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1. Michigan Tech Forestry PhD Program Ranked Fourth in the U.S. |
Michigan Tech's forestry doctoral program is among the top 10 in the nation, according to figures released Monday, Jan. 8, by Academic Analytics.
The School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science ranked fourth in the U.S. based on scholarly productivity, a measure of research activity. Academic Analytics developed the rankings by analyzing 2005 data on faculty publications, which it compiles in its Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index.
"We're very pleased with the results of the Academic Analytics study," said David Reed, provost and vice president of research. "However, I'm not completely surprised. The forestry faculty are exceptionally productive, and they deserve this recognition."
Unlike other ranking organizations, such as U.S News & World Report, which rely heavily on a graduate programs' reputation, the Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index is based solely on measurable criteria.
"We have worked very hard to create an intense and exciting scholarly atmosphere that significantly influences all our educational programs," said Margaret Gale, dean of the School. "But most of all, we have a very creative group of faculty, staff and student scholars, and we are extremely proud that their scholarly efforts are being recognized nationally."
The 2005 Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index ranks 7,294 individual doctoral programs in 104 disciplines at 354 institutions. It also ranks institutions in broader categories, such as the humanities and biological sciences, as well as institutions as a whole.
Yale University was first in the forestry category, with Michigan State University, the only other Michigan school in the top 10, ranking sixth.
Michigan Tech's School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science offers PhD degrees in Forest Science and in Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology. Other forestry programs include Master of Science degrees in Forestry, in Forest Ecology and Management and in Applied Ecology, and in Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology; Master of Forestry; and bachelor's degrees in forestry, in wildlife ecology and management, and in applied ecology.
For more information on the Academic Analytics Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index, visit http://www.academicanalytics.com/ . |
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2. Childcare Center on Track to Open this Summer |
The Little Huskies Child Development Center is expected to open its doors this summer.
The university has retained a professional childcare provider, Gretchen Preston, to operate the center, said Becky Christianson (Human Resources), a member of the Michigan Tech Childcare Board. Preston operates nine Gretchen's House childcare centers in southern Michigan.
"The committee liked her approach to childcare and her curriculum, which is very hands on," Christianson said. "She is a strong proponent of outdoor play, science, math, literacy and the creative arts.
"Preston also has two centers in Ann Arbor, so she has experience working with university parents and understands the issues and needs of a university community."
In addition, Preston's centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Childcare Board expects that the Little Huskies Center will soon earn a similar certification, which is more rigorous than state standards. For more information, visit http://www.gretchtenshouse.com .
The board has also selected a contractor for the center, J. Clark Construction, of Hancock, which has undertaken a number of building projects at Michigan Tech in the past.
The center will admit infants, two's, toddlers and preschoolers half time or full time. No "drop-off" care will be provided.
The monthly full-time fees for Michigan Tech children will be $710 for infants, toddlers and two's and $650 for preschoolers. The fees for half-time infants, toddlers and two's will be $373 and $341 for preschool.
Full-time enrollment in the infants, toddlers and two's classes will be capped at eight each. Full-time enrollment in the preschoolers class is limited to 20.
The Childcare Board expects to announce when the registration period will be by the end of February. Michigan Tech parents and guardians with children enrolled in the BHK childcare program as of December 2006 will have first priority.
To receive the latest news on the Childcare Center, sign up for childcare-l. Send a message to majordomo@mtu.edu . Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the email, type subscribe childcare-l . More information is also available at http://www.mtu.edu/childcare . |
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3. Clean Snowmobile Challenge Set for March 19-24 |
This year’s SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge could be the cleanest in the event’s eight-year history. The teams are slated to earn a big bonus for using ethanol fuel, and up to four all-electric sleds are competing.
Set for March 19-24 at Michigan Tech, the Clean Snowmobile Challenge is the Society of Automotive Engineers' newest collegiate design competition. Teams of engineering students from participating schools take a stock snowmobile and reengineer it to reduce emissions and noise while maintaining or improving performance.
This year, teams can earn an additional 100 points for using 85 percent ethanol fuel, said Jay Meldrum, director of the Keweenaw Research Center, which co-hosts the Challenge along with the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics. The competition is based at the center, home of the finest winter driving test facility in the Midwest.
No one is going to be building an ethanol-powered snowmobile for commercial use anytime in the near future, Meldrum admits. “But as a renewable source of energy, ethanol is very topical now,” he says. “Plus, it’s difficult to design an engine to use high-ethanol fuel, so it gives the students excellent experience in tackling some tough engineering problems, and they carry those skills forward to the job market.”
In 2008, Challenge participants won’t have a choice. “Next year, we’ll require them to use a renewable fuel, such as E85 or biodiesel,” Meldrum says.
As many as four entries won’t be burning any fuel at all. Teams from McGill University in Montreal, Utah State University, the South Dakota School of Mining and Technology and Clarkson University in New York plan to enter all-electric sleds in the no-emissions division of the Challenge. In addition, Clarkson has registered a fuel-powered snowmobile.
Other teams registered include Kettering University, of Flint, Mich., Michigan Tech, Minnesota State University at Mankato, the State University of New York at Buffalo, the University of Idaho, the University of Maine, the University of Minnesota at Duluth, the
University of Wisconsin at Madison and the University of Wisconsin at Platteville.
This is the fifth year Michigan Tech has hosted the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge. “Initially, I said I’d be really happy if we made it to the third year,” Meldrum says. “But it has become progressively easier. Everyone has embraced it, and more and more people are willing to help, both with their time and through financial support.”
Members of the Michigan Snowmobile Association will again be volunteering, serving as liaisons for the teams and providing security at the test site. “They are a great bunch of guys, and they do a phenomenal job,” says Meldrum. “I don’t know what we’d do without them.” In addition, the MSA voted this year to give $500 to help underwrite the expenses of any Michigan team participating in the Challenge.
Teams will register March 19. The Grand Opening, followed by the Endurance Run to Copper Harbor, starts at noon on March 20.
The snowmobiles will be on public display from 6 to 8 p.m. March 21 at the Copper Country Mall. The public is also invited to view the Polaris Acceleration and Objective Handling events at 10 and 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at the Keweenaw Research Center test course. |
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4. Faculty Scholarship Grants Awarded |
Provost David Reed has approved the following faculty scholarship grants recommended by the Faculty Scholarship Grant Committee:
* Associate Professor Heidi Bostic (Humanities) for "Women of Reason in Enlightenment France Book Project"
* Associate Professor David J. Flaspohler (SFRES) for "The Role of Birds in Native Forest Establishment in Hawaii"
* Professor Michael R. Gretz (Biological Sciences) for "Assessment of the Role of Carbohydrates in Diatom Silicification"
* Associate Professor Carol MacLennan (Social Sciences) for "Manuscript Completion for Sovereign Sugar"
* Assistant Professor Christopher Plummer (Fine Arts) for "The School of Sound Symposium and Archives"
* Assistant Professor Rupak M. Rajachar (Biomedical Engineering) for "Biotechnology Training Course at the NIH-Laser Capture Microdissection: Methods for Microgenomic Analysis"
* Assistant Professor Marika Seigel (Humanities) for "Archival Research on Instructive District Nursing Association"
* Associate Professor Yoke Khin Yap (Physics) for "The First Book on Boron Nitride Nanotubes and Related Nanostructures" |
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5. Reminder: Open Forums for Engineering Candidates this Week |
Open forums will be held this week for two candidates for dean of engineering, Timothy Schulz and William Predebon. All members of the university community are invited. Both forums will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Rekhi G06.
Schulz, Dave House Professor and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will give a talk on Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Predebon, professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, will speak on Thursday, Jan. 18.
You may view their resumes at http://www.doe.mtu.edu/Dean_Search/index.html . |
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6. Banquet, Candlelight Vigil, Student Presentations to Honor Martin Luther King |
Michigan Tech will honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a weeklong series of events capped with a banquet featuring soul food, gospel music and jazz.
The MLK observances are organized by Educational Opportunity. Unless otherwise indicated, all events take place in Michigan Tech's Memorial Union Ballroom B.
The annual MLK banquet, set for Saturday, Jan. 20, at 5 p.m., in the Memorial Union Ballroom, includes fried chicken, greens and sweet potato pie. Michigan Tech's Jaztec band the the Praise in Effect Gospel Choir will perform, and alumnus Michael Weaver will give the keynote address.
Weaver, who earned a BS in Civil Engineering in 1993, is real estate development coordinator for the Grand Rapids Housing Commission, managing the design and construction of low-income housing projects. He is best known at Michigan Tech for teaching the chorus that would become the Echoes from Heaven Gospel Choir and for co-founding the Society for African American Men.
Tickets for the banquet are $10 for students and $15 for everyone else. They may be purchased from Educational Opportunity in the Alumni House on the Michigan Tech campus or reserved by calling 487-2920 and paid for at the banquet. Tickets will also be available at the door.
No classes will be held on Monday, Martin Luther King Day. On Tuesday, Jan. 16, at noon, the MLK March begins at the Memorial Union and ends at the Rozsa Center with a candlelight vigil. The march is sponsored by the Black Student Association and the Society for African American Men.
At 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Betty Chavis, director of outreach and multiethnic programs, will join other members of the Michigan Tech community at "If It Wasn't for King . . ." Chavis will recall her experiences meeting King during the civil rights movement, and others will discuss his legacy and the effect he has had on their lives.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the Black Student Association will give a skit, "Breaking through the Stereotypes," at noon. The African Student Association will present "Back to Our Roots" at 5 p.m.
Thursday's events begin at noon with "Triple Evil: Racism, Poverty and War," sponsored by the National Society of Black Engineers. "Principles of Nonviolence," presented by Nosotros, follows at 5 p.m.
On Friday, "Breaking through the Stereotypes" will be held again at noon. A short video of King's final speech, "I Have Been to the Mountaintop," which was delivered the day before he was assassinated, will be shown at 5 p.m., followed by a discussion. The event is sponsored by the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship will present "Why Should I Care? God's Desire for Social Justice."
For more information, contact Chavis at 487-2920, ythbetty@mtu.edu . |
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7. Alan Berkowitz on Campus This Week |
Alan Berkowitz is an independent consultant who helps colleges, universities, public health agencies and communities design programs to address health and social justice issues. Berkowitz will give a series of presentations during his stay on campus, Jan. 17-18.
Wednesday, Jan. 17:
* 8:45 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room, GLBT issues; the public is welcome.
*6:30–8 p.m., "Promoting Consent, Preventing Coercion," the Rozsa Center for Performing Arts (open to the Michigan Tech community)
Thursday, Jan. 18:
* 8–9:30 a.m., a meeting with coaches, team leaders and athletes, "Creating a Positive Team Culture," Memorial Union Ballroom A
* 10-11:30 a.m., a meeting with the Greeks, "It's not Greek to Me--What the Greek System Needs to do to Survive," Memorial Union Ballroom A
* 3-4 p.m., a meeting with faculty, "Role Modeling and Mentoring Male Students to Help Create an Inclusive Environment
* 4:30-5:45 p.m., a meeting with the TERR (Tech Educating About Responsible Relationships) Group, Memorial Union Ballroom A
* 6:15 p.m., a reception with Student Affairs staff, Deans, Chairs and Executive Team
For more information, contact Lori Witting at 487-2263 or lori@mtu.edu .
Berkowitz's expertise is often sought after by the federal government and professional organizations, and he is well-known for scholarship and innovative programs which address issues of substance abuse, sexual assault, gender and diversity. He is editor and founder of The Report on Social Norms. |
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8. After-School Ski Lessons Start This Week at Mt. Ripley |
Mont Ripley will be hosting After School ski lessons beginning today, Monday, Jan. 15. These lessons are held once a week for seven weeks. Each school is assigned with a specific day and time for lessons. The schedule is
*Monday, 4-5:30 p.m., The Flying Finns/South Range School
*Monday, 6-7:30p.m., Baraga/L'Anse/Chassell Schools
*Tuesday, 5-6:30 p.m., Houghton/Hancock Schools
*Wednesday, 5- 6:30 p.m., Dollar Bay/Lake Linden Schools
*Friday, 3:30-5 p.m., E.B. Holman School
*Friday, 5:30-7 p.m., Calumet School
This program is for children in grades 3-8 and will run for seven weeks. The cost for the program is $125, which includes a lift ticket, rental equipment and an hour and a half of instruction. Students with own equipment can deduct $5 per week, also if they have a season pass deduct another $5 per week. Skiers and snowboarders of any ability are welcome.
Please call 487-2340 or stop by the ticket office to sign up for the program.
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9. Mt. Ripley Offering Ski, Snowboarding Lessons for Adults |
Mt. Ripley is hosting skiing and snowboarding lessons for adults. Michigan Tech students may also take these lessons as a PE class. The cost of each seven-lesson course is $70.
Beginning Ski Lessons will be held Jan. 16-March 1, Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., or Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m.
Beginning Snowboard Lessons will be held Jan. 15-Feb. 26 on Mondays, 7-9 p.m., or Thursdays, 7-9 p.m.
Intermediate Ski Lessons will be held Jan. 18-March 1 on Thursdays, 7-9 p.m.
Intermediate Snowboard Lessons will be held Jan. 16-Feb. 28, on Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. or Wednesdays. 7-9 p.m.
You can enroll at the Mont Ripley Ticket Office. Snowboarding or alpine ski equipment is required; you may rent a season package. A daily lift ticket is included for each lesson.
Call Chip Ransom, ski and snowboard school director, at 487-2340 for more information. |
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10. New Funding |
Tyler Erickson (Michigan Tech Research Institute) received $19,996 from Altarum for "HSD Project 2007-003 per SC-07-007."
Tony Rogers (Chemical Engineering) received $40,000 from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for "Design Institute for Physical Properties Environmental and Safety Properties."
Terry McNinch (CEE-LTAP/TDG) received $177,264 from the Michigan Department of Transportation for "TAMC 2007 Activities." McNinch
also received $55,449 from the Michigan Department of Transportation for "TAMC 2007 Training." |
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11. In the News |
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This story by Tim Jones of the Chicago Tribune recounts the Keweenaw's weather woes, including the impending Winter Carnival snow shortage. Read about it in the Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.nosnow12jan12,0,506175.story?coll=bal-nationworld-headlines . |
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12. Memorial Union Menus Jan. 15-19 |
Monday, Jan. 15
The Grill--Breakfast, Breakfast Burritos $2.25; Lunch, BLT Value Meal (Includes a 20 oz. soda, and small fries) $5.14
Home Style Entrees-- Carved Roast Beef $3.50, Full Meal Deal $5.50, Oven Roasted Red Potatoes $1.50, Zucchini and Mushrooms $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking all entrees $4.25--Buffalo Chicken Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup $2.50--Vegetarian Vegetable and Minnesota Wild Rice
Mubsterz Pizza--Philly Steak Pizza, by the slice $2.69
Peppers & Pickles Deli--this week's featured sandwich, Fresh Veggie Bagel Sandwiches
Tuesday, Jan. 16
The Grill--Breakfast, Cinnamon Special $3.95 ( three cinnamon french toast, three bacon or sausage, and juice); Lunch, Two-Fer-Tuesday (Two cheese burgers, 20 oz. soda, and small fries) $3.75
Home Style Entrees--Wiener Schnitzel $3.50, Full Meal Deal $5.50, Buttered Spatzle $1.50, Braised Red Cabbage $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking all entrees $4.25--Shrimp and Veggie Pasta Toss, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup $2.50--Chicken Noodle Soup, Butternut Squash
Mubsterz Pizza--Ranch Bacon Chicken Pizza, by the slice $2.69
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Fresh Veggie Bagel Sandwiches
Wednesday, Jan. 17
The Grill--Breakfast, Breakfast Pizza $2.75; Lunch, Hot Wing Basket (Includes Coleslaw and Fries) $4.95
Home Style Entrees--MUB Meat and Veggie Pasties $3.25, Pasty Combo Meal $3.95, Mashed Potatoes $1.50, Chef's Veggie of the Day $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking all entrees $4.25-- Stir Fried Gnocchi with Broccoli and Mushrooms, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup $2.50--French Onion and Chili Con Carne
Mubsterz Pizza--Ham and Pineapple Pizza, by the slice $2.69
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Serving Great Subs, Toasted Sandwiches, Wraps and Soups
Thursday, Jan. 18
The Grill--Breakfast, One Two Three Breakfast Special (1 pancake, 2 eggs, 3 sausages or bacon and coffee $3.95; Lunch, Grilled Cheese and Soup $3.50
Home Style Entrees-- Chicken Ham and Cheese $3.95, Full Meal Deal $5.95, Parsley Buttered New Potatoes $1.50, Cauliflower Polonaise $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking all entrees $4.25--Sesame Beef Stir Fry, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup $2.50--Potato Bacon and Spicy Tomato
Mubsterz Pizza--Taco Pizza, by the slice $2.69
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Make any Sandwich a Value Meal and get a 20 oz Fountain Soda, Chips or a Jumbo Cookie for just a $1.95
Friday, Jan. 19
The Grill--Breakfast, Richard's Polynesian Pancakes $1.95, Lunch, Ham and Turkey Sour Dough Grillers $3.25
Home Style Entrees--Baked Lemon Pepper Cod $3.95, Full Meal $5.95, Ranch Potato Wedges $1.50, Fresh Veggie Stir Fry $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking all entrees $4.25--Kung Pao Chicken, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup $2.50--Minestrone and Mulligatawny
Mubsterz Pizza--Cheese Burger Pizza, by the slice $2.69
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Try a sandwich form peppers and pickle deli, made with fresh baked bread every day |
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13. Job Posting |
Staff job descriptions are available in the Human Resources Office or at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings . For more information regarding staff positions, call 487-2280 or email jobs@mtu.edu .
Faculty job descriptions can be found at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/facpers/facvac.htm. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.
Staff Job Posting 1/15/07 - 1/19/07
Office Assistant 5
Dining Services
UAW internal and external posting
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer. |
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14. Free Letterboard Directory |
A free letterboard directory with locking cabinet is available in the School of Business and Economics. For more information, contact Phyllis Williamson, 487-2668.
University property may only be transferred between departments. It may not be given or sold to individuals. |
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