By Sarah Williams

Setting up coffee for a networking event at Ford. Recruiting students at Career Fair. Selling pickled eggs.

Giving back.

“It’s something that you can do,” says Dan Madrid ’10 BS Computer Network and Systems Administration. “It allows you to reconnect and revitalize your connection with Michigan Tech and Houghton.”

Madrid, who is an IT product manager in connected vehicle IT at Ford, began volunteering to assist with company recruiting. “When I started at Ford I really wanted to come back and to be on the other side of the table and help recruit new people.”

That led to more volunteer opportunities. He and his wife Kaylee (Walsh) ’12 sold pickled eggs during the Great Lakes Invitational. Madrid is working to start an official Michigan Tech alumni chapter at Ford.

And, he’s working on a new endeavor that combines study abroad and internships. While still in the beginning stages, Madrid is working with Ford and Michigan Tech to offer an international internship at one of Ford’s locations in India.

“This combines my work (which I love), Michigan Tech, and being able to help the students,” he says.

And staying connected to Michigan Tech is important to Madrid.

“With volunteering for alumni gatherings you are building that network and giving back to the school,” he says. “I find it very rewarding.”

Whether selling pickled eggs, reviewing a student resume, or meeting alumni from across the globe, Madrid says there’s always a connection with fellow graduates.

“With Huskies there is no introduction needed,” he says. “We just have that automatic connection. We are all Huskies. We are all in this together.”

Leader. Organizer. Volunteer. Britta Anderson ’15

When Britta Anderson ’15 (Electrical Engineering) visited campus during her high school senior year for the Leading Scholarship competition she had that moment.

“As I crested the hill walking up from Prince’s Point, I was caught in a moment of pensive silence,” she says. “It was then the world shifted. I was no longer a participant blowing off some pre-competition jitters but a student enjoying the winter wonderland. I knew this was where I was meant to be. From that point on, Michigan Tech was my future, and I never looked back.”

After graduating Anderson wanted to give back to Michigan Tech because it brings her happiness and a sense of belonging.

“Michigan Tech has given me so much,” Anderson says. “It only feels right that I give back in the ways that I can from helping to lead an alumni chapter, cheering on our sports teams across the country, answering co-workers’ (or really anyone’s) questions for their children about everything and anything Michigan Tech, connecting with prospective students, helping to organize the Huskies Pep Band 50th anniversary events during this year’s alumni reunion, and promoting Michigan Tech.”

Anderson says she enjoys connecting with prospective students and sharing her Michigan Tech experiences with them.

“I enjoy connecting with a prospective student about an experience I’ve had at Tech or being able to personalize our interactions so they can feel the passion that makes a Michigan Tech student a Husky,” she says.

Volunteering is important because as alumni they can give back to the “place that helped shape who we are so that future generations can share the triumphs and failures of being a Husky.”

“Michigan Tech creates a bond that runs deep,” she says. “You can spot a Husky anywhere. It’s like we have our own Husky calling card.”

Mentor. Leader. Volunteer. Linda Wittbrodt ’83

Linda Wittbrodt ’83 (Computer Science) looks forward to volunteering at the Cherry Festival parade in Traverse City to help Michigan Tech competition vehicle students and the pep band.

“To be able to share such a fun event with the next generation of Huskies is inspiring,” she says. “We are very proud to show them off to Traverse City. These students are accomplishing great things and people need to see that.”

Wittbrodt volunteers because she enjoys sharing her experiences, challenges, and successes. She encourages other alumni to do the same.

“You never know when you will be able to help someone new to your area, mentor young alumni, or bring a smile to the face of an older graduate by responding to their stories,” she says. “We are all a big family, and we should work hard to keep those connections. And really, I end up getting more out of it than anybody.”

Growing up in the Upper Peninsula, Wittbrodt came to Michigan Tech because of its reputation for students to obtain a good education and leave with great jobs. While she was here, she formed a lifelong bond.

“The bond we have with the university and the people we encounter there is a lifelong bond, and I want others to have that same experience,” she says. “When I help at admissions events, I love to encourage others to be a part of that—and because you get a great education.”

Engineer. Leader. Volunteer. Becky Nold ’85

Becky Nold ’85 (Electrical Engineering) knew Michigan Tech from the beginning. She grew up in the historic Alberta Village, built by Henry Ford and donated to Michigan Tech in 1954. Her dad was a forestry professor.

“Michigan Tech has been with me all my life,” she says. “Being in L’Anse schools, it was just understood that Michigan Tech was there and a logical next step. At school they talked about engineering early and often, and in fourth grade we had a huge electrical cart and we would build circuits during rainy recesses.”

Amazing hockey games, great student teachers, and being named valedictorian helped Nold make the choice to attend Michigan Tech.

Now, working for the General Electric Company and living in New York, she gives back and stays connected serving as the Upstate New York alumni chapter leader and a member of the Presidential Council of Alumnae.

“There is something about the Michigan Tech environment that attracts down to earth people–people I would enjoy knowing,” Nold says. “I like to find a way to give back because I have had an enjoyable and profitable career built on my experience at Tech.”

We celebrate National Volunteer Week. We thank all of our alumni and friends who share their time with Michigan Tech.

You give back. You make a difference. Thank you. 

Now it’s your turn. How do you give back, Huskies? Share your story. We’ll highlight those in future TechAlums.

-Sarah