TechAlum News, January 22, 2007

January 22, 2007 (Vol. 13, No. 34)

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:

The Local Boys
At Tech
Tech Sports
Around Town
From the E-mailbag
Alumni Chapter Events
Job Opportunities

The Local Boys

As the Hockey Huskies earned a big split at Alaska-Anchorage this weekend, Hancock's Peter Rouleau got the game-winner Saturday night and had a great weekend, one goal and four assists. He's also leading the team in scoring.

It got me thinking of the locals who have played for the Huskies over the years. Hancock has had a great tradition, beginning with Paul Coppo, Bruce Riutta, and Herb Boxer in the 1960s. I'm sure some of you alums can remember locals even before this group.

Mike Usitalo, from Calumet, was a star for Tech in the 1970s, and he even made Sports Illustrated for scoring three straight hat tricks. He still holds the Tech record for most goals for any freshman, 28 in 1970-71. I remember Mike playing football for Calumet High and hockey for the CLK Wolverines before he joined Tech.

Frank Krieber, from Houghton, was in goal when Tech last went to the Final Four (now Frozen Four) of the NCAA Championships, in 1981. And Hancock's Mikesch boys, Pat and Jeff, played for Tech in the 1990s. Pat, currently an assistant coach with the Huskies, ended his career seventh overall in scoring. More importantly, Pat and Jeff won accolades for their academic achievements at Tech. I remember John MacInnes talking about how proud he was of the high percentage of his players who finished their degrees at Tech, and that's a great tradition to continue.

***

Snowfall Totals (from KRC)

Snowfall total: 59.5"
Depth on ground: 14.0 "
Snowfall total last week: 49.5"
Depth on ground last week: .5 "
Snowfall total last year: 133"
Depth on ground last year: 22 "

At Tech

IT'S OFFICIAL, IT IS CHEAPER TO LIVE: Faculty and staff being recruited to Michigan Tech commonly ask about the area's cost of living. To find a good answer, Michigan Tech has begun gathering information from Houghton businesses and analyzing it using data and formulae supplied by the Council for Community and Economic Research (founded as the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association, or ACCRA). The council developed the ACCRA Cost of Living Index (COLI), which compares prices in about 300 cities all over the U.S. The average for all participating places equals 100, and each participant's index is read as a percentage of the average. For July 2006, Houghton's composite index was 93.1, indicating that the cost of living in Houghton was about 7 percent lower than average.
MORE: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/news/media_relations/530/>

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GREENLEE NAMED CFO OF MICHIGAN TECH FUND: Dan Greenlee, Michigan Tech's chief financial officer and treasurer of the Board of Control, has agreed to also serve as CFO and director of operations of the Michigan Tech Fund. Greenlee will direct the Tech Fund's financial and administrative operations, including finance, investments, accounting, budgeting, gift reporting and receipting, scholarship administration, and office staff supervision. "In addition to his track record over seven years as CFO of the university, Dan brings an extensive background in investment management from his former post as chief investment officer of D&N Bank," said Shea McGrew, president of the Michigan Tech Fund and vice president for advancement at Michigan Tech. "As we move forward with a fundraising campaign to increase Tech's resource base, Dan's experience and knowledge will be very beneficial." Suzanne Morin, previously accounting manager of the Tech Fund, has been promoted to director of finance and will work closely with Greenlee.
More: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/news/media_relations/529/>

***

RESIDENCE HALLS SMOKE FREE IN 2007
Submitted by Beth L. Wagner, director, housing and residential life

Last semester, Inter-Residence Hall Council led an initiative to evaluate the smoking policy in the residence halls. IRHC formed a committee that consisted of representatives from IRHC, hall councils, residence life student staff and residents. The committee gathered information and discussed the positive and negative points of smoking, considering effects on both health and the environment. They also designed and implemented a student survey, which was emailed to all residents. Results were reviewed and discussed in committee and with representatives from IRHC.

The final committee recommendation is to eliminate smoking in Michigan Tech residence halls. The new policy, which has been accepted by Housing and Residence Life and approved by the vice president for student affairs, will be implemented in fall 2007 and reads as follows: The residence halls at Michigan Tech are smoke free. Smoking is not permitted in any residence hall area. This includes residents' rooms, hallways, restrooms, lobbies, lounges, elevators, stairwells and enclosed entrance foyers. Exterior smoking locations are available in designated areas that are in close proximity to the residence halls. These locations can be found by visiting <http://www.housing.mtu.edu> and clicking on the Facilities tab.

Tech Sports

ROULEAU HAS FIVE-POINT WEEKEND AS TECH SPLITS: Junior Peter Rouleau (Hancock, Mich.) helped Michigan Tech split a pair of games at Alaska Anchorage last weekend with a goal and four assists in the two games. The winger increased his team-leading point total to 6-14--20 and has amassed 1-8--9 in his last five games. Rouleau, who had two assists Friday (Jan. 20) and a goal and two assists Saturday (Jan. 21) has a team-best six multi-point games in 2006-07, including three three-point efforts.
More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/sport.php?sport=mho>

***

TECH SKIERS TURN IN TOP FIVES: Senior Kristina Owen (East Wenatchee, Wash./Eastmont) and sophomore Jesse Lang (St. Louis Park, Minn.) both turned in top five finishes at the Nor-Am SuperTour races in Coleraine, Minn., last weekend. Owen was second in the women's five-kilometer classic race in a time of 15:15. Lang had two top fives with a fourth in the men's 10-kilometer classic race (26:31) and fifth in the men's 15-kilometer freestyle race (38:36).
More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/sport.php?sport=wns>

***

WYSOCKY NOTCHES TWO 20-POINT GAMES: Freshman forward Katie Wysocky (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) registered 44 points and 23 rebounds in two road games last week to improve her season averages to 13.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Wysocky tallied career highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds in a heartbreaking, 62-61 loss at Wayne State Thursday (Jan. 18). She then had 20 points and seven rebounds in a 69-65 setback at Hillsdale Saturday (Jan. 20). Wysocky, with four this season, has turned in the most 20+ point games in a season since Andrea Novak had 10 in 2003-04.
More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/sport.php?sport=wbb>

***

Around the Keweenaw

Adapted from the Daily Mining Gazette

SNOW IS ON THE GROUND AT LAST: Well, the snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers should be happy now: the Copper Country has snow. Marcia Cronce, forecaster with the National Weather Service in Negaunee Township, said the snowfall Thursday and Friday were the result of a combination of two factors. "There was a low-pressure system that tracked near us," Cronce said. "The winds changed from west to northwest at about 6 p.m. (Thursday) night. That's what brought the lake effect and it really picked up." That system was a cause for concern, Cronce said. "We had lake effect snow warnings for Baraga, north Houghton and Ontonagon counties," she said. As for the snowfall, Cronce said in a 12-hour period from Thursday night to Friday morning, Atlantic Mine received seven and a half inches, nine and a half inches fell on Painesdale, Houghton got seven inches from 7 a.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday and another one and a half inches after 7 a.m. Friday.
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=5424>

***

FATAL SNOWMOBILE ACCIDENT IN TOIVOLA: There was a fatal snowmobile accident Sunday, just before 2 a.m. in Toivola. Police say 27-year-old Christopher Opseth of Alden, Minnesota was attempting to cross Highway M-26, when he was struck by an oncoming truck, driven by 21-year-old William Johnson of Toivola. Opseth was ejected from his snowmobile. He was transferred to Portage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Johnson was not cited for any infractions. Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash.

***

KEWEENAW MOUNTAIN LODGE CONSTRUCTION LOAN CLOSES: Don Keith is pleased that the final financial steps have been taken to ensure the completion of the expansion of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. "This is a bold step forward for Keweenaw County," Keith said. Keith, who is chairman of the Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners, was in attendance Wednesday at UP Engineers and Architects Inc. along with government officials and construction company representatives met for the loan closing of the project. The lodge is owned by Keweenaw County, and Keith said the expansion would allow for the accommodation of events the lodge couldn't host such as family reunions, birthday parties and wedding receptions. "It's a facility that until this time has not existed north of the bridge at Houghton and Hancock," Keith said. The project was funded by a $1.7 million grant and $1.3 million, 40-year-loan from the US Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Program.
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=5427>

***

BOAT PULLED FROM PORTAGE ENTRY: Workers spent most of Thursday recovering a boat from the bottom of the Portage Entry canal in Chassell. The commercial fishing vessel, named the "Dough Boy," had been resting on the bottom, in 20-foot-deep water, for about a week. The US Coast Guard received notification of the boat's sinking Sunday. Thursday morning, work began at about 9:30 with the arrival of Julio Contracting's 80-ton Grove hydraulic crane. Once the cumbersome machine was maneuvered into place, operator Don Ebert broke the three-inch ice above the boat, and moved it out of the way, using a wrecking ball. Marine Science Technician Chief Steve Wolfe of the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Office in Duluth, Minn. was relieved to see relatively little diesel fuel floating on the surface of the water once the ice was broken. About six gallons leaked into the water.
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=5419>

From the Emailbag

Hi Dennis,

As an alum of the Class of 2000, I couldn't find it in my heart to leave the Keweenaw for very long. There is something very alluring and romantic about the history of the area and I have a fascination about the metropolis that it once was in its mining heyday. Because I enjoy learning about the history and exploring what is currently left, I decided to start a blog (Copper Country Explorer) and document my journeys. I bring along my trusty video camera/camera and document as much as I can.

I am writing you to see if my website can be shared with other Tech grads within your newsletter. While I try to research as much as I can about the places I visit, there is always more to learn. Perhaps with the input of others, Copper Country Explorer will be a great snapshot of the Keweenaw and a reference for those 100 years from now.

Copper Country Explorer is full of pictures, panoramic pictures, drawings and videos. As a graduate of the STC program at Tech, I do believe it shows with how I love to use all forms of visual media.

I hope you as well as others stop by and visit and share some of your explorations while living in the Copper Country.

<http://www.coppercountryexplorer.com>

Thanks,

Mike, Class of 2000

***

Dennis,

I don't know what your history of Tech is like. But after viewing the Broomball view cam a few minutes ago I feel sad for the current crop of students who may never have the opportunity sit above the boards of the broomball court and watch the games. For all six years I was at Tech I watched broomball and played hockey in those rinks with snowbanks high enough around the boards that stairs had to be cut in from the outside up and over and down to the boards to allow the players to reach the ice. One nice thing I remember, there was zero chance of falling out of the rink!

Here's hoping Heikki will bring you snow in time for Carnival!

George Teachman '76 and '78

Editor's Note: We've had some snow, George, but we could use some more. We have one statue cam here: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/cams/walkercam/still.html> with more to come.

***

Dennis,

I enjoyed the Broomball link, but wanted to see more pictures. I was surprised by this statement on the website:

"Nobody is to be on the Broomball Rinks at any time for any reason. There will be a minimum fee of $15 and a maximum of a LIFETIME BAN for being on the Broomball Rinks"

Doesn't that make playing games difficult? If they are never to be used by people at any time for any reason, why have them??

Just wondering
Craig Callewaert (ME '86)

Editor's Note: I emailed the broomball folks and await a reply. The broomball cams are located at <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/cams/>.

***

Hello Dennis,

I'd like to let the alumni know that Foth Production Solutions is looking for Controls & Process engineers at their headquarters here in Green Bay, WI, and in Minneapolis. If anyone would like to consider a move to the northern midwest, they should check out the openings at <http://www.foth.com>.

Thanks,

Pat Clancey ('82)

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)