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1. Copper Country United Way Struggles to Reach Goal |
submitted by Copper Country United Way
With five weeks to go in its annual campaign, the Copper Country United Way is some $36,000 shy of its $150,000 goal.
Campaign Chair Philip Johnson announced that the campaign total is now at $114,159. “For more than 50 years, the people of the Copper Country have supported the CCUW because we care about our friends, neighbors and loved ones. If you have sent your gift, thank you so much. If you haven't, there is still time to help make life better for someone in need.”
Donations to the CCUW through the Michigan Tech Campus Campaign are still welcome. Please contact Nancy Seely, nsseely@mtu.edu or 487-2046, for a contribution form.
CCUW President Karin Van Dyke said the campaign is about $5,400 below where it was a year ago. “Following our general mailing in September, follow-up letters to previous donors in early December and early January have failed to generate gifts at last year's level. With Michigan's ongoing recession and now speculation about a national recession, perhaps people are tightening their belts. Just remember that this is the time that those in need, need us most,” Van Dyke said. |
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2. Tech Graduate Student Awarded Second Mondialogo Award |
by Karina Jousma, Tech Today student editor
For the second time, Michigan Tech graduate student Helen Muga has received the prestigious Mondialogo Award.
The award, sponsored by Daimler and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), recognizes innovative sustainable development. Muga, along with three students from Papua New Guinea University of Technology, was honored with the competition’s continuation award for a sustainable wastewater treatment project at the awards ceremony, held Dec. 10 in Mumbai, India.
Over 809 teams competed, with 3,200 participants from 89 countries, but only 31 were selected to receive funding.
The Mondialogo’s Continuation Award, new in 2007, acknowledges a link between both team leaders and their “perseverance in extending a sustainable dialogue.” Muga met her teammates during the previous Mondialogo competition, held in 2005. Since both teams had garnered a Mondialogo with different universities, it was a winning combination.
In the 2005 competition, Muga participated on a team of Sustainable Futures Institute students partnered with three other universities, and through the awarded seed funding, their sustainable construction materials project has been realized. Water storage tanks for harvesting rainwater in rural Philippine communities were implemented by Dan Nover, who was based at Partido State University as part of Michigan Tech’s Peace Corps Master’s International Program in Environmental Engineering.
Good communication was key to project success. For six months, the students maintained an intercontinental dialogue via emails, phone calls and a project webpage. Because most of the experimental work was performed at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Muga says her team also had to overcome their three-month summer vacation.
Muga’s project looks at removing oil from wastewater in small auto-repair garages and workshops in Papua New Guinea. The economic, environmental and social aspects were analyzed at Michigan Tech. The technology employs diffused air flotation, with coconut husks and shells as filter materials. “It’s unique because we’re using sustainable materials available in Papua New Guinea,” said Muga. “We’re modifying the industry process.”
Currently, oil wastewater is being discharged directly into sewers without treatment. “The technology has the potential to transfer to other developing countries that have those materials readily available.”
The project addresses two of UN's eight Millennium Development Goals. The first is “to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.”
“Since more than a billion people still live on less than $1 per day, there is a need for low cost, alternative wastewater treatment systems,” said Muga. “Coconut fibers and charcoal will most likely be free to local communities and small businesses.” The other goal, “to ensure environmental sustainability,” aims to “reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water” by 2015.
Muga was sole presenter for her project. She had only seven minutes to pitch her project to an audience including Daimler employees and UNESCO officials. “I was a bit nervous,” she said.
She was surprised when Michigan Tech kicked off the awards presentation, because the number of entrants had doubled from 2005. “It’s a very select group of schools within the United States and globally,” said Professor James Mihelcic (CEE). “To be a winner two times is quite an accomplishment.”
Mihelcic and Assistant Professor Amlan Mukherjee are Muga's coadvisors.
“It was like being at the Oscars,” he said of the awards ceremony he attended in 2005. “I’d never been at something so glamorous, with this wonderful cultural dialogue and diversity. It’s very exciting. You see lots of students around the world that have a vision for a sustainable future.”
Mihelcic attributes the second award to three factors: strong sustainability education and research on campus, the D80 Center and, simply, Muga. “What Michigan Tech is good at is sustainability,” he said. “It’s not just sustainability for North America; it’s sustainability for the world. We have students and faculty thinking globally, who recognize you can transfer knowledge from the developing world to us (and vice versa). The third thing is that Helen is just a really good example of the strength of the environmental engineering program. She’s a special student, yet representative of many other Michigan Tech students.”
“Besides all the things Helen juggles as a PhD student, she went off and did this on her own. I didn’t find out about anything until last summer, when she was selected as a finalist. She truly understands the big picture of sustainability.”
“It was a side thing for me; it had nothing to do with my research,” said Muga. “Sustainable development is something I enjoy doing.”
She credits Michigan Tech’s vision. “The whole experience reinforced what Michigan Tech is already doing: addressing some of these issues through programs such as International Senior Design and the master’s international program,” she said. “The work Michigan Tech is doing is up there. That’s why we keep getting nominated.” |
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3. Career Center Seeking Interview Rooms |
The 2008 Winter Job Fair will be held Tuesday, Feb. 19. To date, 180 companies are registered, with the majority wanting to stay the next day to interview. The Career Center is in desperate need of conference rooms, offices and other spaces to accommodate as many interviews as possible (over 140).
If you have any rooms available for on-campus interviewing on Wednesday, Feb. 20, please contact Tina Giachino at tgiachin@mtu.edu or 487-2313. This is an opportunity to help our students pursue a co-op, internship or full-time position. |
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4. Get Winter Carnival Apparel at the Campus Bookstore, University Images |
submitted by the Campus Bookstore
Winter Carnival apparel has arrived at the Campus Bookstore and University Images. This year's colors are blue and orange, and the shirts look great. Available items are hooded and crew-neck sweatshirts, short- and long-sleeve T-shirts, a short-sleeve kids' T-shirt, and pint and shot glasses. Stop in early while the selection is good. |
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5. Community Programs to Offer Noontime Pilates Class Starting Feb. 4 |
Community Programs is offering a noontime Pilates class in the ROTC Gym. The classes will run from noon to 12:45 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from Feb. 4 through Feb. 27 (there will be no class held on Feb. 20). Cost is $28.
Mats will be required for the class; however, they will not be provided so you will need to bring your own.
Call 487-2975 for information on how to register. |
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6. Biological Sciences Seminar Tuesday |
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Paul Black, senior scientist, Ordway Research Institute, and professor of biochemistry, Albany Medical College, will present a research seminar, "Vectorial Acylation: A Fundamental Mechanism Driving the Transport of Exogenous Fatty Acids," Tuesday, Jan. 29, 1-2 p.m. in EERC 100. |
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7. 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.
Faculty Position
Non-Tenure-Track Lecturer in Construction Management
School of Technology
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer. |
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8. Memorial Union Menus |
Monday, Jan. 28
The Grill--Breakfast, The Big Grill Breakfast (two eggs any style, two pancakes, two bacon or sausage, hash browns and coffee) $4.95; Lunch, Club Sandwich $3.50 (Make it a value meal and add a small fry and a 20-ounce soda for $2)
Home Style Entrees--Southern Fried Chicken $3.95, Full Meal Deal $5.95 (includes two sides), Jo Jo Potatoes $1.50, Chef's Vegetables $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.75; Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup $2.99--Cheesy Vegetable Medley, Spicy Shrimp and Coconut Noodle
Mubsterz Pizza--Grilled Southwestern Pizza, by the slice $2.99
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Try this week's featured sandwich, Buffalo Chicken Subs $3.50
Tuesday, Jan. 29
The Grill--Breakfast, Beef Steak Omelet $3.95 (grilled beef, bell pepper, onions and cheddar cheese); Lunch, Two-Fer-Tuesday $3.95 (two cheeseburgers, small fry and a 20-ounce fountain soda)
Home Style Entrees--Two Bratwursts on a bun $3.95, Full Meal Deal, $5.95 (includes two sides), American Fried Potatoes $1.50, Corn on the Cob $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.75; Yakisoba Noodle Stir Fry, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.99; Beef Barley, Tex Mex Corn Chowder
Mubsterz Pizza--Philly Cheeze Steak Pizza, by the slice $2.99
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Hot Campbell's Soup Served Monday through Friday, $2.99 per cup
Wednesday, Jan. 30
The Grill--Breakfast, Breakfast Pizza $2.99; Lunch, Cheese Curds $2.95 (batter fried cheddar cheese curds)
Home Style Entrees--Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy $3.95, Full Meal Deal $5.95 (includes two sides), Buttered Egg Noodles $1.50, Steamed Broccoli $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.75; Gingered Pork with Peanut Sauce, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.99; Cream of Mushroom, Chicken Cacciatore
Mubsterz Pizza--Hawaiian Delight Pizza, by the slice $2.99
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Try one of our low-carb-friendly wrap sandwiches $3.99
Thursday, Jan. 31
The Grill--Breakfast, Eggs Benedict $2.95 (poached eggs and ham served on English muffins topped with hollandaise sauce); Lunch, Grilled Cheese and Hot Soup $3.45
Home Style Entrees--BBQ Ribs $3.95, Full Meal Deal $5.95 (includes two sides), Country Style Baked Potatoes $1.50, Chef's Vegetable of the Day $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.75; Cashew Nut Chicken Stir Fry, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.99; Cream of Tomato, Curried Chicken Rice
Mubsterz Pizza--Mushroom and Olive Pizza, by the slice $2.99
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Make any sandwich a value meal and get a 20-ounce fountain soda, chips or a jumbo cookie for just $2
Friday, Feb. 1
The Grill--Breakfast, Pancakes and Eggs $3.50 (two pancakes, two eggs and coffee); Lunch, Mushroom Swiss Burgers $3.25 (make it a value meal and get a 20-ounce fountain soda and a small fry for just $2 more)
Home Style Entrees--Beer-Battered Fish $3.95, Full Meal Deal $5.95 (includes two sides), Bacon Scallion Hush Puppies $1.50, Green Beans with Shallots and Chilis $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.75; Mexican Stir Fry Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.99; Minestrone, New England Clam Chowder
Mubsterz Pizza--Greek Chicken Pizza, by the slice $2.99
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Try this week's featured sandwich, Buffalo Chicken Subs $3.50 |
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9. In Print |
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Professor Iosif Pinelis (Mathematical Sciences) has published "A Characterization of the Convexity of Cyclic Polygons in Terms of the Central Angles" in Journal of Geometry, Vol. 87, No. 1-2, November 2007. The article can be viewed online at www.springerlink.com/content/y13166j14q484565/ . |
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10. New Staff |
Kristin-Ann G. Beck has joined the Research and Sponsored Programs staff as a training coordinator/assistant contracts analyst. She comes to Michigan Tech from MSU Extensions in Kalamazoo, where she was a 4-H youth development extension educator. Beck has developed training programs for a number of sporting goods companies and nonprofit organizations, including K2 Sports Inc., Moosejaw Mountaineering and MSU Extensions. She holds two degrees: a BA in Humanities from Michigan Tech and a master of education from Wayne State University. She lives in Pelkie and enjoys cycling, camping and skiing. She plans to rejoin the Mont Ripley Ski Patrol.
Julie Way has joined the Career Services staff as a career advisor. She was previously employed as a teacher by the Copper Country ISD. Way is a former RTC master's student who worked in the Writing Center. She holds two degrees from Michigan Tech: a BS in Business Administration and a BA in Liberal Arts, with a concentration in English education. She has one child, Elizabeth, and lives in Houghton. |
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