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1. Michigan Tech Tops in the Nation for Women Earning Engineering PhDs |
by Jennifer Donovan, public relations director
Michigan Tech's College of Engineering graduates a higher percentage of women with PhDs in engineering than any other engineering school in the nation, the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) reports.
Forty percent of Michigan Tech's engineering doctoral degrees were awarded to women, according to the ASEE's annual report, "Engineering by the Numbers." The report is based on data from 2008. The next highest percentage of women PhD recipients in engineering was 38.7 percent, at the University of Rochester.
"What great news," said Jacqueline Huntoon, dean of the Graduate School. "I congratulate the faculty in our College of Engineering and the Graduate School staff on recruiting and retaining these outstanding women. Michigan Tech's STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) focus makes it challenging for us to maintain high levels of gender diversity on our campus because STEM programs tend to attract males. We plan to build on this success and continue to increase the diversity of our students."
According to the report, only engineering schools that award at least 25 doctoral degrees during the year are ranked. There were 100 engineering schools nationwide that awarded 25 or more PhDs during 2008.
In undergraduate engineering degrees, Michigan Tech ranked third in the nation in numbers of bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering; 11th in numbers of civil engineering bachelor's degrees; 16th in both computer engineering and electrical engineering; and 22nd in the number of bachelor's degrees awarded by the College of Engineering.
"At a time when the state, nation and world need more women in engineering, I am pleased that the percentage of women receiving engineering PhDs at Michigan Tech is the highest in the nation," said Tim Schulz, dean of the College of Engineering. "As these young women rise to leadership positions in industry, government and academia, they will serve as excellent role models for future generations."
View the full ASEE report at www.asee.org/publications/profiles/upload/2008ProfileEng.pdf . |
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2. Alumnus, Student Take the Measure of Lake Superior |
by Kara Sokol and John Gagnon, University Marketing and Communications
With paddle and pluck, two stalwart mariners are braving the cold water and lusty wind of Lake Superior as they circumnavigate the world's largest lake by area.
They are Hannah Williams and Matthew Abbotts. They have in common a Michigan Tech education, a penchant for outdoor adventure, and a love of the lake. Hannah calls it "our backyard."
These latter-day voyageurs will paddle their way around Lake Superior in two of the humblest of sailing vessels, the kayak. They expect, at best, to make 22 miles a day, and that they will go around this water world in 80 days or so. "You can't really plan days on a trip like this," Matthew says. "Nature gets in the way. Weather hits. Things sometimes take longer than you anticipate."
Before beginning their 1,000-mile journey, they wondered what Mother Nature and human nature might have in store for them. "The sun shines only 15 percent of the time when you're outside," Matthew says. Hannah adds, "It'll be a test to see if we can get along for 80 days straight."
They will be outfitted only with a small stash of clothing, some personal gear, and food they have dehydrated themselves. "Lots of it," Hannah says. "Hummus. Vegetables. Spaghetti sauce." They expect the excursion will cost about $1,000.
They are novice kayakers, and that's the point of it all: "We want people to see that it is doable," Hannah says. "That you don't have to be an expert."
They left Houghton last week, headed west and around the lake clockwise. They will hug the shoreline, except for open-water forays across places like Thunder Bay, Nipigon Bay and Keweenaw Bay. "We'll be safe about it," Hannah says. They have practiced a lot, both in a swimming pool and on the bounding main. They are skilled enough to right the kayak, without getting out, if they end up overturned. The kayak has a water-tight skirt that affixes to the vessel and the paddler. "You pretty much wear your kayak," Hannah says.
They are chronicling their adventure, beginning with the preparation, on their blog. Hannah has written, "Today was the day. I took the leap and purchased my kayak. I own the boat I will be paddling around Lake Superior. The excitement of the last few weeks has been ridiculous." Hannah also wrote in February, "We went paddling the other day. It was cold and Matt's boat got swamped by a large wave. It was a good test of our preparedness."
Matt, who is 24, is a 2007 graduate in forestry. Hannah, who is 20, is a senior majoring in forestry and environmental science.
They both bring experience to their endeavor. Matt has hiked all over the country, including a solo trek along the entire Appalachian Trail. He also worked on the wolf-moose research on Isle Royale, an experience he describes as "pretty incredible." He remembers his very first hike in the Porcupine Mountains when he was a student. "I was hooked from my first step," he says.
Hannah's wandering nature has taken her to New Mexico to study geology and astronomy, Costa Rica to study leatherback sea turtles, Ecuador to study evolution, the Caribbean to earn certification in permaculture, and the Black Forest just to do it.
The two are skiers, backpackers, canoers, runners, cyclists, and ice and rock climbers--pursuits that will last a lifetime. "We just decided we needed to make them a priority in our lives," Hannah says. "We both love Lake Superior so much," she adds. "It just made sense to do this."
They will post their blog at public libraries along the way. Hannah says, "We'll need to stop in towns periodically, anyway, to sleep out the elements and take advantage of comfort things, like hot showers. A cold lake bath is really only fun for so long."
Whatever they endure, they acknowledge that the trip is going to be hard to do, but good to have done. Matt says knowingly, "The most fun is when you're finished."
Follow Hannah and Matt's sojourn by visiting their blog, "A Superior Adventure," at http://forest.mtu.edu/students/maabbott/index.html . |
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3. Staff Council Meeting Thursday |
Staff Council's monthly meeting is set for noon on Thursday, June 18, in Memorial Union Ballroom B1. On the agenda is a year-end wrap-up and planning for 2009-10. All interested staff are welcome. Bring your lunch--cookies and water will be provided.
Questions can be directed to Becky Christianson at 487-2416 or rwchrist@mtu.edu . |
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4. Registration Still Open for Tech Tennis Bridgefest Triathlon |
The Michigan Tech tennis teams will host a triathlon Sunday, June 21, in conjunction with the annual Houghton-Hancock Bridgefest celebration.
Registration for the event will remain open until the morning of the race. Entry forms can be obtained at http://MichiganTechHuskies.com or by contacting Mike Axford, mhaxford@mtu.edu or 487-2991.
The triathlon will be comprised of a half-kilometer swim, a 28-kilometer bike and a five-kilometer run. The race will begin at 11 a.m. at the Hancock Campgrounds. An awards ceremony will follow the race, with medals going to the top three finishers in each gender and age group (18 and under, 19-39 and 40 and over).
Entry fees are $35 per individual or $55 per team. All entrants will receive a T-shirt. |
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5. Be a Part of Parade of Nations 2009 |
Registration is now open for participation in the 2009 Parade of Nations festivities, set for Saturday, Sept. 19.
The parade will begin at the Hancock Middle School at 11 a.m., ending at the Dee Stadium in Houghton. Festivities in the Dee Stadium will follow. This year's theme is "Dancing with Diversity."
If your organization is interested in entering a float in the parade, setting up a food or vendor booth in the Dee, entertaining or volunteering, visit www.ips.mtu.edu/PON/PON.htm .
If you have any questions, call 487-2920. The Parade of Nations is a collaboration of the Outreach and Multicultural Affairs Center and International Programs and Services at Michigan Tech, as well as Finlandia University and the Cities of Houghton and Hancock.
The Parade of Nations and cultural festivities are free and open to the public. All are welcome and encouraged to participate. |
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6. Job Posting |
Staff job descriptions are available in Human Resources 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
06/16/2009
University Librarian and Director of Library Services
J. R. Van Pelt and Opie Library
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer. |
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7. In the News |
Associate Professor Tim Scarlett's (Social Sciences) work on the pottery of early settlers in Utah is featured in The Spectrum, a newspaper covering St. George and Cedar City in Utah, and on the local NBC affiliate KCSG.
You can read the newspaper article at www.thespectrum.com/article/20090606/NEWS01/906060310 . The TV story is posted here: www.kcsg.com/news/local/47253417.html . |
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