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1. State Authorizes $25 Million for Great Lakes Research Lab at Michigan Tech |
by Jennifer Donovan, public relations director
Michigan Tech has long been a leader in research related to the Great Lakes. Now that research is going to have a new home, on the campus waterfront.
Monday, Sept. 29, Lt. Governor John Cherry, acting for Governor Jennifer Granholm, signed a capital outlay bill authorizing Michigan Tech to spend $25 million to build a Great Lakes research center along the Portage Canal on the University's campus.
Michigan Tech is one of six state universities with capital outlay projects funded by the bill. The others are Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Oakland University, Saginaw Valley State University and Western Michigan University.
The project will include construction of a three-story research building and enhancement of Michigan Tech's waterfront, said W. Charles Kerfoot, professor of biological sciences and director of the Lake Superior Ecosystem Research Center. A planning committee guiding the project includes Kerfoot; Professor Alex Mayer (GMES), director of the Center for Water and Society; and Joan Chadde, coordinator of educational programs for the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education.
The new building will be located on the canal side of the Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building. It will house eight research labs with researchers from four departments: biological sciences, civil and environmental engineering, geological and mining engineering and sciences, and chemistry. Researchers from the Michigan Tech Research Institute will bring their remote sensing expertise to the new facility.
"Freshwater issues are among the most pressing problems facing the world," said President Glenn D. Mroz. "Michigan Tech is ideally situated to become a leader in aquatic environmental science and technological remediation. The interdisciplinary work that Michigan Tech researchers will do in this new research center on all aspects of Great Lakes water has implications for freshwater management far beyond Michigan. What we learn there will be valuable worldwide."
The new center will focus on a number of pressing issues in upper Great Lakes coastal research, including research into the effects of global climate change, the impact of invasive plant and animal species, over-fishing and the reproductive failure of native fish, loss of coastal wetlands and habitats along tributaries that feed the Great Lakes, historical contamination from mining and the impact of toxic contaminants that persist, and the effects of population and pollution on coastal biodiversity.
A broad variety of research labs will draw faculty and students from disciplines across campus. They include a fisheries restoration lab, a sediment characterization and processing lab, a mass spectrometry lab where large samples can be screened quickly for different compounds, a coastal hydrology lab for controlled testing of sediment behavior under various river and coastal flow conditions; an exotic species lab; a model computation lab; a remote sensing and coastal instrumentation networking lab; and an air quality and meteorology lab.
As a hub for Great Lakes research and education, the waterfront facility will also house classrooms, teaching labs, conference rooms and facilities to expand educational outreach programs for elementary and high school students and teachers. The building will include a boathouse and water-level access for the University's research vessels, the Agassiz and Polar. Access to such facilities will help motivate future generations to study and pursue careers in science, engineering and technology.
Future plans for the project envision a waterfront activities center, including boat launching ramps, storage for watercraft of all kinds, decks and docks, a shoreline boardwalk, a walking trail, improvements to Prince's Point Beach, and mooring and staging facilities for large ships.
"Michigan Tech has a unique location on a coastal Great Lakes waterway," Kerfoot said. "Now it will have the waterfront presence it has lacked." |
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2. Gala Latina Features Ethnic Celebration |
by John Gagnon, promotional writer
It's time to eat, dance and be merry—Latin-style—at Michigan Tech.
Indulge your taste for ethnic fare and get in the swing of things with salsa, merengue, cumbia and bolero.
You can have it all at the Fourth Annual Gala Latina, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11, in the Memorial Union Ballroom.
Learn how to cut a rug south-of–the-border style, savor a zesty meal and enjoy an evening of song and dance.
A 15-member Latin band, Sergio Poventud and his Orchestra Veneno, from Milwaukee, will perform, as will Dennis Alvarado López, international dance performer, instructor, choreographer and artistic director of the Mambo Elegancia Dance Company, also of Milwaukee.
A little rusty on your bachata? López will give free dance lessons during the afternoon prior to the dinner and performances. Three free, one-hour dance lessons, which feature many styles, from basic to intermediate, begin at 3 p.m.
López and the Veneno orchestra will perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets, available at the door, are $10 for students and $12 for others.
There will be a dinner, catered by Michigan Tech's Dining Services, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Commons.
Feast your eyes on this menu:
* carne asada with flour soft tortillas
* cochinita pibil tacos (pork baked in banana leaves from the Yucatán area)
* "congrí” rice—Cuba
* sweet plantains—Caribbean/African
* chilaquiles with salsa verde (vegetarian baked dish)
* green salad
* assorted salsas: mango/green tomatillos/regular
* dessert: assortment of flans—vanilla, cheese and pumpkin
* beverages: passion fruit juice, coffee, tea and water
Admission to the dinner is $12 for students and $19 for others. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time at the Department of Educational Opportunity.
For more information, call 487-2920.
The festivities are brought to you by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the Department of Educational Opportunity, the Michigan Tech Social Dance Club and Undergraduate Student Government in collaboration with Michigan Tech's COMPASS.
For more information, call 487-2920. |
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3. Reminder: Retirement Breakfast/Brunch Today for Kiviniemi |
submitted by Facilities Management
Please join Facilities Management in thanking Linda Kiviniemi for her service to the University and in wishing her the best in her retirement at a breakfast/brunch on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 9 to 10 a.m. in Memorial Union Ballroom A. |
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4. Reminder: Ballroom Grand Opening Wednesday |
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All members of the University community are invited to the Isle Royale Ballroom Grand Opening, hosted by the Memorial Union, Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 7 a.m. till 3 p.m., with a presentation ceremony at noon. Refreshments will be served throughout the day. |
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5. Sale at the Dress for Success Shop: Business Apparel 20-50 Percent Off |
submitted by the Dress for Success Shop
All business apparel is now on sale for 20 to 50 percent off or more at the Dress for Success Shop, located in the Campus Bookstore.
All suits, overcoats, slacks, dress shirts, belts, socks and Dockers dress and casual shoes are 20 percent off; all sport coats are $50 off; selected suits and sport coats are 50 percent off; and all ties are $9.99-19.99. Tailoring is available.
Plus, don't forget to register for a free sport coat. Sale ends Tuesday, Oct. 7. Store hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday. |
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6. Benefits Office Closed Tuesday-Friday |
submitted by the Benefits Office
Michigan Tech will host the Michigan College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (MI-CUPA HR) conference, along with Lake Superior State and Northern Michigan Universities, this week in Sault Ste. Marie. MI-CUPA HR is a professional organization for human resources professionals representing Michigan colleges and universities.
The Benefits Office staff is attending the conference and will not be available Tuesday, Sept. 30, through Friday, Oct. 3. If you have any questions during this time, you may leave a message for the Benefits Office at 487-2517, or you can email Renee at rlhiller@mtu.edu or Ingrid at iecheney@mtu.edu . We will get back to you as quickly as we can. |
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7. Isle Royale Wolf and Moose Photography on Display in Calumet |
Two Michigan Tech wolf-moose researchers and the filmmaker who immortalized their research are mounting an exhibition of some of the best of years of still photography shot at Isle Royale National Park. The show opens at the Omphale Gallery in Calumet on Friday, Oct. 3.
SFRES faculty members Rolf Peterson and John Vucetich and producer George Desort will host an opening celebration at the gallery at 431 Fifth St., Calumet, from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Their exhibit, called "Isle Royale Wolf and Moose Study Collection," will remain on display through Oct. 31.
See a preview of some of their photos here: www.wolfmoose.mtu.edu . |
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8. "Hitchhiker's Guide" This Weekend |
submitted by Visual and Performing Arts
The Visual and Performing Arts theater season opens Oct. 3 and 4 with "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," featuring a special sound system imported for the occasion. Episodes of Douglas Adams' classic sci-fi comedy will be staged in McArdle Theatre (Walker) Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., featuring outer space heroes, villains, battles and adventures galore.
This is the third annual installment of "Hitchhikers"; each year brings a leap forward in technology and skill as new students in the audio creative lab class take up the challenge of staging new adventures and outdoing last year's class.
Adams' imaginative stories and characters thrive in live performance—they've been favorites since he introduced them on BBC Radio. Plus, if you're an audiophile, you'll want to stay after the show to talk with the designers and crew to see how the magic's done.
Assistant Professor Patricia Helsel (Visual and Performing Arts) directs this year's cast, including Dan Freeman as Arthur Dent; Benjamin Loucks as Zaphod Beetlebrox; and Laura Larsen as Trillian. Associate Professor Christopher Plummer (Visual and Performing Arts) directs the audio creative lab class.
Tickets are available from the Rozsa Box Office from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and at McArdle Theatre on performance nights. Michigan Tech students receive free Experience Tech tickets. Cost for non-Michigan Tech students is $5, and for the general public, $10.
For more information, contact Visual and Performing Arts, 487-2067 and vpa@mtu.edu . |
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9. MEEM Graduate Seminar Thursday |
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Professor Teik C. Lim, mechanical engineering department head at the University of Cincinnati, will give a ME-EM graduate seminar Thursday, Oct. 2, 3 p.m. in MEEM 112, "Modeling Analysis and Control of High-Speed Gear Dynamics." |
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10. Copper Country Reading Council to Host Workshop on Professional Development in the Teaching of Writing |
submitted by the Copper Country Reading Council
The Copper Country Reading Council will host a workshop and presentation by Cynthia Clingman, author and literary consultant, "Must We Sacrifice Our Creativity? Enhancing the Arts of Teaching Writing," Wednesday, Oct. 8, 4:15-8 p.m. in Fisher 231.
Clingman will discuss how to balance MEAP tests, 21st-century literacy demands and unique teaching approaches. This program, free of charge, is appropriate for teachers at any level and is open to anybody interested in writing and the art of teaching writing. Teachers may receive .3 CEUs.
The evening's activities include short presentations on using images to elicit powerful language in writing assignments and on how 21st-century technologies impact writing and writing pedagogies.
Clingman is past president of the Michigan Reading Association and currently serves as the association's legislative chair. Formerly she taught English language arts and was a university professor.
For more information or a complete schedule, contact Evie Johnson at evjohnso@mtu.edu . |
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11. On the Road |
Associate Professor Sonia Goltz (SBE) presented "Within-Group Design Options and the Questions They Can Answer" at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, held Aug. 8-13 in Anaheim, Calif.
Professor Christa Walck (Van Pelt/Opie Library, SBE) was a Scholar in Residence Sept. 15-23 at the University of Turku in Finland, where she gave a lecture based on a paper coauthored by Associate Professor Carol MacLennan (Social Sciences), "Using Environmental History to Understand Sustainability: Land Use and Land Health in Silver City, N.M." Walck was also a guest of the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (TEKES) in Helsinki Sept. 24-25. |
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12. In Print |
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"Teaching Teamwork and Problem Solving Concurrently," written by Associate Professor Sonia Goltz (SBE) and former Michigan Tech faculty members Amy Hietapelto, Roger Reinsch and Sharon Tyrell, was published as the lead article in the October issue of the Journal of Management Education, Volume 32, Number 5. |
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13. Sports in Brief |
What's Happening This Week in Athletics
All times are Eastern, and all events are home events.
Tuesday, Sept. 30
Blueline Club Meet the Coaches event, 7 p.m., Grant Hockey Educational Center
Wednesday, Oct. 1
Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
Thursday, Oct. 2
* Fall Luncheon, noon, Grant Hockey Educational Center
* volleyball hosts Ashland, 7 p.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
Friday, Oct. 3
* women's tennis hosts Findlay, 1 p.m.
* volleyball hosts Tiffin, 7 p.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
Saturday, Oct. 4
* women's tennis hosts Wayne State, 10 a.m.
* football hosts Ferris State, 1 p.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
* hockey hosts Toronto, 7:07 p.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
Last Week's Results
Football (3-2, 2-2 GLIAC)
Sept. 27—at No. 2 Grand Valley State 52, No. 23 Michigan Tech 6
Volleyball (10-5, 5-2 GLIAC)
* Sept. 26—Michigan Tech 3, at Findlay 0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-22)
* Sept. 27—Michigan Tech 3, at Hillsdale 1 (24-26, 25-19, 26-24, 26-24)
Cross Country
Sept. 27—men 10th of 22 teams; women 14th of 24 teams at Roy Griak Invitational, St. Paul, Minn.
Women's Tennis (1-3, 1-3 GLIAC)
* Sept. 27—Ferris State 6, at Michigan Tech 3
* Sept. 28—Grand Valley State 6, at Michigan Tech 3
Top News of the Week
Homecoming This Week
The upcoming week is homecoming on the Michigan Tech campus, and there are events every night leading up to the Saturday, Oct. 4, football game vs. Ferris State. Highlights of the week include Take on a Husky Night, Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the SDC, and the parade and pep rally, Friday, Oct. 3. A schedule of activities can be found at http://homecoming.mtu.edu .
Volleyball Claims Sweep on Latest Road Trip
Michigan Tech defeated both Findlay and Hillsdale on the road last weekend to move into sole possession of second place in the GLIAC North Division. The win at Hillsdale was the first over the Chargers since Oct. 9, 2005. Senior Veronica Armstrong led the Huskies in kills on the weekend with 16 in each of the matches. Tech will continue play in the GLIAC by hosting Ashland on Thursday, Oct. 2, and Tiffin on Friday, Oct. 3.
Hockey Preseason Opener Set for Saturday
The Michigan Tech hockey team will begin its 2008-09 campaign Saturday, Oct. 4, with a preseason tilt vs. Toronto. Opening face-off at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena is slated for 7:07 p.m. Head coach Jamie Russell welcomes nine newcomers to the squad as the Huskies open their season.
Final Fall Athletics Luncheon Set for Thursday
The final fall athletics luncheon for 2008 will take place Thursday, Oct. 2, at noon in the Begg Conference Room of the Grant Hockey Educational Center. Head football coach Tom Kearly will be on hand to preview Saturday's homecoming game vs. Ferris State. Tennis coach Mike Axford will also be present to give an update on his team's season. Fall luncheons are open to the public free of charge with a complimentary light lunch. |
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14. 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 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
9/30/08
Food Service Helper
Dining Services
AFSCME external posting
Regular, part-time position; first shift
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer. |
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15. In the News |
The Zeusaphone, co-invented by Michigan Tech alum Jeff Larson, was featured on the Discovery Channel's science-magazine show Daily Planet. You can watch the video clip here and see how the Zeusaphone, named after the Greek god Zeus, makes music with lightning bolts via tesla coils.
The 2009 STIHL Timbersports Collegiate Series, hosted by the Michigan Tech Forestry Club Saturday, Sept. 27, at the University's Ford Center in Alberta, was covered by ESPN. Click here to view the article, which quotes Michigan Tech competitor Trevor Hahka, chair of the Forestry Club.
Professor Richard Honrath (CEE), PI for a research project at the Summit Camp station on the Greenland ice cap, was interviewed for a feature on the Danish Polar Center's website. To view the article (it's in Danish) on the research, which focuses on snow photochemistry and how chemical reactions in the snow affect the atmosphere, click here. |
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16. New Funding |
Professor Chandrashekhar Joshi (SFRES) has received $56,000 from North Carolina State University for the first year of a four-year project totaling $224,000, "EU-US Transatlantic Graduate Degree Program in Forest Resources."
Associate Professor Theresa Ahlborn (CEE) has received $47,446 from the Michigan Department of Transportation for "Center for Structural Durability at Michigan Technological University." |
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17. Free Items Available in Housing Facilities |
The following items are available for free from Housing Facilities:
* 18 partial rolls of new carpeting left over from the Wadsworth Hall remodel
* 10 boxes of glass block, measuring eight by eight by four inches
* 35 wooden writing tables
* approximately 18 insulated replacement window glass panes, measuring 40 by 40 inches
If you are interested, contact Dale O'Brien at 487-1785 or doobrien@mtu.edu .
University property may only be transferred between departments; it may not be given or sold to individuals. |
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