Alumni Support Job Shadow and Mentoring Programs
“An interesting and educational experience,” was the consensus of both students and alumni who participated in a Job Shadow pilot project at Kohler Company in Wisconsin earlier this year.
Kohler environmental engineers Mellisa Mooren BS ’02, MS ’04 and Jeff Zeman BS ’97 invited second-year environmental engineering students Nora Peterson and Kim Landick to spend a day in the Cast Iron Division. This experience proved to be quite an eye-opener for these students as they observed the role of an environmental engineer in an industrial setting.
The program included a comprehensive tour of the foundry, exposure to the regulatory and paperwork aspect of the job, and some hands-on work. “We got dirty, really dirty, with sand that has carbon on it,” says Peterson. “It was in our hair, down our shirts, on our pants. That was my favorite part for sure!”
“They really had no idea what they would experience here, and that’s a good reason by itself to do something like this,” says Zeman. “I think they left with a good understanding of how environmental compliance and manufacturing interact on a basic level.”
If employers would like to participate in the Job Shadow, contact Gail Beausoleil, associate director of the Michigan Tech Career Center at 906-487-2313, gbeausol@mtu.edu or visit HuskyLink, the online alumni community, at www.huskylink.mtu.edu and complete the mentoring section in your profile.
There’s another option for alums to share their professional experiences with a Michigan Tech student—MentorNet.net is an online mentoring program that pairs students with industry professionals. More than 1,045 companies are represented by mentors participating in this program, which only takes about twenty minutes per week via email. Log on to www.mentornet.net, or contact Michigan Tech’s MentorNet partnership coordinator, Kerri Sleeman,
kasleema@mtu.edu, 906-487-3539.
From your Alumni Association President
As Michigan Tech alumni, we have much to be proud of. The outstanding achievements and the dedicated service of our 2007 Alumni Association award winners featured on page 18 are excellent examples of the quality of Michigan Tech grads.
These are just a few representatives of our 65,000 high-achieving alumni family members living and working in more than one hundred countries around the world. If you know of an alumnus/a who should be recognized, please consider submitting an award nomination.
The Michigan Tech Alumni Association operates an extensive alumni chapter program, organizes alumni to assist in student recruiting, and sponsors the annual Alumni Reunion in August. This past year, we have enhanced our communications and website, launched an online alumni community—HuskyLink—and developed new services for young alumni.
Our goal is to encourage and support alumni in a lifelong relationship with Tech by linking them to the University, other alumni, and current students. To that end, your Alumni Association Board of Directors has been working on a strategic plan so our initiatives fully support Michigan Tech’s goals. We hope you will help us shape the future of our organization. Please send me your comments, care of the Office of Alumni Relations, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931, or by email alumni@mtu.edu
Rom LaPointe ’92
Regional Alumni Event Schedule
September 15—Midland, tailgate, Football vs. Northwood
October 5–6—Houghton, Homecoming, parade and tailgate, Football vs. Ferris State
October 13—Saginaw, tailgate, Football vs. Saginaw Valley
October 20—Marquette, tailgate, Football vs. Northern Michigan
November 3—Madison, pregame event, Hockey vs. Wisconsin
November 7—Detroit, Alumni Reception at Ford Field
November 8—Detroit, YES! Expo at Ford Field
December 1—Twin Cities, pregame event, Hockey vs. Minnesota
December 15—Houghton, Midyear Commencement
December 28–29—Detroit, Great Lakes Invitational, Joe Louis Arena
Keweenaw Alumni Chapter Events
September—1960 Olympic Hockey Game Video Presentation
November—Annual Lecture Series
December—Annual Holiday After-Work Social
For an up-to-date listing of alumni events, please visit www.alumni.mtu.edu.
2007 Alumni Awards
Distinguished Alumni Award
David A. Edwards graduated from Michigan Tech with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1983 and earned a doctorate from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1987. Edwards is the Gordon McKay Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Harvard, where he has taught since 2002. He has pioneered medical aerosol technology and founded Medicine in Need (MEND), a nonprofit that targets new treatments of diseases of poverty in developing nations. In May 2007, Michigan Tech awarded Edwards its highest honor, the Melvin Calvin Medal of Distinction. (See story).
Dr. Matthew N. Songer is chairman and CEO of Pioneer Surgical Technology in Marquette, Michigan. Songer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Michigan Tech in 1979 and earned a Doctor of Medicine from University of Illinois in 1983. He also received an MBA from Northwestern University in 2006. Pioneer Surgical Technology, founded by Songer in 1992, is a leading developer and manufacturer of surgical instrumentation and spinal and orthopedic implants. He is a member of the Michigan Tech College of Science and Arts Academy and lectures in the biomedical engineering program.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Kimberly L. Turner of Goleta, California, is an associate professor in mechanical engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her Michigan Tech credentials include an associate’s degree in civil engineering technology in 1989, a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1992, a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1994, and a master’s degree in civil engineering in 1996. She also studied at Cornell University and earned a doctoral degree in theoretical and applied mechanics from UCSB.
Outstanding Service Award
Dennis E. Teeguarden is professor emeritus, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley. Teeguarden earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Michigan Tech in 1953. After service in the US Navy, he earned a master’s in forestry and a doctorate in agricultural economics, both from Berkeley. He has extensive involvement with Michigan Tech—he is a life trustee of the Michigan Tech Fund and a longtime supporter of the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, which honored him in 1993 with an outstanding alumnus award.
Honorary Alumni Award
Ross E. Roeder studied at Michigan Tech from 1958 to 1960 before transferring to Michigan State, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After serving in the US Army, he earned an MBA at UCLA. Roeder is chairman of the board of Smart & Final, Inc., a food- and restaurant-supply company. He was awarded Tech’s Board of Control Silver Medal in 1986. Roeder is a charter member of the McNair Society of planned givers; a past president and life trustee of the Michigan Tech Fund; and a member of the School of Business and Economics National Advisory Board. He has established an endowed SBE scholarship and remains a fervent supporter of Tech’s football program.
Michigan Tech Alumni Association
Mission Statement
The mission of the Michigan Tech Alumni Association is to provide a mutually beneficial link between Michigan Tech alumni and a) the University, b) other alumni, and c) Michigan Tech students (future alumni).
Vision
To possess an environment and spirit in the Michigan Tech Alumni Association that results in a significant number of alumni forming lifelong relationships with the University and other alumni.
Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE President: Romuald J. LaPointe ’92 (Rom) Past President: Scott D. Hartz ’81 Vice President: Mark C. D. Mitchell, MD ’77 Treasurer: Paul J. Ninefeldt ’96 Secretary: Linda D. Kennedy ’91 |
DIRECTORS Holly M. Burger—MTSF Lisa A. Fernstrum ’91 Margaret R. Gale ’77/’81 (Peg) Kevin T. Grzelak ‘89 Sally P. Heidtke ’81 Tanya J. Klain ’90 David J. McCash ’91 |
DIRECTORS Ryan D. Menze—MTSF Lori Ann Muhlig ’01 Paul G. Nygaard ’93 Johnny G. Peavey ’74 Derhun D. Sanders ‘97 Jacque C. Smith ’85 Richard G. Timmons ’69 Karin J. Van Dyke ’78 |
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For a detailed listing and contact information, visit www.alumni.mtu.edu.
Presidential Council of Alumnae Inducts New Members
PCA members are recognized for achievements in a number of areas such as educational excellence, professional accomplishments, past student service, current community services, University support, and other personal success. The PCA advises the president on campus climate issues and provides suggestions for enhancing the University’s environment for students, especially women. The following women were inducted this spring at the PCA banquet:
Jennifer Becker ’89
Assistant Professor, Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland-College Park.
Michele Blau (Lahti) ’88, ’92, ’96
Senior Manager, Project Managers in Integrated Operations, IBM Global Services, currently in Australia.
Monica Hahn ’83
Vice President of Marketing, Aramark Sports & Entertainment,
Denver, Colorado.
Holly Hillberg (Phelan) ’83
Chief Technology Officer, Eastman Kodak, Vice President Kodak Health Group, Rochester, New York.
Cynthia Kring (Manninen) ’78
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Kalkaska, Michigan.
Merrily Madero (Dente) ’85
Vice Commander, 17th Training Wing, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.
Suzanne Sanregret (Jukuri) ’93, ’06
Athletic Director, Michigan Tech.