May 27, 2025

As part of Michigan Tech’s JED Campus initiative, the University's Means Reduction and Safety Team is resuming environmental scans to assess campus spaces with a focus on mental health and means reduction. 

The Means Matter campaign from the Harvard School of Public Health highlights the importance of means reduction, or limiting access to highly lethal methods, as part of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy. Learn more about means restriction from JED.

These environmental scans help identify physical aspects of campus buildings and spaces that may contribute to risk while also recognizing opportunities to enhance safety and intervention. The process of scanning environments for means reduction is both necessary and challenging. It requires considering how individuals, particularly students, might attempt to harm themselves and how physical space can impact intervention. 

As the Means Reduction and Safety Team conducts scans across Michigan Tech's campus, we will coordinate with building and department leadership to identify faculty and staff members who can provide insight into their specific building’s role and needs. Their input will help ensure that our recommendations align with the building’s function while maintaining a focus on community well-being and safety.

Means Reduction and Safety Team core members:

• John Velat — Office of the General Counsel
• Jeff Lewin — Environmental Health and Safety
• Wendy Hackman — Facilities Management
• Jennifer Hastreiter — Public Safety and Police Services
• Sarah Woodruff — Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being
• Josh Carlson — Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being

We encourage the Michigan Tech community to support this initiative by spreading awareness, participating in discussions, and considering how campus spaces can be made safer.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the environmental scan process, please contact Josh Carlson, outreach and prevention coordinator at the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being, at joshuaca@mtu.edu.

Together, we can create a safer, more supportive campus environment for all Huskies.

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

Abid Danish, a Ph.D. candidate in mining engineering, is profoundly grateful to the Graduate Dean Advisory Panel for honoring him with the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship Award.

“This recognition represents not only acknowledgment of my research contributions but also provides essential support during this critical phase of my academic journey, enabling me to fully dedicate my efforts toward finalizing research that addresses critical safety challenges in high-risk industrial environments,” he writes.

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

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

Grace Dykstra began her Ph.D. journey at Michigan Technological University with a desire to make health care more accessible through low-cost, reliable diagnostics. Her research focuses on developing molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) biosensors — customizable, shelf-stable devices designed as alternatives to traditional antibody-based systems. By tailoring the polymerization conditions and integrating nanomaterials, she aims to enhance the sensitivity and stability of these sensors for use in point-of-care applications.

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

Julie Seppala, Michigan Tech's associate vice president for finance, will be retiring on June 30. Please join the staff of the Financial Services and Operations to honor her distinguished career on June 25 from 1-3 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom A.

Hor d'oeuvres and light refreshments will be served.

The Rozsa Art Galleries will host their first-ever exhibition of microscopic images taken with the Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) in Fall 2025. The exhibit, “Nanowonder,” is seeking submissions for the juried art show of images taken by the Hitachi SEM during its residency here at Michigan Tech. 

Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to submit their images by June 30. Images must be tiff files and a minimum of 300dpi resolution. Images may be submitted via Google Form. 

The exhibit, which runs Sept. 12 - Nov. 7, emphasizes the collaborative relationship between the arts and sciences at Michigan Tech and is in partnership with the Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Visual and Performing Arts, the Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory (ACMAL), and the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum. For more information, contact ACMAL director Elizabeth Miller at eafraki@mtu.edu. 

We are proud to present “Mineral & Crystal Treasures of the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum,” a coloring book for mineral lovers of all ages! Discover over 30 pages of minerals from across Michigan and around the world. Learn about actual specimens displayed in the museum with informative text as you color each mineral - either accurately (using the color examples on the inside covers of the book) or creatively (using your imagination!)

As a special introduction to the coloring book, we would like to offer all kids and young adults (through age 17) coming into the museum a free copy, with admission, starting now while supplies last (as a reminder, Michigan Tech students, staff, and faculty receive waived admission.) Kid(s) or young adult(s) must be present to redeem this offer. The coloring book is also available to purchase for $6.

This coloring book is made possible by the Elizabeth Bekkala Endowed Memorial Fund for the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum.

The coloring book can also be ordered on our online store. 

The museum is open Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Starting June 1, the museum will be open Sun.-Sat. (7 days a week) 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Michigan Tech Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Suzanne Sanregret announced Thursday (May 22) that Bill Muckalt has been named the head hockey coach. Muckalt is the 23rd head coach in program history and returns to Tech after one season as head coach of Lindenwood University.

Muckalt was an assistant coach for the Huskies from 2011-15. He has signed a five-year contract to lead the Black and Gold.

"I'm excited to welcome Bill Muckalt as the next leader of our historic program," Sanregret said. "He brings an elite hockey resume and experience at every level of the game. Bill understands the high expectations of our university, alumni, and community, and he has a clear understanding of today's college hockey landscape. I look forward to working with him to build a strong vision and plan that will bring more championships back to Houghton."

"I want to thank President Koubek and Suzanne Sanregret for this exciting opportunity to come back to Houghton," Muckalt said. "This is a great hockey community and world-class university. I'm looking forward to getting to know our student-athletes and building relationships with them to have a successful season in the CCHA. My ultimate goal is to bring home the MacNaughton Cup and compete in the NCAA Tournament."

Read more hockey news at Michigan Tech Athletics. 

Job Posting for Tuesday, May 27, 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.

Administrative Aide #25131 (12 months, 40 hours), Vice President for Research Office (UAW posting dates May 27 to June 2, 2025 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

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.

The Associated Press, MLive, College Hockey News, the Daily Mining Gazette, My UP Now, Keweenaw Report, and 368 outlets nationwide mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the hiring of Bill Muckalt as the head coach of the university's hockey program. 

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Crain’s Detroit Business mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the University Research Corridor’s new data portfolio, which highlights the economic impact of Michigan’s research universities and provides valuable information for business attraction and economic development.

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The Escanaba Daily Press mentioned Michigan Tech alum Steve Soderman '98 (B.S. Chemical Engineering) in a story about his appointment to the Bay College Board of Trustees.

FSO — Did You Know?

Michigan Tech Fund Endowed Disbursements
Disbursements from Michigan Tech Fund endowed funds are done quarterly. Check requests for disbursements from Michigan Tech Fund endowed funds may still be submitted to mtfchecks@mtu.edu at any time during a quarter using the Michigan Tech Fund Check Request form (PDF); however, payment of the check requests will only occur once per quarter.

The next endowment quarterly disbursement, which is the final one of fiscal year 2025, will occur on June 18. Please submit check requests by next Wednesday, June 4.

If you have any questions regarding Michigan Tech Fund check requests, please email mtfchecks@mtu.edu.

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Training Opportunity: Crisis Management in Higher Education

The Department of Public Safety and Police Services is pleased to announce an upcoming training opportunity designed to equip Michigan Tech faculty and staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to a coordinated and effective institutional response during challenging times. The training is being conducted by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services (TEEX).

MTU faculty and staff are invited to register for "Crisis Management Affecting Institutions of Higher Education: A Collaborative." This comprehensive two-day training will delve into the unique challenges and considerations facing higher education institutions during various types of crises. It emphasizes a collaborative approach, recognizing that effective crisis management requires the engagement and cooperation of individuals from across all departments and levels of a university.

This training has no prerequisites and is perfect for all staff and faculty members who want to learn how they can assist their departments during a campus crisis. By participating, members will contribute to a more resilient and prepared Michigan Tech.

If any MTU faculty or staff members have any questions about the training, please contact Reid DeVoge at rdevoge@mtu.edu.

Training Details:

• What: "Crisis Management Affecting Institutions of Higher Education: A Collaborative"
• When: July 22-23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day
• Where: Michigan Tech Lakeshore Center Community Room
• Registration:  Register for the July 22-23 session on TEEX’s website. A free TEEX account is required to register.

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Campus Store and University Images Closing for Inventory, Offering Free Ground Shipping

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.

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Registration is Open for GSG Summer Softball League 2025

Tentatively, the league will run every Thursday night starting from June 5 and ending on July 31, with a picnic and playoff tournament. All are welcome to play as we will have a preseason softball clinic and captain’s meeting to go over the rules and techniques of softball. Registration is now open on the GSG Softball website.

Each team member will need to fill out the registration form separately. It would be the manager's responsibility to make sure every team member registers. Team registration closes June 2 at midnight. If you do not have a team but you are interested in participating, please indicate that.

The schedule will be shared with you soon after the registration closes. For any questions/concerns, please contact Oluwatosin Oyeniran at gsg-vp@mtu.edu.

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

No events are scheduled for today. Visit the University Events Calendar.