December 9, 2024

Michigan Technological University will honor more than 400 graduates at its 2024 Midyear Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 10:30 a.m. in the Varsity Gym of the Student Development Complex (SDC).

The combined undergraduate and graduate ceremony will feature two student addresses.

Mehnaz Tabassum '23, a Ph.D. alumna and assistant teaching professor at Wichita State University, will reflect on her time at Michigan Tech. Originally from Kushtia, Bangladesh, Tabassum earned her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2023, focusing on vehicular communication. Read more about Tabassum’s journey to commencement on the College of Engineering blog.

Aliyah Maxwell-Abrams, a senior in civil engineering with a focus on renewable energy, is also set to speak. On the road to graduation, Maxwell-Abrams left their mark on the Tech community, just as the Tech community left a lasting impression on them. This week, they will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a minor in mathematics. Read more about Maxwell-Abrams’ journey to commencement on the College of Engineering blog.

Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for ticketed guests. Parking is available in Lot 22 near the SDC and Lot 24 near the football field. The ceremony will be livestreamed and recorded.

Learn more at Michigan Tech News.

The Health Research Institute (HRI) at Michigan Tech is pleased to announce the winners of the poster and oral presentation sessions from our annual Student Research Forum, which was held on Nov. 20. Congratulations to the following:

Poster Session:

• First Place — Taravat Sarvari, Chemical Engineering
• Second — Grace Dykstra, Chemical Engineering
• Third — Natalia Krakhaleva, Chemical Engineering

Oral Presentations:

• First Place — Ahmad Bshennaty, Biomedical Engineering
• Second Place — Kamand Sedaghatnia, Chemistry
• Third Place — Victoria Santillan, Biomedical Engineering

For more information on the Institute, please visit the HRI website.

Session proposals are now being accepted for the 2025 Upper Peninsula Teaching and Learning Conference, which will be hosted by Michigan Technological University on May 8-9.

Presenters are encouraged to submit proposals for 25- or 50-minute sessions or poster presentations to be held on May 9.

We are also encouraging presenters to consider proposals for 75-minute preconference sessions during the afternoon on May 8. Accepted presenters for these sessions will receive an honorarium, covered conference registration fees and reimbursed travel expenses.

The four chosen tracks for this conference are:

• AI in Education:
  Explore the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and other machine learning applications to enhance the teaching and learning process. Topics may include leveraging AI for course design optimization, AI-driven student tutoring (such as custom GPT systems), and AI-assisted grading and feedback systems. Presenters might also explore AI’s role in adaptive learning technologies and predictive analytics for student success.

• Inclusive Teaching:
  Learn about strategies and tools for creating more inclusive learning environments. Topics may include the accessibility of course materials, universal design for learning (UDL) strategies, and the use of education technology (edtech) tools that help ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed. Presenters can highlight practices that promote equity, remove barriers and enhance the overall student experience for learners from diverse backgrounds and abilities.

• Active Learning and Student Engagement:
  Learn about strategies and tools that foster active participation in face-to-face and online environments. Topic areas may include active learning techniques, like interactive lectures, or team-based and problem-based learning. Additional strategies like case studies, peer teaching and the flipped classroom model are also appropriate. Presenters may also highlight digital tools that encourage collaboration, real-time feedback and dynamic student participation in diverse learning settings.

• Innovative Strategies in Education:
  Discover forward-thinking teaching practices and pedagogical approaches designed to enhance learning. Topics may include mastery-based learning, the use of learning portfolios, gamification and the integration of emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality. Presenters may showcase strategies that support improved learning outcomes and foster critical thinking in all teaching modalities.

To complete a submission, please visit the UP-TLC proposal submission form. The submission deadline is March 2. Presenters will be notified about their proposal status in March.

Any questions may be directed to uptlc@mtu.edu.

The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum’s annual 15% Off* Holiday Sale continues through December 21st!

The gift shop includes many beautiful and unique gifts: mineral decor, various mineral lamps, agate bookends, stone dishware, jewelry and much more!

The museum gallery and gift shop are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Exclusions apply. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

Beginning Jan. 6, 2025, Husky Eats and the Memorial Union Building will transition to a more sustainable advertising option by offering digital advertising within our spaces instead of printed table tents. This change reflects our commitment to sustainability while fostering a welcoming and positive dining environment for all students. We appreciate your cooperation and support as we implement this new approach.

Digital displays are a low-cost advertising method to reach a large number of students, staff and faculty with announcements about current events for groups affiliated with Michigan Tech. Display use is intended for the promotion of individual events, not consecutive/routine marketing or solicitation and is at the discretion of Husky Eats. Digital display images must be approved by Husky Eats following the policy and steps posted on the Dining Services website.

As a part of continuously improving the culture of safety across campus, the Research Integrity Office is updating the laboratory inspection process. Laboratory safety inspections are required for all research spaces (teaching, instructional and non-research spaces not included).

The pre-inspection process will collect required documentation from each research laboratory manager (primary faculty/staff member responsible for the laboratory). Department safety liaisons will also be contacted and engaged throughout the process.

If you are the primary person responsible for a laboratory, please submit the following forms by Dec. 13. If you are unable to meet this deadline, please submit them as soon as possible.

• Hazard / Risk Assessment — Identify all hazards (required for each unique laboratory)
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) — Describe each hazard and procedures to safely operate and mitigate each hazard
• Training Documentation — Certification that all users have been properly trained on all necessary SOPs and laboratory equipment

This will ensure that all researchers and their staff are aware of all the hazards in their laboratories and have the tools and plan to mitigate them, and ensure they have the relevant training they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. These documents are required during unscheduled regulatory MIOSHA inspections.

Laboratory inspection scheduling will begin in January 2025 and be prioritized based on the submitted hazard/risk assessments. Thank you for being committed to keeping safety at the forefront of your research.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to labinspections@mtu.edu. Thank you!

Michigan Tech Theatre is thrilled to announce the cast for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” part of the Michigan Tech Theatre Series in the 2024/25 Rozsa Season. Director Nich Radcliffe has directed over 50 plays, operas and musicals in Chicago and across the United States; “Sweeney Todd” will be his first musical production at Michigan Tech.

Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” premieres on the Rozsa stage from April 10-12, with nightly performances at 7:30 p.m. This thrilling and dark musical tells the tale of a barber driven to madness by injustice. It’s filled with unforgettable songs and shocking twists.

Accompanied by the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, the production features a talented cast of community members and Michigan Tech students:

• Sweeney Todd — Soren Schmidt
• Mrs. Lovett — Sarah Hayes
• Judge — Charlie Wallace
• Johanna — Katherine Rauscher
• Beggar Woman — Kate van Susante
• Pirelli — Erin Kauppila
• Anthony — Sebastian Dash
• Beadle — Nick Lieffers
• Tobias — Bradley Maycroft
• Ensemble — Oliver Anderson, Michael Aubin, Madeline Carey, Alex Dannels, Preston Dibean, Becca Feber, Clarissa Gordon, Brock Maloney, Bria Neves, Cassidy Olivastri, Molly Pelkey and Jasmine Schutt.

“Mrs. Lovett has always been a bucket list role for me and I'm so thrilled to have this opportunity! It's exciting to see the students, faculty and community work together to create the magic of this show,” said Hayes. “Plus, I get to be directed by my husband (Radcliffe) for the first time, which makes this even more special.”

“I am both excited and grateful for this experience and to portray Sweeney,” said Schmidt. “The dramatics and complex Sondheim music involved in ‘Sweeney Todd’ are dark and yet masterfully magnificent. This ensemble, directors, stage and lighting crew, all within such a beautiful performance hall, are something to experience. I hope those attending can see, hear and feel the palpable, cohesive harmony of a group performing for the love of the performance. Enjoy — attend the tale.”

SWEENEY TODD is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All Authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
http://www.mtishows.com

Tickets:
Pay As You’re Able Tickets for this event are available online or in person at the Rozsa Box Office. This event is eligible for Michigan Tech Student Rush Tickets.

Production Details:

• What: “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” a Musical Thriller
• When: Thursday-Saturday, April 10-12, at 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts

The Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Department is pleased to invite the University community to attend the fall 2024 senior design team presentations. This semester, students have undertaken a wide range of projects to fulfill the Department’s senior design requirement.

The presentations will be given Friday (December 13) from 8 a.m. to noon in DOW 641 or on Zoom.

Michigan Department of Transportation invites innovative and experienced firms to submit proposals for the design and engineering of two crucial infrastructure projects: the M-26 Mass City Roadway and the M-123 Paradise Reconstruction. These projects are vital components in addressing both regional transportation and environmental challenges, while also improving the quality of life and sustainability in these communities.

Find more info on the CEGE Senior Design Colloquium and see the event poster on the CEGE Undergraduate Advising Blog.

Are you interested in taking your idea, technology, or process commercial? Entrepreneurially minded faculty, staff, graduate & undergraduate students, alumni, and local community teams are invited to attend the Great Lakes Region Hub National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Program hosted at Michigan Tech.

Course Description
The NSF I-Corps lean startup program spans six weeks. Using the scientific process, customer discovery, and the business model canvas, teams will work to validate key business hypotheses and develop a scalable business model.

Course Benefits
Upon completion of the workshop and the customer discovery interviews (20), you or your team may be eligible for a mini-grant of up to $1,000 for continued customer discovery.

Team with deep technology who complete the program may become eligible for the NSF I-Corps National Team Program and a $50,000 grant. Participation in the workshop can lead to qualification for research and other funding from several granting agencies, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and various state and regional programs.

Past participants have reported that they saved time and money by better understanding potential applications of their technology and improved their ability to receive add-on funding.

Register to participate by Jan. 13, 2025.

Our spring cohort will meet online via Zoom on the following dates:

• Jan. 13-20: Pre I-Corps team meetings/orientation
• Jan. 27: Workshop 1 Kick-off
• Feb. 3: Workshop 2
• Feb. 10: No meeting, continue customer discovery, meet with mentor
• Feb. 17: Workshop 3
• Feb. 24: Skip (Spring Break)
• Mar. 3: Workshop 4
• Mar. 5: Workshop 5  (Wrap-Up)

Five players reached double-figure scoring as the Michigan Tech men's basketball team rolled Parkside 80-54 to secure its third-straight win at the SDC Gymnasium on Thursday evening.

The Huskies improve to 5-3 and 1-0 in GLIAC play, its best start since the 21-22 season, while the Rangers fall to 2-5 overall and 0-1 in the loop.

Overall, the Black & Gold shot a scorching 60 percent from the field (30-for-50), including nine 3-pointers, with junior forward Dawson Nordgaard pacing the offense with a team-high 14 points, also tying the team lead with four rebounds. Junior Marcus Tomashek, senior Pete Calcaterra and first-year guard Ty Fernholz each added 12 points, respectively. Veteran guard Adam Hobson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points on four-for-five from the field in 16 minutes of action.

"We're coming out pretty focused defensively and we're using that to fuel our offense," said Tech men's basketball head coach Josh Buettner. "Our inside game has been really good which we haven't had as much of the last two years but now being able to throw it down low is opening up many other things. The balance right now is huge and there will be games where we'll need Marcus but when we have nights when there's five guys in double-figures then we become really hard to guard."

Read more men's basketball news at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Three players hit double-figure scoring, with senior guard Isabella Lenz recording a career-high 25 points, although the Michigan Tech women's basketball team fell in overtime to Parkside (79-75) in its GLIAC opener at the SDC Gymnasium on Thursday.

"Obviously this one is disappointing," Tech women's basketball coach Sam Clayton said. "It's another game we thought we could've won. I think we had too many turnovers—when you look at statistics that's the biggest difference in the game. I think late game we didn't get into our stuff and Parkside made some big shots in overtime. I'm still proud of our girls and I think we're competing super hard—we just have to be able to turn the corner now."

Read more women's basketball news at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Michigan Tech’s Department of Psychology and Human Factors presented at the Psychonomic Society Meeting and the Judgment and Decision Making Society Conference (Nov 21-Nov 25) in Times Square, New York City.

The Psychonomic Society meeting is the premier international meeting for Cognitive Psychologists attracting 2700 researchers from 40 countries.

“Investigating Concept Maps for Judgment of Learning Calibration" was one of only 300 talks and presented by Christopher Cischke (ECE) and Shane Mueller (CLS).

The Society for Judgment and Decision Making is the leading international meeting for academic decision research.

“Exploring Cognitive Explanation of the Planning Fallacy: Unpacking Individual and Group Planning Estimates” was presented by PhD student Anusha Kanaan (Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors) and Elizabeth Veinott (CLS).

Offshore Energy and Hydro Review mentioned Michigan Tech in stories about the U.S. Department of Energy’s $18 million investment in marine energy and offshore wind research. Michigan Tech received $598,800 to advance marine energy innovation as part of the initiative.

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USCHO.com interviewed Michigan Tech hockey goaltender Derek Mullahy for a story about his transition to the Huskies and his strong start in the CCHA. Mullahy discussed stepping into the role following Blake Pietila’s graduation, his improvement as a more athletic and composed goaltender, and his excitement to face new teams in the league. 

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The Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech’s Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) student organization in a story about their second annual military care package drive. YAF sent 68 care packages including over 350 letters to service members. The initiative was supported by local businesses, schools, and community organizations.

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WLUC TV6 mentioned researchers at Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center in a story about the economic impact of last winter’s below-average snowfall. GLRC researchers noted that ice cover on the Great Lakes was 25-30% below normal, with regional temperatures and snowfall levels significantly affected by a strong El Niño pattern.

Winter Holiday Payroll Schedule

All Campus Timekeepers: Below are the adjusted deadlines for the pay period of Dec. 8 through Dec. 21 (Bi-Weekly 26), being paid on Dec. 27. Please note that as department timekeeper, it is your responsibility to share this information with all employees in your department.

All web time approvers must have a designated proxy set up.

• Deduction Forms — due Thursday, Dec. 12, at noon
• Electronic Time Submissions — due Monday, Dec. 16, at noon
• Electronic Time Approvals — due Monday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m.
• Paper Timesheet Submissions — due Tuesday, Dec. 17, at noon

Seasonal Day Time Reporting Instructions:
Both hourly and exempt employees should use Earn Code 320 “Seasonal Day” for Dec. 26, 27 and 30 when completing their timesheets for the pay period of Dec. 22 through Jan. 4, 2025 (Bi-Weekly 01, 2025). This earn code will become available for use within the time reporting systems for Bi-Weekly 01. Employees who are using equal time off at a later date should also report those hours under Earn Code 320.

Important Notes:

• The last off-cycle and reallocation batch of the calendar year will take place concurrently with the Bi-Weekly 26 processing during the week of Dec. 16. Off-cycle and reallocations will post on Dec. 20, and the pay day for Bi-Weekly 26, 2024, will remain Dec. 27. There will not be an off-cycle or reallocation batch the week of Dec. 30 due to the New Year’s holidays.
• Status Forms and EPAF Submissions for Bi-Weekly 01, 2025, will be due Dec. 20.
• Regular payroll processing schedules will resume when we return to campus on Jan. 2, 2025.

Happy Holidays!
For instructions on how to set up a proxy, please visit the Quick Reference Guide for Approvers PDF.

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Deadline Approaching: Logo Competition for Art in Silico

Want to put your graphic design skills to the test?

Art in Silico, a computational art exhibition at MTU hosted yearly in April, is now accepting submissions for logos to represent the 2025 event. This competition is open to MTU students — and the winner will receive prize money!

Submissions are due by Sunday, Dec. 15, and must adhere to the guidelines on the Art in Silico website. Questions may be directed to silico-art-l@mtu.edu.

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Spring MTU Aquatics: Registration is Open!

Registration for spring 2025 Michigan Tech Aquatics programs is open!

Swimming programs are offered at the SDC for all ages and ability levels. We hope to see you at the pool!

• Adult Huskies Swim Training (ages 18 years and older)
• Adult Huskies Swim Lessons (ages 18 years and older)
• Huskies Group Swim Lessons Parent & Child Aquatics (ages 6 months to 3 years)
• Huskies Group Swim Lessons Preschool Aquatics (ages 4-5 years)
• Huskies Group Swim Lessons Learn to Swim Levels 1-5 (ages 6-17 years)
• Huskies Swim Training (ages 6-17 years)

Questions? Contact Aquatics Manager Annie Bengry at ambengry@mtu.edu or 906-487-2995.

If the class you are looking for is full, please fill out the waitlist form or contact Aquatics Manager Annie Bengry at ambengry@mtu.edu or 906-487-2995. We will try to add additional sections based on demand.

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Forestry Club Christmas Tree Sale

It's time for this year's Forestry Club Christmas Tree Sale! We will be hosting the sale tomorrow, Dec. 10, from 4-7 p.m. in Parking Lot 14 next to Walker Lawn. If you would like to preorder a tree, please use our Christmas Tree Preorder Form.

If you don't want preorder but would rather peruse, we hope to have plenty of unclaimed trees ready to be sold! We are also planning to offer $10 tabletop-sized "Charlie Brown" trees for faculty and students for the first time officially.

Also, we invite you to stop by to see the big Christmas tree we plan to put up in the CFRES atrium!

If you have any questions regarding the sale, please feel free to reach out to Max Combs at mecombs@mtu.edu or Tristan Walk at tkwalk@mtu.edu.

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

Hot Cocoa/Lemonade Handout

Monday, December 9, 1–3 p.m. | Fisher Rock Garden

Come join us and keep cool or warm (weather dependent) and learn about who Christ is in the Fisher Rock Garden

Lets Talk

Monday, December 9, 1–3 p.m. | CDI Basement

Let’s Talk allows students to have a brief conversation with an MTU counselor. This meeting is free, informal, & confidential for all students who would like to have a...

PhD Defense: Abdelrahman Ismail

Monday, December 9, 2:30–3:30 p.m. | Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, 101

Chemistry Advisor: Marina Tanasova TOWARDS DEVELOPING GLUT2 SPECIFIC PROBES FOR BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS Attend Virtually:...

Bi-Weekly General Club Meeting

Monday, December 9, 7–8 p.m. | Fisher Room 101

We have fun plant themed events! Join our discord to get more information!