​Faith Morrison (Ch E) will serve Michigan Tech in the capacity of associate dean of the Graduate School beginning this semester. The position is half time, with Morrison continuing in her faculty role for the balance of her time.

M​orrison will be involved in a number of projects in the Graduate School. A major project will be the development and implementation of university-level assessment of graduate student learning and graduate program review. She will also work to develop, implement and support efforts to attract and retain a diverse graduate student body and on other projects aimed at improving the graduate student experience at Michigan Tech.  

Morrison brings 26 years of faculty and service experience to her new role. She has worked closely with ABET and Higher Learning Commission accreditation in the chemical engineering department as well as working as an academic advisor and as an advisor to student groups.  

Her research expertise is in polymer rheology and she is well known nationally for her service in her professional society, the Society of Rheology, as well as for her authorship of two textbooks, including a popular introductory rheology text.  Morrison’s national activities also include serving on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Physics (AIP), as well as serving as chair of the AIP Audit Committee.

Morrison says, "I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to address new challenges and to contribute to Michigan Tech in this new way. The team in the Graduate School is terrific and have been very welcoming."

​Pushpa Murthy, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the graduate school s​aid, "​Professor​ ​Morrison​ bring​s ​​a wealth of experience ​in student learning assessment and program review ​to ​the​ graduate school. In addition, her deep interest and passion in increasing the diversity on campus will be of great benefit as we continue to make the campus a more inclusive and welcoming place. We​ are fortunate to have the opportunity to benefit from ​her experience by involving her in the day-to-day operations of the Graduate School."

A web site called Best College Values has named 50 schools nationwide whose bachelor's degree programs in engineering offer the best value education for their cost. Michigan Tech's College of Engineering placed 24th on the list.

Best College Values calls itself an online resource for prospective college students who are seeking an education that is worth its cost. Programs chosen for this ranking must be of reputably high quality and affordable, providing a high return on investment.

"Michigan Tech carries above-average scores in each of our value ranking categories, which earns it its place as a top value Bachelor in Engineering school," the web site says.

"It is encouraging to see our College of Engineering recognized by this established ranking system," says Wayne Pennington, dean of Tech's College of Engineering. "We know that our students perform extremely well in the job market and graduate studies, and this is reflected in the methodology that is employed for these rankings. Simply put, our students get good jobs that quickly repay their investment in their education. We are proud of that fact and continually strive to ensure that students are provided great value through sound, hands-on learning and the opportunity to participate at a meaningful level in a variety of projects as part of their Michigan Tech experience."

The Best College Values web site explains the thinking behind its rankings: "While we believe that U.S. News and similar publications' college rankings are valuable indicators of schools' academic performance and reputations, we also believe that for the average prospective student seeking an education that will prepare them to enter the workforce, a number of other factors ought to be considered more heavily. Best College Values is thus dedicated to producing rankings built on composite scores based on affordability, financial outcomes after graduation and institutional reputation."

See the rankings of the 50 schools here.

Hoist your sails and join fellow mariners from 7 p.m. to sunset Wednesday, Sept. 7 on the Portage Canal in front of campus. Michigan Tech faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends are invited to the first-ever photo session celebrating our Michigan Tech sailing community. The University Marketing and Communications Studio will capture images of skippers and their crews. The Great Lakes Research Center face dock is available as a staging area. Rain date is same time and place on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Contact UMC writer Cyndi Perkins with questions.

In observance of the Labor Day Holiday, there will be no Tech Today on Monday. 

Tech Today will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The deadline for submission of articles for the Sept. 6 edition, either by online form or email, is noon tomorrow (Sept. 2).

Test your financial know-how and you could win an ipad mini.

Benefit Services has teamed up with TIAA to bring you the What's Your Financial IQ challenge. 

Now through Oct. 1, you can take this educational challenge to have fun and learn important information about financial planning.

Each day five new questions will be added to the challenge. Every time you play, you are automatically entered for a chance to win an ipad mini.

The more you play, the better your chances of winning—so sign on every day (all responses are confidential).

"Superior" the movie will be available on-demand beginning tomorrow (Sept. 2). 

Inspired by a true story that took place in 1969, the film was shot entirely in the Copper Country in July of 2014. The film, which has been shown to approving audiences throughout the country, features several members of the Michigan Tech community in key roles. 

The film is available now for preorder on iTunes and on hundreds of digital platforms in the U.S. and Canada tomorrow.

You can find out more about the film and preorder a copy online.

The next Geoseminar will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 6 in Dow 610. James Robertson will present "Maintaining Neutrality in a Polarized Environment: When delivering the Facts is Not Enough."

This presentation describes the challenges faced by state geological survey scientists in Wisconsin when speaking to non-technical audiences about issues of significant local interest that have become polarized, controversial and confrontational. It also speaks more broadly to any well-intentioned geologist who gets involved in local issues with clear-cut geological underpinnings and who believes that "the facts", clearly communicated, will help all rational folks to make thoughtful, informed, collegial, scientifically supported decisions.

In 22 years as State Geologist of Wisconsin, Robertson has made innumerable contributions to both his own State Survey as well as to the American Association of State Geologists (AASG) organization. Robertson has represented AASG to the AGI, GSA and the NRC where he served on the Board of Earth Sciences and Resources and has a long and successful association with the National Cooperative Geological Mapping Program.

The next ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker series is at 4 p.m. today in EERC 103. Aimy Bazylak of the University of Toronto will present "Tailoring Transport in Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers for Clean Transportation."

Fall Blood Drive Today

Fraternity and Sorority Life is holding a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today (Sept. 1) in the Library Reading Room to donate blood.

Sign up for an appointment time online or call 800-733-2767. Walk-ins are always welcome. Click here for more information. Bring a photo ID.

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Civil Engineering Graduate Seminar 

Xiao Sun, PhD candidate in CEE at Michigan Tech, will present "Smart Aerodynamic Control Devices Design and Vibration Reduction Analysis for Wind Turbine Blades" from 4 to 5 p.m. today in Dow 642. The event is open to the public.

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An Indigenous Rights Approach to Hydrocarbon Activities in the Marine Arctic

Rachael Lorna Johnstone will present "An Indigenous Rights Approach to Hydrocarbon Activities in the Marine Arctic" from 3:30 to 5 p.m. today (Sept. 1) in GLRC 202. A reception will follow.

For additional information see the original Tech Today story.

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This Week's C-Cubed Menu

Today, Sept. 1

• Moroccan Carrot Soup
• Grilled Chicken with Red Pepper Olive Relish
• Couscous with Chickpeas
• Spinach Salad with Orange Cilantro Dressing

Tomorrow, Sept. 2

Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl with: 

• King salmon
• Kale Chips
• Kalamata Olives
• Feta
• Fattoush Salad

All items on the buffet are labeled if they are vegetarian or gluten free. Send any suggestions to Brenda Randell at bsrandel@mtu.edu or fill out a feed-back form online.

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CareerFest Automotive Day

Michigan Tech’s CareerFEST kicks off with Automotive Day  from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Most activities are taking place in the CareerFEST tent on campus.

Leaders in the automotive industry are on campus to show-and-tell students about their companies and employment opportunities. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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Access to Handicapped Parking During Automotive Day

During today's Automotive Day, there will be vehicle demonstrations occurring throughout the day between the Van Pelt and Opie Library and the MUB. During demonstrations, the area will be blocked off. If access to the handicapped parking spaces near the Library is required, the demonstrations will be halted to allow for safe travel to parking.

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Theatre Auditions Tonight

Tonight is the final night of auditions for the Tech Theatre Company's first two shows of the season. Auditions are at 7 p.m. in the McArdle Theatre in the Walker Building.

"Silent Sky" by Lauren Gunderson— Roles for one man and four women.

"The Resistable Rise of Aurture Ui."— Roles for three or more women and 19 or more men.

No preparation or monologues are required to audition. For specific information on each play check out the original Tech Today story.

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Middle Eastern Food at Khana Khazana

Khana Khazana moves back indoors in the newly-remodeled Memorial Union Building Friday with tastes of the Middle East. 

Serving is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday in the MUB Food Court. The menu includes:

• Shysh Tawuq (Chicken Grill)—A terrific appetizer of minced chicken mixed with onions and spices.
• Falafel—Deep-fried ball made from ground chickpeas served in a pita.
• Homemade pita bread.
• Tabbouleh—Traditional salad made of bulgar (dried cracked wheat), tomatoes, finely-chopped parsley, mint, cilantro and onion seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice and salt.
• Hummus—Spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini (condiment made from toasted sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic.

The cost is $6.95 for the full meal which includes a fountain drink. 

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MUB Offers Grand Opening Specials

The North Coast Grill and Pizza in the Memorial Union Building is celebrating recent renovations with Grand Opening Specials through Friday. The specials are served from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Grand Opening Specials include Deli combo meals, Grill Specials, Wok Express and Pizza.

Today's specials:

• Kung Pao Chicken with Rice $5
• Hot Wing Meal Deal  $5
• Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza $1.99
• Smoked Gouda Cheese Mac & Cheese $3.99 and includes a 20 oz. fountain drink. 

Tech Century, a science and engineering news web site published by the Engineering Society of Detroit, ran a story about the six Michigan universities, including Michigan Tech, that appeared in the Princeton Review's latest Best Colleges guide. Read the story here.