November 28, 2023

Student Affairs is excited to announce that Kellie Raffaelli has been promoted to be Michigan Technological University's new Dean of Students.

Raffaelli will work very closely with Laura Bulleit, vice president for student affairs, to ensure dedicated support for the everyday needs of all students and to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed.

Raffaelli is well known by many in the campus community from her 11 years at Michigan Tech. She has served students as the director at the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the director of International Programs and Services, the Greek Life advisor, interim director of Student Leadership and Involvement, assistant and associate dean of students, RSO advisor, chair of numerous committees and more.

In all of her positions over the years, Raffaelli has maintained a strong commitment to advocating for and supporting all students, and she will continue to do so in this new role.

Raffaelli will maintain a visible presence on campus. In addition to being available for scheduled appointments in the Dean of Students Office, she will hold open office hours each week on the first floor of the Van Pelt and Opie Library.

If you would like to personally reach out to Raffaelli to invite her to an event or just say hi, please email deanofstudents@mtu.edu.

Construction work will continue at the Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building's north entrance canopy beginning tomorrow (Nov. 29) at 8 a.m. The work will be completed by noon on Friday (Dec. 1).

Access and egress at the Dow's north entrance will be detoured through the first floor loading dock area (Dow 103) during workday hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on these days.

Contact Facilities Management with any questions or concerns. Thank you.

Provost Andrew Storer has established the Academic Advising Working Group to review the current undergraduate academic advising programs at Michigan Tech, review the workload of advisors, review benchmark workloads at other institutions and industry standards, and evaluate the impact of Civitas on advising workload and effectiveness.

Following the completion of this work, members of the working group will prepare a report that includes recommendations about undergraduate academic advising that best prepare Michigan Tech to implement the new Essential Education program. These recommendations will take advantage of new models and software that assist with the advising process while maintaining the personal connection that supports students. It is anticipated that this group will provide the provost with a report by the end of the 2023-24 academic year.

Members of this working group:

• Jared Anderson, department chair and professor, VPA
• Jodie Filpus-Paakola (working group co-chair), coordinator of academic services, COB
• Valoree Gagnon, assistant professor, CFRES
• AJ Hamlin, teaching professor, EF
• Theresa Jacques, registrar, Registrar’s Office
• Anna McClatchy, director, Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success
• Julie Ross, academic advisor, CEGE
• Marika Seigel (working group chair), associate provost for undergraduate education; dean, PHC
• Heather Simpson, program director and academic advisor, Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success
• Travis Wakeham, assistant teaching professor and academic advisor, BioSci
• Chuck Wallace, associate professor, CS; associate dean for curriculum and instruction, CC
• Kailee Laplander, academic advisor, ECE; University Senate representative
• TBD, Undergraduate Student Government representative

Provost Andrew Storer has established an Artificial Intelligence Working Group to identify ways to incorporate AI into Michigan Tech’s curricula and into the student academic experience. The working group will develop a vision to help prepare students for the workforce in which AI is omnipresent.

Throughout the 2023-24 academic year and likely to continue beyond this time frame, this group will organize sessions to hear ideas, concerns and strategies from the campus community, work with other formal and informal groups on campus that are already working on related issues and engage with others on campus who have interests and expertise in this area. Their report will include recommendations for strategies to incorporate AI into curricula, resource needs to support this work, and considerations of how Michigan Tech can optimally navigate this exciting new landscape.

Members of this working group include:

• Chad Arney, associate registrar, Registrar’s Office
• Laura Brown, associate professor, CS
• Laura Connolly, assistant professor, COB
• Holly Hassel (working group chair), professor, HU
• Nagesh Hatti, director, Enterprise Program
• Sarah Isaacson, program director, Graduate Language Assessment and Support, GS
• Tao Liu, assistant professor, CFRES 
• Shane Oberloier (working group co-chair), assistant teaching professor, ECE
• Jennifer Sams, assistant director of education and public services, VPOL 
• Jeffrey Toorongian, director, William Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning
• Xiaoyong (Brian) Yuan, assistant professor, AC/CS 
• Alexandra Morrison, associate professor, HU; University Senate representative
• Ben Conlin, Undergraduate Student Government representative
• Genius Amaraizu, Graduate Student Government representative

Professional editing services are available to all members of the Michigan Tech community through the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).

• Any academic document (proposals, reports, journal articles, dissertations, etc.)
• Editing for grammar, spelling, punctuation, flow and readability
• All via email and with quick turnaround

Editing services are provided by highly qualified English language instructors with expertise in grammar, writing and language instruction. Rates are $25 per hour.

Email ekastamo@mtu.edu to get an estimate and free sample edit.

Visit our webpage for more information.

Modern Languages & Cultures in the Department of Humanities is happy to host a celebration of our students, especially those graduating this fall 2023 with a minor in French, German or Spanish.

We will gather on Thursday (Nov. 30) from 6-7:30 p.m. at the MUB in Ballroom B.

Come play games, sing karaoke songs in four languages, meet people and have fun! Taste a snippet of our homemade food. Friends are welcome!

For more information, contact Leyre Alegre.

The Spanish conversation hour group La Peña will host our last meeting of the year today (Nov. 28).

You are invited to join us today from 5-6 p.m. in the Humanities Digital Media Zone (HDMZ) in the Walker Arts and Humanities Center (Walker 120A).

We will chat and play board games in Spanish. All levels of Spanish speakers are welcome. Please pass the information along, and bring a friend as well!

For any questions regarding La Peña conversation hours, please contact Estela Mira Barreda (HU) at ebarreda@mtu.edu.

The next guest speaker in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BioMed) Seminar Series will present Friday (Dec. 1) at 3 p.m. in person in M&M 610 and virtually via Zoom.

Kwonmoo Lee from Harvard Medical School will present "Uncovering Cellular Subtypes with AI-based Analysis of Heterogeneity."

Read the abstract and speaker bio at the University Events Calendar.

An in-person Software Carpentry Workshop in Python will take place Dec. 11-12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day in GLRC 202. The workshop is free for all Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff. Please note that learners are expected to commit to attending the entire workshop.

This workshop curriculum includes:

• Building Programs with Python
• Automating Tasks with Unix Shell
• Version Control with Git

The target audience for the workshop is learners who have little to no prior computational experience. The instructors will prioritize the creation of a friendly environment to empower researchers and enable data-driven discovery. However, even those with some experience will benefit from the workshop, as the goal is to teach not only how to do analyses, but how to manage the process to make it as automated and reproducible as possible.

Please register for the workshop by Sunday (Dec. 3). Space is limited and the workshop will likely fill quickly.

Questions? Please email Associate Professor Laura Brown (CS) at lebrown@mtu.edu.

Find more information on the Computing News Blog.

Michigan Tech hockey's Ryland Mosley and Matthew Campbell have been named CCHA Players of the Week.

Mosley is the CCHA Forward of the Week and Campbell is the CCHA Defenseman of the Week.

Mosley scored twice in the Huskies' 3-2 overtime victory at Minnesota State on Friday (Nov. 24). He scored on the power play for the overtime game-winner while also tallying the first goal for the Huskies.

Campbell tallied an assist each night in the CCHA series sweep in Mankato. He had the primary assist on Mosley's overtime game-winner Friday and set up Jack Works for Tech's second goal on Saturday (Nov. 25). He also played a key part in the penalty-killing unit, going a perfect 3-for-3 on the weekend.

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech hockey team earned their first CCHA sweep of the season — and first ever sweep of Minnesota State — over the holiday weekend.

The Huskies won 3-2 in overtime on Friday (Nov. 24). Ryland Mosley scored a power-play goal with six seconds left in the extra session to give the Huskies their fifth win of the season. It was Mosley's second goal of the night and second overtime goal of the season.

"I didn't think we competed or executed that well tonight, but it was good to find a way to find the extra point," Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. "Hopefully, that pays big dividends for us down the road."

Tech bagged another 3-2 victory on Saturday (Nov. 25) to improve to 6-6-3 overall and 4-2-0 in the CCHA. Max Koskipirtti scored the game winner on a third-period power play. It was the Huskies' third straight win — all three by the score of 3-2. 

"It was a great job by the guys grinding that one out," Shawhan said. "Mankato gave a couple of good pushes, and we actually pushed back. We've taken points in five of six in league play. I really like this group, and we're going to keep growing and getting better."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech men's basketball team fell to No. 16 Minnesota Duluth and No. 9 MSU Moorhead in a pair of weekend losses at the SDC Gymnasium.

The Huskies lost 85-70 to No. 16 Minnesota Duluth on Saturday (Nov. 25), falling for the second time last week.

"That's a really good team that I think has a chance to do some damage on the national stage — it was a good test for us," said head coach Josh Buettner. "In the big picture of things, there will be a lot to learn from it, and we'll be a better team because of this, but it shows us that there's just too many mistakes."

The Huskies ultimately fell against No. 9 nationally ranked MSU Moorhead on Sunday (Nov. 26). Tech fought hard in the loss, outscoring the Dragons 48-38 in the second half.

"The first half we saw some of the same problems we had yesterday," Buettner said. "We fought — that was an easy enough game to lose by 30 or 40, and we came and thought we had some chances. A couple of things didn't go our way, but if you don't put yourself in that big of a hole, you have a decent chance. We did a pretty good job taking care of the basketball and I think we did a good job on the offensive glass, and that shows the fight."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech women's basketball team is 1-1 so far on their three-game road trip, with a game remaining tonight (Nov. 28).

The Huskies were outscored 22-8 in the fourth quarter by No. 25 Minnesota Duluth, falling 69-59 on Saturday (Nov. 25).

"I thought we competed hard again," head coach Sam Clayton said. "Duluth is a good program and made us pay for our turnovers and defensive mistakes. We just have to bounce back tomorrow."

Bounce back they did. Tech earned a 74-68 victory over St. Cloud State at Halenbeck Hall on Sunday (Nov. 26).

"It was a great team win," Clayton said, "A lot of different players contributed in different ways. Alyssa (Wypych) started us off strong with five 3-pointers early. Then our offense slowed down in the second and third quarters."

MTU will finish their three-game road trip tonight at 7 p.m. against the Concordia St. Paul Golden Bears. Fans can listen live on the radio at Mix 93.5 WKMJ-FM or online at TheMix93.com or Pasty.net.

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Wednesday (Nov. 29)
• Call of Duty vs. St. Ambrose University, 7 p.m. RO4 NACE Varsity Plus East 4 Conference Championship 

Thursday (Nov. 30)
• Super Smash Bros: Ultimate B vs. Central Michigan University, 7 p.m. RO4 NACE Varsity Plus East 5 Conference Championship

Times are subject to change. Check Twitter @MTUEsports for updates.

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Esports News
Read more in the MTU Esports weekly update.

Watch MTU Esports on Twitch.

Mark Rhodes (SS) was a guest on the Tourism Geographies Podcast last Friday (Nov. 24). The episode centered on a recently published paper co-authored by Rhodes which traces the role of coal in industrial heritage and national identity in Wales over the past 60 years. Discussion topics included the value of historical and contemporary research at heritage sites; how such work can reveal the complexity of identity; and how nations, memories and our collective heritage change with time, political shifts and cultural expression.

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Ezra Bar-Ziv (ME-EM/APSRC) was quoted by Business Wire in a press release announcing a $600,000 grant from the Reducing Embodied Energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) Institute to a polymer recycling technology research partnership between Michigan Tech, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and polyolefins and biopolymers producer Braskem. The release was picked up in over 100 outlets nationwide.

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Rolf Peterson (CFRES) was quoted by Great Lakes Echo in a story discussing whether a wolf hunt should be allowed in Michigan if the species is removed from the federal endangered species list. The story was picked up from Michigan State University’s Spartan Newsroom.

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Jay Meldrum (GTRC) and Tim Havens (CS/ICC/GLRC) were quoted by MyNorth.com in a story about Michigan Tech’s expanding presence for research, education and business development in Traverse City.

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Crain’s Detroit Business mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Sterile State, a new company based in Hancock that’s using an innovative sterilization process for newly manufactured medical instruments. The company is a new incarnation of a previous venture, FM Wound Care, which spun off from Tech in 2016.

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The Fort Worth Star-Telegram profiled Michigan Tech as No. 15 on Stacker’s list of four-year public colleges with the best return on investment. Stacker’s rankings were picked up by more than 80 outlets nationwide.

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WJMN Local 3 covered Michigan Tech men’s basketball student-athlete Marcus Tomashek being named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week.

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The Daily Mining Gazette and WNMU-FM mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about a $1 million scholarship fund for L’Anse graduates established by Franklin St. John ’60 ’99 (B.S. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Hon. Ph.D. Engineering).

Michigan Tech Fund Endowment Check Requests Due Monday

Please remember to submit check requests for disbursements from Michigan Tech Fund Endowed Funds to mtfchecks@mtu.edu by Monday (Dec. 4) to meet the deadline for the Dec. 20 payment date.

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Winter Holiday Payroll Schedule

Below are the adjusted deadlines for the pay period of Dec. 10 through Dec. 23 (Bi-Weekly 26).

All web time approvers must have a designated proxy set up.

• Status Forms and EPAF Submissions — due Friday, Dec. 8, at noon
• Deduction Forms — due Friday, Dec. 8, at noon
• Electronic Time Submission — due Monday, Dec. 18, at noon
• Web Time Entry Approval — due Monday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m.

Seasonal Day Time Reporting Instructions:
Both hourly and exempt employees should use Earn Code 320 “Seasonal Day” for Dec. 27, 28 and 29 when completing their timesheets for the pay period of Dec. 24 to Jan. 6 (Bi-Weekly 01, 2024). This earn code will become available for use within the time reporting systems for Bi-Weekly 01. Employees who are using equal time off at a later date should also report those hours under the Earn Code 320.

Important Notes:

• There will not be an off-cycle or reallocation batch the week of Dec. 18 due to the holiday processing schedule for Bi-Weekly 26. Payday for Bi-Weekly 26 will remain Dec. 29. Also, there will not be an off-cycle or reallocation batch the week of Jan. 1, 2024, due to the New Year’s holidays.
• Status Forms and EPAF Submissions for Bi-Weekly 01 will be due Dec. 26.
• Regular payroll processing schedules will resume when we return to campus on Jan. 3, 2024.

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Volunteer Expo

Give thanks through service. Find your next volunteer opportunity at the Volunteer Expo on Thursday (Nov. 30) from 4-6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building Commons. Twenty organizations from around the region will showcase volunteer and philanthropic opportunities. Stop by to see where your next volunteer opportunity will take you!

Read more about the event on Involvement Link.

Interested in hosting a volunteer table? Reach out to Amy in the Student Leadership and Involvement office — stop by MUB 112 or email ahjerste@mtu.edu.

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VPR Research Series: ‘Meet the MTRI Researchers’

Join Research Development on Thursday (Nov. 30) from noon to 1 p.m. for a virtual session as we “Meet the MTRI Researchers.”

During the session, we’ll introduce the leadership team at the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) to talk about their current and emerging focus areas, and discuss opportunities for collaboration and how best to engage with their team.

Any questions should be addressed to rd-l@mtu.edu.

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University Holiday Luncheon

This year’s University Holiday Luncheon will be presented from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday (Dec. 4) in the Memorial Union Isle Royale Ballroom. All faculty and staff are welcome.

The University will cover the cost of the tickets this year, but guests will be asked to show their paper or e-ticket to attend. Tickets may be reserved online, in-person or via phone (7-2073) through the SDC Ticket Office. Ticket reservations end at 5 p.m. tomorrow (Nov. 29). We encourage you to secure your tickets early, as seating is limited.

The Holiday Luncheon Menu:

• Slow Roasted Turkey
• Garden Salad
• Mashed Potatoes and Fresh Herb Gravy
• Italian Sausage Stuffing
• Glazed Carrots
• Caramelized Cauliflower
• Cranberry Sauce
• Dinner Rolls
• Apple Pie
• Pumpkin Pie

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WUPFSC Releases Fourth Annual Report Highlighting Western U.P. Food Connections

The Western Upper Peninsula Food Systems Collaborative (WUPFSC) has released their fourth annual report, which highlights a sampling of area projects taking place last calendar year in support of stronger and healthier local food systems.

Michigan Tech Department of Social Sciences students Maya Klanderman and Isabelle Cervantes coordinated the collection of the 2022 annual report stories and photographs as part of an undergraduate research assistantship under the supervision of Angie Carter (SS).

The report includes updates from Manoomin (Wild Rice) Camp, coordinated by Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, as well as a Fall Harvest Celebration, the Humongous Fungus Festival, and the Biblio Bistro series. These projects emphasize the breadth of knowledge, creativity, leadership and determination that enrich our communities across cultures and generations.

Readers will also learn more about the Portage Lake Seed Library, the Calumet Community Garden’s first season, regional farm-to-school efforts and the launch of a regional food systems survey combined partner collaboration and research to identify next steps in improving access to fresh, healthy foods.

Also in 2022:

• Local farmers and partners kicked off the grassroots From the Ground Farmers Market Collaborative in an effort to better support local farmers and food access across our communities, including the acceptance of food assistance programs and debit/credit cards at partner farmers markets.
• Food preservation classes at North Harvest CSA and farm stays and tours at Apple Acres Farm created new opportunities for community members to learn with and from local farmers.
• The third season of Copper Shores Community Health Foundation’s Collective Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program provided a total of $7,200 worth of fresh produce from area farms to 12 participating families.

As MTU students reflected on their experience facilitating a community-based research food stories project, these community-based efforts strengthen local foodways, or the intersections of local cultures, histories, traditions and futures.

Those interested can find downloadable versions of this year’s annual report, as well as those from past years, on the WUPFSC website.

Michigan Tech is a partner of the Western Upper Peninsula Food Systems Collaborative, a grassroots coalition of food growers and procurers, public health and civic partners, scientists, educators, land and water stewards, students and community members that works to strengthen our communities by identifying and supporting our food systems’ unique gifts, local needs and regional priorities. WUPFSC’s vision is to create a supportive, interconnected and equitable food system across our region through service and stewardship for the well-being of our earth, air and water, and all living beings.

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

PhD Defense: Zhiyuan Lu

Tuesday, November 28, 8:30–9:30 a.m. | Rekhi Hall, 101

Computer Science Advisor: Jianhui Yue Memory Optimizations for High-Throughput Computer Systems

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PhD Final Oral Examination: Zhiyuan Lu, Computer Science

Tuesday, November 28, 8:30–10:00 a.m. | Rekhi Hall, 101

PhD candidate Zhiyuan Lu, Computer Science, will present their final oral examination (defense) on November 28, 2023, from 8:30-10 am in Rekhi 101 and via Zoom webinar. The...

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PhD Defense: Ann Varghese

Tuesday, November 28, 10:30–11:30 a.m. | R. L. Smith Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Building (MEEM), 111

Chemistry Advisor: Tatyana Karabencheva-Christova MULTILEVEL COMPUTATIONAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE CATALYTIC MECHANISMS OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-1 AND FAT MASS AND...

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Master's Defense: Sidney Mechling

Tuesday, November 28, 2 p.m.–3 p.m.

Environmental & Energy Policy Advisor: Adam Wellstead Using Artificial Intelligence to Understand Environmental Policy Innovation Labs' Contribution to the UN Sustainable...

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MATLAB Workshop

Tuesday, November 28, 2 p.m.–4 p.m. | Online

Free MATLAB Workshop! Women in Physics is hosting a MATLAB workshop that is available to anyone who is interested. It is a 7 week course that will begin with the basic...

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Master's Defense: Charles Carey

Tuesday, November 28, 3 p.m.–4 p.m. | R. L. Smith Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Building (MEEM), 1021

Mechanical Engineering Advisor: Paulus Van Susante Development and testing of a low mass vibratory Lunar compactor Attend Virtually:...

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Business Model Boot Camp

Tuesday, November 28, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), U113

Join Husky Innovate for Business Model Bootcamp! Students will work on developing the product market fit between their value proposition and the customer segment using the...

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Info Session: NSF CyberCorps Scholarship for Service

Tuesday, November 28, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, 112

Defend the Nation’s Digital Frontier! The Michigan Tech CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program will present an informational session on Tuesday, November 28, 2023,...

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Adult Huskies Swim Lessons Fall 2023 Session 3

Tuesday, November 28, 5 p.m.–6 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...

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Adult Huskies Swim Training Fall 2023 Session 3

Tuesday, November 28, 5 p.m.–6 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...

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La Peña Spanish Conversation Hour

Tuesday, November 28, 5 p.m.–6 p.m. | Walker Arts and Humanities Center, 120A

La Peña is the Spanish Conversation hour that Modern Languages in the Humanities department hosts twice a month throughout the semester. Come unwind, meet new people, and...

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College of Engineering Information Session

Tuesday, November 28, 7 p.m.–8 p.m.

Michigan Tech's College of Engineering is excited to meet you! Join us to hear current students share more about the college, the majors offered, and answer any questions you...

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(Women's Basketball) Michigan Tech at Concordia-St. Paul

November 28, all day

Women's Basketball: Michigan Tech at Concordia-St. Paul, Gangelhoff Center - St. Paul, Minn.