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1. Swine Flu: Facts and Tips for Staying Healthy |
There have been 64 confirmed cases of a new strain of swine flu in the US, but no deaths. The contagious respiratory disease has killed a number of people in Mexico.
There has been one reported case in Michigan, but it has not been confirmed. There are no reported cases in the Upper Peninsula.
A federal travel advisory recommends avoiding nonessential travel to or from Mexico, but a ban on travel has not been imposed. Michigan Tech is recommending that students, staff and faculty avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico.
The University has a pandemic management plan in place and is monitoring the situation closely.
For a video about swine flu and tips for staying healthy, see www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ . |
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2. Dave Bezotte: The Library's French Connection |
by Marcia Goodrich, senior writer
Heidi Bostic is happy to finally sing the praises of Librarian David Bezotte, whom she calls Michigan Tech's "unsung hero."
"He is very quiet, and he doesn't take credit for anything," says Bostic, chair of the Department of Humanities. "But he does so much."
Bezotte has come to the rescue many times for faculty in the humanities, whose research depends not upon experiments but upon others' original work. In Bostic's case, she was searching for two pieces of art to include in her upcoming book, "The Fiction of Enlightenment: Women of Reason in the French 18th Century."
"Last fall, I had to get busy finding the illustrations," she said. "The problem isn't getting permission to use them--they are in the public domain. The problem is finding the libraries that have them and then getting them scanned."
One of the images is the frontispiece to the 18th century French Encyclopédie. Another depicts a female writer of the time in conversation with Socrates.
In science and engineering research, graduate students are often available to help with research projects. Less so in the humanities, where faculty tend to work in lonely splendor.
"I was casting about, wondering who could help me, and then I thought, of course! Dave Bezotte. He speaks beautiful French, and he is so helpful."
It wasn't the usual query, Bezotte recalls. "We very seldom get requests for works of art. It's more likely for data on the properties of materials, that sort of thing."
Using the worldwide catalog World Cat, he located both works at several libraries and started tapping his fellow librarians for help. It took awhile to find two who would take the time to locate and scan the illustrations, but finally the University of Chicago and Michigan State University came through. The process took nearly three months.
"Those illustrations are absolutely pivotal to the book, and if he hadn't helped me, I'd probably still be sitting here trying to find them," Bostic says. "Dave was a dream come true."
Bezotte came to Michigan Tech in 1968 as a student and joined the library staff after graduating, working at the reference desk. He earned a master's in library science in 1984.
"I always liked the atmosphere and the positive people at the library," he said. He also enjoys working with students, including teaching them that research extends beyond the offerings of Wikipedia.
A Chassell native with French-Canadian roots, he speaks fluent French and actively promotes French-Canadian culture throughout the community.
"Dave has always been one of the most approachable librarians," said Christa Walck, interim director of the J. R. Van Pelt/Opie Library, who first worked with Bezotte as a faculty member in the School of Business and Economics. "A lot of faculty and students really appreciate him.
"When he staffed the reference desk, he always gave you service with a smile, so I wasn't at all surprised that he'd gone out of his way to do something that most librarians wouldn't be able to, in part because of his excellent French."
"Dave is one of those people who has made me glad to be at Michigan Tech, and who makes my research possible and enjoyable," Bostic said. "Hats off! Merci beaucoup!" |
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3. Students, Organizations, Faculty Member Honored at Awards Banquet |
The 15th Annual Student Awards Banquet was held on Sunday, April 26, in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Twelve awards were presented. Nearly 200 faculty, staff, students and campus leaders attended. The award winners follow.
Dustin M. Sommer--President's Award for Leadership
Sommer's first experience with leadership was with broomball, and he was instrumental in growing the program by 70 teams, to a total of 220 teams He also implemented the "Blue Book," a booklet published during the summer to inform incoming students about broomball. He led the merger of the Broomball PE class with the IRHC Broomball program; and he implemented the popular Skills Competition and All-Star Game. Sommer also served as a resident assistant and management assistant in Wadsworth Hall. He has been integral in the revitalization of Prince's Point. He also served as vice president of the National Society of Leadership and Success and was a member of two Enterprises, Pavement Design Construction and Materials and Integrated Microsystems. Sommer was cited for "leaving his mark on Michigan Tech in a positive and lasting way."
Eli Vlaisavljevich--The Provost's Award for Scholarship
Vlaisavljevich was singled out for "a sharp intellect and an inexhaustible work ethic." He performed in both the laboratory and the classroom, has maintained a perfect grade point average and is the top student of his class in the Department of Biomedical Engineering--all this while playing Division I collegiate hockey. Vlaisavljevich, already called "a gifted scientist," has written a paper and presented his research at a professional conference. In addition, he has submitted two abstracts to professional associations on his work at Michigan Tech. Outside of academe, as a member of the Huskies hockey team, he served as a role model for children in the community. He was recognized for his commitment to teamwork, his temperament and maturity, as well as his facility to do both independent and group work.
Rei Tangko--Vice President for Student Affairs' Award for Service
Tangko has been involved in International Club, Blue Key National Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Friends of the Library Book sale, and Make a Difference Day, to name a few. As president of the International Club during 2007-08, Tangko oversaw International Night 2007. He was vice president of Blue Key during the 2008-09 and was named the 2008 Blue Key Honor Society Member of the Year for outstanding service to Winter Carnival. Tangko volunteers as an international student mentor and as an international orientation tutor and was involved with the planning of the 2008 Parade of Nations. He also was a teaching assistant for the mathematics laboratory. He says of his recognition: "It gives me hope that each and every one of us has the ability to change the world."
Richard Heglund--Exceptional Leadership in Student Governance
Heglund served as the president of the Interfraternity Council for 2008 and as the vice president in 2007. He is singled out for his leadership experiences, his character and his commitment to the advancement of fraternal values. Throughout his presidency, the council saw an increased eligibility standard for fraternity and sorority membership, the removal of a deferred recruitment system, and the groundwork for the establishment of a conduct board specifically for Greeks. Heglund is an active member of Phi Kappa Tau and Blue Key Honor Society, while excelling in his studies in biomedical engineering. He was cited for his "integrity and his ethical compass."
Faith Lambert--Exceptional Leadership in the Residential Community
As president of the Inter-Residence Hall Council, Lambert significantly impacted the quality of life in the residence halls. Her cheery disposition and optimistic attitude motivate and encourage students to persistently succeed and excel. Lambert organized a very successful Schoolyard Olympics that was attended by over 700 residents. She also has coordinated Safehouse, a Halloween event that involved the decorating of all the residence halls and has brought over 2,000 members of the community to campus. She has also coordinated Penny Wars, IRHC's annual charity event, which raised $1400. She was cited for leading "countless other IRHC events and excelling at them all."
Joseph Gallo--Exceptional Enthusiasm as a Student Leader
Gallo is a resident assistant and an officer of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Known as a motivator, Gallo has served in many roles that require him to maintain a consistent level of energy and enthusiasm, and he rarely, if ever, fails to disappoint. He has worked as an on-site coordinator for the LeaderShape Institute, a demanding job that entailed keeping his energy high to challenge participants to stay engaged. In such roles, "he consistently delivers." One admirer says, "Joe is the type of person that people remember long after they meet him and are often impressed and inspired by his enthusiasm."
Bryant Weathers--Student Employee of the Year
Weathers works as the graphic designer for the Student Activities Office. His innovative work, which is evident across campus, has made a huge impact on the programs and events that are coordinated by Student Activities. Some of his work includes posters for SACS comedians, the Outdoor Adventure Program, fall and spring event calendars and many more publications. In addition to these marketing duties, he also maintains the Student Activities websites. While maintaining a demanding schedule, Weathers achieves academic and extracurricular success. It is said of him: "His motivation, creativity, support and continuous service to the Michigan Tech campus and community are a great example of what a great student employee should be. Bryant is very gifted and is a true joy to work with."
Angela Hoffman--Rising Star of the Year
Hoffman has been described as a "goal-oriented, motivated and well-balanced young woman." She holds a 4.0 GPA. Her charismatic personality, drive and fantastic communication skills led her to represent her department at the YES! Expo in Detroit, a privilege normally reserved for upper-level students. Only three months into her first year, Hoffman's work with the Professional Communications Enterprise helped the group earn the People’s Choice Award at the Sustainable Future's Institute poster session. Always seeking opportunities to further her education and career goals, Hoffman has already secured a position as an undergraduate research assistant. She is a member of the Pavlis Institute, serves as an officer of the Association of Psychology Students and is pursuing a minor in Spanish. She was recognized as a person who "most certainly is going to leave her mark on those of us fortunate enough to work with her and contribute to her education."
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)--Exceptional Program of the Year
The Internal Revenue Service initiates VITA programs for university and college campuses throughout the United States. At Michigan Tech, the School of Business and Economics sponsors VITA. Under this program, students offer free, walk-in, tax-return preparation for members of the local community who could not otherwise afford the services of a tax professional. In addition, the student volunteers also prepare tax returns for other students. The IRS requires each student volunteer to pass a qualifying test. Students in accounting and finance volunteer every year; more than 20 participated this year. This program is unique in that it combines service to the community and professional experience for the student volunteers.
Triangle Fraternity--Most Improved Student Organization
The purpose of Triangle is to develop balanced men in the fields of engineering, architecture and science by providing an environment which fosters personal growth and professional success. Of the over 180 men who expressed interest in joining the fraternity, 20 men were selected and inducted as the Alpha Pi class. As part of Triangle, these men master teamwork, as well as critical thinking, questioning and reasoning. This organization has already made its presence known on campus by participating in several service events, including Make a Difference Day, Tails and Trails Service Saturday, and wood chopping for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly. In addition, Triangle was recently recognized by the Inter-Fraternity Council at Michigan Tech and as a colony by their national organization.
Delta Zeta Sorority--Student Organization of the Year
For the 2008-09 year, Delta Zeta's primary goals were to maintain the highest academic standard, increase recruitment, enhance involvement across campus and the community, search for innovation and become stronger leaders and role models for the student body. Delta Zeta has been able to achieve all of these goals. The sorority holds the highest cumulative Greek GPA and in the fall was one of only two Greek organizations to have a semester GPA above the all-women's average. Delta Zeta was also able to recruit the largest class of new Greek women in the fall semester and currently has a class of new members of comparable size. The sisters also volunteer with the local Girl Scouts, the Copper Country Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity and Relay for Life. They also host a Christmas celebration for underprivileged children. Delta Zeta was cited for excellent leadership characteristics and a dynamic presence on the campus and in the community.
Donna Michalek--Student Organization Advisor of the Year
Michalek, assistant provost, has been Delta Phi Epsilon's chapter advisor for over 15 years. She attends all leadership team meetings, consistently stays in contact with the international headquarters and dutifully attends all board meetings. Michalek maintains an open-door policy for all members, and even with her busy schedule always makes time for the chapter. Michalek has also been recognized by the international organization at last year's Delta Phi Epsilon Convention, where she was chosen for the Outstanding Advisor Award. |
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4. Rebecca Franke, Margarita Nieskes Win UWC Scholarships |
by Jennifer Donovan, public relations director
The University Women's Connection (UWC) has awarded two $800 scholarships for 2009. The winners, Rebecca Franke and Margarita Nieskes, were announced at the UWC's spring program last Saturday at the Memorial Union.
Franke is finishing her third year at Tech, with a double major in biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering. On the Dean's List, she is the secretary of the Biomedical Engineering Society, for which she developed an operational handbook to help future members know how to run the organization.
"I have always been interested in how things work, especially the human body," said Franke. "Biomedical engineering seemed like the best fit for both those interests, and mechanical engineering will allow me to compare the mechanical aspects of how our bodies function to related mechanical behaviors to help find options for improving the lives of others."
Franke is from Traverse City. She was attracted to Tech because of its reputation in engineering. She says her favorite thing about the school is the small size of classes, which enables the professors to know their students better.
Nieskes, who is finishing her second year at Tech, is a biological sciences major who plans to go to medical school. The first in her family to go to college, she is thinking about specializing in neurology or optometry.
Nieskes says her interest in medicine blossomed during her senior year at Baraga High School, when her grandmother was diagnosed with emphysema. Nieskes chose to do her senior research paper and presentation on emphysema.
In addition to making the Dean's List, Nieskes has been extremely active at Tech, serving as a cheerleader and member of the stunt team, an orientation team leader and a residential assistant for the Summer Youth Program. She also works part time.
The UWC provides opportunities for women in the campus community to meet for fun and friendship, to develop mutual interests and to use their talents in service to the community. The UWC sponsors fall and spring programs, a holiday event and a Women's Week activity, and publishes a newcomers' guide to the community. Half of the UWC dues goes to support the organization's annual scholarships. |
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5. Reminder: Aetna Representative on Campus Today |
Julie Edgar, from Aetna, will be on campus to hold two forums today, Wednesday, April 29, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Red Metal Room (Memorial Union 105).
She will address some of Aetna's programs and will answer questions. A representative from their dental division will also be available.
For more information, contact Karen Hext, benefits coordinator, at
487-3184 or at kphext@mtu.edu . |
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6. Summer Hours for Printing, Mail Services Begin May 4 |
Summer hours begin Monday, May 4, for Printing and Mail Services.
Printing Services will be open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Mail Services will be open Monday-Friday, 7:30-11:55 a.m. and 12:30-3:55 p.m. Summer deadlines for same-day outgoing mail follow:
Federal Express
1:30 p.m.
UPS
3:15 p.m.
US Postal Service
3:30 p.m.
Mailings to be inserted, addressed and sorted need at least three days to be processed. |
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7. Money Available in Cashier's Office Clearing Account |
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The Cashier's Office is holding $193.09 from the US Treasury in the clearing account. If you have a "home" for this money, contact Keith Machiela at 487-2247 or kamachie@mtu.edu . |
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8. Email System Maintenance Scheduled for 10 p.m. on May 2 |
by Dan deBeaubien, director of Information Technology Services and Security
The Michigan Tech email system will be unavailable between 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, and 4 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, due to system maintenance and updates. This outage affects those who use Huskymail ( http://huskymail.mtu.edu ) and those who access their Michigan Tech email account from Outlook Express, Thunderbird and other mail programs that use the IMAP server "email.mtu.edu."
All new mail coming in during that period will be queued and delivered once the mail system comes back up.
Information about Michigan Tech email is available here: http://emailinfo.mtu.edu .
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9. Mail Filter Available for Filing Zimbra Meeting Messages |
by Walt Milligan, Chief Information Officer
Are Zimbra meeting "accept" and "decline" email messages driving you crazy?
Within five minutes, you can easily set up a mail filter that files all those messages into a folder of your choice or sends them to the trash. The filter works as soon as the message hits the server, so you will never see the messages again in your computer inbox or on your smart phone.
See www.mtu.edu/oit/docs/zimbra_filters.pdf for easy instructions. |
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10. You're Invited: Graduate Reception to Follow Commencement |
submitted by Alumni Relations
All faculty and staff are invited to join new graduates of Tech and their families at a reception in the SDC Multipurpose Gymnasium, following the Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 2. The event is hosted by the Michigan Tech Alumni Association. For more information, contact Danielle Treadeau at danielle@mtu.edu or call 487-2400.
You have helped to mold and shape a new generation of Michigan Tech graduates. The Alumni Association would like to honor your contributions to students' education. |
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11. Summer Reading Facilitators Sought |
Faculty and staff are invited to facilitate a student group discussion for Michigan Tech's Reading as Inquiry project.
The chosen book is "Lay That Trumpet in Our Hands," by Susan Carol McCarthy. This historical novel, set in Florida in the 1950s, is about senseless murders and extraordinary courage. It is a compelling, poignant, powerful read filled with drama and unforgettable characters.
Facilitators will lead a small group discussion of approximately 25 first-year students, with the assistance of upper-level students, during orientation week. A facilitator information session will be held during the week of Aug. 17, and the student group discussions are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
As a part of summer reading events, McCarthy will give an author's address during orientation week and will be joined by Evangeline Moore, who will share her first-hand perspective of the events in the book. The lecture will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. in the Rozsa Center.
If you are interested, contact Patti Kirk, at pakirk@mtu.edu or 487-2682, no later than Monday, May 11. Facilitators will receive a free copy of the book via campus mail. |
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12. "Where Do the Children Play?" Documentary Screening Cosponsored by Michigan Tech |
"Where Do the Children Play," a one-hour award-winning documentary produced for Michigan Public Television, will be shown from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 4, at the Portage Lake District Library. A discussion period will follow the documentary.
The event, cosponsored by Michigan Tech and the Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, is free and open to the public.
The film visits three separate locations (Beaver Island, a suburb and an inner-city Detroit neighborhood) to probe how sprawl, congestion and suburban development may be impacting children's mental and physical health.
For more information, contact the library at 482-4570 or Joan Chadde, of the Western UP Center, at jchadde@mtu.edu or 487-3341. |
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13. In the News |
Michigan Tech Featured on AASHE Website
Michigan Tech was the spotlight campus on the website of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
The article featured the University's two Certificates in Sustainability, programs in international sustainable development and the Sustainable Futures Institute, which manages research in biofuels, green engineering, water and public policy, as well as programs that integrate sustainability research with education.
Wolf-Moose Study Featured in AAA Magazine
Michigan Tech and its classic wolf-moose predator-prey study at Isle Royale National Park are featured in an article on national parks in the May/June 2009 issue of "AAA World," the magazine of the American Automobile Association.
COMPASS Director Featured in Detroit Free Press
COMPASS Director Kerri Sleeman is featured in this Detroit Free Press story on the lingering pay inequity between men and women. She recounts her experiences as an auto engineer for the Detroit Center Tool in Warren; read all about it here. |
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14. In Print |
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Professor Barry D. Solomon (Social Sciences) published an article with master's candidate Nicholas H. Johnson (Social Sciences), "Valuing Climate Protection through Willingness to Pay for Biomass Ethanol," in Ecological Economics, Vol. 68, No. 7, May 2009. |
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15. Michigan Tech Notables |
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Heather Richards, who will graduate at Spring Commencement, was named Michigan's Perfect Miss 2009 in Fenton earlier this month. The contest involved three categories: swimsuit, evening gown, and an interview. She will compete against other state winners in Florida in August in the America's Perfect Miss contest. A native of Gladstone, Richards is graduating with a BS in Biological Studies. |
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