February 10, 2025

Owen Armstrong came to Michigan Tech looking for community. As he found it, he also created a legacy of collaborative excellence through fraternity brotherhood and campus service that will last long after the Winter Carnival statues he helped build have melted.

Armstrong, an electrical engineering senior, has participated in Winter Carnival since his first year at Tech, when he began helping to build the month-long statues for Sigma Tau Gamma. Since his second year, he has also helped foster community between Blue Key and Greek Life.

“Winter Carnival is a Michigan Tech tradition, and its success relies on the collaboration between Greek organizations and Blue Key to make it truly special,” he said.

Read more about Armstrong’s Carnival experience at Stories from Husky Nation.

Hello MTU Researchers,

A quick heads-up: To maintain the quality of our proposals, the Sponsored Programs Office now submits a day early due to an increase in submissions and unstable sponsor systems.

Your final application is due by 7 a.m. the day before the sponsor deadline.

Also, please submit your final budget, justification and non-research documents for SPO/AOR review at least five business days before the sponsor deadline.

Best of luck with your proposals!

Sons and Daughters Scholarships
A reminder that Michigan Tech Employee Sons and Daughters Scholarships, valued at $100 each, are available for the 2025-26 academic year. Applicants must be children of Michigan Tech employees. The Sons and Daughters Scholarship application must be submitted by Feb. 28.

LeAnn Becia Family/AFSCME Scholarships
Two $250 LeAnn Becia Family/AFSCME Scholarships are available for 2025-26. Applicants must be the son, daughter or spouse of a current AFSCME Local 1166 member. The LeAnn Becia Family AFSCME Scholarship application must be submitted by Feb. 28.

Both scholarships require applicants to be either full-time Michigan Tech undergraduates in their first four years of study or high school students planning to be enrolled for fall 2025.

For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 906-487-2622 or scholarships@mtu.edu.

It's the time you have been waiting for — Michigan Tech's annual Family Fun Day sponsored by Staff Council, Athletics and Recreation, and the Student Development Complex (SDC), Gates Tennis Center and Tech Trails! This year, Family Fun Day will take place on March 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Family Fun Day, all Michigan Tech employees and their families are invited to enjoy free access to the SDC facilities and other campus amenities. Along with free lunch and a chance to win amazing prizes, you and your family can check out attendee favorites such as Esports, our climbing wall, the WIBIT, the shooting range, a fitness class and more! Who knows? Maybe you will even see some special guests!

A list of events is located on our Family Fun Day webpage.

If you plan to join us, please register online using our Family Fun Day 2025 RSVP form by Feb. 28.

Carved and Crafted Catering at Michigan Technological University invites faculty, staff, and their guests to 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).

Menu for Thursday, Feb. 13:

• Chicken Tikka Masala (AG) (PR)
• Potato, Garbanzo and Pea Coconut Curry (VG) (AG)
• Basmati Rice (VG) (AG)
• Garam Cauliflower and Chickpeas (VG) (AG) (CF)
• Garlic Naan (V) (PR)
• Kachumber Salad (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 and tea are available free to all attendees. All vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items on the buffet are labeled for easy identification. Meals are for dine-in only, and personal containers and to-go meals are not 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.

Fashion Show: “Threading Empathy” — Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Feb. 13, 14, 15
McArdle Theatre | 7:30-8 p.m.
Michigan Tech Theatre Series

Join Michigan Tech Theater for their second fashion show production. This year, they are exploring the intersection of techno-fashion and empathy with a dynamic runway show and gallery space. From smart fabrics and 3D-printed garments to wearable tech and sustainable innovations, every piece created has the possibility to represent the cutting edge of creativity in the digital age. “Threading Empathy” has invited fashion enthusiasts of all ages to showcase their creativity on the runway! Community members and Michigan Tech faculty, staff and students will compete for first, second and third place and receive cash prizes.

This event is made possible by Michigan Tech’s Institute for Policy, Ethics, and Culture (IPEC), College of Computing, Department of Humanities, and Department of Visual and Performing Arts and its Circle of Supporters.

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Artists' Reception: “Isle Royale Art Exhibition” — Saturday, Feb. 15
Rozsa Art Galleries | 5-7 p.m.
Michigan Tech Art Series

Join us in the Rozsa Art Galleries for an “Isle Royale Art Exhibition” artists' reception from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15. The beloved Isle Royale wilderness has inspired many artists over the years, both independently and through the renowned Isle Royale Artist-in-Residence Program hosted by the National Park Service. Each summer since 1991, three to four artists of all types are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the marvelous landscape that is Isle Royale, with the freedom to be inspired and produce creative works. The exhibition artworks have been selected from this collection.

At the artists' reception, guests are invited to explore the art exhibit, meet the artists to hear about their time on the island, and enjoy a live poetry reading by poet M. Bartley Seigel before the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra’s 7:30 p.m. performance of Isle Royale 85th Anniversary. Learn more about the art exhibition.

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Concert: “Isle Royale 85th Anniversary” — Saturday, Feb. 15
Rozsa Center | 7:30 p.m.
Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra
Michigan Tech Music Series

In 1940, the pristine wilderness of Isle Royale was officially designated a national park. Join us for a celebratory concert led by Joel Neves and performed by the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra to honor this momentous occasion. The KSO will present the world premiere of Libby Meyer's new work, "The Land That Speaks When We've Ears to Listen," featuring vocal soloists Jared Anderson (tenor) and Lara Neves (soprano). The program also includes Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 in E Major, first movement, and Aaron Copland's “Four Dance Episodes” from “Rodeo.”

Meyer is the director of Michigan Tech’s music composition program and has served as a composer-in-residence at Isle Royale National Park. Her work reflects the natural rhythms and patterns of the world around her. Meyer’s music includes chamber, orchestral, choral, wind symphony, film, dance and theater, and has been commissioned and performed throughout the United States.

Concertgoers are invited to arrive early and browse the Rozsa Art Galleries during the artists' reception for the “Isle Royale Art Exhibition” from 5-7 p.m.

The following Department of Physics graduate students will be presenting their research progress at this week’s Physics Colloquium:

• Ian Norwood (advised by Claudio Mazzoleni)
• Siddharth Karkhanis (advised by Issei Nakamura)
• Ögetay Kayalı (advised by Robert Nemiroff)

This will be a hybrid event. Norwood will present via Zoom, while Karkhanis and Kayalı will present in person. They will give their talks at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb.13, in Fisher 139.

Read the students' presentation titles and abstracts at the University Events Calendar.

Job Posting for Monday, Feb. 10, 2025

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.

Assistant Teaching Professor or Professor of Practice, Chemical Engineering. 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.

The Daily Mining Gazette and WLUC TV6 covered Phi Kappa Tau’s overall victory in the month-long snow statue competition at Michigan Tech’s Winter Carnival. MTU junior Ethan Mehren (mechanical engineering), snow statue chairman for Phi Kappa Tau, was quoted by TV6.

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The Daily Mining Gazette covered Michigan Tech's 2025 Winter Carnival All-Nighter, which featured snow statues, broomball and a laser light show. Brynn Santi (psychology), Travis Crigger (mechanical engineering) and Konraad VanDyke (geology) were quoted, along with alum Andrew Maiers (B.S. Engineering Management).

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WLUC TV6 aired two segments about Michigan Tech's 2025 Winter Carnival. The first ran on “Upper Michigan Today,” covering the increased participation in the snow statue competition this year. Blue Key President Skyler Spitzley discussed the impact of favorable weather and the "Dragons, Knights, and Legendary Sights" theme. The second ran on “TV6 Morning News” and covered this year's Carnival festivities.

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EurekAlert! and CellPress mentioned Michigan Tech master's student Nyasha Milanzi (sustainable communities) as one of the winners of the fifth annual Rising Black Scientists Awards. Milanzi, who recently defended her master’s thesis, was recognized for her work in environmental justice and climate action.

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The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal mentioned Michigan Tech in a story announcing Russell Becker ’89 ’91 (B.S. M.S. Civil Engineering) as the publication's 2025 Executive of the Year, noting his past service on Michigan Tech's School of Engineering advisory board. The journal also ran an interview with Becker that discussed his leadership at APi Group and his commitment to developing strong company culture.

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The Associated Press mentioned Michigan Tech alum Jim Kamradt ’83 (B.S. Marketing) in a story about his appointment as chief risk officer at DealPoint Merrill.

2025 Distinguished Teaching Award Finalists Announced

The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2025 Distinguished Teaching Awards, recognizing exceptional contributions to Michigan Tech’s instructional mission.

These 10 finalists were selected based on more than 39,000 student ratings of instruction responses. The selection committee now invites comments from students, staff, faculty and alumni to inform their deliberations.

Assistant Professor/Assistant Teaching Professor Finalists:

• Jason Archer (HU), assistant professor
• Estela Mira Barreda (HU), assistant teaching professor
• Terri Frew (VPA), assistant teaching professor
• Gord Patterson (BioSci), assistant professor
• Tim Wagner (Math), assistant teaching professor

Associate Professor/Associate Teaching Professor/Professor/Teaching Professor/Professor of Practice Finalists:

• Matt Barron (EF), associate teaching professor
• Zach Fredin (CEGE), associate teaching professor
• Paniz Khanmohammadi Hazaveh (AC), associate teaching professor
• Jeffery Hollingsworth (CEGE), professor of practice
• Teresa Woods (Math), associate teaching professor

Comments for the finalists are due by March 28 and can be submitted online using the 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award Finalists comment form.

The process for determining the Distinguished Teaching Award recipients from this list of finalists also involves the additional surveying of their spring 2025 classes. The selection committee makes the final determination of the award recipients. The 2025 Distinguished Teaching Awards will be formally announced in June.

For more information, contact the CTL at ctl@mtu.edu.

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CISR Research Discussion with Jungyun Bae

Please join the Center for Innovation in Sustainability and Resilience (CISR) for a research discussion with Jungyun Bae (MAE), who will be presenting "Sustainable Autonomy: Multi-Robot Systems for Marine and Agricultural Resilience."

The discussion will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at noon in person in GLRC 202 and virtually via Zoom.

Join the CISR Research Discussion on Zoom.

This talk explores cutting-edge advancements in autonomous multi-robot systems for marine and agricultural applications, focusing on sustainability and resilience. It showcases research in marine autonomy using T-AUV (tethered autonomous underwater vehicle) systems with centralized coordination algorithms and wave energy charging, as well as agricultural automation for small farms using ground robots to address labor shortages and climate change challenges. The presentation will highlight how these technologies can minimize human intervention in marine and agricultural operations, provide cost-effective solutions for tasks such as lavender harvesting, and demonstrate potential implications for broader agricultural automation.

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MTTI General Meeting, Discussions on Realignment

The Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI) will be holding a general meeting next Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Rooms B and C of the MUB Alumni Lounge. The luncheon meeting is open to all interested. The main topic of conversation will be the upcoming realignment of centers and institutes and MTTI’s plans for the future.

Please RSVP via the MTTI Feb. 19 General Meeting form if you haven’t already responded to a calendar invitation.

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Summer 2025 Research Mentors Needed

The MiCUP Scholars Program and McNair Scholars Program are currently seeking faculty to serve as mentors during summer 2025. Faculty mentors in these programs will assist students with research projects in their field of study, including engineering, technology, business, computer science, health science and more.

All faculty interested in facilitating undergraduate research with MiCUP or McNair program participants should complete the Summer 2025 Research Mentor Information Request form.

For questions about MiCUP or McNair, contact micup@mtu.edu or mcnair@mtu.edu.

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Math Department Chair Candidate Visit

The Department of Mathematical Sciences (Math) is pleased to be hosting candidates for on-campus interviews for the position of department chair.

The first of three candidates will present a department leadership seminar today, Feb. 10, from 11-11:50 a.m. in Chem Sci B002 and also via Zoom.

Join the Candidate's Leadership Seminar on Zoom.

The candidate will also present a research seminar titled “Combinatorial Structures: From Turtles to Tables to Stars and Stripes” tomorrow, Feb. 11, from 2-2:50 p.m. in Fisher 132 and also via Zoom.

Join the Candidate's Research Seminar on Zoom.

All members of the Michigan Tech community are welcome to attend.

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SS Department Chair Candidate Seminars with Kathy Sherman-Morris

The Department of Social Sciences (SS) is pleased to be hosting candidates for on-campus interviews for the position of department chair.

The fourth of five candidates, Kathy Sherman-Morris, professor of geography, Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, will present a department leadership seminar today, Feb. 10, from 12-12:45 p.m. in AOB 201.

Sherman-Morris will also present a research seminar tomorrow, Feb. 11, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Admin 404. The research seminar is titled “Research Highlights with a Focus on Geospatial Risk Personalization."

All members of the Michigan Tech community are welcome to attend. Both presentations are also available on Zoom.

Join the SS Department Chair Seminar on Zoom.

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GMES Faculty Candidate Seminar with Daisy Ning

Please join the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) today, Feb. 10, from 12-1 p.m. in Dow 610 for a research presentation by faculty candidate Daisy Ning, research assistant professor, Colorado School of Mines.

The title of Ning's presentation is “Advancing Subsurface Modeling and Monitoring for Geological Carbon Sequestration.”

From the abstract:
The urgent need for carbon management solutions has positioned geological carbon sequestration (GCS) as a critical strategy in mitigating climate change. However, successful implementation requires a deep understanding of subsurface processes, robust modeling tools, and advanced monitoring techniques to ensure safe and efficient storage. This seminar will explore the integration of subsurface fluid flow simulation, coupled fluid-geomechanical modeling, and fiber optic sensing to address key challenges in GCS.

This seminar begins by establishing the fundamentals of subsurface fluid flow simulation, emphasizing numerical modeling approaches for geological reservoirs. The discussion extends to coupled fluid-geomechanical simulations, essential for estimating reservoir deformation and ensuring long-term storage integrity. An integral component of the seminar is the application of distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) to monitor potential fractures induced by CO2 injection, a key factor in preventing leakage and induced seismicity. Additionally, the migration of CO2 contaminants into underground drinking water is examined, highlighting simulation-based risk assessments for groundwater protection. The integration of computational modeling with real-time monitoring aims to advance secure, large-scale CO2 storage solutions, supporting long-term carbon sequestration and global decarbonization efforts. Finally, this seminar will underscore the interdisciplinary nature of GCS research, highlighting how advanced modeling and monitoring techniques integrate with geological engineering and hydrology.

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

Isle Royale Art Exhibition - Michigan Tech Art

Monday, February 10, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Galleries A-Space

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT Enter into a world of artistic expression inspired by the wilderness of Isle Royale. The artworks showcased in this exhibition have all been...

SS Department Chair Candidate Seminars with Kathy Sherman-Morris

Monday, February 10, 12:00–12:45 p.m. | Academic Office Building (AOB), 201

The Department of Social Sciences (SS) is pleased to be hosting candidates for on-campus interviews for the position of department chair. The fourth of five candidates,...

Cocoa and Chill: Beat the Winter Blues

Monday, February 10, 2–4 p.m. | CDI Basement

Struggling with the winter blues? Drop by our informal Winter Blues Workshop for a cozy, stress-free way to learn about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Enjoy a cup of hot...

Hot Cocoa Handout

Monday, February 10, 2–4 p.m. | Husky Statue

We offer free Hot Chocolate to all students from2 to 4pm near the Husky Statue every Monday!

Hot Cocoa Handout

Monday, February 10, 2–4 p.m. | Husky Statue

We offer free Hot Chocolate to all students from2 to 4pm near the Husky Statue every Monday!

Workshop: Communicating Your Research

Monday, February 10, 3 p.m. | Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), 202

Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar Science and engineering research is often complex, even for experts in the field, and communicating research findings to a broader...

Psalm Bible Study

Monday, February 10, 7–8 p.m. | Wads Cafe

Want to see how the bible handles emotions? How it instructs us in righteousness? Eat cafe food, talk through the psalms, learn and grow with Pastor Brandon Charbonneau.