Leading Scholar Volunteers Needed

We are excited to announce that our annual Leading Scholar competition is swiftly approaching.

This year, we are looking for 30 staff volunteers each day to lend their time and energy to support this amazing opportunity for our prospective students.

Volunteers will observe and evaluate prospective students during the Leadership in Action Unboxed Challenge using a rubric that will be provided prior to the event. The activity itself will be led by the Center for Educational Outreach.

As part of the scholarship selection process, finalists will be evaluated on skills such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork, academic curiosity and more.

The Leadership in Action session will take place in the Rozsa lobby and volunteers will need to be present from 9-10:15 a.m. on the selected volunteer date(s).

The dates for these events are:

  • Friday, Jan. 13
  • Friday, Jan. 20
  • Friday, Jan. 27
  • Friday, Feb. 3
  • Monday, Feb. 13
  • Friday, Feb. 17

If you're available and willing to help, please fill out our volunteer form.

Further details will be sent to all volunteers prior to the events. In the meantime, feel free to reach out with any questions.

Just as in years past, this event wouldn’t be possible without you. We sincerely appreciate your help in bringing these aspiring Huskies to campus!

Tech Trails Access During Cross Country Ski Nationals

The U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championship Races are being held this week, from Monday through Saturday (Jan. 2-7). During this period, the main Tech Trails trailhead will be closed for the races and for official training days.

Recreational skiers can use the softball field trailhead to access the Isle Royale and Superior loops. The Nara trailhead provides access to that end of the system. The Tolkien Trails are also open. Depending on staff availability and weather and snow conditions, grooming may not be done daily during race week.

The week includes four race days:

  • Monday, Jan. 2 — 10K freestyle interval start/distance
  • Wednesday, Jan. 4 — classic sprint
  • Friday, Jan. 6 — classic 10/20K mass start distance
  • Saturday, Jan. 6 — freestyle sprint

See the complete schedule of events and U.S. Nationals course maps for details.

During this time, the main trailhead is closed, along with all the loops connecting with the core (Birch, Oak, Pine, Portage, Hairpin, Skidder, Peepsock, etc.).

Remember to always check the Trails Conditions page for the latest updates. If you have any questions, please email recreation@mtu.edu.

Thank you,

Michigan Tech Athletics and Recreation

DOE Scholars Program Essay Writing Support

The Graduate School is providing essay writing support for current and prospective graduate students who wish to apply for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Scholars Program.

Description:
The DOE Scholars Program is designed to attract talented undergraduate students, graduate students and recent graduates to research, technical and professional opportunities within the U.S. Department of Energy and organizations that support the DOE mission. Applications are accepted from candidates from a wide range of disciplines, including:

  • Business
  • Communications and Graphics Design
  • Computer, Information and Data Sciences
  • Earth and Geosciences
  • Engineering
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Other Non-S&E (see solicitation for details)
  • Other Physical Sciences (see solicitation for details)
  • Other S&E-Related (see solicitation for details)
  • Physics
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences

As a participant in the DOE Scholars Program, you will have the opportunity to explore a federal career with DOE and gain a competitive edge as you apply your education, talent and skills in a variety of settings within the DOE complex.

Duration:
Most appointments for this solicitation will be for 10 weeks during the 2023 summer. However, longer-term appointments may also be offered depending on the availability of the participant and the hosting facility. Appointments can start at any time during the year at the discretion of the DOE sponsoring office. Appointment extensions may be granted based on the needs of the sponsoring office and the candidate's availability.

Benefits:
Participants will receive $750 per week plus a potential travel and training allowance.

Qualifications:
The DOE Scholars Program is open to all students and recent graduates who meet the following qualifications:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen at the time of application.
  • Be 18 years of age or older by desired start date.
  • Meet one of the following conditions:
    • Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a U.S. accredited institute of higher education.
    • Have completed an undergraduate (B.A., B.S. or equivalent) or graduate (M.S., DVM, Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent) degree within five years of the desired start date.
    • Be a U.S. military veteran who has been honorably discharged and/or who has been medically discharged because of a service-connected disability and who received a college degree in an appropriate discipline within 10 years of the desired start date.
    • Those who have completed a qualifying certificate program within one year of the desired start date are also eligible for a postgraduate appointment. The qualifying certificate program must be offered by an accredited academic institution; must require a minimum of 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent; must be in an appropriate science, technology, engineering or math discipline; and should be related to or complement a prior degree earned (bachelor’s degree or higher).
  • Must be pursuing a degree or have a degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) discipline or a field that supports the DOE operations mission, including but not limited to communications, management, business and law.

Application Deadline:
The application deadline is Jan. 23 at 8 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Visit the DOE Scholars Program website for additional information. Questions? Contact Sarah Isaacson at sisaacso@mtu.edu.

Hockey Takes Third in 56th GLI

No. 16 Michigan Tech hockey finished in third place in the 56th Great Lakes Invitational (GLI), held Dec. 27-28 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Michigan Tech fell 8-1 to No. 18 Western Michigan in the semifinal game to open the GLI on Dec. 27. Kash Rasmussen scored the lone goal for the Huskies.

"It was very disappointing and very humbling," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "The biggest disappointment for me is the lack of us being able to understand who we are and try to not be something we're not. We had a number of scoring chances but left our goaltenders out to dry."

In the GLI third-place game Dec. 28, Arvid Caderoth scored 1:24 into overtime for a 3-2 victory over No. 11 Michigan State.

"I'm extremely proud of the guys after a couple of good meaningful meetings today," Shawhan said. "I believe in our players, and we just need to continue to grow as a group by putting the team first. The bounceback after last night is incredible. Michigan State is a really good team and our leaders stepped up today."

The Huskies improved to 12-6-3 and 5-2 in nonconference games.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Quartet of Nordic Huskies Qualify for World University Games

Three current student-athletes and a former graduate assistant of the Michigan Tech Nordic ski team have qualified for the FISU World University Games (WUG), taking place Jan. 12-22 in Lake Placid, New York.

The Huskies receiving nominations are: 

  • Anabel Needham, U.S. athlete nomination
  • Adam Witkowski, U.S. athlete nomination
  • Eric Houck '22, U.S. coach nomination
  • Henriette Semb, Norway athlete nomination

"We are incredibly proud of our Huskies for qualifying for this international championship competition," head coach Tom Monahan Smith said. "They were selected as the very top collegiate student-athletes from their prospective countries, an incredible achievement in and of itself.

"We're also excited for them to embrace this incredible experience competing in the WUG, as this is the largest winter multisport collegiate athletic event in the world," Monahan Smith added. "Lake Placid will also serve as host to the 2023 NCAA Skiing Championships, which gives our student-athletes competing in WUG a great opportunity to gain experience racing the courses that they seek to be back racing on for NCAA championships in March!"

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Women's Basketball Defeated by Eagles, Victorious vs. Cavaliers

Michigan Tech women's basketball was defeated in a pressure-heavy game against Ashland University, but rebounded to victory versus Walsh University in a road trip to Ohio last week.

MTU suffered a 77-49 defeat at No. 2 Ashland on Dec. 29, ending a four-game win streak at Charles Kates Gymnasium.

Katelyn Meister posted a strong effort for Tech with 15 points, five rebounds. The Huskies fall to 10-3 overall.

"We made some mistakes and did not play our best, but give credit to Ashland," said head coach Sam Clayton. "They are a talented, well-coached team that came out and played a complete game tonight. We struggled against their pressure. I look forward to the opportunity to bounce back on Saturday."

And Tech did bounce back — the Huskies used a massive second quarter to vault past Walsh University 63-47 on Saturday (Dec. 31) at Cecchini Center.

Isabella Lenz scored 20 points and shot 5-for-12 from the field for MTU, adding four rebounds and four assists to her second 20-plus-point performance of the season.

"It was a great team win for us this afternoon," said Clayton. "I was pleased we received contributions from everyone. We started slowly on the defensive end, but we turned it around and locked down from the second quarter to the end of the game."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Nordic Skiing Hosting Cross Country Ski Nationals This Week

The Michigan Tech Nordic ski teams return to their home turf, hosting the 2023 Toyota U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships presented by Hampton Inn & Suites of Houghton on the Tech Trails. The event is taking place this week — it began Monday (Jan. 2), and will end Saturday (Jan. 7).

Competition days will start at 9:30 a.m., with video coverage via livestream and results from Superior Timing.  

"This is the sixth time that Michigan Tech has hosted the U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships and this is the biggest in terms of official participants that we've ever had," head coach Tom Monahan Smith said.

The event is bringing in over 470 athletes and 130 coaches and suppliers, to go with 100 volunteers.

Read more and see the schedule of events at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Posting

Job Posting for Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023

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.

Office Assistant 4 (nine months/ 20 hours/ first shift) #23000, Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (UAW posting dates Jan. 3 to Jan. 9, 2023 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). 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.

In the News

The ’Gander mentioned Michigan Tech in a listicle featuring 19 winter bucket list items to try in Michigan. Winter Carnival was named as Houghton’s can’t-miss winter event.

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Yahoo! Finance picked up a Detroit Free Press story about a recent Husky Innovate trip to southeast Michigan on which students visited with leaders in Michigan’s burgeoning tech start-up scene.

In the News

Tech Xplore mentioned Yousef Darestani (CEGE) in a story about an award-winning data set on how hurricane-force winds affect electric transmission towers.

Darestani co-authored the data set, which received a 2022 DesignSafe Dataset Award.

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Kelly Kamm (KIP) was quoted by the Mining Journal in a story about visits to Houghton and Chassell schools by senior undergrad Kate Meister (human biology and pre-health) and graduate students Kyle Wehmanen, Gwyn Hamlin and Felix Cottet-Puinel (kinesiology).

Steven Elmer and Tayler Haapapuro (KIP) were also mentioned in the story. Elmer was credited with organizing the visits to coincide with the Michigan-Indiana Physiology Understanding Week and National Rural Health Day, and Haapapuro was mentioned as the contact to arrange future visits.

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The reappointment of Matthew Johnson and the appointment of Monique Wells as members of Michigan Tech’s Board of Trustees was covered by WLUC TV6, the Keweenaw Report, the Mining Journal and Radio Results Network.

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SpaceRef picked up NASA’s press release about the advancement of 15 teams in the agency’s Break the Ice Lunar Challenge to Level 2 of the competition — including a team from Michigan Tech’s Planetary Surface Technology Development Laboratory.

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The Sahan Journal profiled ZhaaZhaa Greensky ’20 (B.S., biological sciences) in a story about the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Duluth Campus, which prioritizes Native American education.

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Michigan Tech was mentioned in a New Jersey Institute of Technology story about efforts to “deepen diversity and ensure equity, inclusion and belonging” at the institution.

NJIT President Teik Lim earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Tech in 1985.

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WLUC TV6 mentioned Michigan Tech in “2022 in Review” stories about the Upper Peninsula’s economy and community.

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The Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech’s Tech Trails as the site of this week’s U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships in a story about outdoor volunteer opportunities at the races.

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The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Michigan Tech archivists in a story about a resolution passed by Calumet’s village council to support a project to fund and erect a statue of local historical icon Anna “Big Annie” Clemenc in the village.

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The Traverse City Record-Eagle mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about community wins in 2022. 

The story listed the partnership between MTU, Northwestern Michigan College, Discovery Center & Pier, Traverse Connect and 20Fathoms to develop a new Freshwater Research and Innovation Center on West Grand Traverse Bay as an opportunity that could impact critical community issues in 2023.

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Michigan Tech hockey was mentioned by NCAA.com, MLive, Grand Rapids Magazine, Rink Live, the Lansing State Journal and multiple local news outlets in coverage of the 56th Great Lakes Invitational. 

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The Ottawa Sun quoted former Husky hockey captain Jake Lucchini in a story about the Ottawa Senators’ victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday (Jan. 1). Lucchini scored his first NHL goal — the game winner — in the game.

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CityScene Magazine listed Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival in a story highlighting winter festivals around the Midwest.

Reminders

Important Notice to Panopto-Huskycast Users

Beginning today (Jan. 3), a video content retention policy will be used in the Panopto-Huskycast video platform. Videos that have not been viewed in the past 25 months will be archived. No content will be deleted.

Archived videos will inherit the following behaviors:

  • Not available for immediate viewing.
  • Can be restored to on-demand access by the creator or anyone with view access.
  • Restoring archived videos may take up to 48 hours.
  • Archived videos will not display in their folder.
  • Email notifications will be sent to the creator and requester when an archived video has been restored.

Please review the IT Knowledge Base article Restoring archived Huskycast videos for more information.

Contact the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning at elearning@mtu.edu if you have questions or need assistance.

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CTL Technical Workshop: Getting Started with iClicker Cloud

To help instructors prepare for their spring semester courses, the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is offering a "Getting Started with iClicker Cloud" technical workshop Thursday (Jan. 5), at 10 a.m.

iClicker Cloud helps instructors engage with their students in the classroom by asking polling questions that can promote discussion, identify areas of confusion and generate questions. Michigan Tech now has a campus site license for iClicker Cloud, so instructors can use this tool at no additional cost to their students.

In this CTL technical workshop, you’ll learn:

  • How to set up your instructor account
  • How to make custom course settings
  • How to integrate your iClicker course with your Canvas course
  • Various question types available in iClicker Cloud polling

Register to attend this technical workshop.

Contact the CTL at elearning@mtu.edu with any questions.

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NSF I-Corps Registration Now Open

Are you interested in taking your idea, technology or process commercial? Entrepreneurially minded faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, alumni and local community members are invited to attend the Great Lakes Region Hub National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Program offered through Husky Innovate at Michigan Tech.

Course Description
The NSF I-Corps lean startup program spans six weeks. Using the scientific process, customer discovery and the business model canvas, teams will work to validate key business hypotheses and develop a business model.

Course Benefits
Upon completion of the workshop and the customer discovery interviews (30), you or your team may be eligible for a mini grant of up to $1,000. Funds may be reimbursed for customer discovery interview expenses.

Teams who complete the program may become eligible for the NSF I-Corps National Teams program and a $50,000 grant.

Participation in the workshop can lead to qualification for research and other funding from several granting agencies, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and various state and regional programs.

Past participants have reported that they saved time and money by better understanding potential applications of their technology, experienced improved engagement with teams and improved their ability to receive add-on funding.

Our spring cohort will meet virtually on the following dates:

  • Monday, Jan. 23
  • Monday, Jan. 30
  • Monday, Feb. 13
  • Monday, Feb. 20

To participate, please register for the program by Jan. 20. After registration, a Zoom link will be sent via a Google Calendar invite.