TechAlum News, January 15, 2007

January 15, 2007 (Vol. 13, No. 33)

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

Edited by Dennis Walikainen (MS ’92), Senior Editor, University Marketing and Communications
dkwalika@mtu.edu

In this issue:

Broomball
At Tech
Tech Sports
Around Town
From the E-mailbag
Alumni Chapter Events
Job Opportunities

Broomball

They were flooding the broomball rinks yesterday as I drove by, and I noticed that what were two rinks are now three. They have added a practice rink, and they remain in the usual spot, next to the Walker Arts and Humanities Center, on Highway 41.

Broomball is huge, of course, and the Inter-Residence Hall Council does a great job of organizing it. Their site is <http://www.broomball.mtu.edu>. I recall taking night classes in Walker and hearing the tremendous roars outside when someone would score a goal.

Broomball is big on the home front, too. We get enormous amounts of hits on the websites when they go live. And, long ago, we even had server problems because of the bandwidth we were taking up with the video!

I'll get emails from now through Carnival about the cams from Moms and Dads, anxious to see their students sliding around under the lights. (Speaking of Carnival, we are beginning to get snow, and they will move some from the airport down to campus for the statues. And, the Alumni Association is hosting an event, details below.) In the past, they've even been able to read the scoreboards. We'll have those cams, and other Carnival cams, up soon, so keep watching the webcam site: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/cams/>. And, if you get the urge, tape up one of your old brooms and show your kids how it was done!

***

Snowfall Totals (from KRC)

Snowfall total: 49.5"
Depth on ground: 9.5"
Snowfall total last week: 40.25"
Depth on ground last week: 1.0"
Snowfall total last year: 118"
Depth on ground last year: 10"

At Tech

FORESTRY PHD PROGRAM RANKED FOURTH IN THE US: Tech's forestry doctoral program is among the top 10 in the nation, according to figures released Monday, Jan. 8, by Academic Analytics. The School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science ranked fourth in the U.S. based on scholarly productivity, a measure of research activity. Academic Analytics developed the rankings by analyzing 2005 data on faculty publications, which it compiles in its Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index. "We're very pleased with the results of the Academic Analytics study," said David Reed, provost and vice president of research. "However, I'm not completely surprised. The forestry faculty are exceptionally productive, and they deserve this recognition." Unlike other ranking organizations, such as U.S News & World Report, which rely heavily on a graduate programs' reputation, the Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index is based solely on measurable criteria. "We have worked very hard to create an intense and exciting scholarly atmosphere that significantly influences all our educational programs," said Margaret Gale, dean of the School. "But most of all, we have a very creative group of faculty, staff and student scholars, and we are extremely proud that their scholarly efforts are being recognized nationally."
More: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/ttoday/previous.php?issue=20070115#1>

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CHILDCARE CENTER TO OPEN THIS SUMMER: The Little Huskies Child Development Center is expected to open its doors this summer. The university has retained a professional childcare provider, Gretchen Preston, to operate the center, said Becky Christianson (Human Resources), a member of the Michigan Tech Childcare Board. Preston operates nine Gretchen's House childcare centers in southern Michigan. "The committee liked her approach to childcare and her curriculum, which is very hands on," Christianson said. "She is a strong proponent of outdoor play, science, math, literacy and the creative arts. "Preston also has two centers in Ann Arbor, so she has experience working with university parents and understands the issues and needs of a university community." In addition, Preston's centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Childcare Board expects that the Little Huskies Center will soon earn a similar certification, which is more rigorous than state standards. For more information, visit <http://www.gretchenshouse.com>.
More: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/ttoday/previous.php?issue=20070115#2>

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SNOWMOBILE CHALLENGE SET FOR MARCH: This year's SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge could be the cleanest in the event's eight-year history. The teams are slated to earn a big bonus for using ethanol fuel, and up to four all-electric sleds are competing. Set for March 19-24 at Tech, the Clean Snowmobile Challenge is the Society of Automotive Engineers' newest collegiate design competition. Teams of engineering students from participating schools take a stock snowmobile and reengineer it to reduce emissions and noise while maintaining or improving performance. This year, teams can earn an additional 100 points for using 85 percent ethanol fuel, said Jay Meldrum, director of the Keweenaw Research Center, which co-hosts the Challenge along with the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics. The competition is based at the center, home of the finest winter driving test facility in the Midwest. No one is going to be building an ethanol-powered snowmobile for commercial use anytime in the near future, Meldrum admits. "But as a renewable source of energy, ethanol is very topical now," he says. "Plus, it's difficult to design an engine to use high-ethanol fuel, so it gives the students excellent experience in tackling some tough engineering problems, and they carry those skills forward to the job market." In 2008, Challenge participants won't have a choice. "Next year, we'll require them to use a renewable fuel, such as E85 or biodiesel," Meldrum says.
More: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/ttoday/previous.php?issue=20070115#3>

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APPLY FREE TO GRAD SCHOOL: Applicants to Tech's graduate programs no longer have to pay an application fee, as long as they apply online. This change, approved by the Board of Control in December at the request of the Graduate School, brings Michigan Tech's policy for graduate applications in line with the policy for undergraduate applications. Applicants must still provide additional documentation to complete their application packages, such as transcripts, GRE scores and TOEFL scores. Students who apply using paper applications will continue to pay application fees of $40 for domestic students and $45 for international students. The change is expected to help departments attract a larger pool of quality graduate students. To apply online, go to <http://www.gradschool.mtu.edu/apply.html>. For more information, contact the Graduate School at 906-487-2327.

Tech Sports

HUSKIES SWEEP #16 BEMIDJI STATE: Tech erased a 2-0 deficit as a result of three third-period goals, with the punctuation mark of its comeback coming at the 11:53 mark of the period when assistant captain Tyler Skworchinski (Marathon, Ont.) recorded his second game-winning goal of the year in a 3-2 victory and series sweep of 16th-ranked Bemidji State Saturday night at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The win pushed the Huskies' home record to 6-4-1 and their non-conference record to 5-3-0 on the season.
More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/news.php?source2=news&source=0701131025mho.txt>

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MARANA NAMED ALL-AMERICA HONORABLE MENTION: Michigan Tech football senior Lee Marana (Ishpeming, Mich./Westwood) has earned national recognition for the second time in his career. The running back was named Honorable Mention All-America by D2Football.com earlier this week. Marana tallied 1,274 yards and 11 touchdowns in helping the Huskies to a 6-4 record and fourth-place finish in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2006. He ranked 10th in the country in yards per game (127.4) and 21st in all-purpose yards per game (135.3). The Upper Peninsula native finished his four-year career as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's all-time leading rusher with 4,784 career yards. His total is just four yards shy of the school rushing record of 4,788 held by Jim VanWagner (1973-76).
More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/news.php?source2=news&source=0701110759mfb.txt>

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STROM, RICHARDSON EACH SCORE 17 IN MEN'S WIN OVER FERRIS: A stout defense and 17 points each from Radayl Richardson and Tim Strom led Michigan Tech to a hard-fought, 61-49 victory over Ferris State today at the SDC Gym. The win pushed the Huskies overall record over .500 (9-8) and evened their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference slate at 4-4. "Our defense was outstanding today," said head coach Kevin Luke. "We put the guys through a tough week of practice, and they responded with a big turn around from last Saturday's game (vs. Lake Superior State)."
More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/news.php?source2=news&source=0701130656mbb.txt>

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Around the Keweenaw

Adapted from the Daily Mining Gazette

PETTIBONE EXPANDING: Pettibone President Bill Loughman likes the way his company's been progressing. But there are even more potential gains ahead, he said. Loughman made his comments at the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance meeting in Houghton. The company employs 120 people at its base in Baraga, where it began in 1881 with a focus on material handling machinery for rail construction. The company's turning point came in 1951 with the invention of the Cary-Lift, the first forward-reaching forklift. 1970 saw the introduction of the Extendo, a rough terrain telescopic forklift. Pettibone has developed a reputation for powerful, brawny product line. But it's a reputation Loughman said has become constricting. "That's been great for us, and it's been, 'Jeez, I wish we weren't that all the time,'" he said. Part of enhancing the company's image has been a more aggressive marketing push. Loughman said he decided to embrace an image change after a fellow convention attendee was unaware that the company was still in business.
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=5293>

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MAKING US-41 AND M-26 SAFER: Getting to the Keweenaw Peninsula is dependent on the use of US-41 and M-26, and some local officials are concerned that the corridor of the two roads be as efficient and safe as possible. To meet that goal, a corridor study group, which included representatives from Houghton, Hancock, and Portage and Franklin townships, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region, was established last year. Some of the findings of the study were presented recently at a public meeting attended by about 15 people, mostly local government officials, MDOT representatives, and business owners. Moderating the meeting was Patrick Coleman of UP Engineers & Architects Inc. who joined the study group in November as a consultant. Coleman said the main goal of the study is to find ways for local governments to control access to the two highways to reduce accidents and safely increase traffic flow and capacity. The study area is from Chassell to Houghton, the commercial area on M-26 in south Houghton, the Portage Lake Lift Bridge to Quincy Hill and to Lake Linden. Coleman said the study is of a corridor 1,000 feet on either side of the highways, and does not address flow on local streets.
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=5271>

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HOUGHTON ZONING BOARD DENIES VARIANCE: A Houghton property owner's push to loosen occupancy restrictions on her rental house stalled at the Houghton Zoning Board of Appeals Monday. Cheryl Roberts of Chassell had requested to allow three unrelated occupants at a house on 1221 E. Houghton Ave. The house, zoned R-1 (single family residential), currently allows only two. Roberts cited the house's three bedrooms, as well as its proximity to Tech, businesses, and multi-family houses across the street. "To prohibit such use would impose an undue burden on the owner," Roberts wrote in a letter to the city. "Due to the commercial and multifamily property across the street and in the adjoining area the not granting of this request would significantly reduce the market value of this property." Roberts, who is seeking to sell the property, said most buyers were looking for a house that could hold at least three people. Some residents in attendance at a public hearing Wednesday said increasing the occupancy level would lead to more problems with parking and noise, and that it would be difficult to police the number of residents.
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=5273>

From the Emailbag

Dennis,
Don't know how many other alumni's have ever had their skates sharpened by Joe Bukovich, who we called, 'Joe Buck', but I always remember him asking us how the last sharpening went, and how we'd been playing. In the 10 minutes we saw him every couple weeks while the ice was down, I learned a lot about how important a good skate sharpening was. He explained in detail what to look for when someone else sharpened our skates, because they weren't going to sharpen them as well as he did. Which is very true, I never had someone sharpen them like he did.

What I remember most was the way he promised to give us a refund if we didn't score or play well with each sharpening when we made our way out of his basement, ducking our head as we went.

It's sad to see he passed away.

Thanks for the newsletter,

-Matthew Thomas, '95

***

Dennis,
I read your comments about enough of not enough. I think that us folks here in the Denver area would be glad to send you the snow that we have been having lately. Normally, we can play some golf in January but this year it seems that we are getting the Houghton snowfall. And we have more on the way. My guess is that if the Tech hockey team starts winning that the snow will start coming?!?!

Have a great day,

Jim Graham '70

***

Dennis,
The Copper Country Curling Club will host it's first ever bonspiel at it's Club, located in the old Drill shops building in Calumet. Registration is now open to all curlers for an open Bonspiel February 24, 25, and 26th

Sue Mickus in Hubbell has all the details ....
Her Email address is: smickus(at)chartermi.net
Her Telephone: (906) 296-0986

URL Links for background info:

<http://www.coppercountrycurlingclub.com/bonspiel.htm>

<http://www.coppercountrycurlingclub.com/>

Alumni Association Programs

CARNIVAL EVENT: Alumni Relations and First-Year Programs will be hosting an Open House for Alumni, Parents and Tech Legacy Families during Winter Carnival. Please join us for light dessert and casual conversation from 3:00-5:00 p.m., Saturday, February 10, 2007 in the Noblet Atrium and Lecture Hall (Forestry Building #18). The Open House will feature "A History of Winter Carnival," a photographic presentation by Jane Nordberg, beginning at 4:00 p.m. For more information please visit the Michigan Tech Alumni and Friends site at: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni> click on the February 10 Alumni Events Link: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/front-back_2007.pdf> Questions? Please contact Kim Klender at kimk(at)mtu.edu, or call 906-487-3674.

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OTHER EVENTS

For more information on other 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/index.htm>

January
24--Houghton, Keweenaw Alumni Chapter, 3rd Annual Lecture Series, Settlements on the Mining Frontier, Noblet Forestry Building, 6:30 reception; 7:00-8:00 p.m. lecture by Larry Lankton

28--Grand Rapids, Brunch at Marie Catrib's West Michigan Chapter Event
<http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/events/Marie's_07.pdf>

February
10--Houghton, Tech Legacy Reception, Winter Carnival
<http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/Tech_Legacy_Reception_2007.pdf>

Job Opportunities This Week

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

Director, New Media, University Marketing and Communications

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