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1. Michigan Tech, General Motors, Engineering Society of Detroit Work Together to Retrain Displaced Automotive Engineers |
by Jennifer Donovan, public relations director
In a move to help address Michigan's economic crisis, Michigan Tech is joining hands with General Motors and the Engineering Society of Detroit to provide free retraining for displaced automotive engineers.
Michigan Tech will offer a one-semester, three-credit course, in advanced propulsion technology, to equip displaced engineers to meet the growing demand for workers skilled in green automotive technologies. Students will learn the fundamentals of controlling and calibrating hybrid vehicle powertrains to meet fuel economy and emissions targets.
The class begins Feb. 5 and runs through May 14. It will be held weekly at Engineering Society of Detroit headquarters in Southfield. The course will include online lectures by Michigan Tech faculty and hands-on labs at the GM Milford Proving Ground and Pontiac Powertrain Headquarters, run by volunteer retired and active GM engineers.
Michigan Tech faculty who will teach the course include Jeffrey Naber, Jeffrey Allen, John Beard and research engineer Jeremy Worm from the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics; Jeffrey Burl and Wayne Weaver, Electrical and Computer Engineering; Stephen Hackney, Materials Science and Engineering; and Jason Keith, Chemical Engineering. David Hill, a Michigan Tech alumnus and retired GM chief engineer for Corvette and performance vehicles, will teach vehicle and powertrain integration.
"People who can create these advanced propulsion systems and calibrate them are rare and will be in great demand," said Terry Woychowski, executive director of General Motors North America vehicle chief engineers. A Michigan Tech alumnus and GM executive, Woychowski serves on the University's College of Engineering Advisory Board. "Despite the fact that the auto industry is going through difficult times, there will always be an auto industry and, consequently, a critical need in this area with a huge potential for growth."
Timothy Schulz, dean of Michigan Tech's College of Engineering, said, "Michigan Tech has always educated engineers for important jobs on the frontiers of engineering. Many of our graduates work in the automotive industry. We are making this commitment to help them retool to meet changing demands."
William Predebon, chair of mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics, was instrumental in creating the new course, Schulz said.
Michigan Tech will provide students with full scholarships to cover the cost of tuition and fees. Only automotive engineers with a bachelor of science in engineering who have been laid off are eligible to apply. A maximum of 60 students will be accepted.
Applicants should submit one letter of recommendation, a resume and a letter of intent to Linda LaPointe via email at llapointe@esd.org or by mail to LaPointe at the Engineering Society of Detroit, 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450, Southfield, MI, 48076.
Applications must be submitted by Jan. 21. |
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2. The Verdict Is In: Experience Tech Initiative a Success |
by Kara Sokol, integrated marketing specialist/editor
Six months and one full semester into the new Experience Tech initiative, students and staff of Michigan Tech have a seemingly unanimous opinion: it's a hit.
The student-driven initiative, passed last June by the Board of Control, gives students free access to Mont Ripley Ski Hill, Portage Lake Golf Course, the Gates Tennis Center, Department of Visual and Performing Arts events, hockey games and intramural sports. The plan is subsidized through a student-wide $64-per-semester tuition-added fee.
"I'm thrilled with the progress," says Nate Kroodsma, one of the students responsible for the fee. "Judging by my own experiences and what I've heard from others, I couldn't be happier with the outcome."
Kroodsma and fellow student Nik Chaphalkar handled the majority of the initiative's research and planning through their work with Tech's Student Commission.
Chaphalkar agrees that the plan's implementation has been a success.
"I've believed strongly in this initiative from the beginning," says Chaphalkar. "We're listening closely to what the students are saying about it and keeping our minds open to new possibilities and suggestions. But overall, I think it's been absolutely great."
That sentiment is shared by Michigan Tech staff as well, after finishing their first full semester implementing the initiative.
"It's been a tremendous success so far," says Director of Sports and Recreation Mike Abbott. "I know the plan has been a huge boon for the Gates Tennis Center, and the golf course saw a 143-percent increase in rounds. We're extremely happy."
Abbott reports that implementation went smoothly, and staff members have continued working to make it a successful initiative for the students.
"We're ironing out wrinkles as they appear and keeping our eyes open for potential overcrowding issues," explains Abbott. "Our most important goal is to create a safe and fun environment for our students."
While some students were initially worried about overcrowding, it appears not yet to have become an issue.
"We've definitely been busy, but it hasn't been a problem," says Nick Sirdenis, manager of the Mont Ripley Ski Hill. "Because students can come as often as they like, we're seeing fewer all-day skiers. There are more people coming for shorter periods--one to two hours or so."
Sirdenis said that the ski hill has a cut-off plan on standby in case they get overcrowded but added, "I don't anticipate that happening."
At the Gates Tennis Center, Recreation Manager Kevin Kalinec reports that the usage has shifted from predominantly nonstudent members to a mix of about 50-50.
"Simply put, there's just a lot more play happening out there," Kalinec says. "We're seeing students we've never seen before out there trying it out. It's been a great plan."
Athletic-event attendances are also up, and the visual and performing arts department reports a "significant increase" in student turnouts at events such as the fall symphony and jazz concerts.
Vice President for Student Affairs Les Cook calls the initiative a "great success."
"I am proud of our students' ingenuity," Cook says. "And I'm glad to be part of a university that not only listens to what our students want, but embraces their adventurous side as well."
By all accounts, positive outcomes appear to be par for the course for the departments participating in this student initiative. |
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3. From Flash to PhotoShop: Digital Studio Offers High-End Computing to Entire Campus |
by Elise Cleary, student writer
Since opening a year ago, the Digital Studio (Room 243) in the J. R. Van Pelt/Opie Library has been a boon to countless members of the Michigan Tech community.
Professors and students have access to dozens of software programs, some too big and expensive for the average home or office budget.
"My favorite piece of software is the Macromedia Captivate," said David Lepse, head of Reference and Government Information, who supervises the Digital Studio. "It allows me to create a mini-video from still images."
Students can choose from a variety of programs to create and edit images, layout large documents, and to edit and create video, as well as an unending list of other software.
Anyone who needs help along the way can rely on a knowledgeable staff.
With all the software available, the piece of equipment used by faculty and students most is surprising.
"It's the oversized printer/scanner," said Lepse. "It's the one thing that is not self-service, and it's been used more than anything else."
Students and professors can get a lot more out of the Digital Studio than just printing services.
"When the library was remodeled, a primary goal was to create more space for students. The Digital Studio is part of that," said Lepse, "a place where students can go and manipulate and process various forms of documents, texts, video and sound and incorporate them into projects and presentations."
What are plans for the studio?
"I would like to see the facilities expanded so it's easier for groups to meet," said Lepse.
This could change, though. It just depends on what people want, said Lepse.
Visit the studio Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., and Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information, or visit www.lib.mtu.edu/services/DigitalStudio/default.aspx . |
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4. Staff Council to Host Mroz Thursday |
Staff Council's January meeting is set for noon on Thursday, Jan. 15, in Memorial Union 105B. President Glenn Mroz will be the guest. All interested staff are welcome.
Questions can be directed to Becky Christianson at 487-2416 or
rwchrist@mtu.edu . |
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5. TechReads Books to Be Displayed by Library |
submitted by the J. R. Van Pelt and Opie Library
Looking for a good book? Wondering what others are reading?
TechReads is a new feature on the Van Pelt Library website and information wall that showcases influential books recommended by members of the Tech community. The book could be one they are currently reading or one that made a significant impression on them.
Professor Randall Freisinger (Humanities), 2008 Distinguished Teaching Award recipient, kicks off the series with reflections on "The Essential Rumi." A copy of the book will be on display in the new-book area of the library and will be available to check out beginning Jan. 26.
We hope this feature inspires you to read something new and stop by to browse the library's new books. You are invited to recommend a good book; email TechReads@mtu.edu for more information. |
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6. Reminder: Auditions for Tech Theatre Productions to Be Held Today, Thursday |
submitted by Visual and Performing Arts
Open auditions for the Tech Theatre spring productions, "The Dining Room" and "The Robber Bridegroom," will be held today, Tuesday, Jan. 13, and Thursday, Jan. 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. Auditions for "The Dining Room" will take place in McArdle Theatre (Walker 207) and for "Robber Bridegroom" in the Band Room (Rozsa 208, enter from second floor of Walker).
Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to audition for either or both. Scripts and music may be borrowed from the Visual and Performing Arts office to help prepare for auditions.
"The Dining Room," a comedy by A. R. (Pete) Gurney about life in a New England family over 50 years, will be performed Feb. 25-28 in McArdle Theatre, directed by Roger Held. "The Robber Bridegroom," a folk musical set in 18th-century Mississippi Territory, will be performed April 10-11 in the Rozsa Center, directed by Patricia Helsel. Those interested in "Robber Bridegroom" need to pick up an audition music packet from the Visual and Performing Arts Office (Walker 209), open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
More information on auditions is available from Visual and Performing Arts, 487-2067. |
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7. MuSTI 2009 Awards for Exploratory Multi-Scale Research Announced |
The Multi-Scale Technologies Institute (MuSTI) has announced the awarding of $30,370 in exploratory research funding for 2009.
The following projects have been funded.
• Scott Wagner (School of Technology), "Strain Analysis on Micro-Metal-Forming Processes Using Optical Lithography and Chemical Etching Techniques"
• Reza Shahbazian-Yassar (ME-EM), "Novel BioMEMS Devices for Mechanical Testing of Single Living Cells"
• Miguel Levy (Physics/MSE), "Photon Fluids"
• Abhishek Prasad, Archana Pandey and Yoke Khin Yap (Physics), "Effective Doping of Zinc Oxide Nanowires for High Performance Field Effect Transistors"
• Chee Huei Lee, Jacek Borysow and Yoke Khin Yap (Physics), "Exploring Solar Blind Deep UV Photodetectors by Boron Nitride Nanotubes"
• Archana Pandey, Abhishek Prasad and Yoke Khin Yap (Physics), "Development of Glucose Sensors and Biofuel Cells by Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Arrays"
• Jason Moscatello, Abhishek Prasad, Archana Pandey and Yoke Khin Yap (Physics), "Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Based DNA Sensors"
MuSTI supports research and education in microtechnologies and nanotechnologies and is also home to the minor in nanoscale science and technology and the graduate certificate in nanotechnology. |
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8. Michigan Tech Chamber Music Series Concert Sunday |
Bach's Concerto in A minor for Violin and Orchestra, played by soloist Jared Cregg, and an ensemble of area musicians led by Elizabeth Meyer, concertmaster of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, will be featured in Michigan Tech's Chamber Music Series on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. in McArdle Theatre (Walker 207).
Sunday's concert, titled "Bach to Bach," will also present the Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto Grosso for Two Flutes and Orchestra with flute soloists Susan Byykkonen and Brian Suits, and Heinrich Ignaz von Biber's Sonata Representiva, featuring harpsichordist Adrienne Shipley with solo and ensemble strings. Fourteen musicians will perform.
Jared Cregg is a highly accomplished violinist from Eden Prairie, Minn. A junior majoring in biomedical engineering, he is a Goldwater Scholar, a recipient of the prestigious national award for undergraduates. Among his extracurricular activities, he is principal in the Keweenaw Symphony and a member of Michigan Tech's Nordic ski team.
Tickets are $6 general and $3 students (free to Tech students), available at the door and in advance from the Rozsa Box Office (487-3200, www.tickets.mtu.edu ). The Chamber Music Series is produced by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. |
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9. MEEM Graduate Seminar Thursday |
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Principle Scientist Michael J. Doyle, of Accelrys Inc., will give a MEEM Graduate Seminar Thursday, Jan. 15, at 3 p.m. in MEEM 112, "Flexible and General Data Mining and Knowledge Extraction for Analytical and Other Data." |
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10. Sports in Brief |
What's Happening This Week in Athletics
All times are Eastern, and home events are italicized.
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on Mix 93.5 FM
Thursday, Jan. 15
* No. 16 women's basketball at No. 7 Hillsdale, 6 p.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
* men's basketball at Hillsdale, 8 p.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
Friday, Jan. 16
* Blue Line Luncheon, noon, Grant Hockey Ed Center
* hockey hosts North Dakota, 7:07 p.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
Saturday, Jan. 17
* No. 16 women's basketball at Findlay, 1 p.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
* men's basketball at No. 1 Findlay, 3 p.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
* hockey hosts North Dakota, 7:07 p.m., live on Mix 93.5 FM
Last Week's Results
Hockey (5-17-2, 1-13-2 WCHA)
Jan. 9: at No. 5 Denver 4, Michigan Tech 3, OT
Jan. 10: at No. 5 Denver 3, Michigan Tech 1
Women's Basketball (11-2, 8-0 GLIAC)
Jan. 8: at No. 16 Michigan Tech 75, Ashland 39
Jan. 10: at No. 16 Michigan Tech 83, Tiffin 59
Men's Basketball (8-5, 5-3 GLIAC)
Jan. 8: at Michigan Tech 77, Ashland 69
Jan. 10: at Michigan Tech 84, Tiffin 53
Nordic Skiing
Jan. 3-8: Michigan Tech 15th of 19 teams in College Cup at US National Championships (Anchorage, Ala.)
Jan. 10-11: Michigan Tech at Alaska Anchorage Invitational (team scores unavailable)
Top News of the Week
Both Basketball Teams Atop GLIAC Standings
After eight games, both Michigan Tech basketball teams sit atop the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division standings. The No. 16-ranked women's team is 8-0 in league play and 11-2 overall. The men are 5-3 in the GLIAC and 8-5 overall. Both squads will face top-10 nationally ranked teams on the road this week. The women are at No. 7 Hillsdale Thursday, Jan. 15, and the men play at No. 1 Findlay Saturday, Jan. 17.
Hockey Returns Home for Series with North Dakota
Michigan Tech will host North Dakota at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena this weekend in its first home games of 2009. Tech will look to make it two in a row against North Dakota, after defeating the Sioux in the third-place game of the Great Lakes Invitational two weeks ago. Michigan Tech is coming off two close losses at No. 5 Denver last weekend with a 4-3 overtime setback Friday, Jan. 9, and a 3-1 score Saturday, Jan. 10.
Nordic Skiing Battles Sub-Zero Temps at US Nationals
The Michigan Tech Nordic ski teams battled cold temps that led to the cancellation of half of the races at the US National Championships in Anchorage, Ala., this past week. Tech had three men finish in the top 100 in the 10-kilometer freestyle race. Junior Jesse Lang posted the top result for the Huskies, finishing 82nd in a time of 28:28.1. Sophomore Jackie Pribyl paced the women's team with a 106th-place finish in the women's five-kilometer freestyle in 17:59.6. The team experienced greater success in the classical sprint races. Freshman Christina Mischica finished third in the "B" final of the women's junior/under-23 race, and freshman Petter Sjulstad finished fourth in the "B" final of the men's senior race.
Wysocky Reaches Milestones
Junior Katie Wysocky reached two big milestones during two GLIAC wins last week. The 6-0 forward scored her 1,000th point versus Tiffin Saturday, Jan. 10, two days after recording her 600th career rebound versus Ashland Thursday, Jan. 8. Wysocky is the 16th player in Michigan Tech history to score 1,000 points, the eighth with 600 rebounds and only the seventh to accomplish both feats. |
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11. On the Road |
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Professor Robert Nemiroff gave a public lecture, "The Best Astronomy Pictures of the Day 2008," Jan. 2 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The event was hosted by the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York. Nemiroff is co-editor of the Astronomy Picture of the Day, aka APOD: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ . |
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12. New Staff |
Angela Keranen has joined the Office of Student Records and Registration as an office assistant 5. Keranen comes to Michigan Tech from State Farm Insurance, where she was employed as an insurance sale and marketing representative, licensed in property/casualty. She also has 10 years of clerical experience from working at the Superior Walk-In Center in Marquette. Keranen holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Northern Michigan University. She is married to Dan, has four children, Katelyn, Chelsea, Austin and Nora, and lives in Dollar Bay.
Xuna (Melanze) Young has joined the Sustainable Futures Institute/the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as an office assistant. Previously, Young worked in a law firm in Los Angeles. She holds a Master of Laws from the University of California at Los Angeles and was admitted to practice law in China. She is married to Desheng (Dennis) Meng, lives in Houghton and became interested in interior decorating when they purchased their house. |
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