July 23, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Emeritus William (Bill) Rose on July 18.

A distinguished colleague, devoted mentor, treasured friend and visionary community leader, Bill began his journey with the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) in 1970, shortly after earning his Ph.D. from Dartmouth College. He dedicated his entire 41-year faculty career to Michigan Tech and the Keweenaw community.

As GMES department chair from 1990-98, Bill led us through transformative growth, expanding graduate programs, increasing external research support and integrating new technologies into geoscience education and outreach. He was instrumental in establishing signature programs such as the International Masters in Volcanology and Geotechniques (INVOGE) and the Peace Corps Master’s International program in Mitigation of Geologic Natural Hazards — initiatives that have significantly impacted our students and enhanced our global reputation.

Even in retirement, Bill remained deeply engaged, promoting public understanding of geoheritage and sharing his passion for science and culture with the broader community. His generosity, vision and tireless mentorship have left an indelible mark on all who have had the privilege of knowing him. Many of his students returned decades later to reconnect, a testament to the lasting impact he had on their lives.

Our hearts go out to his wife Nanno, his sons Christopher and Jason, and their families.

We recognize that no brief message can fully capture his profound impact or enduring legacy. In the coming days, we will share more information and plan a proper tribute to honor Bill’s life and contributions.

After a three-year restoration, the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity House on College Avenue is preparing to reopen in August.

The roof and third floor of the house were damaged by fire on June 3, 2022. Thanks to efforts by emergency personnel from the City of Houghton and surrounding areas, the fire was extinguished using several hundred thousand gallons of water. There were no injuries, and the fire's cause was never determined.

Hours after the fire, an outpouring of support from the local community, Michigan Tech and the entire body of Greek and other campus organizations demonstrated how fortunate we were to be part of such a special place. A GoFundMe account helped support the residents who lost lodging and personal contents to the fire.

The last three years have seen an intense effort by a very strong group of alumni with diverse backgrounds in engineering, construction, design, finance and law dedicated to bringing the grand house back to its former glory. This response exemplifies the rock-solid education we all received at Michigan Tech, and to the Lambda Chi Alpha bond that we forever share.

From the planning and design phase to reconstruction, the fraternity has been sensitive to the historic prominence of the home on College Avenue. It was a priority to restore the home to its former glory, and we are confident we have met that goal. The home will once again serve as a point of pride for Houghton and the Michigan Tech community.

Lambda Chi Alpha's Phi-Phi Zeta chapter at Michigan Tech will celebrate its 45th anniversary Aug. 7-10.

Notes from the restoration:

• By the end of 2022, the third-floor walls and trussed roof were replaced, and the house was sealed from the elements. Upgrading to current building codes proved to be complicated, requiring substantial modifications to the house that resulted in extending the project timeline.

• In April 2024, Gundlach Champion Inc. (GCI) of Iron Mountain/Calumet was chosen as the general contractor for restoration of the house, which, according to supporting evidence, was originally built by Herman Gundlach himself in 1899. Most of the structural and interior partition walls and exterior work were completed by the end of 2024.

• Aire Care of Houghton installed the building's new forced-air heating system, plumbing, electrical and fire suppression. The company did a masterful job of modernizing the house mechanically and electrically while making the updates nearly invisible to the casual observer.

• World of Wood in Hancock restored all the unique and stunning wood trim and flooring throughout the interior and exterior of the house, most of which had to be recreated from scratch using the water-damaged pieces as patterns. Every piece of intricate trim in the house matches the original exactly, restoring to life one of the most prominent features of this grand structure. The reconstruction team proudly prioritized local partners for every aspect of the project.

• On July 11, Houghton County granted a temporary occupancy permit for the house, slightly more than three years from the date of the fire.

Financial Services and Operations (FSO) will periodically share an “FSO — Did You Know?” article regarding a specific topic to increase awareness and knowledge. If there is an FSO topic that you’d like to learn more about, please email fso@mtu.edu.

Student Bill and Department Graduate Support

Student bills are due and enrollment must be confirmed by the Wednesday before the first day of class to avoid a late enrollment processing fee and possible course cancellation. This applies to all students, including students receiving graduate support. Departments should inform supported students that they are responsible for the student voted fees, as well as the orientation fee and international surcharge fee, if applicable.

Students cannot confirm their enrollment until they have a $0.00 balance, so it is extremely important that their tuition-only form or graduate support is submitted via TZAGRSP by 2 p.m. on the Tuesday before the first day of classes. This allows the support to be applied and reflected on student accounts so that students can make their payments and confirm their enrollment prior to the due date. You can enter a student into TZAGRSP even if they do not have an index yet. You will use "PENDING" in place of the index and can update the index later.

There are various forms that departments should be running in WebFocus to ensure graduate support is reflected properly for the department’s supported students. The forms can be found by logging into WebFocus, then going to Workspaces > Graduate School > Academic > Finance|Support Reports. The reports you will use are: Grad Tuition Only Listing, Grad Support in TZAGRSP, TZSREC014 - Choose your department and TYSOR017 - Grad Tuition Support Detail.

For additional questions regarding graduate support, please contact mtuar@mtu.edu.

Job Postings for Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

D​epartment Coordinator – Part Time, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology. Apply online.

Cook's Helper #25190 (first shift, 12 months), Dining Services (AFSCME posting dates July 23 to July 29, 2025 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment, or for an interview, at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or humanresources@mtu.edu.

The Detroit News quoted Hayden Henderson (GLRC) in a story exploring how Great Lakes programs could be affected by proposed federal budget cuts. Henderson highlighted the importance of buoy data for commercial shipping and the need for continued funding of monitoring systems like the Great Lakes Observing System. The story was picked up by the Oakland Press.

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Jonathan Robins (SS) was interviewed by the Times of India about his research on the history of palm oil. The article traces the emergence of palm oil as an industrial commodity and the spread of oil palm plantations in the 20th and 21st centuries.

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Ph.D. student Greyson Wolf (biological sciences) and Michigan Tech alum Quinn Angus ’24 (B.S. Biological Sciences) were mentioned by the Mining Journal in a story about the MI Fresh Fish Fest, where they shared their research on Great Lakes fish species. Wolf was also mentioned by the Daily Mining Gazette in a separate story about the 20th Annual Kids Fishing Derby, where he informed attendees about a burbot survey being conducted to study the fish and its interactions with anglers.

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Alyssa Fredin (ADM) was quoted by My UP Now in a story about Michigan high school students driving their solar-powered car on a 600-mile road trip, which included a stop at Michigan Tech. The students, part of the Heroes’ Alliance program, built the solar car and visited various cities before arriving in Houghton on Sunday, July 20.

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The Iron Mountain Daily News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the nearly completed restoration of the Lambda Chi Alpha House following fire damage in 2022. The house will be ready for students to move in by the start of the fall semester. The story was picked up from the Daily Mining Gazette. 

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Moody on the Market mentioned Michigan Tech alumna Pam Klyn ’93 (B.S. Mechanical Engineering) in a story about her appointment as interim chairperson at Cornerstone Alliance.

Don't Miss Out On Summer Reading!

Make sure to enjoy the gorgeous Keweenaw summer with a good book! The Summer Reading Program with the Van Pelt and Opie Library (VPOL) and Portage Lake District Library (PLDL) is in full swing. Download your reading log or pick one up at the VPOL main desk.

Once you are halfway through, don't forget to stop by the VPOL again to pick up your free book bag. Then, when you finish, head over to the PLDL in downtown Houghton to select a final prize, with options including gift certificates to local businesses and farmer's market bucks.

All are welcome to participate! There is no need to have a library card or live in a certain area. Happy reading!

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TIAA Financial Consulting

No matter where you are in life — just getting started or planning for retirement — a session with a financial consultant can help you create a plan for your goals. And, there's no cost for a consultation as a part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

• Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
• Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
• How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

Matthew Bunch from the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) will be available on Michigan Tech's campus for one-on-one sessions from Aug. 4 through Aug. 8. MTU employees can schedule time slots with Bunch at the Lakeshore Center (Conference Room 201) and at the MUB Datolite Room (MUB 100) during his time here.

RSVP today, as space is limited. You can register for sessions with TIAA directly by logging in to your TIAA or guest account, then searching for "Michigan Tech" in the Institution field. When asked how you would like to meet, select "In Person at My Employer."

You can also register for a meeting by calling TIAA at 800-732-8353 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Strength and Conditioning : Summer Middle School Program

Wednesday, July 23, 10–11 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Lead by the MTU Strength and Conditioning Staff, this 8-week summer program is for athletes looking to improve their performance and fitness level to prepare for the upcoming...

Strength and Conditioning : Summer High School Program

Wednesday, July 23, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Lead by the MTU Strength and Conditioning Staff, this 8-week summer program is for athletes looking to improve their performance and fitness level to prepare for the upcoming...