January 5, 2022

The winners of the annual Making A Difference Awards will be announced and the awards will be presented at a reception from 2-3:30 p.m. today (Jan. 5) in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Everyone is invited, and those unable to attend in person are invited to watch the ceremony on Zoom.

A total of 36 nominations have been submitted and winners will be announced in seven categories:

Above and Beyond
Behind the Scenes
Legacy Award
Outstanding Leader
Rookie Award
Serving Others
Unsung Hero

Each award recipient will receive $500. A list of nominees is available on the Staff Council website.

The Panopto-Huskycast video platform will be unavailable Saturday (Jan. 8) beginning at approximately 9 p.m. due to a vendor-scheduled system upgrade. The downtime could last up to four hours. During this time, users will not be able to access or view recordings, and any attempts to upload new videos will result in a "Server unable to connect" message.

Contact Michigan Tech IT at it-help@mtu.edu or 906-487-1111 if you have questions about this outage.

The Michigan Tech Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC) is sponsoring a lecture by Benjamin C. Lok of the University of Florida, to be presented Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. in Kanwal and Ann Rekhi Hall (Rekhi), Room 214. The lecture can also be attended virtually via Zoom. 

Lok is a professor and director of the Virtual Experiences Research Group (VERG) at the University of Florida. His main research areas are human-centered computing and graphics and visualization. His interests include virtual environments (virtual humans, interaction, rendering, avatars and real-world applications) and human-computer interaction (interacting with digital characters, virtual worlds and 3D interfaces).

Read more on the Institute of Computing and Cybersystems Blog.

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering candidate Madhur Jagtap (ECE) will defend their doctoral dissertation Tuesday (Jan. 11) at 3 p.m. in the Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC), Room 501. Attendance is also invited via Zoom.

The title of Jagtap's dissertation is "Impacts of Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC) on Power System."

Jagtap is advised by Bruce Mork.

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering candidate Pranav Nair (ECE) will hold their master's defense Tuesday (Jan. 11) at 9 a.m. in the R. L. Smith Building (MEEM), Room 111.

The title of Nair's defense is "Hardware In the Loop Implementation and Simulations of a Wave Energy Converter using Typhoon HIL and Speedgoat."

Nair is advised by Wayne Weaver and Glen Archer.

The Michigan Tech hockey team is ranked No. 20 in this week's DCU/USCHO.com Top 20 Poll. The Huskies are 10-8-1 overall this season and 7-5 in the CCHA, positioning themselves at No. 3 in the conference standings.

Tech has received votes in all 13 USCHO polls this season. The Huskies were ranked No. 16 on Oct. 11, and No. 18 for three weeks from Oct. 18 to Nov. 1, and No. 18 again on Dec. 13.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Research by Kristin Brzeski (CFRES) into red wolf DNA within the Galveston Island wolf population was the subject of a New York Times feature article.

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 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 on Campus

Testing on Michigan Tech's campus concluded for the fall 2021 semester on Dec. 16. 

For COVID-19 testing during winter break, please reach out to a local health care provider to schedule a test. You do not need to have a preexisting relationship with the health care provider in order to get tested.

Local sites offering COVID-19 testing can be found using the state of Michigan's Find a Test Site web page.

More COVID-19 Testing Information for the Michigan Tech community is available on the MTU Flex website.

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Lakeshore Center Parking Notice

The City of Houghton will be removing the covers over the parking area east of the Subway parking deck this week (Jan. 3-7). These 28 spots will not be available for Michigan Tech employees during this time.

Michigan Tech permit holders who typically park in that covered area and the very next adjacent spots (so that the workers have some clearance) are asked to park in other available Lakeshore Center designated Michigan Tech spots. If none are available you may park in the following areas:

• The lot immediately south of Dee Stadium along Lakeshore Drive
• The outdoor portion of the Subway parking deck, which is accessed from Shelden Avenue. (There are stairs inside the garage portion which go down to the level behind the City Center.)

If, for some reason, someone cannot find parking at the Dee or on the Subway deck, please call Polly at the Houghton Police Department at 906-487-5912.

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Applications Open: NSF CyberCorps Scholarships

Students interested in jump-starting their cybersecurity career are invited to apply now for Michigan Tech’s 2022-23 cohort of cybersecurity scholars. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1.

This generous CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (SFS) opportunity provides up to three years of tuition and an annual stipend to Michigan Tech students. Then, following completion of your degree, you’ll work in a cybersecurity-related position for a federal, state, local or tribal agency for up to three years — a period equal to the length of your scholarship.

See full guidelines, requirements and application information on the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service website.

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Michigan Concealed Pistol License Courses

Registration is now open for Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) courses at MTU this spring! This Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO) course is the course you must take to get your Michigan CPL. It is the premier course in the state of Michigan and covers what you need to know to carry a loaded weapon safely in open spaces.

Registrants will receive a copy of the course material on the day of class. No experience is necessary. Minimum age is 20 years old. Individuals will be responsible for supplying their own ammunition (100 rounds). There will be a firearms proficiency test and a written test that must be passed to complete the course.

COURSE DATES AND COST:

• Saturday, Jan. 15 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 19 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, March 26 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Choose one course date. Cost is $150 per person with your own equipment and $185 per person with rental equipment (9mm pistol). Class sizes are limited.

Register now!

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Faculty Mentors Needed for MiCUP Scholars Program

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) is seeking faculty to serve as mentors for the 2021 MiCUP Scholars Program. This program targets low-income, underrepresented, first-generation students who wish to continue their education beyond community college — with a focus on STEM disciplines.

The 2021 MiCUP program offers a seven-week summer experience (May 10 to June 25) that addresses the opportunities and challenges students face as they pursue a bachelor’s degree. Faculty mentors in the program will assist students with research projects in engineering, technology, business, computer science and health sciences.

All faculty interested in facilitating undergraduate research with MiCUP program participants should contact Christopher Sanders or call 906-487-2920. More information about the MiCUP program can be found on the CDI web page.

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Staff Council, Making a Difference Awards

Wednesday, January 5, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Ballroom

Ceremony to recognize deserving staff members nominated for one of the following categories: Rookie Award, Serving Others, Outstanding Leader, Behind the Scenes, Above and...