October 21, 2020

The Great Lakes Sports Commission (GLSC) has awarded $150,000 in grant funding for infrastructure development at the Tech Trails. The construction of a multi-functional, community lodge at the trailhead has been a goal of Michigan Tech Director of Athletics, Suzanne Sanregret. A trail user and frequent volunteer herself, she shares how improvements to the Tech Trails will help increase the impact of a sport-minded culture in northern Michigan through ski and bike clubs.

“The Great Lakes Sports Commission plays a critical role in helping to promote our northern region as a premier destination for championship level athletic competitions—especially as they relate to cross-country skiing, cross country running, and mountain biking,” said Sanregret. “Generous funding from the commission makes access to success for athletes at all ages and levels possible.”

The $150,000 from the GLSC will be used to initiate the first phase of the Tech Trail lodge project. Funding from the commission will cover a one-time expense to run water and sewage to the location by connecting to the existing City of Houghton and Michigan Tech water mains, and the Michigan Tech sewer collecting system.  

"This grant is a wonderful jump start to a great project by Michigan Tech to help promote cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat-tire biking. I would like to thank the Great Lakes Sports Commission for funding this phase of the project," said 110th District State Representative Greg Markkanen, R – Hancock.

The Tech Trail system is part of a larger trail system that provides world-class mountain biking that is recognized as part of northern Michigan’s world-renowned International Mountain Biking Association trail system. The trails also support a base of more than 700 Nordic skiers and a number of ski organizations.

"Great Lakes Sports Commission is proud to be able to support this investment. This project fits perfectly with our mission statement and will have a substantial impact on the local community and economy,” said GLSC Board Chair, Doug Luciani. 

MTU Vice President for Advancement William Roberts said the University and the entire community is appreciative of the generous support by the GLSC. “Michigan Tech would like to thank the Great Lakes Sports Commission for their support for the trails project. We are grateful for this investment into the University and the community.”

To date, Michigan Tech has hosted five U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships which brought potential Olympians and some of the top U-18 boys and girls in the country. Competitions that are among the highest levels one can experience in this sport. Michigan Tech had been awarded the 2021 championships which have since been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

More than 200 experienced volunteers provide the various support and communications necessary to fulfill staffing requirements for the major ski events. The university also routinely hosts athletics events with more than 3,000 spectators. 

Today (Oct. 21) marks the fifth anniversary of the International Center for Academic Integrity's (ICAI) International Day of Action (IDOA). Join us to make the day the biggest and most successful ever.

Aims and Objectives for International Day of Action (IDoA) against Contract Cheating:

• To increase awareness in students, teachers at all levels of education, managers, and administrators in universities, colleges, and schools about the threat that contract cheating poses to educational standards globally
• To increase student engagement in helping to plan the IDoA, participate in social media outreach (social media campaign), and suggest/ coordinate student activities for the IDoA 
• To increase interaction and activity around the world through interactive virtual presentations and activities throughout the IDoA
• To increase the number and participation of international educational organizations to the IDoA from 2019
• To create/ revise a media kit can be tailored by leaders (public relations/media staff) in educational organizations that will promote awareness of IDoA and contract cheating to the general public
• To encourage and promote faculty, staff, leaders, and students in educational organizations to decrease the risk of contract cheating in their organizations

Although it has been defined in different ways, contract cheating is best described as the “outsourcing of student work to third parties” (Lancaster & Clarke, 2016, p. 639). Contract cheating can happen through “family and friends; academic custom writing sites; legitimate learning sites (eg. file sharing, discussion and micro-tutoring sites); legitimate non-learning sites (eg. freelancing sites and online auction sites); paid exam takers; and pre-written essay banks” (Ellis, Zucker, & Randall, 2018, p. 2).

The act of contract cheating, and its associated behaviors, undermines learning, erodes learning environments, damages learning relationships, places the student, the faculty/teacher, the educational organization, and society at risk with students who will graduate with knowledge gaps, undeserved academic awards, and a propensity to engage in dishonest behaviors in their professional careers (Guerroro-Dib, Portales, & Heredia-Escorza, 2020; Harding, Carpenter, Finelli, & Passow, 2004; Lancaster, 2020).

For strategies to prevent contract cheating and promote academic integrity in learning environments please feel free to contact the Office of Academic and Community Conduct.

What evidence do we have of the value of open access? The recent pandemic demonstrates the power of and necessity for open access. Early in 2020, subscription-based publishers followed the model of open access publications and made their COVID-19 related articles open upon publication.

As a result, global medical and research communities had immediate access to research and data that is frequently held behind paywalls. This collaboration between researchers and publishers has brought open access into the discussion as an effective publishing model when time is a critical factor in access to research and data. Check out our COVID-19 Research & News.

The next Biological Sciences Seminar Series will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. tomorrow (Oct. 22) via Zoom. All Biological Sciences seminars will be virtual and recorded.

Jackie Goordial will present "Searching for vital signs at the cold-arid limit of life: Microbial life in the dry-permafrost of the  McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica." 

Gordial is an assistant professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph (Ontario).

The next virtual Graduate Seminar Speaker Series will be held at 4 p.m. tomorrow (Oct. 22) via Zoom. Robert Brown will present “Heterodoxy in Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass.”

Brown is the Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering and Gary and Donna Hoover Chair in Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University. 

The next Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences Institue (EPSSI) seminar is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday (Oct. 26) via Zoom.

Nancy French, senior research scientist at the Michigan Tech Research Institute and adjunct professor in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, will present " Wildland fire emissions and smoke: Development of spatial tools and products for carbon and air quality research and applications."

You can find an abstract here. Register for the Zoom seminar. Please register early.

The Health Informatics Master of Science and Accelerated Master’s programs will present a virtual info session for current students at 6 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 27).

Learn more and pre-register for the free info session here. From the general to the specific, the info session will cover what you need to know about applying for and completing a Health Informatics master’s degree at Michigan Tech.

Attendees will consider the benefits of an advanced degree, learn about the fast-track accelerated master’s program, review the the online application process, and more. Guy Hembroff (CC), Health Informatics graduate program director, and Jacque Smith, director of Enrollment Services for the Michigan Tech Graduate School, will host the info session.

Former Michigan Tech hockey player Mitch Reinke signed a one-year, two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues. Reinke has appeared in one game for the Blues since he left Michigan Tech after his sophomore season in 2018.

Reinke was originally signed by the Blues as an undrafted free agent on March 26, 2018, and made his NHL debut on March 31, 2018. He was a Black Ace for the Blues during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoff run and was on the ice for the celebration after the Game 7 win. He signed a one-year extension in July 2019 and again in October 2020.

The Stillwater, Minnesota native has appeared in 122 career American Hockey League games for the San Antonio Rampage. He was named to the 2018-19 AHL All-Rookie Team after setting franchise rookie records for goals (12), assists (33), points (45), and power-play goals (9). He was also the first Rampage rookie to play in every game of the season (76) and led AHL rookie defensemen with 45 points. In 2019-20, Reinke had five goals and 17 assists in 46 games.

Reinke played two seasons for the Huskies from 2016-18, appearing in 76 games. He was named to the All-WCHA Third Team as a sophomore and to the WCHA All-Rookie Team as a freshman, tallying 44 career points on nine goals and 35 assists. 

Job Posting for Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available in Human Resources. For more information regarding staff positions, call 487-2280 or email jobs@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Managing Director, Microfabrication Facility, Electrical and Computer Engineering. Apply online.

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 an interview at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or mtujobs@mtu.edu.

Fill Out the COVID-19 Symptom Tracking Form Before Coming to Campus

A reminder that no one is permitted to come to campus with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. All employees are required to monitor their symptoms daily before coming to campus. The Daily Symptom Tracking Form is a short form that will help you determine if you have COVID-19 symptoms. 

In addition, all visitors must fill out the Visitor Symptom Tracking Form each day before coming on campus. 

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ME-EM Master's Defense Today

There will be a ME-EM master's defense at 3 p.m. today (Oct. 21) via Zoom. Brandon Narodzonek will present "Development of an Eco Approach and Departure Application to Improve Energy Consumption of a Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle in Charge Depleting Mode." His advisor is Jeff Naber (ME-EM).

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Wireless Network Downtime Tomorrow

Beginning at 4 a.m. tomorrow (Oct. 22), the campus wireless network will be unavailable for maintenance. Wireless service should be restored by 5 a.m. If you have any questions, we can help. Contact Michigan Tech IT at it-help@mtu.edu or call 7-1111.

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GSG Announces 3 Minute Thesis Competition and Participant Training Workshop

The Graduate Student Government announces this year's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. The competition is being held on Thursday, Nov. 5. Registration will close on Friday (Oct. 23). Participants are required to present their research within three minutes, hence the name ‘Three Minute Thesis’.

This contest is open to all graduate students at any stage/path of their graduate studies. They are not required to have a finished thesis, or even a proposal to present — even MS coursework students can participate.  For more information, check out the previous Tech Today story.

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 COVID-19 Community Town Hall Tomorrow

The next COVID-19 Community Town Hall takes place from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 22). This week's theme is "Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health."

An in-depth look at the many facets of the COVID-19 will be presented every Thursday evening on the U.P. COVID-19 Town Hall Series. Organized by the Health Research Institute at Michigan Technological University, the 60-minute town hall broadcasts can be heard at 7 p.m. each Thursday through Dec. 3 on 97.7 The Wolf (WOLV-FM) and viewed through a Zoom Webinar and Facebook Live.

Over the course of the series, moderated by Steven Elmer and Kelly Kamm (HRI/KIP), clinicians, public health officials, researchers, and community experts will discuss a range of pandemic-related issues. The Town Hall this Thursday, (Oct. 22), will focus on the "Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health.”

Elmer and Kamm will be joined by Leslie Griffith (Outpatient Program Director, Copper Country Mental Health), Amber Bennett (Director of Student Health and Well Being, Michigan Tech), Kevin Trewartha (Assistant Professor in Cognitive & Learning Science, Michigan Tech), and an additional community guest.

More information along with the Zoom link for the Town Hall Series can be found here.

Morse is Keynote Speaker at Chi Epsilon Virtual Convention

Audra Morse (Chair, CEE) is the Keynote Speaker at the Chi Epsilon 2020 Biennial Virtual Convention. Her address takes place at 4 p.m. (CDT) tomorrow (Oct. 22).

Chi Epsilon is the honor society for Civil Engineering. Morse is the Chi Epsilon North Central District Councilor.

Nancy Barr (ME-EM), presented a paper titled "Revising a portfolio initiative to assess student progress in a mechanical engineering program," at the ASEE North Midwest Section Conference hosted by Iowa State University.

The paper describes an effort to modify a pre-existing course portfolio initiative in the BSME program to be used for multiple forms of program assessment while maintaining its value as a student learning tool.

Michigan Tech was mentioned in the story "Michigan EGLE awards 13 Coastal Management Grants," on WLUC TV6.

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Guy Meadows (GLRC) was cited in the article "Rocky future? Lake Michigan neighbors battle over boulders on the beach," in MLive.

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Travis White (GLRC), is one of the presenters at a seminar on autonomous marine vessel development in the Great Lakes region, that will take place tomorrow. The seminar was featured in the story "U.S.-Finland seminar to feature autonomous marine vessels," in Tech Century.

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Michigan Tech alumna Roxane Gay was featured in the story "Author Roxane Gay featured in Marygrove virtual discussion on creativity during crisis," in the Detroit News.

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 A collaborative project by Michigan Tech, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the company Artic Solar was named as one of the quarterfinalists for the Department of Energy's $9 million Desalination Prize. The story was featured in SolarPaces.

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Michigan Tech was mentioned in the story "Michigan Looks Like Winter Wonderland in October as Snow Sweeps in" in Black Christian News.

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Joe Kent, Republian candidate for treasurer of Oakland County, Michigan, talked about his father, former Michigan Tech Dean of Engineering James A. Kent, in an interview in The Jewish News

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

Walking Gallery Tour: Hero City: Documentary Photography by Meghan Kirkwood

Wednesday, October 21, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Gallery A-Space

Hero City: Documentary Photography by Meghan Kirkwood features a collection of silver gelatin and inkjet photographs made as part of a documentary project about modern...

MTU Graduate Health Program Fair 2020 - Day 3

Wednesday, October 21, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

MTU Graduate Health Program Fair 2020 Michigan Tech will be hosting a virtual graduate health fair, October 19th-October 23rd! We have invited 31 different graduate health...

Motivation Workshop

Wednesday, October 21, 1 p.m.–2 p.m.

Motivation. The magical key to success that everyone else seems to have. We get it, motivation is not as easy as it sounds. Whether you're looking to strengthen yours or find...

Explore Engineering Programs Abroad with ISA

Wednesday, October 21, 3 p.m.–4 p.m. | Zoom

Ready to explore the world with International Studies Abroad? Learn about your engineering options, how to take the next step and find the program that's right for you! Zoom...

Master's Defense: Brandon Narodzonek

Wednesday, October 21, 3 p.m.–4 p.m.

Mechanical Engineering Advisor: Jeffrey Naber Development of an Eco Approach and Departure Application to Improve Energy Consumption of a Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle in Charge...

Husky Hour- Difficult Conversations

Wednesday, October 21, 4 p.m.–5 p.m.

We all dread difficult conversations, but they come anyway. Husky Hour presents "Difficult Conversations" to help teach you how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Win...

IDEAhub/CTL session - KEEN & Entrepreneurial Minded Learning

Wednesday, October 21, 4 p.m.–5 p.m.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020, 4:00pm - 5:00pm https://mtu.libcal.com/event/7212896

Search Smarter, Not Harder Presentation

Wednesday, October 21, 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

Discover tried and true mechanisms to find, apply, and receive jobs. Why spin your wheels when you get traction? Get your job hunt into overdrive by searching smarter, not...

Bite Down on Emissions by Changing Your Diet

Wednesday, October 21, 6 p.m.

Learn how to save 700 kg of CO2 emissions per year by changing what you eat! The MTU Sustainability House wants to invite you to their upcoming Sustainable Living webinar...

USG Weekly Meeting

Wednesday, October 21, 7 p.m.–9 p.m. | Online

It's the best time of the week! Our weekly meetings are open to all guests so everyone is more than welcome to stop on by. Whether you're there to bring us a...

Celebrating the Creative Mind

October 21, all day

In Conversation with choreographer Yoshito Sakuraba and composer Na’ama Zisser Featuring performances by Abarukas Dance Co. with original music by Na’ama...

Open Access Week

October 21, all day

International Open Access Week celebrates opening research results and data to the consumer without subscriptions or paywalls. This year's theme is Open with a Purpose: Taking...