Katerina Aifantis '01
Katerina E. Aifantis enrolled at Michigan Tech in 1999 at age 16 and received her Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 2002 at age 19.
With a graduate research fellowship from the National Science Foundation, she earned her Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Cambridge and her Doctorate in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Groningen at the age of 21, becoming the youngest person ever to get a PhD in the Netherlands.
Dr. Octave Du Temple '48, '49, '96
Octave Du Temple, a native of the Copper Country, received bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering from Michigan Tech in 1948 and 1949. His studies were interrupted by military service during World War II, when he taught flying and navigation. He also studied at Northwestern University, where he earned a master's degree in business administration in 1955.
Dave House '65,
Dave House began his career in 1965 as a computer designer at Raytheon Computer and Communications Division. In 1968 he joined Honeywell Computer Control Division and in 1972 became director of computer development at Microdata.
James A. Klungness '49,
James Klungness created Klungness Electronic Supply in 1954. In 1955 he entered another partnership to form Northern Electronics to develop a cable television system in Iron Mountain and Kingsford. This enterprise eventually expanded into six states serving almost 200,000 homes. He then founded American Microwave & Communications in 1960 to deliver broadcast signals to remote area cable systems nationwide. Jim serves on the Michigan Tech Fund Board of Trustees, is a member of the Michigan Tech President’s Club, the Second Century Society, and the Hubbell Society.
Dr. Jim Mack '59, '00
Jim Mack has provided significant service to Michigan Tech since graduating with honors with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1959. While a student, he was active with Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Rho fraternity, student government and Air Force ROTC. He also received an MBA from Western New England College and did graduate work in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toledo.
Dr. Bhakta Rath '58, '07
Bhakta Rath '58 has used his Michigan Tech education to reach great heights, achieve honors at the highest levels, and sponsor important initiatives.
Dr. Kanwal Rekhi '69,
Maybe he should have been a professor instead of a successful entrepreneur who was part of the first Indian-owned company to go public in the US and the visionary who has helped numerous start-ups succeed around the globe.
John Soyring '76, '06
John Soyring provided global business leadership for the industry solutions & industry products portion of IBM's global software business. This role included functional leadership for strategy, research & development, marketing & sales, business development, product support, and services related to the IBM offerings for all industries. He was also the co-leader of the Alliance of IBM Software Group and IBM Global Business Services Group. John was a member of the IBM Industry Academy Advisory Board, the IBM Eco-Efficiency & Sustainability Executive Board, and the IBM “Banking the Unbanked” Executive Board.
Scott Usitalo '81
Scott Usitalo is Vice President of Global Brands for Kimberly-Clark’s nearly $7 Billion Family Care Business. His responsibilities include ensuring brands such as Kleenex, Viva, Scott, Cottonelle, and Neve are strong and increasingly relevant to consumers across the globe and that robust –products innovation plans are in place to support global growth targets. He also owns decisions related to overall brand management; including the respective vision, consumer promise, architecture, and visual identity for each brand.
Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark, Scott served as Senior Strategist with Seed Strategy Inc. where he provided innovation consulting for several global clients including Wrigley, Kellogg and Procter and Gamble.
David L. Vesely '65,
Lieutenant General David Vesely began his Air Force career in 1965 upon graduation from Michigan Tech’s ROTC program. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in Vietnam. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1995, when he took command of 14th Air Force – the historic Flying Tigers. Early in 1997, President Clinton nominated him to be Assistant to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. In March 1977, General Vesely was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the rank and position.
Dr. James S. Westwater '75, '34
Retired Sr. Vice President, Operations, Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company
James Westwater earned a BS in Mining Engineering in 1934 from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology and received an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1975.
After graduation, he served two years as a drilling and blasting engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He then went on to several engineering positions including an exploration project in Chuquicamata, Chile. In 1941, he joined Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company which began a distinguished 38-year career. He served in various positions including Manager of Mines in Ishpeming, MI from 1941-58 and Vice President of Mining from 1958-70. During this . . .
Dr. Frank G. Woodruff '85, '40, '39
Retired President and Chief Operating Officer, Gulf Resources & Chemical Company
The late Frank Woodruff received a BS in Mining Engineering (1940) and Geology (1939) from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1985.
After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and went on to hold many positions with various mining companies. In 1954, he joined Kennecott Copper Corp., which began a distinguished 16-year career in the Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico Divisions. In 1970, he became President and General Manager of Bunker Hill Co., a subsidiary of Gulf Resources & Chemical . . .