April 29, 2025

College of Business alum Daron Hebeler is an analyst at powerhouse accounting firm Deloitte Detroit. He graduated from Michigan Tech in 2023 with two bachelor’s degrees: one in management information systems and another in accounting with a specialization in data analytics.

“I wanted to ensure that I wasn’t just gaining a traditional understanding of accounting but also equipping myself with the technological and software expertise necessary to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape,” he said. “With businesses implementing increasingly sophisticated accounting systems, I wanted to be someone who could not only understand the numbers but also navigate, develop and optimize these advanced technologies.”

Hebeler has become a strong alumni advocate for Michigan Tech — but at one point he considered dropping out. Read about his journey to graduation at Stories from Husky Nation.

Michigan Tech's Department of Public Safety and Police Services, in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC), is bringing two cybersecurity trainings to campus this May.

The training sessions are open to all faculty and staff members, and there is no prerequisite to register. It is perfect for those who want to learn how they can assist with a campus cyber event, regardless of their background with computers.

• MGT-478 Community Cybersecurity Information Sharing Integration — May 13-14
  This course introduces foundational cybersecurity information sharing concepts that can be leveraged to build a community cybersecurity information sharing collaborative.

• MGT-301 Community Cybersecurity Preparedness Simulation — May 15
  This course is designed as a facilitated game simulating a community-wide cyber security event. Using a gamification approach, participants will strategize with a diverse group of stakeholders to plan for and respond to a cybersecurity incident that could have cascading effects across a community.

All trainings will take place in the Memorial Union Building from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. To register for the trainings or learn more about them, please visit the Cybersecurity Course Registration form.

The Office of Naval Research has recently approved Michigan Tech’s Fiscal Year 2026 Fringe Benefit rates, effective July 1, 2025. The rate agreement can be found on the Research Facts and Figures page.

Beginning July 1, these rates will be applied to all funds, including active sponsored projects. For proposals with a start date of July 1 or later, please use these rates for Sponsored Programs proposal budgeting.

In accordance with the fiscal year 2026 approved fringe benefit rate agreement, the rates effective July 1 are as follows:

• Regular Non-Student Employee Rate — 38.6%
• Summer/Additional Comp Rate — 19.4%
• Graduate Student Rate — 14.7%
• Temporary Employee Rate — 10.1%
• Undergraduate Student Rate — 0%

If you have any questions regarding proposals, budgeting and charging of sponsored projects, please contact Kelly Kallio at 906-487-2244 or kmkallio@mtu.edu. For questions regarding charging of nonsponsored funds, please contact Jamie Dompier at 906-487-2122 or jadompie@mtu.edu.

The Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) is Michigan’s direct-sold 529 college savings plan, and can make it easier to save for higher education with triple tax benefits:

• Any earnings in an MESP 529 account grow tax-deferred
• Withdrawals are 100% tax-free when used for qualified higher education expenses
• Michigan taxpayers are eligible for a state income tax deduction

Learn about saving for college with the Michigan Education Savings Program by joining a virtual informational meeting on May 29 at noon. Sign up to attend at the MESP webinar registration form.

To learn more about Michigan’s direct-sold 529 college savings program, visit the MESP website or call 1-877-861-MESP.

Weihua Zhou (AC/ICC/HRI) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $20,000 research and development contract from Michigan State University.

The project is titled "AngioReady: a digital simulation platform with mixed reality for medical trainees and staff to learn invasive coronary angiography."

Dan Ye (CTL/ICC/HRI) is the co-PI on this potential one-year project.

WLUC TV6 and the Daily Mining Gazette covered Michigan Tech's Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies. The events celebrated more than 1,240 graduates, with speeches from Olympian Deedra Irwin ’15 (B.S. Exercise Science), Tabasum Hamdard ’25 (M.S. Data Science), and Mary Stevens ’25 (B.A. English).

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My UP Now quoted Christian Montesinos and Mariana Nakashima (both IPS) in a story about the Parade of Nations this fall. Montesinos and Nakashima discussed the event’s importance in connecting international students with the local community, highlighting the multicultural festival and related student contests.

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Brian Cadwell (PSPS) was quoted by WLUC TV6 in a story about National Drug Take Back Day. The event allows residents to safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications at various drop-off locations, including Michigan Tech's Public Safety and Police Services office.

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Jim Baker (VPR) was quoted by the Detroit Regional Chamber in a story about the Michigan Innovation Fund. Baker highlighted how the fund will address the capital gap in rural areas, helping startups grow and create high-skilled, high-wage jobs.

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The Daily Mining Gazette and the Mining Journal covered Michigan Tech’s Board of Trustees meeting on April 25. The board approved a revision to the undergraduate student activity fee, appointed Carlos Rodriguez as treasurer and approved faculty tenure and promotions.

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Patch mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Michigan schools ranked among the top 500 public and private colleges and universities in the 2025 Wall Street Journal rankings. Michigan Tech was recognized as one of the top institutions in the state.

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Michigan Tech alum Steve Baumgartner '01 (B.S. Mechanical Engineering) was mentioned by Fort Payne, Alabama's Times-Journal in a story about his Easter Grinch sculpture, which is being raffled to raise funds for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Fort Payne.

2025 Upper Peninsula Teaching and Learning Conference Registration Closing Friday

Registration for the 2025 Upper Peninsula Teaching and Learning Conference (UP-TLC) is now open and will close on Friday, May 2.

Register for the UP-TLC at Sched. Session selection is available!

Conference Schedule and Pricing:

• Thursday, May 8: Preconference Sessions
  Ticket Price: $45
  Includes Thursday preconference session admission, snacks and a parking pass (if needed). Registration also grants entry to "A Night at the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum," featuring museum tours, hors d'oeuvres and networking opportunities.

• Friday, May 9: Full-Day Conference
  Ticket Price: $95
  Includes access to all scheduled Friday sessions; breakfast, lunch and snacks; and a parking pass (if needed).

Conference Tracks:

• AI in Education — Explore the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and other machine learning applications to enhance the teaching and learning process. Topics may include leveraging AI for course design optimization, AI-driven student tutoring (such as custom GPT systems) and AI-assisted grading and feedback systems. Presenters might also explore AI’s role in adaptive learning technologies and predictive analytics for student success.

• Inclusive Teaching — Learn about strategies and tools for creating more inclusive learning environments. Topics may include the accessibility of course materials, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies and the use of EdTech tools that help ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed. Presenters can highlight practices that promote equity, remove barriers and enhance the overall student experience for learners from diverse backgrounds and abilities.

• Active Learning and Student Engagement — Learn about strategies and tools that foster active participation in face-to-face and online environments. Topic areas may include active learning techniques like interactive lectures, or team-based and problem-based learning. Additional strategies like case studies, peer teaching and the flipped classroom model are also appropriate. Presenters may also highlight digital tools that encourage collaboration, real-time feedback and dynamic student participation in diverse learning settings.

• Innovative Strategies in Education — Discover forward-thinking teaching practices and pedagogical approaches designed to enhance learning. Topics may include mastery-based learning, the use of learning portfolios, gamification and the integration of emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality. Presenters may showcase strategies that support improved learning outcomes and foster critical thinking in all teaching modalities.

Billing Information:

Universities and colleges have been assigned a University Billing Code* that attendees can enter during registration to charge their institution. Attendees without a University Billing Code will receive instructions for payment via the MTU Techshop.

* For MTU: Each college has a unique billing code provided to the dean and college director of administration. Registrants should use the appropriate code corresponding to the designated index.

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Talk: 'Rocks & Roots: A Celebration of Biodiversity and Geoheritage on the Keweenaw’s Bedrock Shorelines'

Join the Great Lakes Research Center for “Rocks & Roots: A Celebration of Biodiversity and Geoheritage on the Keweenaw’s Bedrock Shorelines,” with botanist Abraham Stone.

Stone will present the talk tomorrow, April 30, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Calumet Public Library Community Room.

Stone spent the summer of 2024 surveying the Keweenaw Peninsula bedrock shorelines in search of rare Arctic flora, striking geological formations and unusual lakeshore ecosystems as part of a “Rocks and Roots” research initiative.

In this talk, he will highlight how his explorations yielded interesting connections between the plants, the rocks and the lake itself — all while showing you some of the hidden secrets that make the Keweenaw special!

The event is open to all and is hosted by the Friends of the Calumet Public Library.

This project is the result of a partnership between the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) at Michigan Tech and the Keweenaw Community Forest Company, with additional support from Michigan Sea Grant and the Institute for Policy, Ethics, and Culture (IPEC) at Michigan Tech.

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

Master's Defense: Anna Cole

Tuesday, April 29, 9–10 a.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 610

Materials Science and Engineering Advisor: Paul Sanders Nickel Superalloy Composition and Process Optimization For Improved Welability

Husky Transfers: Student Resources Edition

Tuesday, April 29, 3–4 p.m.

During this month's session, we will highlight the student resources available at Michigan Tech to help you begin your journey as a Husky. Join the staff and students from the...

Minneapolis Alumni Social

Tuesday, April 29, 5–7 p.m. | Brühaven

Calling all Huskies in the Twin Cities! Join fellow alumni and friends, along with current Michigan Tech students and faculty members, for an alumni social on Tuesday, April...