January 13, 2026

Join the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) for an Accessible Tech Challenge Working Session on Jan. 28 from 2-3 p.m. in Library 243.

The challenge is a practical, hands-on opportunity to strengthen the accessibility of your digital course materials. Each session focuses on one key skill area, explains why it matters for students, and gives you dedicated time to work on your own content and get real-time guidance from campus digital accessibility experts.

Topic for Jan. 28: Headings
Clear, consistent headings help students understand the structure of your content and make navigation more efficient for assistive technology users. In this session, you'll learn how to apply proper heading levels in Canvas and document editors to create materials that are easier to navigate and more usable for all learners.

Register for This CTL Accessible Tech Challenge Working Session.

Register today to reserve your spot! Bring your laptop to work on content you'd like to improve.

Accommodation requests can be made on the registration screen, by emailing ctl@mtu.edu or by calling 906-487-3000.

Event Details:

• What: CTL Accessible Tech Challenge Working Session: Headings
• When: Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 2-3 p.m.
• Where: Library 243

Today, Jan. 13, is the final day to submit the 2025 MTU Wellness 360 Incentive Form. Benefits-eligible employees can access the MTU Wellness 360 - Incentive 2025 Checklist Google form or navigate to the MTU Wellness 360 website.

Forms submitted after today will be rejected. Payouts are expected to arrive by March. Tax-free payout options include lump sums deposited into an employee’s health savings account (HSA) — available only to employees enrolled in the HDHP1/HDHP2 health insurance plans — or flexible spending account (FSA). Taxable payout options include Michigan Tech Gift Card or Keweenaw Cash.

The MTU Wellness 360 program supports qualifying, benefits-eligible faculty and staff in learning about their health and well-being, encourages them to take steps to improve or maintain it, and offers monetary rewards of up to $450 for participating in the annual incentive program. Participation in the MTU Wellness 360 program is free, voluntary and confidential.

The current MTU Wellness 360 incentive program will conclude after 2025 payouts are complete. A new wellness program is under development and slated to launch in 2027.

This week's University Senate meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15, is canceled as there is no new business to discuss.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22.

Tuesday, Jan. 13
• Michigan Tech Hockey Radio Show, 10 a.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ

Thursday, Jan. 15
• Women's Basketball at Saginaw Valley State, 5:30 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege
• Men's Basketball at Saginaw Valley State, 7:30 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege

Friday, Jan. 16
• Hockey vs. Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m. at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Mix 93 WKMJ & Midco Sports Plus

Saturday, Jan. 17
• Women's Basketball at Lake Superior State, 1 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege
• Men's Basketball at Lake Superior State, 3 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege
• Hockey vs. Minnesota State, 6:07 p.m. at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Mix 93 WKMJ & Midco Sports Plus

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Athletics News
Read more in the MTU Athletics weekly update.

Virender K. Sharma, professor from the Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, will be presenting virtually this week as part of the Chemistry Seminar Series. The seminar will be held over Zoom on Friday, Jan. 16, from 3-4 p.m.

Join the Chemistry Seminar on Zoom (use password 397934).

Sharma's presentation is titled “High-Valent Iron Species (FeVI, FeV, and FeIV) in Water Sustainability and Public Health.”

From the abstract:
Society is facing numerous challenges like climate change, water scarcity, vector-borne diseases, microbial pathogens, and antibiotics in water. The solution to such difficulties is in innovative approaches that utilize environmentally friendly earth abundant elements having multiple roles. We have been examining the use of high-valent iron oxides as green and advanced molecules in various societal problems. Iron in the plus 6-oxidation state (Ferrate, FeVIO42-) has multiple modal actions in oxidizing micropollutants (e.g., antibiotics), in coagulating toxic metals (e.g., arsenic and lead) to achieve water sustainability, and in disinfecting water and surfaces (e.g., Clostridium difficile and Murine Norovirus) to enhance population health care. “Activated Ferrate” (FeV and FeIV) are relatively short-lived transients when produced in aqueous solution (e.g., FeVO43-, FeIVO44-, FeIVO32-, and FeO2+) and can degrade recalcitrant pollutants and microorganisms in water and hospital surfaces with high efficiency in seconds, which would otherwise take several minutes or hours by Ferrate without activation. Examples of Ferrate in sterilization of vegetables and fruits and water splitting and recent research on single atom catalysts and metal-organic frameworks in abatement of micropollutants will be presented.

Sharma received his Ph.D. from Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS), University of Miami, in 1989. He has made seminal contributions in the areas of chemistry and environmental applications of ferrate. Sharma has made exceptional contributions in the field concerning the occurrence and remediation of toxins, antibiotics, nanoparticles and microplastics/nanoplastics to address real-world challenges of water, energy, and food sustainability.

Sharma’s mission is saving lives, even one life. Currently, he is serving as an associate editor or editorial member for several international journals. He has published more than 470 peer-reviewed journal publications, 60 book chapters and 36 proceedings, and has authored one and edited seven books. He has been recognized as a highly cited researcher (top 1%) by the Clarivate (Web of Science) and credited with more than 50,000 Google Scholar citations. His h-index is 110. 

He is a member of Academia Europaea (MAE) and is a fellow of several scientific societies, including the American Association of Advancement of Science (AAAS), European Academy of Sciences (EurASc), American Chemical Society (ACS) and Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). His distinguished awards include the Humboldt Research Award, Southwest Region ACS Award, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW), Bush Excellence Award for International Research, Steven K. Dentel AEESP Award for Global Outreach, Sigma Xi Outstanding Distinguished Scientist Award and Invited Research Professorships in France.

Kiersten Birondo (Rozsa) and Terri Frew (VPA) were quoted by the Daily Mining Gazette in a story about National Geographic Explorer Babak Tafreshi coming to Michigan Tech’s Rozsa Center this Friday, Jan. 16, for a free public event exploring the beauty of night skies.

Dan Trepal (GLRC/SS) was interviewed by ClickOnDetroit for his work on the Hamtramck Explorer, a GIS-based deep map that is expanding ways to conduct archaeological investigations in post-industrial communities. The interview aired on Saturday, Jan. 10, and begins halfway through the video segment at timestamp 09:50.

WLUC TV6 quoted Michigan Tech students Athena Lieu and Michael Keppert (mechatronics and mechanical engineering, respectively) and Jocelyn Shaffer (robotics engineering) in two stories covering the Copper Country Robotics Team’s Robot in 3 Days challenge, where students designed and built a functional robot within 72 hours.

WLUC TV6 quoted Michigan Tech students Ben Amat (medical laboratory science) and Jayden Johnson (robotics engineering) in a story about the Tahquamenon County Sled Dog Race, where the Mushing Club at Michigan Tech helped kick off the regional sled dog racing season.

The Daily Mining Gazette included Michigan Tech athletics programs in its year-in-sports roundup, highlighting the Huskies men’s basketball team winning the GLIAC regular-season title and Bill Muckalt being named head coach of Michigan Tech hockey.

Vette Vues Magazine featured Michigan Tech alum Dave Hill ’65 (B.S. Mechanical Engineering) in a retrospective on his role as chief engineer during the iconic Corvette sports car’s C5 and C6 generations, helping secure its future during a pivotal period at General Motors.

Food Engineering mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the appointment of Jack Mitchell ’20 (B.S. Chemical Engineering) as OEM manager of Fristam Pumps USA.

Michigan Tech Study Away Fair

Stop by Michigan Tech's Spring Study Away Fair on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Library East Reading Room to learn more about the various study away opportunities available to MTU students!

There will be representatives and resources available from several different study away program types and international education opportunities.

Attending the Spring Study Away Fair is a great way to gain an initial understanding of:

• Spring break and summer faculty-led programs
• Semester international exchange university partnerships
• National student exchange partnerships (U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
• Summer research projects
• European project semester (Senior Design) partnerships
• Summer and semester programs (study, intern, research and service work) available through our partner study abroad organizations
• Study abroad scholarship opportunities
• And more!

After the fair, be sure to visit MTU's Study Away and Abroad Experiences website to learn more and schedule an appointment to discuss how you can get started!

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

Robot in 3 Days 2026

Tuesday, January 13, 12–12 p.m. | Makerspace

Join Copper Country Robotics for the Robot in 3 Days 2026 challenge, and help us bring Michigan Tech to glory amongst all the other Robot in 3 Days teams across the countries. RSVP on this event to indicate your interest. More details will be released closer to the event. Excited to have you on board.

Lets Talk

Tuesday, January 13, 1–3 p.m. | Alumni House

Struggling with the semester or wondering how to support a friend? Let’s Talk, in partnership with Student Support & Mentorship, offers free, informal, and confidential chats with a Michigan Tech counselor to help you explore mental health resources and get guidance, no therapy commitment needed. All students welcome!

Huskies Swim Training - Session 1

Tuesday, January 13, 4–5 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Huskies Swim Training is a program that provides additional attention and competitive guidance to advanced swimmers looking to focus on stroke technique and efficiency. Sessions will be designed to improve swimming through stroke drills and swimming sets focused on endurance, speed, and race strategy. Coaches will provide feedback and stroke correction in a group environment with an emphasis on promoting a love for competitive swimming and lifelong skills such as discipline, dedication, and teamwork. Come be part of the pack! Competitve swimming opportunities are now availabe to current Huskies Swim Training participants!

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons - Session 1

Tuesday, January 13, 5–6 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons provides aquatic education for the beginner to intermediate swimmer who is looking to become more comfortable in the water and learn the fundamental four strokes.

Adult Huskies Swim Training - Session 1

Tuesday, January 13, 5–6 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Training provides additional attention and competitive guidance to swimmers ages 18 and older who are looking to improve their swimming skills and fitness levels in a group setting. Each session is programmed with warm-up, and variations of a workout for the beginner, intermediate and advanced swimmer. Participants will be provided coaching and guidance to meet their individual swimming goals!

Casino Night Rush

Tuesday, January 13, 7–8 p.m. | Sig Tau House

Stop by the house to play some card games and possibly win some prizes! All while getting to know the brotherhood. (NO REAL MONEY)

Pennant Decorating with Delta Zeta

Tuesday, January 13, 7–8 p.m. | Delta Zeta Sorority House

Join the sisters of Delta Zeta for pennant decorating! Rides leave at 6:55 from the Wads lobby. Contact Lili at (651) 600-5423 with any questions. Meet the sisters and hear about what sorority life is all about!