Former Provost Max Seel Passes Away

Max Seel, a professor emeritus of physics and former provost and vice president of academic affairs at Michigan Tech, passed away Sept. 14 at the age of 72.

Seel was a beloved member of the Michigan Tech community, leaving his native Germany in 1986 to join the University faculty as an associate professor of physics. Over the course of his three-decade career, Seel served as dean of the College of Sciences and Arts (CSA) from 1991 to 2008, as interim provost in 2009, and as provost and vice president of academic affairs from 2010 to 2015. Seel was a scholar-teacher, publishing more than 85 research papers related to electronic structure theory, several of which were published after he stepped down as provost and returned to the physics faculty.

Seel is remembered by his colleagues for his sharp intellect and great sense of humor. Many have expressed that he was a calm, steady presence in rough times and someone who helped people talk through issues to reach the best possible outcome. Seel is an integral part of our Husky legacy, and we will miss him.

Read Seel’s full obituary.

Presidential Leadership Update

Michigan Tech’s leadership team hosted a University update and welcome-back reception for faculty and staff Friday (Sept. 16).

President Rick Koubek welcomed attendees and spoke of Michigan Tech’s positive position in the current higher education environment. He noted that the University had just welcomed the second-largest incoming class of first-year students since 1984, with the highest academic credentials in Tech’s history. He also highlighted the University’s 16% increase in research expenditures over the previous year and second-highest fundraising total ever. 

Koubek noted that Tech is on track to hit its 2035 goals of 10,000 students, $200 million in research expenditures, a 40% increase in faculty, a $300 million endowment and refreshed campus infrastructure. To meet those goals, four key initiatives will launch this year:

  • A national student recruitment campaign
  • A faculty/staff hiring initiative
  • Initiation of a capital campaign
  • Execution of the campus master plan, pending approval from the Board of Trustees

In closing his remarks, Koubek thanked MTU faculty and staff for their hard work in driving the results of the past academic year.

Next, Interim Provost Andrew Storer spoke about efforts to hire faculty and staff to support the growing student body, noting that quality of education is the main driving force. Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Wayne Gersie discussed Tech’s efforts to partner with historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions, including the University of the District of Columbia and University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez. He also spoke of the work being done to enforce students’ sense of belonging at Tech — with the goal of taking that proficiency with them into the workforce.

Vice President for Research Dave Reed thanked faculty members for their efforts to grow research expenditures and discussed the University’s upcoming capital campaign. He noted that MTU will prioritize upgrades to classrooms and teaching labs before other projects. Lastly, University Senate President Mike Mullins provided the group with a brief overview of Senate priorities for the academic year.

Career Fair Recess

Introduced by the Undergraduate Student Government and approved by the University Senate and administration during spring/summer 2019, Senate proposal 44-19 established a Career Fair Recess. This recess is from 2 to 4 p.m. the day of Career Fair (Wednesday, Sept. 21 this year).

As with other breaks listed in the academic calendar, classes should not be held and homework cannot be assigned or due during this time. Instructors should also be aware of the Policy on Exams.

Researcher Profiles in Grant Forward

The University's grant funding search database, Grant Forward, will be rolling out a new feature this month to increase the targeting and relevance of grant opportunities identified for faculty and other researchers on campus. The new Auto Profile service will create and/or update Grant Forward profiles for any researcher with public research interests or publications listed on the Michigan Tech website.

Using this information, the system will seek to automatically identify relevant and personally customized research opportunities each month. Researchers will receive an email directly from Grant Forward with additional information when the profile is created. A one-click opt-out will be clearly communicated and easily available for those who do not wish to participate. Researchers will be able to further customize their interests and profile, if desired, including the option to make their profile public to allow contact from potential collaborators from other universities and research organizations.

For those desiring additional information, the Research Development office offers informational sessions on Grant Forward each semester. Any questions can be directed to rd-l@mtu.edu.

Conflict Resolution Network

Now, more than ever, is the time to promote and celebrate peaceful conflict resolution practices. There are a number of faculty and staff at the University who are trained as mediators and/or facilitators to assist individuals with resolving interpersonal conflicts. Faculty, staff and students can request conflict assistance through the Conflict Resolution Network.

The Conflict Resolution Network provides a variety of conflict resolution options including:

  • Conflict Coaching
  • Facilitated Dialogue
  • Mediation
  • Restorative Practices
  • Shuttle Diplomacy

For more information, please email conflict@mtu.edu.

Tonight at the Rozsa: Adventure Filmmaker Bryan Smith

National Geographic Live is a National Geographic touring speaker series ​​that brings to life the awe-inspiring stories of National Geographic Explorers. Tonight (Sept. 19), the Rozsa brings “Capturing the Impossible” with Bryan Smith, an award-winning filmmaker for National Geographic, to the stage. The free event will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts.

How to Attend:

  • Faculty and staff, general public: Reserve your free tickets online or get them at the box office for one hour before the show.
  • Students: Student Rush is available for you and a friend (total two tickets) through Experience Tech. Line up at the Experience Tech entrance and tap in for free with your valid HuskyCard.

Tickets are available online, at 906-487-1906 or at the Rozsa Box Office for one hour before the performance.

Comedian Jay Jurden at the Rozsa

Jay Jurden is one of Variety's "Top 10 Comedians to Watch in 2022" and has been a guest on practically every late-night talk show. This Saturday (Sept. 24) at 7:30 p.m., he's coming to the Rozsa. Get your tickets for the chance to say, “I saw Jay Jurden live.”

Not familiar? Watch him on "The Late Late Show with James Cordon," "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," and "Comedy Central Featuring."

How to Attend:

  • Faculty and staff, general public: Reserve your tickets online, call 906-487-1906, or get them at the box office for one hour before the show.
  • Students: Student Rush is available for you and a friend (total two tickets) through Experience Tech. Line up at the Experience Tech entrance and tap in for free with your valid HuskyCard.

Details:

  • What: Jay Jurden, comedian
  • When: 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24
  • Where: Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts
  • Price: $5 Youth | $15 Adults | Free Student Rush with Experience Tech Fee

The Rozsa Box Office will be open for tickets an hour before the performance.

Physics, CTL Hosting UDL Workshop

The Department of Physics and the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) are co-sponsoring a workshop on Friday (Sept. 23) at 10 a.m. in the East Reading Room in the J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library.

Erin Scanlon is an assistant professor in residence at the University of Connecticut and a founding steering committee member of the American Physical Society’s Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Alliance (APS-IDEA). Her guest workshop will focus on concrete ways to implement the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework in STEM classes.

Scanlon, a Michigan Tech graduate, holds a B.S. and M.S. in Physics and a Ph.D. in Developmental Education with an emphasis in developmental mathematics. In addition to teaching introductory physics courses, she researches ways to move the physics community toward being more diverse, equitable, inclusive and socially just, with particular emphasis on changing social structures to support disabled people.

Participants will be asked to do some prework (a short video and some teaching practice reflection). In-person attendance is encouraged for this interactive workshop, but attendance via Zoom is an option, and the session will be recorded. Don't miss this opportunity to learn practical tips from a UDL expert who knows Michigan Tech!

Register for this workshop now.

Read the abstract on the University Events Calendar.

This guest workshop is partially funded/sponsored by the Visiting Professor Program, which is funded by a grant to the Office of the Provost from the state of Michigan's King-Chávez-Parks Initiative.

Physics Colloquium

Michigan Tech alum Matt Guthrie of the University of Connecticut will be presenting at the next Physics Colloquium.

Please join the presentation at 4 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 22) in Fisher 139.

Guthrie's presentation is titled "My Path to Eduphysics: Flipping Physics Education Research."

Read the abstract on the University Events Calendar.

Construction Symposium

The construction management program is hosting the Construction Symposium tomorrow (Sept. 20) from 1-5 p.m. in EERC 229.

Company representatives from Kiewit Corporation, GEI Consultants, GE Johnson Construction Company and The Christman Company will be sharing their insights into the future of construction and details of exciting infrastructure projects, as well as providing guidance to those who want to work in the industry.

We hope to see you there!

In Print

Part 3 of an eight-part series authored by Karyn Fay (BioSci) and based on Michigan Tech's COVID-19 Testing Lab has been published by Critical Values, a journal of the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

The series is titled "Meeting the Needs of a Rural Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Ups and Downs of Starting a University Based Clinical Lab for COVID-19 Testing From Idea to Final Completion."

The series is based on meeting notes compiled throughout the process and written by Fay with input from Karl Meingast (VPR). The meeting notes were compiled by Fay during the many Zoom meetings the laboratory group had over a nearly two-year span of time.

Available now:
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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Recent graduate Collin Diedrich ’21 (M.S., biological sciences) is the lead author of a research paper titled "Spatial comparison of persistent organic pollutants in the Boardman River following impoundment removal and channel restoration" published in the Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology.

Co-authors on the publication are Gord Paterson (BioSci/GLRC) along and Brandon Gerig of Northern Michigan University.

This research quantified concentrations and patterns of pollutants such as PCBs and DDT following dam removal and sediment cleanup in the Boardman River located in Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties in northwest lower Michigan (Traverse City).

The paper is available online.

In the News

Jay Meldrum (KRC) was mentioned by Rural Innovation eXchange in a story about a community conversation held by the University Research Corridor between Michigan researchers, lawmakers, and local community leaders on the emerging threat of microplastics in Great Lakes waters.

Meldrum was named as one of the community leaders participating in the event.

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Keweenaw Now published a blog written by Professor Emerita Faith Morrison (ChE) about Betty Chavis, who retired from Michigan Tech in 2008 as the director of outreach and multi-ethnic programs.

Among Chavis' many other roles (Detroiter, Cass Technician, dancer, shop owner, part of the Motown scene, political aide, university recruiter, student mentor, Mustang convertible driver, change maker, world traveler, Yooper and shop owner), she helped bring the Parade of Nations to MTU.

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The Keweenaw Report published a preview of the 33rd Parade of Nations, which was held Sept. 17.

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Lake Superior Magazine included the 33rd Parade of Nations in its "Spotlight on Events" section. The parade, held Sept. 17, marched from Quincy Green in Hancock to Dee Stadium in Houghton.

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The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about a meeting of the Houghton City Council.

The council approved putting the city’s free electric vehicle charger, installed in 2012 on the parking deck as a student project, up for sale. The charger is being replaced with faster-charging, for-pay chargers being installed downtown.

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ALS News Today mentioned Michigan Tech in a column about aging and the effects of caregiving.

Reminders

Department of State J-1 Exchange Visitor Program

Many faculty on campus collaborate with scientists and innovators from around the world every year. The J‐1 Exchange Visitor Program is designed to promote international educational and cultural exchange to develop mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and other countries. The program is administered by the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.

At Michigan Tech, International Program and Services (IPS) provides immigration support for the department and the scholar during their stay.

There are multiple categories of visiting scholars and each category has unique timeframes and immigration regulations. Before bringing a J-1 scholar to campus, the position must be approved by the Provost's Office. Scholars funded through Michigan Tech funding sources (grants, departmental budgets, etc) are processed as an employee through Human Resources. Scholars who are self-funded or funded through their home institution need to gain approval from the Vice President of Research Office.

There are three types of J-1 exchange visitors: students, scholars and professors. An exchange visitor must not be a candidate for a tenure-track position. The academic or “hosting” department will be the point of contact for J-1 scholars to provide assistance during their time at Michigan Tech.

To determine which category is best for your needs and to find out the requirements of the host department, please visit our J-1 Exchange Visitor Scholars website for more information.

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Career Mentoring for Associate Professors

Advanced Career Management (ACM) is a peer mentoring program focusing on career plans and strategies for midcareer faculty. Associate professors are invited to an orientation session Friday (Sept. 23) from noon to 1 p.m. in MUB Ballroom B. Lunch will be provided. Please complete the ACM Interest Form and RSVP for the orientation. If you are interested but cannot attend the orientation session, you will be contacted by email.

The session will introduce the ACM program, provide tools for career self-development and explain the career affinity groups. All participants in this session will receive professional development credit in Digital Measures.

If you have any questions, please check the ACM website for information or send an email to Shari Stockero at stockero@mtu.edu.

The ACM program was developed by ADVANCE at Michigan Tech, an NSF-funded initiative dedicated to increasing faculty retention, improving campus climate and enhancing the career success of our faculty, and is now supported by the Provost’s Office.

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Fall Portrait Sessions By Appointment

Faculty, staff and graduate students can have their complimentary professional portrait taken by University Marketing and Communications (UMC) at one of the following sessions:

  • Monday, Oct. 3 — 1-3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 4 — 1-3 p.m.

The sessions will take place in the UMC Studio, located in Admin G37.

An appointment is required and can be scheduled online. On the calendar, go to Oct. 3 or Oct. 4, choose the time you want, then click Save. You must use your mtu.edu account when scheduling a time slot.

Update: There are limited appointments remaining. If you're unable to get a portrait taken this semester, UMC will host another portrait session in the spring.

Portraits will be emailed to the attendee within four weeks after the session. Alternatively, departments or individuals can contact Brockway Photography at 906-482-1900 to schedule a session and purchase portraits at any time.

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Retirement Party for Danise Jarvey

Please join the Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMET) as we gather to celebrate the retirement of Academic Advisor Danise Jarvey on Friday (Sept. 23) at 4 p.m. in the MUB Alumni Lounge.

Jarvey has dedicated over 24 years to the University. Among the roles she has held are:

  • Director of academic services (MMET and the former School of Technology)
  • Senior engineering academic advisor (ME-EM)
  • Study abroad coordinator (COE)
  • Lab instructor/course assistant (COB/former School of Business and Economics)

Stop by the reception for cake and refreshments to celebrate!

RSVP to Pam Washuleski at pskuivan@mtu.edu or 7-2259.

We hope to see you there!

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VPR Research Series: Seeking Funding for Research Equipment

Join us on Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. tomorrow (Sept. 20) to learn about research equipment resources on campus, opportunities for external funding for research equipment, and to join a discussion about how researchers can collaborate on equipment-related proposal development.

We will go over the Equipment Finder tool, discuss how you can add new equipment to that tool, discuss the role and resources of of shared facilities in housing and sharing equipment, and review several available federal opportunities for equipment funding (including the National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation program and other NSF, Department of Defense, and NIH equipment-funding programs).

We look forward to your voice in the interactive discussion. Any questions should be addressed to rd-l@mtu.edu.

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Scholarship in Memory of Rachel Wussow

On May 27, 2021, Michigan Tech's beloved Student Affairs colleague, mentor and friend of so many, Rachel Wussow, passed away after spending over half her life fighting the effects of cancer. Wussow worked at Michigan Tech from 2006-14 in Housing and Student Activities. For all who knew her, she was a bright light who loved the students she worked with and supervised.

“Rachel touched so many lives during her leadership roles at Michigan Tech,” wrote Jen Julien of Houghton on the day after Wussow died. “Many of us were influenced so heavily by her spunky personality, ‘get it done’ attitude and genuine care for student success. So many lives are better served by having been influenced by her.”

Now, a scholarship fund has been set up for students who best demonstrate their ability to participate in leadership development programs and community service, two areas of campus Wussow cared deeply about. This is just one more way for the legacy of Rachel Wussow to continue to support the students she loved.

To make a gift to the Rachel Wussow Memorial Scholarship, please make a gift to fund 5619, or use the pre-populated giving form.

Read more on the Alumni News blog.

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Lean Fundamentals Virtual Workshop

The Office of Continuous Improvement is offering a virtual workshop, "Processes, Flow, and Waste: Lean Fundamentals (Virtual)," from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday (Sept. 21).

Formerly known as the Introduction to Lean workshop, Lean Fundamentals covers basic lean concepts and methods you might encounter on the job.

See the workshop description and register by completing the Upcoming Michigan Tech Lean Courses form, or visit the Continuous Improvement website. 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.

This stand-alone workshop is part of the Lean Basics workshop series. It can be taken independently, or, 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.

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VPR Staff Retreat on Wednesday

All Vice President for Research (VPR) offices will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 21) for a staff retreat.

To ensure you are able to meet various submission deadlines, please plan accordingly if you will need assistance from Sponsored Programs or other VPR staff members during this time period.

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Kelly Steelman Presenting at ACSHF Forum

Kelly Steelman, chair of the Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences (CLS), will kick off the academic year's forums for Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors (ACSHF) with her presentation, "Science Policy in Human Factors: A Primer on the Development and Application of the Human Readiness Level Scale,” from 2-3 p.m. today (Sept. 19) in Meese 109 and via Zoom.

As a Science Policy Fellow for the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), Steelman will talk about the work of the Science Policy group over the past several years, focusing on the development of the Human Readiness Level (HRL) Scale — a simple nine-level scale for evaluating, tracking and communicating the readiness of a technology for safe and effective human use.

From the abstract:
... the Human Readiness Level (HRL) Scale ... is modeled after the well-established Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework that is used throughout the government and industry to communicate the maturity of a technology and to support decision making about technology acquisition. The HRL scale is defined in the ANSI/HFES 400-2021 Standard and is currently being socialized throughout the government, Department of Defense, and industry. Dr. Steelman will discuss the promise of the HRL Scale and associated standard as tools for increasing awareness of the field of human factors and for establishing requirements for human-systems evaluation—and the involvement of human-systems experts—throughout the development lifecycle.

Today's Campus Events

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MTU Fall 2022 CareerFest - Partner Preview Day

CareerFEST is back for Fall 2022! Join all your favorite employers, with their latest technology, newest gadgets and interesting designs on the campus mall for some informal...

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ACSHF Forum: Kelly Steelman, CLS chair

Kelly Steelman, chair of the Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences will kick off the academic year forums for Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors with her...

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Chemical exposures: Novel approaches for the identification of toxic organic chemicals in complex mixtures

Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar Carsten Prasse, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, John Hopkins Whiting School of...

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Resume Review with Corporate Recruiters

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EPSSI Seminar: Dr. Christelle Wauthier, Associate Professor, Dept of Geosciences, Penn State Univeristy

Let it slide: characterization of slip behavior for volcanic landslides Massive collapse of volcanic flanks is among the largest mass-wasting events on the planet and can...

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Monday Study Sessions!

Get together with your peers to work on professional, personal and academic activities with help from undergrad and grad physics buddies! When: Every Monday evening from 5:30...

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Stellantis Info Session

Come meet our recruiting team and learn about the exciting automotive career opportunities within Product Development, Quality, Powertrain, Supplier Quality, Information...

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The Rozsa Presents: National Geographic Live - Capturing the Impossible

THE ROZSA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE: CAPTURING THE IMPOSSIBLE WITH EXTREME FILMMAKER BRYAN SMITH Run time 70 min followed by Q&A...