July 16, 2025

Make sure to enjoy the gorgeous Keweenaw summer with a good book! The Summer Reading Program with the Van Pelt and Opie Library (VPOL) and Portage Lake District Library (PLDL) is in full swing. Download your reading log or pick one up at the VPOL main desk.

Once you are halfway through, don't forget to stop by the VPOL again to pick up your free book bag. Then, when you finish, head over to the PLDL in downtown Houghton to select a final prize, with options including gift certificates to local businesses and farmer's market bucks.

All are welcome to participate! There is no need to have a library card or live in a certain area. Happy reading!

Jennifer Becker (CEGE) is the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP). This honor recognizes her exceptional contributions to the AEESP community, including six years of service as chair of the AEESP Foundation and seven years on the foundation’s board of directors.

In addition to this national recognition, Becker was recently appointed to the board of directors for the Portage Lake Water and Sewage Authority (PLWSA). The PLWSA oversees water and wastewater services for several municipalities in the local area.

These roles reflect Becker’s continued commitment to advancing environmental engineering both locally and nationally.

Only a few seats remain for the upcoming "Crisis Management Affecting Institutions of Higher Education" training, set to take place next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 22 and 23, at Michigan Tech's Lakeshore Center.

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. The training is being conducted by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services (TEEX).

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.

MLive mentioned Michigan Tech in a story summarizing the 2024-25 annual report on MTU’s long-running Isle Royale wolf and moose study. The article highlights key research findings from the report, including insights into wolf and moose activity on the island.

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The Mining Journal mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the Michigan Legislative Exchange program, naming MTU as a community leader in supporting economic development in the Western Upper Peninsula.

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Former Michigan Tech hockey defenseman Chase Pietila was interviewed by Pennsylvania's Tribune Live in a story about his development as a defenseman and his journey to the NHL, including his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins' prospect development camp.

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The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the appointment of MTU alum Trevor Hodges ’09 (B.S. Business Administration) as CEO of Upper Great Lakes Family Health.

Third Thursday Info Session: Learn About MTU's Online Civil Engineering Master's Degree

Tomorrow, July 17, at 11:30 a.m. ET, join the Michigan Tech Global Campus team and Andrew Swartz from the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering for the fifth virtual information session in our Third Thursday series.

This online webinar will highlight the online master’s degree in civil engineering. You’ll learn more about the program’s three focus areas and its stackable certificates — including Timber Building Design and others that are unique to MTU. You’ll also discover how to integrate an in-demand Asset Management Certification into your degree.

Advisors will also be on hand to answer questions about the admissions process. Attend for yourself or for a friend. And feel free to share this invite. Everyone is welcome!

Register for the Online Civil Engineering MS Interest Session.

If you have any questions about the online master's in civil engineering, please email Andrew Swartz at raswartz@mtu.edu.

Need info about the online session? Contact event organizer Shelly Galliah at sagallia@mtu.edu.

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

Strength and Conditioning : Summer Middle School Program

Wednesday, July 16, 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.

NSF CAREER Writing Group

Wednesday, July 16, 11–11 a.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, Conference Room 103

Join us in person in Library 103 or virtually over Zoom to work on elements of the NSF CAREER proposal. We will run these weekly meetings as writing sprints to support your productivity. The general timeline will be: Check-in (5-10 min): Share what you will focus on in the sprint.Focus (45 min): Find a state of flow. A facilitator will run a timer so you can ignore the clockCheck-out (5-10 min): Share your wins, stretch, move, and discuss.

Strength and Conditioning : Summer High School Program

Wednesday, July 16, 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.

Broader Impacts Virtual Workshop

Wednesday, July 16, 3 p.m.–3 p.m.

In response to concerns raised during a spring semester Vice President for Research Campus Q&A about the uncertain funding landscape, Michigan Tech is offering a practical workshop to help researchers develop compelling Broader Impacts components. Broader Impacts is one of the NSF merit criteria for all NSF proposals, however many agencies and foundations require submitters to articulate societal benefit. Understanding and explaining the Broader Impact of the research is vital to the success of those submissions. Refining the ability to describe these impacts can improve the chances of securing funding from a wide range of sponsors. This 60-minute, interactive session is a repeat of the May 22, 2025 in-person workshop. It will cover the same content in a virtual setting to bring people together who were unable to attend the in-person workshop. A portion of this workshop will be recorded, but the breakout rooms will not be recorded. The research development (RD) team will guide you through: Understanding NSF's expectations for Broader Impacts and how this translates into other agency and foundation proposals.We’ll use a “share together, share out” approach to the following conversations (in Zoom breakout rooms):Sharing successful approaches from past projectsReframing your existing approaches to highlight societal impactBrainstorming innovative Broader Impacts ideas How to RSVP to this workshop: Please respond “yes” or “no” to the Google Calendar invite we sent to campus researchers. Didn't receive a calendar invite? Email rd-l@mtu.edu to participate.