paying for College Workshop for Local HS Students

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!

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The Lode Student Newspaper Mid-Semester Survey

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 Monday, Oct. 21.

Thank you for your support!

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Proposal Form and Requirements Document for Essential Education Courses

The Essential Education Steering Committee has finalized the following documents:

• Proposal Form: The Essential Education Proposal & List Change Form can be used to either propose a new course for one of the Essential Education course lists or to switch courses between lists.

• Requirements for Course Lists: The Requirements for Course Lists document provides a list of required and desirable elements for each Essential Ed course list.

The deadline to submit proposals has been extended to Oct. 25.

Google doc versions of the proposal form specific for new Michigan Tech courses and existing Michigan Tech courses are also provided to help you draft content for the proposal form; however,  please submit your proposals using the proposal form.

For questions, please contact Steve Patchin at shpatchi@mtu.edu.

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Earth Science Week at the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum

Join the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum in celebrating Earth Science Week, which began Sunday, Oct. 13, and continues through Saturday, Oct. 19. The museum is hosting various activities for all age ranges and discounts in the museum and the gift shop throughout the week.

• Wednesday, Oct. 16 — 10% off all fossils for Fossil Day. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

• Thursday, Oct. 17 — 10% off minerals and books. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

• Friday, Oct. 18 — One free postcard with a purchase of admission for Geologic Map Day. While supplies last.

• Saturday, Oct. 19 — Mini Scavenger Hunt for kids. Complete the scavenger hunt, then roll a die to see your prize. While supplies last.

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Accepting Proposals: SYP Visiting Instructor Program

Summer Youth Programs (SYP) is currently accepting proposals for our Visiting Instructor Program and we would greatly appreciate your help spreading the word!

The Visiting Instructor Program invites educators to propose their own SYP course for next summer. Educators will enjoy benefits including a salary of $920, up to $350 of reimbursement for travel expenses, on-campus lodging and a meal plan, and a student from their school or organization will also receive a scholarship to attend an SYP course.

Educators will also have the opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous Keweenaw Peninsula during their evenings.

Full details regarding proposal requirements and selection expectations can be found on the Summer Youth Programs website. Proposals are due Nov. 22 — and proposals for middle school level programming are especially encouraged!

If you have any questions regarding SYP or the Visiting Instructor Program, please contact us at syplogic@mtu.edu.

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 16, 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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Python Workshop

Wednesday, October 16, 5–6 p.m. | Rekhi 113

A free, in person, python workshop for beginners!

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SoundGirls General Meeting!

Wednesday, October 16, 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.

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Modern - Superior Wind Symphony

Wednesday, October 16, 7:30 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts

MICHIGAN TECH MUSIC SERIES EVENT Dancers, live painting, and music come together for an epic evening with the Superior Wind Symphony under the direction of Jana Meckler. The...