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1. Tech's First Music Scholarship to Honor Milt Olsson |
by Marcia Goodrich, senior writer
No one can get a degree in music at Michigan Tech. Nevertheless, hundreds of Tech students and alumni identify the University's music program as a highlight of their college experience.
To support students such as these and recognize a major architect of the University's musical program, the Department of Visual and Performing Arts has created the Milton Olsson Music Scholarship.
"I'm very honored and also very excited about this, because we really need scholarships," says Olsson, former chair of the department. The longtime director of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Tech Concert Choir, Olsson is retiring from Michigan Tech after 33 years devoted to education and the arts, music in particular.
"Tech gets some cream-of-the-crop musicians who take it very seriously," says Olsson. "They do music for the love of it, not because it's a degree requirement. Scholarships will allow us to attract and support these students who add so much to University life."
A scholarship for student musicians will recognize their contributions, says Roger Held, the current chair of visual and performing arts.
"We have students who are very good musicians and put a tremendous amount of time and effort into their music," says Held. "We want to help them by making college a little more affordable."
Erin Kauppila graduated from Michigan Tech in 2004 with a degree in scientific and technical communication. She played trumpet in the Jazz Lab Band, the Wind Symphony, and the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and sang in the Concert Choir under Olsson's direction. A music scholarship, she says, is a great idea.
"Anything that supports and encourages students participating in the arts is incredibly important," she says. "At many schools, you have to be a music major or an accomplished musician to participate, but Tech is very accessible and welcoming for novices. I learned so much about music, I met a lot of amazing people from all across campus, and I had an absolutely wonderful time."
It's fitting that the first music scholarship is named after Olsson, says Kauppila. "He's always available to students, and he encourages everyone involved in music," she adds. "Milt helped build the spirit of community that exists between the University and the surrounding area."
Tony Locatelli minored in music and earned degrees in computer science and electrical engineering in 2005. He played in the Wind Symphony, sang in the Concert Choir, played piano in the R&D Big Band and Momentum Jazz, and immersed himself in musical theater, particularly the Tech productions of "Guys and Dolls" and "Cabaret."
"It was fantastic, and Milt was very supportive," says Locatelli. "It was a way for someone who is technical, like me, to stretch out and do some really fun stuff, exercise the other half of my brain."
As for a scholarship, "I think it's critical for students to be able to afford to participate in music," says Locatelli. "The fact that Tech does so much for non-music majors is phenomenal, and it's important for those of us who enjoyed the benefits of the program to give back and provide opportunities for current students."
The Department of Visual and Performing Arts aims to raise an initial $25,000 to endow the Milton Olsson Music Scholarship. For information on how to contribute, contact the department at 487-2067 or vpa@mtu.edu . |
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2. Two New Chairs Begin Their Duties |
The College of Sciences and Arts welcomes two new department chairs. Mike Gibson heads the Department of Biological Sciences, and Ron Strickland heads the Department of Humanities.
Mike Gibson earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of California at Riverside, a master's in chemistry from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a PhD in chemistry from the University of California at San Diego. His area of expertise is genetic disorders and diseases.
Gibson comes to Michigan Tech from the University of Pittsburgh, where he held an array of appointments, starting in 2005. He served as professor of human genetics, professor of pediatrics and professor of pathology. In addition, he directed the biochemical genetics laboratory at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
From 1998 to 2005, Gibson directed the biochemical genetics laboratory and taught molecular and medical genetics and biochemistry at Oregon Health Sciences University. He also has taught at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Southern Methodist University, Baylor University and the University of California at San Diego. He was a visiting professor at the Universita Degli Studi in Rome.
A researcher of international stature, Gibson was a 2008 research fellow at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Heidelberg, Germany. In 2005 he delivered the commemorative keynote lecture at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, in Amsterdam. He has just been appointed editor in chief of the society's journal.
Some of his goals for the biological sciences department include continued growth and increasing external funding. "I want to engage faculty and see how I can help them and what we can do together," he says.
Dean Bruce Seely says of Gibson, "He brings a proven record as a researcher and educator in the health sciences, an area where Tech is committed to expanding. He will be a huge asset as we move in this direction, especially as he helps faculty, researchers and students learn the ins and outs of attracting research funding--especially from the National Institutes of Health."
Gibson and his wife, Rita, have two children who live in Montana and a son who is a marine stationed in Afghanistan.
Ronald Strickland comes to Michigan Tech from the English department at Illinois State University in Normal, where he taught since 1987 and served as the director of the graduate program for five years.
He earned his bachelor's degree in English from Missouri State University in 1973, his master's degree from the State University of New York at Cortland in 1980 and his doctorate from Syracuse University in 1987. His areas of expertise are literary and cultural studies.
A prolific scholar, Strickland was the editor of a book, "Growing Up Postmodern: Neoliberalism and the War on the Young," published in 2002. He coedited a book, "After Political Correctness: New Directions for the Humanities," published in 1995.
At Illinois State he received a distinguished teaching award and an award recognizing his contributions to cultural, intellectual, ethnic and racial diversity.
His goals for the humanities department are to sustain and build upon the University's nationally prominent doctoral program in rhetoric and technical communication; enhance diversity; be a leader in new media; and foster globalization. Strickland has significant international experience. He was a Fulbright scholar in Moldova in fall 2008, and he taught in Thailand in summer 2002.
Dean Seely says that Strickland brings all of the attributes that the humanities department needs to realize its growth: a critical eye for both theory and practice; an understanding of the balance of graduate and undergraduate education; and a deep commitment to scholarship in both humanities generally and the field of communication and literary studies specifically. "He will lead by example while offering a fresh perspective," Seely says.
Strickland and his wife, Beatrice, have three children who live in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia. |
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3. Michigan Tech Archives Receives $116,000 Grant to Reveal Hidden Collections |
submitted by the J. R. Van Pelt and Opie Library
The Michigan Tech Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections has received a federal grant to support a two-year project to improve the description of its historical collections and share more of this information across the web. The grant has been awarded by the National Historical Records and Publications Commission (NHPRC), the grant-making arm of the National Archives. This outright grant of $116,500 is for 47 percent of the budgeted project cost of $250,342.
"This is a huge step forward for our department," said Erik Nordberg, University archivist. "Monies from this federal grant program are intended to 'reveal hidden collections' at mid-sized institutions, particularly those that are geographically remote like ours. Because we're a bit farther off the beaten path, we need to find ways to reach potential researchers."
As part of the project, the Archives will hire two additional staff and implement Proficio, a specialized collection management software program created for archives and museums. Descriptions of each of the Archives' 900 manuscript collections will be created in the new system, with information to be shared with the Van Pelt and Opie Library catalog and WorldCat, a national bibliographic utility which comingles information from libraries and archives around the world.
"Not only will this push information out about our collections to researchers around the world," Nordberg said, "but it will also build the foundation to gather and organize even more detail about our collections after the grant project is completed."
The collections to be described include a wide variety of format and content, including personal papers and diaries, business and industrial records, photographs, maps and wide-format items.
For further information, contact the Archives at 487-2505 or copper@mtu.edu . |
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4. Tech Track and Field Teams Honored for Academics |
Both the men's and women's track and field teams at Michigan Tech were named Scholar Teams by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
The women's team posted a 3.43 cumulative grade point average to finish 10th in the nation and second-best among Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams. The men's team finished 24th in the nation and sixth among GLIAC schools with a 3.03 cumulative grade point average.
To be eligible for the award, a team must carry a minimum 3.0 GPA. |
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5. Free Scientific Excursion Aboard the Agassiz at Strawberry Festival Saturday |
The local community is invited to sign up for a free 45-minute scientific excursion aboard Michigan Tech's research vessel Agassiz at the Chassell Strawberry Festival on Saturday, July 11.
A Great Lakes scientist will demonstrate the use of sampling equipment to collect plankton, sediment and other water-quality data. Microscopes will be available onboard to participants, who will investigate the connection between land use and the health of the Great Lakes.
Scientific excursions are scheduled to depart from the Chassell marina dock at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Eighteen persons may participate on each excursion (must be seven years of age or older). Life jackets are available for all passengers. Displays and educational materials will be available for public viewing onshore.
"Residents and visitors are encouraged to lean how scientists study the Great Lakes and what factors contribute to a healthy lake," says Joan Chadde, program coordinator. "These scientific excursions have been offered for the past three summers and have been extremely well attended. Youth and adults enjoy the opportunity to interact with Great Lakes scientists and ask questions."
The event is coordinated by the Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education with funding from the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Coastal Management Program, the Chassell Lions Club, the Wege Foundation and Michigan Tech's Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry and Remote Sensing Institute.
For more information, contact Joan Chadde at 487-3341. |
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6. New Staff |
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Sara Marcotte has joined the staff of Accounting Services as an accountant. Marcotte held student positions at Michigan Tech while working toward her bachelor's degree in business administration, with a concentration in accounting. After graduating she was employed for seven years at Bruce Rukkila, CPA, PC, an accounting firm, where she gained public accounting experience, including individual and corporate tax preparation, governmental and nonprofit auditing, compilations and reviews. She is married to Adam, has one child, Danny, 3, and lives in Tamarack City. |
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7. New Funding |
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Graduate student Andrew Willemsen (ME-EM) has received a $30,000 fellowship from NASA for his project with Professor Mohan Rao (ME-EM), "Effects of Dispersed Carbon Nanotubes on Acoustic Properties of Polymer Foams." |
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8. Free Tablet Arm Chairs in ME-EM |
The Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics has seven tablet arm chairs available for free. They can be viewed in the basement of the ME-EM, in the receiving room. For more information, contact Paul Kilpela at 487-2945.
University property may only be transferred between departments; it may not be given or sold to individuals. |
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