Back in the 1980s

We did a bit of time travel recently while attending the play, Beyond Therapy, put on by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.

It is a comedy set in the 1980s, and the cast and production staff gave us a feel for the Big Eighties in a big way. To set the mood, they even had an eighties display outside with music playing from that era.

The comedy revolves around a love triangle, or two, and had enough references to that decade that the program even included a glossary. We couldn’t believe that the 1980s needed clarification, but considering all the actors and most of the audience were born in that decade, I guess it was necessary.

They defined disco, Gary Gilmore, Joan Didion, Shaun Cassidy, Skylab, The Towering Inferno, and more trivia then we realized existed. It was amazing how much we remembered.

The set was a wonder in its own right: rotating offices, a restaurant with puzzle-piece tables, and a swank, 80s apartment. All were recreated accurately by Tech students. The props were great, too: huge remote telephone, big, boxy cassette player, etc.

The actors, all Tech students, did a nice job with this period piece, and it was interesting to see their majors: geological engineering, materials science and engineering, forestry, economics, sciences and arts, and theatre and entertainment technology.

They managed to squeeze in all the rehearsals learned their lines, and performed six times, all before Thanksgiving break. New Assistant Professor Patricia Helsel, who directed the play, is to be commended for her fine work: a real professional performance.

And it was great, for one night, to be living in the past.

***

Last Call for Alumni Association Awards and Board of Directors

The deadline for nominations to the Michigan Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors and the alumni award programs 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/. For information on the alumni awards, past recipients and the nominating process, see www.alumni.mtu.edu/awards or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mtu.edu or 906-487-2400.

At Tech

OVERHEARD AT YES! EXPO: Michigan Tech hit Detroit with a bang last week at the third YES! Expo to be held at Ford Field. The festivities started out Wednesday with the buzz of preparation—forklifts clattering about with lumber, bottled water, and 30-gallon bags of popcorn; people setting up exhibits and food venues; white-shirted cleaners working the seats. The preparation gave way Thursday to the clamor of lively youth resounding through the building.

What do 57 businesses, 24 colleges and universities, and nearly 20,000 middle- and high-school students have in common?

More

***

TECH FACULTY RATED AMONG THE MOST PRODUCTIVE IN THE NATION: Michigan Tech’s School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science faculty ranked first in the nation for their scholarly productivity during 2006-07, according to a report released in the November 16, 2007 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education. The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences faculty productivity ranked sixth among 375 research universities that grant PhDs, and Michigan Tech overall ranked in the top 20 research universities specializing in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.
More

***

MICHIGAN TECH HELPS SOLVE MYSTERY OF COSMIC RAYS: Using data-gathering equipment designed and tested at Michigan Technological University, scientists from 17 countries have identified Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs)—containing massive black holes—as the most likely source of the highest-energy cosmic rays. Three years of data collection and analysis is helping to bring the Pierre Auger Collaboration—an international team of scientists and engineers working from an observatory in Argentina—closer to understanding the mystery of the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays.
More

***

MEEM ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF SAFETY
by Karina Jousma, Tech Today student editor

Every year, table saws are involved in over 60,000 injuries, over 3,000 amputations and $2 billion in injury-related costs, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. To combat such alarming statistics, last summer the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics invested in SawStop, a brand of table saw on the cutting edge of safety technology. This table saw is different from its customary counterpart. If a saw operator’s skin comes in contact with the blade, a mechanism causes the whole blade component to retract in 0.005 of a second. The result is a superficial cut. To see a demonstration of the saw with a hot dog, visit the SawStop website at www.sawstop.com.
More

Tech Sports

Freshman Forward Jordan Baker

TICKETS ON SALE FOR GLI: Join your friends and fellow alumni to cheer on our Michigan Tech Huskies!

Since its founding by Michigan Tech in 1965, the Great Lakes Invitational Hockey Tournament has brought thousands of Michigan Tech alumni, Husky fans and friends to the legendary Joe Louis Arena for what is one of the greatest traditions in college hockey.

Friday, December 28, 2007
4:36 pm U of M vs. Providence
8:06 pm Michigan Tech vs. Michigan State

Saturday, December 29, 2007
4:06 pm Consolation Game
7:36 pm Championship Game

Metro Detroit Chapter
As part of the fun, you're invited to a social event under the stands in the Garden Room hosted by the Metro-Detroit Chapter of the Michigan Tech Alumni Association!

Several great ticket options are available for both students and families. Ticket orders due by December 4, and will be mailed by December 11. All Michigan Tech Alumni are eligible to win a FREE hotel stay upon registration. Get your tickets today at: www.HuskyLink.mtu.edu/GLI to register.

***

TECH FALLS ON THE ROAD TO DULUTH, 4-1: Despite holding a 40-30 advantage in shots, Michigan Tech came out on the losing end as it dropped a 4-1 decision to Minnesota Duluth Saturday night. Junior Michael-Lee Teslak made 26 saves and allowed two goals for the Huskies (5-6-1, 4-5-1) while his counterpart sophomore Alex Stalock made 39 saves for the Bulldogs (5-3-2, 4-3-1). “Tonight we played hard and we played smart. If we play like that every night, we are going to win a lot of games,” said head coach Jamie Russell.
More

***

MOYRYLA, DIXON AND NELSON EARN ALL-GLIAC IN FOOTBALL: The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference today announced its 2007 all-league football teams. Michigan Tech seniors Pete Moyryla (Laurium, Mich./Calumet) and DaVaughn Dixon (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) were both named to the All-GLIAC First Team, while senior Cheyne Nelson (Victorville, Calif.) garnered all-league second team laurels. Moyryla (left), a 6-4, 295-pound right tackle, anchored Tech’s offensive line by starting all 11 games. The now two-time All-GLIAC First Team pick helped the Huskies average 414.5 total yards and 200.5 rushing yards per game.
More

***

COLD SHOOTING PLAGUES HUSKIES IN WBB LOSS TO LEWIS: Lewis defeated Michigan Tech 58-47 in the second game of the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge today. Cold shooting plagued the Huskies in a game in which they had advantages in rebounds (47-39) and turnovers (15-17). The Black and Gold finished at 26 percent from the field including an 0-for-17 mark from 3-point range.
More

***

LEWIS TOPS TECH, 70-52, WITH 20-2 RUN TO END GAME: A 20-2 run by Lewis to end the game spelled doom for the Michigan Tech men’s basketball team tonight in their final game of the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge. The Huskies battled back from a 12-point second half deficit to tie the game at 50 before the Flyers came away with a 70-52 triumph.
More

***
THREE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS NAMED TO ALL-GLIAC TEAM: Three Michigan Tech volleyball players have been honored by the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Junior Veronica Armstrong and Jennifer Jung were each named to the All-GLIAC Second Team, and junior Kelsey Skoog was named an All-GLIAC Honorable Mention Selection.

Armstrong (left), a native of Battle Creek, Mich., led the team in both kills with 260 (2.71 kpg) and 34 service aces (0.35 sapg). She also recorded 253 digs (2.64 dpg), third most on the team, and 46 blocks (0.48 bpg) on the season.
More

***

Upcoming Athletic Events

Friday, November 23
Women's and Men's Basketball, 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.
at Minnesota Duluth, American Family Classic, Duluth

Saturday, November 24
Women's and Men's Basketball, 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
at St. Cloud State, American Family Classic, Duluth

Men's and Women's Nordic Skiing
at West Yellowstone Distance Super Tour Races, TBA, Montana

Thursday, November 29
Women's and Men's Basketball at Mercyhurst, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Friday, November 30
Hockey at Minnesota, 8:07 p.m.

Saturday, December 1
Women's and Men's Basketball at Gannon, 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

Hockey at Minnesota, 8:07 p.m.

Men's and Women's Nordic Skiing at UP Collegiate Opening Meet

Sunday, December 2
Men's and Women's Nordic Skiing at UP Collegiate Opening Meet

Around the Keweenaw

Adapted from the Daily Mining Gazette

SNOW! MONT RIPLEY FIRES UP BIG GUNS: Though Mother Nature has not kicked in much so far in terms of frozen precipitation, she has at least provided cold enough temperatures for winter to officially begin at Mont Ripley Ski Area. The snow machines kicked on for the first time this year at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Mont Ripley. Mont Ripley General Manager Nick Sirdenis said after hearing a weather report calling for temperatures in the 20s that night, he went out immediately to buy flashlights and batteries.
More

***

STUDENTS SKIP SCHOOL ON OPENING DAY: Firearm deer season opening day was a popular day for high school students to take off of school, even though it was a Thursday. Darryl Pierce, superintendent of the Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium and Keweenaw said of 472 students enrolled at the high school, 173 students observed opening day or were out of school due to illness — nearly 37 percent of the high school student body was out of school Thursday.
More

***

CITY OF HOUGHTON ADOPTS BIKE PLAN: The Houghton City Council Wednesday adopted a bike plan developed over the past year by a citizens group. The move is a necessary prerequisite to pursuing grants to put the plan into effect. The plan has two main recommendations: put together and maintain a system of bicycle facilities to enable safe and convenient cycling within the city, and ensure cyclists’ safety through education, promotion and law enforcement.
More

***

WAITING TO BUILD BIOMASS POWER: A regulatory formality is the only bridge left to cross before a White Pine-based company can start construction on a project in L’Anse that will turn timber harvest residue and paper mill waste into electricity. L’Anse Warden Electric Company LLC is awaiting the issuance of an installation permit the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality approved Oct. 29 that will allow the company to begin converting the out-of-commission J. H. Warden Generating Station in L’Anse to run on biomass. The plant last ran in 2003 with coal, oil and natural gas as fuel sources.
More

***

TOURIST NUMBERS UP FOR 2007: Despite rising gasoline prices early in the summer and a severe drought that brought on an early color season, the 2007 tourist period appears to have been a success. “In talking with different people, it’s agreed that it was generally a better year than many people expected it to be,” said Bill Fink, president of the Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber of Commerce in Houghton.
More

***

PANEL MULLS GRANT BUDGET: More facade grants, an upcoming streetscape project and the removal of downtown skywalks lead a list of proposed ways the City of Houghton will spend a recently awarded $1 million grant. Last month, the city became one of seven Michigan cities to receive a Vibrant Cities Grant from the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority.
More

***

From the Emailbag

Editor's Note: I told Michelle I would pass on alumni memories to her, so have at it!

Hello Mr. Walikainen

I have been told by a number of sources that you are just the person I need to talk to. I'm working on writing an article for my UN2002 Revisions Class about the history of life in the dorms. I think it is important to share with new students the history and traditions of this wonderful University. There are four of us working together on one project each focusing on different dorm life topics. The other members of my group are writing articles about What's Cooking in the Kitchenette, Hall Pride and the feelings of close community, and what to do on campus and around the area when you are not studying.

What does all of this have to do with you? I was told by a gentleman in the Tech Archives and also the Chair of the Social Science Department to get in contact with you to reach the huge population of alumni. I receive forwarded copies of your newsletter by my Dad who graduated in (I think ) 1976.

I was wondering if it would be possible to get feedback and personal stories from some of the alumni that lived in the dorms when they went to school. Perhaps possible questions to ask would be:

What are some of your fondest memories about staying in the dorms?
What were some of the amenities offered?
What do you think incoming freshmen and their parents should know about the dorms before move-in day?

Please respond with any questions, concerns or additional information that could help me out. I would like to work with you and the alumni population to further my research about the History of Tech living.

Thanks for your time,

Michelle Foy
Environmental Engineering

***
Just in case you missed it the USA TODAY had a great article regarding college and university participation in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) in their Monday November 5 issue. Michigan Tech is listed as one of 257 schools participating in the NSSE and is mentioned in the two page article as a school "where NSSE data suggest students benefit from learning communities." For more information the reader is asked to go to the usatoday.com college search database.

It is a great article about the value of undergraduate student engagement in the learning environment. Makes one feel proud to see that Tech is a participant in this survey.

<http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2007-11-04-nsse-good-things_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip>

Tom Cieslinski, '63

***

Hockey Free Weight Fundraiser
The Michigan Tech Blue Line Club is raising funds to purchase additional free weights for the hockey Husky program. You can help with a donation of any size -- every dollar donated will help to purchase one pound of weight for the hockey program.

Donors are invited to fill out a "free weight" cutout for display in the Blue Line Club skybox at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Copies of the form will be available in the skybox during the December 15 NMU game. The form is also also available online under the "spirit groups" link from www.michigantechhuskies.com

Further information is available from Blue Line Club president Kathy Pintar (kapintar@mtu.edu) and vice president Erik Nordberg (enordber@mtu.edu).

***

YES! Expo in Detroit News; Crain's Detroit Business

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071109/METRO/711090375

DETROIT -- Chase Johnson, 15, watched wide-eyed Thursday as representatives from Michigan Technological University's summer youth program poured liquid nitrogen over a bowl of Tootsie Rolls, marshmallows and graham crackers, quickly freezing them.

The sophomore from Summit Academy High School in Romulus and other students then tasted the chilly food items and laughed as they stuck to their tongues during the Youth Engineering & Science (YES!) Expo at Ford Field.

"They pretty much froze everything you can freeze legally," Johnson said. "I think this is the coolest thing at the exhibit."

The liquid nitrogen experiment was just one of many displays that drew more than 20,000 middle and high school students from all over Michigan. Michigan Tech hosted the free expo, which also included exhibits from two dozen universities and more than 60 companies.

And this from Crain's Business in Detroit

Scott Hartz

***

Featured Alumni Benefit

A Great Way to Support Your Alumni Association PLUS hundreds of deals at places you shop the most…

Your Michigan Tech Alumni Association has created a FREE shopping mall for all alumni and friends.
Members of our shopping mall will receive cash back on purchases made in any of the nearly 1,000 different stores associated with the shopping mall. Cash back ranges from 1% to more than 20%. In addition:

• You'll find great coupon codes at many of our partner stores.
• We post new deals and sales every single day so you find up-to-date shopping information.
• Your Alumni Association also earns cash back on any purchases you make through your shopping mall. These funds support programming for Michigan Tech alumni and students.

Start earning cash back today and also support your Michigan Tech Alumni Association. Just visit www.alumnimall.mtu.edu

***

More Alumni Benefits & Services information <http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/products/>

Class Rings
Diploma Frames
License Plates
University Images Michigan Tech Clothing & Giftware

***

Job Opportunities This Week

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

Faculty Positions in Sustainability

Tenure-Track Associate Professor/Professor/Program Chair, Construction Management, School of Technology

Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate/Professor, Materials Science and Engineering

Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor (four positions), Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

Coordinator, Health and Wellness, Counseling Services and Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education
Regular, full-time, 10-month position (August-May)

Director of Development, Advancement

Research Engineer/Scientist I—Reposted, Michigan Tech Research Institute, Position duration 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