July 31, 2025

The Rozsa Center is celebrating 25 years of bringing our community together through the performing arts! We are excited to announce the 2025/26 Rozsa Presenting Series, including comedians, a ballet performance, an educational speaker, inspiring musicians, a primeval immersive experience, and a stepping dance company.

The Rozsa Center opened its doors on Michigan Tech's campus in 2000 and has hosted thousands of performances and hundreds of thousands of audience members in the 25 years since.

“This season is a chance to reflect on how the Rozsa contributes to the vibrant arts and culture of the Upper Peninsula and to look ahead,” said Kiersten Birondo, executive director of the Rozsa. “We’re welcoming back audience favorites and new voices alike, opening with the return of Charlie Berens and closing with Step Afrika!’s Evolution Tour. This year is a nod to where we’ve been and where we’re going.”

The 2025/26 Rozsa Presenting Series includes:

• Sept. 20 — Charlie Berens: Working It All Out
  Presented by Visit Keweenaw and the Rozsa Center
• Dec. 5 — NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
• Jan. 16 — National Geographic Live: Earth After Dark
• Feb. 6 — Zarna Garg: Winter Carnival Comedian
  Presented by Late Night Programming and the Rozsa Center
• Feb. 13 — Ben Mulwana
• Feb. 24 — Dinosaur World Live
• March 22 — Step Afrika! Evolution

Get Tickets
Tickets for the 2025/26 Rozsa Presenting Series will go on sale at 12:01 a.m. next Friday, Aug. 8. Purchase tickets online, by calling 906-487-1906, or in person at the Rozsa Box Office. All events are free or Pay As You’re Able.

Rozsa Box Office Summer Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to noon plus one hour before events.

Watch the Presenting Series Announcement on YouTube.

Stay Tuned!
The rest of the Rozsa's 25th anniversary season lineup, including events from the Michigan Tech Art Series, Michigan Tech Music Series, and Michigan Tech Theatre Series, will be announced Aug. 28.

Michigan Tech’s annual Alumni Reunion is always special — this year even more so for the College of Business. Two of our own who have generously donated time, talent and scholarship funding are being honored with 2025 Alumni Awards. And, tomorrow, Aug. 1, the Campus Showcase will include a session from 1-3 p.m. highlighting our unique Summer Study Abroad in Germany program. All are welcome to attend the presentation, which takes place in AOB 101.

Robert J. Currey, a 1967 graduate in business administration, has been chosen to receive the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award. David Hartley, a 1971 forestry graduate who served on the College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council from 2013-24, is being honored with the 2025 Outstanding Service Award. The awards will be presented tomorrow night during a dinner and ceremony for all 2025 Alumni Award recipients at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts.

Earlier tomorrow, Reunion attendees can learn more about the College's faculty-led summer study abroad program, which focuses on operations and supply chains in Germany, along with consumer behavior, digital marketing, advertising, business-to-business (B2B) relationships, and technical sales in Europe. Faculty leaders and Associate Professors Jun Min and Ulrich Schmelzle will be on hand to share details about the program and how it benefits students.

Get more details at the College of Business Newsblog.

We are pleased to announce that Fathima Farheen Nambipunnilath Siddique has been elected as secretary of the American Physical Society’s Forum on Graduate Student Affairs (APS FGSA) Executive Committee.

Fathima, a Ph.D. candidate in the Atmospheric Sciences program within the Department of Physics at Michigan Tech, was nominated by the FGSA Nominating Committee and subsequently elected by its members to serve in this important position. FGSA works to increase graduate student involvement in the APS, provides valuable support services, advocates for graduate student needs, and encourages active participation in professional activities and decision-making within the physics community.

Originally from India, Fathima earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from Christ College and her master’s degree in physics from the National Institute of Technology, Calicut, India. She joined Michigan Tech in spring 2022 as a Ph.D. student under the guidance of Kartik Iyer (Physics). Her research explores the complex world of turbulent flows, with a focus on uncovering their topological and geometrical aspects, which could help advance our understanding of their underlying dynamics.

Fathima has been actively involved in leadership roles throughout her time at Michigan Tech. In addition to this exciting new position, she currently serves as president of Michigan Tech’s Women in Physics (WiP) student organization and previously held the role of secretary. She has led impactful initiatives to build community, strengthen student involvement and create a supportive scientific environment through WiP, which is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major, and supports the campus community through a variety of workshops, mentorship opportunities, outreach efforts and community-building activities that help students thrive academically and professionally.

Fathima's election to this national leadership position is a proud moment for the physics department and highlights her dedication, energy and commitment to advocating for graduate students in physics. Congratulations, Fathima!

Woodland Hill Preschool is currently enrolling for the 2025-26 school year and still has limited openings available in our afternoon 3-year-old class and all 4-year-old classes.

A nonprofit preschool located just minutes from Michigan Tech's campus, Woodland Hill has served local families for 67 years. Generations of students have begun their learning journeys with us through our play-based, nurturing, developmentally appropriate programs.

Woodland Hill Preschool is open to all community members. Families living in Michigan Tech's Daniell Heights Apartments receive a 50% discount on tuition.

For residents needing extended care, students may be enrolled in both morning and afternoon sessions, provided that families can take their child during the lunch break between sessions.

To learn more about our programs or request a tour, please visit the Woodland Hill Preschool website or email woodlandhillpreschool@gmail.com.

Lindsay Hiltunen (VPOL) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $15,000 other sponsored activities grant from the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission.

The project is titled "Archives Digital Asset Improvement Project."

David Holden (VPOL) is a co-PI on this potential 17-month project.

Hour Detroit Magazine mentioned Michigan Tech in its 2025 Faces of Detroit promotion, featuring MTU alum Kamal Shouhayib ’69 (B.S. Civil Engineering) as "The Face of the American Dream." The entry touches on Shouhayib's journey from Lebanon to the U.S., his real estate career and his civic contributions, including a scholarship program that earned him a community distinguished citizen award.

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Snow Industry News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the election of MTU alum Kaet Johnson ’92 (B.S. Electrical Engineering) to the Board of Directors of the Michigan Snowsports Industry Association.

Chem Stores Closed Today and Tomorrow

Due to a scheduled safety evacuation, Chem Stores will be closed along with the rest of the Chem Sci building today and tomorrow, July 31 and Aug. 1.

During the closure, we will continue processing special orders, but our window services will not be available.

Please email us at chemstores@mtu.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

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Kick Off Fall Hiring at the On-Campus Jobs Expo

Career Services is hosting an on-campus jobs expo on Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge in the MUB. Students are encouraged to come check out the job opportunities available right here on campus. Many Michigan Tech departments will be represented. This is a great way to connect with students early and fill your open positions quickly. Get access to top student talent right at the start of the semester by reserving your table now!

If your department has not signed up and would like to attend, please contact Career Services at careerfair@mtu.edu.

Additionally, Career Services maintains a list of departments that frequently hire students (scroll to the bottom of the linked page). In order to help us keep the list up to date, we would greatly appreciate if departments would take a few moments to fill out our On Campus Employment 2025-26 form.

A guide with updated instructions on how to post on-campus jobs in Handshake is forthcoming! If you have questions about getting employment opportunities onto the platform, feel free to reach out to us at career@mtu.edu.

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

Board of Trustees Meeting

Thursday, July 31, 9–10 a.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Ballroom B

Regular meeting of Michigan Technological University Board of Trustees

Strength and Conditioning : Summer Middle School Program

Thursday, July 31, 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.

PhD Defense: Alexander Czarnecki

Thursday, July 31, 11–11 a.m. | R. L. Smith Building (MEEM), 1021

Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Co-advisors: Darrell Robinette and Jeremy Worm Holistic Energy Efficiency Analysis of Electrified Off-Highway Material Handler: From Drive Cycle Characterization to Powertrain, Hydraulic, and Thermal System Performance Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/87279058078

Strength and Conditioning : Summer High School Program

Thursday, July 31, 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: Joseph Teahen

Thursday, July 31, 2 p.m.–2 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, 101

Computer Science Co-advisors: Leo Ureel and Briana Bettin Examining Student and Faculty Perspectives On Hidden Curriculum in Computing Education Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/86221663286

PhD Defense: Md Mutasim Billah

Thursday, July 31, 3 p.m.–3 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 325

Statistics Advisor: Kui Zhang METHODS IN STATISTICS, MACHINE LEARNING, AND DEEP LEARNING FOR COMBINING MULTI-OMICS DATASET

Twin Cities New Student Send Off

Thursday, July 31, 6 p.m.–7 p.m. | Thompson County Park - North Shelter

Join fellow Huskies in welcoming the newest class of Michigan Tech students before they leave for Houghton! The New Student Send Off will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. CT at Thompson County Park - North Shelter, located at 360 Butler Ave. East, West St. Paul, MN 55118. Students, come ready to meet your fellow classmates before heading north. Alumni, be sure to share your Michigan Tech stories while meeting the next generation of Huskies! Current and new students, alumni, friends, and families are all welcome. The cost to attend is $7 per person and covers sub sandwiches and additional refreshments. Attendees will also have the opportunity to bring home some Michigan Tech swag, courtesy of the Office of Alumni Engagement. Advance online registration is required to ensure an accurate food count.

Alumni Reunion 2025

July 31, all day | Michigan Tech Campus

All alumni and friends are invited to return to campus for Alumni Reunion 2025, taking place from July 31—August 2! We're excited to welcome back the featured classes of '55, '60, '65, '70, '75, '85, '95, '00, '05, and '15. Mark your calendars and get ready for a memorable reunion experience!