ALUMNI 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>
October
5-6 Keweenaw,
Homecoming 2007
10 Cleveland, Dinner
13 Football Tailgate, Saginaw Valley
20 Football Tailgate, Northern
***
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before the flood of Friday.

And, on Parade Day, there was much dancing. |
September
24,
2007 (Vol. 14, No. 11)
A bimonthly 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
If you no longer wish to receive TechAlum or would like to change
your e-mail address, visit HuskyLink, the online alumni community,
and update your profile or, if you are not a member of the OAC,
use our on-line update form here.
For past issues, see our archives.
In This Issue
* Memories
* At Tech
* Tech Sports
* Around the Keweenaw
* From the Email Bag
* Featured Alumni Benefits
* Job Opportunities

The first weeks of class meant surveying students were out.
. .

and other students were just hanging out in front of Fisher.
. .
|
Memories
The last couple of weekends were memorable for more than a few reasons.
The first weekend marked the Parade of Nations through Hancock and Houghton,
where more than eighty nations were represented. The theme was Smiles
Have no Borders, and plenty of smiles were evident among the marchers
and spectators.
The Pep Band split into two groups and rocked the beginning and end
of the parade. And speaking of rocking, the Cass Tech High School Band
(pictured, lower left) entertained the main intersection in downtown
Hancock, where we viewed the festivities, and elsewhere along the parade
route.
There were several floats, too, including the Permanent
Floating Riot Club, who, you will be glad to know, are still "out there." They
combined Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean (I think) in their "float."
The students from China (pictured above) entertained
with an amazingly elaborate dragon dance. And many other groups used
music, dance, and/or costumes to represent their nations. Later, they
all ate and danced some more at the food festival in Dee Stadium.
Last Friday, we had a nasty rainstorm that caused power outages around
the Keweenaw that morning and resulted in some flooded parking lots on
campus and in the streets on Houghton and Hancock.
The last weekend also meant another rummage sale at our house. It's
always a time to get caught up with neighbors who wander by, some whom
we haven't seen since the last rummage sale. It's also amazing what some
people will buy.
The sale itself was smaller than in the past, and we sold some more
memories: the loft from our son's room, where he hasn't slept for a couple
of years now; the chair from our daughter's first apartment, an unbelievable
six years ago.
The strongest memory for the last couple of weeks, though, came on September
11. On campus, our Air Force ROTC held a rememberance reveille and retreat,
including an early morning memorial run along the Keweenaw Waterway.
Army and Air Force ROTC cadets once again stood guard at the memorial
in front of the ROTC building in blustery, rainy, cold conditions. Remembering.
Colorologist
"From Quincy Hill," he said, "it looks 50-60 percent
turned." The last rains helped slow down the color season, he said. "But
the drought before means some bare spots, and some green leaves have
fallen. Prime time is coming next weekend, I bet." Guaranteed?
I asked. He just laughed.
At Tech
ENROLLMENT RISES
by Jennifer Donovan, public relations director
Fall enrollment is up at Michigan Tech, including more women and more
ethnic minorities. Enrollment figures submitted to the state on Thursday
for the fall semester show 6,738 students, 194 more than a year ago.
The increase reflects successful recruitment of new students and an exceptional
retention record. Undergraduate applications soared to 5,046 this year,
the most ever in Michigan Tech's history, and the retention rate for
freshmen returning for their sophomore year increased 2 percent, to an
impressive 82.7 percent.
More
***
MICHIGAN TECH HOSTS FOURTH YES! EXPO
Michigan Tech is hosting the fourth YES! Expo on Thursday, Nov. 8, at
Ford Field in Detroit. This unique career-awareness event targets middle
and high school students, mostly from urban Detroit, to inspire them
to pursue education and careers in engineering and science. Nearly
60 companies, 25 universities and colleges, and many other organizations
provide and staff exhibits to show students the interesting careers
available in technology fields and the educational pathways to those
careers. To date over 16,000 students have registered to attend.
More
There is also an Alumni event taking place on Tuesday, November 6: Behind
the scenes at Yes! Expo. Click here for details.
***
278 EMPLOYERS REGISTERED FOR CAREER DAY
Submitted by the Career Center
Career Day 2007 (Tuesday, October 2) is fast approaching, and it will
be another record breaker with 278 employers registered. Last year 234
employers were in attendance. This larger number of employers is a indication
of the strong job market for Michigan Tech graduates. All faculty, staff, students
and alumni are invited to participate in this event.
More
***
LITTLE HUSKIES CHILDCARE-A DREAM COME TRUE: Sue Beske-Diehl remembers
what it was like years ago when she came to Michigan Technological
University. Both a wife and mother, and a full-time professor, it was
difficult not having on-campus childcare to lean on. "I almost
thought of quitting my job," she recalled. Luckily in her case,
she and her husband shared a combined position, and were able to take
turns caring for their daughter. "I thought a lot about others
who weren't as fortunate."
More
Tech Sports
#1 GRAND VALLEY STATE POWERS PAST
FOOTBALL HUSKIES, 48-6: Despite fireworks
from Marvin Atkins on the first play from scrimmage, #25 Michigan Tech
was defeated, 48-6, by #1 Grand Valley State in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference football game at Sherman Field today. Six Michigan
Tech turnovers proved costly as the Huskies' nine-game league winning
streak was snapped and the Lakers' winning streak was extended to 31
games.
More
***
VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS MERCYHURST TO
OPEN HOME SCHEDULE: Five different players
tallied five kills or more to lead Michigan Tech to a 3-0 sweep of Mercyhurst
today in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference volleyball at
the SDC Gym. The Huskies (3-8, 1-3 GLIAC) gave the home crowd of 418
fans lots to cheer about in their home opener, winning the three games
with scores of 30-27, 30-22, and 30-23.
More
***
WOMEN'S TENNIS PICKS UP 8-1 WIN
AT LSSU: Michigan Tech gained its first
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's tennis win of
the season today at Lake Superior State with a decisive 8-1 score. The
Huskies evened their record to 2-2 overall (1-2 in the GLIAC). Tech led,
3-0, after the doubles matches. Nicole Kirch and Amy Palmgren overcame
a 7-3 deficit at number one to post a 9-8 (6) victory. Silvia Oliveros
and Nathalia Rondelli gained an 8-2 win at number two, while Samantha
Jang-Stewart and Asel Otunchieva prevailed, 8-4, at number three.
More
Upcoming Events
Friday, Septmber 28
Volleyball hosts Saginaw Valley State, 7 p.m. (Live Radio, 93.5 FM)
Women's Tennis at Grand Valley State, 3 p.m.
Saturday, September 29
Women's Tennis at Ferris State, 10 a.m.
Volleyball hosts Northwood, 4 p.m.
Men's Cross Country at Roy Griak Invitational, 11 a.m.
Football at Hillsdale, 2:30 p.m. (Live Radio, 93.5 FM)
Saturday, October
6
Football, Homecoming vs. Ferris State, 1 p.m.
Around the Keweenaw
Adapted from the Daily Mining Gazette and WLUC
TV6
LDFA APPROVES BID FOR POWERHOUSE
WORK: The Local Development
Finance Authority approved a bid for the renovation of the Powerhouse
incubator building in Houghton. J. Clark submitted a low bid of $855,075
for engineering on the project, which includes buildout of the second
and third floors, reworking of the first floor and installation of a
generator. The Michigan Tech Enterprise Corp. SmartZone began using the
then-vacant building in 2003. The revamp will expand the building's usable
square footage from 7,500 to 14,500.
More
***
HANCOCK COUNCIL TABLES LAND SALE
AT SWEDETOWN: A proposed
sale of City of Hancock land near Swedetown Creek was tabled Wednesday
following the latest in an outpouring of public sentiment against the
sale. The City Council considered a resolution to sell two parcel-one
100 feet wide, one 20 feet wide-on Government Lot 5, immediately east
of Swedetown Creek. City Manager Glenn Anderson said the city has discussed
selling the land for at least the past four years. Proceeds from the
sale would likely go towards the city's recreation spending, such as
city parks and the Hancock beach.
More
***
GRANTS WILL HELP PRESERVE FORESTS: Funding from the
Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund will help complete the largest
single land protection project in state history. On Thursday, State Sen.
Mike Prusi, D-Ishpeming. applauded Gov. Jennifer Granholm's approval
of grants including $1.1 million for the Great Lakes Forest Project,
through which the state is buying working forest conservation easements
on roughly 248,000 acres in the Upper Peninsula.
More
***
NEW SIDEWALK IN TOWN: SafeLane is making its U.P.
debut. After a test of its capabilities on a Minnesota overpass and a
Wisconsin bridge, the anti-icing compound created by two Michigan Technological
University Keweenaw Research Center employees has finally made its way
to Hancock. Earlier this month, Greg Budweg, owner of Jim's Pizza in
Hancock, joined assistant research engineer Toby Kunnari and project
manager/research engineer Russ Alger in spreading the epoxy and aggregate
on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant on Quincy Street.
More
From
the Emailbag
Dennis,
The colorologist may have some catching up to do on the technology front...
URL: http://apnews.myway.com//article/20070919/D8ROK0F80.html
Tim Bottenfield '83, '86
Tim: Our colorologist is as low-tech as you can get!
***
Why on earth is the US Hockey Hall of Fame induction in Grand Forks,
ND?? The Hall is located in Evelyth, MN!! I haven't been there in a number
of years (although I pass by annually), but Tech had great coverage there
at one time.
Ray Tabar
Good question, Ray. And, while we are complaining, Houghton is the birthplace
of professional hockey. . .
***
Hope all is well.
This might be 'old news' to you, but I haven't laughed so hard in many,
many years! Brought back a ton of memories of 'da Tech. Take care.
Part One (Part Two next time): You know you're a Tech student, if
-You've ever had to dig through several feet of snow just to get your
car out of its parking space... 3 days in a row.
-You see the thermometer is at 15 degrees and don't bother grabbing a
jacket.
-You think of 6 inches overnight as just "a dusting".
-You use a yooper scooper.
-You curse the day you decided not to buy that 4 wheel drive vehicle.
-You've heard of the fabled "Lot R", but don't know where it
is because it's not on any map.
-You say Houghton has a rush "hour"-but you're really only
referring to those occasional 20 minute periods during which you may
see more than 3 cars stopped at a light.
-You have to drive 2 miles out of your way just to find streets with
a shallow enough grade so that you can actually make it up them without
sliding backwards on the ice.
-You know what a "yooper loop" is, and you're finally starting
to figure the thing out.
-Going to Perkins at 3am doesn't seem odd, but only because Taco Bell
closes too early.
-You know where Jim's is, and why you would be there at 1 am.
-You consider a week of positive temperatures in February a 'heat wave'.
-You have ever seen snow still on the ground as you drove home for summer
vacation.
To be continued. . .
Jason Tuisku
Great stuff, Jason! And, we have had real traffic jams here, with work
on the Lift Bridge. 1/2 hour to one hour to get to West Hancock from
Tech!
***
Not that this is an earth shaking event or a great news item. At K-Day
1956 my future wife, Pat Wilks of Baltic, became engaged, we got married
the week-end before graduation and just had our 50th anniversary. We
were both really sorry not to be able to attend the Tech reunion.
Ron Hanson '57EE
Actually, Ron, nowadays this is earth shaking. And you get bonus points
because my father was born in Baltic!
***
Featured Alumni Benefit
Michigan Tech WorldPoints MasterCard
Show your Husky spirit and earn points too! This is the only credit card
that supports your Alumni Association programs for students and alumni
and earns points towards cash back, air travel, merchandise and more-all
with no annual fee and a low annual percentage rate!
For every new account that is opened and every purchase made with the
card, Bank of America will make a contribution to the Michigan Tech Alumni
Association to support programs for students and alumni-at no additional
cost to you!
Members may review information about the rates, fees, other costs and
benefits and apply by clicking here or calling1-800-932-2775. TTY users,
please call 1-800-833-6262.
***
More Alumni Benefits & Services information <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/products/>
Class Rings
Diploma Frames
License Plates
University
Images Michigan Tech Clothing & Giftware
***
Get involved! Serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors
The Michigan Tech Alumni Association is calling for nominations for
exceptional individuals to serve on its Board of Directors, one of three
governing boards at Michigan Tech.
As the policy-making body for the Michigan Tech Alumni Association,
the Board of Directors establish programs, set priorities for the Association,
and work with the Director of Alumni Relations.
The Alumni Association works to engage alumni with
the University in many ways, including increasing participation in
chapter events, recruitment of prospective students, enhancing networking
with HuskyLink, (Michigan Tech’s
online community), promotion of Michigan Tech in areas where alumni live
and assisting the Michigan Tech Fund with increasing annual unrestricted
gifts.
The deadline for nominations is December 1. More information about the
Alumni Association Board as well as the nomination form can be found
at: www.alumni.mtu.edu/board/ or by contacting the Office of Alumni Relations
at alumni@mtu.edu 906-487-2400.
***
Looking for Outstanding Michigan Tech Alumni and Friends!
The Michigan Tech Alumni Association supports a wide range of award
programs to recognize the many outstanding achievements of alumni and
friends. Consider nominating a deserving individual for one of the following
awards:
Outstanding Service Award: presented to alumni and friends making significant
contributions to the success of the Alumni Association and/or the University
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: presented to alumni under the age of
35 who have distinguished themselves in their careers. The award recognizes
the achievement of a position or some distinction noteworthy for one
so recently graduated.
Distinguished Alumni Award: presented to alumni who have made outstanding
contributions both in their careers and to Michigan Tech over a number
of years.
Honorary Alumni Award: honors individuals who have provided service
and support of the University characteristic of a dedicated alum. The
Association reserves this award to recognize the strongest non-alumni
supporters of Michigan Tech.
Help us recognize the many outstanding accomplishments
and contributions of our alumni and friends! The deadline for nominations
is December 1. Award-winners are selected at the Association’s
Winter Carnival meeting each year, with awards presented at the August
Alumni Reunion.
For more information on the awards, past recipients and the nominating
process, see www.alumni.mtu.edu/awards or by contacting the Office of
Alumni Relations at alumni@mtu.edu 906-487-2400.
Job
Opportunities This Week
ON CAMPUS:
Complete job descriptions are available by e-mailing
jobs at mtu.edu
Manager of Employment and Classification/Compensation, Human Resources
ExSEL and Academic Enrichment Programs Director, Educational Opportunity
Position duration is dependent upon external funding
***
OFF CAMPUS:
For off-campus jobs, go to the alumni section of the Career Center website for alumni jobs.
Also, there is a new
local job board.
***********************
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.
Dennis Walikainen
dkwalika@mtu.edu
University Marketing and Communications
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931-1295
(906) 487-3510 |