June 11, 2007 (Vol. 14, No. 2)

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:

Road Trip

It seems that's one of the only ways to get our family back together anymore: a road trip. This time we flew out east to visit our daughter, and our son came with us. We "bonded" via some tight seating arrangements on the airplanes.

It was great to have the family there for our daughter's graduation ceremony. She was receiving her master's degree, and she had those last-minute details to finish up: one more paper to hand in and a presentation in front of her classmates and professors and us.

She was finally able to relax the day after, so of course we hit the mall. Nothing like a little shopping to celebrate and unwind, especially for her.

We were the proud parents and brother, of course, and she was well served by the folks in the social sciences department here at Tech, who prepared her for her graduate studies. Now, it's on to the PhD program for her and our race is on.

I've got a head start, but I wouldn't bet against her. And, if it works out right, I can graduate with my son!

 

At Tech

NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS NAMED: Brent Burns '03 has been named assistant director of alumni relations, Vice President for Advancement Shea McGrew has announced. Brent earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, interning at General Motors and Stryker Instruments as an undergraduate.  In 2006 he received his Master of Engineering in Professional Practice from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While at Michigan Tech, Brent was a member of Kappa Delta Psi fraternity and earned varsity letters in football.

Most recently, Brent has been employed as a systems integration engineer with General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, Michigan.  Previously, he served as a project engineer for Georgia-Pacific in Neenah, Wisconsin. "Brent brings strong communications and technical skills as well as project management experience, to his new position. Plus, he has extensive familiarity with Michigan Tech as a student, an athlete, and a loyal young alumnus.  He will relate well to our alumni constituency," McGrew said. Brent will assume his new position on July 2.

***

ARCHEOLOGY WORK GETS ATTENTION: The work by Michigan Tech's researchers at the West Point Foundry in Cold Spring, New York, continues to gain media attention. Industrial archeologists from Tech's Department of Social Sciences have been working at the foundry since 2001. The complex was built in 1817 and closed in 1911. By the end of the Civil War, it had produced millions of shells and nearly two thousand canons. It has been called "the most extensive and complete ironworks in the US."
More: <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/ttoday/previous.php?issue=20070606#1>

***

END OF ANNUAL GIVING YEAR FAST APPROACHING: Want your name included among this year's Michigan Tech supporters? You have until June 30 to make your gift to Tech to ensure your place on the University's annual Honor Roll of Donors. To ensure a place on this list, the Michigan Tech Fund recommends using your credit card to make a gift at this time. You can either go on line to <https://www.banweb.mtu.edu/mtu/mtf/giftform.xsql> or you can phone the Tech Fund directly at 906-487-2310. At this time, a gift sent through the mail may not make it the Fund offices by June 30 for processing. Even if you mail a check dated by June 30, your gift will not be included in the 2006-07 totals if received after this date. Web gifts can be made up until midnight on June 30 and will be counted as a 2006-07 gift.

Tech Sports

TECH TENNIS TEAMS TO HOST TRIATHLON DURING BRIDGEFEST--Event to Take Place June 17 at Ramada in Hancock: The Michigan Tech tennis teams will host a triathlon Sunday, June 17, in conjunction with the annual Houghton-Hancock Bridgefest celebration. The triathlon will be comprised of a half-kilometer swim, a 25-kilometer bike, and a five-kilometer run. The race will begin at 11 a.m. at the Ramada Inn in Hancock. An awards ceremony will follow the race with medals going to the top three finishers in each age group and gender.
More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/news.php?source2=news&source=0705290522gen.txt>

***

TECH TO HOST PAT MILLER U-CAN-SHOOT BASKETBALL CLINIC--Boys and Girls Grades 6-12 Invited to Participate: Michigan Tech will host a U-CAN-SHOOT Basketball Clinic at the Student Development Complex Gymnasium on Friday, June 15. The basketball clinic will teach shooting fundamentals to boys and girls in grades 6-12. The clinic will be taught by coach Pat Miller, who has 30 years of instructing thousands of players. His techniques have been used by many other coaches at all levels of basketball including the NBA and NCAA. The U-CAN-SHOOT Clinic is designed to give players knowledge, confidence, and technique to consistently shoot the basketball.
More: <http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/news.php?source2=news&source=0706040532gen.txt>

Around the Keweenaw

Adapted from the Daily Mining Gazette

"PIRATES OF THE KEWEENAW III" COMING TO BRIDGFEST: Throughout summer, the Portage Lake Shipping Canal hosts a perpetual parade of steel ships and fiberglass boats. But on June 17, it'll be all about cardboard. That's when the Pirates of the Keweenaw III competition takes place. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., while races start at 10 a.m. The cost is $5 per boat. This is the sixth race to take place during Bridgefest weekend, said Houghton City Manager Scott MacInnes. From 2001 to 2004, B-H-K and Americorps sponsored the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta, part of a national franchise.
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=7367>

***

ISLE ROYALE LAKE LEVELS CONTINUE TO DROP: Boaters intending to dock at Isle Royale this summer may want to get seriously in shape, or carry a ladder on the boat. Low lake levels have caused as much as a four-foot disparity between boat decks and wooden docks, hampering boaters' efforts to disembark. "I've been out myself and getting out of the boat onto the dock is a challenge," said Isle Royale Superintendent Phyllis Green, who stands close to 6-feet tall. "It's not as bad as doing chin-ups yet, but a serious push-up is about the size of it." Aside from that, boaters visiting the island this year may want to stow a ladder on board, Green said. "Basically, people need to be mindful that there's a big step up on all docks right now and plan ahead to get themselves and their gear in and out of the boats safely," she said. We're open for business and we want them to come, but people should be aware that there are some additional challenges this year."
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=7308>

***

MERCHANTS SELECT DATE FOR EXTENDED HOURS: The extended Friday nights for Houghton and Hancock downtowns have a kickoff date--and a name. Hancock and Houghton's downtown business associations met Tuesday night in Hancock to discuss the joint effort, to be called "Friday Night Bridge Hop." It will launch on June 15. The night is based on the First Friday nights held elsewhere in the country, including Dallas, Phoenix and Boston. Lunch Box owner Steve Krug said he had talked with owners of other downtown Houghton businesses, including California Connections, who had indicated they would be willing to stay open late.
More: <http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=7314>

From the Emailbag

Regarding Jim Croce, a note from Ingrid Croce:

Dear Dennis & All Michigan Tech Alumni,

Thank you so much for forwarding Douglas Fifield's email. Please see my response attached. Could you possibly send it to him, as I didn't see an email address for him?

It was wonderful to be given the opportunity to relive some wonderful memories.  Thank you very much for sending this along.

Best Regards,
Ingrid Croce

**

Dear Douglas,
Even though it has been many years since Jim Croce and I met you at Tech back in the late 60's, I will never forget the generosity and hospitality you showed us when you took a week off from classes and spent it driving us all over upper UP to get our Saab into working condition. I even remember some of the stories we all shared, visiting the Copper Country, the old mines and ghost towns and of course the funky bars.

Jim couldn't go anywhere without bringing his guitar and playing for people and there were so many wonderful nights shared playing music and making new friends.

It was a very magical time for me too and I was so happy to get your letter and relive some of those the memories.

I hope someday you will get to the chance to visit us at Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar in the Gaslamp Quarter, my tribute to Jim, his music and hospitality in Downtown San Diego. Until then, please join me at <http://www.Croces.com>. We are working on our new website that will include many of Jim's songs, hand written memorabilia, photos, songbooks and stories like yours! It should be completed by late spring!

Most Sincerely,
Ingrid Croce

***

Regarding: "PASTY ANNOUNCED OFFICIAL STATE FOOD (No word on gravy or catsup debate)"

We vote for salsa in our house! 
Gail Richter '61

***

In the discussion about Chuck's Bar (before my time), if it was actually the same building that eventually became Diamond Mikes it would have been Spanky's in between those dates. I believe Diamond Mike's evolved around 74 and was owned by a family that owned the Pizzeria in Marquette, and were relatives of the owners of the Greenleaf Bar in Iron Mtn.

$0.25/12 oz frosted mug, Ladies night on Tuesday, foosball and pool, with good sandwiches and pizza's.

Rick Nelson (Diamond Mike's cook/bartender/customer 74/75/76/77/.......)

Editor's Note: We also heard from John DePuydt, who remembered that the old Chuck's was a hangout for many Twigs, but we won't name names! Also, Diamond Mike's was indeed owned by Mike Greenleaf, who owned the Pizzeria in Marquette and Houghton. The Pizzeria in Houghton became the Consumer Advocate, which, like Diamond Mike's, sponsored Frisbee teams: another tale for another time!

***

Dennis,
As a Tech grad from the class of 1974, I had to reply to the response to the Detroit News editorial. One of the fastest growing industries globally is photovoltaics. The most invested in IPO market for 2006 is PV. Dow Chemical won a $20 million total project award from the DOE in March and it was written by 2 Tech alumni, myself and Bob Cleereman. We have another Tech alumnus on our team.  Dow Corning is working on a metallurgical grade silicon and Hemlock Semi Conductor just announced another capacity upgrade in the state of Michigan. So what is Tech doing to support research programs in the area of solar photovoltaics?

Pat Nugent
The Dow Chemical Company
Dow Solar Solutions

Pat: I know that the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has courses that touch on this area. I am digging up news of any research that they are doing.

***

Dennis,
This is my late springtime email to request posting in the Alum News. And to remind Michigan Tech Alumni that our summer cottage on Lake Roland near Twin Lakes State Park in Houghton County is available again this summer. Available after the July 4th week starting on July 7th.  

Check out details at <www.HD4L.com\cottage>
Please contact us for weeks that are open in July and August and September.  Some of August is already taken by Alum that have stayed at our place in the past.

As an FYI, Some details are not up to date on the website since we are doing(and already have done) a good bit of remodel and interior updating. We can provide those interested that information as needed.

Thanks for posting once again.

Bill Savela, P.E.
Michigan Tech BSEE, MSBA

 

Alumni Association Programs

ALUMNI EVENTS

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

Research Assistant, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
Position duration dependent upon external funding
Position located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin

System Administrator I, System Administration Services Group

***

OFF CAMPUS:

I'm looking for Assembly Manufacturing Engineers. I would be interested in those with a Mechanical or Industrial Engineering degree.

Need to fill position a.s.a.p.

They could send their resume to:
Johnson Controls
1600 South Washington Ave.
Holland, MI 49423
Attn: Chaunda DeVries - Assembly Technical Manager

 

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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