|
|
1. Michigan Tech 7th Among PC Magazine's Top 20 Wired Colleges |
Michigan Tech has been ranked number seven among PC Magazine’s 2007 Top 20 Wired Colleges. PC Magazine and The Princeton Review announced the winners Tuesday.
Michigan Tech, the only university in the state to make the list, was cited for involving undergraduates in information technology and system administration at the earliest stages of their careers. Many stay on to work at the university. “A large number of the IT pros here are former students,” said CIO Walter Milligan.
“A lot of people here provide outstanding IT services to students, faculty and staff, and our students themselves deserve a great deal of credit for that,” Milligan said. “We have some of the best students in the country, and they bring a fresh, innovative approach to important problems.”
In addition, PC Magazine singled out the university’s Enterprise Program, specifically the Blue Marble Security Group. Through the program, teams of students provide real-world solutions to industrial and governmental sponsors. Blue Marble clients include the state of Michigan and Rockwell Collins.
The list is available exclusively in Issue 1 of PC Magazine, on newsstands Dec. 26, and at http://go.pcmag.com/wiredcolleges (scheduled to go live on Dec. 15), where extensive profiles of the top 20 schools are available, as well as all 240 schools that completed The Princeton Review survey. On the site, users can also build charts to compare up to 10 schools and view the original survey.
“Cutting-edge technology has become an integral part of the college experience—and something that enables students to have many more marketable skills when they enter the workforce,” said PC Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jim Louderback. “As the foremost resource for computing and electronics news and analysis, PC Magazine is pleased to join forces with The Princeton Review to highlight the tech achievements of colleges.”
The “Top 20 Wired Colleges” honors colleges with the most comprehensive—in terms of size, scope and quality—computing and technology offerings. To identify the honorees, The Princeton Review surveyed college administrators from the schools featured in the 2007 edition of the Princeton Review’s college guide, Best 361 Colleges. The criteria focused on three main areas of technology: Academics, Student Resources and Infrastructure; and included questions on everything from faculty computer training to streaming media from the college's radio or television station to the types of tech support available to students on a 24-7 basis.
"Initially, you might be surprised by some of the schools on our 'Top 20 Wired Colleges,'" said Robert Franek, vice president. "At the Princeton Review, we know that finding the right-fit school for college-bound students is not a matter of brand name recognition, but of quality of education and quality of life. All the schools on our list offer superior access, service and infrastructure, and by doing so, they go above and beyond to serve those very real student needs."
For more details on The Princeton Review’s “Most Connected Campuses,” visit http://www.pcmag.com . Complete profiles for each college will be posted at http://www.princetonreview.com . |
|
|
2. Making a Difference Staff Awards Announced |
The following staff members have been chosen for Making a Difference Staff Awards:
Heather L. Simpson, coordinator for Ford PAS and secondary educator outreach for Educational Opportunity, has earned the Rookie award, which recognizes staff that have been at Michigan Tech for two years or less and have made a significant contribution in that short time. Simpson attended and spoke at the National Ford PAS conference only two days after accepting her position. Also, last summer, Simpson worked with Youth Programs by assisting in the residence halls, helping to coordinate arrivals and registrations and pitching in to help Youth Programs staff.
Joan Chadde, education programs coordinator for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has earned the Creating Connections award, which recognizes staff who serve the community by initiating partnerships within Michigan Tech or with community organizations, incorporate the ideals and interests of Michigan Tech into their daily work and serve as a mentor or model citizen to Michigan Tech community members outside of the university. Chadde has helped forge a strong partnership between Michigan Tech and 19 school districts. She has also secured funding to expand the programs that Tech offers to the school districts.
John Lehman, assistant vice president of enrollment services, has earned the Innovative Solutions award, which recognizes staff who participate in collaborative problem-solving, work toward finding solutions to business and work challenges and create more efficient and/or less costly ways of performing work functions. Lehman implemented a cross-campus recruitment and enrollment coordination team, expanded the YES! Expo from 5,000 to 20,000 participants, revised recruitment literature and implemented new technology for admissions tracking.
Patricia A. Asselin, department coordinator for the Department of Biological Sciences, has earned the Serving Others award, which recognizes staff who improve the value and efficiency of the services they provide, maintain a consistently high quality of service to university clients and anticipate client needs and potential problems and create new, cost-effective or innovate methods for solving these problems. Asselin improved the efficiency of graduate school application handling. She also goes above and beyond the call of duty as department coordinator and administrative aide for the Department of Biological Sciences.
David Caspary, manager of laboratory facilities for the Department of Chemical Engineering, has earned the Unsung Hero award, which recognizes staff who are a quiet but steady presence in their department, demonstrate a willingness to fill in whenever needed, take initiative to solve problems and improve work situations without being prompted or consistently go above and beyond without fanfare. Caspary was a "driving force" in helping to develop the Unit Operation's Process Simulation and Control Center at Michigan Tech and his "commitment to maintaining a great (and safe) educational experience."
Sylvia Matthews, assistant director of the writing center and director of the international graduate teaching assistant assistance program, has earned the Fostering Community award, which recognizes staff who promote a work environment that is collegial, supportive and characterized by positive morale or demonstrate dedication by enhancing one or more aspects of work, life or support activities. Matthews received the award for going the extra mile to make international students feel welcome at Michigan Tech. In addition to working with students to improve their English and cultural understanding, she assisted an international student with a hearing that resulted from a cultural misunderstanding with the police.
Mike Hendricks, a controller in Accounting Services, earned the Bringing Out the Best award, which recognizes staff who positively influence others to build consensus around organizational objectives, manage and lead change initiatives smoothly or invest time and effort in coaching and/or mentoring. Hendricks spearheaded the drive to obtain image scanning software and processes for documents in accounting and other university units. |
|
|
3. Reminder: Student Rating of Instruction Instruments Due Dec. 19 |
|
The Student Rating of Instruction Instruments are due to the Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development, Harold Meese Center G01, by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19. |
|
|
4. Campus Facilities Operations Holiday Coverage |
The office of Facilities Operations will be operating with a minimum staff on Dec. 27 and 28. If you require assistance on these two days, during standard office hours (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), contact the following personnel.
For Facilities Operations services:
* Andy Niemi, grounds supervisor, 487-2722
* Public Safety, 487-2216
For Motor Pool services:
* Pete Pelissero, Manager Fleet Services, 487-2700
If you encounter an emergency after hours, contact Public Safety, 487-2216. |
|
|
5. Gymnastics Open Gym Dec. 21 |
By Kevin G. Kalinec, manager, recreation
If you need to keep the kids occupied for some last minute Christmas shopping, Community Programs Gymnastics will have an open gym from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Gates Tennis Center.
Unlike a structured class, the open gym format will allow the participants to use selected pieces of equipment (mostly mats and cushions) while being supervised by instructors from the gymnastics classes. It's a great way for the kids to release some energy.
The cost is $10 per child and can be paid when you drop your child off. Parents will be asked to leave an emergency contact number and sign a release form.
For more information, call 487-2073. |
|
|
6. New Funding |
|
Haiying Liu receved $100,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-CSREES for "Carbon Nanotube Arrays for Bacteria." |
|
|
7. Work Tables Free from ECE |
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has two work benches, 30 inches wide by 6 feet long by 3 feet high, in good condition to give away. They have lockable doors on the bottom and real wooden tops. They also have a work table with oak legs and a masonite steel top, measuring 3 feet by 5 feet and standing 37 inches high. If you are interested, contact John Miller or Mike Chase in EERC 727 (487-2134).
As always, university property may only be transferred between departments. It may not be sold or given to individuals. |
|
|
8. Bookshelves Free from VP for Research |
VP for Research has four wooden bookcases/shelves looking to relocate.
* two measure 3 feet high by 1 foot deep by 3 feet wide
* two measure 7 feet high by 1 foot deep by 3 feet wide
Caller number one gets their choice of one or all. Hurry! This offer expires soon.
You can reserve yours now by calling Cheryl Gherna at 487-2902.
As always, university property may only be transferred between departments. It may not be sold or given to individuals. |
|
|
