February 18, 2025

Snow comes in a variety of types; it’s not surprising that snow research at Michigan Tech is just as varied. From undergraduates up to researchers with almost 50 years of experience, snow is being studied from all angles.

MTU engineers are studying how snow reflectivity is keeping our planet cool and using predictive models to forecast lake-effect snow storms at the end of the century. They're also developing techniques to increase solar panel efficiency in snowy climates, making pavement out of snow itself in the Antarctic and analyzing how lake-effect storms interact with our local region.

Meet five researchers and learn about their work at the intersection of snow and engineering on Michigan Tech’s Unscripted Research Blog.

When it comes to red-teaming, Huskies from Michigan Tech's College of Computing are among the best in the nation. The MTU RedTeam earned an overall Cyber Power Ranking of 22nd in the nation from the National Cyber League.

The NCL said the ranking represents students' ability to perform real-world tasks, including identifying hackers from forensic data, penetration testing and auditing vulnerable websites, recovery from ransomware attacks, and other cybersecurity functions.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters congratulated the RedTeam in a letter to Tech's vice president for research, calling the ranking “a testament to the high-quality education MTU provides to its students.”

Read about the team's and individuals' competition performances and find out what RedTeam is up to during spring semester on the Computing News Blog.

The University Senate will convene Meeting 713 at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, in Chem Sci 102.

Those within the University community unable to attend in person have the option to attend the University Senate meeting via Zoom. Please note: You will need to log in to your MTU Zoom account to join the virtual meeting.

Senators are responsible for making their constituents aware of the agenda for this meeting. Senators who are unable to attend should arrange for their alternates to attend in their place.

View the agenda to Meeting 713.

Michigan Tech Recreation invites you to participate in our Indoor Triathlon on April 2 at 7 p.m. in the SDC Pool and Multipurpose Room. This event is open to MTU students and SDC Access Pass holders (minimum one-month membership required) who are 16 years or older.

Unlike a traditional triathlon, this event focuses on distance covered within a set time rather than fixed distances. Participants will complete a 10-minute swim, 15-minute bike ride and 10-minute run, with transition time provided between each segment. All experience levels are welcome!

Event Details:

• What: MTU Recreation Indoor Triathlon
• When: Wednesday, April 2, at 7 p.m.
• Where: SDC Pool and Multipurpose Room
• Registration: Opens Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 8 a.m. and closes Tuesday, March 25, at 11:59 p.m. Register for the Indoor Triathlon.

Participant Requirements:

• Must be a current MTU student or SDC Access Pass holder (minimum one-month membership)
• Must be 16 years or older

Participation is free. Spots are limited, so be sure to register early. We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Editor's Note: The candidate's visit on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 has been canceled.

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

The first candidate will present a department leadership seminar titled "Leadership and Vision in an Interdisciplinary Department" on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 11 a.m. to noon in Walker 134 and via Zoom.

The candidate will also present a research seminar titled “Second Language Identity and Sophisticated Language Use: The Production of Global Citizens in Higher Ed” on Friday, Feb. 21, from 1-2 p.m. in the MUB Superior Room (MUB B001) and via Zoom.

Join the HU Department Chair Seminar on Zoom.

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

Join the Husky Folio program director on March 11 for an opportunity to practice using the powerful potential of PebblePad, Michigan Tech’s new ePortfolio platform under the Husky Folio initiative.

The Lunch and Learn is titled "Playing in PebblePad."

• When: March 11, 2025
• Where: MUB Ballroom B from 12-1 p.m.
• Registration: Register to Attend the Lunch and Learn (registration is required).

This session is your chance to dive in and practice creating reflection templates and workbooks for your courses or even a personalized ePortfolio highlighting your unique experiences and accomplishments. Whether you’re experienced or just starting out on the platform, this is your chance to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas and explore how PebblePad can be used. Bring your enthusiasm and prepare to learn a new way to engage students.

Lunch will be provided.

For questions or to request accommodations, including dietary, please feel free to contact the CTL at ctl@mtu.edu or 906-487-3000.

Thursday, Feb. 20
• Women's Basketball vs. Northern Michigan, 5:30 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ, FloCollege & FOX-UP
• Men's Basketball vs. Northern Michigan, 7:30 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ, FloCollege & FOX-UP

Friday, Feb. 21
• Hockey vs. Ferris State, 7:07 p.m. at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Mix 93 WKMJ and Midco Sports Plus

Saturday, Feb. 22
• Tennis at Lewis
• Nordic Skiing at NCAA Central Regional Championships (Ishpeming), 10 a.m.
• Women's Basketball at Roosevelt, 2 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege
• Men's Basketball at Roosevelt, 4 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege
• Hockey vs. Ferris State, 6:07 p.m. at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Mix 93 WKMJ and Midco Sports Plus

Sunday, Feb. 23
• Nordic Skiing at NCAA Central Regional Championships (Ishpeming), 9:30 a.m.

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Athletics News
Read more in the MTU Athletics weekly update.

Job Posting for Tuesday, Feb. 18, 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.

Residence Education Coordinator, Residence Education. 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.

MichAuto and WLUC TV6 covered Michigan Tech’s new status as an R1 institution, and Hope College mentioned Tech as one of Michigan's R1 institutions in a story about its own newly acquired research distinction. Andrew Barnard (VPR) was quoted by TV6, and that story was picked up by Saginaw’s WNEM TV5.

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Jenny Apriesnig (COB) was quoted by southwest and central Virginia's WVTF & Radio IQ in a story about research funding cuts and their potential economic impact on communities surrounding research universities. Apriesnig’s study analyzed the indirect economic effects of research funding, finding that rural areas see significant job growth as a result of research dollars.

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WNMU-FM previewed the premiere of the symphony “The Land That Speaks When We’ve Ears to Listen,” composed by Libby Meyer (VPA) and performed by the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra at the Rozsa on Feb. 15. The concert honored Isle Royale’s 85th Anniversary.

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William Cooke (KIP) was mentioned by the Keweenaw Report and 102.3 WGRT-FM in a story about his study on how nicotine use affects the body’s response to simulated blood loss. Cooke is seeking participants for his study.

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Bridge Detroit mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the Rx Kids cash-assistance program in Michigan, referencing research by Richelle Winkler (SS) on population decline in the Upper Peninsula over the past two decades.

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The Keweenaw Report and 102.3 WGRT-FM mentioned Michigan Tech’s Mushing Club in stories previewing CopperDog weekend in Calumet. The stories highlighted the students' involvement in dog handling training for volunteers.

Nominations Open: Bhakta Rath Award and Michigan Tech Research Award

The Vice President for Research Office is accepting nominations for both the Bhakta Rath Research Award and the Michigan Tech Research Award.

The Bhakta Rath Research Award offers an opportunity to promote and reward excellence in scientific and engineering research in the fields of physical and natural sciences and engineering. For complete submission guidelines, visit our Bhakta Rath Research Award page.

The Michigan Tech Research Award offers an opportunity for an individual to be recognized for outstanding achievements in research. For complete submission guidelines, visit our Michigan Tech Research Award page.

Nominations for both must be submitted electronically in PDF format, per the guidelines, no later than 4 p.m. on March 6.

All nominations must be sent to Natasha Chopp at nichopp@mtu.edu.

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Virtual Office Hours Available for Research Excellence Fund

Have questions about the Research Excellence Fund? Planning to submit a proposal to either the Research Seed or Scholarship and Creativity Grant? The Research Development office is scheduling virtual office hours on Friday, Feb. 21, at noon to answer any questions you may have.

To sign up for the office hours, please email REF-l@mtu.edu, and you will be added to the calendar invite.

Keep in mind that proposals must be started and routed for approval in Cayuse by the internal deadline of Feb. 27. Final proposals are due no later than 5 p.m. on March 6, and must be uploaded electronically in Cayuse. This due date will be strictly enforced based on the time stamp marked in the Cayuse system. Early submission is encouraged.

For additional information, see the Research Excellence Fund webpage. Questions can be directed to REF-l@mtu.edu.

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

Isle Royale Art Exhibition - Michigan Tech Art

Tuesday, February 18, 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...

Staff Council Meeting

Tuesday, February 18, 12–1 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 404

Join us for the monthly Staff Council meeting! Staff Council exists to support Michigan Tech staff: full-time, part-time, nine-month, or ten-month; non-student, non-faculty....

NCSA General Meeting

Tuesday, February 18, 6–7 p.m. | Chem-Sci 102

A weekly meeting where we cover what's going on in the organization, often followed by a guest presenter, then discussion of what's going on in the world of tech.

Understanding Your Financial Aid Package

Tuesday, February 18, 6–7 p.m.

Financial aid can be complicated. Let us make it simpler! Our staff will break down your aid package to ensure you understand all the ways to make a Michigan Tech education...

Bible Study - John

Tuesday, February 18, 7:00–8:45 p.m. | His House Campus House

Join us as we continue to study the Gospel of John this semester! Who is Jesus? Who did he claim to be? If you are a seasoned Christian or just exploring your...

Serve The King Main Meeting

Tuesday, February 18, 7–9 p.m. | Wads G42W

Want to learn who Christ is? Why we sin? Why the world is in it's current state? Join us as we preach Christ crucified and risen, salvation to all who believe. Pizza...