August 29, 2025

Proposals are being solicited for the Research Excellence Fund (REF) program, an internal award of the Vice President for Research Office.

Proposals must follow standard internal deadlines in coordination with the Sponsored Programs Office. The final proposal deadline is  5 p.m. on Oct. 7. This due date will be strictly enforced. Early submission are encouraged.

Please note that the REF program has changed in a number of ways in recent years. Be sure to review the current guidance carefully. Changes implemented recently include a limit of one REF Research Seed award per principal investigator during their eligibility period, expansion of Scholarship and Creativity Grant eligibility to include teaching faculty, eliminating cost sharing, and adding eligibility for instructional track faculty with research appointments for the Research Seed program.

For additional information, see the Research Excellence Fund webpage. Questions can be directed to REF-l@mtu.edu.

As the Sponsored Programs Pre-Award team enters our busiest proposal season, we are experiencing a significant increase in volume. To ensure we can support your submission effectively, it's critical to adhere to our internal deadlines.

Unfortunately, we are unable to process or submit proposals if your Notice of Intent to Submit a Proposal is received after your first internal deadline.

In addition, if key internal deadlines are missed, we will not be able to proceed with your submission. We cannot interrupt one submission to accommodate another.

Key Internal Deadlines:

• Subrecipients or External Collaborators: If your proposal includes a subrecipient, vendor or consultant from another institution, you must complete an Intent to Submit at least 15 business days in advance of the deadline.

• Final Subrecipient Documents: Authorized institutional signatures, sponsor-ready budgets, justifications, statements of work and all required supporting documents are due to your analyst by 7 a.m. at least 10 business days in advance of the deadline.

• Draft Budget with Justification: A complete draft budget and justification must be submitted to your analyst by 7 a.m. at least 10 business days in advance of the deadline.

• Final Budget with Justification and Tier 1: To receive University review and approval to submit, your final SPO analyst approved budget and justification as well as all Tier 1 documentation are due by 7 a.m. at least five business days in advance of the deadline.

• Tier 2 and Submission: All research pieces must be sponsor-ready and uploaded appropriately to Cayuse or sponsor portals by 7 a.m. one business day in advance of the deadline.

As soon as you decide to apply for funding, please complete the Notice of Intent to Submit a Proposal form. To help with planning, use our Internal Deadline Calculator.

We're proud to support your research and appreciate your partnership. Thank you for helping us maintain a sustainable and successful proposal process. We look forward to working with you!

K-Day, short for Keweenaw Day, is an annual tradition at Michigan Tech held on the Friday after Labor Day. It is a registered student organization fair with over 200 groups in attendance. Each year on K-Day, classes release at noon so our students can learn about ways to get involved and connected at Tech.

This year, K-Day is next Friday, Sept. 5, from 1-5 p.m. at Chassell Centennial Park.

K-Day typically sees around 3,500-4,000 students participate, so be sure to check out this amazing event so you don't miss out!

K-Day would not be possible without all the help from our volunteers. There are volunteer opportunities all day long. You can sign up to help out on our K-Day 2025 Volunteer Sign-Up.

If you advise a student organization, this is also a great opportunity to connect with your members and have some fun.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Taylor Piering at rso@mtu.edu.

The Memorial Union will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day. Normal hours resume Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

The Campus Store and University Images will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day. Both stores will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Normal Business Hours:

• Campus Store: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday noon to 4 p.m.
• University Images: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For your convenience, online shopping will remain available throughout the holiday at the Michigan Tech Campus Bookstore website.

We wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. Go Huskies!

Kick off the semester by joining the Graduate Student Government (GSG) for our traditional First Friday Social! Come and enjoy good food, refreshments and music!

The social is planned next Friday, Sept. 5, from 4-6 p.m. on the Grad Commons Patio. The event is open to Michigan Tech grad students, faculty, staff, family and friends. No RSVP is required.

For any questions or concerns, please contact GSG Social Chair Victoria Santillan at gsg-social@mtu.edu.

Event Details:

• What: First Friday Social
• When: Friday, Sept. 5, from 4-6 p.m.
• Where: Grad Commons Patio, located at 207 East Street (across US-41 from the Van Pelt and Obie Library)

View the First Friday Social Flyer.

Dive in with us! MTU Aquatics is hosting a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Open Water SCUBA Course in October, and registration opens today, Aug. 29, at 8 a.m.

This SCUBA diving course is conducted over two weekends. Oct. 10-12 is the first weekend, which includes 10 hours of academic instruction (with some coursework to be completed independently) and 10 hours of confined water training in the SDC Pool. The second weekend is for certification dives in Lake Superior at a Marquette location, and students are offered a choice between Oct. 18-19 or Oct. 25-26.

Upon registration, students will be given all required reading material and paperwork to complete prior to the start of the course. Class size is limited.

For more information or to register, visit the SCUBA course page on Michigan Tech Recreation's website.

Questions? Contact MTU Aquatics at 906-487-2995 or email aquatics@mtu.edu.

Job Postings for Friday, Aug. 29, 2025

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Food Service Helper (first shift, nine months), Dining Services. (AFSCME posting dates are Aug. 29 to Sept. 5, 2025. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates.)

Associate Director – International and Transfer Admissions, Admissions.

Associate Director for Financial Aid, Financial Aid Administration.

Enrollment Communications Coordinator, Enrollment Management.

Senior Administrative Aide (12 months, 40 hours), Financial Aid Administration. (UAW posting dates are Aug. 29 to Sept. 5, 2025. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates.)

Financial Aid Counselor, Financial Aid Administration.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment, or for an interview, at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or humanresources@mtu.edu.

Hoda Hatoum (BioMed/ICC/HRI) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $410,956 research and development grant from the National Institutes of Health.

The project is titled “Stratifying thrombosis risk in Kawasaki Disease using hemodynamic analysis beyond the z-score.”

This is a potential three-year project.

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Petra Huentemeyer (Physics/EPSSI) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $150,000 research and development grant from the National Science Foundation.

The project is titled “WoU-MMA: Tracking Cosmic-ray Dynamics  in our Galaxy by Combining HAWC with Multi-Messenger Data.”

Tiffany Lewis (Physics/EPSSI) is a co-PI on this potential one-year project.

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Ana Dyreson (MAE/CISR) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $499,314 research and development grant from the National Science Foundation.

The project is titled “NSF R2I2: Maximizing resilience to winter weather in future electric power systems.”

Pengfei Xue (CEGE/GLRC) and Chelsea Schelly (SS/GLRC/CISR) are co-PIs on this potential two-year project.

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Zhanping You (CEGE/MTTI) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $158,249 research and development contract from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The project is titled “Utilizing Hydrogen Fuel Technology for a Transportation Fleet.”

Qi Ren (CEGE) and Jeffrey Naber (MAE/APSRC) are co-PIs on this potential two-year project.

Zhanping You (CEGE/MTTI) and Ph.D. student Sepehr Mohammadi (civil engineering) were quoted by WLUC TV6 and WXYZ Detroit in stories about ongoing collaborations to test innovative asphalt mixes containing recycled materials. You was quoted by TV6 about a project in Dickinson County. Mohammadi was quoted by WXYZ Detroit about a paving project in Washtenaw County — its first using rubberized asphalt. Mohammadi and several more MTU Ph.D. students drove more than nine hours to oversee the project.

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The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Michigan Tech in two stories about MTU volleyball. One story covered the team being picked fifth in the GLIAC's preseason coaches poll. In the other, which highlighted an intrasquad scrimmage, head coach Cindy Pindral (ATH) and several players shared their excitement for the upcoming season.

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The Big Rapids Pioneer mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Niche’s 2026 Best Colleges in America rankings. MTU was third among Michigan schools and earned an overall grade of A, ranking in the Top 20 colleges statewide. The story was picked up by seven regional outlets.

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Patch mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Forbes’ America’s Top Colleges 2026 list. MTU ranked No. 250 nationally and fifth in Michigan, and was recognized among 500 schools “that shine” for strong outcomes.

Blood Drive with the American Red Cross

Grab your canteen and roll up your sleeves — it's time for an adventure that saves lives! Sign up today to donate at the Fall Blood Drive. Whether you're a first-time donor or a seasoned camper, your generous gift will make a lifesaving impact.

Help us reach our goal of 185 units — that's a merit badge worth earning!

Michigan Tech's Fall Blood Drive will be held in the MUB Ballroom on:

• Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The American Red Cross recommends making an appointment for your donation; however, walk-ins are welcome based on availability. To schedule, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or make an appointment online.

Learn more on the American Red Cross website:

1. Eligibility Requirements
2. Type of Blood Donations
3. How Blood Donations Help
4. Common Concerns

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Mandatory Time Approval and Labor Day Deadlines

As Michigan Tech begins a new academic year, this is a reminder of the importance of timely timesheet approval. Accurate and prompt approval ensures payroll is processed correctly, efficiently and in compliance with regulations. This reduces the need for reallocations, off-cycle payrolls and additional adjustments — helping employees receive correct and timely pay.

Supervisors are responsible for promptly and accurately approving timesheets for their employees. Payroll will not approve timesheets on behalf of supervisors.

Timesheet Approval Deadlines:

• Standard Approval: Approved timesheets must be submitted by midnight on Monday of payroll week.
• Manual Paper Timesheet: If the standard deadline is missed, a paper timesheet may be submitted by the secondary deadline of noon on Tuesday of payroll week.
• Holiday Adjustments: Payroll Services will communicate any altered deadlines in advance when holidays or other circumstances affect processing.

Best Practices for Time Approval:

• Use electronic time submission whenever possible — paper timesheets should be a last resort. If an employee does not have electronic access, contact Human Resources.
• Set calendar reminders for approval deadlines.
• Establish proxy approvers in advance to ensure coverage during absences.
• Maintain clear departmental processes for handling approvals during absences or staff transitions.

Labor Day Deadlines – Detailed Schedule:
Due to the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 1, the deadlines for the pay period ending Aug. 30, 2025 (Bi-Weekly 18) are adjusted as follows:

• Electronic Timecards Expected to Payroll: Friday, Aug. 29, at noon
• Payroll Submission of Unsubmitted Timecards: Friday, Aug. 29, by 1 p.m.
• Electronic Timecard Submission Deadline: Monday, Sept. 1, at midnight
• Electronic Web Time Entry Approval Deadline: Monday, Sept. 1, at midnight
• Paper Revised Timesheet Submission Deadline: Tuesday, Sept. 2, at noon

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MSE Seminar with Janelle Wharry

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by Janelle Wharry, professor of mechanical science and engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, today, Aug. 29, at 3 p.m. in M&M 610.

Wharry will present "Irradiation Can Both Degrade and Enhance Materials' Performance."

From the abstract:
This talk will explore the seemingly paradoxical concepts of irradiation degradation and irradiation enhancement of materials properties. The nuclear reactor community has historically viewed irradiation as a means of damaging materials, causing microstructural defects and microchemical gradients that lead to degradation of mechanical properties, premature materials failures, and reduction of operational safety margins. But on the other hand, irradiation-induced defects can enable access to unique material phases and properties not otherwise accessible or achievable, providing an opportunity to enhance materials performance through tailored irradiations. This talk will provide examples from both sides of irradiation effects. Conventional examples of irradiation degradation will be drawn from our work on structural steels. We will then discuss the use of irradiation to enhance the electrochemical performance of metal oxide ceramics. Mechanisms of irradiation-induced ordering and disordering will be discussed as a potentially unifying explanation.

Wharry is a professor of mechanical science and engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research group focuses on understanding structure-property-functionality relationships in irradiated materials, with an emphasis on deformation mechanisms and mechanical behavior at the nano/microscale. The group's active projects span nuclear structural and cladding alloys, advanced manufacturing and joining methods, metallic nuclear fuels, and electroceramic materials.

Wharry is a recipient of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) Brimacombe Medal, the DOE Early Career Award, National Science Foundation CAREER Award, and American Nuclear Society (ANS) Landis Award. She has mentored 28 graduate and postdoctoral researchers, and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and refereed conference papers. She is also an editor of Materials Science & Engineering A and Materials Today Communications. Wharry serves as chair of the DOE Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) Scientific Review Board, and was previously general chair of the inaugural 2019 Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) Conference. Prior to joining Illinois, she was on the faculty at Purdue University. She received her Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences from the University of Michigan.

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No Tech Today on Monday

Tech Today will not publish on Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Submissions for publication in Tech Today next Tuesday, Sept. 2, are due by noon today, Aug. 29.

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Women's Soccer at Winona State

Friday, August 29, 12–3 a.m. | Winona, Minn.

Women's Soccer at Winona State Winona, Minn.

Oh! The Places You Came From!

Friday, August 29, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Library

Our students come from all over the world! Stop and put yourself on the map at our Digital Scholarship@VPOL display so we can see where you were before coming to MTU.

Library Origami Inquiry Quest

Friday, August 29, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Library

Explore the library in search of origami creatures. Scan their QR code to check out our library FAQs. Afterward, stop by the “Ask Us!” desk on the first floor to tell one of...

Snowcones with Pavlis Honors College

Friday, August 29, 1–5 p.m. | DHH Bocce Ball Courts

Join Pavlis Honors College and Student Leadership and Involvement for snowcones and yard games at the DHH Bocce Ball Courts. This is a great opportunity learn more about the...

Get Your Hands on Health Care

Friday, August 29, 3–4 p.m. | Walker Lawn

Curious about a future in health care? Stop by to learn how to take vitals using real EMS gear and chat with the Pre-Health Association about how to get involved.

Polymer Engineering to Prevent Vision Loss

Friday, August 29, 3–4 p.m. | Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, 102

Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar Katelyn E. Swindle-Reilly, Ph.D. The Ohio State University Abstract Our lab designs polymeric biomaterials for soft tissue repair...

Cookout Rush

Friday, August 29, 6–8 p.m. | Sigma Phi Epsilon

Come get some free food and hang out with the brothers of SigEp!

Mario Kart w/ Triangle Fraternity

Friday, August 29, 6–8 p.m. | Fisher 138

Join us for Mario Kart in Fisher 138

Redridge Adevntures with Tau Kappa Epsilon

Friday, August 29, 6–8 p.m. | TKE House

Come join the brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon exploring the redridge dam! Rides available at Wadsworth Hall at 5:50, leaving from the TKE house at 6:00.

Game Night

Friday, August 29, 7–9 p.m. | Meet at Clock Tower on campus at 7pm

The Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Board (GSAB) is hosting our first social event of the semester! We are meeting at the Clock Tower on campus at 7pm and...

Live Music on Walker Lawn - Hosted by WMTU!

Friday, August 29, 7–9 p.m. | Walker Lawn

Join us on Walker Lawn to listen to the amazing local bands: Tollways, Willowby, and Stardawg! This live music event is hosted by your own college radio station, WMTU, turning...