May 1, 2026

When a group of Michigan Tech seniors saw an opportunity to strengthen their experience as Thompson Scholars, they seized it — creating a new student organization designed to build connection and community for future scholars.

The Thompson Scholars Association (TSA) joined Michigan Tech’s roster of registered student organizations last fall, bringing together recipients of the Thompson Working Families Scholarship. Built on a shared commitment to service, the organization is already creating new opportunities for students to connect, volunteer and support one another.

Meet the Thompson Scholars behind TSA at Stories from Husky Nation.

The Graduate School is pleased to announce that six Michigan Tech graduate students have been awarded Michigan Space Grant Consortium (MSGC Fellowships. These NASA-sponsored awards support exceptional students performing research in science, technology and STEM education.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients: 

• Gabby DuCheny — Mechanical Engineering
  Advisor: Bhisham Sharma

• Nicholas Hendrickson — Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
  Advisor: Vinh Nguyen

• Sam Jensen — Geophysics
  Advisor: Aleksey Smirnov

• Mari Leland — Biological Sciences
  Advisor: Trista Vick-Majors

• Samantha Torres — Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
  Advisor: Vinh Nguyen

• Dayana Manrique — Atmospheric Sciences
  Advisor: Shiliang Wu

Read more on the Graduate School Newsblog.

Financial Services and Operations (FSO) will hold a virtual Lunch and Learn session on fiscal year-end closing deadlines on May 12 from 12-1 p.m. ET. 

We’ll be covering the topics from the 2026 Fiscal Year-End Closing Schedule. The schedule is located on the Controller's Office webpage under the "Closing Schedules" subheading.

This virtual session will be hosted on Zoom and recorded for those unable to attend. Please register for the FSO Lunch and Learn to receive the Zoom link. When you sign up, you'll have the opportunity to share any questions in advance, and we’ll be sure to address them during the session.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Jamie Meleen at jameleen@mtu.edu or 906-487-2122.

Mark Rhodes and Kathryn Hannum (both SS) are the co-authors of an article published in the Fall 2025 issue of Material Culture, a journal published by the International Society for Landscape, Place, and Material Culture. 

The article, titled “Amtrak’s Sustainable Futures: Slow Tourism and a Nationalization of Industrial Heritage”, builds upon research they conducted in the spare moments of running their Amtrak-based study away program in 2022 and 2023.

As slow tourism becomes more popular, especially for experiencing industrial pasts, Rhodes and Hannum argue that Amtrak, as the nation’s only publicly owned intercity transit option, offers multiple possibilities for providing a more direct and sustainable pathway for tourists seeking out certain industrial heritage.

Professor Emeritus Bill Sproule (CEGE) recently presented "Fort Mackinac Never Sweats Baseball Club" at the Society for American Baseball (SABR) 19th Century Baseball Conference in Cooperstown, New York, on April 24-25.

Sproule shared the story of the Fort Mackinac soldiers organizing a baseball team that would play games against Mackinac Island villagers and summer visitors and teams from communities off the island in 1880s. The team played their home games on the parade grounds adjacent to the fort. The team adopted the nickname "Never Sweats".

A couple of weeks earlier, on April 9, Sproule presented "Houghton, Professional Hockey, and the Stanley Cup" at the Brighton District Library, where he connected the Stanley Cup to Houghton, the birthplace of professional hockey.

Keweenaw Report quoted Christian Montesinos (IPS) in a story about Michigan Tech reimagining the annual Parade of Nations as a more community-focused Festival of Nations. The expanded event will feature additional family-friendly activities, vendor spaces and opportunities for community members to interact more directly with students.

MLive mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the city of Houghton earning “High Flyer” status as the first Bird City in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The recognition highlights collaborative conservation efforts among local partners, including MTU, to support bird habitats along the Keweenaw’s Great Lakes migration corridor.

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

Track & Field at GLIAC Outdoor Championships

Friday, May 1, 12–12 a.m. | Allendale, Mich.

Track & Field at GLIAC Outdoor Championships Allendale, Mich.

Handshake Spring 2026 - Just In Time Fair - Open to All Majors

Friday, May 1, 12–3 p.m.

This virtual fair features over 80 employers. You can make the most of your virtual fair experience by reviewing this advice. Get Ready for the Just in Time Career Fair! Are you ready to explore exciting opportunities, connect with industry leaders, and shape the future of your career journey? This fair is the perfect opportunity to do so! Join us virtually on Handshake to network with top employers who are eager to recruit talent like you. 📅 Date: Friday, May 1 🕒 Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm ET / 9:00am-12:00pm PT 💻 Location: Virtual on Handshake What to Expect 1:1 Sessions: Connect directly with employers and ask questions to learn about specific opportunities.Group Sessions: Join informative sessions, panel discussions with industry experts, and learn about the opportunities available and the company culture.Networking Opportunities: Build connections that could lead to internships, jobs, or mentorship opportunities.Tips for Success Register for Sessions on Handshake: After completing your registration for the overall fair, be sure to sign up for 1:1 sessions and/or group sessions with recruiters to maximize your opportunities to connect.Dress Professionally (Even Virtually…

The Graduate School is pleased to announce the following dissertation, thesis and report defenses occurring next week. Please consider attending to learn more about our students’ scholarship and celebrate their academic accomplishments. Check the University Events Calendar for last-minute updates to times, dates and locations.