September 22, 2022

Michigan Tech Public Safety has been made aware of several vehicle break-ins that have occurred in the Houghton and Hancock areas. To date, no incidents have been reported on campus.

The vehicle break-ins have mostly occurred during daytime hours and it appears that targeted vehicles have been left unlocked and have bags or other valuables visible through the windows.

As a precaution, Michigan Tech Public Safety will be enhancing patrols in campus parking lots.

This is a friendly reminder that there are several ways you can help protect your property and deter vehicle break-ins. Public Safety strongly encourages you to:

• Lock your vehicle doors.
• Do not leave valuable items in your car. Please remove the items or be sure that they are not visible. This includes electronics, purses, backpacks, wallets, money (even change), etc.
• Make sure you have retained copies or pictures of your valuables' serial numbers or other identifying information. This will help law enforcement recover and return any stolen items.

If you are a victim of a break-in or larceny or see any suspicious behavior, please call 911, contact Michigan Tech Public Safety at 906-487-2216 or use the Anonymous Tip and Help Line.

Nominations are now open for the 2023 MAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Thesis Award. Please submit nominations to the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. Oct. 11, following our online instructions.

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

1. Social Sciences
2. Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering

Michigan Tech may nominate one student in each field. Master’s students who have completed all of their degree requirements between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, are eligible. The fields of competition for 2024 will be Humanities and Biological and Life Sciences.

Nominations must be delivered to Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. on Oct. 11. Please email nominations to gradschool@mtu.edu.

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

The Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC) and the College of Computing invite the campus community to a Computing[MTU] Showcase research poster session on Oct. 10 from 1-3 p.m. in MUB Ballroom A.

Faculty and student researchers in all Michigan Tech departments are invited to submit posters. Prizes will be awarded at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The deadline to submit posters is Sept. 30 at midnight.

Read more and submit your poster on the ICC Blog.

Michigan Tech employees are invited to join the Benefits Office for these free, online, live financial health webinars offered through Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) this October:

• Understanding Health Savings Accounts — Oct. 4 at 3 p.m.
  We’ll help you understand unique aspects of HSAs, including how they help account owners pay for current health care expenses and save for those in the future.
  Register now.
  
  
• Looking to Turn Your Retirement Savings into a “Paycheck” for Life? — Oct. 11 at noon
  Learn how creating a diversified income plan — one that uses a combination of income sources and includes annuity income that’s guaranteed for life — can help reduce the risks you may face in retirement and ensure you have income that never runs out.
  Register now.
  
  
• Quarterly Economic and Market Update with TIAA’s Chief Investment Strategist — Oct. 12 at noon
  Take a closer look at our views on the financial markets, including key market drivers, the U.S. economy, policy and politics, and investing in public markets. We’ll also cover the challenges that investors face and how to navigate them.
  Register now.
  
  
• Money at Work 1: Foundations of Investing — Oct. 12 at 3 p.m.
  Discover how you can manage risk versus reward, and understand the role of investing and managing risks, ways to help accelerate savings and tools that can help sustain a portfolio.
  Register now.
  
  
• Live With Confidence in Retirement – Five Steps to Creating a Retirement Income Plan — Oct. 13 at noon
  If you’re thinking about making the transition to retirement, this webinar is essential for understanding how to create an income plan that helps you maximize your savings. In five steps, you’ll learn how different sources of income work, how to build your strategy for lifetime income and what to consider when planning withdrawals from your retirement assets.
  Register now.
  
  
• Social Security Considerations — Oct. 19 at 3 p.m.
  Social Security will likely play a significant role in building your retirement income. Learn the basics about Social Security, including eligibility, how to apply, how your benefit is calculated and strategies for claiming benefits.
  Register now.

These webinars count toward Option 2 in your Husky Health Checklist. Follow Michigan Tech Wellness on Facebook for upcoming health and wellness initiatives supported by the Benefits Office.

All webinars are recorded and available for viewing 90 days after the live event. Visit TIAA.org/webinars to register or watch past presentations on demand.

Future webinars scheduled for November and December will be announced later in Tech Today.

Spanish-Speaking Webinars
Starting in 2022, TIAA is offering financial education webinars in Spanish. The webinars can be accessed here: TIAA.org/RecursosEducativos.

Users of Michigan Tech-managed computers will soon see a “system use notification” message prior to signing in. This message will need to be acknowledged by clicking the button at the bottom of the window. This button, depending on the system, will be labeled with either “OK” or “Accept.” Once dismissed, you will be able to sign in as you normally would with your Michigan Tech account name and password.

This notification message is being put in place to further align the University systems with external regulatory requirements such as the NIST 800-171 security standards for nonfederal networks, along with reducing potential legal complications in our incident response to an attack or compromise of a system.

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

Lutheran Campus Ministry, Catholic Campus Ministries and the Canterbury House are pleased to announce the return of the annual progressive dinner on Sunday (Sept. 25). The schedule for the dinner will be as follows:

• 4 p.m. — Hors d'oeuvres, St. Albert the Great University Parish
• 4:45 p.m. — Salads, Canterbury House
• 5:15 p.m. — Main course, Portage Lake United Church
• 6 p.m. — Desserts, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

This is a nondenominational, interfaith gathering for food, fellowship and fun. All are welcome. Please RSVP by emailing Rob Bishop at rmbishop@mtu.edu if you plan to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact Bishop at rmbishop@mtu.edu or 906-487-1964.

Menu for Thursday (Sept. 22):

• Japanese BBQ Pork Chop
• Stir Fry Vegetables (Gluten-Friendly, Vegan)
• Vegetable Fried Rice (Vegetarian)
• Kimchi Style Cabbage
• Veggie Egg Roll (Vegetarian)

Dining Services presents this week’s C3 Luncheon, being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

The C3 lunch buffet menus are created and prepared by executive chef Michael Landini 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 C3 feedback using our Google form. To join the C3 Google group and receive weekly menus, email business-support@mtu.edu.

MTU students and SDC Access Pass holders (minimum one-month): Come make a splash with our new inflatable pool obstacle course called the WIBIT!

At WIBIT events being held this fall, you can test your individual skills on the course or challenge your friend to a race across the obstacles. The course is set up in the deep water and requires users to be able to pass our swim test. (Please see the WIBIT rules and swim test requirements at our website.)

The WIBIT has many different pieces and each event will have a featured combination. Potential featured pieces include:

• The Step — This piece allows users to climb up onto the course.
• The Base — Users must make their way across a horizontal surface. Be careful how fast you move, as it can get slippery!
• The Cliff — Users must navigate either side of a slope using the handles and their balancing skills.
• V-Connect — Users must use limited footing space to navigate across the horizontal structure.
• The Bridge — Users must navigate up and over an arched structure without falling through.
• The Slope — Users must climb up a six-foot wall that leads to a slide into the pool water below!

Featured Combinations:

• Wednesday, Sept. 28 — Step/Base/Cliff/Slope
• Wednesday, Oct. 26 — Step/V-Connect/Cliff/Slope
• Wednesday, Nov. 30 — Step/Bridge/Cliff/Slope

Times:

• 5-7 p.m. — Current SDC Access Pass holders (minimum one-month)
• 7:30-9:30 p.m. — Current MTU students

Come visit us at the pool to try out your skills!

Please join SAVE (Sexual Assault and Violence Education), a registered student organization, in supporting survivors of sexual violence.

SAVE is partnering with Dial Help to host a Bracelets for Survivors event tomorrow (Sept. 23) from 2-6 p.m. We invite students, faculty and staff to join us on Walker Lawn to make bracelets to show support for survivors in our community and to help create safe spaces for survivors on our campus.

Students will have the opportunity to make a direct impact in their community and earn official volunteer hours.

Thirty-five partner organizations and more than 270 advocates from all parts of the U.S. gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Ukraine Action Summit focused on supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom.

Graduate student Mila Yutskevych (environmental engineering), a Fulbright student at Michigan Tech, joined the event for some scheduled congressional meetings.

#UkraineActionSummit #AmericanCoalitionForUkraine

The Department of Biological Sciences is hosting Research Assistant Professor Yan Zhang, who will present a seminar today (Sept. 22) from 3-4 p.m. in GLRC 202.

Zhang's seminar is titled "Targeting liver kinase B1 in human polycystic kidney disease." All are welcome!

From the abstract:
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common, potentially lethal genetic disorder characterized by the progressive enlargement of numerous fluid-filled cysts and the development of interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. Approximately 50% of patients progress to end-stage renal disease by middle age and require dialysis or renal transplantation. Currently, treatment options for ADPKD patients are limited; thus, the development of new effective therapies is urgent. Liver kinase B1(LKB1) is an important regular of cell metabolism, proliferation, and polarity but its role in human ADPKD remain unclear. Our experiment results showed that LKB1 signaling pathway was dysregulated in human ADPKD kidneys. Renal tubule-specific knockout of LKB1 accelerated cyst growth and renal fibrosis of PKD mice whereas activation of LKB1 decreased cyst growth and preserved kidney function. Thus, our data demonstrate that LKB1 is a potential therapeutic target for ADPKD treatment.

The Michigan Tech cross country teams are back in action tomorrow (Sept. 23), heading to the Twin Cities for the historic Roy Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota at Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul. 

The men compete at 1 p.m. covering 8,000 meters in the Jo Rider Men's Maroon Race (Division II and III), with the women following at 1:45 p.m., pacing 6,000 meters in the Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon Race (Division II and III).

Last year, Clayton Sayen will look to defend his title from last year's Maroon race, where the men's team finished fourth overall.

On the women's side, Michelle Bollini was the top finisher for the Huskies last season, placing 26th individually in the team's ninth-place finish. 

Read more and see race results at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The Michigan Tech volleyball team fell 3-0 Tuesday (Sept. 20) at Northern Michigan.

The Huskies were defeated by the Wildcats 25-18, 27-25 and 25-14 at Vandament Arena.

"Credit to coach (Mike) Lozier and the Wildcats on their great start to the season. They were the better team tonight," Tech coach Matt Jennings said. "We're going to continue to work to get better in all areas of the game. We as a team take responsibility for where we fell short tonight. There's a lot of season left to go, and we're looking for some people to step up."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech football meets No. 19 ranked Saginaw Valley State for the first of two times this season in nonconference play at Kearly Stadium on Saturday (Sept. 24) at 1 p.m.

The game can be heard on Mix 93.5 FM and pasty.net or watched via FloSports video stream. Tickets can be found at mtu.universitytickets.com.

Read the game preview at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

The Michigan Tech women's soccer team goes on their second road weekend of GLIAC play with a tilt against Davenport tomorrow (Sept. 23) at 4 p.m. before a matinee against No. 7 Grand Valley State on Sunday (Sept. 25) at noon.

Fans can catch both games on FloSports, as part of the four-year media partnership with the GLIAC beginning this fall.

Read a preview of the games at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Michigan Tech Athletics has opened an online Nike store and is selling officially licensed team gear for Husky men's basketball.

Fans may choose from a wide array of apparel options, which include but are not limited to team T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, polos, pants and sweatshirts. Show off your Husky basketball pride by shopping at the team online store today.

The online store is open now. Items will be available for purchase through Oct. 4. 

Shop now using access code MICTCHBB.

Professor Emerita Mary Durfee (SS) attended the 2022 annual meeting of the American Political Science Association in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Durfee gave a paper, titled "How Treaties Affect American Political Culture," at the meeting. She also served as a discussant for a poster on a new Canadian electoral rule and as chair/discussant for a virtual panel on the arms and defense industry.

MLive mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about color tours by seaplane, boat and chairlift coming to the Copper Country this fall.

The story referenced an MTU blog post announcing that chairlift tours begin Saturday (Sept. 24) at Mont Ripley, with proceeds benefiting the hill’s volunteer ski patrol and racing team.

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NewsBreak mentioned Michigan Tech research on carbon emissions liability in a story about proposed pipeline legislation in Washington, D.C.

Adjunct Professor Joshua Pearce was quoted in the story.

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RadioResultsNetwork and Business North picked up a Michigan Tech News story about the return of the University’s in-person fall Career Fair on Sept. 21.

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The Mining Journal covered Michigan Tech’s 33rd Parade of Nations, which was held Sept. 17.

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MITECHNEWS.COM mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Traverse City business pitch competition NewTech, held Sept. 13. 

The University sponsored a Quick Tip segment during the event.

Cliff Drive One-Way Traffic Today

Today (Sept. 22), Cliff Drive will function as a one-way eastbound roadway. Starting at 7:30 a.m., all traffic accessing Cliff Drive must enter at the west entrance near the Administration Building and exit at the east end near the Rozsa Center. The south lane of Cliff Drive will be open for one-way, eastbound traffic only, while the north lane will be closed to accommodate the parking needs of more than 1,000 recruiters.

More than 350 recruiting organizations will be conducting student interviews throughout campus the day after Career Fair. Public safety officers will patrol Cliff Drive for any hazards throughout the day.

Career Services thanks Transportation Services for helping accommodate parking for our corporate guests with minimal disruption to campus operations. Your patience, understanding and hospitality toward Michigan Tech's corporate guests is what makes the Keweenaw their favorite recruiting destination.

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Save the Dates: Fall 2022 Michigan Tech Research Forum Events

The Michigan Tech Research Forum was developed to showcase and celebrate the work of Michigan Tech researchers and strengthen discussions in our community. It is a privilege and honor to announce two lectures this fall:

• University Professor Jeff Naber (ME-EM) — Wednesday, Oct. 12
• Distinguished Professor John Vucetich (CFRES) — Thursday, Dec. 1

Both lectures will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building, Ballroom A. There will be time for socializing for 30 minutes before and after the lectures. Descriptions of the topic will be included in forthcoming invitations for each event.

Michigan Tech Research Forum events are presented by the Office of the Provost in coordination with the Office of the Vice President of Research.

Please share this announcement widely and invite your colleagues as we celebrate and build upon our own Tech-grown research and scholarship talents! ​

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CTL Instructional Award: Kristin Brzeski and Melanie Kueber Watkins

The Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning will recognize Kristin Brzeski (CFRES) and Melanie Kueber Watkins (CEGE) as co-recipients of the CTL Instructional Award for Innovative or Out of Class Teaching next Thursday (Sept. 29) at 3:45 p.m. They were selected for the award after being nominated via the Deans’ Teaching Showcase during the spring 2022 semester.

Please plan to join us in recognizing their accomplishments. Register in advance to attend these events. 

Kristin Brzeski
Brzeski’s award presentation is titled "Integrating regional natural resource partners into lab and field based learning."

From the abstract:
Dr. Kristin Brzeski will share her experiences developing and funding a field and wet-lab based component in her wildlife courses. In this presentation, Dr. Brzeski will emphasize how she integrates partnerships with the MI Department of Natural Resources (DNR) into her instruction, where students generate data that is presented directly to DNR biologists. Through this process, students get hands-on field and lab based training while actively participating in the process of translating research for applied management. Students also get tips and advice for advancing their careers with land-management organizations such as the DNR.

Melanie Kueber Watkins
Watkins’ award presentation is titled "Collaborative Classroom Cloud Computing."

From the abstract:
Dr. Watkins will highlight her use of project-based learning to enhance student computing skills and job preparedness. Her approach involved integrating new concepts and skills into courses for 2D hydraulic modeling with lidar data, including Linux scripting.

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Lunch and Learn: Yoga

Join Brigitte Morin from Fresh Coast Yoga on Friday (Sept. 23) at noon in MUB Ballroom B1 for a lunchtime beginner's yoga sequence you could do at home or at work.

Slow stretching and deep breaths will be the center of the practice. All experience levels are welcome! Time will be included for questions, answers and eating lunch (lunch not provided).

Gently used yoga mats will be available for use (supplies are limited) and will be yours to keep. All employees who attend will be put into a drawing for a one-month unlimited pass to Fresh Coast Yoga (a $75 value!).

Please email benefits@mtu.edu to reserve your spot.

This Lunch and Learn counts toward Option 2 in your Husky Health checklist. Follow Michigan Tech Wellness on Facebook to stay up to date on all health and wellness opportunities!

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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. tomorrow (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.

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CEGE Alumni Seminar Speaker 

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE) invites you to the alumni seminar "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – Transportation Industry Implications," led by Brad Diener.

The virtual seminar will be held from noon to 1 p.m. tomorrow (Sept. 22) via Zoom.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is the largest federal investment in public transit ever while also being the largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the Interstate System. With approximately $550 billion in new federal spending, this historic legislation will significantly impact the transportation industry.

Over the next five years, Michigan is estimated to see an additional $1.7 billion in federal funding for transportation projects, with an additional $563 million dedicated to bridge repair or replacement projects. Additionally, competitive grant programs will allow Michigan to capture further federal dollars. Listen as Diener, from the Walbec Group, talks about the IIJA and the implications he is expecting for the transportation industry.

As area manager of the bridge division for Zenith Tech, Diener is responsible for providing leadership to the project management team as they complete complex heavy civil structure projects throughout Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota.

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'Arabesque: The Art of Clement Yeh and Tomas Co' Opens Friday

The Rozsa Galleries open their fall exhibit, "Arabesque: The Art of Clement Yeh and Tomas Co," this Friday (Sept. 23). Focused on dance and movement, "Arabesque" brings the works of Canadian artist Clement Yeh and local artist and Michigan Tech Professor Emeritus Tomas Co.

Yeh’s piece, "Movement in Time and Space," is an immersive drawing environment stretching 56 feet long and six feet tall. A member of the Visual Arts faculty at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Canada, Yeh’s practice focuses on drawing, sculpture and drafting. He is a passionate advocate for the supporting the role that art plays in personal growth, confronting social issues and uplifting the quality of life in society.

Co is a contemporary local artist whose work began as watercolor and sumi-e ink paintings and later expanded into sculptural and digital art. Although his primary career was as a chemical engineering professor at Michigan Tech, Co has kept an active parallel artistic endeavor. His work has appeared in local solo exhibits and a few juried shows nationally. His artistic motivation is to satisfy a need for personal expression and a need to make sense of the confusing, exciting, yet sometimes depressing current events and human conditions. His metal sculptures, featured in "Arabesque," are symbolic representations of the fluidity of dance.

Inspired by ballet and dance, you can meet Yeh and Co during an artist reception that will precede the Oct. 28 performance of American Ballet Theatre at the Rozsa. Plan to enjoy refreshments, meet the artists in a relaxed environment and learn about how they go from inspiration to the final pieces you see.

Details:

• Exhibit: "Arabesque: The Art of Clement Yeh and Tomas Co"
• Dates: Friday, Sept. 23, through Friday, Nov. 4
• Location: Rozsa Galleries A-Space, lower level of the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts
• Artist Reception: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct 28, in the Rozsa Galleries

This program/lecture 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.

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

CEGE Alumni Speaker Series - Brad Diener

Thursday, September 22, 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

Brad Diener, Area Manager, Zenith Tech - A Walbec Company The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—Transportation Industry Implications The Infrastructure Investment and...

Cities as Laboratories of Social-Ecological Change by Dr. Sharon Hall (ASU)

Thursday, September 22, 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. | U. J. Noblet Forestry Building, G002

The Ecosystem Science Center welcomes invited guest Dr. Sharon Jae Hall, Professor at Arizona State University, as part of the Distinguished Ecologist Lecture Series. Dr. Hall...

Biological Science Seminar Series - Dr. Yan Zhang

Thursday, September 22, 3 p.m.–4 p.m. | Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), 202

Dr. Yan Zhang Research Professor Michigan Technological University Targeting liver kinase B1 in human polycystic kidney disease Abstract: Autosomal dominant...

Physics Colloquium - Dr. Matt Guthrie

Thursday, September 22, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 139

Michigan Tech Alum, Matt Guthrie from the University of Conneticut will be presenting at the next Physics Colloquium. Please join the in-person presentation at 4:00 p.m....

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons Fall 2022 Session 1

Thursday, September 22, 5:00 p.m.–5:50 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...

Adult Huskies Swim Training Fall 2022 Session 1

Thursday, September 22, 5:00 p.m.–5:50 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...

Outdoor Venture Crew Meeting

Thursday, September 22, 6 p.m.–7 p.m. | Fisher 125

We will be voting on our trip for the weekend