September 15, 2021

In the latest blog from the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, Michael Blanco, director of diversity and inclusion operations, reflects on Hispanic Heritage Month, the LA Dodgers, and what it means for him to celebrate his heritage.

“I was born in Los Angeles,” Blanco writes, “and in 1963 I experienced the greatest moment of my childhood when the Dodgers won the World Series in a four-game sweep over the New York Yankees."

Read the story — and learn how complicated histories don’t prevent purposeful celebrations — on the Diversity and Inclusion Newsblog.

Lindsay Hiltunen, University archivist, has been renamed chair of the Society of American Archivists' Oral History Section. This will be her second term as chair and she will serve two years in this capacity.

The Oral History Section of the Society of American Archivists is composed of members of the Society and others who are interested or actively engaged in conducting oral history interviews and/or teaching oral history methodology. The Oral History Section provides a forum for news,  discussion of issues and developments, and establishing and maintaining communication and cooperation with other professional organizations.

Michigan Tech senior Anna Jonynas has been named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Volleyball North Division Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday (Sept. 13).

Jonynas led the Huskies to a 4-0 weekend at the University of Illinois-Springfield Capital Classic. She tallied 52 kills on the weekend, averaging 4.7 per set while hitting .314, and added 47 digs (3.6 per set) and four aces. She had double-doubles against McKendree (10 kills, 15 digs) and No. 8 Northwest Missouri State (16 kills, 21 digs).

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech will host Northern Michigan on Oct. 2 at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in an exhibition game to kick off the 2021-22 season. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m.

Tickets will be $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Michigan Tech season ticket holders will get free admission to the game along with active students through Experience Tech. Season ticket holders have until Sept. 29 to secure their seats.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Pasi Lautala (CEGE/MTTI) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $380,705 other sponsored activities contract from the Federal Railroad Administration.

The project is titled "Railroad Crossing Vehicle Warning (RCVW) Application Demonstrations with Connected Vehicles."

Kuilin Zhang and John Velat (CEGE/MTTI) are co-PIs on this potential two-year project.

Don Lafreniere (SS/GLRC) is a co-author of a policy paper published in Urban Research & Practice.

The paper is titled "Lesson from U.S. rust belt cities for equitable low-growth futures." 

The article provides an overview of policies and practices that are used by stagnating or depopulating municipalities and communities to foster sustainable futures while addressing the contexts of racial segregation and political fragmentation.

The expected boost that Michigan Tech’s and Northern Michigan University’s incoming first-year classes will bring to the UP economy was the subject of a report on WLUC TV6. 

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EIN Presswire published a press release on the naming of College of Business alumnus Anthony R. Giesey as EVONOMY’s senior vice president of automotive and mobility.

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.

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. Please be aware that if you are exposed to COVID-19, quarantine guidelines vary depending on 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. 

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On-Demand COVID-19 Testing Available on Campus

Walk-in, on-demand COVID-19 testing is available to Michigan Tech students and employees during the fall 2021 semester.

Testing is located in the Datolite Room at the MUB on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. There is no cost to be tested, and no appointment is needed. 

Read more COVID-19 Testing Information on the MTU Flex website.

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NASIC Information Session

Engineers from the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) in Dayton, Ohio, will be hosting an information session for students who are interested in a career as a federal civilian engineer.

The session will take place from 5-6 p.m. today (Sept. 15) in the Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC), Room 103.

Students must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

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Creating an Inclusive Community for All Faculty

The campus community is invited to attend a seminar/panel discussion titled "Creating An Inclusive Community For All Faculty."

Guest speaker Joel Ducoste, professor and interim associate dean for faculty advancement at North Carolina State University, will lead off the session with some helpful suggestions/insights and then it will transition to a panel discussion with Dean Janet Callahan (CoE) and Dean David Hemmer (CSA).

The seminar will start at 3 p.m. today (Sept. 15) in the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building (Chem Sci), Room 101.

This seminar is sponsored by the Departments of Chemistry; Humanities; and Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering; the College of Engineering; and the College of Sciences and Arts.

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Parenting All Rainbow Kids

Parenting All Rainbow Kids (PARK) is meeting today (Sept. 15) via Zoom. Everyone is welcome.

PARK is a faculty/staff-led group for the parents/guardians of LGBTQIA* youth. PARK aims to offer group members a confidential, supportive community where we can learn and grow as parents/guardians together. Community members are welcome.

During fall 2021, meetings will be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.

For questions, concerns or Zoom info, contact Michelle Jarvie-Eggart at mejarvie@mtu.edu, Amber Kemppainen at amber@mtu.edu or Amy Howard at alhoward@mtu.edu.

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TIAA Virtual Retirement Counseling Sessions Available

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

• Wednesday, Sept. 15
• Thursday, Sept. 23
• Tuesday, Sept. 28

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

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Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar

The next Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar will take place at 4 p.m. tomorrow (Sept. 16) in the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), Room 202.

Joel Ducoste, professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University, will present.

Ducoste's presentation is titled "Characterizing the Generation of Elevated Temperature Landfills through Finite Element Modeling."

All are welcome.

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

Poster Sale hosted by MUB Board

Wednesday, September 15, 9–10 a.m. | MUB Superior Room

Are the walls in your room bare? We can help!!! Come to our Poster Sale! You will find a huge selection of the bestselling and most popular college posters. Stop by between...

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

Wednesday, September 15, 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...

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Law School Admissions Q& A

Wednesday, September 15, 12 p.m.–3 p.m. | Academic Office Building (AOB), 201 and 204

Join a Q & A with Assistant Director of Admissions at MSU College of Law Kimberly Wilkes- 12-1 in AOB 201, and individual appointments 1-3 in AOB 204 Join the group at noon or...

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Virtual Study Abroad Fair: Prosperity by Design - Engineers Without Borders and iDesign

Wednesday, September 15, 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

Travel abroad with your peers to work on economically sustainable engineering projects that improve the quality of life in disadvantaged communities. Attend this session to...

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Submission and Formatting 101: Master the Dissertation, Thesis, and Report Process

Wednesday, September 15, 2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Alumni Lounge B&C

Students who are completing a dissertation, thesis, or report are invited to join the Graduate School to learn about the resources available to them to assist in scheduling...

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Westwood Info Session

Wednesday, September 15, 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC), 216

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Virtual Study Abroad Fair: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in France

Wednesday, September 15, 4 p.m.–5 p.m.

Attention EE and CS students! Learn how you can study in France and earn MTU credits in the ENSEA French American Program during your third year, spring semester. Register...

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Virtual Study Abroad Fair: Operations and Supply Chain in Germany

Wednesday, September 15, 4 p.m.–5 p.m.

Travel abroad to Bremen, Germany with your peers to observe Germany's large-scale industrial operations in automotive, processing plants, and aerospace. Tour companies such as...

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Economics Club General Meeting

Wednesday, September 15, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | Fisher Hall Room 0127

First meeting of the Fall 2021 Semester.

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Introduction to Design Thinking

Wednesday, September 15, 5 p.m.–7 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), The Alley Makerspace (MUB basement)

Developed at the Stanford d.school, design thinking is a tool to help you reframe life’s challenges into opportunities. This interactive workshop held in the Alley Makerspace...

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Milwaukee Tool Presentation and First General Meeting

Wednesday, September 15, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | MEEM 112

Milwaukee Tool will be presenting about different departments and opportunities within the company.

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Pool With Sigma Rho

Wednesday, September 15, 5 p.m.–7 p.m. | Sigma Rho

Come out and play pool with us in our esteemed Chapter Room, boasting over 125 years of Sigma Rho Tradition!

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Virtual Study Abroad Fair: Michigan Tech Faculty Led Group Session

Wednesday, September 15, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Consider participating in a faculty-led study AWAY program to earn MTU credits and travel with your faculty and peers. This session will highlight programs taking place in the...

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Open Rock Climbing

Wednesday, September 15, 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...