June 4, 2007 (Vol. 14, No. 1)

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

For past issues, see our archives.

In this issue:

From the President

Note: the following is a response to a Detroit News editorial that appeared Thursday, May 31.

    
STATE SHOULD SUPPORT ALL ITS RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
A May 31 Detroit News editorial cited the positive economic impact that the "true research universities" of Michigan can have on the state. We at Michigan Technological University couldn't agree more. But we take vigorous issue with the suggestion that there can be only three "true research universities" in Michigan.

The Carnegie Foundation, an independent, national higher education policy and research center, classifies universities based on their undergraduate and graduate programs and their research activity. In 2005, Carnegie classified Michigan Tech as a "Research University (high research activity)."

University research does attract the high-paying, high-tech jobs that Michigan needs to turn its economy around, and university graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields will fill those jobs. Eighty-three percent of Michigan Tech's students graduate with degrees in those fields, more than twice the percentage of STEM graduates from the University of Michigan.

The editorial said the business community should be working much more closely with the research universities on projects that have the potential to generate economic growth. At Michigan Tech, that is already happening. With 13 percent of its research funded by industry, Michigan Tech ranks in the top-20 universities nationwide in proportion of industry-supported research. In comparison, Wayne State ranks 47th, University of Michigan 75th and Michigan State 104th in the nation.

Michigan Tech also outstrips the so-called "true research universities" in the number of licenses and invention disclosures per $10 million of research. And the University accomplishes all this with a state appropriation that, when corrected for inflation, has been flat since the late 1960s.

One of Michigan Tech's unique strengths is its success forming partnerships with business and industry at every level: local, state and national. As an active partner in the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation, one of 12 legislatively created SmartZones, the university has already opened three technology incubators housing 13 companies that bring 125 high-tech jobs to the Houghton-Hancock area.

It's true that what happens in Detroit is key to what happens to the rest of Michigan. But what happens in the rest of Michigan is equally key to what happens to Detroit. If Michigan is to thrive, the state needs to invest in its research universities--all its research universities.

Glenn D. Mroz
President

At Tech

MICHIGAN TECH NAMES NEW PROVOST: Michigan Tech has named Lesley M. Lovett-Doust as its new provost and vice president for academic affairs. She comes to Michigan Tech from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where she has been dean of science and environmental studies and a professor of biology. "Dr. Lovett-Doust has distinguished herself as a teacher, researcher, and administrator," said Glenn M. Mroz, president of Michigan Tech. "We are extremely pleased that she has decided to join us. She and Michigan Tech are a great fit." As provost, Lovett-Doust will be the chief academic officer of the university, responsible for all of Michigan Tech's academic programs and faculty. The provost leads strategic initiatives to promote outstanding scholarship, development of academic programs and efforts to enhance diversity.
More: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/news/media_relations/576/>

***

HEMBROFF, SUITS WIN DISTINGUISED TEACHING AWARDS: A faculty member whose computing students learn the subtleties of public speaking and a physicist who once advised on pumpkin percussion are the 2007 winners of the Distinguished Teaching Award. Physics Professor Bryan Suits was honored in the associate professor/professor category. Assistant Professor Guy Hembroff, who teaches computer network and systems administration in the School of Technology, receives the award in the lecturer/assistant professor category. The award carries a cash prize of $2,500.
More: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/ttoday/previous.php?issue=20070525#1>

Tech Sports

TENNIS PLAYER AMY PALMGREN GAINS ACADEMIC HONOR--Junior Selected to ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District First Team: Amy Palmgren (Holly, Mich.), a junior on Michigan Tech's women's tennis team, has been selected to the ESPN the Magazine District IV All-Academic At-Large First Team. She was one of 10 first-team selections from the district's pool of candidates that included all non-NCAA Division I female student-athletes in the sports of bowling, crew, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming, tennis, and water polo. The district encompasses five states--Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.
More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/news.php?source2=news&source=0705301149wtn.txt>

***

HAYNES ENDS YEAR WITH GUTSY EFFORT IN 200 METERS AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: One day after suffering a leg injury in the preliminary round of the 100 meters, Michigan Tech sprinter Robert Haynes (Lansing, Mich./Sexton) ran through pain in the prelims of the 200-meter competition at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships Friday. The multi-sport (football and track) athlete did not qualify for the finals, but capped an outstanding year by becoming the first Michigan Tech track and field athlete to make an appearance at the NCAA Championships since Justin Blake took seventh in the hammer throw competition during the 2005 season. "Rob ran pretty well, considering that he was operating at about 65-70 percent," said track and field coach Joe Haggenmiller. "Within a short time of when the race started it was clear you weren't going to see the Rob that has been running all year.
More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/news.php?source2=news&source=0705250335mtr.txt>

 

Around the Keweenaw

Adapted from the Daily Mining Gazette

MEETING PRODUCES SMELTER RESOLUTION: If federal funding to restore the Quincy Smelting Works can't be obtained by 2010, the facility should be demolished for safety reasons, the Hancock and Houghton City Councils voted Wednesday. Hancock City Manager Glenn Anderson said the resolution was intended to convince the federal government "to spend some assets on that particular site before it blows down or falls down." The two-part resolution states the councils' support for the restoration of the smelter site, and asks the Keweenaw National Historical Park to make it its highest priority for the 2010 federal budget. If not, the second part states, the councils recommend razing the facility in the interest of public safety and blight removal, allowing site owner Franklin Township to undertake development opportunities.
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=7235>

***

PASTY ANNOUNCED OFFICIAL STATE FOOD (No word on gravy or catsup debate): It's official. The pasty joins the robin and the Petoskey Stone on the list of Michigan icons. The announcement was made Saturday during the kickoff of the Smithsonian Institute’s traveling Key Ingredients: America by Food exhibit, and the corresponding traveling Michigan Foodways exhibit at the McKune Memorial Public Library in Chelsea, near Ann Arbor. Over the past three months, votes were solicited for one of the six foods submitted by each of the sites hosting the Key Ingredients and Michigan Foodways exhibits. Calumet, which will host both exhibits at the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's July 13 through Aug. 26, submitted an award-winning PastyFest recipe from Connie Hella, of Calumet's Connie's Kitchen.
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=7218>

***

KEWEENAW MOUNTAIN LODGE PROJECT NEARLY COMPLETE: There have been many incremental steps taken toward the expansion of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, and one more step was taken Wednesday as various representatives involved in the project met in the facility's new 7,000-square-foot conference room to give congratulations and thanks for the work done. Before the event got going, Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners Chairman Don Keith said he was pleased the project worked out so well. "This is a giant step into the future for Keweenaw County," Keith said. "There were numerous opportunities for this project to die. Thanks to the perseverance of many people it is a success."
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=7252>

From the Emailbag

Hey Dennis,
Great newsletter (as always).. I particularly noted your mention of the parade and ROTC commencement ceremony. As an Michigan Tech AFROTC grad myself, I was honored to have the opportunity to be sworn in by Adm. Zumwalt, who I believe was also the guest speaker back in May '79... with regards to the mention of your two brothers. A personal question, which, of course you don't have to reply to, but were your brothers killed in action in Vietnam, or did they make it home? While serving on active duty, we are of course acutely aware that we may be called upon to 'go wherever and do whatever", and don't give it much thought. Being a few years removed from AD (active duty) I became a little more introspective, and it really hit home for me when I saw the movie "Saving Private Ryan"...With Tom Hank's character lying mortally wounded, he pulled Private Ryan close and whispered fiercely for him to "be worth it" (worth the sacrifice of his life along with at least 4 others to get the young private home)...I would guess, especially today with the volunteer force, all the current troops who may be called upon to make that ultimate sacrifice (the 'last full measure of devotion' as the military likes to coin the phrase...) really want is to know that it was 'worth it'...Thanks for the observance...

-Ken Lynch, Michigan Tech '79
Lt Col USAFR (Ret)

Ken: Both my brothers made it home from Vietnam.

***

Hi Dennis- I am glad you mentioned the Parade for Veteran's Day. I am always touched by events like that and tear up at the singing of our National anthem. Also it's rewarding to know that support of the men and woman in uniform still exists in some areas.

Joie Townsend Hendrix

***

A little more about Chuck's Bar. . .

As Larry Doyle mentioned, Chuck's Bar was east of the Post Office on Sheldon Avenue, the first "watering hole" a student would encounter walking from campus into downtown Houghton.  The bar was well-kept and well-lit, a nice clean place to while away a few minutes after classes.

Tracy, Chuck's wife, was a motherly lady who enjoyed talking with Tech students.  Chuck, by comparison, was remote, not given to casual conversation.  Without Tracy, I expect the bar would have enjoyed much less business.

Cheers!

Frank Shoffner  '62

Frank: We think that Chuck's became Diamond Mike's, which is now Copper Range Abstract and Title.

***

Dennis

While going through old lp's I found a 78 record that I must have picked up out of a "bargain" box at the bookstore. It was recorded by Warney Ruhl and his Orchestra with the Ruhltones. There is a number 7-22-4 on the label. The two sides are "Hail to the Gold and Silver" and "Fight Tech, Fight". The record has a crack all the way from the center to the outside.

I do not have a 78-rpm record player so found a way to convert, and used the depopper software. It was not able to totally remove the noise from the crack and a regular thump is audible.

I have attached the files.

Bruce Kelly 60, 68,69

Bruce: These are great, and I've made links for them <http://www.mtu.edu/alumni/goldandsilver.mp3> and
<http://www.mtu.edu/alumni/fighttechfight.mp3>

***

Editor's Note: We received many emails regarding Finnish music for Beki. And we forwarded them to her. Mylan's is a good example.

Dennis,
I am sure there are several on-campus sources for information regarding Beki's Finnish folk music request; however, she might try to contact Randy Seppala or John Perona as additional sources for information. Randy is a family friend who resides in the UP. He is a musician, Finnish music recording artist, teacher of rhythm bones, and Director of the Finnish Music Festival, which occurs annually in the UP.  John Perona, who resides in Calumet is a close friend of Randy's and the two often perform together. I've pasted a link to an article written about John from the Great Lakes Folk Festival <http://glff2004.greatlakesfolkfest.net/Programs&Activities/Music&Dance/JohnnyPerona.html>.

Both Randy and John are considered accomplished rhythm bones players. Beki may find contact information for either Randy or John at <http://www.playdembones.com>.

I believe either Randy or John would be happy to talk about Finnish folk music with her.

Mylan A. Koski Jr. 96

Alumni Association Programs

ALUMNI EVENTS

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE for the KAC fundraiser event.

Experience two Alumni-Owned Success Stories! The Keweenaw Chapter of Alumni and Friends invite you to "A Midsummer's Night Journey in Laurium" progressive social, Thursday June 7, 2007. Begin your magical evening by touring the historic Laurium Manor Inn and properties. For directions visit <http://www.laurium.info>.

Self-guided tours begin at 5:00 pm. A social at the Irish Times restaurant follows the tour, beginning at 7:00 pm. Hors d'oeuvres and libations will be served.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online at <http://www.alumnicommunity.mtu.edu> or from any KAC board member.

For additional information visit the KAC website at <http://www.alumni.mtu.edu/KAC>, or contact Jacque Smith (Jacque(at)mtu.edu).

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>

June
7, Keweenaw, Progressive Social, A Midsummer's Night Journey into Laurium
<http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/events/Laurium_Poster_2007.pdf>

9, Detroit, Annual Golf Outing
<http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/events/Detroit_Golf_07.pdf>

July
13, Saginaw, Annual Golf Outing at the Sawmill

August
2-4, Houghton, Alumni Reunion
<http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/reunion/>

Job Opportunities This Week

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

Dean, School of Business and Economics

Coordinator of Hockey Video/Coordinator of Athletic Marketing, Promotion and Sales, Athletic Department

CAEL Coordinator/User Support Specialist I, West Engineering Computing Network (WECN)/ME-EM

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

 

Michigan Tech is on the web at <http://www.mtu.edu>. For the alumni pages, click on "Alumni/Friends" at the top of the home page.

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University Marketing and Communications
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