October 31, 2024

A bored researcher, boxes of left-behind Husky homework and the painstakingly documented entomology specimens of a 1960s faculty member. Together, they formed the chrysalis for the Michigan Tech Insect Collection: a University first with transformative potential for those studying the ecology and environment of our region.

At 10,000 specimens and counting, the digitized insect collection is relatively small in both size and scope. But its value is huge because it offers a unique historical perspective of the region that can’t be found anywhere else.

Learn more about the collection’s curation, management and significance on Michigan Tech's Unscripted Research Blog.

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved wife, Briana (Bre) Wakeham. She passed away peacefully on Oct. 19 in Calumet, surrounded by loved ones, due to metastatic colon cancer.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. in the lobby of the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts on Michigan Tech's campus in Houghton. We welcome students, colleagues and community members to attend.

Briana earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication and Media Studies from Michigan Tech in 2013. As a student, Bre served as a deskie, resident assistant, writing coach, and ExSel mentor. She also studied abroad in London as part of her undergraduate experience. Bre continued on to her graduate studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania to earn her Master of Business Administration in Student Affairs in Higher Education in 2016.

Bre returned to Houghton directly following graduate school to start her career. She was impactful in all of her professional roles with Michigan Tech — in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the Enterprise Program, the Department of Social Sciences, and the Office of Sustainability and Resilience.

Throughout her career, Bre was passionate about impacting the lives of Tech students and giving them her all in everything she did. She was a long-standing advisor to the Black Student Association (BSA), which subsequently earned her the 2020 Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award. Her mentorship and encouragement to countless students will be a lasting part of her Michigan Tech legacy. Bre was an enthusiastic colleague, fun-loving friend and cherished community member.

Contributions can be made to the Briana Wakeham Medical Fund through Breakwater Federal Credit Union at 700 E. Sharon Ave., Houghton, MI 49931, 906-482-5005.

Read Briana’s full obituary and leave a memory and/or cherished photo on her tribute page.

Human Resources recommends All Michigan Tech employees review the following personal information items each year to ensure they are up to date.

Addresses
Make sure your mailing address is current by visiting the Personal Information tab in Banweb. A current address is important for any University communications, including tax documents like W-2s and 1095-Cs.

Emergency Contacts
To view or update your emergency contact information, visit the Personal Information tab in Banweb.

Federal W-4 Tax Exemptions
To view or update your W-4 tax exemptions, visit the Employees tab in Banweb. You will find the W-4 information under Tax Forms.

that thing between my teeth is my foot — Open through Nov. 2
Professional Art Exhibition
Rozsa Galleries A-Space
Michigan Tech Art Series

Douglas Degges is presenting two parallel artistic explorations in the Rozsa A-Space Gallery. Since the fall of 2019, Degges has been creating a series of intriguing abstract paintings based on cell phone photos from his family in Louisiana in a group text. This project explores shared visual experiences and affirms the concept of home as immaterial and held within oneself. Alongside these paintings are a series of abstract sculptures that Degges collaborated on with his wonderful canine companion, Cricket.

The gallery exhibition is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-8 p.m. on Saturday. This event is free and open to the public.

Looking Ahead: The Journey: Fall Student Art Showcase gallery opening is Nov. 22, with an artist reception closing out the exhibit on Dec. 3 from 5-7 p.m.

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41 North Film Festival — Nov. 7-10
Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts
Hosted by 41 North Film Festival

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 41 North Film Festival showcases award-winning independent films and filmmakers from around the region, country and world. Its mission is to provide Michigan Tech students and the surrounding community with an opportunity to see new films, as well as interact with filmmakers, producers and other industry professionals about the art and business of cinematic storytelling.

A few highlights during the four-day festival:

• “Agent of Happiness” — Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
• “There's a Star” — Nov. 8 at 5 p.m.
• “Eno” — Nov. 9 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (the 3:30 p.m. screening will include a Q&A with film director Gary Hustwit and creative technologist Brendan Dawes)
• “Bad River” — Nov. 10 at 1 p.m.

All films are free and open to the public. View the full schedule.

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The Glass Menagerie — Nov. 13-16
McArdle Theatre
Michigan Tech Theatre Series

Michigan Tech Theatre performs their first play of the 2024/25 Season with “The Glass Menagerie” written by Tennessee Williams and directed by visiting assistant teaching professor and seasoned director, Nich Radcliffe (VPA). This largely autobiographical play catapulted Williams to Broadway fame! Narrated by the character Tom (Williams’ real name), it follows his family's struggle to find their place in an ever-changing world. This intimate play examines our universal struggle with memory, the weight of dreams and the expectations of others. Get Tickets.

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Annual Home for the Holidays Gift Market — Nov. 30
Rozsa Lobby
Hosted by the Rozsa

The annual holiday tradition returns to the Rozsa Lobby on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30! Gather your family for a wonderful day at this annual holiday gift market, featuring high-quality, handcrafted, locally sourced items to decorate your home or give as the perfect gifts to your loved ones.

Young Americans for Freedom at Michigan Tech invites campus and Keweenaw community members to participate in our second annual Military Care Package Drive. The drive begins Saturday, Nov. 2, and runs to Nov. 16. It will send care packages containing food, hygiene products and entertainment items, as well as handmade letters and artwork, to deployed service members. We aim to bring hope, joy and the comforts of home to deployed troops throughout the holiday season.

You can contribute by:

• Donating items from our list, hand-writing letters, or making artwork. Drop-off locations are:
  • Matt’s Auto Body and Glass — 47170 Highway M-26, Atlantic Mine
  • Superior Family Chiropractic — 41950 Wilson Memorial Dr., Chassell
  • Sunflower Books and Coffee — 528 Quincy St., Hancock
  • Pat’s Foods — 801 Market St., Hancock
  • Van Pelt and Opie Library — Michigan Tech
  • Email amleagje@mtu.edu for a large pickup.
• Donating to our Liberty and Freedom Fund. Money raised will support shipping costs and purchasing additional goods.
• Purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List.
• Sharing the address of your deployed family member or friend to our ShipThrifty account so we can send them a package.
• Following our Instagram and Facebook for updates.
• Getting your business involved by donating money, a product you sell, or letters from your employees. Donors will be recognized in a recap email to the community.

If you are interested in working with us to help support our troops, please contact us at amleagje@mtu.edu for additional information or with questions. We would love to share more information with you, and meet either virtually or in person.

Thank you for your support, and let's make this drive a success together, supporting those who risk their lives for our freedom, and thanking them for their service.

The next Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, in GLRC 202.

Alden Adolph, assistant professor, Department of Engineering Fundamentals and Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Michigan Technological University, will present "Quantifying the Impact of Liquid Water on Snow Albedo for Improved Climate Modeling."

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

An Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI) Seminar will take place on Monday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. in M&M U113.

Guest speaker Gerald Feldman, professor at George Washington University, will talk on "Establishing a Collaborative Student-Centered Learning Environment using the SCALE-UP Pedagogy."

Read Feldman's abstract and bio at the EPSSI's Fall 2024 Seminar Series page.

Michigan Tech volleyball has begun the season's final home stand.

The Huskies fell in five sets to Northern Michigan at the SDC Gym yesterday, Oct. 30. Parkside will travel to Houghton for a 5 p.m. match tomorrow, Nov. 1. And Tech will take on Purdue Northwest at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Kaycee Meiners, Riley Stichter, Ashley L'Esperance and Abbi Perkins will be honored on Saturday for Senior Day.

Watch MTU volleyball on FloSports (subscription required — a discount is available for students).

Read the volleyball preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech football team is taking to the road for a tilt with first-year Division II and GLIAC affiliate Roosevelt. The match is slated for a 2 p.m. kickoff at Morris Field on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Saturday's game will be streamed on FloSports (subscription required — a discount is available for students).

Read the football preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech women's basketball team was predicted to finish fifth in the 2024-25 GLIAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll.

In the same release, the conference announced that Huskies guard Isabella Lenz was tabbed to make the GLIAC First Team, an accolade she received a season ago.

Grand Valley State was the unanimous preseason favorite, earning 10 first-place votes and 100 points. Ferris State earned one first-place vote and 83 points for second. Northern Michigan (75 points) and Parkside (71 points) were picked third and fourth, with Michigan Tech fifth.

Read about Tech's returning players at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Michigan Tech hockey will open its CCHA schedule this weekend against Northern Michigan.

The Huskies and Wildcats will meet at the Berry Events Center at 7:07 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 1. The series will wrap up at 6:07 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

Friday's game will be televised locally on TV6, with Saturday's game shifting to FOX-UP. Fans can also listen to Michigan Tech hockey live on the radio at Mix 93.5 WKMJ-FM or online at TheMix93.com or Pasty.net.

Watch MTU hockey on Midco Sports Plus 2 (subscription required).

Read the hockey preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Job Posting for Thursday, Oct. 31, 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.

Rozsa Marketing Manager, Rozsa Center for Performing Arts. 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.

Nathan Manser (GMES) was quoted by Bridge Michigan in a story highlighting the renewed interest in copper and nickel mining in the Upper Peninsula, driven by the demand for materials needed in electric vehicle batteries and other renewable technologies. Manser shared insights into the region’s historical mining legacy and the potential for new developments as part of the global energy transition.

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Washington’s Northwest Prime Time quoted Professor Emeritus Barry Solomon (SS) in a story about Washington being ranked the most energy-efficient state in 2024. In the article, Solomon provided insights on cost-effective energy-efficient home improvements.

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Freight Waves mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about $2.4 billion in grants awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration. MTU was listed as a partner on a $14.5 million grant awarded to the University of Delaware for a Center for Hands-On Training and Learning to educate the next generation of railroad technical professionals. The center is intended to utilize the High Tonnage Loop — a 2.7-mile track at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado, used primarily to study long-term wear on train components and rail infrastructure.

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Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast featured alum Andrew Halonen ’95 (B.S. Mechanical Engineering) on its Oct. 22 episode, titled “Re-Evaluating the Value of AI for Manufacturing.” Halonen discussed the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the manufacturing industry and shared insights on how AmatriumGPT, his AI-powered tool, helps companies like Waupaca Foundry streamline data usage and improve marketing efforts.

MTTI General Meeting and Luncheon: Open to All Community Researchers

Join the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI) for a general members and friends luncheon on Nov. 11 from 12-1 p.m. in Ballroom B1 of the Memorial Union Building.

We welcome all researchers on campus to join us to learn more about the institute and our services, and for a chance to meet our members — many of whom may have research topics in common with yours.

We kindly ask that you RSVP by Nov. 5 for the luncheon count.

The meeting will also be available via Zoom.

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UP Health System Blood Drive Tomorrow

The Society of Medical Lab Scientists (SMLS) is hosting a blood drive tomorrow, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the DHH Ballroom.

All blood donated stays in the Upper Peninsula. You will complete a mini physical and donor history questionnaire prior to donation. Walk-ins are also welcome. Please consider donating and help save a life!

Sign up to donate on SignUpGenius.

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Physics Colloquium with Neerav Kaushal '22

Physics alumnus Neerav Kaushal ’22 (Ph.D. Applied Physics) of Flagship Pioneering will present at the Physics Colloquium this week. The seminar will be at 4 p.m. today, Oct. 31, in Fisher 139.

Kaushal's presentation is titled "Machine Learning in Drug Discovery."

Michigan Tech’s Chemistry and Biological Sciences departments are encouraged to attend.

Read Kaushal's abstract and bio at the University Events Calendar.

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Today's C-Cubed Luncheon Menu

Carved and Crafted Catering at Michigan Technological University invites you to join the C-Cubed Luncheon, 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. 31:

• Barbecue Beef Brisket
• Chimichurri Charred Cauliflower (VG) (AG)
• Macaroni & Cheese (V) (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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Halloween at the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum

Happy Halloween! Today, Oct. 31, on Halloween, all orange, green and red minerals will be 15% off* at the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum!

From ghoulish green malachite to ominous orange-red carnelian, the gift shop has plenty of treats to choose from.

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BioMed Seminar Series Speaker: David A. Steinman

The next guest speaker in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BioMed) Seminar Series will present tomorrow, Nov. 1, at 3 p.m. in person in ChemSci 102 and virtually via Zoom.

Join the BioMed Seminar on Zoom.

David A. Steinman from the University of Toronto will present "Sensing a Disturbance in the Force: Flow-induced Vibrations and Sounds in the Cerebrovasculature."

Read Steinman's abstract and bio at the University Events Calendar.

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GSG Halloween Party Tonight!

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.

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MAE Graduate Seminar Speaker: James Gibert

The next Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Graduate Seminar Speaker will present at 4 p.m. today, Oct. 31, in MEEM 112.

James Gibert will present “Mechanical Metamaterials Seeking Synergy Dynamic Performance and Sensing through Configuration, Composition and Programmability.”

Gibert’s research lies at the intersection of dynamics, smart materials and manufacturing. His work is supported by organizations ranging from the National Science Foundation, the Army Research Lab, John Deere Inc. and Wabash International to the International Safe Transit Association.

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MSE Seminar with Amit Shyam '02

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by Amit Shyam, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, from 1-2 p.m. today, Oct. 31, in M&M 610.

Shyam will present “Design of Creep Resistant Aluminum Alloys.”

From the abstract:
A variety of applications demand lightweight aluminum alloys that are creep resistant in the 250-450°C temperature range. Two recent developments in the design of creep resistant aluminum alloys will be described in this presentation. The first development is associated with design of creep resistant cast aluminum alloys. Cast AlCuMnZr (ACMZ) alloys with stabilized θ′-Al2Cu phase microstructures have been gaining interest in recent years. ACMZ alloys have improved tensile response due to strengthening of grain bulk to 350°C by θ′ enriched microstructures but their creep response at low to intermediate stresses is demonstrated to be controlled by grain boundary microstructures. We will present an alloy design strategy wherein coarsening resistant Co, Ni and Fe rich phases in the grain boundary region impede grain boundary sliding at 300°C. The resulting Co-, Ni- and Fe- containing ACMZ alloys are among the most creep resistant cast aluminum alloys reported. The second development is associated with design of creep resistant additively manufactured aluminum alloys. A specific new composition in AlCeNiMnZr alloy with thermally stable microstructure and high-volume fraction of dispersoids with exceptional creep resistance to 400°C will be presented. In situ neutron diffraction experiments demonstrate that Orowan strengthening from dispersoids determines the creep resistance of the alloy. The two recent developments underline opportunities for modifying bulk and interfacial microstructures of aluminum alloys in order to enhance their creep resistance.

Shyam is distinguished R&D staff member and group leader of the Alloy Behavior and Design Group within the Materials Science and Technology Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). He received an undergraduate degree in metallurgical and materials engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur in 1997 and a doctorate in materials science and engineering from Michigan Technological University in 2002. From 2002 to 2004, he was a joint postdoc at the University of Michigan and Ford Research Laboratories.

Shyam joined ORNL in 2004 as a postdoctoral researcher. His current research interests include mechanical behavior of materials and design of alloys for structural applications. He has published extensively in international journals in these areas.

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

Thursday, October 31, 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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Journey Beyond Graduation: Alumni Tips on CPT, OPT & Professional Growth

Thursday, October 31, 12–1 p.m.

Join Dr. Neerav Kaushal member of ICC and Michigan Tech alumni as he answers questions about CPT, OPT and beyond. Hosted by Graduate Student Government, Professional...

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University Senate Meeting

Thursday, October 31, 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, 102

Agendas available on the Senate website. Meetings every Thursday except during academic breaks.

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Halloween Health Hut

Thursday, October 31, 2–5 p.m. | Library Exhibition Table

Well-Being Advocates will be hosting our first Health Hut of the semester! Come check us out and get some resources for on campus and help with stress surrounding voting. We...

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Huskies Swim Training - Session 2

Thursday, October 31, 4–5 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Huskies Swim Training is a program that provides additional attention and competitive guidance to advanced swimmers looking to focus on stroke technique and...

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Physics Colloquium with Neerav Kaushal

Thursday, October 31, 4:00–4:50 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 139

Dr. Neerav Kaushal, a deep learning scientist at Flagship Pioneering in Boston, MA, will present at this week's Physics Colloquium. Kaushal's presentation is titled "Machine...

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Python Workshop

Thursday, October 31, 5–6 p.m. | Rekhi 113

A free, in person, python workshop for beginners!

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Learn to Swim Levels 1-5 - Session 2

Thursday, October 31, 5:10–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash in Huskies Group Swim Lessons! American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-5 are being offered at the SDC Pool. Ages 6-17 years Space will be provided for...

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SoundGirls Presents: Halloween Karaoke!

Thursday, October 31, 7–8 p.m. | Walker 210

Come on down to Walker 210 to sing some karaoke with your favorite SoundGhouls! All are invited to come.

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Worship Ambiance

Thursday, October 31, 7:00–8:30 p.m. | Wadsworth Hall

Experience the atmosphere of worship, our bi-weekly gathering for believers and those who yearn to have a deeper relationship with God, deepening their understanding of Jesus...