I’m now a veterinarian, but I took the long journey to get there. I wasn’t a very good student at Tech, and I think the biggest thing I would pass along is that very few people leave Tech and say “I wish I had partied more” but it isn’t uncommon to hear “I wish I had partied less and studied more.”
There are a lot of resources out there. If you’re struggling, be kind to yourself; look at the course goals and the objectives for each lecture. Go talk to the professor. Don’t be afraid to drop a class because you feel overwhelmed (but earlier will help you be successful in your other classes rather than later, when you’ve spent a lot of time spinning your wheels on the class you’re struggling with).
-Chris Boehm ’91
-Thanks for advice. Good lessons for everyone. -SW
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-Pete Rankin BSEE ’59
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Good Morning Sarah,
Having graduated 40 years ago from Michigan Tech, I would suggest you learn how to keep a balance in your Tech life. Be sure to have time to study, socialize and alone time. Know your limits and try not to exceed them.
School is an amazing time to learn academically and how to relate and get along with fellow students. The time goes too fast, so be sure to take in all in and learn from it.
Best of luck as you begin your educational pursuits.
-Joe Cavanagh ’77
Well said, Joe. Great advice. -SW
In 1964, I moved into Wadsworth hall. And met new friends from everywhere. Three years ago, I moved into a new neighborhood in Florida. It was a new thing! It has brought more memories.
-Dennis Luoto ’68
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I arrived at Wadsworth Hall at Tech in the fall of 1968 never having seen the campus or having been in the Upper Peninsula due to personal situations even though I lived around Midland, Michigan. I would encourage new students to tour the area while the weather is nice. Go see Copper Harbor and all the beauty outside the campus. Also, meet some of the local people. They can be a big help in understanding the UP culture, traditions, local services that may be needed. I think the greatest asset the Houghton/Hancock area has is their great people.
My advice: Get involved in some activity or organization to meet a variety of students, faculty, locals. These new circles of friends will help you get through the long, cold, dreary days that are coming soon. Also, start thinking now about the Co-Op or summer intern hiring programs you want to apply for early in your program. You have chosen a great school. I have been very thankful many times for my great times and great education at MTU.
-Jim Blevins ’72
-Wonderful words of wisdom. Thank you for sharing! -SW
-Tammy Stewart ’92
-Fantastic words of wisdom. -SW
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Work hard, have fun, but most importantly, determine what you want to do in life and develop a passion for that.
In the fall of 1968 I flew into the Hancock airport on the Blue Goose at night. It was my first time to ever set foot in the Copper Country. I have no idea of how I got over to campus, but I had two big Samsonite suitcases that were very heavy. Coed Hall was brand new. In fact, some of the rooms weren’t completed yet so my roommate and I had a temporary roomie – a senior from the Sault Ste. Marie. I remember my first lecture in Doc Berry’s class when he told us to look to the left and then the right and that one of you wouldn’t be there next quarter. That was my roommate. As a result, I ended up with a very large room by myself. My other memory of Doc Berry’s lecture hall was students listening on their transistor radios to the Detroit Tigers who were playing in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Then came K-Day. Someone we knew obviously had a car and we drove to who knows where and had hot dogs, chips and lemonade with a thousand other Toots. Welcome to Tech.
Joe Williams ‘72
Great memories, Joe. I’m glad to hear you made it through Tech. -SW
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This is in reply to the email from Don Johannesen ’56 and his story about visiting the Quincy No. 2 hoist engine in 1952. Don, when I arrived at Tech in 1963, the lock on that door was only a memory, and my friends and I simply walked in to be awed by the largest steam-powered drum hoist ever built. The shaft house, however, was another matter. I didn’t get inside until the fall of 1966 when Professor Spiroff (Mineralogy) led a delegation from the student AIME Chapter up to the Quincy No. 2 to begin the surface cleanup that was the very first small step in turning the hoist and shaft house into the attraction they are today. When our work was done, Professor Spiroff opened the door to the shaft house and, after cautioning us about the open shaft, gave us the details of its 13,000 foot length down the incline of the Pewabic Lode.
No, I didn’t tell Professor Spiroff about my visit in 1963.
-Pete Dohms, ’67
-Great story, Pete. What a great project that you were involved with the start to clean up the Quincy mine. So many people now enjoy that beautiful piece of history in the Copper Country. -SW
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Great job! Thanks.
-Bill Rosenthal ’61
-Thanks for reading TechAlum, Bill! -SW