You're Invited to Design Expo 2021

Design Expo, the annual Enterprise and Senior Design project showcase that puts our undergraduate student innovators and their corporate and faculty sponsors front and center, is Thursday, April 15. Check out the schedule and tune in as teams solve complex, real-world and life-changing challenges in a competition featuring thousands of dollars in awards and priceless recognition.
In addition to undergraduate research achievements, Design Expo 2021 features organizational innovations, as the virtual event expands its global audience. Lead organizer Bre Tucker (Enterprise Program, Pavlis Honors College) shares behind-the-scenes details in MTU Design Expo Unveils Student Innovations on Michigan Tech News

Michigan Tech Ranked Among the Best

Two recent rankings place Michigan Tech among elite colleges and universities on both the state and national level. 

Michigan Tech was rated #2 on the list of the Best Accredited Online Colleges in Michigan by EDsmart. The ranking service assesses online colleges in Michigan based on data that covers cost, academic quality, student satisfaction and salary after attending. 

Michigan Tech was ranked #13 on the list of the 50 Best Value Public Colleges in America by Stacker. The ranking included only public, four-year colleges and weighed the cost of tuition with each school’s acceptance rate, quality of professors, diversity and the median earnings for alumni six years after graduation.

Michigan Tech Research Award and Bhakta Rath Research Award Announced

The Vice President for Research is pleased to announce the 2021 Michigan Tech Research Award and Bhakta Rath Research Award awardees:

Michigan Tech Research Awardee: Gregory Odegard, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

Bhakta Rath Awardee: PhD. graduate student Pratik Joshi and advisor Caryn Heldt, Chemical Engineering.

Thank you to the review committees, as well as those who nominated the nominees, for their time spent on this important internal award process.

For additional information on the Bhakta Rath and Michigan Tech Research Award opportunities, visit Rath and/or Research.

Portrait Sessions by Appointment

Faculty, staff and graduate students can have their complimentary professional portrait taken by University Marketing and Communications at the following session:

  • 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 23.

The session will take place outdoors in front of the entrance to the ChemSci building. Face coverings are required until you are in front of the camera and six-foot social distancing must be maintained at all times. In case of inclement weather, the session will be canceled.

An appointment is required and can be scheduled online. On the calendar, go to April 23, choose the time you want, then click Save. Please use your mtu.edu account when scheduling a time slot.

Portraits will be emailed to the attendee four to six weeks after the session. Alternatively, departments or individuals can contact Brockway Photography at 906-482-1900 to schedule a session and purchase portraits at any time. We recommend asking any outside vendor about their safety practices.

Change Coming to the Concur Mobile App

On Saturday, May 1, 2021, the Concur mobile app login method will switch from a mobile PIN to Michigan Tech Single Sign On (SSO).

To log in, you will need to enter Michigan Tech’s Concur company code. This will direct you to the Michigan Tech SSO page to complete the login process.

Please refer to the Concur web page for more details and contact information. We can help. Contact it-help@mtu.edu or call 906-487-1111.

Reminder: Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events

Dial Help TEAL Survivor Support Group

  • Date: Today (April 14) and Wednesday, April 28
  • Time: 6-7 p.m.
  • Location: Contact Paige or call 906-482-9077 for the Zoom link and free art supplies
  • Free, safe, and non-judgmental phone support group for anyone who experienced sexual violence past or present, including childhood abuse. You are not alone.
  • Funded by: Division of Victim Services

Cover the Cruiser at Spring Fling

  • Date: Friday (April 16)
  • Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
  • During Spring Fling, Public Safety and Police Services along with the student organizations SAVE and Triangle Fraternity will be covering a Michigan Tech police cruiser with sticky notes to show support for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Show your support and stop by to help cover the cruiser, show your support for survivors, help us to prevent violence, and get your free travel coffee mug while they last.

Puppy Parade for Awareness

  • Date: Wednesday, April 21 (In person) April 21-25 (Virtually)
  • Time: 6 p.m. (In person)
  • Walks are a great family activity. Come walk with us at 6 p.m. April 21 at our downtown office to support survivors of sexual assault and abuse. This will be a covid friendly event. Contact Paige to reserve a time slot for your group and claim your free teal bandana. You can also participate virtually in our facebook event April 21 to 25. If you need help, call 800-562-7622, text 906-356-3337, or chat @ http://dialhelp.org

Denim Day

  • Date: April 28
  • Time: All Day
  • Michigan Tech Title IX invites you to proudly wear denim with a purpose on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 for International Denim Day to support survivors and educate our community about the forms of sexual violence as a part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Tag us on Facebook and Instagram in a post to social media with a photo of yourself wearing denim and tell us why you chose to wear denim for #DenimDay. #CopperCountrySAAM #MichiganTechSpeakUp
  • Find more information about Denim Day.

Editing Services

Professional editing services are available to all members of the Michigan Tech community through the Center for Teaching and Learning. 

  • Any academic document (proposals, reports, journal articles, dissertations, etc)
  • Editing for grammar, spelling, punctuation, flow, and readability
  • All via email and with quick turnaround

Editing services are provided by highly qualified English language instructors with expertise in grammar, writing and language instruction.

Rates are $25 per hour. Email ekastamo@mtu.edu to get an estimate and free sample edit. More information is available here.

Celebrating First-Generation College Students

From 2:30 - 4:30  p.m. tomorrow (April 15), during Michigan Tech’s annual Spring Fling, the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success will be celebrating members of our campus community who are first-generation college students.

Stop by (and socially distance) at our table outside the CDI, sign our “I’m First” banner and pick up a sticker—appropriate for use on your laptop or as a placard outside your office.

If you can’t make it to the table, you can request a sticker by email.

OAP Silent Gear Auction

The Annual Outdoor Adventure Progam (OAP) Silent Gear Auction is back. Join the OAP from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (April 17) on the MacInnes Ice Arena Concourse for your chance to bid on some sweet used outdoor gear.

No preregistration needed. Just sign in when you show up and start bidding. All bids are final. Winning bidders are expected to pick up item(s) from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Persons wishing to sell their gently used outdoor recreation gear can drop off gear at the OAP today, tomorrow and Fridday (April 14-16) during the following times:

  • Today (April 14), 2-7 p.m.
  • Thursday (April 15), 2-7p.m.
  • Friday (April 16), 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The COVID-19 Visitor Symptom Tracking Form is required to be completed before arriving on campus. Masks are required throughout the building and during the event. There are no provisions for medical intolerance reasons or medical waivers. Please limit personal items in the auction area to a minimum. Event capacity is limited and based on social distancing. For more information visit OAP Silent Gear Auction.

Tech Theatre to Livestream "Talking With..." Critically Acclaimed Set of Monologues

Tech Theatre will live stream virtual performances of “Talking With … ” a powerful series of monologues by Jane Martin, at 7:30 p.m. tonight through Saturday (April 14-17).

The work, which was written in 1982 and subsequently won the American Theatre Critics Association award for best regional play, presents characters as disparate as a baton twirler and a fundamentalist snake handler. The pieces will begin with a piece titled “Marks.”

Six monologues then flow from wishful fantasies to disappointment, delusion, despair and renewal before closing with a dollop of humor and truth.

The Cape Cod Enterprise said in 2019 that a local production “shows just how much a single voice, a solitary presence, can make complex and compelling theater.” And The New York Times called Martin “a dramatist with an original voice and gladsome humor.”

Roger Held (VPA), said he had worked with the play shortly after its debut, but a major reason for choosing it was its COVID-era friendliness.

“We needed a show in which people could rehearse in isolation and perform in isolation,” he said. “It is presented simply, but demanded a lot from the production team.”

The unusual rights to the play, which give theaters leeway to cut characters and rearrange the order of performances, allowed the team to create an emotional arc rather than “presenting eight individuals,” Held said. The cast includes a range of experience levels, from faculty members to a first-time performer.

Martin herself is something of a mystery. “Jane Martin” is a pen name, and though people have speculated, no one has ever revealed the writer's identity.

Tickets for the show, which is the final Tech Theatre performance of the year, are $13 and are available online.

MS Defense: Ben Hubbard

There will be a  Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering defense at 9 a.m. tomorrow (April 15) via Zoom

Ben Hubbard (co-advisors Joshua Pearce and Gordon Parker) will present "Design and Testing of Open Hardware and Software for Research and Community Recycling and Additive Manufacturing."

ECE Master's Defense, Aadam Ismail Harnekar

Electrical Engineering MS candidate Aadam Harnekar, (Advisor, Bruce Mork) will present his defense at 8 a.m. Monday (Apr 19) via Zoom.

The title of his presentation is “Real Time Adaptive Relay Settings for Microgrid Protection Verified Using Hardware in Loop.” 

Biological Sciences Seminar Series-Spring 2021

The next Biological Sciences Seminar will take place from 3 to 4 p.m tomorrow (April 15) via Zoom. Jill Olin (BioSci) will present "Living on the Edge: Coastal Ecosystems in Changing Times."

Abstract: The frequency and intensity of regime shifts are predicted to increase in the Anthropocene as associated with concomitant increases in environmental stressors, including storms, climate change and oil spills. In coastal systems around the world, environmental stressors are influencing the ecological structuring and stability of these essential habitats. Yet, the specific effects of stressors on coastal ecosystems are difficult to predict especially at higher levels of organization such as communities and food webs, where complex interactions can attenuate or shape biological responses. Identifying the responses of communities and food webs, and the functional relationships among their occupants to changing environmental conditions is critical for developing the appropriate strategies to maintain the ecosystem services of such habitats. In this talk, Olin will present findings of species- and food web-level functional responses to changes in environmental regimes and how habitat use and foraging decisions shape the biological interactions of coastal communities and food webs. 

Chemical Engineering Seminar Series

Join us for this semester's last installment of our Chemical Engineering Seminar Series. The event will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday (April 16) via Zoom (Password: 77568).

Chemical Engineering PhD Candidate, Ruiting Zhan will present "Li-ion Battery Recycling Using Mineral Processing Technologies".

MTU & CMU DPT Program Information Session

Please join our Academic Advisor, Tayler Haapappuro, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20 via Zoom. Tayler will provide information about the MTU- CMU Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) program held here at Michigan Tech.

The physical therapy program offered through The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions at CMU is a professional graduate curriculum three years in length. Graduates of the program are awarded a doctor of physical therapy degree (DPT).

The program has received approval by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and the inaugural class arrived on Michigan Tech’s campus in August 2014.

Please RSVP to Tayler for the Zoom meeting address and password.

CEE Alumni Speaker Series

The next CEE Alumni Speaker Series takes place at 1 p.m. Tuesday (April 20) via Zoom.

Noah Mundt, founder and Chief Operating Officer of Nexus Integrated Solutions and a Michigan Tech environmental engineering alumnus will present "Be a Willing Tortoise — You Don’t Always Know Exactly Where You're Going."

This presentation is part of the CEE Alumni Speaker Series.

ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker

The next virtual Graduate Seminar Speaker will be held at 4 p.m. tomorrow (April 15) via Zoom.

Ramin Bostanabad will present “Latent Spaces in Design, Mechanics and Beyond.”

Bostanabad’s group develops computational frameworks and tools for analyzing and designing complex systems such as multiscale materials.

Career Guidance for Mid-Career Faculty

The Advanced Career Management (ACM) program will hold an “Office Hour” for mid-career faculty from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.on Thursday, April 22 on Zoom.

All mid-career (post-tenure) faculty who would like to talk about career-related topics with a senior faculty member are welcome. Mid-career faculty often lack resources and opportunities for one-on-one guidance in making career decisions.

Yet post-tenure faculty face compounded challenges including renewing or changing research directions and funding; managing excellence in both teaching and research; and taking on leadership roles on campus and professionally.

Career guidance and mentoring can be invaluable in recognizing and developing rewarding post-tenure career trajectories. The accomplished full professors who are participating as ACM career Guides in this event include (alphabetically) Will Cantrell (Physics, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School), Rupali Datta (BioSci), Shiyue Fang (Chem), Adrienne Minerick (ChE and Interim Dean of Pavlis Honors College) and Judith Perlinger (CEE).

The ADVANCE PI team invites mid-career faculty members to register for a 30-minute meeting with one of these senior faculty members. To register for a meeting, email Patty Sotirin. Spaces are limited so please register soon.

Biomedical Engineering Seminar via Zoom

The next Biomedical Engineering Seminar will take place at 3 p.m. Friday (April 16) via Zoom.

Zhijie Wang from Colorado State University will give a seminar entitled, "Right Ventricle – How can we improve the understanding and management of this forgotten chamber? A Biomechanics Perspective."

Abstract: Right ventricle (RV) is known as the forgotten chamber because historically it was thought to work mostly passively in the maintenance of normal blood circulation, unlike its left compartment. There is now considerable evidence that emphasizes the significance of RV function. RV failure is associated with serious cardiac and pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary hypertension (PH), congenital heart disease (CHD), and left heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The clinical challenge is unique because therapies that benefit the left ventricle do not necessarily have the same effectiveness for patients with RV failure. The research in Wang's lab aims to elucidate the biomechanical mechanisms of RV dysfunction and to develop new therapies that are specific for failing RV. Using preclinical animal models, we are investigating the biomechanics and mechanobiology of RV failure at the tissue and organ levels. In order to develop new regenerative therapy for RV failure, we are also examining the role of mesenchymal stromal cells and their paracrine effects in reversing maladaptive remodeling of the RV.

Job Postings

Job Postings for Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available in Human Resources. For more information regarding staff positions, call 487-2280 or email mtujobs@mtu.edu.

For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Department Coordinator, Van Pelt and Opie Library. Apply online.

Library Assistant 4, Van Pelt and Opie Library. UAW Internal & External posting 4/14/21 – 4/20/21. External applications will only be reviewed after internal applications. Apply online.

Office Assistant 6, Mechanical Engineering - Engineering Mechanics. UAW Internal & External posting 4/14/21 – 4/20/21. External applications will only be reviewed after internal applications. Apply online.

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

In the News

Kelly Kamm (KIP), Steve Elmer (KIP), and graduate students Isaac Wedig, Ari Laiho and Jamie Phillips authored the article "Staying physically active amid the COVID-19 pandemic," which ran in the Marquette Mining Journal.

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Graduate Student Will Lytle, who serves on the Hancock City Council was quoted in the article "In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, proposed utility sale rekindles energy debate," in Energy News Network.

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Michigan Tech is among four teams recently chosen to receive funding for the second phase of the NEXTCAR (Next-Generation Energy Technologies for Connected and Automated On-Road Vehicles) program from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy initiative. The story was covered by Energy News Network.

Reminders

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

If you are working on campus while the University is at Health Safety Level Three, remember that no one is permitted to come to campus with symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

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.

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Engineering Fundamentals Faculty Candidate Presentation Today

The Department of Engineering Fundamentals is conducting a faculty search. The second candidate is Kenneth Thiemann and will present an active and collaborative first-year engineering lesson at 9 a.m. today (April 14) via Zoom.

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ME-EM MS Defense Today

There will be a  Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering defense at 9 a.m. today (April 14) via Zoom. Duo Zhang will present "Comparison of Path Planning Approaches of Autonomous Vehicles for Obstacle Avoidance Application."

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Sustainability Film Series Discussion on 'Plastic Ocean' Tomorrow

The Sustainability Film Series presents a facilitated discussion of the file "Plastic Ocean," from 7 to 8 p.m. tomorrow (April 15). The cost is free, but a $5 donation is suggested to support the Sustainability Film Series. You can make your donation here.

Watch the film on Netflix, or on ITunes or Amazon Prime ($3.99). A zoom link will be emailed for the facilitated discussion to all registered participants. Register here. For more information, read the full Tech Today story.

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TIAA Virtual Retirement Counseling Sessions Available

TIAA is offering virtual retirement counseling sessions on the following days:

  • Tuesday, April 20
  • Thursday, April 29
  • Tuesday, May 11
  • Thursday, May 13
  • Tuesday, May 25
  • Thursday, June 3
  • Friday, June 25
  • Wednesday, June 30

If you'd like to schedule an appointment with TIAA, call 800-732-8353 or book an appointment online.

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MS Defense Today — Vijay Pathak

Vijay Pathak (advisor Ghosh Susantra) a master's in Mechanical Engineering student will present his master's defense at 2 p.m. today (April 14) via Zoom.

The title of the presentation is "Studying the Effects of Initial Crack Angle on the Crack Propagation in Graphene Nano-Ribbon Through Molecular Dynamics Simulations."

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MS Defense Today — Travis Wavrunek

Master in Mechanical Engineering candidate Travis Wavrunek (advisor Paul Van Susante) will present his defense at 3 p.m. today (April 14) via Zoom

The title of the presentation is "Active Gravity Offloading System with Infrared Tracking for Rover Testing."

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ECE Doctoral Defense Tomorrow — Adam Webb

Electrical Engineering doctoral candidate Adam Webb will present his PhD defense at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow (April 15) via Zoom.

The title of his presentation is “Novel Methods in Computational Imaging with Applications in Remote Sensing.” Webb's co-advisors are Timothy Schulz (ECE) and Timothy Havens (CC).

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CFRES Seminar Tomorrow

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science will have a seminar at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow (April 15) via Zoom. Our seminar speaker is David Luther from George Mason University. Luther will present a talk entitled " Global assessment of critical forest and landscape restoration needs for threatened terrestrial vertebrate species.”

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University Senate Seminar Today

Beginning at 3 p.m. today, (April 14), the University Senate will host an open forum, via Zoom, to discuss the faculty-generated Proposal to Create a University Teaching-Facilitators Group for Support of Teaching Effectiveness to Resolve Student Concerns.

This forum is to allow voices from the greater campus community to bring their ideas to the proposal, a draft of which may be found here or contact Ashley Buchanan.

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MSE PhD Defense Today

Materials Science and Engineering PhD candidate Nupur Bihari (advisor: Joshua Pearce), will present her PhD defense at 1 p.m., today (April 14) via Zoom.

The title of her presentation is “Multi-level analysis of atomic layer deposition barrier coatings on additively manufactured plastics for high vacuum applications.”

Today's Campus Events

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

DENALI: Artists Respond to Music Inspired by Wilderness

Friday, Jan. 22 - Saturday, April 17. Art and music inspired by Alaska's wild places. This gallery exhibit features new musical compositions and works created in response to...

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Digital Marketers

Digital Marketers is a group for digital platform managers (digital ads, photo/video production, social media accounts, websites, etc) across campus. We meet every other...

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Master's Defense: Duo Zhang

Mechanical Engineering Advisor: Bo Chen Comparison of Path Planning Approaches of Autonomous Vehicles for Obstacle Avoidance Application Attend Virtually:...

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PhD Defense: Hua Wang

Rhetoric, Theory and Culture Advisor: Marika Seigel Chinese Women's Reproductive Justice and Digital Technologies Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/82068059139

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Teal Ribbons

All month there will be Teal Ribbons on Trees. These ribbons symbolize solidarity with victims of sexual violence and are meant to create conversation on campus about how we...

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UP and Moving - Lunchtime movement high noon

Michigan Tech students in the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology are offering an "UP and Moving" initiative for campus and community members. UP and Moving...

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UP and Moving - Lunchtime movement noon thirty

Michigan Tech students in the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology are offering an "UP and Moving" initiative for campus and community members. UP and Moving...

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PhD Defense: Nupur Bihari

Materials Science and Engineering Advisor: Joshua Pearce Multi-Level Analysis of Atomic Layer Deposition Barrier Coatings on Additively Manufactured Plastics for High Vacuum...

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Master's Defense: Vijay Kumar Pathak

Mechanical Engineering Advisor: Susanta Ghosh Studying the Effects of Initial Crack Angle on the Crack Propagation in Graphene Nano-Ribbon through Molecular Dynamics...

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Master's Defense: Travis Wavrunek

Mechanical Engineering Advisor: Paulus Van Susante Active Gravity Offloading System with Infrared Tracking for Rover Testing Attend Virtually:...

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Dial Help TEAL Survivor Support Group

Free, safe, and non-judgmental phone support group for anyone who experienced sexual violence past or present, including childhood abuse. You are not alone. Contact Paige with...

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Student Services Series: On-Campus Experience

Join Residence Education and Housing staff and students to learn more about the first few weeks of residence hall living. We will talk about how to get involved and what...

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Student Services Series: On-Campus Experience

Join Residence Education and Housing staff and students to learn more about the first few weeks of residence hall living. We will talk about how to get involved and what...

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Adult Huskies Group Tennis Lessons Spring Session 3

Adult Huskies Tennis Lessons are now being offered for ages 17 and up who are looking to learn more about the game of tennis! Each class will include technique and games to...

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Tech Theatre Production - "Talking With..." by Jane Martin

"Talking With...", a play by Jane Martin, reveals oddities in life. Each of the eight characters brush by us as though they are the brightly colored leaves torn from their...

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DENALI: Music and Art Inspired by Wilderness

What do you get when you set nine composers loose in Denali National Park? You get nine great pieces of music! Give this music to artists as inspiration and you get eighteen...

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Get Your Erg On! Spring Session 2

Get your Erg on! Join members of the MTU Rowing Club as they guide you through the basics of rowing technique and coach you through fun and challenging workout sessions — all...

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Teal Ribbons for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. During the Month of April there will be Teal Ribbons displayed throughout campus. Teal has become the signature color for sexual...