Jason Blough Named ME-EM's Interim Chair

Jason Blough has agreed to serve as interim chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM). He will officially start July 1, taking over from longstanding chair and faculty member Bill Predebon.

Blough, a professor in ME-EM, has a distinguished career and a thriving research group, and has acquired many honors in recognition of his work, including the honor of Michigan Tech Distinguished Professor in 2021. He is himself a ME-EM graduate, having earned both B.S. and M.S. degrees at Michigan Tech before going on to earn his doctoral degree at the University of Cincinnati.

Blough started his career in ME-EM as an assistant professor in 2003, and before that worked as a research professor at the Keweenaw Research Center. Over the past year, he served as both ME-EM's associate chair and director of Graduate Studies.

"I look forward to Dr. Blough becoming a member of the leadership team of the college and I am grateful for his willingness to serve ME-EM as interim chair," said Dean Janet Callahan.

Blough has been recognized for numerous contributions in teaching, research and service. He is a member of Michigan Tech’s Academy of Teaching Excellence and has received the SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award. He is identified as an international leader in the research area of noise, vibration and harshness, having received the Blue Ribbon Coalition Scientist of the Year Award (2006), the SEM DeMichele Award (2021) and the SAE Arch T. Colwell Merit Award (1997). He is also a Fellow of SAE (2021) and serves as a member of the SAE Snowmobile Committee, responsible for the development of the noise testing procedures used by the industry.

Blough also sits on the Scientific Board of ISMA, the International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering, at Katholieke University in Leuven, Belgium. He has published his research in numerous journals and peer-reviewed conference papers, and given over 30 short courses to industry. Additionally, Blough’s 100-plus funded projects total more than $3.7 million as principal investigator (PI) and $2.3 million as co-PI.

Extremely active in service, Blough has graduated both doctoral and master’s students, chaired an international conference in his field, served on boards, edited papers and journals, and advised Michigan Tech’s SAE student chapter and the SAE Clean Snowmobile Enterprise team for over 15 years. SAE has recognized him multiple times as an outstanding faculty advisor.

Michigan Tech Offering USGBC LEED Green Associate Training

Students, faculty members and staff at Michigan Tech are invited to enroll in two workshops that will prepare you to take the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate exam.

LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework to design, construct and operate healthy, highly efficient, cost-saving green buildings.

The prep will be held on campus in two sessions led by a founding member of the USGBC — Michigan Tech alumnus Joe Azzarello '78. 

Azzarello will teach on campus in two five-hour sessions, from 12-5 p.m. March 20 and March 27 in Chem Sci 211. Those who cannot attend in person can attend via Zoom. Cost for materials and course is $80. Learn more and register online.

Azzarello has led LEED training workshops throughout the United States, Mexico, South America, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam. 

“Attendees will be well-trained in what to study for the exam to become accredited as a LEED Green Associate,” says Azzarello. “Then they must register, take and pass the LEED GA exam online at a later date in order to receive accreditation.”

There is no need for a college degree. “Literally anyone can take the course if they can read, memorize some information, and add and subtract,” he says.

The USGBC LEED Green Associate exam measures general knowledge of green building practices and how to support others working on LEED projects. “The exam is ideal for those new to green building. It’s an accreditation that can enhance your current endeavors, and also open doors to new career opportunities,” Azzarello explains. “LEED accreditation is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.”

Depending on interest, Azzarello may offer more LEED training to Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff. After attaining the LEED GA certificate, the next step is the LEED Accredited Professional exam for individuals who actively work on green building and LEED projects.

Azzarello earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1978 and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering in 1996 from Wayne State University. He is an adjunct instructor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and serves as advisor to Michigan Tech’s Alternative Energy Enterprise team.

Student Ceramics Featured in Rozsa Lobby

The Rozsa Galleries are please to announce the opening of a Student Ceramic Showcase in the Rozsa Center Lobby. The featured works of art were created by students of Susie Kilpela (VPA).

Kilpela, who is retiring this year, organized the exhibit to showcase the diversity of work by her students. Over her time as an instructor at Michigan Tech, Kilpela's more than 900 students have completed more than 3,500 works of art. This collection highlights different techniques, forms and textures created during the past year.

Although the majority of Kilpela's students had no previous experience with clay, she is impressed by the incredible art they created, the amount of time they spent in the studio and their realization that they can be artistic. "I am proud of them!” she says.

The exhibit will be on display throughout the semester.

Summer 2022 Sports Camps

Registration for 2022 Michigan Tech Summer Sports Camps opens March 15 at 8 a.m. Details regarding schedules, prices and registration options are available on the Michigan Tech Recreation Sports Camps webpage.

Camps being offered this summer are:

Boys’ Basketball

  • Development Camp (grades 6-8)
  • High School Elite Camp (grades 9-12)
  • Huskies Team Shootout (varsity / JV)

Girls’ Basketball

  • Development Camp (grades 6-8)
  • High School Elite Camp (grades 9-12)
  • Huskies Team Shootout (varsity / JV)

Hockey

  • Group 1 (birth years 2013-2015)
  • Group 2 (birth years 2010-2012) — Live-in option available
  • Group 3 (birth years 2007-2009) — Live-in option available

Mountain Biking

  • Junior Mountain Biking (for cyclists ages 13 to 17) — Live-in option available

Figure Skating

  • Figure Skating School (open to all ages)

Girls' Soccer

  • College Soccer Identification Clinic (grades 9-12)

Volleyball

  • Little Huskies Camp (grades 1-5)
  • All-Skills Camp (grades 6-8)
  • All-Skills Camp (grades 9-12)
  • Boys' All-Skills Camp (grades 9-12)
  • Varsity Team Camp (grades 9-12)
  • Elite Prospects Camp (grades 10-12)

ADVANCE Celebrates Women's History Month

ADVANCE joins in the annual March celebration of women’s history. Complementing VPDI’s national focus, we look inward to Michigan Tech. We are planning a monthlong Twitter commemoration of the amazing women faculty and administrators who have contributed to Michigan Tech’s academic excellence. We will feature the first women faculty members at the Michigan School of Mines; the women professors and scientists who advanced our stature as a research university; and the women administrators who devoted themselves to realizing diversity and inclusion on our campus.

We invite you to send us the names of women faculty and staff who were part of the Michigan Tech academic community from the 1950s to the 1990s, along with any details you might know of their roles and lives.

Our Twitter tributes to these women contribute to the annual national celebration of women’s lives and achievements throughout the month of March. The recovery of women’s historic significance began in 1982 thanks to a joint resolution of Congress in the prior year authorizing the president to proclaim the first week in March as Women’s History Week. In 1987, this proclamation designated the entire month of March to women’s history — and every year since, the president has enjoined the nation “in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.”

PhD Defense: Chethan Reddy, ME-EM

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics candidate Chethan Reddy will present their doctoral defense at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow (March 4). This virtual defense will be held online only. Virtual attendance is invited via Zoom.

Reddy's thesis is titled "Model Predictive Control of Energy Systems for Heat and Power Applications."

Jack Rustman Hired as Football Offensive Line Coach

Michigan Tech Athletics has hired Jack Rustman as football offensive line coach. Rustman joins the Huskies from Concordia University (Chicago), where he served as offensive line/assistant head coach from 2019-21. He was also the program's offensive coordinator in 2021.

"We are excited to add Jack to our coaching staff," said head football coach Steve Olson. "He has great experience that he will bring to the table as an offensive line coach and as an offensive coordinator at Concordia University Chicago. In addition, his knowledge of recruiting in Southeastern Wisconsin and down into the Chicago area will be a great asset."

"I am excited to get back to the U.P. and be able to coach in one of the best conferences in Division II," Rustman said. "Michigan Tech has a rich history of tough, physical offensive lines and I am honored to continue that tradition."

Read more about Rustman at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Brian Halonen Named Forward of the Month

Michigan Tech's Brian Halonen has been named the CCHA Forward of February.

Halonen, a senior, led the Huskies with six goals during the month. He added eight assists for 14 points and tallied 45 shots on goal with a plus-nine rating. Halonen had points in nine of the 10 games, including four multipoint games. He became the 67th player in Tech history to reach the 100-point mark for his career on Feb. 11 and was named MVP of the annual Winter Carnival series on Feb. 12.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

New Funding

William Endres (ME-EM) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $69,375 research and development contract from Wayne State University.

The project is titled "Enhanced Two-phase Heat Exchanger for High Heat-Flux Devices."

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Yongchao Yang (ME-EM) is the PI on a project that has received a $69,375 research and development contract from the Wayne State University.

The project is titled "SUper-REsolution Acoustic Imaging (SURE-Al)."

Reminders

MTU is at Health and Safety Level One

Michigan Tech is at Health and Safety Level One. At Level One, face coverings are not required to be worn on campus. However, they continue to be encouraged.

Michigan Tech also continues to strongly recommend 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. 

If you are exposed to COVID-19, follow guidance for quarantine and isolation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

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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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Student Leadership Awards Nominations Reminder

There is still time to submit your nominations for the Student Leadership Awards! On behalf of the University, we are seeking nominations for the President's Award for Leadership, Dean of Students Award for Possibilities and the new William and Josephine Balconi Community Service Award, along with a variety of other awards to recognize the efforts and achievements of our Michigan Tech community.

The recipient of each award will be honored at the 28th annual Student Leadership Awards Ceremony at 6 p.m. April 15 in the Memorial Union Ballroom.

The nomination process is simple. All awards and their information can be found on the Student Leadership Awards webpage. For each individual award, click on the award title to read more about the award and its requirements, then complete and submit the nomination form.

Nominations for the President's Award for Leadership, Dean of Students Award for Possibilities, the new William and Josephine Balconi Community Service Award and the Percy Julian Award are due by noon tomorrow (March 4). Nominations for all other Student Leadership Awards are due by noon on March 18.

Questions concerning the awards can be directed to Student Leadership and Involvement at activities@mtu.edu or 7-1963. Take a minute to nominate a student or colleague today! Thank you in advance for supporting our recognition efforts and celebrating our University community.

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Physics Colloquium: Graduate Student Presentations

Physics graduate students will be presenting their research progress at this week's Physics Colloquium:

  • Seth Nelsonl (advised by Miguel Levy)
  • Oindabi Mukherjeel (advised by Robert Nemiroff)
  • Dharmendra Pant (advised by Ranjit Pati)

This will be a hybrid event — the students will give their talks at 4 p.m. today (March 3) in Fisher 139. Please join in person or by Zoom.

Please register in advance to attend virtually. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

Event details, along with the students' presentation titles and abstracts, can be found on the University Events Calendar.

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Husky Connect is Looking for Student Mentors!

The Husky Connect Mentorship Program is looking for student mentors for our Peer to Peer Mentoring Program. Mentors will help in aiding first-year incoming students during their transition to Michigan Tech and the surrounding community by providing direct support and resources that will increase students’ success, sense of belonging and engagement with the University.

Each mentor is assigned first-year student mentees to meet with during the summer before they begin their first fall semester. Husky Connect mentors receive compensation for the time they spend with their mentees.

If you know a student who would make an amazing mentor, suggest that they sign up and learn more at our website. Applications close tomorrow (March 4) at 5 p.m. For more information, visit our Husky Connect website or contact Ashley Curie at ancurie@mtu.edu

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Seminar: Mental Stress Pressor Response and Aortic Wave Reflection

Biological Sciences is hosting a presentation by Aditi P. Vyas from 3-4 p.m. today (March 3) via Zoom.

From the abstract:
Reactivity to mental stress has been linked to cardiovascular risk, and is shown to negatively influence aortic wave reflection for up to an hour after acute mental arithmetic. It has been postulated that sympathetic catecholamine release during stressful tasks drives the sustained elevation in wave reflection. In the study, they sought to determine how muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) reactivity influence post mental stress aortic augmentation index (AIx). Their results indicate that the aortic wave reflection responses to mental stress appears to be linked to the pressor response, but not sympathetic or perceived stress responses. This is novel preliminary data that suggests there may not be a direct link between sympathetic activation and aortic wave reflection following cognitive stress.

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Today's C-Cubed Luncheon Menu

Cajun Cuisine

  • Louisiana Sunburst Salad (Gluten Free, Vegetarian)
  • Garlic Cheddar Grits (Gluten Free, Vegetarian)
  • Vegan Jambalaya
  • Cajun Jambalaya (Andouille, Chicken)
  • Hushpuppies (Vegetarian)
  • New Orleans Remoulade Sauce (Gluten Free, Vegetarian)
  • Fried Catfish

Dining Services presents this week's C-Cubed Luncheon being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today (March 3) in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 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, MUB 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.

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ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker

The Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics' next graduate seminar speaker will present at 4 p.m. today (March 3) via Zoom.

Benji Maruyama will present “Speeding Research with Autonomous Experimentation.”

Maruyama is a principal materials research engineer in the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (RX). He is RX's liaison to the Autonomy and Capability Team (ACT3) and is also the autonomous materials lead for RX.

Read the abstract on the University Events Calendar.

Today's Campus Events

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

Biological Science Seminar Series - Aditi Pradeep Vyas

Aditi Pradeep Vyas PhD candidate of Biological Sciences Michigan Technological University Mental Stress Pressor Response and Aortic Wave Reflection Abstract:...

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Physics Colloquium - Graduate Student Presentations

Thursday, March 3rd @ 4pm – Fisher Hall 139 & Zoom Hybrid-Mode: The students will give their talks in Fisher Hall 139. Please join in-person or by zoom. Seth Nelson...

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Speeding Research with Autonomous Experimentation

ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker Series proudly presents Benji Maruyama, PhD Air Force Research Laboratory Abstract The current materials research process is slow and...

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Negotiation Skills Virtual Session

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Finance Your Innovation

This workshop will cover founder capital fundraising strategies and choices including bootstrapping, angel investment, venture capital investment, and growth capital...

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Adult Huskies Swim Lessons Spring 2022 Session 2

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 2

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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The Lode - Weekly Meeting

Join the Lode (Michigan Tech's student newspaper) for our weekly general meeting! This is a great way to see if the Lode is a good fit for you. We are always looking for...

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Monthly General Meeting _ Spring 2022

Hi folks, This mail serves to notify us that we will be having our monthly general meeting on the last Wednesday of the month 6 - 7 PM at Chem Sci. 211 or via Zoom. Feel...

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Open Rock Climbing

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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Cricket Tournament Spring 2022

Cricket Club MTU in partnership with Indian Students Association (ISA) has organized Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament for boys. DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: Sunday January 30,...