November 3, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Michigan Tech Archives co-founder David Henry Thomas, who passed away at home on Oct. 25.

A distinguished figure in the Michigan cultural heritage community, Thomas was a devoted lover of history, a treasured friend of many, and a kind and generous community volunteer. His deep affinity for the Copper Country began in childhood, when he spent many summers with his large family in Central. After high school, he stayed in the Keweenaw whenever he had the chance, later dedicating his adult life to preserving the Central Church and working to preserve the region’s significant history.

Thomas began a long career at Michigan Tech in 1964. He was primarily affiliated with the Michigan Tech Library, serving as head of technical services, assistant librarian and co-founder (along with Bob Patterson) of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections. He retired in 1993 after years of dedicated professional service, making many deep friendships along the way.

The Michigan Tech Archives' strategic development in the 1960s and 1970s owes a debt of gratitude to Thomas’ tireless efforts. While the early years of the Library saw efforts for important historical titles to be separated from the main stacks as early as the 1930s, space limitations prohibited an active solicitation of archival materials to build the Archives. The opening of the J. R. Van Pelt Library in July 1966 ushered in a new era, with a dedicated reading room and storage area specifically designed to house a permanent archives collection.

As the Archives' co-founder, Thomas played a primary role in actively soliciting and acquisitioning local history materials starting in April 1969. Focus areas included documenting the economic, cultural and social history of the region. During 1969 and into the early 1970s, the department collected broadsides, maps, photographs, business records, family papers, newspapers, oral histories and some moving image materials. During this period, Thomas completed his master’s degree at the University of Michigan in 1976.

Although Thomas did not begin his efforts as a trained archivist, his library expertise, love of history and deep knowledge of the Copper Country set the Archives on a solid foundation as it worked to formalize its program. Michigan Tech signified its commitment to an active archival program in 1978 with the hiring of the University's first professionally trained archivist, Theresa Spence. While there has been some changing of the guard since Thomas' retirement, the cornerstone he helped place will have an enduring influence on the Archives program, past, present and future.

Thomas lived a storied life of professional service, community involvement and deep family connections. To learn more and to celebrate his memory, please be sure to read his full obituary posted by Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home. Information about how to offer memorial tribute is included in the obituary.

Current and future Archives staff will be sure to remember Dave and keep his spirit alive in the stacks!

When industry leaders invest in people, everyone wins: employees, companies and the customers they serve. 

Michigan Technological University is proud to congratulate Cummins Inc. on being named to Forbes’ list of “America’s Best Employers for Engineers 2026.” Cummins, even more impressively, leaped from its 2025 position at No. 39 to No. 7, a recognition of the company's efforts to make higher education, career resources and professional development a top priority. Cummins was praised for its exceptionally strong support of engineers’ educational growth, which is essential to attracting and retaining employees.

For Michigan Tech, Cummins’ No. 7 ranking validates an approach the University has long championed: partnering with organizations that share our commitment to advanced education and real-world impact. Cummins is a company that treats its people very well and relentlessly supports their continuing education. In an article announcing the 2026 list, Forbes highlighted the Michigan Tech and Cummins Corporate Education Fellowship as a key component of this growth for Cummins’ employees.

In May, Cummins and Michigan Tech signed a fellowship agreement enabling eligible Cummins employees to pursue MTU online graduate certificates, master’s degrees and doctorates through Global Campus. In practical terms, this fellowship means that engineers can deepen their expertise — whether in automotive engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering management , and more — without pausing their careers. In other words, the online programs of Michigan Tech Global Campus provide a direct pathway for talented professionals to level up, and for Cummins to continue to leading the competition in fast-changing technologies.

At the signing ceremony, Bob Sharpe, Cummins’ executive director of simulation based product development, stressed that Global Campus offers “numerous courses, certificate programs, and graduate programs focused on key skills and capabilities that we know Cummins needs for the future.” He also praised Michigan Tech graduates, who “arrive ready to hit the ground running and deliver great technical work.”

David Lawrence, MTU’s vice president of global campus and corporate partnerships, also commended the leaders of Cummins “for their dedication, care, and concern for the development of their employees, their passion for education and for partnering with Michigan Tech in providing education opportunities through a Fellowship program that is unique and provides value! We are genuinely excited to support the employees and Cummins on their educational journey.”

Once again, Michigan Tech is proud to partner with companies such as Cummins that win the right way: by championing their people, helping to further their education, and supporting their personal and professional growth.

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has designated 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology to commemorate 100 years of quantum breakthroughs and inspire global innovation and collaboration in quantum research, education and technology. In the same spirit, the Department of Physics and the Elizabeth and Richard Henes Center for Quantum Phenomena at Michigan Tech will host Quantum Day on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 1-3 p.m. in Fisher 125.

The timing couldn’t be more fitting. We will host Quantum Day just weeks after the announcement of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis “for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling and energy quantization in electric circuits.” Their pioneering work forms the foundation of today’s superconducting qubits, a cornerstone of quantum computing.

Quantum Day will be a showcase of leading research with a special focus on quantum phenomena explored through experiments and modeling. The event will feature posters, demonstrations and lab tours, giving visitors a firsthand look at active quantum research across the department.

At Michigan Tech, faculty and students are pushing the frontiers of quantum research through a wide range of activities. These include quantum light-matter interactions and quantum optics in Jae Yong Suh’s Lab, Miguel Levy’s Lab, and Qi Zhong’s Lab; atomic chains and quantum dots in Yoke Khin Yap’s Lab; and the simulation of quantum materials in Ravindra Pandey’s group. Quantum spin filters and laser-induced fluorescence from rubidium atoms are investigated in Ranjit Pati’s group and Jacek Borysow’s lab, respectively, while John Jaszczak’s lab conducts experiments using scanning tunneling microscopy. Together, these efforts demonstrate how Michigan Tech researchers are advancing both the experimental and computational frontiers in quantum science.

As the world celebrates the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, Michigan Tech’s Quantum Day offers more than a glimpse into cutting-edge research. It invites participants to engage with the fundamental questions of nature, witness the transformative potential of quantum technologies, and imagine the ways these discoveries may shape society in the years to come.

Currently enrolled students are invited to be a part of Michigan Tech’s first food security survey since 2018. 

This survey builds upon past MTU food security surveys as well as a focus group with students conducted in spring 2025. This previous research identified that upward of 30% of students on campus may be food insecure at some point during the academic year. More students taking part in this survey will provide updated data to inform our research into needed resources and programs on campus to help all students.

The survey is anonymous and takes only 5-10 minutes to complete. When finished, participants can choose to be entered to win one of 16 $10 MTU gift cards.

Take the Food Security Survey! The survey closes Nov. 14.

We thank you in advance for sharing this survey within your department and student organizations, and with students you advise. 

Please contact supervising faculty member Angie Carter at ancarter@mtu.edu or undergraduate research assistant Katherine Loff-Peterson at kgloffpe@mtu.edu with any questions.

In recognition of Veterans Day, join us for a CommUNITY Conversation featuring a panel of faculty, staff, students and retirees who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The conversation will be held next Monday, Nov. 10, from 4-5:30 p.m. in Rekhi G005.

This event invites our campus community to come together to listen, learn and reflect on the experiences of veterans within and beyond Michigan Technological University. Through personal stories and open dialogue, our panelists will share insights about their time in service, the transition to civilian and academic life, and what it means to build supportive communities for veterans on campus. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in meaningful discussion.

Whether you’re a veteran, a supporter or simply interested in learning more, this event offers a chance to deepen your understanding, express gratitude and strengthen our community connections. Light refreshments will be provided. All are welcome.

The summer 2026 study abroad program Prague and Berlin: Environmental Policy, Technology, and Management in Europe has a newly reduced program fee of $1,900.

Program details and the application link can be found on the Department of Social Sciences' Study Abroad / Study Away website.

Contact Kayla Gabehart at kgabehar@mtu.edu with questions.

Are you a non-video game player interested in participating in a paid research study? If so, check out a dual-task experiment being conducted by the Department of Psychology and Human Factors.

The study will take approximately 60 minutes. Participants will be compensated with $20. 

We are recruiting participants with little to no video game play experience who:

• Are 18-40 years old
• Are able to read and write in English
• Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision

For more information, please contact Lauren Sprague at lmonroe@mtu.edu or Kevin Trewartha at kmtrewar@mtu.edu.

Michigan Tech’s Safety Team — Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and the Office of Risk, Insurance, Safety, Security, and Compliance (RISSC) — will be hosting our next monthly coffee talk: a chance for all Huskies to share a cup of coffee and learn about the importance of campus health and safety.

We invite you to join us on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 9-10 a.m. in MUB Ballroom B.

Topic: Josh Carlson, outreach and prevention coordinator, will discuss the work of the Environmental Scan Team to help the mental health and wellness of our students.

As part of Michigan Tech’s commitment to the JED Campus initiative, the Environmental Scan Team conducts environmental scans to better understand how our campus spaces impact student well-being and safety. Environmental scans are walk-through assessments of buildings and common areas that look at factors like signage, lighting, accessibility and the availability of mental health and wellness resources. These scans help us identify strengths and opportunities to make our campus more supportive, inclusive and welcoming for everyone. By aligning with the JED Campus framework, we’re working toward creating a safer and healthier environment where students can thrive.

If you’re interested in learning more or sharing your perspective, come hear what Carlson has to say Wednesday morning. In addition, there will be an informal opportunity to talk with our campus safety professionals for other safety-related questions and issues.

Mark your calendars and come ask the questions you have always wanted to ask and get the answers you need about Michigan Tech safety programs, legal compliance issues and additional resources… and have a cup of Joe with the Safety Crew!

The Department of Mathematical Sciences proudly presents a Careers in Mathematics Seminar to be given by Kylie Huitema, environmental quality analyst for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, tomorrow, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m. in Fisher 133. Refreshments will be provided.

Huitema's seminar is titled "State Government – Environmental Quality Analyst."

From the abstract:
Have you wondered how a mathematics degree can be used to help protect Michiganders from contaminants in their drinking water? In this talk, I’ll share about my journey from an undergraduate statistics major at MTU, to becoming an environmental quality analyst with the State of Michigan – Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). I’ll share ideas on how you can prepare yourself for this type of position, and other typical requirements for similar roles with the State of Michigan.

Editor's Note: The Distinguished Ecologist Lecture with Cristina Eisenberg has been canceled.

Please join the Ecosystem Science Center (ESC) on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 12:30 p.m. for a seminar by Cristina Eisenberg titled "Braiding Sweetgrass: Forest Ecocultural Restoration and Tribal and Community Engagement." The seminar will be held in GLRC 202 and streamed via Zoom. Find more info and the Zoom link on the University Events Calendar.

In this presentation, Eisenberg will explore how ecocultural restoration, which is based on partnerships in forest stewardship that incorporate Western science, Indigenous knowledge, and local knowledge, can increase forest resilience and health. We will examine the ecological benefits of this silvicultural approach and the forest policy that supports these partnerships. We will also explore necessary tools to enable respectful intercultural partnerships in forestry and natural resources.

This seminar is part of the Distinguished Ecologist Lecture Series held each fall by the Ecosystem Science Center, an affiliated center within the Great Lakes Research Center.

This program/lecture is partially funded/sponsored by the Visiting Professor Program, which is funded by a grant to the Office of the Provost from the State of Michigan's King-Chávez-Parks Initiative.

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.

Kaitlyn Bunker, Ph.D., P.E., will present as a part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Seminar Series on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. in EERC 100.

Bunker will present "Building Resilience in the Energy Sector: Lessons from the Caribbean."

From the abstract:
Residents of the Caribbean region are among the first to see direct climate change impacts, including more frequent and severe storms, and sea level rise. However, islands are taking action and leading an energy transition that not only improves their safety, independence, resilience, and economic development, but also shows that islands can provide solutions to the global climate challenge. Each island is unique, with different objectives for their energy future and different options available. At the same time, islands in the Caribbean have utilized common practices to plan for and implement a shift to clean energy, rather than the imported fossil fuel that is commonly used. Resilience has been a core priority in both the overall design and the implementation of this energy transition. The experience of islands in creating an energy future that is resilient, reliable, low-cost, and sustainable can inform similar transitions in other countries and regions.

Job Posting for Monday, Nov. 3, 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.

KCP Budget Associate, Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success.

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.

Ph.D. student Yasaman Abdolvand (civil engineering) and her advisor Mohammad Sadeghi (CEGE/GMES) are the authors of a study published in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering.

The study, titled “Effect of Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) via Denitrification on the Dissolution Rate and Stability of Gypsum Mine Pillars,” explores how nature-based biocementation can reduce gypsum pillar dissolution and improve mine stability.

Kellie Raffaelli (SA) was quoted by WLUC TV6 in a story about university food pantries continuing to provide assistance during the federal government shutdown. Raffaelli discussed Michigan Tech’s Husky Food Access Network (HuskyFAN), which includes a main food pantry, several community cupboards across campus, and a meal pack program for students in need.

WZMQ 19 News mentioned Michigan Tech in coverage of the GLIAC Preseason Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Poll, which placed the Huskies first for the 2025-26 season. Senior guard Marcus Tomashek was the coaches’ pick for Player of the Year and was named to the Preseason All-GLIAC First Team. Senior forward Dawson Nordgaard was named to the Preseason All-GLIAC Second Team.

41 North Film Festival Returns Thursday

This year’s 41 North Film Festival invites audiences to engage with a slate of over 20 creative and thought-provoking films that explore the complexities of contemporary life — from the depths of the natural world to the heights of human resilience.

The festival will be held this weekend, from Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 6-9, in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts and features a diverse lineup of acclaimed and emerging filmmakers whose work takes up urgent social questions through compassionate, sometimes fierce, and always artful storytelling.

This year's films include:

• Folk Tales (Ewing/Grady, 2025)
• Cat Town, USA (Napolitino, 2025)
• Underland (Petit, 2025)
• How Deep Is Your Love (Mortimer, 2025)
• Natchez (Herbert, 2025)
• Life After (Davenport, 2025)
• Best Day Ever (Knight/Berne, 2025)
• Flow (Zilbalodis, 2024)
• OBEX (Birney, 2025)
• Listers: A Glimpse into Extreme Birdwatching (Reiser, 2025)

Panels with Q&As will follow many of the films, and short film programs will also be offered. Additional films will screen in Fisher 135.

The festival is free and open to the public. Donations and volunteers are appreciated and welcome. For more information, contact Erin Smith.

Read more on the Humanities News blog.

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Call for Proposals: CISR Seed Funding Opportunity

The Center for Innovation in Sustainability and Resilience (CISR) is accepting applications for the CISR Seed Research Funding Award. Proposals can be developed and submitted in three tracks of seed funding: 

• Track 1 — “Early Career” Awards
  Designed to complement or expand research efforts that may have also been supported by start-up funds for early career faculty. These proposals should provide a clear budget detailing how seed funding will complement start-up funding and how these funds will be leveraged together to support research development.

• Track 2 — “New Directions” Awards
  Designed to support established researchers who are pursuing new ideas or topics around sustainability and resilience themes. These proposals can be for initial research activities to establish methods, collect preliminary data, or access equipment needed for external proposal development; team formation to target specific large funding opportunities; or other creative activities that initiate new research directions in areas related to sustainability and resilience.

• Track 3 — “Gap” Awards
  Designed to address gaps in personnel, data analysis or other research needs created by sudden disruptions or instability in federal research funding streams in areas related to sustainability and resilience.

Award eligibility requires being an affiliate of CISR (CISR affiliation is open to anyone on campus) and contributing to the CISR research community by submitting future external funding proposals that result from this seed funding award through CISR.

The fall 2025 application deadline is Nov. 21, but rolling submissions and inquiries are encouraged.

Awards are targeted in the range of $3,000-$5,000. The timing and types of expenditures are flexible, but generally should occur before the end of summer 2026. Proposals that emphasize how this support will contribute to future research proposal development will receive priority.

In your application, please provide: 

• A title indicating whether the submission is to be considered for a Track 1, Track 2 or Track 3.
• A brief description of your proposed work and how it relates to sustainability and/or resilience. This should include any relevant citations to explain novelty relative to current state of the art or current literature.
• A clear description on how this award will propel future research productivity in sustainability and/or resilience research, providing as much detail as possible. This should include specifically identified agencies, programs and/or funding opportunities that will be pursued as a result of the work supported by this seed funding.
• A detailed budget and budget justification, including project start and end date and details on what additional resources, if any, are being leveraged for the proposed project. These additional resources may include other sources of funding, data or laboratory needs, etc.

Proposal narratives, budgets and budget justifications should be submitted as a single document via email to Chelsea Schelly at cschelly@mtu.edu. Potential submitters are encouraged to reach out with questions or to pitch ideas before developing a proposal.

CISR looks forward to receiving your inquiries and applications!

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Nominations Open for 2025 Making a Difference Staff Awards

Staff Council invites the campus community to submit nominations for the 2025 Making a Difference Staff Awards. Nominations are now open, and regular full-time and part-time staff are eligible. All faculty and staff are invited to submit a nomination for a deserving colleague or write a letter in support of a nomination.

The categories are:

• Innovation Award
• Behind the Scenes
• Legacy Award
• Outstanding Leader
• Rookie Award
• Serving Others
• Unsung Hero

Award receipients will receive $500 after taxes. Past recipients are not eligible to receive another award until five years after their previous award year.

Please follow these steps:

1. Review the award criteria
2. Create your nomination letter
3. Collect you letters of support (no more than three one-page letters)
4. Complete the nomination form

Please note that you will need to be prepared to upload your nomination letter and letters of support as one PDF file in the nomination form.

For more information, please go to the Staff Council's Making a Difference Staff Awards webpage.

Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Nov. 21.

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Women in the Academy Fall '25 Breakfast

Please join Women in the Academy (WIA) for a breakfast celebrating the end of the fall semester. Stop by the MUB Ballroom B1/B2 anytime between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Nov. 14. A full breakfast, coffee, tea and juice will be provided.

Please RSVP using our Fall ’25 Breakfast form by Thursday, Nov. 6. It is important to respond so we can ensure accurate food counts and cost estimates. If you indicate you will attend and then find you cannot, please notify us as soon as possible, but no later than noon on Friday, Nov. 7.

We will not plan a formal program or agenda for this meeting; however, there will be discussion tables and numerous opportunities for networking and conversation. We will also plan get-togethers for the spring semester. Hope to see you there!

This event is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost and WIA.

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Computer Science Colloquium with Jie Wu

Please join the Department of Computer Science for our next Computer Science Colloquium, a talk by new faculty member Jie Wu at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, in Rekhi 214.

Wu's talk is titled "Clarification-Aware Code Generation: Benchmarks, Techniques, and Open Problems."

From the abstract:
Large language models (LLMs) have made significant progress in code generation, yet they still struggle with ambiguous problem descriptions and the trustworthiness of their outputs. In this talk, I will introduce HumanEvalComm, a benchmark for evaluating whether LLMs can ask meaningful clarifying questions, and ClarifyCoder, a fine-tuning framework that enables models to identify uncertainties and request clarification before generating code. I will also present experimental results and discuss open challenges for making code LLMs more reliable, trustworthy, and human-like.

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Winter Carnival Judging Opportunities

Hello, MTU staff and faculty! Are you interested in being a judge for Winter Carnival this February? There are still opportunities to volunteer!

Blue Key National Honor Society is asking for volunteer judges for our Statue, Royalty, and Stage Revue competitions at Winter Carnival 2026. These traditions have been going on for many years, and we invite you to become part of the team that makes them possible! Please complete our Winter Carnival Judging Interest Form to sign up.

If you express interest in judging an event, you will also be added to a pool of potential judges for future Winter Carnival events.

If you have any questions, please reach out to bkvicepresident@mtu.edu.

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This Friday, Celebrate National First-Generation College Student Day at the Husky Statue!

The Michigan Tech community is invited to gather at the Husky Statue on Friday, Nov. 7, as we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments, resilience and impact of first-generation college students, staff, faculty and alumni.

The celebration begins at 11:30 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. We’ll have a banner signing, First-Gen Day stickers and treats, a group photo, and free “I’m First” T-shirts!

Also, don’t miss a special appearance by Kellie Raffaelli, Michigan Tech's very own first-gen dean of students!

This event is a collaborative celebration hosted by Student Support and Mentorship, the McNair Scholars Program, the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success, and TRIO to recognize the strength, resilience and success of our first-gen community.

Stop by to connect, celebrate and show your support. Everyone is welcome; come enjoy food, refreshments, fun activities and free swag!

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Benefits Update: 2026 Guide and Open Enrollment Recording Now Live!

Michigan Tech's 2026 Benefits Guide and a recording of the recent Open Enrollment informational session are officially available!

Head over to the Open Enrollment website today to access both resources. These are essential tools to help you review your options and make informed choices during this year's enrollment period.

Open Enrollment for the 2026 plan year will run from Nov. 12-26.

Reminder: All benefits-eligible MTU employees are required to complete Open Enrollment this year, even if you are not making changes.

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EPSSI Seminar with Saurabh Nath

Saurabh Nath of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will give a talk as part of the Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI) Fall 2025 Seminar Series today, Nov. 3.

This event will be held in the Great Lakes Research Center. Refreshments and a social will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the GLRC Lobby on the first floor, with the lecture to follow at 4 p.m. in GLRC 202.

The title of the talk is "All Things Ice. Drops. Bubbles. Carbon. Climate." 

Read Nath's abstract and bio on the University Events Calendar.

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

Nanowonder: Images of the Microscopic World Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries

Monday, November 3, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Art Galleries

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT For centuries, humanity has been fascinated with the microscopic world. Through advancements in technology, visually investigating this hidden landscape has become increasingly possible. One of these devices, the Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope, allows us to see the microscopic surface of things more clearly than ever before. The Art Galleries at MTU’s Rozsa Center are proudly hosting a juried exhibition of photographs taken by the Hitachi SEM during its residency at Michigan Tech. Titled Nanowonder, this exhibition is truly collaborative and emphasizes how powerful the relationship between science and the arts can be. See beyond the surface of your stuff for free! The Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope will be on location at the gallery reception on Friday September 26, 5-7pm. The reception is free, open to all, and light refreshments will be served. All are welcome to bring a small (approx 1"x1"), dry, flat sample to be scanned by the microscope technicians. Support for this event provided by Hitachi, ACMAL (Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory) at Michigan Tech, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Tech Visual and Performing Arts Department, Michigan Tech Biomedical Engineering Department, Michigan Tech Materials Science and Engineering Department, and Michigan Tech College of Sciences and Arts. Things to know ROZSA ART GALLERIES HOURS | M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturdays 1-8 p.m. EXHIBIT DATES | September 12-November 7, 2025 RECEPTION | Friday, September 26, 2025 | 5-7 p.m. ADMISSION| Free and open to the public CONTENT GUIDANCE | none Plan your visit with information about parking, accessibility, and more. Rozsa Art Galleries are open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. M-F and 1-8 p.m. on Saturdays. Closed during academic recesses. Contact the Rozsa Box Office for more information. Thanks to Our Sponsors Support for this Michigan Tech Art Event provided by: and the Visual and Performing Arts Circle of Supporters. About the Presenter Professional exhibitions in the Rozsa Art Galleries. Student showcases. Artist Talks with Studio Here Now. Cross-campus collaborations. The Michigan Tech Art Series offers dynamic programming that supports Michigan Tech students and our wider community. Part of the the annual Rozsa Season, the Michigan Tech Art, Music, and Theatre Series are presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Through these series, students from across campus, community members, and faculty create art that connects us to the world. With majors in audio production and technology, sound design, theatre and entertainment technology, and nine minors, the department fosters creativity, self-motivation, and the development of practical and artistic skills. Everyone is welcome, and there's something for everyone. View all Michigan Tech Art Series Events. Related Events Nanowonder: Images of the Microscopic World Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries September 12-November 7, 2025 Reception | Friday, September 26, 2025 | 5-7 p.m. Artful Intersections: Fall Student Art Showcase - Rozsa Art Galleries November 21-December 2, 2025 Reception | Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 5-7 p.m. Through the Quiet Hours: Night Sky Photography Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries January 16-23, 2026 Reception | Friday, January 16, 2026 | 5-7 p.m. Women's Rights are Human Rights Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries January 30-March 28, 2026 Reception | Friday, January 30, 2026 | 5-7 p.m. Beyond the Frame: Spring Student Art Showcase - Rozsa Art Galleries April 10-14, 2026 Reception | Friday, April 10, 2026 | 5-7 p.m. Explore upcoming Michigan Tech Art Events. Plan Your Visit to the Rozsa Rozsa Box Office InformationAccessibility Services Find a Digital ProgramPlan your Parking​ Get Involved Volunteer to UsherDonate to Support the RozsaMeet Our DonorsGet Updates via Email View All Upcoming Events Personal Responsibility Statement Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every person or for all ages. The Rozsa Center provides content guidance to alert audience members to common potentially sensitive or distressing material. Guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with each event in order to make informed decisions prior to attending an event. Views Expressed Statement The views, information, thoughts, or opinions expressed in this program or event are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent the policies of the Rozsa Center or Michigan Technological University. Effective Date: 2025/26.

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CFRES Resume Review

Monday, November 3, 2 p.m.–4 p.m. | U.J. Noblet Forestry Building (Noblet, Building 18), Atrium

Get Your Resume Ready! Career Services will be offering drop-in resume reviews in the U.J. Noblet Forestry Building atrium on Monday and Wednesday, Nov. 3 & 5, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Stop by for quick feedback and tips to help your resume stand out before the upcoming career fair on Thursday, Nov 6th!

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Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar

Monday, November 3, 3 p.m. | Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC)

Sepehr Mohammadi, PhD Candidate, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering, Michigan Tech Implementing Low-Carbon Materials and Practices in Asphalt Paving Projects Abstract: In response to growing environmental concerns, asphalt industry has increasingly focused on integrating green additives and low-carbon materials to enhance sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint of paving materials. Concurrently, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) have emerged as crucial tools for evaluating and communicating the environmental impacts of construction materials through standardized Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results. As the emphasis on the utilization of EPDs and low-carbon materials grows, recognizing and effectively managing the current gaps in LCA of asphalt pavements becomes crucial. This process is essential for enriching the body of knowledge, which can further support the development of Product Category Rules (PCRs) and EPDs. Building on this motivation, this presentation focuses on reviewing key strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in asphalt pavement construction and extending the scope of LCA from production stages to the construction stages. Key strategies including optimizing asphalt mix designs, sourcing local materials to minimize hauling distances, adopting warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technologies to lower production temperatures, and increasing the use of recycled materials such as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and ground tire rubber (GTR) will be further discussed in this presentation. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Yasaman Abdolvand, PhD Student, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering, Michigan Tech Nature-Based Geohazard Mitigation with Denitrification-MICP: From Mine-Pillar Protection to Dune-Sand Stabilization Abstract: Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a nature-based method for ground improvement and geohazard mitigation. In this study, we first verify that denitrification-driven MICP remains functional under oxic conditions, despite its conventional association with anaerobic environments, and then deploy it in two practical contexts. Applied to soluble gypsum mine pillars (in laboratory scale), the treatment formed a protective calcitic crust that suppressed water–rock interaction, achieving more than90% reduction in dissolution and about 87% retention of unconfined compressive strength after exposure to high-velocity water flow (8 mL/s) for 48 h, thereby reducing the risk of progressive weakening, sinkholes, and mine failure. Applied to highly erodible dune sands, denitrification-MICP generated intergranular carbonate bridges and a thin surface crust that dramatically improved wind-erosion resistance: untreated sand lost about 71% mass after 1 min at high speed wind exposure (93.4 km/h), whereas denitrification-MICP treatment showed 0% mass loss even after 180 min at the same wind speed. These results position oxygen-tolerant, denitrification-based MICP as a field-adaptable, nature-based strategy, from protecting mines to stabilizing sands, for mitigating dissolution- and erosion-driven geohazards.

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EPSSI Seminar: Dr. Saurabh Nath

Monday, November 3, 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), First floor lobby (social) and Room 202 (lecture)

This event will be held in the GLRC. Refreshments and a social will be held at 3:30pm in the GLRC Lobby on the first floor, with the lecture to follow at 4:00pm in GLRC 202. Dr. Saurabh Nath of Massachusetts Institute of Technology will give a talk on Monday, November 3rd. The title of the talk is "All Things Ice. Drops. Bubbles. Carbon. Climate." Abstract: Place a drop of water on an icy surface: it crystallizes at the point of contact, and a slow ice front steadily grows upwards. Place a bubble instead, and a burst of ice crystals erupts on the interface, far from where it touches the surface. Now, place a collection of dew drops – they start ‘talking’ to each other, freezing in succession, breaking the stochasticity of the nucleation process. The ordinary freezing of drops and bubbles hides a fascinating array of rich emergent phenomena, far from the ordinary. In this talk, through simple experiments and scaling arguments, we will delve into the nature and origins of these intriguing behaviors, often tied to the metastability of supercooled water. By exploring these phenomena, we will try to gain a deeper insight into the non-classical mechanisms of phase transitions in liquid water, and how they leave their footprint on our climate – be it in clouds or dew drops on a leaf… Bio: Saurabh is an experimentalist in soft condensed matter working at the intersection of ice physics, hydrodynamics, and interfacial phenomena. A Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, he did his PhD with David Quéré at ESPCI Paris, studying droplet motility on infused solids – an ambiguous hemi-solid with liquid-like behavior. He then joined Kripa Varanasi at MIT, working on ice fracture, soft lubrication, and CO₂ mineralization. In January 2026, Saurabh will join the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania as an Assistant Professor to establish N-Lab@UPenn, building lab-scale benchtop physical analogs of climate phenomena to distill their essence to the simplest core. Until then, you can find him at MIT, Room 35-135 making ice, breaking ice, trapping bubbles inside ice, or imaging ants walking on pitcher plants (without any ice).

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Tech Forward 2.0 Campus Conversation — Health and Well-Being

Monday, November 3, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | MUB, Ballroom A1

To share ideas, seek feedback, and gauge interest, a campus conversation on the Tech Forward 2.0 theme/initiative “Health and Well-Being”, will be held from 4-5pm on Monday, Nov. 3 in MUB A1. If this is an area that interests you and you would like a calendar invite sent, please complete our RSVP form. Tech Forward 2.0 Discussion - Health and Well-Being Monday, Nov. 3 from 4-5pm in MUB A1 Please join the Tech Forward 2.0 theme/initiative Health and Well-Being in a discussion that will assist in shaping Michigan Tech’s future in health partnerships, research, education, and workforce development. The group seeks feedback on proposed concepts and welcomes ideas to strengthen connections between health, technology, and community well-being. Michigan Tech’s strengths in research, industry engagement, and a talented faculty and student body provide a strong foundation for advancing health-related initiatives. This conversation will explore how the University can leverage those strengths to improve access to healthcare partnerships, expand interdisciplinary training, and enhance infrastructure for innovation in health and wellbeing. Concepts to be discussed include: Health Partnerships: Building long-term collaborations with other academic and research institutions, hospitals, nonprofits, and industry partners focused on rural and digital health, research, and workforce upskilling. Health Research Resources: Expanding access to computing and technical resources that enable biomedical and health research, wellness tracking, and training across disciplines such as nursing, biomedical engineering, kinesiology and integrated physiology, and other related areas. Healthcare Workforce Development: Increasing on-campus resources to foster hands-on learning, student-industry collaboration, and micro-credentialing opportunities. Your participation and insights on the services, tools, competencies, and collaborations we can build to enhance competitiveness will help shape the strategic direction of this effort. We look forward to your participation.

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Deep Dives

Monday, November 3, 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. | Fisher 231

Deep Dives is a biweekly program designed to bring students together to share their research, personal journeys, and ideas in an open and collaborative environment. The series provides an opportunity to connect with peers, spark curiosity, and foster community through science and conversation. For those interested, one-to-one mentoring will also be available to offer personalized guidance in the research areas discussed. Pizza will be provided.

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Tea and Lemonade

Monday, November 3, 6 p.m.–7 p.m. | Fisher 230

We'll be sipping and spilling tea, sharing hot takes, and having a great time! We'd love to see you there.

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Keweenaw Socialists - General Meeting

Monday, November 3, 7 p.m.–8 p.m. | Fisher 101

KS at MTU weekly general meeting.