Ruth and Dr. Robert Nara
Bob and Ruth Nara have done so much for the University, one could assume they already were alumni. Coming from a family with deep roots in the Keweenaw, Bob launched a successful career as a dentist and founding Oramedics International preventative dentistry system. For more than fifty years, Bob and Ruth have been married and partners in the dental business, in addition to their myriad philanthropic projects.
The Naras practice what they term “catalyst philanthropy” through the Nara . . .
Fred G. Nardi Jr. '59, '59
Mr. Nardi joined Hughes Aircraft Company in Torrance, California in 1959 as a member of the technical staff. He held various engineering management positions throughout his career with the company, retiring as Manager of Satellite Ground Equipment Laboratories in 1992. A strong supporter of higher education, Mr. Nardi held advisory board positions at California State University, Long Beach; California State University, Fresno; and Michigan Technological University. He was a charter member of Michigan Tech’s Electrical Engineering Department External Advisory Committee and served a term as Chairman.
Samantha Neirby '11
Samantha Neirby is about to go where mostly men have gone before. The US Navy has chosen Neirby—who is finishing her chemical engineering degree this spring at Michigan Technological University—to train to serve on a nuclear submarine. She will be just the third woman Naval officer ever recruited from a college or university to serve on a sub.
Mr. Charles J. Nelson '36
Mr. Charles J. Nelson, a native of Atlantic Mine, Michigan, earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1936. He was a member of Chi Epsilon. Mr. Nelson worked for the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. until 1940 when he and his brother, Evan, formed Nelson Paint Company. Mr. Nelson developed the paint ball using C02 gas for propulsion; a technology used by the forest and cattle industries and for competitive paintball games. Mr. Nelson remains a . . .
David R. Nelson '79
Dave began his professional career with Tenneco as a Geological Engineer. His responsibilities included prospect generation and petrophysical analysis of their Arkoma Basin holdings in Arkansas and Oklahoma. In 1983, he moved to Petro-Lewis Corporation in Denver, Colorado where he directed the company's development of producing properties in Northeastern Oklahoma. During the petroleum price downturns in the mid 1980's, Dave shifted his attention to investment banking, while using his geological and petroleum knowledge.
In 1991, Dave joined . . .
Robert C. Nelson '66
After graduating from Michigan Tech in 1966 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry, Robert Nelson started a distinguished business career working for several chemical companies. He also did graduate work at Wayne State University.
In 1974 he began selling stock plastic shapes and finished goods for an industrial plastics distributor. Abbot Plastics, of which he is half-owner, co-founder, and current President, was started in 1980. He expanded his company to include facilities in Rockford, Madison and Milwaukee.
. . .
Eric A. Nielsen '80
Eric A. Nielsen earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1980 at Michigan Tech and went on to earn an MBA-Finance & International Business, at the University of Chicago in 1988. After graduating from Michigan Tech he started as a consulting engineer with Hazard Engineering in Morton Grove, IL. From 1983 to 1994 he held engineering and management positions at Omron Electronics in Illinois, Conveyor Equipment Division in Mississippi and FMC Corporation in Pennsylvania. In . . .
Ralph Noyes '70
Ralph Noyes was born in Chicago and came to Michigan Tech in the late 60's. He got his BS in geology in 1970, the year I came to Houghton, and was in our master's program until 1972.
He has had a career of increasing responsibility in the mining industry. He began in industrial minerals, and did exploration, plant management, and sales. In precious metals he was an underground miner, mine geologist, and manager of several mines.
Since 1981 Ralph has . . .
Paula J. Nutini (Eilola) '85
Paula graduated with honors from Michigan Tech in 1985 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. Following graduation she relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she accepted a position with Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (a leader in the electronic article surveillance industry) in their finance department. During her three years with the company, she transferred to the marketing department to focus on national sales support.
Jeffery C. Nuttall '68, '67
Jeff began working for Texaco, Inc., in 1968 as an oil and gas Exploration and Development Geologist in east Texas, south Texas, and the upper Gulf Coast of Texas. In 1974, he moved to Mesa Petroleum as Senior Geologist and was responsible for development and exploration in offshore Texas and Louisiana, and for all onshore activities from south Texas to Florida.
After 4 years with Mesa, Jeff began working for American Coastal Energy, first as Senior Geologist and . . .
