August 31, 2021

The Office of the Vice President for Research is pleased to announce David Lawrence as Michigan Tech’s inaugural Vice President for Online and Continuing Education. In this role, Lawrence will provide strategic direction to develop and drive an online and continuing education strategy that will ensure the University meets nontraditional and online education needs through evolving learning modalities.

Lawrence will work with the provost and dean of the Graduate School, as well as the associate provost for curriculum and instruction and other University stakeholders, to direct the development of online and remote learning initiatives and guide a growing portfolio of nontraditional programs, their delivery, and the infrastructure and processes to support their success.

“Michigan Tech has a great opportunity to share quality education through its online programs and meet the needs of today’s students,” Lawrence said. “I am excited to join Michigan Tech and to help in leading and creating innovative pathways into new territories of advancing education.”

Lawrence comes to Michigan Tech from Davenport University, where he served for 10 years as vice president of admissions and strategic partnership, leading enrollment for the university’s undergraduate, graduate, and online student audiences and corporate education programs. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership from Cornerstone University and a Master of Science in communication from Grand Valley State University. Lawrence is currently working on a doctorate in higher education at Western Michigan University.

Vice President for Research Dave Reed thanks Dennis Livesay, Chad Arney, Jacque Smith, Leonard Bohmann, Michael Meyer, Tim Colling and Natasha Chopp for serving on the interview committee for the Vice President for Online and Continuing Education position.

Visit Michigan Tech Online and Continuing Education for more information on the University’s online and continuing education programs.  

Some Michigan Tech scholars, creators and researchers experienced significant challenges completing their funded research, creative work or scholarship due to the pandemic. To work toward addressing these issues, the Vice President for Research (VPR) is reminding researchers of a one-time internal funding opportunity for fall 2021 to address pandemic-related research and scholarly productivity impacts.

Grants of up to $25,000 will be available to nonstudent scholars for a one-year period. The application period began Aug. 15 and will continue until all funds are awarded. Submit by Sept. 15 to ensure review while funds are available.

Additional information and proposal instructions can be found on the Michigan Tech Research website. Incomplete applications and those that do not follow the defined process will be returned without review. Please direct any questions to rd-l@mtu.edu.

The Campus Bookstore in the Memorial Union Building has your office supplies! We have: keyboards, mice, flash drives, USB cords, pens, pencils, folders, batteries, highlighters, sticky notes and more. We also have partnerships with vendors if you're looking to purchase in bulk and save some money!

Charge to a department index and receive a discount (excluding calculators and course materials) on most everything in our store.

To verify that your index is set up at the Campus Store, please feel free to contact us at campusstore@mtu.edu with the index and department name, and we'll work with Accounting to ensure the account is set up. We are also available at 906-487-2410.

The Campus Bookstore is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 12-4 p.m. Saturday. Thank you and have a great semester!

Teaching this fall and finalizing your assigned readings? Be sure to search the library for course materials!

The library subscribes to thousands of ebooks, including textbooks and supplemental course materials. Taking advantage of the library’s subscribed content gives students easy access to course materials at no additional cost. The subscribed content is also easy (and legal) to link to your Canvas course. Check out our guide to see how.

Search the library or contact library@mtu.edu for assistance.

Michigan Tech’s College of Forest Resources and Environmental Sciences (CFRES) is hosting an ecological art exhibit and public talks calling attention to local carnivore populations. The exhibit, titled "The Spirit of the Hunt," is a collaboration between CFRES, the Department of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), and Project Coyote. 

Local and national artists are featured in the exhibit, including U.P. artists Joyce Koskenmaki and Ladislav Hanka. The exhibit is guest-curated by Catherine Plank, a graduate student in ecosystem science and management at the University of Michigan, who arranged the exhibit “to create discussion and to highlight the beauty and value of native predators.”

The exhibit is open now through Oct. 15, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday in the CFRES atrium. 

On Friday (Sept. 3) at 4:30 p.m., John Vucetich (CFRES) will lead a public discussion on wolves, wolf hunting and the species’ complicated history with mankind.

All events are free and open to the public:

• Presentations and Reception — Friday (Sept. 3), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  Michigan Tech, CFRES Noblet Building, Room G002
  
  
• Exhibit — Aug. 30-Oct. 15, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Michigan Tech, CFRES Noblet Building, Hesterberg Hall and Atrium

Faculty, staff, graduate students and Michigan Tech retirees are invited to join the Graduate Student Government (GSG) in the backyard of the new Graduate Student Commons, located at 207 East St., from 4-6 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 3). Short tours of the house will be provided. Face coverings will be required while inside the house.

Started in 2006, First Friday University Socials provide a casual setting for members of the campus community to meet new people, learn about other schools and departments, and share work and interests with colleagues.

The next First Friday University Social will be on Oct. 1 and is still available to host. If your department is interested in hosting a social during the 2021-22 academic year, please contact business-support@mtu.edu or call 906-487-2543.

View the complete 2021-22 First Friday University Socials schedule.

Tuesday (Aug. 31)
• Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ

Thursday (Sept. 2)
• Soccer vs. Minnesota Duluth, 6 p.m. at Kearly Stadium
• Volleyball vs. Minnesota Duluth, 7:30 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ

Friday (Sept. 3)
• Volleyball vs. Minnesota State, Noon at SDC Gym
• Volleyball vs. St. Cloud State, 7:30 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ

Saturday (Sept. 4)
• Soccer vs. St. Cloud State, 11 a.m. at Kearly Stadium
• Football vs. Hillsdale, 2 p.m. at Kearly Stadium on Mix 93 WKMJ
• Volleyball vs. Concordia-St. Paul, 5 p.m. at SDC Gym

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech Athletics has opened an online Nike store and is selling officially licensed team gear for Husky football.

Fans may choose from a wide array of apparel options, which include but are not limited to team T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, polos, pants and sweatshirts. Show off your Husky football pride by shopping at the team online store today.

The online store is open now. Items will be available for purchase through Monday (Sept. 6).

Job Postings for Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email mtujobs@mtu.edu.

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

Laboratory Associate, Chemistry. Apply online.

Financial Aid Manager, Student Financial Services Center. Apply online. 

Assistant Director of Campus Visit Experience, Admissions. Apply online.

Groundsperson (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #21218, Facilities (AFSCME posting Aug. 31 to Sept. 7, 2021 — external applicants will only be reviewed after all internal applicants). 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.

Matthew Portfleet (GMES) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $255,137 other sponsored activities grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration.

The project is titled "Michigan Mine Safety and Health State Grants Training."

Research by Steve Techtmann (BioSci) to turn plastic into edible protein was highlighted in a WJMN Local 3 feature story. The story was picked up by other regional outlets, including WCIA 3 News in Champaign, Illinois, and WLAX Fox 25/48 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

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Houghton County’s population rise was credited to Michigan Tech’s student population in a Detroit News story, which cited a similar story that ran in the Daily Mining Gazette. Houghton County was the only county in the Upper Peninsula to see a population increase in the 2020 United States census.

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A feature article on MTU students enjoying “Afternoon on the Town” ran in the Daily Mining Gazette.

Face Coverings Required Indoors on Campus

While Michigan Tech is at Health and Safety Level Two, face coverings must be worn indoors. This applies to all students, employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

In Level Two, students and employees are not required to monitor their symptoms daily prior to coming to campus. But, individuals should be mindful of their own symptoms. A useful monitoring tool is available from the CDC. 

Michigan Tech strongly recommends that all employees and students receive the COVID-19 vaccine and continue with handwashing and hand-sanitizing practices, especially in light of the virulence of the COVID-19 delta variant.

During all Health and Safety Levels, no one with COVID-19 symptoms is allowed on campus. 

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Welcome Week Blood Drive

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.

Currently, there is a critical need for blood donors. Please join us in the MUB Ballroom and donate blood at the following times:

• Wednesday (Sept. 1) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday (Sept. 2) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our new location this year allows for social distancing while donating. We ask that everyone wear a face covering and reserve your appointment slot online ahead of time. Please bring a photo ID with you.

For more information, visit the American Red Cross website or email Rochelle Spencer at raspence@mtu.edu. 

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C-Cubed: We're Back!

The semester's first C-Cubed luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 2) in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge. All faculty, staff, community members and their guests are invited. For now, the C-Cubed lunches will be on Thursdays only.

What is C-Cubed? The three C's stand for conversation, community and collegiality. This luncheon was invented in 2015 by folks who wanted a chance to meet and get to know our colleagues in an easy, enjoyable fashion. We wanted a quiet space for conversation; we wanted to include folks who prefer to bring their lunch to campus; we wanted to be inclusive of vegetarians and gluten-free eaters. We invented C-Cubed.

The C-Cubed luncheon buffet menus are created by executive chef Eric Karvonen and prepared by Karvonen and his culinary team. As the name suggests, the meals are meant to foster conversation, community and collegiality. Attendees may come just for the conversation if they wish: You are welcome to bring your own lunch instead of purchasing the buffet. Fruit-infused water, coffee, tea, cookies and fruit are available free to all attendees. Dishes are labeled if they are vegetarian or gluten-free.

The buffet is $12 per person. Cash, credit cards and C-Cubed gift certificates (available in the Memorial Union office) are accepted. You are invited to submit C-Cubed feedback through this Google form. To join the C-Cubed Google group and receive weekly menus, email reservations-l@mtu.edu.

We have a whole bunch of new faces on campus that we've only seen through Zoom or heard about! We invite you to come on out and share a meal with colleagues as we talk and share and get to know each other better.

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

The Spirit of the Hunt: Ecological Art Exhibit & Public Wolf Discussion

Tuesday, August 31, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | U. J. Noblet Forestry Building, Atrium and G002

Art Exhibit: August 30-October 15 Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm Noblet Atrium, Michigan Tech College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Opening...

Stay-A-Float!

Tuesday, August 31, 1 p.m.–4 p.m. | Outside of Fisher Hall near the Rock Garden

Come join us at the MUB circle for some free root beer floats, a chance to write down (manifest) your goals for the semester, and to meet some new friends! Rain location will...

How to look for on-campus jobs

Tuesday, August 31, 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Attend this presentation to learn how to find on-campus jobs.

Open Rock Climbing

Tuesday, August 31, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multipurpose Room Climbing Wall

All ages (we can allow all ages to climb as long as we have the proper fitting equipment). No need to sign up, just stop by the Climbing Wall between 6 and 8 pm Monday through...