July 17, 2025

From superfund sites in California to oil spills in Alaska, Ellen Hedfield ’85 (B.S. Chemical Engineering) built a career in engineering and adventure. Now retired, the longtime outdoors enthusiast is exploring a second act in watercolor art — blending STEM with art and a love of the outdoors.

“When I started painting in the mid-1990s, I was drawn to painting old buildings from my travels: an Italian villa, an Alaskan fishing shack, a disco in Argentina,” said Hedfield. “I liked getting the lines and perspectives right, and I loved depicting weathered textures of the buildings — brick, stone, wood. I think I felt right at home painting structures, having taken lots of architectural drafting, mechanical drawing, and graphic design classes in high school and at Michigan Tech.”

Read more and check out Hedfield’s “left-brained art” at Alumni and Friends Stories.

Whether you're new to Michigan Tech or back for another exciting year, this is your official invite to one of the most colorful, fun and welcoming events of the year — the Parade of Nations on Sept. 20!

The parade starts at 11 a.m. outside the Van Pelt and Opie Library and marches through downtown Houghton to Dee Stadium, where the multicultural festival kicks off. It’s all about celebrating who we are, where we come from and how awesome we can be together.

Ready to get involved? Here’s how:

• Walk in the Parade with Your Group
  Campus org? Community group? Fraternal org that wants to dress up and dance down the street? We want you in the lineup. Walking groups help show off the incredibly rich cultural representation at Tech and in our community — and it’s a great way to meet people and show your pride. Sign up your group to walk. Deadline for guaranteed spots is Sept. 9!

• Carry a Flag (and Maybe Make Some Flag-Friends)
  Want to rep your heritage, your home country, or just a place you support? Grab a flag and walk in the parade, solo or with others. No need to be part of a big group — everyone’s welcome! Flag requests are due by Sept. 13. First come, first served!

• Build a Float + Win Some Cash
  Yes, there are prizes! If you’re part of a student org or community group, you can enter a float based on this year’s theme: Games Around the World. Get creative and show off your favorite game, sport or hobby! Bonus: Student orgs can apply for a float grant to help cover supplies. Grant requests are due Sept. 1. Float entries are due Sept. 6.

• Volunteer Behind the Scenes
  Not a walker or builder? No worries — you can still be part of the magic. Help set up, carry signs, guide groups or lend a hand at the festival. It’s a fun way to give back, and you’ll be part of the energy that keeps the event running smoothly. Volunteer shifts are open now! This is your chance to show up, be seen and be part of something that brings everyone together. Grab your friends — or come solo! Sign up, and we’ll see you on Sept. 20.

Questions? Shoot Parade of Nations organizers an email at paradeofnations@mtu.edu or stop by the International Programs and Services office on the second floor of the Administration Building (Admin 200).

Let’s make this year’s Parade of Nations the most vibrant one yet.

Job Posting for Thursday, July 17, 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), University Senate  (UAW posting dates July 17 to July 23, 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.

Sarah Woodruff (CSMHW) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $57,015 student support grant from the Children's Foundation.

The project is titled "Substance Use Prevention Outreach Campaign."

Emily Humes (CSMHW) is a co-PI on this potential one-year project.

The Wales Study Abroad program, led by Mark Rhodes and Kathryn Hannum (both SS) kicks off this week at the International Welsh Studies Conference (NAASWCH) on July 16-18 in Rio Grande, Ohio. Scholars and students studying Welsh culture, heritage and policy have gathered from around the world to share research and community at the conference.

Representing Michigan Tech are 16 undergraduate students, two graduate students and one teaching assistant who join the conference ahead of traveling to Wales for three weeks to study industrial heritage, national identity and Welsh language and culture.

Undergraduate student Zachary Zurschmiede (social sciences) and master's student Chris Treviño (industrial heritage and archaeology) are both presenting papers at the conference, and Rhodes and Hannum are presenting papers and speaking on a panel.

Follow the MTU Department of Social Sciences on Instagram @mtu_social_sciences to follow the trip!

WLUC TV6 mentioned Michigan Tech in a story with thoughts from Upper Peninsula community college administrators on the Supreme Court’s ruling on the restructuring of the U.S. Department of Education.

A Distinguished Career: Celebrating John Gierke’s Contributions to Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech's Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) is proud to announce that John Gierke has been granted the title of professor emeritus, a distinction approved by the Board of Trustees in recognition of his exceptional 35-year career of teaching, research and service at MTU. This announcement follows his retirement in June 2025.

Gierke’s connection to Michigan Tech spans more than four decades and runs deep. A proud triple Husky, he earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering in 1984 and 1986, followed by a Ph.D. in environmental engineering in 1990. That same year, he joined the faculty of GMES, where he would have a lasting impact.

Throughout his career, Gierke was known for his dedication to student success. He advised dozens of M.S. and Ph.D. students whose careers now span industry, government and academia around the world. He also founded and advised Aqua Terra Tech, Michigan Tech’s first environmentally focused Enterprise, which he led from 2003 to 2012.

In recognition of his teaching and mentorship, Gierke was named Michigan Distinguished Professor of the Year in 2007 by the President’s Council of State Universities of Michigan — a testament to his impact in and beyond the classroom.

Gierke was successful in obtaining research grants that supported students’ impactful research, often in developing countries and in challenging research environments. His role in supporting the Peace Corps Master's International program helped students tailor research projects to address community-identified needs. He has made lifelong friendships with colleagues throughout Latin America and the world.

Gierke also served as department chair of GMES from 2014 to 2020 and as interim chair for two years. His leadership helped guide the department through essential initiatives, including ABET accreditation and efforts to broaden participation in the geosciences.

But Gierke’s contributions weren’t limited to formal roles. Colleagues remember his generous spirit, collaborative nature and commitment to an inclusive community — whether supporting local projects, helping students press apples at his farm, or inviting faculty families out for ice fishing adventures. His service to the broader Keweenaw community dates back to his undergraduate student days, when he volunteered for Little Brothers- Friends of the Elderly. Through international service projects with Farmers-2-Farmers and other organizations, he shared practical expertise in water well siting and agricultural irrigation designs.

Gierke’s legacy at Michigan Tech is profound, and while he may be retiring from active duty, his influence will endure. Please join us in congratulating Professor Emeritus John Gierke on his exemplary career and wishing him all the best in this next chapter of life! Reach out to Luke Bowman at ljbowman@mtu.edu or Brittany Buschell at babusche@mtu.edu for details regarding plans to celebrate John later this summer.

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Volleyball : Summer High School All-Skills Camp

Thursday, July 17, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

This camp is designed specifically for players with goals of improving their overall technique and tactical knowledge of the game. Through the All Skills Camp, you’ll fine-tune your technique and advance your knowledge of the game. We will focus on how to successfully play the game above the net (blocking and attacking) and work to improve the fundamentals—serving, passing, setting, and defense. There will also be a segment devoted exclusively to position training. You’ll have a blast meeting and playing with new friends in the SDC Varsity Gym.

Strength and Conditioning : Summer Middle School Program

Thursday, July 17, 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

Thursday, July 17, 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.

Master's Defense: Seth Davenport

Thursday, July 17, 12 p.m.–12 p.m. | U. J. Noblet Forestry Building, 143

Forest Ecology and Management Co-advisors: Fengjing Liu and Dustin Bronson Influences on Growth and Survival of Seedlings Planted in Black Ash Stands of Northern Michigan and Wisconsin

Part 1 - Summer Orientation - Session 4

Thursday, July 17, 12 p.m.–9 p.m. | Michigan Tech Campus

This year orientation programs will look a little different from years past. Incoming students will be required to attend one of four, 2-day summer orientation sessions and the fall orientation session. The summer sessions are designed to have students meet with an academic advisor, get important information regarding registration and placement tests, as well as the opportunity to engage with campus resources. Registration for one of our summer sessions will be available in February, 2025.

PhD Defense: Jessica LaReaux

Thursday, July 17, 1 p.m.–1 p.m. | Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building, 873

Civil Engineering Advisor: David Watkins Geospatial analysis for urban resilience: Green space, flood susceptibility, and wetland restoration potential