From Your Alumni Association President
As 2007 comes to a close, I am delighted by the many accomplishments of Michigan Tech and the Alumni Association over the past twelve months.
In spite of the challenge of finding snow in Houghton in January (hard to believe, I know), Winter Carnival was spectacular. In May we dedicated the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) Dave House Center in Ann Arbor, which was purchased with a gift from the House Family Foundation established by former Intel executive Dave House ’65. This generosity is clearly in alignment with our vision to grow as a premier research university. See more at www.mtu.edu/stratplan.
I know that we are not all in position to give gifts of that magnitude, but we can all have a meaningful role in helping Michigan Tech and its students. I encourage you to get involved in any way that you can.
It was great to meet folks at Alumni Reunion, some visiting for the first time in fifty years! Close to 400 alumni and friends reconnected at reunion activities. See a review at www.alumni.mtu.edu/reunion/2007/.
Our thanks to the young alumni who responded to our survey; the feedback was very positive and will help us to develop new programs. See page 22 for results.
The rest of the nation is recognizing the quality of a Michigan Tech education. By the end of the summer, our alma mater had broken into the top tier of national universities in the US News & World Report rankings. You can read the full story on page 4. Once again, the Princeton Review has listed Michigan Tech as one of the best institutions of undergraduate education in the nation, according to its 2008 edition of “Best 366 Colleges.” The book also lists Tech among the top-161 midwestern colleges. Clearly the value of our degrees continues to rise.
In closing, I wish you and yours a happy holiday season and all the best for 2008. As always, I welcome your comments, care of the Office of Alumni Relations, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931 or by email at alumni@mtu.edu.
Romuald J. LaPointe ’92 (Rom), AAS EET; BS STC
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Kimberly L. Turner,
BS Mechanical Engineering ’94
Kimberly L. Turner of Goleta, California, is an associate professor in mechanical engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She received a PhD in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Cornell in 1999. Besides being an associate professor at UCSB, Turner is currently the co-vice chair of the mechanical engineering department, heading up the undergraduate program. She is also the Sensors Task coleader in a collaboration involving UCSB, Cal Tech, MIT, and the Army Institute for Collaborative Biotechnology.
Her scholarly inquiry involves microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). At UCSB, she directs the laboratory for the mechanics of microscale systems, and she currently supervises eight PhD students and three undergraduate researchers. Turner has been honored by the National Science Foundation with a CAREER award in 2001, and she earned a distinguished teaching award at UCSB in 2005. Her father, Chris Passerello, is a professor in Michigan Tech’s ME-EM department. She is involved with the University as a member of the Presidential Council of Alumnae.
Burns Named Assistant Director
Brent Burns ‘03 has been named assistant director of alumni relations, Vice President for Advancement Shea McGrew has announced.
Burns 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, Burns 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 communication 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.
Burns assumed his new position on July 2.
E-Communications: Faster, Cheaper, Better
Your Alumni Association is increasingly using the net to provide better service and keep you connected.
We’ve upgraded our website to ensure it remains a key source of information on alumni events, news, benefits and services, and presents opportunities to support Michigan Tech students. We’ve also launched the HuskyLink online community, which now has more than 8,500 alumni members from every state and fifty-one other countries. Visit www.HuskyLink.mtu.edu to join.
Our TechAlum e-newsletter is a great source of alumni, campus, and Keweenaw news. The latest issue is located at www.alumni.mtu.edu/techalum. Elsewhere on the alumni site, you can visit virtually via webcams focused on campus, the lift bridge, Mont Ripley, and the Tech Trails. You’ll see that it still snows up here!
We’ve greatly reduced our postal service mailings and generally only use email to distribute event invitations and chapter news to members. Alumni who have provided us with their email addresses will receive e-invitations to alumni and Huskies sporting events in their area. To receive these notices, please ensure we have your preferred email address by updating your contact information online at www.alumni.mtu.edu/update.
Regional Alumni Event Schedule
December 28–29, 2007: 43rd Annual Great Lakes Invitational Tournament, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit
February 2, 2008: Tech vs. Alaska–Anchorage Hockey; Pregame Event, Anchorage
February 6–10, 2008: Winter Carnival, Houghton; Tech vs. Minnesota Hockey
February 7, 2008: Tech vs. Grand Valley State; Men’s and Women’s Basketball; Pregame Event, Allendale
May 3, 2008: Spring Commencement
August 7–9, 2008: Michigan Tech Alumni Reunion
For up-to-date listings of Alumni events, please visit www.alumni.mtu.edu.
We Asked and You Told Us!
Earlier this year the Student and Alumni Life Committee of the Michigan Tech Alumni Association asked some 8,000 young alumni (from 1997 to 2006) to provide suggestions on the types of events, benefits, and services they are interested in. Highlights from the 743 survey responses include:
- 97 percent responded “good” or “excellent” when ranking their academic experience at Michigan Tech.
- The majority have not returned to campus. When alums do come back, they attend Winter Carnival or a fraternity, sorority, or club event.
- 67 percent want to know about athletic events in their area.
- 92 percent found all needed information on alumni website.
- 30 percent subscribe to and read every TechAlum e-newsletter.
When asked what the most meaningful thing their Alumni Association can do for them in the next five to ten years, many of the responses fit into the following categories:
- “Keep me informed”
- Events in regional areas
- Networking services and support
- Career services and support
The survey respondents provided valuable insight that will help the Alumni Association and the University to develop enhanced services and programs for young alumni and address areas needing improvement. The full results of the survey can be found online at www.alumni.mtu.edu/board.
Save the Date for Reunion ’08!
Michigan Tech’s 2008 Alumni Reunion will take place on campus August 7–9. Featured classes will be the Golden Ms (those who graduated at least fifty years ago) and the classes of ’58, ’68, ’78, ’83, ’88, and ’98. We will also be hosting a Huskies football alumni reunion. We recommend that you book your travel and accommodations early. Visit www.alumni.mtu.edu/reunion/ for event details.
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.
Briefs
The Alumni Association sponsored the aid stations on the course and at the finish of the 2007 Fat Tire Festival in Copper Harbor in September. Michigan Tech and Alumni Relations staff, including Brent Burns above, provided cold beverages to the competitors.
At the Alumni Reunion, the Summer Youth Program celebrated its thirty-fifth anniversary. The keynote speaker was Derhun Sanders ’97, who is on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Derhun attended SYP before coming to Tech. He is currently special programs officer and physical scientist for the US Army National Automotive Center in Warren, Michigan.