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1. Peace Corps Celebrates 45th Anniversary |
From President Glenn Mroz
On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order establishing the Peace Corps. The agency will celebrate its 45th anniversary throughout 2006, starting with Peace Corps Week, Feb. 27-March 5. Created to promote world peace and friendship, the Peace Corps has three goals:
* to provide volunteers who contribute to the social and economic development of interested countries;
* to promote a better understanding of Americans among the people whom volunteers serve; and
* to strengthen Americans' understanding about the world and its peoples--to bring the world back home.
The university is proud to partner with the Peace Corps in the advancement of its mission through the Master's International program, which enables our students to combine studies toward master's degrees with Peace Corps service.
In observance of the Peace Corps' 45th anniversary, I encourage all returned Peace Corps volunteers in the university community to "bring the world back home" to your classmates, students, colleagues and the wider community this year. Through organized activities and informally through discussions, you can share valuable insight and information from your Peace Corps experience. The Peace Corps website, http://www.peacecorps.gov , has a special 45th anniversary section with a wide variety of stories, photographs and videos available to assist you. To get access to additional materials, contact the agency's regional representative, Scot Roskelley, at (312) 353-7716 or sroskelley@peacecorps.gov.
I would also encourage those who would like to learn more about our Master's International program to contact the program coordinators:
* Blair Orr (Forest Resources and Environmental Sciences), (906) 487-2291 or bdorr@mtu.edu
* James R. Milhelcic (Civil and Environmental Engineering), (906) 487-2324 or jm41@mtu.edu
* William Rose (Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences), (906) 487-2367 or raman@mtu.edu
* Bradley Baltensperger (Department of Education), (906) 487-2460 or brad@mtu.edu
Currently more than 7,800 Peace Corps volunteers are serving in over 70 countries. More than 180,000 have served since 1961. I hope that you will join me in expressing anniversary congratulations to these Americans and to all who have made their service possible. |
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2. Campus Renovations Set to Begin in May |
Michigan Tech received a Christmas gift Dec. 19 when the governor signed an appropriation bill providing the university with $10 million for general campus renovations. And on Friday, Feb. 24, the Board of Control gave its final approval to the laundry list of improvements.
The state is allocating $7.5 million toward the project, with the university providing $2.5 million in matching funds. Energy savings are expected to more than make up the cost of the university's investment.
The major projects included are classroom upgrades in Fisher and Chemical Science and Engineering; lighting upgrades in most academic buildings; public area spruce-ups in Fisher, Chem Sci and Dillman; new roofs for the Academic Office Building, Noblet, Walker, the Administration Building, the Central Heating Plant and the Service Building; and heating and air conditioning energy control improvements.
At $3.4 million, the largest single item will be interruptible power generators, which will be able to provide electricity to the university in the event of a blackout. Having such a system in place qualifies the university for lower electrical rates, and the savings will offset the cost of the bond issue. This opportunity was made possible through the efforts of UPPCO, Wisconsin Public Service and Energy Manager Dave Taivalkoski, said Bill Blumhardt, director of campus facilities planning.
Work on the renovations will begin in earnest in May and should be finished by July 2007.
Blumhardt credited State Senator Mike Prusi and State Rep. Richard Brown for their efforts to secure state funding for the renovations.
Students will be the primary beneficiaries of the classroom improvements. "Fisher really needs to be botoxed," said Mary Durfee, assistant provost for academic improvement. "I think the new look and new technology will make taking classes there a positive learning experience."
"The plans emerged through the efforts of a wonderful team of faculty, facilities and administrative staff and students," she said. "Classrooms should facilitate learning, and I think the team has done much to make that a reality."
The team members were Mike Wilmers, John Jaszczak, Beth Reed, Dave Chard, Patty Lins, Joe Holles, Sarah Green, Mike Johnson, Theresa Jacques, Allan Struthers, Durfee and Jim Heikkinen. |
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3. Opie Addition Open |
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The library's Opie Addition will re-open today, Thursday. Thank you for your patience. |
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4. ME-EM Faculty Candidate Presentation Moved |
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Abhijit Mukherjee's presentation, "Numerical and Experimental Study of Lateral Merger of Vapor Bubbles Formed on a Horizontal Surface During Nucleate Pool Boiling," today has been moved to Chem Sci 211. It will still be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. |
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5. Choosing a College Seminar March 8 |
By Kevin Czupinski, assistant director of student life
Bill Roberts, assistant director of undergraduate recruitment, Marie Ryding, associate director of financial aid, and Tim Malette, director of financial aid, will give a presentation, "The Insider's Guide to Choosing a College," Wednesday, March 8. The event will take place in the Memorial Union Ballroom from noon to 1 p.m.
Do you have a student thinking about college in the next year (or two, or three, or four...)? Are you feeling apprehensive about the college selection process? What's with all the mail your student is or will be receiving? Do you have questions that need answers?
Choosing a college for your student can (and should) be a fun and rewarding experience for the whole family. Whether your student is looking at staying close to home or leaving the Copper Country, we're here to help. Get details on topics such as
* how to choose a school that fits your student...and your savings account
* visit, visit, visit--the most important step...learn why
* when to begin the application process
* how to pay for college--what you and your student can do to prepare
* the FAFSA and the financial aid process--it's not too early |
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6. Dividers Free from Physics |
The Department of Physics has the following dividers to give away:
* seven mauve-colored dividers, measuring 53 inches by 73 inches, with mounting hardware
* one gray free-standing divider, measuring 30 inches by 50 inches, with floor brackets
If you are interested, contact Marg Rohrer at 487-2086. |
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