Elton J. Cairns '55, '55
Dr. Cairns graduated from Michigan Tech in 1955 with a double major in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. After receiving a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley he pursued an illustrious career at the research laboratories of General Electric, Argonne National Lab, General Motors, and, since 1978, at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory where he is currently the Director of the Energy and Environment Division with a joint appointment as Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley. He has contributed more than 170 publications and 15 patents in the area of electrochemistry and energy conversion.
John F. Calder '67, '76
John F. Calder earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1967 at Michigan Tech and went on to earn an MS degree from Michigan Tech in Business Administration in 1976. After graduating from Michigan Tech he started his career as a Design Engineer with Digital Integrated Circuit Systems in 1967.
From 1968-1975 he rose from Application and Field Service Engineer for the east coast to Regional Sales Manager for the Midwest and West Coast Regions. In 1975 he joined Dorsey-Alexander in Cincinnati, Ohio and in 1987 purchased the company. Dorsey-Alexander is a Manufacturer’s Agent for motion control, sensing and machine guarding . . .
Melvin Calvin '31
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1911, Melvin Calvin received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in 1931 and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1935. He began his academic career in 1937 at the University of California at Berkeley, where he stayed for the remainder of his career. He died in 1997.
Kim Cameron '05
Colin A. Campbell '42
Retired Vice President, Phosphate Operations
(Florida Phosphate Mining and Chemical Operations)
International Minerals and Chemicals Corporation
The late Colin Campbell received his degree in Mining from Michigan Tech. After graduation, he worked at the Oliver Mining Company before joining the U.S. Navy, where he served as an officer in the Pacific during World War II. Following his military service, he was employed by the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company as manager of mines before beginning his 24 year career with International Minerals and Chemical in Lakeland, Florida. During his long career with IMC, he was Manager of Minerals Operations (Florida Phosphate Mining), General Production Manager . . .
D. Kelly Campbell '39, '39
In the late 1930s, when D. Kelly Campbell was at Tech skating through a dual major in geology and mining engineering, one of the highlights of campus life was ice hockey at Dee Stadium. “That was the big social event,” Campbell recalls. He never played but was a great fan. “Hockey is a fantastic sport,” he says. “The physical side of the game is amazing—how players stand up to that.”
Dr. Gerald G. Carlson '74
Gerry received his B.A.Sc. from the University of Toronto in 1969. He then moved to the Yukon, working summers in mineral exploration while at the same time working on his M.S. from Michigan Tech (1974) and Ph.D. in Economic Geology from Dartmouth (1978). Following this, he became Exploration Manager for Anaconda in Vancouver until 1984. He then taught at the University of British Columbia for three years before switching to the financial side of mineral exploration. Gerry has worked with several mineral exploration companies and is currently President of Copper Ridge Explorations Inc., exploring for copper and gold in the Yukon, . . .
George L. Carlson '62
General Manager of Business Systems Development, Shell Exploration and Production; Several other positions with Shell including Vice President of Production; Responsible for the design, installation, and implementation of integrated enterprise-wide business systems for Shell; Involved with the Ponderosa Civic Association as well as the Hosanna Lutheran Church; Member of the MTU Presidents Club since 1994, AIME; Awarded Kennecott Scholarship and received an Honors Degree at Convocation.
From 1997 Induction to the Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences Academy
Randy J. Cavaiani '78,
Randy Cavaiani was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan and graduated from Michigan Tech with a BSEE degree in 1978. In addition to his degree from Tech, Mr. Cavaiani holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology and is a graduate of the Executive Management program at Stanford University. Randy started his career with Motorola as a design engineer following his graduation from Michigan Tech, moving on to Pittway Corporation in 1979. In 1982, he joined National Semiconductor, where he advanced to the position of Vice President, Major Account Sales and Marketing. In 1999, Mr. Cavaiani joined First International Digital, where in 2003 he became Executive Vice President, Marketing & Sales.
Tom Chamberlain '78, '82
Alumnus: Of Ships and Stewardship
When he was young, Tom Chamberlain aspired to be financially successful. He has done so and attributes the achievement to hard work, an eye for opportunity, never backing down from a challenge, and a Tech education. He is grateful for that schooling yet. “Tech made me a success,” he says. “I need to give back for the foundation Tech gave me. We all have to do that.” He has done so generously and steadily.
Chamberlain graduated in 1978 with an associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology and in 1982 with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, majoring in power systems. He has worked for 28 years at Newport News Shipbuilding, a 125-year-old firm that has handled the design, construction, overhaul, and repair of more than 800 ships for the US Navy, the US Coast Guard, and commercial customers.
Dave Chaudier '93
Dave Chaudier ’93 has a four-part approach to work: “Don’t fear failure, don’t let anything surprise you, learn from your mistakes, and don’t put up with anyone’s negativity.”
John H. Christianson '75
Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, John Christianson grew up blocks from Lambeau Field during the Lombardi Glory Years which instilled in him a love of sports and competition. He graduated from Green Bay Southwest High School with high honors, while playing on the tennis team, participating in newspaper and forensics, and tutoring his classmates in chemistry, physics and calculus, foreshadowing his eventual career choice.
Ronald J. Christie '68
Ron began his career with Tenneco Oil Company where he was employed for 21 years. During his time at Tenneco, Ron was a Geological Engineering Supervisor and provided technical support to geological engineering staff who were involved with generating prospects and development drilling. He also held positions as Geological Engineering Manager for the Gulf of Mexico region and Exploration Manager for the Western Gulf Division. In these positions, he initiated and managed regional evaluation, lease acquisition, and exploratory drilling in the western Gulf of Mexico.
In 1989, he moved to Amerada Hess Corporation in Houston, Texas where he was Manager of U.S. Offshore . . .
Marilyn Clark (Metsa) '73, '76
Clark first worked as a Computer Programmer with A. C. Spark Plug, now Delphi, in Flint, Michigan. After receiving her masters, Clark joined Cummins Engine Company in Jamestown, New York. She became one of the first women shop floor supervisors. At that time, Cummins was developing quality of work life systems and this philosophy matched Clark's skills.
Marie Cleveland '82
Marie Cleveland ’82 loves her job. As a worldwide corporate account manager for Federal Express, she handles six major accounts and is responsible for bringing in $50 million in sales each year.
Michael and Marie Cleveland '82, '82
When Michael and Marie Cleveland look in the mirror these days, they see success, financial security, and achievement—as well as prospects for helping others go where they have been.
That wasn’t always the case with Marie. She started out in engineering but found the discipline was not the be-all and end-all for her. She switched to business, a decision that haunted her for years, because, back in her college days, in the early 1980s, there was an attitude among engineering students that other disciplines were an inferior lot. “You felt like a failure,” she recalls.
Dr. Dennis A. Clifford '63
Dr. Dennis A. Clifford a Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Houston and 1963 graduate of Michigan Tech, Dr. Dennis Clifford conducts research and teaches courses in Water Chemistry and Physical-Chemical Treatment Processes. He is a Professional Engineer with more than thirty years of experience in water and soil treatment focusing on the removal of inorganic and radioactive contaminants. Upon receiving his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Michigan Tech, Dennis worked for nine years as an Instrument Engineer, Project Manager, and Laboratory Manager for the Dow Chemical Co., Fisher Scientific Co., and NUS Corporation.
He earned a master’s degree in . . .
Charles A. Cloninger '81
On January 1, 2012, Charles “Chuck” Cloninger became president of Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS). He began his engineering career with WPS thirty years ago, as an assistant engineer in Green Bay. At WPS, he was promoted to division engineer, Green Bay (1982); division engineer, Two Rivers (1984); electric distribution engineering projects engineer (1988); operations engineer—distribution (1989); customer service manager—Stevens Point (1994); western region manager (1998); and assistant vice president— operations and engineering (2002).
Before his current appointment, he was president of two other Integrys companies: Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation, since October 2005, and Michigan Gas Utilities, since October 2008. Besides his BS in . . .
Stephen (Steve) Clough '77, '75, '74
President
Gamma Vacuum LLC
BS EMY 1974, MS EMY 1975, PhD EMY 1977
Graduated with BS, MS, and PhD in Metallurgical Engineering 1974, 1975, 1977, respectively. Currently President of Gamma Vacuum, a global technology firm located in Minnesota that designs, manufactures, and services ultra-high vacuum components for a variety of instrumentation and high energy physics applications.
Emeritus member of department’s External Advisory Board, serving on the Board since its inception 13 years ago. Recently bestowed a trust provision to endow an undergraduate scholarship in Materials Science & Engineering. Steve and his wife Millie, a residential nurse, reside in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and enjoy spending time at their cottage on Big Traverse.
. . .
Margaret Cobb (Pennock) '83
Margaret graduated from Michigan Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1983. As the thirteenth child of fourteen and one of ten daughters, she is the first in her family to receive a degree in engineering.
Cathy J. Colman (Johnson) '80
Cathy Colman earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Michigan Tech in 1980 and went on to earn an MBA in General Management from the University of St. Thomas in 1996. She is currently the IT Director of the Quality, Process and Support Solution Center for 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota.
After graduation from Michigan Tech, Cathy started her career as a Software Engineer for Honeywell’s Military Avionics Division. Following five years with Honeywell, she worked for Digital Equipment Corporation providing pre- and post-sales support. In 1988, Cathy went to work for 3M as a Supervisor in IT Distributed Technical Services. She was recently promoted to her current position where she exercises oversight for IT Divisional Standard Processes.
John Cook '42
John Cook earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1942. Following graduation, he served as a lieutenant in the Navy. He then went to work for Wright Aeronautical Corporation as a Production Engineer, and Checker Motors and Fisher Body Division, GMC, in the Automotive Body Engineering areas. He became Vice President of Operations for Wolverine Brass Works after working in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Conway, South Carolina, plants. His experience has been mainly in manufacturing, supervisory and management positions. Cook moved to Chicago Faucet in 1976, was named president of the company in 1981 and chairman in . . .
James Cooper '39
"The day we went down, the group lost two planes. There were no survivors of the other plane. Everyone in our crew survived."
Christopher Cooper '09
Former Air Force ROTC Cadet Shines
One of Tech's elite, second lieutenant Christopher Cooper, ‘09, was honored as one of the air force's brightest technical stars. Cooper, along with two young engineers from other institutions devised a program to identify the physical location from which a computer is connecting to the Internet based on its Internet Protocol (IP) address.
The three did the work, called IP geolocation, at the Advanced Course in Engineering Professional Development 2ltTraining Program in Rome, N.Y.
Randy Cortright '77, '86
A Farm Boy Grows Up to Grow Biofuels
Randy Cortright pursues a prospect that is both well-grounded and lofty: clean, carbon-neutral energy to supplant fossil fuels that are expensive, not easily available anymore, and dirty.
Richard G. Cottrell '73
Richard G. Cottrell earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1973 and his MS in Systems Science from Michigan State University in 1976. Rich retired as CMS’s director of system planning and protection in 2010. During his thirty-seven-year career with CMS/Consumers Energy, Rich was involved in all aspects of the planning, engineering, and design of electric transmission distribution lines and substations.
As a professional engineer, Rich was active in the Jackson Chapter of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE), the Midwest Independent System Operator Planning Advisory Committee, the Edison Electric Institute Transmission Committee, the State of Michigan’s Renewable and . . .
Jason Cousineau '98
Jason Cousineau earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and has engineered a distinguished career. Cousineau has been published by the Society of Automotive Engineers and was honored by Design News Magazine for his contributions to global engineering. He also earned a bachelor's degree in engineering management at Lake Superior State University.
Charles D. Cretors '63
Charlie Cretors earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1963 and began his career with Commonwealth Edison of Chicago. In 1967 he joined his father and brother at C. Cretors and Company, a family business specializing in commercial popcorn machines since 1885. In 1980 he was named President and in 1991 he became sole owner of C. Cretors and Company.
Charlie is responsible for the successful expansion and continuous growth of C. Cretors and Company. To accommodate the expanding needs of the company, and diversified product line, he has had to redesign and relocate the factory two times in the last . . .
Charles D. Cronenworth '44
Charles Cronenworth earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with honor from Michigan Tech in 1944. After graduation and serving in World War II, he was a research design engineer with Chrysler Corp. in Detroit. In 1947, he joined the Diamond Crystal Salt Co. as a design draftsman. He held a number of managerial positions before being promoted to assistant chief engineer in 1956. In October 1975, he was elected to the position as the president and CEO.
While at Tech he was an active member of Tau Beta Pi, Blue Key, Tau Nu Tau, Theta Tau, Keweenawan staff, track team, Varsity hockey team, . . .
Ray E. Cross '35
Retired president Culligen Water Conditioning of Washtenau County - distinguished career as metallurgist and service executive of water quality improvement industry - 1969 Donald L. Petit Award - 1983 Award of Merit Water Quality Association - member of President's Club.
Mr. James C. Crowder '63
Mr. James C. Crowder, a native of Eau Claire, Michigan, earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1963. While at Michigan Tech, he served as president of the AIChE Student Chapter and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. He joined Grain Processing Corporation after graduation in 1963. He worked in several areas of the company, including business development, production, engineering, environmental control, purchasing, safety, quality control, and product research and development. Mr. Crowder was promoted to Vice President in 1986, to Senior Vice President in charge of manufacturing in 1989, to Executive Vice President in 1996 and to . . .