May 2, 2022

A new course in nature psychology at Michigan Tech immerses students in real-life research on the cognitive benefits of getting outside.

Psychological research is advancing our understanding of how time in nature can improve mental health and sharpen cognition. From a stroll through a city park to a day spent hiking in the wilderness, exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, improved immune system, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.

The Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences (CLS) blended these wellness findings with the area’s abundance of outdoor activities and endless beauty into a new course: Nature Psychology. Developed by Assistant Professor Samantha Smith, with noteworthy contributions from several MTU faculty, Nature Psychology uses an interdisciplinary, experience-based approach to help students explore how mental function is connected to the natural environment.

Read more on Unscripted, the University's research blog.

The Central Energy Plant will be conducting planned testing of our campus generators this week. All testing will be performed overnight. There may be brief intermittent power outages during the tests. All testing will be completed between midnight and 6 a.m. to avoid impacts to campus operations.

It is recommended that computer users log off and power down their devices each evening to avoid loss of important data.

This work is part of a significant upgrade to the control system for the generators that provide us with reliable backup power and substantial savings in electrical costs each year.

On Saturday (May 7) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Michigan Tech IT will be performing maintenance on our VPN hardware. If you are connected to the VPN during this time, your session may be disconnected periodically while we perform these updates. Additionally, Banner Communication Management, UC4/Job Submission, Banner Workflow, Perceptive Content and u.achieve will not be available.

If you have any questions or concerns, we can help. Contact us at it-help@mtu.edu or call 7-1111.

The Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP) form for the fall 2022 academic semester is now online.

The application and guidelines can be found on the Human Resources website in the dropdown menu underneath "Education Benefits."

The faculty and staff in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES) presented College awards at the end-of-semester banquet “Overstory,” which was held recently.

The awards and awardees were:

• Outstanding Senior in Applied Ecology and Environmental Science: Anna DeBraber
• Outstanding Senior in Forestry: Victoria Peck
• Outstanding Senior in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation: Jenna Brewer
• Outstanding Undergraduate Service Award: Victoria Peck
• Outstanding Graduate Student: Parth Bhatt
• Outstanding Graduate Student Service Award: Kath Schneider

Congratulations to all the awardees and to all our 2022 spring graduates! We will miss those of you who are leaving us, and look forward to the amazing things you will do!

The Health Research Institute (HRI) is pleased to invite you to a seminar given by research scientist candidate Xiaochu Ding.

Ding received his Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from the Michigan Technological University Department of Chemistry in December 2013. Between 2014 and 2020, he pursued postdoctoral training in biomedical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and Cornell University.

Ding will give his seminar, titled "Polymeric Biomaterials for Bioresorbable Synthetic Grafts and Protein Delivery Platforms," from 12-1 p.m. on Thursday (May 5).

Attendance is invited in person in ATDC 101 and virtually via Zoom.

The seminar recording will be available upon request.

Clayton Sayen's closing speed helped him set a new Michigan Tech 1,500-meter school record for the second time this spring.

Sayen broke the record Thursday (April 28) at the Drake Relays, finishing in second place with a time of 3:44.33, just behind Alec Basten of the University of Minnesota (3:43.64). He picked up six positions over the final leg, a split nearly four seconds faster than his first 1,100 meters. 

Sayen also upped the NCAA provisional mark he previously set at the Raleigh Relays with the fastest 1,500 time of his Husky career, giving himself a good chance to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Read more about MTU track and field's performance at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

EA Program Calls for 2022-23 Volunteers

The Equity Advisor (EA) Program is now seeking tenured faculty who are interested in joining the program for the 2022-23 academic year. Equity advisors serve as nonvoting members of faculty and department search committees (outside of their own department) to help the committee attend to DEI throughout the search process and assist in ensuring that federal, state, and University employment laws/policies are followed.

Equity advisors must be tenured Michigan Tech faculty members, current on Diversity Literacy and Faculty Hiring Legal Aspects courses and able to commit to attending an in-person training workshop tentatively scheduled for Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A complete job description is available.

Interested faculty members should complete our Google form by Friday (May 6). If you have questions about this program, please contact Shari Stockero, assistant provost for faculty development, at stockero@mtu.edu.

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I-Corps Courses Launch in May

The Great Lakes I-Corps Hub, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is hosting two free, virtual Jumpstart I-Corps Courses every other Friday from May 13 to July 8.

Utilizing Lean LaunchPad methodology, the courses — Sustainability Jumpstart and STEM Jumpstart — help researchers explore the commercial viability of their innovative ideas or research. Plus, participants receive personalized guidance from industry experts, build their commercial ecosystems and become eligible to apply for NSF National I-Corps along the way.

Learn more about program descriptions, benefits and schedules for Sustainability Jumpstart and STEM Jumpstart.

Register by May 11.

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Michigan Tech I-Corps NSF Minimum Viable Product Challenge

Michigan Tech I-Corps teams who have met the program requirements are invited to apply for mini-grants up to $5,000 to develop their minimum viable product (MVP). Applications will be reviewed and funds awarded based on your proposal.

The deadline to apply is May 31. We will notify teams of their award by June 10. Teams must present their MVP at a showcase event on Aug. 19. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Casper at lcasper@mtu.edu.

Apply using our application form.

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Network Downtime Planned Tomorrow

Tomorrow (May 3), starting at 8 p.m., Michigan Tech IT will be updating campus network switches.

These updates will result in approximately one hour of downtime for network, phones and Wi-Fi in all buildings across campus, including Ford Forestry Center. Timing will vary, as buildings are updated a few at a time. MTRI will not be affected by this update and will have network downtime scheduled at a later date.

If you have any questions or concerns, we can help. Contact us at it-help@mtu.edu or call 7-1111.

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Summer Hours Begin Today

Starting today (May 2), the University has shifted to its summer schedule. The general hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All offices must be staffed during these hours. Employees are expected to fulfill their usual full-time or part-time obligations. Your actual work schedule must be approved by your supervisor.

Regular office hours will resume Aug. 15.

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H-STEM Construction Begins Today

Please note that construction on the H-STEM Engineering and Health Technologies Complex (H-STEM Complex) begins today (May 2). Fencing around the construction zone will be installed sometime this week. In the meantime, please avoid walking in the area between the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building (Chem Sci) and the Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC).

Access to Chem Sci will be impacted by construction work, with entrance and exit access only available through the south and west doors.

As always, pedestrians are reminded to stay alert while in and around construction zones, follow all appropriate directions and stay on designated pedestrian paths.

For additional information on the H-STEM Complex, construction updates and a link to the construction webcam, please visit the H-STEM Building Project webpage.

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Design Expo Seeks Attendee, Participant Feedback

The Design Expo committee sends our heartfelt thanks to the Michigan Tech community for participating in this year's Design Expo, hosted on April 21. We would like to give special thanks to the student teams in Enterprise and Senior Design and Capstone, who shared their time, talent and innovative approach to solving today's problems. Without the hard work of each student team, Design Expo would not be possible!

As it is likely known, teams compete for cash awards totaling nearly $4,000. Judges for the event included corporate representatives, community members, and Michigan Tech staff and faculty. If you haven’t already, check out this year's award recipients and team videos at mtu.edu/expo.

Continuous improvement is an integral part of the Design Expo. If you engaged in any aspect of this year’s event, please take a moment to tell us what you thought about Design Expo. Your feedback will be helpful as we start planning for Design Expo 2023!

Again, congratulations to our student teams and a huge thank-you to all the participants for making this year's Design Expo a very successful one!

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North Coast Grill and Deli Closed Today

The North Coast Grill and Deli is closed today (May 2) for Dining Services staff training, and will reopen at 8 a.m. tomorrow (May 3). We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Library Café is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. 

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

Master's Defense: Breanna Gusick

Monday, May 2, 12 p.m.–1 p.m. | U. J. Noblet Forestry Building, G004

Forest Ecology and Management Advisor: Jared Wolfe Effects of Dissimilar Silvicultural Techniques on Small Mammal Communities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula Attend...

Together in Song

Monday, May 2, 7 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Center

COMMUNITY EVENT A wonderful tradition has returned to the Rozsa! Local school choirs are coming together to sing songs that uplift and inspire with guest conductor, Tony...