Mr. Kenneth A. Brunk '69
Mr. Kenneth A. Brunk a resident of Centennial, Colorado and 1969 graduate of Michigan Tech’s Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Kenneth A. Brunk began his career in 1969 in the Research and Development Center at Owens-Illinois in Toledo, Ohio. As Superintendent /Engineer of a silica and milling operation in Illinois, Ken was instrumental in developing several process improvements and automation practices. He was promoted to Vice President of Technology of UNIMIN Corporation in 1977, where . . .
Dr. Amy J. Clark '00
Since graduating in 2000, Amy J. Clarke has built upon her Michigan Tech degree and education to achieve great success at an early stage in her career. She added Master of Science and PhD degrees in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and received the Willy Korf Award for Young Excellence in 2007 for her PhD research.
A Research and Development Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, she works in the Materials Science and . . .
Mike Dibble '61
As the YouTube video begins, what appears to be a roller coaster approaches in slow motion: a green tube running on light rail tracks encased in bright yellow structure. As the object moves closer, it becomes a modernistic rock train with no driver and unloads into a container, turning upside down in the process. Then, it rights itself, ready to receive another load.
According to its creator, Mike Dibble, this remote-controlled, electric-powered "Rail-Veyor" system is "extremely energy efficient," with a smaller footprint than regular railroads and conveyor systems. It can operate in surface and underground mines or other long-distance transfer operations, including docks, shipyards, and even future UP mining concerns.
James J. Graham '70
Jim Graham, a resident of Centennial, Colorado, is a 1970 graduate of Michigan Tech’s Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering. Jim began his career as process engineer for Texas Gulf in Moab, Utah. In 1973, he moved to the coal fields of West Virginia for Zapata Corporation and through a series of promotions moved to Lexington, Kentucky as Vice President Engineering. His next move in 1992 was to General Exploration Company, a diversified energy company in . . .
Alfred (Al) Hendrickson '51
Retired
Michigan Technological University
Materials Science and Engineering
BS EMY 1951, MS Metallurgical Engineering 1954, PhD MSE 1960
1951 BS graduate of Michigan Tech with degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. Went on to earn MS in Metallurgical Engineering from Columbia University in 1954, and PhD in Materials Science & Engineering from Northwestern University in 1960.
Appointed Assistant Professor at Michigan Tech in 1956, promoted to Associate Professor in 1960, and then promoted to Professor in 1964. Retired in fall of 1988 and was granted Emeritus rank . . .
Brian Murphy PhD '90, '92, '96
Starting Companies Comes Naturally to Alum
“I used to fish at Cole’s Creek,” says Brian Murphy ’90 ’92 ‘96. “I’d eat half my sandwich on the way out there, fish for thirty minutes, and finish my sandwich on the way back to my lab to continue my research.” That mix of nature and technology forms the core of Murphy’s environmentally focused career.
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.
Brenda R. Ryan (Jones) '76
President
Ryan Industries, Inc. & Alliance Technologies
BS EMY 1976, MS MSE 1989
Brenda Ryan graduated with BS degree in Metallurgical & Materials Engineering in 1976. She served in several engineering and management positions in the automotive industry from 1976-1989. In 1989, she obtained her MS degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Virginia and went on to work at Hayes Wheels International as a senior account manager until 1994.
In 1995, Brenda started Ryan Industries, Inc., a packaging and labeling service to manufacturers, . . .
Karen A. Swager (Mikkola) '92
Karen Swager graduated in 1992 from Michigan Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. She went on to earn a master’s degree in 1994. She started her career in 1994 as a Plant Metallurgist and Shift Supervisor in the fertilizer division of Cargill Corporation. Over the next ten years she held several supervisory and managerial positions at Cargill. In 2004, Cargill Crop Nutrition and IMC Phosphates merged to form Mosaic Company. At the time of the merger, Karen was an Engineering Manager, responsible for four phosphate mining operations, including management of a $38 million budget.
Duane M. Thayer '62, '59
Retired
Michigan Technological University
Materials Science and Engineering
BS EMY 1959, BS EMY 1962
Duane “Dewey” graduated from Michigan Tech with both his B.S. & M.S. degrees in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering in 1959 and 1962. Also served 3 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Dewey retired from Michigan Tech in January 1997 and became emeritus professor in the fall of 1997.
In his spare time, Dewey enjoys gardening and an occasional visit to the “Dog House” to reminisce with old friends and former colleagues. He and his . . .
