May 21, 2025

The Michigan Tech Archives and the Van Pelt and Opie Library technology team has recently been working to make critical improvements to the Copper Country Historical Images database. Some issues with the old version of the site required an emergency upgrade, which will be happening later today, May 21. Users may experience some downtime with the site.

Once the new version of the site is available, users will need to create new accounts. Users will also need to rebuild their shoebox if they had any favorite images saved. Be sure to make a note of image numbers, titles or other unique identifiers for images in your shoebox list, as staff will not be able to recreate individual lists once the new site is live.

We apologize for this abrupt inconvenience and any loss of saved work. Please reach out to the University Archivist at copper@mtu.edu if you have any questions about specific images or restarting your account.

Please join the Graduate School in congratulating Michigan Tech's Summer 2025 Finishing Fellows.

Dilka Liyana Arachchige started pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Michigan Tech in 2021. Arachchige's doctoral studies have focused on addressing critical challenges in the field of bioimaging through the development of novel fluorescent probes. Particularly, Arachchige's research centers on designing and synthesizing specialized fluorescent compounds that allow for real-time monitoring of key biological parameters, such as pH, NAD(P)H levels and intracellular viscosity in living cells and organisms. These tools offer valuable insights into cellular function and disease progression, with particular relevance to cancer biology and mitochondrial health.

Read more about Arachchige’s journey at Michigan Tech on the Graduate School Newsblog.

Hello Huskies! We're looking to inject some Husky Spirit into our Memorial Union and are calling on the campus community for help.

The Memorial Union is on the hunt for Michigan Tech-themed posters, framed or unframed pictures, memorabilia or other items of interest that may no longer be in use across campus. We're a proud Husky pack and are interested in items that showcase our pride and help reflect the spirit and history of Michigan Tech.

We want to make our space comfortable for students with some fun pieces to enhance the public areas around the Memorial Union.

Have anything you’d like to offer that will spice up the Memorial Union? Do you have an awesome idea we should consider? We'd love to hear from you! Please contact Matt and Trevor at mubrooms@mtu.edu or 906-487-2543.

Thank you for helping us bring more Husky pride into our shared spaces!

Michigan Tech's Campus Store and University Images will be closed for inventory at the end of May. While our physical locations are closed, you can still shop online and enjoy free ground shipping.

Closure Details:

• Campus Store — Closed Wednesday, May 28, to Sunday, June 1
• University Images — Closed Thursday, May 29, to Sunday, June 1

Orders placed during this time will be processed and shipped after June 2. Thank you for your patience and continued support!

Shop for MTU Gear Online.

The Keweenaw Report mentioned the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum in a story about Visit Keweenaw’s 2025 Keweenaw Voter’s Choice Awards, where the museum was recognized as the best rainy day fun spot in the region.

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The Cadillac News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about students from the Wexford Missaukee Career Technical Center’s Agriscience and Natural Resources program who are applying their conservation education in real-world projects, with two alumni now enrolled in forestry programs at Michigan Tech.

Michigan Tech participated in the 71st annual meeting for the Institute on Lake Superior Geology (ILSG), held in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, from May 14-17.

Research Professor Jim DeGraff (GMES/GLRC) presented an oral presentation titled “The Archean Carney Lake gneiss complex in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: Preliminary subdivisions with age constraints”; co-authors included Chad Deering (GMES) and James Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Geosciences Research Scientist Erika Vye (GLRC/GMES) delivered an oral presentation titled “Geospatial Learning Resources to Explore Relationships with Keweenaw Geology” with co-author Daniel Lizzadro-McPherson (GRF/GLRC).

Registration for the 2025 meeting was supported by Patty Cobin and Julie Stark of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum. The meeting will be hosted in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in 2026.

The ILSG is a nonprofit professional society that provides a forum for promoting better understanding of the geology of the Lake Superior region. The major activity of the institute is an annual meeting with geological field trips and technical presentations.

No Tech Today on Monday

Tech Today will not publish on Monday, May 26, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

Submissions for publication in Tech Today on Tuesday, May 27, are due by noon on Friday, May 23.

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Michigan Education Savings Program 529 Day Webinar

The Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) is Michigan’s direct-sold 529 college savings plan, and can make it easier to save for higher education with triple tax benefits:

• Any earnings in an MESP 529 account grow tax-deferred
• Withdrawals are 100% tax-free when used for qualified higher education expenses
• Michigan taxpayers are eligible for a state income tax deduction

Learn about saving for college with the Michigan Education Savings Program by joining a virtual informational meeting on May 29 at noon. Sign up to attend at the MESP webinar registration form.

To learn more about Michigan’s direct-sold 529 college savings program, visit the MESP website or call 1-877-861-MESP.

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Nominations Open for 2025 CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Council of Graduate Schools (CGS)/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award. Please submit nominations to the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. next Wednesday, May 28, following our online instructions.

This year, nominations are being accepted from dissertations in the fields of:

• Biological and Life Sciences
• Humanities and Fine Arts

Michigan Tech may nominate one student in each field. Ph.D. students who have completed all of their degree requirements between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2025, are eligible. The fields of competition for 2026 will be Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering; and Social Sciences.

A nomination packet must be submitted by the department chair or college dean to our CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Nomination form no later than 4 p.m. next Wednesday.

Contact Debra Charlesworth at gradschool@mtu.edu if you have any questions about the competition.

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Workshop: Developing Compelling Broader Impacts Components for NSF Proposals

In response to concerns raised about the uncertain funding landscape during a recent Vice President for Research Campus Q&A, Michigan Tech is offering a practical workshop to help researchers develop compelling Broader Impacts components for National Science Foundation (NSF) proposals. Broader Impacts is one of the NSF merit criteria for all NSF proposals; however, many agencies and foundations require submitters to articulate societal benefit.

Researchers are invited to participate tomorrow, May 22, from 2-3 p.m. in MUB Ballroom A2 on Michigan Tech's campus.

Please note: This session is in-person only. A separate Zoom workshop will be scheduled for off-campus researchers.

This 60-minute interactive session will:

• Guide participants through NSF's expectations for Broader Impacts and how this translates into other agency and foundation proposals.
• Use a “share together, share out” approach to the following conversations:
  • Sharing successful approaches from past projects
  • Reframing your existing approaches to highlight societal impact
  • Brainstorming innovative Broader Impacts ideas

RSVP is required: To secure your spot, please respond “yes” or “no” to the Google Calendar invite sent by the Research Development team to campus researchers. We need to be sure about attendance to ensure adequate space and a productive workshop environment. Didn't receive an invite? Email rd-l@mtu.edu to participate.

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Mineral Museum Voted 'Best Rainy Day Fun' in Keweenaw Choice Awards

You voted and the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum won! The museum was chosen as the “Best Rainy Day Fun” in the inaugural Keweenaw Choice Awards, and we want to express our enormous gratitude for all of your support and love! Engaging with the community is a cherished part of our mission and crucial to the museum’s success.

To show our appreciation, we will have a 15% off* sale in the Gift Shop today, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

With an array of items such as mineral jewelry, lamps, figurines, raw and polished specimens, games, gifts, etc., there’s something for everyone.

Thank you again for your continued support! Be sure to check out the other winners of the Keweenaw Choice Awards, organized by Visit Keweenaw.

* Some exclusions apply. Discounts do not stack.

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Henes Worshop on Computational and Applied Mathematics

This Thursday and Friday, May 22-23, the Henes Workshop on Computational and Applied Mathematics will be held at Michigan Tech in Fisher 328.

The Henes Workshop on Computational and Applied Mathematics is designed to bring together leading researchers to discuss cutting-edge developments in the field, including the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence. This workshop will focus on recent advances in the use of computational techniques to solve complex mathematical problems, with applications spanning stochastic controls, dynamical systems, characterization of high dimensional data, inverse problems, approximation methods, etc.

Details of the workshop can be found online. 

The workshop is organized by Jiguang Sun and Qian Zhang (Math) of Michigan Tech and sponsored by the Henes Professorship in Mathematics, the Center for Applied Mathematics and Statistics (CAMS), and the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Michigan Tech.

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

Magdalena: An Art Installation for Grief, Comfort, and Hope Premieres at Trinity Episcopal Church

Wednesday, May 21, 12 p.m.–5 p.m. | Trinity Episcopal Church

Hosted by Trinity Episcopal Church Trinity Episcopal Church will host the art installation Magdalena, an exhibition supporting grief, comfort, care, and hope by artist Lisa Gordillo, April 18-May 21. The work of art is inspired by sacred texts, ancient views of the cosmos, and the idea that sitting with our losses and our joys is a spiritual act. The exhibit is free and open during the following dates and times. Wednesday, 4/23, 12pm-5pmWednesday, 4/30, 12pm-5pmWednesday, 5/7, 12pm-5pmWednesday, 5/14, 12-5pmOpen stitching circle w/ the artist, 3-5pm. (come anytime, stay as long as you like). As a group, we will embroider the text of Song of Songs. Everyone is welcome, no sewing experience neededWednesday, 5/21, 12-5pm Things to know EXHIBIT DATES | April 18 - May 21, 2025 ADMISSION| Free for all