October 23, 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, Andrew Barnard, vice president for research, and Susan Janiszewski, director of the Michigan Tech Research Institute and research assistant professor of mathematics, present three pressing questions regarding the increasing importance of national security.

“Over the next decade, national security needs will rapidly expand in the areas of both physical security and cyber security,” they write. “This extends beyond just protecting the nation's military secrets, affecting areas such as food security, water security, industrial intellectual property security, climate resiliency, energy security, cybersecurity, civil infrastructure security and more. Protecting the interests of our nation means developing and protecting the best technology in all areas.”

Read their full article at Michigan Tech News.

Don’t forget! The nursing program at Michigan Tech, in partnership with UP Health System – Portage, is hosting a flu shot clinic tomorrow, Oct. 24. Nursing students will be administering flu shots to help keep our community healthy.

Event Details:

• What: On-Campus Flu Shot Clinic
• When: Thursday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: Rozsa Lobby

No appointment is needed — just walk in! Bring your insurance card (or a clear picture of both sides). Flu shots are $40 for those without insurance, payable by cash. Protect yourself and those around you this flu season!

Thank you to those who contributed to the 2025 update to Michigan Tech’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan! Both the initial survey in March and the draft review survey in September received feedback that was incorporated into the final plan submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) this fall.

All input matters and is important in order to create a continuously safer campus as new challenges develop. Facilities Management greatly appreciates your time and feedback throughout this update process.

On Friday, Oct. 18, the Van Pelt and Opie Library provided an incorrect link to a database. The correct link is included in the announcement below:

For a limited time, the Van Pelt and Opie Library is providing access to APA PsycTests. This American Psychological Association database contains psychological tests and measures (many unpublished), as well as descriptive information about each test and its development and administration. A wide range of instrument types, including batteries, questionnaires, rating scales and surveys, are also included. The database is updated monthly.

APA PsycTests will be available until Nov. 9. Please send any feedback to library@mtu.edu.

Join the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) every Thursday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Library 243 for casual conversation over your favorite beverage, where educators from across campus can come together to exchange ideas, thoughts and experiences related to teaching.

It’s an open, informal space to share strategies, learn from each other and collaborate — no agenda or presentations, just rich conversation! Come connect, relax and enjoy some time with colleagues.

This week we are focusing our discussion around “Providing Feedback.” Hope you can join us!

Join us for WIBIT Wednesday next week on Oct. 30! Registration for our next session opens today, Oct. 23, at 8 a.m.! Test your individual skills on the course or challenge your friend to a race across the obstacles.

Potential featured pieces include:

• The Step — This piece allows users to climb up onto the course.
• The Base — Users must make their way across a horizontal surface. Be careful how fast you move, as it can get slippery!
• The Cliff — Users must navigate either side of a slope using the handles and their balancing skills.
• V-Connect — Users must use limited footing space to navigate across the horizontal structure.
• The Bridge — Users must navigate up and over an arched structure without falling through.
• The Slope — Users must climb up a six-foot wall that leads to a slide into the pool water below!

Can’t make it? Come visit us next time! The next WIBIT Wednesday is Dec. 4 from 5-8 p.m. The combination will be Step, Bridge, Cliff, Slope.

For more information, visit Michigan Tech Recreation's WIBIT page.

The Graduate Student Government (GSG) is hosting a Halloween Party — join us for a Spooktacular Halloween Bash!

Event Details:

• What: GSG Halloween Party
• When: Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m.
• Where: Grad Commons
• Dress Code: Halloween-themed attire or colors (orange, black, purple and green).

Activities include a costume contest (prizes for winners!), campfire, Halloween-themed snacks/drinks, and the chance to strike a pose with our spooky decor!

Costume Contest Categories:

• Master of Disguise: Best overall
• Bone-Chilling: Spookiest look
• Wickedly Hilarious: Funniest costume

Don't miss out on a night of frightful fun! Check our flyer for more information.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to gsgsocial@mtu.edu.

Organized by the Graduate Student Government.

Please join the Department of Humanities (HU) and the Rhetoric, Theory and Culture (RTC) graduate program for a Brown Bag collaboration with Tim Keirnan, assistant teaching professor of humanities, and Liz Miller, director of the Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory (ACMAL) in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE).

The Brown Bag will take place on Nov. 8 at noon in the Petersen Library, Walker 318.

Keirnan and Miller will present a case study of collaboration between HU and MSE. The ACMAL is piloting a new software application, Facility Online Manager (FOM), that will help facilities across MTU manage their equipment and lab spaces to better serve students, faculty and staff. In cooperation with Professor Jenni Nance and her HU3121 students, Keirnan wrote FOM user guides for both students and lab supervisors. Nance and her students will appear during the presentation to lend their perspective on the combination of service work and student projects for MTU’s Scientific and Technical Communication program. Keirnan and Miller are currently collaborating on the navigation and user experience (UX) writing of the new FOM website, to be rolled out to the University in the near future, and will discuss future collaborations to measure and enhance the customer experience of AMCAL for its users.

Michelle Tomasik from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will present at this week's Physics Colloquium.

Tomasik's presentation is titled "Teaching and Research in Introductory Physics Classes at MIT."

The seminar will be presented in person from 4-4:50 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, in Fisher 139.

From the abstract:
Teaching Enabled Active Learning (TEAL) has been a 20+ year experiment in teaching introductory physics to the majority of MIT undergraduates. In this talk, I will give you some of the history of our class and discuss its current incarnation. I will also discuss some of the recent education research and iterative design projects that have been inspired by the needs of the class, everything from attempting to adapt a belonging intervention to the MIT context to best practices for electronic team grading of exams.

Please join the Center for Innovation in Sustainability and Resilience (CISR) for the CISR research talk on Nov. 11 at noon in Library 103 or on Zoom.

The research presentation and discussion will be led by Chee-Wooi Ten, professor of electrical and computer engineering, Power Systems Engineering Research Center (PSERC) site director, director of the Institute of Computing and Cybersystems’ Center for Cyber-Physical Systems (ICC CPS), and Fall 2024 CISR Faculty Fellow.

Ten is leading research projects and development opportunities to build a more sustainable and resilient electrical energy system for Michigan Tech and the Western Upper Peninsula. This work involves complex systems engineering, integration of domains such as efficiency and vehicle electrification, and partnerships with campus and community stakeholders. In this talk and discussion, Ten will share more about some of his current work and reflect on the opportunities for integrated partnerships that can advance a more sustainable and resilient electrical energy system for the campus and the region.

Add the event to your Google Calendar. 

The next Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Graduate Seminar Speaker will present at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 24, in MEEM 112.

Jon Rogers will present “National Laboratory and Professional Society Perspectives.”

Rogers has worked on a variety of studies, including advanced manufacturing, the impact of technology on the economy, and many studies involving the weapons program and underground facilities. He retired from Sandia National Laboratories in November 2023 but continues to support the lab as a consultant.

Job Postings for Wednesday, Oct. 23, 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.

System Engineer, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering – APS LABS. Apply online.

Research Engineer I, Materials Science and Engineering – Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory (ACMAL). 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.

Gord Paterson (BioSci/GLRC) will present at the 45th Annual Conference of the Society of Environmental Toxicology in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Paterson will be presenting research titled “An Epigenetic Evaluation of Toxicity Responses in Two Salmonids at a Mine Tailing Impacted Spawning Reef.”

This presentation is a summary of thesis research by lead author and recent Department of Biological Sciences M.S. graduate John McCall ’24 investigating stamp sand toxicity at Lake Superior's Buffalo Reef.

Kristin Brzeski (CFRES) is a co-author on the presentation.

EIN Presswire mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the successful completion of the first-ever lunar road built in a simulated space environment. The project, a collaboration between SpaceFactory and MTU, demonstrated the use of lunar regolith and innovative material to construct a durable road in a vacuum.

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SciTechDaily mentioned Xiaojie Wang (Physics) in a story about research from the HAWC observatory revealing that microquasars within the Milky Way can emit extremely high-energy gamma rays. Wang and fellow researchers were the first to observe these emissions.

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The Fox Cities Chamber and Broadway World mentioned Michigan Tech alumna Sharon Pickering-Polzin (B.S. Business Administration) in stories about her appointment as chief financial officer of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.

CISR Research Talk with John van de Lindt

Please join the Center for Innovation in Sustainability and Resilience (CISR) for a virtual research talk on Monday, Oct. 28, at noon on Zoom with John van de Lindt: “Improving Community Resilience using IN-CORE.”

Join the CISR Research Talk on Zoom.

Van de Lindt is the Harold H. Short Endowed Professor of Structural Engineering at Colorado State University and co-director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-funded Center of Excellence for Risk-Based Community Resilience Planning. This center has developed IN-CORE, a platform that models the impact of natural hazards on communities for risk-based community resilience planning. The presentation will provide an overview of IN-CORE, including the science behind measuring community resilience, and several examples of improving community resilience through retrofits and/or policies. At the end, the community web applications developed for community partnerships and a video showcasing a soon-to-be-released IN-CORE Studio for users will be shown.

Add this event to your Google Calendar — we look forward to seeing you on Zoom for this virtual research talk!

Prior to joining CSU, van de Lindt began his career at Michigan Tech as an assistant professor from 2000-04. Over the last two decades, his research program has focused on performance-based engineering and test bed applications of buildings and other systems for floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes and earthquakes.

Van de Lindt has published more than 450 technical articles and reports and currently serves on a number of journal editorial boards, including as the editor-in-chief for the ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering.

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Join Mind Trekkers at the OneUP Copper Trail Festival!

The Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers, UP Michigan Works! and MiSTEM Network invite you to participate in the 2024 OneUP Copper Trail Festival on Dec. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Varsity Gym at Michigan Tech's Student Development Complex (SDC). This event is offered at no cost to schools or exhibitors, and will inspire hundreds of students from the Western Upper Peninsula through the exploration of educational and career pathways.

University departments, student organizations and Enterprise teams are invited to host hands-on STEM-related activities that showcase their work. If you do not have an activity on hand, but have individuals who will volunteer their time, you can request to borrow a Mind Trekkers demonstration and we will supply all materials necessary. There are also additional volunteer opportunities available for those who would like to participate, but are unable to exhibit!

To learn more about this event and register your organization, please visit the 2024 OneUP Copper Trail Festival website. Registration is required by Nov. 25.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at mindtrekkers@mtu.edu.

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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. 24:

• Char Siu Pork Loin (AG)
• Thai Basil Tofu (VG) (PR)
• Asian Vegetable Stir Fry (VG)
• Vegetable Spring Roll
• Asian Salad (VG)
• Basmati Rice (VG) (AG)

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.

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 23, 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...

Handling Informed Consent With Research Participants

Wednesday, October 23, 12–1 p.m.

The Human Research Protection Program is presenting an information session on how to handle informed consent. It will run from 12:00-1:00pm on Wednesday October 23. ...

Social Sciences Brown Bag with Dr. Sarah Surface-Evans: 'Exploring Heritage Laws and Careers in Archaeology'

Wednesday, October 23, 12:00–1:30 p.m. | Academic Office Building (AOB), 201

Abstract: Careers in preservation and heritage work are booming. Learn about the federal laws that created the Cultural Resource Management Industry and the many career paths...

Café Français - French Conversation Hour

Wednesday, October 23, 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...

Copper Country Robotics General Meeting

Wednesday, October 23, 5–6 p.m. | Fisher 133

Copper Country Robotics will be meeting regularly on alternating weeks on Wednesday at 5PM in Fisher 133 (starting on 9/25/2024). This general meeting is open to all current...

Python Workshop

Wednesday, October 23, 5–6 p.m. | Rekhi 113

A free, in person, python workshop for beginners!

SoundGirls General Meeting!

Wednesday, October 23, 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.

Open Mic!

Wednesday, October 23, 6–7 p.m. | Walker 107 - Writing Center

The Creative Writing Club and The Writing Center are hosting an Open Mic Night on Weds. October 23rd from 6-7pm in the Writing Center (107 Walker). Bring your poetry, prose,...