Good News: Enrollment, Retention, and Rankings Improve
Michigan Tech has had a run of good news lately. Overall enrollment increased this fall to 6,738, up from 6,544 last fall, with notable increases in the number of women and minorities enrolled. Retention, the number of students who return to campus (typically measured between first and second year) is also on the upswing, with a 2 percent increase. This improvement was “significant,” according to Vice President for Student Affairs Les Cook. “It often takes years to increase the retention rate one percentage point.”
In the latest US News & World Report rankings, Michigan Tech moved into the top tier of national universities. Also, two undergraduate programs were ranked among the top twenty-five. Environmental engineering was listed thirteenth in the nation, with mechanical engineering ranking twenty-second. Programs are ranked solely according to peer assessment.
“Recognition in the US News rankings demonstrates that the faculty, staff, and students of the mechanical and environmental engineering programs have earned the respect and notice of our peers,” said Dean of Engineering Tim Schulz. “Their hard work and accomplishments are being recognized across the nation, bringing well-deserved attention to Michigan Tech.”
The US News rankings also recognized Michigan Tech as one of twenty-five national universities whose students finish college with the least amount of educational debt. The average owed by a Michigan Tech graduate is $14,453, the least of any public university in Michigan.
Letters to the Editor
I don’t often write “fan” letters—but I want you to know how impressed I am with the quality and professionalism of the fall 2007 issue of your periodical.
The feature articles portray a university that is striving to provide scientifically innovative programs for its students—working toward solving some of the myriad problems facing us now and in the future.
Thank you for presenting such a comprehensive issue about Michigan Tech.
Mrs. Hal Brushe
(Hal Brushe ’51 Forestry)
Roseburg, Oregon
By chance I happened to read through the fall edition of Michigan Tech Magazine yesterday. I grew especially interested in the “From Wood to Wheels” article, and it raised some questions in my mind.
Although it would be nice to have a cleaner, energy-efficient, cost-effective fuel from turning the forest residue in the UP into ethanol, wouldn’t removing all of the residues from logging operations in the UP deplete the nutrient base for wood-rotting fungi? Is anyone studying what affect this would have on the forest ecology? And if we harvest more trees for fuel biomass, wouldn’t we be depriving the environment of plants that remove one of the greenhouse gases, namely carbon dioxide, from producing oxygen and thereby actually speeding up the process of global warming? Possibly, wouldn’t removing more of the forest bring on a more rapid climate change to produce more hot, dry summers like the UP experienced this year? Wouldn’t we be enhancing the chance for rapid climate change instead of preventing it? . . .
I think more caution should be advised before widespread use of the valuable forest resource for mere transportation purposes. Corn ethanol production has its problems. But it is my understanding . . . that H-cell technology is a more favorable way to go for the automobile industry. With more melting of the polar ice caps predicted in the near future, it seems as if the water resource will be becoming more abundant to us and should be read as a sign of which way to go for transportation purposes, . . . And trees can be used in their more traditional roles.
Marc L. Gillette ’81 Forestry
Buchanan, Michigan
In response
While our scientists are researching some of these questions in greater detail, there exists some previous information that may still apply to ethanol production.
In the 1980s and 90s, there was a considerable amount of research done here at Tech and elsewhere on whole tree harvesting and its effect on soil productivity and ecosystem health. The Northern Institute of Applied Carbon Science is a partner group Tech is also working with to try and get some of this information out to agencies and small private landowners. They reference a number of articles and have some briefings here: www.nrs.fs.fed.us/niacs/tools.
Tech scientists continue to contribute to the knowledge base on the effects of increased ethanol production through our educational and research programs. We hope to expand these programs by hiring ten new faculty in sustainability across many disciplines to deliver a distinctive and rigorous learning experience grounded in science, engineering, technology, sustainability, and the business of innovation.
Margaret Gale ’77/’81
Dean, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
Michigan Tech is a Hit on iTunes U
On iTunes U, anyone can download Robert Nemiroff’s introductory astronomy course and Faith Morrison’s lectures on polymer rheology, and they are free.
Michigan Tech is one of sixteen universities nationwide that have posted courses on iTunes U. (See itunes.mtu.edu.)
Educational Technology Services records the lectures in a special classroom that features an overhead camera and jazzed-up computer connections. The lectures can also be dressed up with graphics and music.
“Students from the net generation get music and videos from iTunes,” says Patty Lins, director of educational technology and online learning. “Now they can get their courses at the iTunes store.”
Again, for free. Which begs the question: why do it? According to Lins, “because it’s the best way to advance education throughout the world. It’s also a great recruiting and retention tool,” she adds. “Prospective students check out our iTunes classes, and they’ll want to come to Michigan Tech.”
Though anyone can use it, perhaps the most important iTunes U audience is students who are taking the class.
Walter Milligan, a professor of materials science and engineering and the University’s CIO, offered Mechanical Properties of Materials on iTunes U for the first time in spring 2007. The benefit for at least one student was enormous.
“He wouldn’t have been able to enroll in the course because of a schedule conflict, even though it was required,” says Milligan. “Having the lectures available online saved him a year of
his life.”
Physics professor Robert Nemiroff’s astronomy lectures are the second-most-downloaded on iTunes. Nemiroff thinks his popularity may be due to the title of his first lecture, “A Grand Tour of the Universe,” or perhaps some level of name recognition associated with his books and his popular website, “Astronomy Picture of the Day,” www.phy.mtu.edu/apod.
And, says Lins, education doesn’t always have to have four walls. “We are creating learning spaces, which are what we used to call the classroom,” she says. “You can listen to a lecture on a treadmill, in your car, on the bus to an away hockey game . . .
“This doesn’t replace students coming together in class,” she stresses. “This is simply a different space.”
Introducing Provost Lesley Lovett-Doust
Michigan Tech has a new provost and vice president for academic affairs: Lesley Lovett-Doust. She came from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where she
was dean of science and environmental studies and professor of biology.
A native of Scotland, Lovett-Doust was associate executive dean of engineering and science at the University of Windsor before becoming dean at Lakehead. She earned a BS in resource Management and Ecology from Edinburgh University and a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Wales.
As provost, she will be the University’s chief academic officer, responsible for Michigan Tech’s academic programs and faculty. The provost leads strategic initiatives to promote outstanding scholarship, development of academic programs, and efforts to enhance diversity.
“Dr. Lovett-Doust has distinguished herself as a teacher, researcher, and administrator,” said President Glenn D. Mroz. “We are extremely pleased that she has decided to join us. She and Michigan Tech are a great fit.”
“I feel very much at home here!” said Lovett-Doust. “I have visited all the departments and schools, and it is interesting to see the points of similarity and distinction of each group! Across campus, there is great energy, and I feel fortunate to work with such a talented group of faculty, staff, and students. I know we will succeed as we use the Strategic Plan to guide our decisions to become the best technological university for the world!