July 7, 2025

While the rest of the world was doomscrolling and Netflixing their way through the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyle Samluk ’24, Danny Ezzo ’25 and their friend Will Jones spent nearly a year dreaming up, designing and building what they hoped would be the first car fully powered by sunlight to complete the infamous cross-country road race known as the Cannonball Run.

"We're car guys, so early on during the pandemic, we started seeing reports and tales of people breaking Cannonball Run speed records, because there was no traffic," Will said. "So we had the idea of doing a Cannonball Run in a solar car. It seemed like sort of a safe, legal way to participate in this outlaw event. We thought it might inspire people to get more interested in solar power and other alternative energy sources. Plus, no one had ever driven a solar car from New York to Los Angeles. It seemed like an epic adventure and an epic challenge."

The friends' first attempt ended in failure. But rather than give up, they kept their shared dream alive and built a new solar vehicle from scratch. Three years later, in June 2024, they set out to try again in the Sun Strider.

Read about their record-setting solar-powered adventure in our 2025 Michigan Tech Magazine.

Effective last Tuesday, July 1, the University’s asset capitalization threshold has increased from $5,000 to $10,000. This applies to movable capital equipment with a useful life of more than one year with title vested to Michigan Tech upon acquisition. This change will help reduce the administrative burden associated with tagging, recording and tracking equipment.

The $10,000 equipment threshold will be used in all Sponsored Programs proposal budgets moving forward.

For sponsored projects awarded prior to July 1, 2025, indirect costs will not be applied to purchased or fabricated equipment with a unit cost of $5,000 to $9,999. Account code E658M should be used for those items that would have been classified as equipment using the $5,000 threshold and are now classified as supplies using the $10,000 threshold.

When charging expenses to all non-sponsored indices and to sponsored projects awarded on or after July 1, 2025, the applicable minor equipment/supply account codes should be used for items with a unit cost under $10,000.

For questions regarding sponsored projects, please contact Kelly Kallio at 906-487-2226 or kmkallio@mtu.edu. For other questions regarding equipment, please contact Traci Bishop at 906-487-2449 or trbishop@mtu.edu.

Michigan Tech's Brkfst & Co campus dining location will be closed three days next week to accommodate the space and resources needs of MTU's on-campus Summer Session Orientation activities. Access to the Keweenaw Commons in the Memorial Union Building will also be limited during these dates.

Brkfst & Co will be closed:

• Monday, July 14
• Thursday, July 17
• Friday, July 18

On-Campus Dining Alternatives
While Brkfst & Co is closed, alternative campus dining options include the Library Cafe/Velodrome Coffee Co. for grab-and-go meal options, snacks, drinks, and bakery; or The Eatery at McNair dining hall (credit card only). For a full list of menus and hours, visit Michigan Tech's Dine On Campus website.

Community groups and Michigan Tech registered student organizations (RSOs) are encouraged to enter a float in the 2025 Parade of Nations, coming to Houghton on Sept. 20. Cash prizes of $350, $250 and $150 will be awarded to the top three floats that best represent this year’s theme, "Games Around the World."

MTU RSOs may also apply for up to $100 in float grant funding.

Float applications are due by Sept. 6 and RSOs must submit grant requests by Sept. 1 through our 2025 Float and Grant Application.

For more details, contact paradeofnations@mtu.edu or visit Michigan Tech's International Programs and Services office on the second floor of the Administration Building (Admin 200).

Job Postings for Monday, July 7, 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.

Senior Office Assistant (12 months, 40 hours), Admissions (UAW posting dates July 7 to July 11, 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.

Custodian (first shift, 12 months), Facilities Management (AFSCME posting dates July 7 to July 11, 2025 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Custodian (​second shift, 12 months), Facilities Management (AFSCME posting dates July 7 to July 11, 2025 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME 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.

Tatyana Karabencheva-Christova (Chem/HRI) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $244,450 research and development grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine.

The project is titled "Understanding Metalloenzymes Mechanisms and Dynamics."

The Well-Read Naturalist mentioned John Vucetich (CFRES) in a story highlighting the books that won The Wildlife Society's 2025 Publications Awards. Vucetich's textbook “The Biology and Conservation of Animal Populations” won the society's best authored book award.

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The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the Keweenaw Community Foundation seeking submissions from local artists for a movable community mural.

PaperCut Software Upgrade Tomorrow

From 5-8 p.m. tomorrow, July 8, Michigan Tech IT will be upgrading the PaperCut software. The following will be unavailable for potentially 15 minutes during the upgrade window:

• PaperCut website (print.mtu.edu)
• Virtual (husky-bw, husky-color) printers
• Logins to PaperCut-controlled printers
• Minimally managed/personal device printing
• Group-based restrictions to departmental printers

If you have any questions about the upgrade, we can help. Email IT at it-help@mtu.edu or call 906-487-1111.

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Special Artist Reception at the GLRC!

We are thrilled to announce a special event at the Great Lakes Research Center on Wednesday, July 9, from 3-4 p.m.! Join us as we celebrate local artist Jim Dee, who has generously donated an incredible piece of art for public exhibition.

Jim's captivating mixed-media creation, "The Lake," is more than just an image; it's a profound representation of the interconnectedness of all things. Inspired by the powerful convergence of giant waves and the beautiful arcs and shapes they form, Jim masterfully crafted an artwork where the waves themselves create a visual experience that is both beautifully simple and wonderfully complex all at once.

We'd love for you to join us, meet Jim, and experience this remarkable artwork firsthand! Light refreshments will be provided for all guests.

Event Details:

• What: Artist Reception Celebrating Jim Dee's "The Lake"
• When: Wednesday, July 9, from 3-4 p.m.
• Where: Second Floor Atrium in the GLRC
• No Cost! Free and open to the public!

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Register for GSG's 2025 Alumni Reunion Poster Session

Registration for Michigan Tech's 2025 Alumni Reunion Poster Session is still open. The poster presentation session is a continued tradition designed to increase the interaction between graduate students and MTU alumni. It is a unique opportunity for graduate students to share their research work and expand network connections.

This year's poster session will be held Aug. 1 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the lobby of the H-STEM Complex (H-STEM 114). Graduate students interested in presenting a poster can submit via the Alumni Reunion Poster Session Registration form.

Exciting news! All participants will be automatically entered into a raffle drawing for a chance to win Graduate Student Government-branded swag. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your research and get cool items!

You do not need to submit your poster to register for the event, but posters need to be submitted by July 25 (one week before the event).

Please email gsg-research@mtu.edu with any questions.

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Upcoming Retirement of the Internal Query Tool

Over the past two years, the Advancement and Alumni Engagement team has significantly enhanced our engagement with alumni, donors and friends. This success has been supported by our transition to CRM Advance, an Ellucian product that now serves as our primary data repository. To ensure our campus partners have access to the most current information, safeguard donor privacy and facilitate mutually beneficial relationship building, we are retiring outdated resources, including the Internal Query Tool.

What's Happening?
The Internal Query Tool (IQT) will be decommissioned either today, July 7, or soon after. At that time, access to the IQT will be permanently removed.

Will You Be Affected?
Most IQT users have already transitioned away from the tool due to the adoption of CRM Advance and the implementation of the email-based TeamDynamics ticketing queue at adv-help@mtu.edu. IQT data have not received updates since July 1, 2023. We have worked to proactively provide advance notice and training to campus users as to alternative methods for data retrieval. The most common use of the IQT was to retrieve profile reports. These are now available by submitting a ticket.

For your convenience, a Frequently Asked Questions section has been added to our website, offering comprehensive guidance.

What Action is Required?
No action is required on your part. Access to the IQT will be automatically revoked either today, July 7, or soon after.

Questions or Concerns?
The Advancement Services team is committed to supporting our collaborative efforts. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact us by sending an email to adv-help@mtu.edu.

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

Strength and Conditioning : Summer Middle School Program

Monday, July 7, 10–10 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Lead by the MTU Strength and Conditioning Staff, this 8-week summer program is for athletes looking to improve their performance and fitness level to prepare for the upcoming season. Program includes (3) sessions per week in a varsity collegiate setting and SDC membership access for the duration of the program.

Strength and Conditioning : Summer High School Program

Monday, July 7, 11–11 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Lead by the MTU Strength and Conditioning Staff, this 8-week summer program is for athletes looking to improve their performance and fitness level to prepare for the upcoming season. Program includes (3) sessions per week in a varsity collegiate setting and SDC membership access for the duration of the program.

Volleyball : Summer Little Huskies Camp

Monday, July 7, 3 p.m.–4 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Michigan Tech’s Little Huskies Camp is the perfect way to explore the basics of volleyball for budding players. Students learn the fundamentals of the game—serving, passing, setting, and more— in the SDC Varsity Gym. Our top coaches and student-athletes modify the game and equipment (such as lowering the net) for young players to ensure a successful and confidence-building experience.