January 25, 2022

We are thrilled to announce the competition for the first annual Frank Chernosky Campus Climate Ambassador Award, an alumni-funded award that will support the development of Michigan Tech undergraduate students into the climate change leaders of tomorrow.

Frank Chernosky was a former professor and advisor at Michigan Tech. Chernosky, an early advocate for sustainability principles, impacted many students before dying tragically from a rare form of heart cancer in 1971. This award in his name consists of three forms of student support: a partial tuition scholarship, funds for professional development and/or applied work, and a formal mentorship by campus and/or external professionals. Please encourage all eligible undergraduate students to apply.

The award for 2022-23 will be $8,000 — a scholarship amount of $6,400 spread over fall and spring semesters, and a professional development and applied work fund of up to $1,600 to be used by August 2023. Awardees will also receive active mentorship from campus and/or external professionals to help them develop networks and skills for their future work. The overall timetable for the award is flexible to accommodate opportunities such as a co-op or internship. Applicants and award recipients will solidify the details on the timing of the award, as well as the nature of mentorship and professional development, through the application process and dialogue with the committee.

To be considered, an applicant must be a full-time undergraduate student at Michigan Tech with the equivalent of at least three semesters of full-time enrollment at MTU by the fall of 2022. They must also have a minimum of two semesters of coursework remaining, though there is potential for flexibility to accommodate an internship or co-op into the award timeframe.

Full details of the award and a link to the application are available on the Michigan Tech Sustainability Blog.

Join us Thursday (Jan. 27) from 7-8 p.m. for the COVID-19 Community Town Hall. Town Hall moderators Steven Elmer and Kelly Kamm (HRI/KIP) will be joined by several guests who will provide information on COVID-19 and the latest omicron surge.

Organized by the Health Research Institute at Michigan Tech, the 60-minute town hall broadcast can be heard live at 7 p.m. on local radio stations 97.7 The Wolf (WOLV-FM) and Q107 (WMQT-FM) or viewed through a Zoom webinar and Facebook Live. The town hall can also be viewed on ABC 10 on Sunday (Jan. 30) at noon.

For more information, past broadcasts and webinar links, visit the COVID-19 Town Hall Series website.

The Pavlis Honors College announces the 10th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, to take place March 25 in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts lobby. Save the date!

The symposium will highlight the cutting-edge research conducted on Michigan Tech’s campus by some of our best and brightest undergraduates. The students represent a wide array of scientific and engineering disciplines from across campus and highlight the diversity of research areas being explored. Visit the Undergraduate Research Symposium website for more information regarding abstract submission.

Abstract submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 7. Encourage your undergraduate student researchers to participate in this opportunity as a means to display their work and gain presentation experience. The symposium coincides with Tech's Preview Day and is a great way to share the exciting research projects going on across campus with high school students considering attending Michigan Tech. We encourage all faculty, staff and students to attend and support our excellent undergraduate researchers.

Questions can be directed to honors@mtu.edu.

Starting today (Jan. 25), 2021 electronic W-2s are available on Banweb for all employees who have consented to receive an electronic copy. Paper W-2 forms will be mailed out on or before Jan. 31.

If you would like to receive an electronic copy of your W-2, it's not too late. Log into Banweb and click the Employees box, then Tax Forms, and then select Electronic Consent (W-2 and 1095-C). Click the box under My Choice and next to "Consent to receive W-2 electronically," then click Submit.

Questions can be directed to Payroll Services or call 906-487-2130.

Many thanks to all who attended and participated in the Research Day 2022 sessions Jan. 6. Recordings of the sessions are now available on the Research Day website.

Any participant who has not yet left feedback on the day's sessions is encouraged to do so using the online anonymous feedback form.

Café Français is resuming its activities for spring 2022!

Please join us today (Jan. 25) from 5-6 p.m. in Walker 120C for an hour of laid-back Francophone setting with French natives and other Francophiles. All levels welcome.

Future Café Français dates (every second Tuesday): Feb. 8, Feb. 22, March 15 and April 12.

Upper Peninsula high school science teachers and parents/guardians: We would like to invite your students and children to compete at the 2022 Chemistry Olympiad (online).

Chemistry Olympiad 2022 is an online chemistry competition open to all high school students from any U.P. school or home school. It will be held March 14 from 6:30-8:20 p.m. ET.

Participation is free! Sign up on the Google form by Feb. 28.

All participants will receive a participation gift and be entered in a drawing for prizes. Participation certificates will be available on request.

Top scorers will receive a medal and a prize, and will also have the opportunity to participate in the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (also online).

The U.P. Chemistry Olympiad is hosted by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and Michigan Technological University. Please contact coordinator Momoko Tajiri at mtajiri@mtu.edu with any questions!

On Jan. 23, students gathered in the Rozsa for the 16th annual Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards Ceremony. In addition to the many student awards presented, Order of Omega, the Greek Life Honor Society that coordinates the awards, took the time to recognize some exceptional faculty and staff members.

Nominations were written by individual students and were supported by an entire fraternity or sorority. There are more than 525 students in fraternities and sororities at Michigan Tech, and Order of Omega wanted to emphasize that these awards were coming directly from the students.

Congratulations to all of these faculty and staff members who were nominated and thank you for inspiring and motivating students.

Outstanding Faculty Award
Students were asked to consider faculty who are dedicated to supporting students and helping them succeed academically; demonstrate a passion for teaching and/or research; utilize innovative teaching methods; and promote academic integrity among students.

Nominees: Adam Wellstead (SS), Kelly Kamm (KIP) and Yu Cai (AC).

Winner: Kelly Kamm.

Outstanding Staff Award
Students were asked to consider staff who are dedicated to supporting students and helping them succeed both inside and outside the classroom; demonstrate a passion for working with students; and promote and inspire the Michigan Tech Values of Community, Scholarship, Possibilities, Accountability and Tenacity.

Nominees: Joe Cooper (Financial Services), Laura Putwen (Community Conduct), Nicole Seigneurie (Pre-Health) and Rochelle Spencer (SLI).

Winner: Joe Cooper.

Outstanding Advisor Award
Students were asked to consider staff/faculty who are dedicated to promoting the Michigan Tech Greek community values and chapter values, developing leaders within the chapter, and promoting a values-based organization; and who promote and role model ethical leadership and academic success among members and the chapter as a whole.

Nominees: Carol Petrelius, Ellen Horsch, James Schmierer (CFRES) and Joe Cooper (Financial Services).

Winner: Joe Cooper.

The Office of Continuous Improvement is offering the following virtual Lean workshops to Michigan Tech employees:

• Introduction to Lean — Feb. 23, 9 a.m. to noon
  Learn basic Lean concepts and methods you might encounter on the job.
  
  
• Finding the Source of the Problem: Root Cause Analysis and Decision Making Tools — March 30, 9 a.m. to noon
  Practice several fun tools for exploring the how, what and why of the gap between how things are and how you want them to be, brainstorming possible causes and using decision-making tools to select the most likely root cause to pursue.
  
  
• Countermeasures: Solving Common Problems using Lean Methods and Tools — May 4, 9 a.m. to noon
  Explore several Lean methods and tools that are used as countermeasures for common workplace problems.

See workshop descriptions and register to participate by completing our brief Upcoming Michigan Tech Lean Courses form. Once registered, we'll add you to a calendar event for the course. This workshop will be taught virtually using Zoom and Miro. There will be a brief pre-work assignment before the workshop, and you'll receive a certificate after completing a post-work assignment.

These three workshops are part of the Lean Basics five-workshop series. If you complete all five workshops in the series, we’ll award you a Lean White Belt certificate! For more information, email improvement@mtu.edu.

Michigan Tech hockey is hosting Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night on Friday (Jan. 28) sponsored by the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) Institutional Financial Services.

The Huskies are hosting Bemidji State at 7:07 p.m. Friday at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 125 Michigan Tech faculty and staff who sign up.

Please call the SDC Central Ticket Office at 906-487-2073 or visit BuyHuskiesTickets.com and enter the coupon code TIAATix on the payment screen to request your ticket by Thursday (Jan. 27) at 5 p.m. One free ticket per faculty or staff member is available and additional tickets can be purchased online or by phone.

Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night is organized to say thank you to our faculty and staff, who have a direct impact on our academic success and continue to support us on and off the playing surface. We realize that academics go hand-in-hand with college athletics, and we take great pride in excelling in both areas at Michigan Tech. 

Please email tickets@mtu.edu or call 906-487-2073 with any questions.

Tuesday (Jan. 25)
• Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ

Thursday (Jan. 27)
• Women's Basketball vs. Northwood, 5:30 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ
• Men's Basketball vs. Northwood, 7:30 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ

Friday (Jan. 28)
• Hockey vs. Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m. at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Mix 93 WKMJ

Saturday (Jan. 29)
• Nordic Skiing hosts CCSA MTU Invite & GLD CXC Cup (Tech Trails)
• Hockey vs. Bemidji State, 6:07 p.m. at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Mix 93 WKMJ
• Skate With The Huskies, after the hockey game

Sunday (Jan. 30)
• Nordic Skiing hosts CCSA MTU Invite & GLD CXC Cup (Tech Trails)

Ellie Mackay picked up her first double-double of the season with 21 points, 10 rebounds to help Michigan Tech to victory over Davenport University 86-75 on Jan. 22 on Alumni Day at the SDC Gymnasium.

The Huskies led by as many as 31 points in the third quarter before a comeback effort by the Panthers fell short.

Alex Rondorf was effective with 20 points (7-for-10). Sara Dax (12 points, six rebounds) and Daisy Ansel (11 points, two blocks) also made it to double figures.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Eric Carl led the Huskies from the 3-point arc and Trent Bell notched his fourth double-double as Michigan Tech defeated Davenport 73-61 at SDC Gymnasium on Jan. 22.

Carl went 4-for-5 from long range and 7-for-9 from the floor for 18 points, along with six rebounds. Bell totaled 18 points and 16 rebounds with a team-high five steals as the Huskies maintained the lead through the second half to move to 11-5, 7-3 GLIAC, snapping a two-game losing skid.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The Michigan Tech Nordic ski teams kicked off their CCSA portion of the schedule at the Mt. Itasca CXC Cup. The women earned a team win on the weekend while the men placed second.

"We're proud of the start that we had this weekend in the CCSA," Tech coach Tom Monahan Smith said. "We'll be able to build on this and carry that confidence into our home weekend."

Read more and see where individual skiers placed at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The makeup dates for the Michigan Tech versus Northern Michigan home-and-home series have been set by the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

Michigan Tech will host Northern Michigan next Tuesday (Feb. 1) at 6:07 p.m. at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton, televised on NBC TV6 (WLUC).

Northern Michigan will host Michigan Tech the following Tuesday (Feb. 8) at 6:37 p.m. at the Berry Events Center in Marquette, televised on FOX UP (WLUC-2).

The series, originally scheduled for Jan. 21 and 22, was postponed due to health and safety precautions within Northern Michigan's hockey program.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Caryn Heldt (ChE/HRI) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that received a $4,375,000 research and development grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

This project is titled "Genomic Surveillance and Epidemiology in the Upper Peninsula."

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Todd Ontl (CFRES/ESC) is the PI on a project that has received a $49,950 research and development grant from Pennsylvania State University.

This four-year project is titled "Forest Owner Carbon and Climate Education Program (FOCCE)."

Nathir Rawashdeh (AC) is the lead author of a paper published in the Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance.

The paper, titled “In situ Passive Infrared Thermography Application for the Assessment of Localized Mechanical Properties of Tungsten Inert Gas-Welded Inconel 625 Alloys,” presents an experimental approach for utilizing passive infrared thermography and tensile testing to evaluate the correlation between thermal and localized TIG-welded Inconel 625 joints’ mechanical properties.

Anas M. Atieh and Diala Bani Mostafa, both of German Jordanian University, are co-authors.

Read an abstract on the Computing News Blog.

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 make choices to protect themselves, such as getting vaccinated, wearing high-filtration face coverings, and practicing enhanced sanitation and physical distancing where possible — especially in light of the increased transmissibility of the COVID-19 omicron 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 spring 2022 semester.

Testing is available every week in the Rozsa Center basement Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no cost to be tested, and no appointment is needed. 

The consent form is now online and can be completed anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the day of your visit.

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

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Virtual Talk: Project Implicit

ADVANCE at Michigan Tech will be hosting a virtual session on implicit bias (defined below) presented by Sylvia Perry, associate professor of psychology at Northwestern University from Project Implicit, tomorrow (Jan. 26) from noon to 1:30 p.m.

The objectives of the education session are to raise awareness of our biases; to explore how researchers measure and understand identity-based biases; and to provide actionable steps that we can take to prevent and mitigate the impact of biases.

We invite you to join us for this important discussion about how hidden biases we carry from a lifetime of exposure to cultural attitudes and stereotypes may be influencing our decisions and leading to unintended consequences.

Implicit bias is an automatic reaction we have toward other people. These attitudes and stereotypes can negatively impact our understanding, actions and decision-making. The idea that we can hold prejudices we don’t want or consciously believe was quite radical when it was first introduced, and the fact that people may discriminate unintentionally
continues to have implications for understanding disparities in so many aspects of society, including but not limited to health care, policing and education, as well as organizational practices like hiring and promotion.

Please register to attend.

After you register, if you would like a free copy of "Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People," written by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald, please email ADVANCE at advance-mtu@mtu.edu and let us know if you want a physical copy or an e-book.

Please disregard the QR code on the postcards and use the link in this announcement.

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

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 their defense, formatting their documents and submitting their documents. In one afternoon, you can learn everything you need to be successful and complete your degree in a timely fashion. Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend. Attend the entire event, or stop in for the seminar that interests you.

Seminar information:

• Submission and Formatting 101: Master the Dissertation, Thesis and Report Process
  • Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2-4 p.m., MUB Ballroom A
  • See a detailed schedule on our blog.
  • Register to attend and receive participation instructions.
  • Register to receive handouts via email or attend online. The seminar will be available online as well as on campus.

If you are unable to join us, the event will be taped and available online after the event. The previous semester’s seminars are always available online.

Information on submitting, formatting and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

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Public Forum: Sustainability Strategic Planning at Michigan Tech

The Office of Sustainability and Resilience invites you to participate in a public forum as part of a strategic planning process to develop campus sustainability goals that will lead us into the future.

The forum will take place in the MUB Alumni Lounge on Thursday (Jan. 27). To maximize participation, there will be two back-to-back “identical” 75-minute sessions, one from 4-5:15 p.m. and another from 5:30-6:45 p.m.

Director of Sustainability Alan Turnquist will begin each session with a brief overview of the motivations, process and draft framework before facilitating a discussion. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to broader visioning and provide specific comments on targets and timelines in the draft framework.

There are other opportunities for public input, including a second public forum planned for April 15 from 4-7 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge. There is also Google form on the MTU sustainability website where anyone with an @mtu address can comment throughout the semester.

Please send any questions or comments to sustainability@mtu.edu.

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New Resources to Support Employee Well-Being and Behavioral, Mental Health

Michigan Tech is excited to announce that through our partnership with Northstar Employee Assistance Program (EAP), benefits-eligible employees have access to additional resources to support their well-being, behavioral health and mental health.

In addition to the eight free, confidential counseling sessions available annually through Northstar EAP, Michigan Tech benefits-eligible employees now have access to Tess and MyLifeExpert Self-Service Portal.

Tess is a new text-for-support service offered by Northstar EAP. Simply text the phone number and start your mental health journey today. Instantly available on a 24/7 basis, Tess is confidential and provides healthy coping exercises customized to what you are encountering. Text "Hi" to 906-208-4204 to begin your conversation with Tess today!

The MyLifeExpert Self-Service Portal is Northstar EAP's work/life portal, which gives employees access to thousands of up-to-date, topic-related articles, videos, podcasts, calculators, interactive checklists, webinars and more.

For more information about Northstar EAP, Tess or the MyLifeExpert Self-Service Portal, check out the Benefits website.

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YAF Hosting Leadership Training

Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) is hosting leadership training presented by The Leadership Institute on Saturday (Jan. 29). This free training is open to students, faculty, staff and the local community.

Two identical trainings sessions will be offered in DOW 642 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. These three-hour workshops will cover:

• Recruitment — Finding your people.
• Communication — Developing a winning message.
• Leadership — Learning to lead.
• Campaign — Mobilizing your vote.
• Activism — Activating your campus.

Registration is required to participate:
Register for the 10 a.m. session.
Register for the 2 p.m. session.

Questions can be addressed to YAF adviser Lynn Artman at laartman@mtu.edu or 906-370-5221.

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IKEA Session Added to Husky Innovation Week

Today (Jan. 25) from 10:30-11:30 a.m., IKEA will join the Husky Innovation Week lineup with a short virtual discussion highlighting how they innovate when faced with the challenges of the modern age.

Jukka Vornanen, global wood supply manager, Ikea of Sweden, in Älmhult, Sweden, will present IKEA’s philosophy and the big ideas that are moving IKEA forward. Vornanen will talk about collaboration with Tech to offer student internships and co-ops. Erin Syth, institute manager of IPEC, and Cody Kangas, director of corporate relations, will moderate the discussion.

Registration is required. Please register to attend.

At this discussion, you will: 

• Find out how wood, a commonly used material of the past, is being imagined for a new future at IKEA.
• Hear more about how IKEA works with its Democratic Design process.
• Learn what the Forest Positive Agenda for 2030 means and how it is part of the IKEA vision.
• See student co-op opportunities abroad in Sweden offered at the 2022 Michigan Tech Career Fair.

From the IKEA website: “Democratic Design is a tool we use when we develop and evaluate the products we put into our range. It has five dimensions, which are function, form, quality, sustainability and low price. When there is a balance between all five, we consider that the design is democratic.”

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

Husky Innovate Talk with Jukka Vornanen, Global Wood Supply Manager, IKEA of Sweden

Tuesday, January 25, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

IKEA session added to Innovation Week! On January 25th from 10:30 -11:30 am, IKEA will join the Innovation Week line-up with a short virtual discussion highlighting how they...

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Campus Master Plan Town Hall

Tuesday, January 25, 12 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Ballroom B&C

Town Hall to present and discuss the draft 'Final' Campus Master Plan

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Career Fair Prep and Personal Introductions

Tuesday, January 25, 12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

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Rebuilding our National Transportation Infrastructure: Opportunities, Challenges, and Pathways Through the Construction Materials Testing Industry.

Tuesday, January 25, 1 p.m.–2 p.m.

CEGE Alumni Speaker Series Dr. Baron Colbert, Senior Engineer, Alta Vista Solutions Abstract: A long-awaited transportation infrastructure bill passed the US Senate in...

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PSERC Webinar with Chee-Wooi Ten

Tuesday, January 25, 2 p.m.

Power Systems Engineering Research Center (PSERC) presents Chee-Wooi Ten Michigan Technological University on Strategic investment planning for cyberinfrastructure...

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PhD Defense: Darud E Sheefa

Tuesday, January 25, 3 p.m.–4 p.m.

Civil Engineering Advisor: Brian Barkdoll Salt Water Intrusion in Water Distribution Systems: Analysis, Solution, and Eco-Efficiency Attend Virtually:...

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CTL: Inclusive STEM Teaching Kickoff

Tuesday, January 25, 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.

Tuesday January 25, 2022 at 3:30PM https://mtu.libcal.com/event/8742279

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Youth Indoor Rock Climbing Spring 2022 Session 1

Tuesday, January 25, 4:00 p.m.–4:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Climbing Wall

Is your child looking for a new challenge? Sign up now for the OAP Youth Indoor Rock Climbing Class and let them climb our wall! We try to meet each participant at their level...

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Adult Huskies Swim Lessons Spring 2022 Session 1

Tuesday, January 25, 5:30 p.m.–6:20 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons provides aquatic education for the beginner to the intermediate swimmer who is looking to become more comfortable in the water and learn the...

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Adult Huskies Swim Training Spring 2022 Session 1

Tuesday, January 25, 5:30 p.m.–6:20 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Training provides additional attention and competitive guidance to swimmers ages 18 and older who are looking to improve their swimming skills and fitness...

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Innovation Week Presents: Unboxed Challenges - Treasure Hunt with Jannah Tumey

Tuesday, January 25, 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. | Michigan Tech Campus, Wadsworth Hall

Michigan Tech Innovator, Jannah Tumey, Assistant Director of the Center for Educational Outreach, developed Unboxed Challenges™, an innovative approach to the escape room...

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HuskyLEAD: Leadership Styles and When to Use Them

Tuesday, January 25, 6 p.m.–7 p.m. | Memorial Union Building Alumni Lounge A

Visionary Leadership, Servant Leadership, Transformational Leadership - you've likely heard these words, but do you understand what each means? There are many different...

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Lambda Chi Alpha RUSH event: NERF WAR

Tuesday, January 25, 6 p.m.–7 p.m. | Lambda Chi Alpha House

Come battle it out with the brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha at our semesterly NERF WAR! Bring your own nerf blasters or use ours; we'll split into two teams and battle it out in...

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Open Rock Climbing

Tuesday, January 25, 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...

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Open Log Rolling

Tuesday, January 25, 8:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Looking for something new for you or your child to stay active? Sign up now for the OAP Open Log Rolling and test your skills on the log! We try to meet each participant at...

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Virtual Husky Hangout

Tuesday, January 25, 9 p.m.

Join us for a virtual hangout tomorrow! Don't miss this opportunity to engage in fun activities, and meet other students that are considering becoming a Husky. You might even...