October 12, 2021

What do graduates say helped them the most in their education? Sometimes it’s a single project. Often it’s real-world research.

Many students learn through Senior Design, Enterprise and co-op experiences. The Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) offers students the chance to see research in action and learn from some of the University’s top scientists and project managers.

In the latest Michigan Tech Magazine, we highlight a few student researchers at MTRI:

• Eva Muller (ME-EM) studies how to minimize gas guzzling with autonomous, connected and electric vehicles with Bill Buller (MTRI).
• Nathan Sukaria (ECE) writes code for underground robots for the Subterranean (SubT) Competition, a project led by Sarah Kitchen (MTRI).
• Marie Richards (CFRES) works with Tim Scarlett (SS) and Richard Dobson (MTRI) to use drone imagery to better document and protect Indigenous history.
• Sam Kurkowski (CFRES) joined Laura Bourgeau-Chavez (MTRI) and Rod Chimner (CFRES) in the field looking at the seasonal universes contained in vernal pools.
• Brian Wandrych (CC) was part of a software design team working with Robert Pastel (CC) to help Mary Ellen Miller (MTRI) create an app for tracking soil infiltrometer readings following wildfires.

Read more about their projects in Michigan Tech Magazine.

“Smooth seas do not a skillful sailor make.” This proverb rings true for the autonomous wave glider recently deployed into Lake Superior by the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC).

Owned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), the glider — a particularly seasoned piece of equipment which has traveled from San Diego to the equator and back — measured primary productivity in Lake Superior for 25 days.

Named Camaro (fun fact: there’s a twin named Mustang), the glider took a circuitous route from South Entry to Bete Grise and around Stannard Rock, easily riding the largest waves several storms could throw at it. The voyage was part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative.

Read the full story on mtu.edu/unscripted.

It’s almost time to Make a Difference!

Make a Difference Day is coming up on Oct. 23 and we are seeking support from across the University for the largest national day of service! Many wonderful organizations have already requested our support, including the Copper Country Humane Society, The Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home, The Keweenaw Land Trust, and Copper Country Habitat for Humanity.

If you are a community member who could use assistance or know of someone who could, you may request Husky Help by filling out our Google form.

Our entire community — faculty, staff and students — are invited to volunteer! Volunteering projects vary based on community needs, but you may find yourself raking, cleaning, organizing, painting or weeding.

Interested in volunteering for this important event? Register on GivePulse, our community service website. If you would like to register to volunteer with other members of a group, please enter the group name when signing up. The final deadline to register is Monday (Oct. 18) at 10 a.m. Every registered volunteer will receive a free Make a Difference Day T-shirt!

Check-in for volunteers will begin in the MUB Ballroom at 9 a.m., where information will be distributed before groups travel to their service locations. Some locations may require your group to drive.

Want to learn more about the event? Check out our Make a Difference Day website, which shows some stats on past participants. Have questions? Contact us at huskyhelpers@mtu.edu or by calling 906-487-1963.

We can’t wait to see how much of a difference we can make this year! We hope you will join us in reclaiming the Husky community spirit!

Come join students and community volunteers to plant trees along some of Houghton’s finest recreational trails this weekend.

The invasive emerald ash borer has caused extensive damage to the ash tree population on the Tech Trails. A lot of work has been done to remove the dead trees so they do not fall on trail users, but their removal has left gaps that are being filled in with invasive plants.

Now, there's a great opportunity for volunteers to help plant trees along the Tolkien Trails. Small trees will be planted to help improve the safety, beauty and ecology of the trails. Young trees will help reestablish the forest in areas once dominated by ash and help preserve the beauty of the Tech Trails for future users.

Dates and times for tree planting:

• Friday, Oct. 15 — 1-4 p.m. 
• Sunday, Oct. 17 — 9 a.m. to noon 
• Sunday, Oct. 17 — 1-4 p.m.

Volunteers can meet at the Tolkien Trails parking lot on Pilgrim Road. We will have a sign with our location for that particular day. Gloves and tools will be provided. All are welcome! 

Chris ‘63 and Jan Guzdial have made a gift of a granite bench and bronze Husky statue, placed just outside the McAllister Welcome Center in the Memorial Union Building.

The location will be a magnet for students — both current and prospective — to sit next to the Husky and snap a photo.

“We want to put smiles on students’ faces,” said Chris. “It was a struggle to get through Michigan Tech as a student, but Tech really helped me. I wanted to do something for Michigan Tech and the students here.”

Chris, a chemical engineering graduate, claims he “learned how to learn” at MTU, citing a couple of his instructors. “Mr. T.E. Vichich said in his class that you couldn’t just cram the night before an exam and expect to pass. You needed to do your homework daily. That proved to be true for me.

“Another instructor was my chemical engineering advisor, Dr. G.M. Machwart, who taught me lessons that stayed with me my entire career.”

The Guzdials were inspired in their gift by William Bernard and family and their role in adding the Bernard Family Clock Tower to the west end of campus in 2018.

“We were going to contribute to that project, but it was already taken care of,” said Jan. “This bench was an opportunity to further add to campus. Universities need these extra things to enrich campus life.”

The bench was dedicated July 26 at a small ceremony with the Guzdials and their friends in attendance.

“I look forward to seeing the photos of students sitting on this bench, hugging the Husky, and having a good time.”

Return to the Rozsa for this week's events:

• Shockingly Good Music — Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
  Conductor Joel Neves leads the Superior Wind Symphony in a shockingly good program of eclectic band favorites, including dramatic opera music, toe-tapping marches, a Mexican danzón and "Gandalf" from Lord of the Rings.
  Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for youth. Michigan Tech students can attend for free and bring a friend with the Experience Tech Fee.
  
  
• Beethoven's 250th Anniversary — Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
  Get out your party hat. The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra is performing Beethoven's 8th Symphony to celebrate the 250th birthday of this titanic, mercurial composer.
  Tickets are $19 for adults and $6 for youth. Michigan Tech students can attend for free and bring a friend with the Experience Tech Fee.

Note: Face coverings are required for volunteers, staff and audience members at these events. Please visit the Rozsa COVID-19 Policies for the most up-to-date information.

Tickets are available by phone at 906-487-2073, online and in person at the Central Ticketing Office in the Student Development Complex. The Rozsa Box Office will also be open for ticket purchases two hours prior to performances. 

Do you have an innovative idea that could disrupt the status quo and "business as usual"? Pitch your idea at the Idea Pitch Competition. Each contestant will have two minutes to share their idea in an interactive community setting. Judges will vote to select top pitches and award cash prizes.

Husky Innovate is hosting the competition Oct. 20 in person from 5-7 p.m. in the Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), Room U115. To pitch, please register in advance.

Prizes will be awarded to top contestants:

• First place — $200
• Second place — $100
• Third place — $50
• Honorable mention — $25 (two prizes offered)
• Audience favorite — $25

Audience members are encouraged to attend in person, but may also attend remotely. Please email Husky Innovate at huskyinnovate@mtu.edu for the Zoom link.

Dining Services presents this week's C-Cubed Luncheon, being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday (Oct. 14) in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge, Room 107. All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

The C-Cubed lunch 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 bring their lunch instead of purchasing the buffet. Fruit-infused water, coffee, tea, cookies, and fruit are available free to all attendees.

The buffet lunch is $12 per person. Cash, credit cards and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased in the Memorial Union office, Room 101. You can submit C-Cubed feedback using this Google form. To join the C-Cubed Google group and receive weekly menus, email business-support@mtu.edu.

Menu for Thursday (Oct. 14):

Homemade Chili Bar
Texas Chili (Gluten Free) 
Pumpkin Quinoa Chili (Gluten Free, Vegan)
New Mexico Chili Verde aka Green Chili (Gluten Free)

Fresh Toppings 
Chopped Onion
Chopped Cilantro
Sour Cream
Tortilla Strips
Shredded Pepper Jack

Steak Fries (Gluten Free, Vegan)
White Rice (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Join us and learn to use Google Scholar like a pro today (Oct. 12) at 4 p.m. in the Library, Room 244.

Google Scholar is a powerful search engine and often the first stop for students and researchers just diving into a topic. However, weeding through the junk and paywalls to find detailed, relevant information can be a challenge. Attendees at this workshop will learn advanced tools and strategies that will make your Google Scholar searches more targeted and effective!

Register to attend.

Instructors: Want to learn how to make your instructional materials more accessible and inclusive?

There is still time to enroll in Creating Accessible Course Content, a free, four-week, noncredit online course offered by the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). The course begins Monday (Oct. 18) and is a good fit for any blended learning or online instructor looking to learn more about what digital accessibility means and why accessible content benefits all your students.

The course offers a review of skills and tools that can help you make your instructional materials more accessible and usable to a broad range of students. We’ll discuss how to use online tools (including Canvas and Panopto) to create accessible resources and remediate or curate existing resources.

The focal point of the course is learning how to use editors (in Canvas and in common software, such as Microsoft Word) to enhance digital accessibility. We’ll also discuss the importance of accessible instructional video and review available tools to help ensure your video content is more accessible to all students.

Submit the course registration form to reserve your spot (course enrollment is limited). Contact Jeff Toorongian at jetooron@mtu.edu with any questions.

Distinguished Professor Jennifer Slack (HU) will be featured at the Michigan Tech Research Forum (MTRF) on Oct. 20 in the Memorial Union Ballroom A. The lecture will begin at 4:30 p.m., with 30 minutes before and after the lecture for networking.

Slack’s presentation is titled "Technological Culture: From Cultural Studies to Transdisciplinarity." Additional details can be found on the MTRF website.

The MTRF is presented by the Office of the Provost with support from the Office of the Vice President for Research. The forum showcases and celebrates the work of Michigan Tech researchers and aims to strengthen discussions in our community. All are welcome, including the general public.

Tuesday (Oct. 12)
• Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ

Friday (Oct. 15)
• Volleyball vs. TBA at Midwest Regional Crossover (Hammond, Indiana)
• Blue Line Club Lunch, noon
• Soccer at Northwood, 2:30 p.m.
• Hockey vs. Notre Dame, 7:07 p.m. at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Mix 93 WKMJ

Saturday (Oct. 16)
• Cross Country at NMU Scrimmage, 10:30 a.m.
• Volleyball vs. TBA at Midwest Regional Crossover (Hammond, Indiana)
• Football at Northern Michigan, noon on Mix 93 WKMJ and TV6
• Hockey vs. USNTDP U-18, 6:07 p.m. at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Mix 93 WKMJ

Sunday (Oct. 17)
• Soccer at Davenport, 11 a.m.

The Michigan Tech soccer team went 1-1 this weekend, falling to No. 9 nationally ranked Ferris State on Friday (Oct. 8) and defeating Parkside on Sunday (Oct. 10).

The Huskies fought hard against Ferris State on Friday, but ultimately fell 2-1. They trailed 1-0 at the half and battled back to tie the game before the Bulldogs put the deciding goal in the net in the 68th minute.

"It was a tale of two halves for us. We got ourselves into a hole early that we had to dig out of," coach Turk Ozturk said. "Our team fought very hard in the second half with a high level of intensity. It is disappointing now, but we will look at these matches as turning points for our program in the future."

On Sunday, MTU bested the visiting Parkside Rangers 2-1. Grace Shaw scored both goals for the Huskies.

All three goals in the contest came within a four-minute stretch in the first half. The 2-1 lead for Michigan Tech would hold for the game, as neither team was able to score in the second half. 

"It was a fight for the full 90 minutes and it shows how tough our conference is," Ozturk said. "The ball movement is great to see and that's what we want. Grace Shaw stepped up big time. She was very composed and could have even scored more after some unlucky bounces."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech men's cross country finished seventh while women's cross country came in 13th amongst a 24-team field at the Lewis Crossover race Saturday (Oct. 9) at Lewis Cross Country Course in Romeoville, Illinois.

Clayton Sayen led the men, finishing sixth with a time of 24:42.30. Drew Kolodge crossed in 30th position (25:35.00), followed by Tucker Ringhand (44th - 25:50.10), Nick McKenzie (49th - 25:52.70) and Samuel Lange (56th - 25:59.30).

Sam Kurkowski led the women with a 41st finish in 23:15.6. Michelle Bollini (77th - 23:52.20), Chloe Strach (89th - 24:04.30) and Ingrid Halverson (93rd - 24:10.00) rounded out the Huskies' top four. Miranda Meyers came in 98th (24:15.10), fifth-best on the squad, racing on back-to-back weekends.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech's hockey team earned a nonconference sweep at No. 13 Wisconsin to open their 2021-22 season.

The Huskies started with a 5-2 victory on Friday (Oct. 8), scoring four goals in the second period. Logan Pietila had two goals and an assist while Alec Broetzman also had three points.

"It was an enjoyable game with a lot of pace," coach Joe Shawhan said. "A lot of the top teams we're going to have to beat this season play with pace, and that's been a focus in the preseason. I liked the speed of the game and the way our guys played with that speed and pressure."

The Huskies completed the sweep with a 5-1 victory Saturday (Oct. 9) at the Kohl Center. Five different Huskies scored as Tech swept the Badgers in Madison for the first time since January 1974.

"I thought the guys played really well," Shawhan said. "I was happy with the way we played in the fourth period on the weekend, the first period tonight, by scoring three. I was happy with the third period also. We controlled play and kept everything to the outside. The one goal they got was pretty fluky."

Read more and watch game highlights at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Drew Wyble kicked a 26-yard field goal as time expired to lift Michigan Tech football over Wayne State 30-27 at Tom Adams Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 9).

Quarterback Will Ark commanded a 14-play, 76-yard final drive to put the Huskies in position to win.

"I thought our kids just kept battling in what we knew was going to be a tough game," said head coach Steve Olson. "We knew in a game like this on the road, we were going to have to overcome adversity. We deserved to win today because we kept fighting and never gave up on it. I'm really proud of the effort of our players. There were a lot of big plays made on both sides of the ball and we made the key plays at the crucial moments."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The Michigan Tech volleyball team swept Northern Michigan Saturday (Oct. 9) at the SDC Gym.

The Huskies won 27-25, 25-13 and 25-18 to pick up their 10th sweep of the season in their seventh straight victory.

"I'm always glad to win and always glad to win against Northern," coach Matt Jennings said. "It's a great rivalry and they're a good team. We were the better team today, and I'm certainly pleased with the win."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech men's basketball is hosting a Basketball Raffle Fundraiser on Oct. 30 from 7-9 p.m. at Bonfire Steakhouse's banquet hall in Houghton, 408 E. Montezuma Ave.

Proceeds will help the team fund a trip to Greece next August. This special event includes dinner with current players and coaches, as well as a silent auction, reverse raffle drawing and other games featuring a myriad of exciting prizes. Attendees will also be treated to a presentation previewing all things Huskies basketball in 2021-22.

Tickets must be purchased by Oct. 23.

Read more about sponsorship and ticket options — and find out where to buy tickets — at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Face Coverings Required in Classrooms, Labs, Library

Michigan Tech remains at Health and Safety Level Two. Face coverings are required in certain locations — classrooms and laboratories during classes and lab courses, and in the library — and may also be required during instructors' office hours. In all other settings, face coverings are encouraged but not required. 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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Deadline Soon: Spring 2022 PHF Graduate Assistantship Applications

Applications for Spring 2022 Portage Health Foundation (PHF) Graduate Assistantships are due to the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 19). Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online.

Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

1. Must be a PhD student conducting a research or outreach project that will promote and/or improve the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Ontonagon communities.
2. Must be a PhD candidate at the time of application.
3. Must be two years after starting the graduate program at the time of application.
4. Must not be a prior recipient of a PHF Graduate Assistantship.

Preference will be given to applicants with longstanding local connections to Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, or Ontonagon County.

Priority will be given to students originally from Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, or Ontonagon County. Nonresident students and international students are encouraged to apply if their health research is applicable to the health needs of and job shortages in our local community (obesity research, rural health, medical informatics, drug delivery and lab testing, physical therapy, etc.).

These assistantships are available through the generosity of the Portage Health Foundation. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD talent in health-oriented research areas. Applicants should be a catalyst for promoting and improving the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Ontonagon communities through one of the following:

• Health research and technology development.
• Health education or preventive and wellness initiatives.
• Rural health care access, informatics and assessment of care.

Students who receive full support through a PHF Graduate Assistantship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a PHF Graduate Assistantship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

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VPR Research Series: DEIS in Research Proposals

Join us as we present the next session of the VPR Research Series, titled "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Sense of Belonging (DEIS) in Research Proposals: How the Power of DEIS Promotes Winning Proposal Writing."

This virtual presentation will be led by the offices of the associate vice president for research development and the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Michigan Tech ADVANCE Initiative.

The session will be held today (Oct. 12) from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom.

Increasingly, research sponsors require proposal writers to describe the impact of their research beyond the project team, their laboratories, their universities and their discipline(s). For example, the National Science Foundation (NSF) uses “broader impacts” as one of its two review criteria.

In this session, we’ll explore how leveraging the power of diversity, equity, inclusion and a sense of belonging (DEIS) can promote activities that benefit society, broaden the impact of research and contribute to a winning proposal. We’ll explore institutional resources, partnerships and best practices, and also share examples from researchers about their experiences with DEIS initiatives.

A Q&A session will follow the presentation for attendees to engage with the presenters to dig deeper into specific topics of interest.

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More Info: Fall 2021 Flu Shot Clinics

Michigan Tech, in collaboration with UP Health System-Portage, is holding on-campus Flu Shot Clinics this month. The next flu clinic is today (Oct. 12) from 4-6 p.m. at the SDC Ice Arena Balcony.

A few things to remember for this year’s clinics:

• There's no need to make an appointment — all flu shot clinics are walk-in friendly.
• Have a valid copy of your insurance card (or a very clear picture of the front and back of the card) with you when you arrive.
• Fill out the 2021 Influenza Vaccination Authorization Form before you arrive.
• At all flu shot clinics, practice social distancing and wear a face covering. If you don’t feel well, please stay home and plan to attend a future clinic.
• Flu shots are $40 for those who do not have insurance (payable by cash, check or credit card).

The dates of the remaining October flu clinics are:

• Tuesday, Oct. 12 — SDC Ice Arena Balcony, 4-6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 19 — Rozsa Lobby, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 28 — Rozsa Lobby, 4-6 p.m.

Full details can be found by visiting The Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being web page, and questions can be directed to Whitney Boroski at wmborosk@mtu.edu.

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Café Français

Please join us today (Oct. 12) from 5-6 p.m. in the Walker Arts and Humanities Center (Walker), Room 120C, for an hour of laid-back Francophone setting with French natives and other Francophiles. All levels welcome.

Upcoming Café Français dates: Oct. 26, Nov. 9, and Dec. 7.

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

Hyperconnection: A New Series by Tiffany Lange

Tuesday, October 12, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Gallery: A-Space

Tiffany Lange’s newest series “Hyperconnection”, examines overstimulation and anxiousness through abstraction. After a year of increased screen time during quarantine and...

Cori Champagne: "Apparel for the Anthropocene"

Tuesday, October 12, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | U. J. Noblet Forestry Building, Upper Atrium

Apparel for the Anthropocene is presented by the Institute for Policy, Ethics and Culture at Michigan Technological University from October 10-31 in the Upper Atrium of the...

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

Tuesday, October 12, 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...

DEIS in Research: How the Power of Diversity Promotes Winning Proposals

Tuesday, October 12, 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

VPR Research Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Sense of Belonging (DEIS) in Research Proposals: How the Power of DEIS Promotes Winning Proposal Writing Join us as...

Flu Shot Clinic

Tuesday, October 12, 4 p.m.–6 p.m. | SDC Ice Arena Balcony

Open Rock Climbing

Tuesday, October 12, 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...