December 1, 2025

With the holidays fast approaching, the Purchasing Department would like to remind departments to submit all 2025 purchase requisitions no later than Dec. 16. This will ensure adequate time for processing and approvals, and allow purchase orders to be issued to vendors before their holiday closures.

Please ensure that all non-travel PCard transactions are entered and allocated in your December PCard report, and that the report is submitted by the week of Dec. 15 to allow sufficient time for approvals.

If you have any questions, please contact pcard@mtu.edu or concur@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, Dec. 3, from 9-10 a.m. in MUB Ballroom B . 

Topic: Holiday Safety - Every winter there is a sudden rise in injuries and fatalities caused by decorations, fires, car accidents, slips, trips and falls, and improper lifting of heavy packages and suitcases. Join EHS for tips to keep your holiday safe. 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!  

It's time for this year's Forestry Club Christmas Tree Sale! Michigan Tech's SAF Forestry Club will be hosting the sale today, Dec. 1, from 2-8 p.m.

The sale will be located on the sidewalk next to Walker Lawn and the Hamar House parking lot. We will have Christmas trees, homemade wood cookie decorations, bough bundles, and Forestry Club mugs and beanies.

See our event flyer.

Join us for a talk and book signing by author John U. Bacon, featuring his New York Times Best Seller, “The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” He'll share insights and stories about the Great Lakes, the ship, the storm and, most importantly, the crew and their families. Books will be for sale on site by North Wind Books. 

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 10 
Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
Location: MUB Ballroom B

If you knit, crochet, spin, embroider, cross-stitch, bead, weave, or do any other kind of fiber craft, this is the meeting for you.

Join us in the MUB Commons at 12 p.m. on Dec. 3 to discuss a regularly occurring lunch-time fiber craft get-together here at Michigan Tech.

The goal of the meeting will be to settle on a time, location, and frequency for the group. Feel free to bring your lunch and latest project. Look for yarn on the table to find us.

If you can't make the meeting, but want to know what's decided, email Alice at alicem@mtu.edu. 

Earn your American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification in this intensive training course located at the Michigan Tech SDC Pool. The certification includes Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, First Aid Certification and all training materials. All participants must be 15 years of age or older by the first date of the course (documentation required).

Required water skills include the ability to:

• Swim 150 yards (using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, swimming on the back or side is not permitted, swim goggles are allowed), maintain a position on the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water with the legs, swim 50 yards (using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both). 
• Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards (face may be in or out of the water, swim goggles are not permitted).
• Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face at or near the surface.
• Exit the water without using the ladder or steps. 

Course Dates and Times:

• Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 6-9:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 8, from 6-9:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 9, from 5-9 p.m. 
• Saturday, Jan. 10, from 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 11, from 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Want to Receive Academic Credit?
For additional details on registering for this course to receive academic credit, please reach out to Aquatics Manager Annie Bengry at ambengry@mtu.edu or 906-487-2995.

Please join Michigan Tech’s McNair Scholars Program on Dec. 3 from 12-2 p.m. in MUB Ballroom A as Wayne Gersie, vice president for community engagement, discusses pathways to navigating the often-complex landscape of funding for graduate school.

This workshop is strongly recommended for undergraduate students considering attending graduate school. It is sponsored by the McNair Scholars Program and we kindly ask that you please register in advance.

Light refreshments will be served.

Faculty Leadership Exploration and Development Program

Faculty are invited to apply to the Faculty Leadership Exploration and Development (FacultyLEAD) program. FacultyLEAD provides an extended opportunity to explore the challenges, complexities and rewards of leadership. It is designed for faculty who are in, or are considering, leadership roles in a range of contexts.

Applications for the 2026-27 program cohort are now being accepted. The program will accept up to 15 participants who are at the rank of associate professor or higher, either tenure or instructional track. More information about the program and how to apply is available on the FacultyLEAD webpage. Applications are due Jan. 7, 2026.

Questions should be directed to Shari Stockero at stockero@mtu.edu.

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Winter Reminder: Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

As Heikki Lunta wakes up from his summer slumber and turns the Keweenaw into a winter wonderland, snow and ice quickly become part of our daily Husky life. But with the beauty of the season comes some serious challenges, including slips, trips and falls — the No. 1 cause of injuries and lost time at Michigan Tech. These incidents affect students, faculty and staff alike, disrupting academics, research and campus operations. By taking a few extra steps of caution, we can enjoy this winter safely and keep our Husky community safe and strong all season long.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) would like to remind everyone:

• Slips and falls don’t just cause bruises — they can lead to sprains, fractures and extended recovery time.
• Lost time from injuries affects academics, research and campus operations.
• Prevention is easier than recovery. Small choices make a big difference!
• If you do have a slip, trip or fall, please have your supervisor complete EHS’ Injury/Incident Report (instructions for reporting through the Experience portal can be found on our Incident and Injury Reporting page).
• Let’s be honest — nobody wants to miss out on holiday celebrations because they’re stuck at home with an ice pack instead of hot cocoa.

EHS Husky Tips for Staying Safe This Winter:

• Wear appropriate footwear: Snow boots may not win a fashion show, but they’ll help you avoid an unplanned performance in the “Slip, Trip and Fall” ballet.

• Slow down: Give yourself extra time to get to class or work. Rushing increases the chance of a fall.

• Use designated walkways: Stick to cleared and salted paths whenever possible. Avoid shortcuts across snowbanks.

• Stay visible: With shorter days, reflective gear or bright clothing helps drivers and cyclists see you when walking to and from campus in the dark. Consider using flashing lights and/or carrying a flashlight when walking in the dark.

• Report hazards: If you notice icy spots, slippery walkways or snow-blocked walkways, call the University's Facilities Snow Hotline at 906‑483‑SNOW (7669) to report slippery conditions immediately.

• Watch for wet floors: Slippery surfaces don’t end at the doorway! Be aware of wet and slippery steps, ramps and hallways within buildings.

Although safety is a year-round Husky community effort, wintertime requires extra awareness and precautions. By looking out for one another, Huskies can reduce injuries and keep our campus safe and healthy through the long Keweenaw winter. So whether you’re heading to an early-morning lab or walking home after an evening study session, remember: A few extra steps of caution can prevent weeks of recovery.

Stay safe, Huskies! The only thing we want sliding around campus this winter is a sled, not you.

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Provost Holding Open Office Hours Tomorrow

Provost Andrew Storer will be holding open office hours from 11 a.m. to noon tomorrow, Dec. 2, near Velodrome Coffee Co. in the Van Pelt and Opie Library. Feel free to stop by; appointments are not required for open office hours.

Additional open office hours are scheduled for:

• Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 11 a.m. to noon
• Wednesday, April 1, from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

The provost continues to hold office hours from 1:30-3:30 p.m. each Thursday during the 2025-26 academic year. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to schedule an appointment by emailing Amie Ledgerwood at provost@mtu.edu.

The information provided here is also available on the Academic Affairs website. To view it, click the Office Hours icon in the bottom right corner of the banner image at the top of the page.

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Faculty Candidate Forum with Christopher R. M. Rundus

The Department of Psychology and Human Factors will host faculty candidate Christopher R. M. Rundus, Ph.D., on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the M&M Third Floor Coworking Space.

Rundus will present "Integrating Human Factors in Automotive and Aviation Safety.”

From the abstract:
Advancements in vehicle and cockpit technologies continue to transform how people drive and interact with complex transportation systems. As these systems evolve, understanding the cognitive, perceptual, and motor processes that shape human performance becomes essential for improving safety and ensuring that technology meaningfully supports its users. This talk will present research examining critical human factors that influence driving and braking performance, simulator-based training, and driver behavior across a range of populations, as well as applied work in aviation human factors that further illustrates how human-machine interaction shapes operational safety. The first part of the talk will highlight research on regenerative braking and driver foot-control behavior, including the development and evaluation of the patented Dynamic Regenerative Braking (DRB) — a novel, human-centered braking concept designed to enhance both safety and energy recovery. The second part will focus on adolescent drivers with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and how this injury affects driving performance, illustrating how health conditions influence attention, cognitive load management, foot-movement patterns, and overall driving performance. Additional discussion will draw from applied work in aviation human factors, including pilot-system interaction and workload management. The talk will conclude with three future research directions: (1) continued development and validation of DRB, (2) advancing research on safe driving among vulnerable road users, and (3) further exploration of aviation human factors. Emphasis will be placed on leveraging high-fidelity simulation, naturalistic driving data, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve safety for vulnerable road users and to guide the development of next-generation vehicle technologies.

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Spare Food? Donate to the AAAA & HuskyFAN Winter Food Drive!

Have any spare dry/canned food? Looking to make a difference? HuskyFAN is hosting a winter food drive in collaboration with the AAAA (Furries at Michigan Tech) from Dec. 1-5! No matter where you are on campus, there's plenty of locations where you can drop your food off, including:

• Wadsworth Hall Front Desk 
• West McNair Hall Lounge 
• Fisher Hall main bulletin board (near Fisher 135) 
• R.L. Smith Building (MEEM) front entrance 
• EERC front entrance 
• SDC main entrance 

You can drop off your food any time at any of the listed locations above. The food you donate will help fellow students in need, making sure that no Husky goes hungry!

Curious about what HuskyFAN does? Learn more about how you can help to minimize food insecurity. 

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Board of Trustees Formal Session

Michigan Technological University's Board of Trustees will meet on Dec. 12 from 9-11 a.m. in Memorial Union Ballroom B, and public attendance is welcome.

Members of the public are invited to make public comments to the board in accordance with Board of Trustees Bylaw 1.14. Those who wish to address items in the agenda and who have filed their intent with the secretary of the board as required by Bylaw 1.14 will be limited to five minutes. Those addressing general topics are limited to three minutes.

If you wish to provide public comments to the Board of Trustees, please submit your intent to Sarah Schulte, secretary to the Board of Trustees, at shschult@mtu.edu. The deadline to submit your intent is Friday, Dec. 5.

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EPSSI Seminar with Ben Kopec

Ben Kopec, assistant research scientist of the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), will give a talk on Monday, Dec. 1. This event will be held in the GLRC. 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 4:00 p.m. in GLRC 202.

The title of the talk is "New applications of water isotopes to monitor the changing hydrologic cycle."

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

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Annual Holiday Sale at the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum

The A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum is holding their annual sale, which runs from Nov. 24 through Dec. 20. Get 15% off most* items in the gift shop including mineral specimens, books, mineral decor, games and kits, some jewelry, lamps, and more!

Bring in any non-perishable, non-expired food or toiletry item(s) to recieve an extra 5% off your entire order! All food donations will go to the HuskyFAN food pantry. 

*Discounts cannot be stacked, aside from additional 5% off offered. Some exclusions apply. Ask in store or call for details.

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

Artful Intersections: Fall Student Art Showcase - Rozsa Art Galleries

Monday, December 1, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Art Galleries, Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT Please join us for an end of semester showcase of artworks produced by the students of the art + design (ART1110) and Contemporary Sculpture Studio (ART3410) classes at MTU. Things to know ROZSA ART GALLERIES HOURS | M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturdays 1-8 p.m. EXHIBIT DATES | November 21-December 2, 2025. Closed during fall break. RECEPTION | Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 5-7 p.m. ADMISSION| Free and open to the public CONTENT GUIDANCE |TBD 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.

PhD Defense: Simahudeen Bathir Jaber Sathik Rifayee

Monday, December 1, 1 p.m.–2 p.m. | Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, 404

Chemistry Advisor: Christo Christov MULTI-SCALE COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY STUDIES OF THE CATALYTIC MECHANISMS OF NON-HEME FE(II)/2-OXOGLUTARATE-DEPENDENT OXYGENASES Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/s/84170621036

EPSSI Seminar: Dr. Ben Kopec

Monday, December 1, 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 3:30 p.m. in the GLRC Lobby on the first floor, with the lecture to follow at 4 p.m. in GLRC 202. Dr. Ben Kopec, Assistant Research Scientist, of the Great Lakes Research Center will give a talk on Monday, December 1st. The title of the talk is "New applications of water isotopes to monitor the changing hydrologic cycle." Abstract: The isotopes of water (hydrogen and oxygen) have long been used as important tracers of water cycle processes, such as to delineate groundwater and precipitation in stream flow or as paleothermometers in glacial ice. This critical tool has long relied on collecting discrete water samples to be measured in laboratory settings, limiting the resolution and scope of research attainable through this manner of sampling. However, new laser-based technology enables continuous and mobile in-situ sampling, allowing for the exploration of water cycle processes at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions, and thus enabling new questions to be explored with these quantitative tracers. This presentation will focus on my recent and ongoing work in the Arctic where we have been performing measurements on mobile platforms (e.g., research vessels, HELiPOD flights) to observe water cycle processes in-situ in real-time to develop a better understanding of the Arctic system. In particular, I will describe how we are using these approaches to understand the impacts of sea ice loss, which is fundamentally altering the Arctic’s water cycle. I will also briefly share how I am applying these approaches locally to study hydrologic processes around the Keweenaw and broader Lake Superior system. Bio: Dr. Ben Kopec is an Assistant Research Scientist at the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Technological University (MTU). His research focuses on developing a better understanding of the global water cycle and its interactions across earth systems, particularly through the use of novel observational approaches using water isotopes. He earned his Ph.D. in Earth Sciences at Dartmouth College in 2016, investigating the Arctic hydrologic cycle using water isotopes, and this Arctic work has continued to be the primary focus region of Kopec’s work. Since starting at MTU in 2024, he has begun applying principles and approaches of his Arctic work to study local systems. Along with his ongoing collection efforts, Kopec will happily receive any water samples from around the region to help improve our understanding of local hydrological dynamics and their impacts.

German Stammtisch Conversation Hour

Monday, December 1, 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. | Walker Arts and Humanities Center, 120C

Join us every other Monday at 4:30 this fall for Stammtisch, German conversation, snacks, games, and more in Walker 120C in the HDMZ! All levels of German are welcome! Questions? Contact Stephanie Rowe sdrowe@mtu.edu

Deep Dives

Monday, December 1, 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.

Keweenaw Socialists - General Meeting

Monday, December 1, 7 p.m.–8 p.m. | Fisher 101

KS at MTU weekly general meeting.