The TKE Cider Mill with animals, tractor, and pumpkin patch. It's clickable.

At 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning, walking toward the MUB, some cheering started low and gained momentum. Soon, it turned into a familiar shout out.

The TKEs were celebrating the end of their statue duties and the end of the all-nighter.

They had good reason to cheer.

Their statue, celebrating cider mills in Michigan, had both size and detail and took third place in the fraternity division of the month-longs. Phi Taus won the event, with Delt Sigs second and Sig Eps fourth.

Detail on the TKE statue: pumpkins.

Roaming the statues Thursday a.m. is always rewarding. The sun was just coming up over the library as our bus of judges was looking at the first statue: DU's bulldozer "stuck" in snow.

When we got to the TKE statue, some snowmobiles were cruising campus, and many cars had slowed down to look at the statue.

Besides the ice pumpkins (left), there was a glass table and chairs and additional impressive detail.

Sigma Tau Gamma did a nice job with a tall (right to the 28-foot limit) lighthouse. They also hung two large lights in the tree above the statue, which has become a tradition.

Downtown, the Dog House created a wall and the Ambassador a fishbowl (of the non-fish kind).

The Phi Taus' statue impressed. Comerica Park, Ford Field, and Joe Louis Arena provided the backdrop to many nice details, including ice sculptures of NFL and MLB trophies, the Stanley Cup, and that octopus who comes out every playoff season for the Red Wings.

A pair of sleep-deprived Phi Taus hung on long enough to chat. Edward Duda, a fourth-year chem engg from Commerce, Michigan, said everyone else was sleeping. Some marching band music was coming from their house, however.

Rand Lindner, a software engineer from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, said they endured the odd recent weather and a crazy last night to finish their first-place structure. More on the results are here.

The Delt Sigs had a similar story. After four and one-half weeks and 2,500 man hours, their salute to Ford Motor Company came out nicely. Second place was their reward for the massive structure that featured five smoke stacks to emulate the River Rouge plant, an assembly line, and a progression of Model T, Jeep, Mustang, and Ford GT. (The image at left is clickable.)

"People actually thought the Mustang was a Camaro when we were building it last night," laughed Alex Summers, a fourth-year construction management major from Burton, Michigan. "Even though we had the huge Ford logo up top!" Their ice work included three engines, windshields, and an incredible sign with a chain holding it up.

Nearby, Triangle devoted their sight to Hockeytown, replete with retired Red Wing numbers, and a nice representation of the Wings logo and the flying fist from downtown Detroit.

Broomball was in full swing and third-year biology student Zack Johnson from Citadel House (and Hancock) stopped by to check on the statue that he also worked on. His team had won their game in the Carnival tournament. More than 200 teams compete in broomball over the school year, he said.

Near the Sig Eps statue, Gwendolyn Fleming was selling buttons and coffee on behalf of APO, who make the buttons each year, going back to 1980. The fourth-year chem engg from Niles, Michigan, was hanging in there, despite the winds that were really beginning to whip up.

Finally, the Sig Eps had the best lettering, in my opinion: red plaid made of wax that jumped from the snow and proclaimed: "From Lakeshore to Lakeshore These Men Would Shout 'Timber!': Our Michigan History Frozen in Winter." A large ice-saw dominated the structure, along with a water wheel that fell once, according to Eric Lindholm, a fourth-year ME from Iron Mountain. They had realistic "bark": cracks in ice-tree stumps, that happened on their own, Lindholm said.

"Are we done now?" he politely asked one of the Blue Key people with the judges.

Sleep beckoned, and the Greeks and all the snow and ice engineers would rest before celebrating another Carnival job well done.

Dennis

Snowfall Totals
Total to date: 97"
On the ground: 16"
In the last week: 2"

Total last year: 138.5"
On the ground: 39"

A salute to Motor City sports teams carried Phi Kappa Tau to first place in the fraternity division of the monthlong snow statue competition at the 2012 Winter Carnival. “Don’t Underestimate the Dreams of Detroit” was the title of the huge sculpture that featured three of Detroit’s sports teams and their stadiums. More

It’s the question that’s been on the minds of students and community members for the past month: would the balmy weather spell disaster for snow statues at Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival? In short—no. Now, with up to a month of construction behind them, statue builders can admire their snowy creations—this year with an extra bit of pride for conquering Mother Nature’s unexpected warm-up. More

Michigan Tech’s Rail Transportation Program—part of the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute—is one of seven members of a research university consortium that has received the US Department of Transportation’s (USDoT) first multi-million grant to a University Transportation Center focused solely on rail transportation. More

The Black Student Association (BSA) has kicked off their celebration of Black History Month—a four-week-long recognition of the challenges and accomplishments of black Americans. The theme of this year’s Black History Month events at Michigan Tech is “Black People in Focus: Educating Blacks in America.” Tayloria Adams, president of BSA, says she aims to bring light to the challenges that black students face in higher education, including at Tech. More

Phoenix alums, from left, Joy Dorvinen ’09, Chris LaPoint ’09, Jessica Dorvinen ’03, ’06, Mike LaPointe ’79, and David Heiden ’10.

Groups of alumni met in Houston and Phoenix recently to share their favorite Tech memories and catch up with what is happening on campus with Brenda Rudiger, director of Alumni Relations.

Many thanks to Cory Hammond ’00 in Houston, and David Heiden ‘10 and Jessica Dorvinen ’03, ‘06 in Phoenix who assisted with the planning of these events.

Griffins Game Gathering

The West Michigan Alumni Chapter hosted an alumni event at a Griffins hockey game. During the pre-game gathering, some alumni talked to prospective students who joined the group at this event. Although the game was exciting, Houston took at 3 point lead early and the Griffins couldn't make it up ending with a 5-1 loss. The photo is clickable.

Michigan Tech alums who are interested in pursuing a career as a mathematics or science teacher in secondary schools are eligible for one-year fellowships, under a Tech program funded by the National Science Foundation until early 2014. Anyone with a degree in engineering, science, or mathematics can apply for these $25,000 awards to study at Michigan Tech for one year. Recipients will take courses in teacher education that lead to student teaching and teacher certification in math or science. The deadline for returning professionals to apply for the 2012-13 academic year is May 1.

Further information is available at the program website – http://noycescholars.mtu.edu Or interested individuals can contact the Michigan Tech Division of Teacher Education (Brad Baltensperger, chair 906-487-2425, or Judy Anderson, certification officer 906-487-3570).

Predict the total amount of snow to fall in the Keweenaw this winter for a chance to win a stay at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and a Michigan Tech Winter Survival Kit.

It has been a strange year for snow in the Copper Country this season but that has not stopped more than 800 alumni who have entered the snowfall contest so far with predictions ranging from 79.7 to 400 inches. Early last week we would have given better odds for a low number but after last week’s snowfall, we may have to change our minds.

Last winter, more than one thousand alumni and friends entered the contest but Ron Streib, a 1969 Metallurgical Engineering alumnus, was the winner with his prediction of 178.3 inches.

Enter your snowfall prediction for the 2011-12 season before February 15th at http://apps.alumni.mtu.edu/snow/

Hot camps, cool place.

Registration for the 2012 Summer Athletic Camps is now open! This year's camps include basketball, football, soccer, tennis, cheer, learn to skate, figure skating, hockey, mountain biking and volleyball. Check out the individual schedules and camp details at www.mtu.edu/sportscamps.

As a benefit only available to our alumni, a 10 percent discount is redeemable for all children and grandchildren of alumni. Just mention this special TechAlum Newsletter offer when filling out your camp application in the "How did you hear about our camp" section.

2012 summer sports camps will take place June 13–August 24. Save the dates on your calendar and camp UP here! Combine a family vacation with a fun camp, where your child or grandchild is guaranteed to learn techniques to improve their sport. Develop skills, learn from professional staff, perform at a higher level and experience the Keweenaw summer.

Please note that the ice related camps are subject to cancellation/schedule changes based on a potential construction and renovation project in the ice arena. Full refunds will be honored to all registrations for this matter. Additional information will be provided when available.

Contact us at 888-829-9688 or sportscamps@mtu.edu with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at camp this summer!

This old TKE statue was built outside the Administration Building, just like today. We don't know the year, however.

Email me.

Delt Sigs did some nice chain work back in 2006, too. Who is this guy?

Email me.

A one-goal game heading into the third period to decide Winter Carnival ended in a 4-0 shutout victory for visiting Nebraska Omaha over Michigan Tech tonight at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The Huskies (13-14-3, 10-9-3 WCHA) had opportunities to tie the game in the third period, but the Mavericks tallied three goals in the final 15 minutes to earn the MacInnes Cup as Winter Carnival Champion. More

The Michigan Tech women’s basketball teams strong defense was on display Saturday (Feb. 11) at the SDC Gymnasium as the Huskies defeated Lake Superior State 72-43 in GLIAC action. The Huskies lead the league in scoring defense allowing 57.0 points per game and improve to 16-5 overall and 11-4 in the league. More

The Michigan Tech Nordic ski team put two teams on the podium on the final day of the Central Collegiate Ski Association Championships Sunday (Feb. 12) at the Michigan Tech Nordic Training Center. The Huskies finished second and third in the women’s 3x5-kilometer freestyle relay. The team of Lynn Duijndam, Alice Flanders and Deedra Irwin finished second in a time of 45:30. Tech’s second team of Sarah Daniels, Christina Mishica and Malin Eriksson finished third in 45:41. More

Hi Dennis,
It was great seeing the picture of the Fish Bowl and CAD/CAM lab. I was a student lab assistant working with Dan DeBeaubian and Cynthia MacDonald at that time 82-83. After I graduated in '84 with by BS in Computer Science, Denny McKaig hired me as a direct MTU employee working for him in support of this lab and managing the lab assistants. My office was in a corner of a room at the front of the building off the lobby.

I worked there until 1986 when Rockwell International called my office one day and lured me away. Rockwell Automotive was in the process of deploying the mainframe CADAM solution on an IBM VM operating system at multiple locations and needed someone with this experience, which was in short supply. This was the same system IBM had granted to Tech.

From this start as a Lab Assistant in the MEEM, 26 years later I now have global responsibility for Engineering and Quality applications at Meritor, Inc, which is the successor company to Rockwell Automotive. Those student jobs can pan out!

Fondly,
Allan Saja, '84

Bob Carnahan has offered up this bottle of vintage Pat Paulsen Wine from 1982 (yes, that Pat Paulsen).

The Bid History

Tom Arbuckle '75 $82.00
Jeff Paulson '93 $99.00
Jim Blevins '72 $200
Jeff Paulson '80 $225

***

Anyone can bid. Just send an email to alumni@mtu.edu, and they'll record your amount.You can let TechAlum know, too, so our alumni can follow along.

Just heard that this years GLI will be held at Comerica Park the home of the Detroit Tigers. Lots more people can now attend. Go Tech.

Roger Wenk

Roger: The full story is here.

Hi Dennis,
Our daughter came across the attached pic in the family collection and it brought back memories of the 1956 Winter Carnival, my freshman year at MTU. The Sno Ball was held in Sherman Gym with music by the Russ Carlyle “Big Band”. According to the 1956 Keweenawan “A capacity crowd was delighted with Russ Carlyle’s impersonations of some of the current singing stars”.

The west part of Wadsworth Hall opened in the fall of 1955 with those students offered meals at the Memorial Union Cafeteria. The Sno Ball in 1959 in my Senior Year was held on Valentine’s Day in the new Wadsworth Hall Cafeteria where “700 couples gathered and the Bobby Christian Orchestra, which had experienced difficulties in reaching our winter wonderland, provided an evening of varied and enjoyable dance rhythms”. The 17 and 15 year olds in the 1956 picture are both Tech grads, with additional studies at NMU and Northwestern, and celebrated their 51st Wedding Anniversary in 2011 with their two children and six grandchildren.

Best wishes,
Don Mikkola

Don: This is priceless! Our alums will also remember you as a professor in metallurgy (materials science).

Dennis-
Saw an bit about Dana Suggitt (grad of Michigan Tech) and figured I would pass it along.

http://www.amerisurv.com/content/view/9585/

Mark Garver

Yes, in 1971-72 Wadsworth Hall, there were many a quart of Bosch or Strohs to be seen.

Jim’s Food Mart would run specials, 2 quarts for $0.79. What a deal.

Don Beyer, 76

***

Hi,
Of course the detail is the Bosch beer quart bottle...had to be in the late 60's or early 70's before the brewery was pushed out of business by the cheap Stroh's beer that was trucked into the area. Gilt Edge beer from the Bosch Brewery was the best (I never drank the stuff though)...and the brewery tours with free beer were great! Had silver dollars embedded in the stairs at the brewery, as I recall.

Best Regards,
Red C. 1974

I hope current students and fans of Tech hockey are recognizing that Tech Hockey is back. Having attended Tech games since the early sixties, I have had the opportunity to see what quality Tech hockey meant.

The past number of years have disappointed and a lot of Tech Pride slipped away as well. Guess what? The 11-12 Husky Hockey team is restoring the pride and are to be recognized for the giant steps they are making with every passing week.

It feels good to go to Tech hockey again.

Pat Rozich

At first glance, it looks like that big moose is smoking a cigarette!

Ellen J. Kehoe

Ellen: Yes, we grow them tough out on Isle Royale. I think it's a tongue.

Check out the “new” Mont Ripley and save 50 percent on lift tickets!

Mont Ripley has many great “learn to ski and snowboard” programs but we are best known for our steeper slopes with many powder bowls and glades so you can rip up all the fresh powder you’ll find. For the younger knees, the Mont Ripley terrain park is second to none with over thirty features, including rails, slider boxes, and big jumps.

Make a trip back to Michigan Tech’s Mont Ripley during the 2011-12 season and as a Tech grad, you and your family will each receive a discount on lift tickets and rental equipment complete with lessons. Learn More

Show your Michigan Tech Pride!

• Official Class Rings and Diploma Frames
• Michigan Tech License Plates
• Michigan Tech Collector Blanket
• University Images—Michigan Tech Clothing and Giftware
  

More Alumni Benefits, Services and Discount program information
http://www.mtu.edu/alumni/benefits

Strategic Faculty Hiring Initiative: Positions in Water and Transportation

Web Content Developer, Information Technology Services and Security

Assistant Research Engineer-Software Programmer/Developer, Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI)

Apply using new online system at http://jobs.mtu.edu

Complete Descriptions are available on the Human Resources website.

Off Campus

Keweenaw opportunities: http://www.keweenawprofessionaljobs.com/

Other employment opportunities: Check out the Linked in group exclusively for Michigan Tech Alumni.

Also, visit the Career Tools webpage for more options.