TechAlum News, October 16, 2006

October 16, 2006 (Vol. 13, No. 22)

A weekly electronic newsletter for alumni and friends of Michigan Technological University

Edited by Dennis Walikainen (MS ’92), Director, Web Development, University Marketing and Communications
dkwalika@mtu.edu

For past issues, see our archives.

Fisher Hall

You wouldn’t recognize the place, at least Rooms 135, 139, and some other indoor locations. Fisher Hall was renovated this summer, and students, faculty, and staff are enjoying the new digs.

Fisher 135 (right) features two huge video monitors so those in the back can see the displayed information up front. And professors have access to all the latest technology for teaching.

The smaller classrooms have replaced the old, plastic, multi-colored chairs with padded ones, and long rows of tables allow for better note taking. And, in between those classrooms, benches and tables have been positioned into the alcoves that were formerly used mostly for sitting on the floor between classes. Even that floor has been improved, with a pattern of earth-toned colors on an off-white background to lighten up the hallways.

The most noticeable change, however, is the Aftermath Café (right). Located outside of Fisher 135 and 139, it serves coffee, tea, and other drinks, as well as bakery, yogurt, fruit, breakfast sandwiches, salads, lunch sandwiches, pizza, candy and chips. No excuse to go hungry between classes anymore.

And, it’s not just Fisher. Chem-Sci (formerly the Chem-Met Building) has also had a going-over, with improved classrooms and labs. In addition, computerized heating systems sense outside temperatures and adjust the indoor heat accordingly, which came in handy this week when we got our first snowstorm!

So, this generation of Tech students can at least be a bit more comfortable as they sweat out those pop quizzes and going to the board to finish the equation.

At Tech

BISMARCK BATTLES BACK: Residents of the North Dakota capital are praying for enough snow to break Michigan Tech's snow-angel record, snatched away from them last February when 3,784 students, employees, schoolkids and community members flapped their arms and legs in unison at Sherman Field. The goal of Bismarck snow-angel organizer Marilyn Snyder is to assemble a crowd of 10,000 at the state capital on Dec. 26, in hopes of taking advantage of post-Christmas shopping traffic. Michigan Tech student Paul Judge, who was instrumental in organizing Tech's world record-breaking event (along with the world-record snowball fight and the world's largest snowball), said in a Bismarck Tribune article that he wishes Snyder luck but pointed out the obvious: "I hope she understands that in order to break the snow angel record, she's going to have to have snow," he said. You can read the story, which has since hit the AP national wire, here: <http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/10/07/news/topnews/121958.txt>

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BOARD APPROVES LEADING SCHOLARS PROGRAM: The Board of Control gave its approval to changes in one of the University's premiere scholarship programs. The Michigan Tech Scholar Award will be reconfigured to place additional emphasis on leadership attributes and talents. "The Board’s approval of changes to this scholarship presents us with a tremendous opportunity to attract an even broader population of students and reaffirms the importance of leadership talent as emphasized on our Strategic Plan," Vice President for Student Affairs Les Cook said. The Michigan Tech Scholar Award program, based largely on academic excellence and valued at $32,000, included full tuition, room and board, and an annual stipend of $600. The new Michigan Tech Leading Scholars program will provide the same award values with the exception of the stipend, which will increase to $1,000. The three recipients will be selected from a pool of 30 finalists invited to campus for a visit with university administrators, faculty and students in early December.

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CAMELIO EARNS MANUFACTURING AWARD: The Society of Manufacturing Engineers has selected Jamie A. Camelio, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics, as one of only 13 recipients of its 2007 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award. The award is conferred "in recognition of his significant achievements and leadership in the field of manufacturing as a young engineer." "Dr. Camelio has done outstanding work in the field of assembly," said Professor John W. Sutherland, who nominated Camelio for the award. Camelio's work focuses on predicting variations in assembly processes. He has also published award-winning papers in international journals, including the Society of Manufacturing Engineers' Journal of Engineering, and has been a reviewer for several other journals.

Tech Sports

TECH HOCKEY SPLITS WITH NORTHERN MICHIGAN: A goal from Justin St. Louis with :03 remaining in regulation sealed a 2-1 triumph for the Michigan Tech hockey team over Northern Michigan last Friday (Oct. 13) at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The win was the first against NMU for Tech since the 2003 campaign. The Wildcats won the rematch last Saturday (Oct. 14) at the Berry Events Center, 1-0, despite the Huskies out-shooting the hosts, 22-14.More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/sport.php?sport=mho>

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FOOTBALL HUSKIES WIN THIRD STRAIGHT: The Michigan Tech football team has won three straight games to improve its 2006 record to 3-4. The Huskies knocked off #23-ranked Saginaw Valley State last Saturday (Oct. 14) by a 20-7 score. Tech shut out the Cardinals for more than 55 minutes in the game. Lee Marana recorded the 21st 100-yard rushing game of his career to improve his career rushing total to 4,204 yards.More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/sport.php?sport=mfb>

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TECH TOPS NORTHERN IN FIVE-GAME VBALL THRILLER—Huskies Record Fourth Straight Win; Beat Wildcats For First Time Since 2002: Sophomores Jen Jung (Andover, Minn./Coon Rapids) and Veronica Armstrong (Battle Creek, Mich./Central) each registered a double-double and three other Huskies notched at least 10 kills to carry the Michigan Tech volleyball teams past arch-rival Northern Michigan, 3-2, Tuesday at the SDC Gym. Tech won the marathon match by scores of 30-27, 19-30, 30-28, 23-30, 15-12. "This was a huge win for us in many different ways," said eighth-year head coach Krista Mikesch. "Beating NMU is a huge lift for us and this gives our team a lot of momentum for the stretch run in the GLIAC." More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/sport.php?sport=wvb>

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VOLLEYBALL WINNING STREAK AT FIVE MATCHES: The Michigan Tech volleyball team won both of its matches last week beginning with a huge 3-2 victory over Northern Michigan last Tuesday (Oct. 10). The Huskies then defeated Lake Superior State, 3-0, Friday (Oct. 13). The win over NMU was the first for Tech since the 2002 season. The Huskies moved their record to 13-10 overall and 9-5 in the GLIAC with the pair of wins. Michigan Tech is tied for seventh in the Great Lakes Region, according to the NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Committee. By earning the seventh spot in the regional rankings, Michigan Tech has achieved its highest such ranking since Oct. 10, 2001, when the Huskies were ranked fourth in the region.

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MINER’S CUP GAME SLATED FOR SATURDAY: Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan will square off in football Saturday (Oct. 21) at Sherman Field for the annual Miner’s Cup game. The Huskies have won three of the first four Miner’s Cup contests. Saturday’s game has also been designated Fan Appreciation Day and Military Appreciation Day, with a U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon flyover scheduled for before the game.

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Around the Keweenaw

Adapted from the Daily Mining Gazette

NORTHLAND ELECTRIC EMPLOYEE DIES IN ACCIDENT AT MICHIGAN TECH: An employee of Northland Electric of White Pine died Saturday, Oct. 14, in an accident at Michigan Tech. William Lehtinen, 57, of Calumet, was working on an early morning electrical project at the University. He was at the UPPCO Substation on the University campus working on a high-voltage switch when the accident happened. Public Safety officers were called to the scene at 5:08 a.m. and attempted unsuccessfully to revive him with CPR and an automatic external defibrillator. They were assisted at the scene by Houghton City Police, Michigan State Police and Houghton Country Sheriff's deputies, as well as Mercy Ambulance personnel. "This is a small community and a tragedy like this saddens all of us," said Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz. "But our hearts especially go out to his family and friends at this time of terrible loss."

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KEWEENAW MAKES THE WEATHER CHANNEL: WISN 12, the ABC network affiliate in Milwaukee, was in town. Their work appeared on the Weather Channel last Wednesday night, as meteorologist Lance Hill recorded winter-in-October in Ontonagon and Twin Lakes. Houghton's early snowstorm also shared "Today's Worst Weather" kudos Thursday with Atlanta and Chicago. You can see the video at <http://www.weather.com/multimedia/videoplayer.html?clip=2907&collection=topstory&from=wxcenter_video>.

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“WINTER” STORM HITS KEWEENAW: Snow shovels and scoops were a hot item Wednesday at Swift True Value on Shelden Avenue. There were few left out on the sales floor this morning. “We sold a lot of them,” store employee Vickie Fortier said. “We gotta bring more scoops up because we sold a lot of scoops.” Sand bags were also in high demand at the hardware store. The snow storm that began last night is bringing the Copper Country its first taste of winter. Roads were becoming snow-filled this morning in advance of the daily commute. “The snow didn’t really start to accumulate until 5 or 6 this morning,” Houghton County Road Commission highway engineer Kevin Harju said. Police reported a car sliding off the road and striking a house on 10th Street in Lake Linden. This morning, Harju said Painesdale was among the hardest hit areas in Houghton County, and more snow was developing toward Calumet. “As the day wears on, we’ll have to concentrate on those areas that are really getting hit with snow,” he said. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported 8 inches of overnight snow five miles west of Baraga. Ontonagon and Houghton were mentioned on the Weather Channel with a video clip.

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COLLEGE AVENUE APARTMENTS CLEAR ZONING HURDLE: The planned apartment complex on College Avenue came a step closer to moving forward. The Houghton Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance request to reduce land density requirements for the building, which will be built on the current site of the College Motel. Construction work on the three- to four-story, 80-bed facility will begin later this month, said owner Peter Kinnunen of Atlantic Mine. He expects it to be complete by mid- or late July, in time for the fall semester. No decision has been made yet on the apartments’ price range. Kinnunen said the new apartment building would help alleviate parking burdens at Michigan Tech University. “With the price of gas, students don’t want to drive,” he said. The lot is about an acre, while the building will be 22,000 square feet. More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=3935>

From the Emailbag

I would LOVE to see more photo's of the Mackinac bridge shots. I saw only ONE in the web version. saved it to "my photo's."

Thanks dennis.

jeff churchill (bsche '89)

Editor’s Note: Here you go-->

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Hi Dennis,
Enjoy the Newsletter as always. The alum comments never fail to amuse me how student perceptions change through the years. But the memories are precious, regardless of how things change over time.

Main reason for this email is to ask if you will put a note in one of the coming Mondays re: the dates, times, participants of the GLIA tournament this December at the Joe in Detroit. I plan to attend from Texas if the dates permit to get some hints for my Texas A&M hockey team....

Les Reid, Forestry '51

Editor’s Note: The GLI is Friday and Saturday, December 28 and 29 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. We play Michigan Friday at 8:00 p.m., and the other two teams are State and Harvard.

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Dennis:
If I were still doing my cartoon, I'd have to do the following:

DA TECH IS...

Making it to Pearly Gates only to find out that Doc Berry is teaching Eternity 101, 102, & 103.

(Of course he WOULDN'T be grading on a curve, but would probably still be telling us to look to the left, look to the right, look behind us, look in front of us....)

Denny LeSage

***

Dennis,
I grew up south of Big Rapids, MI, home of Ferris State University. For many years, I played Junior Hockey at the FSU (FSC way back then) Ice Arena. One summer, I had the pleasure of learning from Coach Bessone, as he was one of the coaches at FSU's Summer Hockey School. He was a larger than life man to me, at least at that time. I knew of him from coaching at State (FSU's coach at the time was an MSU grad and former hockey player), but had no idea he had coached at Tech. What years was he in da UP?

Rick Stevens, ChemEng '87

Editor’s Note: Amo was head hockey coach at Tech from 1948 to 1951. When he coached at Michigan State, he was known for whistling for his line changes, if my memory serves me correctly. Didn’t Tech fans whistle back at him?

Alumni Association Programs

ALL CHAPTER EVENTS: For more information on alumni chapter events, e-mail mtu_alumni(at)mtu.edu or see the alumni chapter site on the web: http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/chapters/usamap.html

November
3 and 4—Denver, Hockey series, World Arena Bar before games, email tanya(at)mtu.edu

February
10 - Tech Legacy Reception, Winter Carnival

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LOOKING FOR NOMINEES: The Alumni Association would like to solicit nominees for the four awards to be given at next year's Alumni Reunion in August 2007. The four awards are Outstanding Service, Outstanding Young Alumni, Distinguished Alumni, and Honorary Alumni. Nomination forms can be found at:
<http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/awards/>
There was an outstanding slate of award winners at this year's Alumni Dinner at Reunion including former Michigan Tech President Ray Smith. Any alumni can nominate someone they feel is deserving via the online form. Nominations must be in by January 2007. Feel free to contact Mark Mitchell <mmitch12(at)bellsouth.net> if you have any questions.

Job Opportunities This Week

ON CAMPUS: Complete job descriptions are available by e-mailing jobs at mtu.edu

Department Chair--Chemical Engineering

Research Associate--School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
Position duration dependent upon external funding

Assistant Director of Annual Giving-Telemarketing--Office of Advancement

Department Chair--Engineering Fundamentals

OFF CAMPUS: For off-campus positions, visit the alumni section of the career center's web site ( http://www.career.mtu.edu/alumni.php)