September 3, 2021

Michigan Tech’s newest Huskies arrived on campus last week, and they're the largest incoming class the University has seen since 1982, accounting for a 23% increase in first-year student enrollment from fall 2020. Incoming academic credentials remain the highest in University history.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome such an incredible class of talented students to the Michigan Tech family,” said Michigan Tech President Rick Koubek. “We are a distinct research institution, offering opportunities and experiences unique to Michigan Tech. Students recognize that. That’s why they want to be here.”

Read more at mtu.edu/news.

Michigan Tech is delighted to announce that we will recognize our staff and faculty for their years of service at the Welcome Back Picnic on Sept. 10.

Due to COVID-19, we will celebrate both 2020 and 2021 service award recipients this year. Awards will be distributed in the lobby of the Rozsa following the leadership update, which begins in the Rozsa lobby at noon.

We hope you will join us in recognizing these service award recipients on their important milestones at Michigan Tech:

25 Years of Service
Theresa Ahlborn, Carol Asiala, James Baker, Marjorie Banovetz, Patricia Burton, Amanda Cadwell, Kim Codere, Timothy Eisele, Richard Elenich, Sarah Green, Sonia Goltz, Gina Goudge, Kathleen Halvorsen, Patricia Heiden, Lynda Heinonen, Michael Hyslop, Theresa Jacques, JarrodKarau, Vicki Kivela, Christine Klein, Mary Knuuttila, Paula Lahikainen, Amie Ledgerwood, Owen Mills, Patrice Myllyoja, Jerry Norkol, David Olson, Judith Perlinger, Kathryn Ross, Gary Schlaff, Joan Schumaker Chadde, Ching-Kuang Shene, Patricia Sotirin, Noel Urban, Stanley Vitton, Phyllis Williamson

30 Years of Service
Victoria Bergvall, Leonard Bohmann, Jacek Borysow, Brian Cadwell, Tomas Co, Nikki Ebert, David Fredianelli, John Gierke, Christopher Green, Robert Hiltunen, Jacqueline Huntoon, Alane Isaacson, Charles Kerfoot, Alexander Kostinski, Joel Kunnari, Denise Laux, Pattie Luokkanen, Jerry Lutz, Rhonda McClellan, Jeanne Meyers, Walter Milligan, Faith Morrison, Michael Myllyoja, Christina Sarazin, Dean Seppala, Julie Seppala, Gina Stevens, Jeffrey Toorongian, Connie Tuohimaa, James Waineo, Song-Lin Yang, Paula Zenner

35 Years of Service
Russell Alger, Terry Anderson, Gerard Caneba, Joyce Fontaine, James Hill, Karen Kangas, Susan Laajala, Edward Laitila, John Lukowski, Ibrahim Miskioglu, Amitabh Narain, David Perram, Diane Shoos, Bryan Suits, Pammi Washuleski

40 Years of Service
Theodore Bornhorst, Thomas Merz, Michael Monette, Robert Weidman

45 Years of Service
Daniel Nutini, William Predebon

The Michigan Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) aims to foster awareness of, education in and research on space and Earth-related science and technology in Michigan.

Funding opportunities are available in the following categories:

Undergraduate fellowship, graduate fellowship, pre-college education, public outreach, teacher training, and research seed grants.

Deadlines:

• Oct. 20 at Noon — Internal deadline for pre-college education, public outreach, teacher training and research seed grant proposals.
• Nov. 3 at Noon — Internal deadline for undergraduate and graduate fellowship proposals.
• Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. — Final materials, after review and approval by SPO, must be uploaded to MSGC by the applicant.

Proposals exceeding stated page limits or submitted without prior review by Michigan Tech will not be considered for funding. Women, underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply to all MSGC funding opportunities. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for fellowship grants.

For instructions detailing proposal submission procedures and requirements, visit the Resources for the Michigan Space Grant Consortium web page.

For more information, contact Shannon Vairo in the Graduate School at ssvairo@mtu.edu or call 906-487-2326.

The Student Development Complex (SDC) and surrounding facilities will observe reduced hours on Monday (Sept. 6) for the Labor Day holiday. 

In addition to the reduced hours listed below, the SDC Manager's Office and the OAP Rental Center will be closed, and there will be no Student Open Hockey on Monday morning.

The SDC will return to regular posted hours Tuesday (Sept. 7). For more information, visit the Michigan Tech Recreation website.

Labor Day Hours:

• Fitness Center and Multipurpose Room — Noon to 9 p.m. (includes racquetball courts and track)
• Ticket Office — Noon to 9 p.m.
• SDC Locker Rooms and Sauna — 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Pool — 12:30-4:30 p.m.
• Gates Tennis Center — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tech Trails — 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (lights on: 6-9 a.m. and 6-9 p.m.)
• Open Climb — 6-8 p.m.

How can the Testing Center best serve you?

The Michigan Tech Testing Center is trying to adapt with the changing climate on campus and remain as helpful to all instructors as possible. To do this, we ask that you take a few minutes to let us know what services we can provide for you.

Please take this short survey to assist the Testing Center in staying current with your needs.

After a year away, K-Day will be returning to Chassell Centennial Park!

Michigan Tech's annual K-Day (Keweenaw Day) is next Friday (Sept. 10). Classes will release at noon. In addition to food, music and inflatable games, more than 190 registered student organizations will have booths for the 3,500 to 4,000 students who regularly attend K-Day.

While students are welcome to drive to K-Day or carpool with friends, Student Leadership and Involvement offers large buses that will be shuttling students back and forth from the Rozsa parking lot on campus to the park starting at noon. Buses will depart about every 15 minutes and will run until all students have been picked up from the park and returned to campus.

Students planning to drive themselves, please note: There is no parking inside the park. Parking on the street is available but limited.

K-Day is a student organization fair, but staff and faculty are also welcome at the event. You can see what our students are interested in, enjoy the free food and music, and maybe even find a student organization to advise.

K-Day is sponsored by Fraternity and Sorority Life and Student Leadership and Involvement, with additional support from Athletics, Facilities and Homestead Graphics. Members of Michigan Tech's 20 fraternities and sororities volunteer in order to make this event possible each year.

Beginning a new school year can be a moment to recognize and challenge ingrained patterns and perspectives in order to create a more inclusive and welcoming campus community.

One pernicious aspect of campus life is the pervasive ableism that often goes unacknowledged. Ableism refers to the beliefs, practices and physical arrangements that disadvantage and stigmatize those with disabilities, whether visible or invisible.

One of this week’s articles asks, “Where are the disabled and ill academics?” and notes that a higher percentage of students disclose their disability status than faculty. Another article points out that the dominant conceptions of disability make claiming a disability a professionally risky move, especially voluntarily disclosing an invisible disability like a neurodiverse condition. A third article by a professor with a visible disability warns that accommodations may have inadvertent effects, imposing “unreasonable adjustments” that require “additional unpaid labor.”

Crafting a welcoming, inclusive and accessible campus includes reexamining dominant perceptions and caricatures of disabilities; listening respectfully to experiences of ableism, stigma and the complexities of accommodation; and working together for more responsive policies and practices.

Today’s feature was shared with us by the ADVANCE team. If you have an article you think we should feature, please email it to advance-mtu@mtu.edu and we will consider adding it to the ADVANCE Weekly Roundup.

The ADVANCE Weekly Roundup is brought to you by ADVANCE at Michigan Tech, an NSF-funded initiative dedicated to improving faculty career success, retention, diversity, equity and inclusion. Past articles are available on the ADVANCE Newsblog.

To learn more about our featured topic, our mission, programming efforts, and to check out our growing collection of resources, contact us or visit our website.

Parade of Nations Scavenger Hunt clues will be placed around Houghton and Hancock this weekend — now it’s time for the hunt teams to sign up.

Sign up your scavenger hunt team online.

The Parade of Nations is an annual event sponsored by Michigan Tech and Finlandia University, celebrating the multicultural flavor of our community. It is scheduled for Sept. 18 this year.

The scavenger hunt teams will look for clues to a particular country or cultural heritage. The creative, informative clues help participants learn about the different cultures and organizations within our community. The clues can be pictures, riddles, location hints or anything else that leads to but does not reveal the actual location.

The first clues will be sent to the hunt teams on Tuesday, (Sept. 7). Clues can be hidden anywhere within safe walking, biking or traveling distance throughout Houghton, Hancock and the surrounding areas. QR codes have been taped to the outside of clear plastic boxes so hunt teams can scan them without touching or opening the box.

Prizes will be awarded the day of the parade to the three teams with the quickest completion time for correct answers: First place is $300, second place is $200 and third place is $100.

Detailed rules and instructions are available on the Parade of Nations Scavenger Hunt web page.

Are you an associate professor? Post-tenure faculty face unique career challenges and opportunities. Advanced Career Management (ACM) is a peer-mentoring program designed to help you develop career plans to meet your goals.

An orientation session will be held Sept. 20 from 1-2 p.m. at the MUB in Alumni Lounge A (Room 107A). We will explain the ACM program, provide tools for career self-development and show how career-affinity groups will work. Following the introductory workshop, you will have the opportunity to join one of our ACM career-affinity groups. All participants in this session will receive professional development credit in Digital Measures.

If you have any questions, please check our website for information or send an email to advance-mtu@mtu.edu.

The ACM program is part of ADVANCE at Michigan Tech, an NSF-funded initiative dedicated to increasing faculty retention, improving campus climate and enhancing the career success of our faculty.

Congratulations to the following 2021 Deans' Teaching Showcase members who have been selected to receive 2021 CTL instructional Awards! Mark your calendars for their fall semester presentations, which will share the work that led to their nomination. After each presentation concludes, the recipient(s) will receive formal recognition and $600 in additional compensation.

CTL Instructional Award Series Schedule:

• Sept. 23 — Innovative or Out of Class Teaching: Smitha Rao (BioMed)
• Oct. 19 — Large Class Teaching: Andrew Galerneau (Chem) and Teresa Woods (Math)
• Nov. 9 — Curriculum Development or Assessment: Todd Arney (AC) and Paul Sanders (MSE)

These events will take place from 3:45-4:45 p.m. on the dates listed. Detailed presentation titles, topics and registration links will be circulated in anticipation of each event.

Many thanks to the previous CTL instructional award recipients who were instrumental in the selection process.

We're looking for nominations for the upcoming (2022) Deans' Teaching Showcase during spring semester. Please consider suggesting (to your dean or chair) instructors whom you've seen make exceptional contributions in curriculum development, assessment, innovative or out-of-class teaching, or large class teaching.

After a 647-day hiatus, Michigan Tech Football returns to action tomorrow (Sept. 4) when they host Hillsdale College starting at 2 p.m. at Kearly Stadium in Houghton.

The contest is the first of four consecutive home games at newly renovated Sherman Field. 

Read the game preview and find ways to tune in at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Postings for Friday, Sept. 3, 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. 

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics. Apply online.

Geospatial Data Analyst or GIS Librarian, Great Lakes Research Center. Apply online.

Administrative Aide 7,* Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (UAW posting Sept. 3 to Sept. 9, 2021 — internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the UAW posting dates). Apply online.
* Two positions available.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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RSVP for Leadership Update and Welcome Back Picnic

The Office of the President encourages those planning to attend the upcoming leadership update and Staff Council Welcome Back Picnic to RSVP and submit your boxed lunch choice by noon today (Sept. 3).

President Rick Koubek, Provost Jacqueline Huntoon and CFO Sue Kerry will provide the brief leadership update in the lobby of the Rozsa Center beginning at noon on K-Day (Sept. 10). Afterward, all employees are invited to the Staff Council Welcome Back Picnic on the Walker Lawn starting at 12:30 p.m. Boxed picnic lunches will be distributed at the south entrance of the Rozsa lobby at the conclusion of the presentation. Release time is provided for employees to attend.

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‘The Spirit of the Hunt’ Ecological Art Exhibit and Public Wolf Discussion

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. 

Today at 4:30 p.m., John Vucetich (CFRES) and Tanya Aldred of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission will lead a public discussion on wolves.

All events are free and open to the public:

• Presentations and Reception — Friday (Sept. 3), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  John Vucetich, "On the Relationship Between Humans and Wolves"
  Tanya Aldred, "Ma'iingan (wolf): An Ojibway Perspective"
  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

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GSG to Host First Friday University Social

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. (the former OAP House, opposite the MTU Library), from 4-6 p.m. today (Sept. 3).

Light snacks and beverages will be provided, along with short tours of the house. Face coverings are encouraged and will be required while inside.

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.

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A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum Closed for Labor Day

The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum will be closed on Monday (Sept. 6). We will reopen on Tuesday (Sept. 7) and resume our normal hours.

Admission is waived for Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff with your Tech ID card. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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No Tech Today on Monday

Tech Today will not publish on Monday (Sept. 6) in observance of the Labor Day holiday. 

Submissions for the Tuesday (Sept. 7) issue of Tech Today are due by noon today (Sept. 3).

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Fall Little Huskies Basketball League Registration Now Open

Michigan Tech men's and women's basketball are excited to offer two fall Little Huskies basketball leagues. Registration is now open and closes Thursday (Sept. 9) for the girls league and Oct. 7 for the boys league.

For boys grades 3-6, the camp will take place Oct. 11-14. Players will leave with fundamental basketball skills like ball handling, shooting, team play and defensive play. The camp is Monday-Thursday from 4-6 p.m. in the SDC Multipurpose Gym.

For girls grades 2-5, camp is scheduled Sept. 11 to Oct. 2. Camp will be on Saturdays from 9-11 a.m. in the SDC Multipurpose Gym. 

The cost is the same for boys and girls: $50 for the first player and $25 per sibling. Youngsters from all local school districts and skill levels are encouraged to participate.

Both camps will provide an excellent opportunity to play basketball and learn from current Michigan Tech men's and women's basketball players, who will be coaches in the league.

Read more about this year's coaches at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

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

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Workshop 1: Overview and tips from a former NSF program manager and reviewer

Friday, September 3, 9:00–10:30 a.m.

The Graduate School is offering support services to assist graduate students in applying for the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program, including...

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

Friday, September 3, 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...

(Women's Volleyball) Minnesota State vs. Michigan Tech

Friday, September 3, 12 p.m.–3 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Wood Gym

Women's Volleyball: Minnesota State vs. Michigan Tech, Keweenaw Classic

How to use the Career Fair Plus application

Friday, September 3, 12 p.m.–1 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Attend this presentation to learn how to establish your profile in the Career Fair Plus application and how to use it to schedule appointments with recruiters during the...

Career Services Semester Preview

Friday, September 3, 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Attend this presentation to learn what Career Services is offering during the Fall 2021 semester.

Meet the Fraternities

Friday, September 3, 5 p.m.–7 p.m. | Walker Lawn

Stop by Walker Lawn to get a chance to meet all of the Michigan Tech fraternities!

(Women's Volleyball) St. Cloud State vs. Michigan Tech

Friday, September 3, 7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Wood Gym

Women's Volleyball: St. Cloud State vs. Michigan Tech, Keweenaw Classic

Range Day

Friday, September 3, 8 p.m.–10 p.m. | SDC Shooting Range

Students and guests have the opportunity to use club owned firearms and hearing protection. Students and guests can even bring their own firearms provided that it fits within...

Delta Upsilon Reunion

September 3, all day | Delta Upsilon - Michigan Tech

Come join us September 3rd through 6th for the 41st Anniversary of our Chapter’s Colonization on the Michigan Tech Campus. We will be hosting numerous events during the...