Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Semifinalists Open Forums Announced

Editor's note: Semifinalist candidate Sean Lane's presentations have been rescheduled for March 14 at 3 p.m. and March 15 at 10:30 a.m. Lane's presentations were originally scheduled for Feb. 23 at 10:30 a.m. and Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

Michigan Tech has invited four semifinalists to interview for Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. On-campus interviews will take place Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 through Friday, March 3, 2023.

Each semifinalist will give two public presentations sharing their vision for MTU within the context of the strategic plan and how their experience has prepared them for this task.

We ask that you save the date to attend one of each candidate's presentations on the following dates:

All presentations will occur in the East Reading Room of the Opie Library.  An opportunity to provide candidate feedback will be available on the search webpage at the conclusion of each semifinalist’s visit. Reminders will run in Tech Today prior to each interview. 

Spring 2023 Career Fair Wednesday, Feb. 22

The Spring 2023 Career Fair will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Student Development Complex. To accommodate the vast number of companies participating in Career Fair, the multipurpose room and racquetball courts will be closed all day Feb. 22.

We are excited about the many opportunities Career Fair provides our students.

Please let us know if you have any questions, and we appreciate your cooperation and patience as we support this campus initiative.

Call for Applications: Songer Research Award for Human Health

Matthew Songer '79 (biological sciences) and Laura Songer '80 (biological sciences) have generously donated funds to the College of Sciences and Arts (CSA) to support a research project competition for undergraduate and graduate students.

Remembering their own eagerness to engage in research during their undergraduate years, the Songers established these awards to stimulate and encourage opportunities for original research by current Michigan Tech students. CSA is extremely grateful for the Songers' continuing interest in, and support of, Michigan Tech's programs in human health and medicine. This is the sixth year of the competition.

Students may propose an innovative, medically oriented research project in any area of human health. The best projects will demonstrate the potential to have broad impact on improving human life. This research will be pursued in consultation with CSA faculty members.

Awarded during the spring 2023 semester, the Songers' gift will support one award for undergraduate research ($4,000) and a second award for graduate research ($6,000). Matching funds from CSA will allow two additional awards. The research will be conducted during summer 2023 and/or the following academic year.

Any Michigan Tech student interested in exploring a medically related question under the guidance of CSA faculty may apply. Students majoring in any CSA degree program, including both traditional (i.e., biological sciences, kinesiology, chemistry) and nontraditional (i.e., physics, psychology, social science, bioethics, mathematics) programs related to human health may propose research projects connected to human health.

Students are encouraged to propose original, stand-alone projects with expected durations of 6-12 months. Preference is given to proposals that are student-initiated ideas, not merely an extension of advisor’s work. The committee also encourages applications from CSA students who seek to continue research projects initiated through other campus mechanisms, such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, Pavlis Honors College activities or the Graduate Research Forum (GRF).

Please visit the Pre-Health Professions blog for information on the application and review process, how the funds may be used and when the awards will be announced. Questions may be directed to David Hemmer at djhemmer@mtu.edu.

Spring 2023 Midterm Grade Submissions Open Monday

Midterm grades will open at noon on Monday, Feb. 20 and will close at noon on Monday, Feb. 27.

Midterm grades must be submitted for all first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 30 credits. The Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success coordinates outreach to these students based on the midterm grades submitted. This supports timely intervention for students who may be experiencing academic and/or other difficulties.

Electronic Grade Submission
Instructors have two options for electronic grade submission. They may submit grades via Banner Self-Service by going directly into Banweb, entering grades and clicking submit. Those with larger class sizes where grades have already been totaled in Canvas may submit grades via Canvas by going to CourseTools and using the Grade Wizard to first extract the grades from Canvas and then submit them to Banner.

If grades are submitted using Banner Self-Service, only the students who require a midterm grade will appear. For those who submit their grades via Canvas, a first-year student column has been added to identify these students in your course grade book.

Satisfactory grades (A-C) should be entered as “SA” and Unsatisfactory grades (CD-F) as “UN”.

Midterm grades are for full-semester courses only. Grades not turned in by the deadline will have an M (missing) grade assigned.

Husky Health Incentive Payout

Benefits-eligible employees who participated in Husky Health in 2022 and submitted a Husky Health Checklist will receive their elected incentive on Friday, Feb. 24.

If you elected the Husky Health incentive as a payout in your HSA or FSA, you will see this reflected on your pay stub. Employees that elected the Husky Health incentive for a membership at the SDC, Mont Ripley or Portage Lake Golf Course will be able to redeem their incentive payout on or after Feb. 24.

Find out more information about Husky Health and other wellness benefits online. Questions? Contact the Benefits Office at benefits@mtu.edu or 7-2517.

Film Board Presents: 'Wakanda Forever'

This week, Film Board presents "Wakanda Forever," which is rated PG-13.

Summary: The people of Wakanda fight to protect their home from intervening world powers as they mourn the death of King T'Challa.

  • Friday, Feb. 17 — 5:30, 8:30, 11:30
  • Saturday, Feb. 18 — 5:30, 8:30, 11:30

Located on Michigan Tech's campus in Fisher 135.

Tickets are $3 and concessions are $1. We hope to see you at the movie this weekend and have a great day.

Concert Tonight: 'Xylophones and Rainbows'

Tonight, join us at the Rozsa for "Xylophones and Rainbows", a joyful 40-minute burst of musical exuberance with Michigan Tech Music's Superior Wind Symphony, led by Director of Bands Mike Christianson.

The colorful and energetic lineup includes "March of the Mitten Men," by Sousa, "Electro-Magnetic Polka," by Johann Strauss Jr. and the beloved "Over the Rainbow." View the full program and performers in the digital program.

The Superior Wind Symphony is an auditioned ensemble of winds and percussion that performs the music of composers spanning five centuries, living and not, from all genders, ethnicities and genres. Members come from disciplines across campus, with this concert's performers representing the College of Engineering, College of Sciences and Arts, and College of Computing.

Get Tickets
Get tickets online, by calling 906-487-1906, or visiting the Rozsa Box Office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday or one hour before the show. Michigan Tech students can reserve free Experience Tech tickets online and Student Rush will be available at the door. Remember to bring your HuskyCard with you!

Details
What: "Xylophones and Rainbows" performed by the Superior Wind Symphony
When: Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts
Cost: $15 Adults, $5 Youth Under 18, Free Student Rush

New Venture Challenge Registration Open

Are you a student with a great business idea or do you want to team up with a student who has a great business idea? If so, the New Venture Challenge provides an exciting venue to pitch your business, get valuable feedback, network with representatives within Michigan's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, and last but not least, potentially win some valuable prize money!

For more than a decade, Michigan Technological University and Central Michigan University have collaborated to offer Tech students the opportunity to compete at the New Venture Competition in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Students compete for more than $100,000 in cash prizes and in-kind services.

We will host an information session and two prep sessions — we encourage you to attend all prep sessions if you plan to pitch. The pitch competition itself will involve a trip to Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, where you will pitch your idea.

If interested, register online by March 1.

'Telling Your Story' Workshop Registration is Now Open

Are you a student who wants to pitch in the New Venture Challenge or another pitch competition? Do you want to make your presentations more compelling? If so, this workshop is for you.

Your ability to pitch greatly improves when you explain your business venture in a persuasive way. What need does your product or service fill? What impact will it have? Communicating your value proposition through the art of storytelling is an important part of connecting with your audience.

Laura Kasson Fiss (PAV), who teaches writing, literature and a course through Pavlis on telling your story, will walk pitch contestants through a process to help them identify key elements of their stories to pitch their innovations. We'll talk about ways to arrange narrative elements to create a story arc and how to mobilize techniques of storytelling in the service of your innovation.

Join us on Feb. 23, 4- 5:30 p.m., at the West Collaboration Space in the Pavlis Honors College. Register online by Feb. 21.

Huskies Home for Stretch Run

Michigan Tech men's basketball hosts Purdue Northwest (Thursday) and Wisconsin Parkside (Saturday) at SDC Gymnasium this week, with three games remaining in the regular season.

The Huskies are currently ninth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and must rise to eighth to qualify for the postseason tournament. 

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Three Huskies Receive Fall GLIAC Commissioner's Award

Michigan Tech's Carissa Beyer, Clayton Sayen and Marc Sippel have been named recipients of the 2022 Fall GLIAC Commissioner's Award the conference announced on Tuesday (Feb. 14). The award is presented after the fall, winter and spring athletic seasons to six female and six male student-athletes that excel both in the classroom and in competition.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Tech in Houghton This Week

The Huskies are home for the final three games of the regular season, beginning Thursday at 5:30 p.m. against Purdue Northwest. The Huskies then host Wisconsin Parkside Saturday at 1 p.m. 

Tech defeated the Pride in Hammond, Indiana 86-83 on December 3. 

The Huskies stayed in second place in the GLIAC standings with a 63-48 win over Davenport Saturday in Grand Rapids. Tech is currently in position to host the GLIAC Quarterfinals at SDC Gymnasium on March 1. The Huskies were ranked No. 24 in the nation last week and received national votes from the WBCA on Tuesday.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Huskies Promote Kellen O'Neill to Full-Time Role

Kellen O'Neill has been promoted by Michigan Tech football head coach Dan Mettlach to a full-time role as Wide Receivers Coach, announced Tuesday. O'Neill served in a similar role on a part-time basis last season.

"We are very fortunate to be able to promote Kellen to a full-time role on our staff," Mettlach said. "He did a great job with the Wide Receiver room a year ago and will continue to develop that position at a high level."

"Michigan Tech is an amazing place and I've really enjoyed my last six months here," O'Neill said. "I am extremely grateful to Dr. Suzanne Sanregret and Michigan Tech for the opportunity to contribute to the future growth of this football program. Coach Mettlach is a tremendous leader and I'm excited to help execute his vision for Michigan Tech Football."

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

In Print

Shane Mueller (CLS) is the co-author of a journal article recently published in Frontiers in Computer Science.

The paper, titled "Measures for explainable AI: Explanation goodness, user satisfaction, mental models, curiosity, trust, and human-AI performance," can be viewed and/or downloaded online.

Full list of authors: Robert R. Hoffman, Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Pensacola, FL; Shane T. Mueller; Gary Klein, MacroCognition, LLC, Dayton, OH; and Jordan Litman, Department of Psychology, University of Maine at Machias.

Job Postings

Job Postings for Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Assistant Teaching Professor, Geological and Mining and Engineering Sciences, Internal Posting. Apply online.

Research Engineer/Scientist I, Michigan Tech Research Institute. Apply online.

ADVANCE & Faculty Development Coordinator, Provost Office & ADVANCE Center. Apply online.

Academic Advisor, Electrical and Computer Engineering. 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 humanresources@mtu.edu.

On the Road

John Jaszczak and Patrice Cobin (A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum) attended numerous gem and mineral shows in Tucson, Arizona. Jaszczak also presented a lecture, “120 Years of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan Tech," during the main Tucson Gem and Mineral Show's lecture series on Feb. 10.

At the main show, which was themed "Silica — Agates and Opals and Quartz, Oh My!", the museum set up an exhibit, "Superior Agates," of some of its finest Lake Superior agate specimens, including several having native copper banding.

Reminders

CC Graduate Students Invited to Town Hall

Dave House Dean of Computing Dennis Livesay (CC) and Department Chairs Andy Duan (CS) and Dan Fuhrmann (AC) invite CC graduate students to join a town hall-style meeting today from 3-4 p.m. in Rekhi 214.

Graduate Program Directors Zhenlin Wang (computer science), Alex Sergeyev (mechatronics electrical robotics engineering technology), Guy Hembroff (health informatics) and Laura Brown (data science) will also join the town hall.

The open discussion forum is intended as a platform for graduate students to raise and discuss issues of importance to them. The floor will be open to any graduate student who wishes to speak. Light refreshments will be served.

Read the Computing News Blog.

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Upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drive

The Michigan Tech Student Leadership and Involvement Office (SLI), with support from Order of Omega, is hosting a two-day American Red Cross blood drive in the Memorial Union Building Ballroom on Feb. 21 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Students, faculty, staff and the community are all invited to donate. Many people want to give back to the community but may not have a lot of time to volunteer. In only about an hour, volunteer blood donors can help save lives and feel instant gratification.

Anyone who comes to donate at this blood drive will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email! Plus, they will get a long-sleeve T-shirt at the time of their donation.

Our appointment schedule is currently only 27% filled — make your appointment today to help us reach 100%! To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org (use sponsor code HUSKIES) or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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A Year of Kindness at Michigan Tech

Tomorrow is National Random Acts of Kindness Day and it is important to step back and reflect on ourselves, our campus and our world.

Student Affairs is pleased to introduce a new blog, Michigan Tech: The Kindest University, to highlight the incredible acts of kindness occurring all across our campus. The blog is focused on a single but powerful idea: kindness.

In November 2022, on World Kindness Day, the Student Affairs leadership team endorsed the idea of continuing to promote kindness throughout 2023. We know that kindness is already occurring. But we are sometimes hesitant to acknowledge our kindness because it may be perceived as bragging or rewarding people for doing something that we should be doing anyway.

It’s always a good time to be kind to ourselves and to others. We live in a precarious world surrounded by sadness, pain, frustration, disappointment, anger, fear and despair. But we are also surrounded by joy, hope, resilience, love, faith and compassion. We just need to choose which force, feeling or emotion will get our energy and attention. Our blog is intended to highlight the incredible members of the Michigan Tech community who are choosing kindness.

A simple act of kindness can make a difference to a person. Acts of kindness do not have to be grand. Small acts of kindness can have a big impact and can often change a person’s mood for a moment, a day or much longer. Kindness can also have a positive impact on one’s self-esteem and overall well-being.

This new blog will celebrate kindness. Individuals will be invited to share their experiences, perspectives, research, resources and suggestions related to kindness. Ultimately, we hope the stories will inspire more conversations and acts of kindness at Tech, so that we can be a healthier and more impactful institution in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Help us highlight how Michigan Tech is the kindest university! Whether you experience kindness firsthand or witness it happening to a fellow Husky, we want to encourage you to share your story and thoughts on our blog.

Visit the new Kindness at Tech website to learn more about this powerful concept and what we can do to model and celebrate kindness.

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Free Sustainability Film: Sacred Cow - Tonight, 7 p.m. at MTU Forestry Building

Sacred Cow (2020) is the next film in the Sustainability Film & Facilitated Discussion Series. The screening takes place tonight at 7 p.m. in G002 Hesterberg Hall in Michigan Tech's U.J. Noblet Forestry Building. Alan Turnquist, director of sustainability and resilience, will be the discussion facilitator.

Sacred Cow makes the case for (better) meat. The film probes the moral, environmental and nutritional quandaries we face in raising and eating animals, with a lens focused on the cow and sustainable agriculture.

A $5 suggested donation at the door to support the Sustainability Film Series is appreciated.

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College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Seminar

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES) will have a seminar at 12:30 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 16) at G002 UJ Noblet with speaker Assistant Professor Trista Vick-Majors (BioSci). Vick-Majors’ talk is entitled “Microbial Life in the Cryosphere from the Keweenaw to the Poles.”

Using microbial ecosystems spanning from subglacial aquatic environments in the Antarctic to the Keweenaw, Vick-Majors aims to develop a coherent understanding of the fundamental biotic and abiotic interactions that result in observable patterns in microbial community composition and function across the cryosphere’s aquatic ecosystems.

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Physics Colloquium: Grad Student Presentations

Physics graduate students will be presenting their research progress at this week's Physics Colloquium:

  • Rishi Babu (advised by Petra Huentemeyer)
  • Cameron Shock (advised by Issei Nakamura)

This will be an in-person event — the students will give their talks at 4 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 16) in Fisher 139.

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This Week's C3 Luncheon

Menu for Thursday (Feb. 16):

  • Chicken Tandoori (Gluten Friendly)
  • Yellow Lentil Dal (Gluten-Friendly, Vegan)
  • Zucchini Panchmael (Gluten-Friendly, Vegan)
  • Saffron Rice (Gluten-Friendly, Vegan) 
  • Garlic Naan (Vegan)

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.

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Volunteers Needed for Virtual Reality Research Experiment

Michigan Tech students, staff and faculty, as well as individuals from the Houghton community, are invited to participate in a perception experiment being conducted by faculty and students of the Department of Computer Science.

The experiments involve viewing and moving around in computer-generated “virtual reality” environments or “real” environments and making perceptual judgments.

To participate in this experiment you must be between the ages of 18 and 35, have normal or corrected-to-normal vision, no history of epilepsy or seizures, and the ability to walk without impairment. Participants will be compensated for their time. Participation is entirely voluntary, and participants may withdraw from the experiment at any time without penalty.

If you are interested, please contact exp-signup-L@mtu.edu or visit the Perception and Virtual Reality Studies webpage.

The experiment is being led by Department of Computer Science Ph.D. student Soheil Sepahyar.

Read more on the Computing News Blog.

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Today is Enterprise Day

Do you know a student who might be interested in learning more about Enterprise at Michigan Tech? Or a student who wants to join an Enterprise, but is not sure which team is right for them? Please take a moment to invite any and all students to Enterprise Day, happening this today from 6-8 p.m. in the MUB Ballroom.

During this time, students will learn more about Enterprise by talking with program staff and students from various Enterprise teams, all in one place. Teams will be spread out across the MUB Ballroom.

Students will be able to visit with:

Advanced Metalworks • Aerospace • Alternative Energy • Blizzard Baja • Blue Marble Security • BoardSport Technologies • Built World • Clean Snowmobile Challenge • Consumer Product Manufacturing • Formula SAE • Green Campus • H-STEM • Hotforest • Humane Interface Design Enterprise • Husky Game • Innovative Global Solutions • ITOxygen • Multiplanetary Innovation Enterprise (MINE) • Open Source • Robotic Systems • Strategic Education through Naval Systems Experiences (SENSE) • Supermileage Systems • Velovations • Wireless Communication

For more information about each team, please visit our Enterprise Day webpage. Registration is not required for interested students who would like to attend. If students have any questions, please reach out to enterprise@mtu.edu.

Today's Campus Events

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

Michigan Tech Art Presents: Me, You, and Us

MICHIGAN TECH ART PRESENTS Me, You, and Us ART EXHIBITION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2023 THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2023 A-SPACE HOURS: M-F 8 A.M.-8 P.M.

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EV Scholars Informational Meeting

Students interested in pursuing a job or internship in the electric vehicle or mobility tech sector are invited to apply for the EV Scholars program. Learn more about this...

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Cookies & Coloring Books

Let's talk and color your cares away! Drop in to de-stress with an afternoon of adult coloring and find out more about what the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being...

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Resume Review with Corporate Recruiters

Get feedback from industry professionals on your resume in preparation for Career Fair.

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CTL Coffee Chat - Teaching and Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 3:45PM https://mtu.libcal.com/event/10291219

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Physics Colloquium - Graduate Student Presentations (Babu / Shock)

Please join physics graduate students, Rishi Babu and Cameron Shock, for their in-person presentations Thursday, February 16th at 4 PM - Fisher Hall 139. Analysis of a...

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Adult Huskies Swim Lessons Spring 2023 Session 2

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...

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Adult Huskies Swim Training Spring 2023 Session 2

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...

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Thursday After School Learn to Ski and Snowboard Program

Thursdays Ages 8+ Children of all ability levels have an opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard, make new friends, and explore Mont Ripley together. The focus is on safety,...

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Outdoor Venture Crew Weekly Meeting

We'll be voting on our weekly trip and discussing other relevant information. While our meetings run until 7:00 PM, they don't usually last longer than 20 or 30 minutes. Feel...

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(Women's Basketball) Purdue Northwest vs. Michigan Tech

Women's Basketball: Purdue Northwest vs. Michigan Tech, SDC Gymnasium - Houghton, Mich.

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Bowling with Marathon

The company Marathon wants to host a bowling event at the Mineshaft to build connections with students of color on Michigan Tech's campus.

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Enterprise Day

Are you interested in learning more about Enterprise at Michigan Tech? Maybe you are thinking about joining Enterprise, but are not sure which team is right for you. Learn...

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Fox Valley Alumni Husky Happy Hour

Fox Valley-based Michigan Tech alumni and friends are invited to join Leah Enking '10 for a happy hour on Thursday, February 16, 2023, from 7-10 p.m. CT at Appleton Beer...

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Sustainability Film Series: Sacred Cow

Sustainability Film Series presents Sacred Cow (80 min.) Description “The case for (better) meat.” Sacred Cow probes the fundamental moral, environmental and nutritional...

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(Men's Basketball) Purdue Northwest vs. Michigan Tech

Men's Basketball: Purdue Northwest vs. Michigan Tech, SDC Gymnasium - Houghton, Mich.

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Michigan Tech Music Presents: Xylophones and Rainbows

MICHIGAN TECH MUSIC PRESENTS XYLOPHONES AND RAINBOWS PERFORMED BY THE SUPERIOR WIND SYMPHONY Run Time 40m

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Club Roll

Come join the Log Rolling Club in the SDC Pool. No experience needed, we would be more than happy to help you learn and have a great time! Everyone that participates in...

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Adult and Youth Huskies Tennis and Pickleball Lessons (Session 1)

Youth Huskies Tennis Lessons: After school and weekend Youth Huskies Group Tennis Lessons are available this spring! Join in by age group and level for some fun on the tennis...

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CDI x CSMHW: Cookies and Coloring Books

De-stress with an afternoon of adult coloring and find out more about what resources the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being has to offer! Come color with us or...