May 18, 2022

The acclaimed Keweenaw Time Traveler (KeTT) is getting a major upgrade. On June 1, the online interactive historical atlas will add 600,000 records across 14 million data variables, an exponential increase from its current 25,000. In addition, KeTT will significantly improve user experience.

The KeTT is a one-of-a-kind example of deep mapping — a living map connecting layers of archival, geological and geospatial data across time and space.

“The Keweenaw Time Traveler provides an immersive mapping experience in which to explore and search for people and places in the Copper Country from about 1880-1970,” says Don Lafreniere (SS), KeTT project director. “It facilitates engagement with the humanities and brings history and geography to life through the use of advanced digital spatial technologies. With the launch of our new interface on June 1, both researchers and citizen historians will have access to even more data — data that will be so much easier to search for now.”

A relaunch celebration will be held June 2 at 6 p.m. at the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw, followed by an online celebration June 3 at 3 p.m. on Facebook Live. 

Read more and find out how to join the celebrations at Michigan Tech News.

This month, Michigan Tech launched a partnership with the Lockwood STEM Center, part of Hemlock Public Schools in Hemlock, to provide educational outreach and opportunities to its students.

As part of the partnership, the University established a scholarship program for Hemlock students who participate in robotics activities and enroll at Michigan Tech as first-year students. The award provides $1,000 and is renewable annually; two students will begin receiving the scholarship in fall 2022.

The Lockwood Center was the vision of Tom and Dana Lockwood, teachers at Hemlock High School (HHS) who sought to advance STEM educational opportunities in the community. The state-of-the-art facility was truly a community effort with support from local individuals, industry and Hemlock Public Schools.

Tech grad and former HHS student Gary Gariglio ‘87 delivered a keynote address to students during an event celebrating the partnership, held May 4. Gariglio highlighted the value of his Michigan Tech education and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, giving special acknowledgement to Matt Pumford ‘88 and Greg Turner of Pumford Construction for their commitment and support in the oversight and construction of the Lockwood Center.

This collaboration with Hemlock Public Schools is a continuation of Michigan Tech’s strong presence in the Great Lakes Bay Region, including a longstanding partnership with Hemlock Semiconductor supporting educational outreach and student attendance at Summer Youth Programs (SYP).

Registration for SYP is open and more information is available at mtu.edu/syp.

Applications for fall 2022 Finishing Fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. June 29 to the Graduate School. Please email applications to gradschool@mtu.edu.

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 Ph.D. student.
2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a Finishing Fellowship.
4. Must be eligible for candidacy (tuition charged at research mode rate) at the time of application.
5. Must not hold a final oral examination ("defense") prior to the start of the award semester.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to Ph.D. candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding Ph.D. candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in the Michigan Tech Strategic Plan.

The Graduate School anticipates funding up to 10 fellowships, with support ranging from $2,000 to full support (stipend plus tuition). Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

Nominations are now open for the 2022 Council of Graduate Schools (CGS)/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award. Please submit nominations to the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. June 15, following our online instructions.

This year, nominations are being accepted from dissertations in the fields of:

1. Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering
2. Social Sciences (Note: History is classed within the humanities and is not a field of competition in 2022.)

Michigan Tech may nominate one student in each field. Ph.D. students who will completed all of their degree requirements between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, are eligible. The fields of competition for 2023 will be Biological/Life Sciences and Humanities and Fine Arts (including history).

Nominations must be delivered to Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. June 15. Email nominations to gradschool@mtu.edu are preferred.

Contact Charlesworth at gradschool@mtu.edu if you have any questions about the competition.

Michigan Tech was mentioned by the Michigan Chronicle and WJMN Local 3  as a destination being visited by representatives from Finland during their trip to the Upper Peninsula. 

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Jonathan Leinonen (COB) was mentioned by the Daily Mining Gazette and Mining Journal in a story about educational scholarships and support for students in the Copper Country. 

Leinonen, who is studying the challenges faced by students from families with fewer resources, is working with the Portage Health Foundation to strategize how to connect students with the available funds.

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An invitation to researchers from Donald Lafreniere (SS) to attend the relaunch of the Keweenaw Time Traveler deep map was published by NiCHE.

The relaunch was also the subject of a Michigan Tech News story.

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The Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) was mentioned by Asian Surveying & Mapping in a story about the release of digital surface model (DSM) strips and mosaics covering 85% of the Great Lakes Basin for use by researchers, conservationists, natural resource managers and the public.

MTRI is a member of the Great Lakes Alliance for Remote Sensing (GLARS), which announced the release.

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Michigan Tech was ranked 61st in the U.S. for value by Money.com, according to a Fox 2 Detroit news story. 

The ranking places Tech among the top 10% of colleges in the nation and as the second-best valued college in Michigan, behind the University of Michigan at No. 1 and ahead of Michigan State University at No. 65. 

ETOM is the Educational Technology Organization of Michigan, and Michigan Tech is a member. The next ETOM meet-up is today (May 18) at noon.

We will be discussing accelerated and alternative format courses. Many have accelerated courses during the summer, but more of us are starting to run accelerated courses alongside regularly timed courses throughout the year. We’ll also discuss microcredentialing.

Today's meet-up will take place via Zoom (use meeting ID 234 661 1201; the password is "meetup").

Job Postings for Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email mtujobs@mtu.edu.

For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Business Consultant / Tribal Liaison, Innovation and Commercialization. Apply online.

Research Scholar, Institute for Policy, Ethics, and Culture. Apply online.

Marketing Project Manager, University Marketing and Communications. Apply online.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment, or for an interview, at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or mtujobs@mtu.edu.

Professor Emeritus Bill Sproule (CEGE) attended the recent spring conference of the Society for International Hockey Research in St. Catharines, Ontario.

At the conference, Sproule made a presentation on "Tim Horton" and announced the results of the 30 notable hockey books of all time project.

Additionally, Sproule was honored with the 2022 President's Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the society.

Retirement Social for Dave Fredrickson

Michigan Tech IT invites the campus community to a retirement social to honor Dave Fredrickson, who will retire May 27.

The social will be held from 2-4 p.m. today (May 18) in the MUB Ballroom. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Fredrickson has served Michigan Tech for 34 years and has been instrumental in the success of IT's Enterprise Application Services team. Join us in celebrating his career, thanking him for his service and wishing him all the best in his retirement.

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

PhD Defense: Warat Khaewratana

Wednesday, May 18, 2 p.m.–3 p.m. | Harold Meese Center, 109

Applied Cognitive Science & Human Factors Co-advisors: Elizabeth Veinott and Shane Mueller Word Games for Education: Investigating the Effectiveness of Adding Elaboration...