September 1, 2026

Anwar Walid took the helm of Michigan Tech’s Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC) on Aug. 17, succeeding Timothy Havens as executive director. 

Walid brings a blend of academic, research and industry leadership to Michigan Tech. He previously served as an adjunct professor of electrical engineering at Columbia University while building a career in research and technology leadership in industry. 

With seven specialized centers and more than 100 members, the ICC promotes collaborative research and learning experiences across disciplines, across the University, and around the globe. Finding a new leader to carry on the institute’s mission and foster its continued growth was a formidable undertaking, said Dennis Livesay, Dave House Dean of Computing. 

“We’re grateful to Tim for his leadership and service,” said Livesay. “He set an exceptional standard, and we knew that finding our next director would be a challenging search. The high-caliber candidate we sought would already be successful and well-positioned. Fortunately for us, Anwar recognizes the unique opportunity presented by Michigan Tech and ICC. I’m excited to see his vision for the Institute’s continued growth and impact put into action.”

In a Q&A on the College of Computing Newsblog, Walid shares more about his career, why he came to Tech, and his goals for the ICC.

Given Husky Nation’s love of documentation and data, it should come as no surprise that students are jumping at a new opportunity to put their tabulation skills to the test through the Excel Club at Michigan Tech.

Founded by Assistant Teaching Professor Jodie Dompier (COB) in January 2026, Excel Club was inspired by the Microsoft Excel World Championship, which Dompier attended as a spectator, and The Active Cell, a Microsoft-sponsored Excel and financial modeling training camp. Dompier said she enjoyed the camaraderie surrounding the world championship and wanted to bring that learning modality and community spirit to campus. “Learning Excel through gaming is much more fun than going through a certification manual,” she said.

Two of the club’s earliest members, Rylan Feierabend (engineering management) and Nick LaValley ’26 (B.S. Finance), competed in the 2026 Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge’s weekend online battles during the spring semester. They also attended the MECC’s regional competition, held in April in Orlando, Florida, where Feierabend placed third and LaValley came in 16th from among more than 100 students from five universities.

LaValley, who is pursuing a career as a financial advisor after graduating this spring, said joining the club made sense because Excel can be challenging to self-learn. “I personally struggled with knowing where to start and finding the motivation to practice consistently. Excel Club provided me with both, while also gamifying the learning experience,” he said. The added layer of competition was a definite draw. “Personally, I live for competition, so it was great to get out there and spend a few hours completely focused on doing my best at something,” he said.

Find out how Huskies across campus can get involved in Excel Club on the College of Business Newsblog.

The deadline to submit topic suggestions and session proposals for Michigan Tech’s 15th Annual Research Day is 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.

Research Day offers opportunities for professional development, collaboration and engagement with researchers, centers, institutes, shared facilities and funders. The event will be held Jan. 7, 2027, in the Memorial Union Building. Registration will open later this fall.

The Research Development team wants to hear what you’d like to learn about or what expertise you would like to share. Your suggestions for speakers, breakout sessions and learning opportunities will influence the program of this year’s event.

Topics from last year included:

• Foundation program officer presentations
• Artificial intelligence and research
• Tech Talks
• VPR update
• Pre- and post-award updates

Submit your ideas by 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

Thursday, Sept. 3
• Soccer at Northwood, 4:30 p.m. on FloCollege
• Volleyball at UCCS, 7 p.m.
 
Friday, Sept. 4
• Volleyball vs. St. Edward's, 11 a.m.
• Volleyball vs. South Dakota Mines, 6:30 p.m.
 
Saturday, Sept. 5
• Football vs. Midwestern State, Noon at Kearly Stadium on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege
• Volleyball vs. Midwestern State, 1:30 p.m.
• Soccer at Cedarville, 2:30 p.m. on FloCollege

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Athletics News
Read more in the MTU Athletics weekly update.

The Detroit News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Isle Royale National Park closing some campsites due to increased wolf activity. The story noted that Michigan Tech researchers counted 37 wolves on the island during the most recent annual survey, the highest population in nearly 50 years.

The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Michigan Tech in two stories about the federal assistant secretary of energy’s visit to campus on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s new $100 million PROSPECT initiative. The stories highlighted Michigan Tech’s mining engineering program and its role in addressing workforce shortages in the nation’s critical minerals supply chain.

The Daily Mining Gazette covered Michigan Tech’s annual Afternoon on the Town event, which brought Huskies to downtown Houghton and Hancock to connect with local businesses and organizations. Cole Pierucki (SLI) and several MTU students were quoted in the story.

Financial Life in the US Workshop for Students and Families

The Muslim Students Association at Michigan Technological University will host “Financial Life in the U.S.,” a free financial literacy workshop for Michigan Tech students and families, on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5-6 p.m. in MUB Ballroom B1 (MUB 207B1).

The workshop is being offered in partnership with Breakwater Federal Credit Union, which will serve as the community partner and educational presenter.

This one-hour session will introduce practical banking topics for people navigating the U.S. financial system, including:

• Choosing a bank or credit union
• Understanding bank accounts
• Opening and managing an account
• Everyday banking in the United States

The workshop may be especially helpful for international students and families who are new to the U.S., but it is open to the entire Michigan Tech community. Refreshments provided by Dunkin’ will be available. Families are welcome, and activities will be available for children.

Register to Attend
Advance registration is requested to help with planning for seating, refreshments and children’s activities.

Register for the Workshop.

This workshop is the first in a planned financial literacy series organized by the Muslim Students Association at Michigan Tech in partnership with Breakwater Federal Credit Union. Future sessions will address topics such as budgeting, credit, financing, and fraud and scam prevention.

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Campus Construction Continues into the Fall Semester

Michigan Tech’s campus has been busy this summer with construction and improvement projects. Facilities Management has been working to enhance infrastructure, renovate campus spaces and prepare sites for future investment. As the fall semester begins, some of this work will continue.

Construction areas and contractors will be present in the following spaces and buildings:

• Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC) Lobby
• Wadsworth Hall
• R. L. Smith Building

As you move through these areas, please stay alert, follow posted safety directions and be mindful of construction activities and equipment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Facilities Management at facilities@mtu.edu. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to make campus spaces better for everyone. We appreciate your understanding as these improvements continue into the fall semester.

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MAE Graduate Seminar Speaker: Ron Abbott

This week’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Graduate Seminar speaker will present at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, in Dow 641.

Ron Abbott will present “Commercial Factors Driving Today’s Plastics Recycling Industry.”

Abbott is a petrochemical executive with over 35 years of experience evaluating the commercial potential of emerging technologies and leading the most promising innovations to successful market deployment.

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

Welcome Back Donuts!

Tuesday, September 1, 8:30–10:30 a.m. | Campus Mall, Husky Plaza (Featuring Husky Statue)

Happy second day of school! Find Career Services staff outside near the Husky statue - we have donuts to share!

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Find Yourself on the Shelf

Tuesday, September 1, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Library

This event invites new students to explore the library catalogues and stacks to find a book that you believe will be used at some point in your major. Since the incoming students have such a wide range of interests, you can find any book you think is interesting. In this activity, you will build some more familiarity with the library and the call number system we use to find books (Library of Congress). This also creates an opportunity to engage with our librarians and library resources. Once you find a book of your choosing, you can come to the “Ask Us” desk and find a Student Research Consultant to explain why you believe it’s relevant to you and your major or why you find it interesting for a small prize. Extra prizes for creativity!

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(RUSH) Beach Volleyball

Tuesday, September 1, 12–6 p.m. | Sand Volleyball Courts, MTU Recreation

Come soak up the sun with the brothers and play some beach volleyball whilst you're at it! Rides are available if needed.

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Popsicles & Possibilities

Tuesday, September 1, 1–3 p.m. | Outside Library

TOP SECRET: We need your intel! Meet with the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being and Student Leadership and Involvement to share one of your goals for the next year. Your valuable information will be rewarded with a popsicle because every great agent deserves a cool treat.

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Audio Engineering Society (AES) at MTU!

Tuesday, September 1, 2–3 p.m. | Husky Statue

Interested in Audio Technology? Speakers? Making a giant speaker statue made completely out of ice? Stop by Audio Engineering Society at Michigan Tech (AES) to get involved!

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“Commercial Factors Driving Today’s Plastics Recycling Industry”

Tuesday, September 1, 3–4 p.m. | Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building, 641

MAE Graduate Seminar Speaker Series proudly presents Ron Abbott, PhD Business Development Director (Retired) Feedstocks & Recycling Americas Abstract Plastics demand has grown from a novel discovery in the 1930s to a global industry exceeding 450 million metric tons per year, and continues to grow at or above global GDP. The very attributes that make plastics indispensable—lowcost manufacturing, design flexibility, and exceptional performance—also make them challenging to recover, repurpose, and recycle at scale. Despite decades of effort, recycling rates remain stalled near 9% while public pressure for credible recycling solutions continues to intensify. This seminar will examine the full plastics value chain, the economic and regulatory forces shaping today’s production and recycling landscape, and the strengths and weaknesses of today’s technologies currently used in the recycling industry. We will conclude with the operational, economic, and policy headwinds that must be overcome for recycling rates to achieve meaningful, sustained improvement. Bio Ron Abbott is a petrochemical executive with over 35 years of experience evaluating the commercial potential of emerging technologies…

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Meet the Greeks

Tuesday, September 1, 3–6 p.m. | Walker Lawn

Come swing by Walker Lawn to Meet the Greeks! All 13 fraternities and all 7 sororities will be out and about playing volleyball, cornhole, and running through the bounce house obstacle course. The Panhellenic Council and Inner Fraternal Council will have information about Fall 2026 Recruitment.

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Ice Cream Social & Water Gun Fight

Tuesday, September 1, 4–5 p.m. | Walker Lawn

Delta Upsilon Ice Cream and Water Gun Fight! Delta Upsilon is hosting a water gun fight and providing ice cream for people to enjoy!

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On the Hunt for Games with NSBE

Tuesday, September 1, 4–5 p.m. | MUB Alumni Lounge

Join the National Society of Black Engineers for "On the Hunt for Games with NSBE". We'll have popular board games like Uno, Monopoly, Chess, and many more! Plus a sweet treat! This is a great opportunity to have friendly competition, meet new people, and get ready for the new semester.

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SWE Tie-Dye Shirts

Tuesday, September 1, 4–5 p.m. | Rock Garden

Join the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) by the rock garden from 4-6 pm and make a tie-dye shirt. SWE will provide all the materials, so show up, meet your fellow SWEsters, and get a free SWE tie-dye shirt!

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MSRC Meeting

Tuesday, September 1, 4:35–5:35 p.m. | ChemSci 211

Planning upcoming events.

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Weekly Meeting - Specialty Coffee Club

Tuesday, September 1, 6–7 p.m. | Fisher 126

Each week, come to learn about, and taste coffee and related topics!

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Women's Soccer Club Practice

Tuesday, September 1, 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Upper Fields

Come practice your soccer skills with us! We run practice like a competitive club team. We practice similarly to how a competitive club or high school team would. We start with a warm-up lap, dynamic warm-up up and passing. This is followed by technical drills or small-sided games to work out team weak areas. Usually, we end with a scrimmage or shooting.

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Floor Hockey w/ Bet Sig

Tuesday, September 1, 7:00–8:30 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC)

Come play some floor hockey with the brothers of Beta Sigma Theta at the SDC! You can meet the guys and have some fun. Athletic shoes required

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STK Main Meeting!

Tuesday, September 1, 7–8 p.m. | DOW Circle

Join us every Tuesday night for an engaging time of worship, teaching, and community! We’ll explore how God loves to save sinners through powerful Gospel-centered messages, heartfelt worship, and open discussions. All students are welcome — come as you are to grow in faith and connect with others.

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Volleyball w/ Bet Sig

Tuesday, September 1, 7–8 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC)

Come play some volleyball with the brothers of Beta Sigma Theta and learn more about Greek life at MTU

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Fancy S'mores

Tuesday, September 1, 9–10 p.m. | St. Al's Parking Lot

Join St. Al’s in our lower lot for a night of fireside s’mores and community. We’ll have multiple fire pits, marshmallows, and a full lineup of toppings—from assorted graham crackers to Nutella, Reese’s, jam, peanut butter, and more. Whether you like your s’mores classic or gourmet, you’ll have everything you need to make something delicious. Come relax, roast, and enjoy the evening.