December 11, 2025

Winter ticks are a growing problem for moose, and Michigan Tech undergraduate Grace Moeggenborg is researching a way to reduce the tick species’ populations using essential oil from balsam fir trees native to the region.

Moeggenborg, a graduating senior, will receive her bachelor's degree in applied ecology and environmental science at Michigan Tech's 2025 Midyear Commencement. Her study was conducted with guidance from CFRES faculty Tara Bal, associate professor of forest health, and Sarah Hoy, assistant professor and co-leader of Tech’s Isle Royale wolf-moose project.

“This research aims to pave the way for an organic and environmentally friendly solution for the plight of winter ticks on moose,” said Moeggenborg. “Balsam fir essential oil has previously been shown to be effective in killing black-legged ticks. We wanted to find out if it is effective against winter ticks as well, since that could have big implications for moose conservation.”

Follow her research experience and see what she uncovered on Michigan Tech’s Unscripted Research Blog.

The College of Computing is recognizing more than 60 graduates as they cross the stage at Michigan Tech’s Midyear Commencement. Among them are three students whose distinct paths led them first to the College of Computing and will now carry them onward to careers in engineering, cybersecurity and network security.

Paige Ludwig ’25 is earning her BS in Electrical Engineering Technology, and both Chris Kloha ’25 and Giovanni Bommarito ’25 will receive their BS in Cybersecurity. All three found their academic homes at Michigan Tech, built meaningful experiences through the Enterprise Program and industry placements, and prepared for their next steps after graduation.

Find out what they learned, how they led and what it means to them to be part of the Michigan Tech and College of Computing community on the Computing News Blog.

This is a reminder that there are only a few weeks left to submit proposals for the 2026 Upper Peninsula Teaching and Learning Conference (UP-TLC), taking place May 28-29 at Northern Michigan University.

The priority submission deadline is next Friday, Dec. 19. Proposals submitted by this date will receive priority for acceptance and preferred presentation format. A late-breaking proposal deadline will remain open until March 8, 2026, but space is limited.

Submit Your Proposal.

Conference Tracks:

• Teaching with Technology
• High-Impact Practices and Experiences
• Supporting Accessibility and Belonging
• Innovations in Teaching and Learning

Presentation Formats:

• 50-Minute Presentations
• 20-Minute Presentations
• 5-Minute Buzz Sessions

Stay tuned to the Upper Peninsula Teaching and Learning Conference website as details continue to be posted.

The Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI) is offering a virtual workshop where you can earn a Lean White Belt.

The workshop, "Processes, Flow, and Waste: Lean Fundamentals," will be offered twice:

• Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon
• Wednesday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to noon

In this fun and interactive workshop, you’ll practice visualizing the fundamental Lean concepts of a smooth workflow and the types of waste that may interrupt that flow, and see how you can apply these concepts to your job right away. These tools can assist you in your efforts to create the best possible experience for students, faculty, staff and other customers. Lean White Belt certification is awarded to those who satisfactorily complete all requirements for this workshop.

To see the workshop description and register, complete our brief Upcoming Michigan Tech Lean Workshops form or visit our website. Once registered, we'll add you to a calendar event for the course.

In this workshop, we’ll use some online tools, Zoom and Miro, that will enable us to work as a team to solve a problem together. Miro is a virtual collaboration tool, similar to a virtual whiteboard. Learn more about how to use Miro at the Miro Academy Essentials course. The course is considered complete after attending the workshop and submitting a couple of brief activities to demonstrate application of concepts. There’s no cost to Michigan Tech employees.

This stand-alone workshop is part of the Lean Basics workshop series. It can be taken independently, or, if you complete the requirements for all five workshops in the series, we’ll award you a Lean Yellow Belt certificate!

For more information, email improvement@mtu.edu.

The Cheboygan Daily Tribune, Sault News, Petoskey News-Review and Sturgis Journal picked up a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story that quoted Hayden Henderson (GLRC) about a rogue research buoy that accidentally captured rare winter data on Lake Michigan’s ice and wave activity.

The Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about MTU Trustee John U. Bacon’s Dec. 10 campus event, where he discussed and signed his book “The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

The Daily Mining Gazette and WZMQ 19 News mentioned Michigan Tech in stories recognizing Huskies student-athletes. Football quarterback Drew Collins was honored with the GLIAC’s Jack H. McAvoy Award, while women’s basketball guard Kendall Standfest earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week.

This Afternoon: Graduate School Office Closed for Professional Development

Please be advised that the Graduate School office will be closed today, Dec. 11, from 1-4 p.m.

Our staff will be away from their desks during this time to attend a professional development session. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we work to improve our service to the University community.

Need Assistance?
While our physical office is closed, you are welcome to reach out to us digitally. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at gradschool@mtu.edu. We will respond to inquiries as soon as possible once we return.

Good Luck on Exams!
We know this is a busy and critical time in the semester. The Graduate School wishes all students the very best of luck with their final exams, papers and projects. Finish strong!

*****

APUE Office Closed Today

The Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education (APUE) office (including the Pavlis Honors College, Enterprise Program, Assessment, and Essential Education) will be closed today, Dec. 11, for our midyear retreat and holiday gathering. The office will reopen tomorrow, Dec. 12, and resume regular hours.

Questions during this time can be emailed to apue@mtu.edu or left as a voicemail at 906-487-3565.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

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

Master's Defense: Gowri Shankar Bollu

Thursday, December 11, 10–11 a.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 610

Materials Science and Engineering Advisor: Sriram Vijayan Process-Structure-Property Analysis of Laser Powder Bed Fusion 17-4PH Stainless Steels: Effects of Build Arrangements, Powder Feedstock Variations and Scan Strategies Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/81240571860

SCC Weekly Meeting

Thursday, December 11, 6 p.m.–7 p.m. | Fisher

Come learn about and try coffee!