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1. Tech Team Excels in SAE Baja |
Michigan Tech has scored a 12th place overall finish in the SAE Baja Tennessee competition and nabbed first place in the sled-pulling portion of the contest.
"This puts us in a good spot to reach the national championship," said the SAE Baja Enterprise Team's advisor, Brett Hamlin, assistant department chair of engineering fundamentals.
The Society of Automotive Engineers' Baja is a three-part competition that draws college engineering teams from the US and throughout the world. The next two events will be the Baja Illinois (May 29–31) and the Baja Montreal (June 11–14).
Placing so high in the 93-vehicle field puts the Michigan Tech team in a much better position than in previous years.
"It's like the Tour de France," Hamlin explained. "In 2000, a guy named Lance Armstrong only won one event, but he was always near the front. You need to be consistent."
The Tennessee (formerly the Eastern) event has traditionally been the toughest for Michigan Tech teams. "You're required to do a quarter-mile, open-water crossing," Hamlin said. "Basically, you have to drive across the Portage, but not on the bridge." Thus, they build two Baja vehicles, one for Tennesse's watery challenge and another for the two terrestrial events.
The Tech team also placed well within in the top half in the endurance (15th), water maneuverability (35th), suspension and traction (10th), and acceleration (2nd) events.
"We were one of 20 cars to still be running at the end of the race," said team member Joe Ault. "The course was absolutely brutal."
Nevertheless, they held in there. "Where Michigan Tech prevails is that we've always finished all events," said Hamlin, who has advised the team for 10 years. "We've been able to take on adversity, rebuild our car, and finish all the events."
They are recognized for their sportsmanship as well as their engineering. "If other teams have problems, the organizers typically come to the Michigan Tech trailer for help," Hamlin said. "I'm very proud of them." |
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2. No Paper Recycling Until Further Notice |
submitted by Kristine Bradof, Environmental Sustainability Committee
Campus paper recycling will be suspended until the University has new contracts in place for both recycling and waste disposal. We hope to be able to recycle even more materials, especially cardboard, later this year. For now, full recycling bins will not be emptied because there is no place to store the paper. The monthly paper-from-home collections are also suspended. Watch for updates. |
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3. Have a Picnic at the Memorial Union Today |
It's picnic time! The first Memorial Union picnic of the year will take place today, Wednesday, May 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $6.95 per person for one trip through, with a la carte pricing available for single items.
This year, the food tent will be set up between the the Memorial Union and the MEEM, and picnic tables will be nearby.
The delectable menu features Sheboygan grilled brats in beer sauce, sour-cream-and-chive burgers, grilled veggie skewers, tomato and cucumber salad, watermelon and feta salad, classic American potato salad, chips, banana-cream dessert, lemonade and punch. |
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4. Klein, Palmgren Earn Academic Honors |
by Ian Marks, assistant director of athletic communications
Two Michigan Tech women were named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team Friday, May 23. Sophomore Nordic skier Jenna Klein and senior tennis player Amy Palmgren were both named at-large selections.
"This is a great honor for Amy and Jenna," said Athletic Director Suzanne Sanregret. "It speaks volumes about the dedication and time that our student-athletes put into their academics and athletics."
Klein, a biology student who holds a 4.00 GPA, competed in the NCAA Skiing Championships for the second straight year. The Ely, Minn., native led the team with a 92nd-place finish on the United States Skiing Association National Points List. This is her first select to the all-district team.
Palmgren, a senior from Holly, holds a 4.00 GPA in computer engineering. The Huskies' number one singles and number one doubles player earned a place on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team in 2007. She is a four-time All-GLIAC selection who earned Second Team All-GLIAC accolades in fall 2007. Palmgren has also been named an ITA Scholar-Athlete twice and to the GLIAC All-Academic Team three times.
Michigan Tech led all Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference members with two first-team selections. Ferris State and Wayne State each had one first-team selection and one second-team selection.
To be nominated, the student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for her career. No athlete is eligible until she has reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at her current institution. |
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5. MEEM Faculty Receive 2008 HP Technology for Teaching Grant |
Associate Professor/Associate Chair Chuck Van Karsen, Associate Professor Michele Miller, Professor John Gershenson, Assistant Professor Jason Blough and Assistant Professor Spandan Maiti (MEEM) have received a 2008 HP Technology of Teaching grant, "Enhancing Engineering Analysis and Creative Design with Tablet Technology."
They will receive Hewlett Packard computer products to support the project, including 20 HP Compaq Notebook/Tablet PCs for students and a HP Compaq Notebook/Tablet PC for faculty, and $20,000 in cash, for a total of $77,000 in support. In addition, Microsoft software valued at $6,720 will be granted.
The award process was very competitive; only 44 higher education institutions were selected out of more than 370 applicants. |
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