February 5, 2026

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science’s Ford Center and Forest in the village of Alberta has some brand-new trails to help you make the most of this beautiful winter season!

After taking in Winter Carnival, bring your cross country skis or snowshoes and explore the rolling terrain and wintertime vistas on nearly 10 kilometers of groomed striding trails.

Parking is in the large lot by the dorm, and the trailhead is located just behind the dorm. Restrooms are available at the Main Office located past the sawmill.

At this point the trails are not affiliated with the Tech Trails, and day use is $5 per person. An information station is located at the trailhead along with a pay box and electronic payment options. The trails are open from dawn to dusk.

For more information, contact the Ford Center at fordcenter@mtu.edu or 906-497-4384.

On Saturday, Feb. 7, the No. 2 shaft house at Quincy Mine will be illuminated in memory of Darlene Blough, who passed away last year. Darlene is the late wife of Jason Blough (MAE) and mother of Ethan Blough ’26 (mechanical engineering).

As noted on the Quincy Mine Hoist Association website, an illuminated shaft house is a “reminder to all to pause for a moment of quiet reflection and serenity in our busy lives.” On Saturday, please join members of the Michigan Tech community in looking for the shaft house light and honoring the memory of Darlene Blough.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by Eric Hintsala of Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology, Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

The seminar will be held tomorrow, Feb. 6, at 4 p.m. in M&M 610.

Hintsala’s presentation is titled “Nanoindentation: Accelerating Materials Characterization and Discovery One Indent at a Time.”

From the abstract:
Nanoindentation has an important role to play for next generation materials engineering, owing to its ability to rapidly characterize elastic/plastic properties at small scales. This makes it uniquely suited for exploring heterogeneous zones created by laser processing, as is done in additive manufacturing, laser welding and laser cladding. It can also be applied to studying complex layered systems, like microelectronics and TRISO nuclear fuels, or for searching combinatorial patches for materials discovery. Through correlation to other chemical/structural characterization techniques,structure-property relationships can be explored at the microscale and in a largely non-destructive manner. Both the fundamentals of the technique and recent innovations, such as Bayesian optimization for test placement, will be discussed alongside relevant engineering applications. This will include not only testing as fast as possible for high-throughput spatial mapping, but also extracting as much useful information as possible out of individual indentation experiments in the example of relating strain-rate jump tests to bulk creep.

Hintsala is the applications manager for Bruker’s nanoindentation division. He received a B.S. from Michigan Technological University and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, both in materials science and engineering. As part of the development team at Bruker, he refines and validates prototype nanomechanical testing equipment as well as developing advanced testing techniques. He also collaborates across industry, academia and the national labs on advanced applications like next-generation nuclear materials, reliability of semiconductor devices, autonomous testing for materials discovery and solid state batteries. He has a passion for materials characterization and is an expert in techniques such as in situ electron microscope experiments, microscale fracture, nanomechanical testing at extreme temperatures and high throughput nanoindentation mapping with machine learning assisted analysis. He is very active in the materials research community and is particularly interested in the fracture and plasticity of metals, semiconductors and ceramics.

Liheng Cai will present as part of the Department of Chemical Engineering (ChE) Research Series on Monday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. in person in the Library East Reading Room or virtually via Zoom.

Join the ChE Research Seminar on Zoom.

Cai will present “Bottlebrush Polymers, Networks, Biomaterials, and Tissue Mimics.”

Read Cai’s abstract and bio on the University Events Calendar.

Liheng is an associate professor and Copenhaver Fellow at the University of Virginia.

Job Postings for Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

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.

Senior Office Assistant, Health Research Institute. (​UAW posting dates are Feb. 5 to Feb. 11, 2026. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal ​UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal ​UAW posting dates.)

Senior Administrative Aide, Residential Living. (​UAW posting dates are Feb. 5 to Feb. 11, 2026. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal ​UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal ​UAW posting dates.)

Senior Administrative Aide, Merchandising Operations. (​UAW posting dates are Feb. 5 to Feb. 11, 2026. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal ​UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal ​UAW posting dates.)

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.

Escanaba’s Daily Press quoted Jannah Tumey (CEO) in a story about the Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers’ OneUP Hidden Coast Festival, which welcomed 530 seventh and eighth grade students on Jan. 21 at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds for STEM demonstrations and hands-on activities.

The University of Michigan mentioned Anna Stuhlmacher (ECE) and David Watkins and Ishi Keenum (both CEGE) in coverage of state-funded water research grants awarded through Research Universities for Michigan.

Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech Ph.D. candidate Lei Yin (civil engineering) in a story about their first-place honors in the student poster competition and the 2026 IACIP Outstanding Graduate Student Award at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting.

MLive, WNMU-FM, the Daily Mining Gazette and WLUC TV6 all covered the launch of Michigan Tech’s space-themed Winter Carnival, highlighting month-long snow statues, the All-Nighter, winter games and events, and the anticipated economic boost the annual event brings to the Keweenaw.

The Chronicle of Higher Education mentioned Michigan Tech in a story highlighting colleges that produced the most Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the 2025-26 academic year. MTU's inclusion marks the first time the University has earned the distinction.

The Daily Mining Gazette cited a Michigan Tech News story reporting that the University generated $972 million in economic impact during fiscal year 2024, reflecting the role MTU and other public universities play in driving statewide economic activity and delivering strong returns on public investment.

ModernMetals mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Purdue University joining the Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program, a national workforce training initiative that includes MTU among its network of university partners supporting advanced metalworking and manufacturing education.

The Daily Mining Gazette featured Michigan Tech student-athletes in two recent stories, highlighting men’s basketball guard Marcus Tomashek being named to the Trevor Hudgins Award Top 25 Watch List and hockey defenseman Jack Anderson earning CCHA Defenseman of the Week honors.

CTL Accessible Tech Challenge Holding Working Session on Image Descriptions

Join the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) for an Accessible Tech Challenge Working Session on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 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 Feb. 10: Image Descriptions
Alternative text provides essential access for students who need help interpreting the meaning of course images due to a disability or technical limitation. This session guides you through writing effective descriptions for photos, charts, diagrams and other course visuals, with examples and tips for different image types.

Register for the Feb. 10 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: Image Descriptions
• When: Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 2-3 p.m.
• Where: Library 243

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

Women's Rights are Human Rights: International Posters on Gender-based Inequality, Violence, and Discrimination Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries

Thursday, February 5, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. | Rozsa Art Galleries, Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT Women’s Rights are Human Rights is a fitting title for an exhibition of women’s rights and advocacy posters, as it was a term used in the women’s rights movement and was the title of an important speech given by Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1995 at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. This exhibition features posters created by artsit of all genders to celebrate and acknowledge the vital role that all citizens should play in protecting and promoting human rights while challenging gender inequality and stereotypes, advancing reproductive and sexual rights, protecting women and girls against brutality, and promoting women’s empowerment and participation in society. These poster images challenge patriarchal attitudes that subordinate, stigmatize or restrict women from achieving their fullest potential. These images argue for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls enabling empowerment of women and achievement of real equality between women and men that fosters societal stability and human dignity. Learn more at womensrightsarehumanrights.org Things to know ROZSA ART GALLERIES HOURS | M-F 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and…

SnoBall Crash Course

Thursday, February 5, 2–6 p.m. | Douglass Houghton Hall (DHH), Ballroom (Basement)

In preparation of this year's SnoBall, the Swing Club is hosting a dancing crash course. Want to learn how to dance or brush up on some skills? We will have lessons covering East Coast Swing, Waltz, and Polka! No partner or experience is necessary. There will be water breaks between lessons! Parking is available in on-campus lots and free parking at the meters. Thursday February 5, 2025 2 - 5 p.m. DHH Ballroom, Michigan Tech. 2 p.m. - East Coast Swing 3 p.m. - Waltz 4 p.m. - Polka

Huskies Swim Training - Session 2

Thursday, February 5, 4–6 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!

Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-5 (Ages 6-17 yrs) - Session 1

Thursday, February 5, 5:10–6:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash in Huskies Group Swim Lessons! American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-5 are being offered at the SDC Pool.

Women's Basketball vs Lake Superior State

Thursday, February 5, 5:30–9:30 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Wood Gym

Women's Basketball vs Lake Superior State Houghton, Mich.

BigFoot Glowshoe 2026

Thursday, February 5, 6–8 p.m. | Recreational Forest and Tech Trails, OAP Trailhead

Join us for our annual BigFoot Glowshoe event being held on the Michigan Tech Trails! The event will be a glowing good time - all are welcome and no snowshoeing experience is required. Pre-registration is required and includes beanies, glowsticks and more! You will be guaranteed* snowshoes during the time you registered for if you purchased Event + Rental Option (Rental Snowshoes are NOT availble for participants weighing under 120 pounds) . We ask that you arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your time slot and no later than 20 minutes before your time slot ends. Each time slot is slated for an hour. After registration is complete, an email will be sent as a confirmation of your purchase. Michigan Tech Students please bring your Michigan Tech ID.

Cross-Country Skiing

Thursday, February 5, 6 p.m. | Recreational Sports Fields (Softball, Baseball)

Winter Carnival Special Event for participating organizations. Pre-registration required to participate; spectators welcome. Organizations will provide two or 3 member teams to compete in a roughly 2-kilometer cross country ski race. This event will take place on the Birch and Oak trails at the Tech Trails. This event is scored based on the total time of all three team members. Teams consisting of fewer than three members will have the slowest contestant of the day’s time included in their total time for every person missing.

Blue Key Presents: Winter Carnival Stage Revue Show

Thursday, February 5, 7 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts

Stage Revue is a fun tradition that Blue Key hosts each year to let the students' creative talent shine. The students will create unique skits that are composed around the overall theme of this year's winter carnival. This year the skits will pertain to the theme of "Through Ice and Snow, to Space We Go." PRESENTER | Blue Key CONTENT GUIDANCE | College-level humor, death and mature language will be present. VENUE | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts DURATION | Approximately 3 hours, with intermission TICKETS | $10 General Admission; $5 for Michigan Tech students* SEATING | General Admission Student Entry Information: This is a ticketed event. Standard student "tap-in" is not available. We strongly recommend purchasing tickets online in advance to avoid long lines at the Box Office. If you plan to buy at the door, please bring exact cash to help us get everyone seated on time! View the mobile-friendly event program. Accessibility Noise-canceling headphones Available at the Rozsa Box Office. Assisted Listening Devices Available at the Rozsa Box Office. Plan Your Visit to the Rozsa Rozsa Box Office InformationAccessibility Services Find a Digital ProgramPlan your Parking​…

Men's Basketball vs Lake Superior State

Thursday, February 5, 7:30–11:30 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Wood Gym

Men's Basketball vs Lake Superior State Houghton, Mich.

Winter Carnival

February 5, all day | Michigan Tech Campus

Organized by Blue Key National Honor Society since 1934, Winter Carnival started in 1922 and has grown to become one of the largest annual winter festivals in the nation. Featuring dozens of huge, intricate snow statues all around campus and the community, this event also brings together students to participate in broomball, comedy skits, sleigh rides, a queen coronation, and lots of winter fun.