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1. Better Safe than Sorry: Swine Flu Preparation at Michigan Tech |
Over a million Americans contracted swine flu between April and June 2009, most with no serious consequences, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control. But because the illness, caused by the H1N1 virus, is contagious and children and young adults have a higher hospitalization rate than adults (2.1 per 100,000 people for ages 5 to 24), schools and universities across the country are taking precautions in the event of an outbreak.
Here are some of the steps that are being taken at Michigan Tech:
* Hand sanitizer dispensers are being installed at the entrances to computer labs and other high-traffic locations. Everyone is encouraged to wash their hands regularly and have their own sanitizer for regular use.
* A hand washing and hygiene education plan is in place in the residence halls and will be expanded to include the rest of the campus.
* An H1N1 webpage is in development and will go live by the time classes start on Sept. 1.
* A swine flu vaccination clinic is planned for fall semester, depending on the availability of the vaccine. It should occur in mid-October.
* As with any contagious illness, students and employees with flu-like symptoms are encouraged to isolate themselves as much as possible, either by staying home or in their residence hall room, until they feel better.
* Supervisors and faculty are being encouraged to be flexible in administering their absenteeism/excuse policy in the event of an outbreak.
The University communicates regularly with the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department and receives weekly updates on swine flu in the area. In addition, the University has a pandemic plan that will be activated in the event of an outbreak of H1N1 or other communicable diseases.
For more information about H1N1 and preparing for swine flu, visit any of the following sites:
CDC
Flu.gov
WHO
MDCH |
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2. International Graduate Student Applications Continue to Rise |
by Jennifer Donovan, director of public relations
Unlike graduate schools nationwide, Michigan Tech attracted more international graduate students this year than last. Numbers of applicants and accepted graduate students from India and South Korea--which dropped dramatically at graduate schools nationwide--also rose at Michigan Tech.
Last week, the Council of Graduate Schools issued a report showing that nationwide, admissions of international students to graduate schools dropped 3 percent, while admissions of students from India and South Korea dropped 16 percent. Applications for graduate school from international students rose only 4 percent nationwide, a lower rate of growth than in 2008. Applications from India dropped 12 percent and from South Korea, 9 percent.
At Michigan Tech, applications from international graduate students rose 13 percent, and admissions jumped 23 percent. Applications and admissions of graduate students from India and South Korea also rose at Tech.
"This is in part due to the fact that we offer STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) plus business, which draw students," said Graduate School Dean Jacqueline Huntoon. "It is also because Michigan Tech's Graduate School staff work hard to recruit students, and the departments are helping out by responding to applications quickly. It's really a team effort."
Graduate school applications from US citizens and permanent residents also increased 28 percent from 2008 to 2009 at Michigan Tech. Nationally they also increased, but only by 6 percent. Admissions of US citizens and permanent residents increased 4 percent nationwide this year and 32 percent at Michigan Tech.
"Growing our Graduate School, both in numbers and in quality, is one of the goals in our Strategic Plan," said President Glenn D. Mroz. "It's an important way to increase our stature as a technological research university. This is also part of an effort to bring some of the best minds in the world to Michigan. That is critical for Michigan to be a player in the creative economy."
The Council of Graduate Schools' report was based on survey data submitted by 253 graduate schools, including Michigan Tech's. |
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3. Tech Student-Athletes Honored by D2 Athletics Directors Association |
by Wes Frahm, director of athletic communications
The Division II Athletics Directors Association has honored 67 Michigan Tech student-athletes with 2008-09 DII ADA Academic Achievement Awards. The Huskies had the ninth-most award recipients of any Division II institution in the country.
The awards recognize student-athletes with a 3.5 grade point average who have completed two years at their school. A total of 4,041 student-athletes from 116 institutions nationwide earned awards, compared to 2,155 individuals from 67 universities last summer.
Tech was one of six Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools to have student-athletes honored. Findlay, with 71, was the only GLIAC member with more award recipients.
"I'm very proud of our student-athletes," said Director of Athletics Suzanne Sanregret. "Academic success is a high priority for all of our programs, and the student-athletes put in the hard work to make it happen."
The DII ADA, administered by the National Association of College Directors of Athletics, provides educational and networking opportunities, enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics, and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of Division II athletics directors.
D2 Athletic Directors Association Achievement Award Winners from Michigan Tech:
Football
John VanderLaan
Matthew Brynick
Derek Harter
Timothy Schmalz
Jesse Wills
Sean Spellman
Michael Rittenour
Brian Fabbri
Thomas Tollefson
Chet White
David Carmody
Men's Basketball
Michael Hojnacki
Men's Cross Country/Track and Field
Kenneth Gilkerson
Lucas Wyzlic
Christopher Schafer
Scott Kentner
Men's Cross Country/Nordic Skiing
Kyle Demerath
Luke Gesior
Mackenzie Brennan
Colin Singleton
Jared Cregg
Men's Cross Country
Shannon Flynn
Men's Track
John Bush
Joseph Anhalt
Jordan Huffman
Aaron Cedergren
Shannon Flynn
Aaron Tetzloff
Men's Tennis
Brandon Ellefson
Brett Girard
Christopher Verhulst
Timothy Viola
Women's Basketball
Sarah Stream
Angela Guisfredi
Kathryn Wysocky
Lucy Dernovsek
Danae Danen
Maria Kasza
Krista Kasuboski
Katie Zimmerman
Lisa Staehlin
Women's Cross Country/Nordic Skiing/Track and Field
Laura Kangas
Jill Smith
Women's Cross Country/Nordic Skiing
Jenna Klein
Nicole Lepinski
Catherine Cogger
Karen Jarvey
Lauren Wiza
Kathryn Wold
Sarah Gray
Britta Lundberg
Women's Cross Country
Jaclyn Pribyl
Christina Mishica
Women's Cross Country/Track and Field
Samantha Stam
Alison Springer-Wilson
Megan Smaby
Stephanie Schiel
Women's Tennis
Asel Otunchieva
Samantha Jang-Stewart
Danielle Stoll
Silvia Oliveros Torres
Volleyball
Ashley Nyenhuis
Kelly Jorgensen
Christa Jung
Alison Greene
Jennifer Jung
Jaclynn Roberts |
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4. Rastello, Lobeck Win First Verdie Cox PLGC Titles, Tarbox Wins His Third |
Michigan Tech undergraduate student Corey Rastello won his first Club Championship this past weekend at Michigan Tech's Portage Lake Golf Course.
Rastello defeated former Tech hockey player Peter Rouleau in the first extra hole. Rouleau had tied the match on Number 18 to extend the play; however, Rastello birdied the first extra hole after getting up and down out of a bunker and won the tournament. Rastello reached the final by defeating, in order, Pat Mikesh, Marc Nutini and Owen Miller. Rouleau reached the final by defeating Ryan DeForge, Brady Olson and Tony Bilich. Defending champion Almor Penegor bowed out to Owen Miller in the first round.
Bill Tarbox defeated Chris Roy in extra holes to win his third Senior Club title (ages 50 to 60). Tarbox defeated Jack Eberhard and Richard Salani prior to the final. Chris Roy, senior champion in 2007, reached the final by defeating Dennis Harbour and Robert Vial. Defending champion Tom Romps was defeated by Richard Salani in the first round.
Winning the Super Senior Division for the first time was John Lobeck. Lobeck topped Bob Mikesch and Eldon Johnson prior to his championship match with Ted Sturos. Lobeck won his match with Sturos, two-up. Sturos defeated three-time defending champion Rick Yeo in the second round, one-up, after besting Dennis Barrette in the first round.
The championship weekend is named in memory of Verdie Cox, who coached golf and other sports at Michigan Tech and was involved with the golf course for many years.
Medalists after Saturdays qualifying rounds were:
Open Division--Brady Olson (72)
Senior Division--Chris Roy, Robert Vial (78)
Super Senior Division--Mark VanTassel (74)
Open Division
Championship flight winner was Corey Rastello. Runner-up was Peter Rouleau. Consolation winner was Brady Olson.
First flight winner was Almor Penegor. Runner-up was Ryan DeForge. Consolation winner was Dylan Peterson.
Second flight winner was J. P. Britz. Runner-up was Ryan Shanahan. Consolation winner was Bob Hocking.
Third flight winner was Cal Waisanen. Runner-up was Mark Gustafson. Consolation winner was Mike Hauswirth.
Fourth flight winner was Brad Aldrich. Runner-up was Kyle Bernard. Consolation winner was John Sanregret Jr.
Fifth flight winner was Mike Mikkola. Runner-up was Tom Bernard.
Senior Division
Championship flight winner was Bill Tarbox. Runner-up was Chris Roy. Consolation winner was Tom Romps.
First flight winner was Robert Warrington. Consolation winner was David Hughes.
Second flight winner was Ron Kangas. Runner-up was Pat Rose. Consolation winner was Doug Larson.
Super Senior Division
Championship Flight winner was John Lobeck. Runner-up was Ted Sturos. Consolation winner was Bob Mikesch.
First flight winner was Fred Ruelle. Runner-up was Tom Colombe. Consolation winner was Len Bolduc.
Second flight winner was Don Juntunen. Runner-up was Charles Gustafson. Consolation winner was Dick Blough.
The next Michigan Tech Portage Lake Events include the Couples Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 29, and the Chamber of Commerce Outing on Wednesday, Sept. 9. A Ryder Cup Two-Person Tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19. Men's Fall League begins Thursday, Sept. 3.
Call 487-2641 to register for the events or leagues. |
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5. Waterlife--a Great Lakes Film Epic--Coming to Michigan Tech Sept. 9 |
The Great Lakes are many things: bodies of water, sources of life, stories and poems. "Waterlife," a film that follows the flow of the water in the Great Lakes from the Nipigon River to the Atlantic Ocean, captures the significance of the Great Lakes and the Great Lakes ecosystem in a compelling, feature-length documentary.
Michigan Tech's Center for Water and Society is sponsoring a free showing of the film at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, in the U. J. Noblet Forestry Building, G002. The film has only been shown once before in Michigan, at the Traverse City Film Festival.
Using both documentary footage and computer imaging, "Waterlife" begins in the primeval forests of Lake Superior's northern coast, makes a stop at the baroque fountains of Chicago on Lake Michigan, continues to the rain-swept streets of Detroit and beyond, all the while examining how the greatest body of fresh water on Earth transforms the societies it passes through and is transformed by them.
"The film's goal is to take viewers on a tour of an incredibly beautiful ecosystem that is facing complex challenges," say the filmmakers. "Beyond that, our hope is that 'Waterlife' will bring viewers a visceral understanding of the element that is so integral to all of our lives."
Narrated by Gordon Downie, of the rock band The Tragically Hip, the film features music by Sam Roberts, Sufjan Stevens, Sigur Ros, Robbie Robertson and Brian Eno. |
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6. Local Community Invited to Hockey Club Picnic |
The Michigan Tech Blue Line Club will host a start-of-the-season picnic, open to the public, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the pavilion at Kestner Waterfront Park, in Houghton.
Meet the incoming freshmen hockey players, reconnect with returning players, and catch up with the coaching staff about the coming season. Cost is $5 and includes hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks provided by the club. You are welcome to bring a dish to pass.
For more information, email Blue Line Club President Erik Nordberg at enordber@mtu.edu or call 487-2505. |
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7. Proposals in Progress |
S. K. Kawatra (Chemical Engineering/ASISC), "Effects of Concentrate Composition on Pellet Quality and Heat Loads," "Review of Iron Ore Pellet Binders" and "Evaluation of Surface Chemistry Throughout Processing Plant and Determination of Effects on Plant Performance," Minnesota DNR; and "Removal of Dolomite from Phosphate Pebble Concentrate by Enhanced Jigging," Florida Institute of Phosphate Research
Seth Donahue (Biomedical Engineering/BRC), "Bone Maintenance in Hibernating Bears by Runx2-Mediated Anabolic Effects of PTH," NIH
Pasi Lautala (MTTI), "Terminal Facility and Landside Infrastructure Requirements Needed for a Multimodal Logistics Center in Northeast Wisconsin to Support the Port of Green Bay," Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute (University of WI-Superior)
Noel R. Urban and Judith A. Perlinger (CEE/CWS), "Evaporation, A Critical Component of Water Levels in the Great Lakes," Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute
John Gershenson, Michele Miller (ME-EM) and Shalini Suryanarayana (Educational Opportunity), "Multidisciplinary Systems Engineering: Engaging MSI STEM Students through Space-Based Capstone Design," University of Turabo
Shiliang Wu (GMES/CEE/RSI) and Paul Doskey (CEE/RSI), "Impacts of Agricultural Emissions on Air Quality in the United States," USDA
Martin Jurgensen (ESC/SFRES), "Soil Monitoring and Inventory of Above- and Below-Ground Nutrient Pools of Benchmark Soils on the Hiawatha National Forest," USDA Forest Service
Maria Janowiak and Linda Nagel (SFRES/ESC), "Training in Advanced Climate Change Topics," USDA Forest Service
Maria Janowiak (SFRES/ESC), "Coordination and Support of the National Soil Carbon Network," USDA Forest Service
Joan Chadde (CWS), "Great Lakes Maritime Education for K-12 Teachers," Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute
David R. Shonnard (Chemical Engineering/SFI), Robert Froese, Maria Janowiak (SFRES), Dana Johnson (SBE) and Pasi Lautala (MTTI-RTP), "Michigan Tech Research Year One: Forestry Biofuel Statewide Collaboration Center," Department of Energy, MEDC
Nancy French (MTRI), "Impacts and Implications of Increased Fire in Tundra Regions of North America," NASA
Ching-An Peng (Chemical Engineering), "Photothermolysis of Targeted Prostate Cancer Stem-Like Cells by Carbon Nanotubes Conjugated with Anti-CD133 Antibody," DoD-Army
Andrew Storer (SFRES/ESC), "Factors Affecting the Growth of Emerald Ash Borer Infestations in Northern Forests," USDA Forest Service
William Butler (MTRI), "Networked CubeSat Cluster SBIR Ph 1," ElectroDynamics Applications Inc.
Jeremy Goldman and Ryan Gilbert (Biomedical Engineering/BRC), "Biomaterial Conduits for Guided Lymphatic Collecting Vessel Repair," NIH
Michael C. Roggemann (ECE/CISSIC), "Dynamic Image Gunsight Optic," DARPA
Terry McNinch (LTAP/TDG-MTTI), "LTAP 2010," MDOT
Robert Shuchman and Colin Brooks (MTRI), "Climate Change and the Highway System: Impacts and Adaptation Approaches," National Academy of Sciences
Ryan Gilbert (Biomedical Engineering/BRC), "Rigorous Characterization of Aligned, Electrospun Fiber Scaffolds for Peripheral Nerve Repair," NIH
Shiyan Hu (ECE), "High Performance Placement and Routing Techniques for Digital Microfluidic Biochip Design," Semiconductor Research Corp.
Tammy Haut Donahue (MEEM/BRC), "Immediate Treatment of Traumatic ACL Rupture: Inflammatory Response of the Knee and its Influence on Meniscal Tissue," NIH
Lanrong Bi, Sarah A. Green (Chemistry) and Michael R. Neuman (Biomedical Engineering), "'Parachute' Assembly Delivery of Multifunctional Nanoparticles to Mitochondria for Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury,"NIH
Brian Thelen (MTRI), "DyME Phase II STTR," Logos
K. M. Gibson (Biological Sciences), "Murine Knockout Model of Mevalonic Aciduria," NIH
Catherine Tarasoff (SFRES/ESC), Andrew Burton and Robert Froese (SFRES), "Measuring the Long-Term Impact of Exotic Species on Ecosystem Function and Service within A Perennial Cropping System," USDA-CSREES
Robert E. Froese, Christopher R. Webster and Linda M. Nagel (SFRES/ESC), "Impact of Norway Maple Invasion on Ecosystem Services in Northern Forested Agroecosystems," USDA AFRI
Zhanping You (CEE/TMRC/MTTI), "Multifunctional Nanomaterial Additives for Environmentally Benign Asphalts," University of Central Florida; and "FHWA Exploratory Advance Research: Bioasphalt from Urban Yard Waste Carbonization," Case Western Reserve University
Michael R. Gretz (BRC/Biological Sciences), "Biofuels from Algae: Catalytic Domains on DNA Interweave Dimensional Arrays," Incitor
Sarah Green, Lanrong Bi, Shiyue Fang, Haiying Liu and Martin Thompson (Chemistry), "Acquisition of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF)," NSF
David Shonnard (Chemical Engineering/SFI), "Port Edwards Pulp and Ethanol Production Research Project: Cellulase Recycle Project," American Process Inc.; "Life Cycle Assessment of PyGasoline and PyDiesel from Different Regional Feedstocks: Corn Stover, Switchgrass, Sugar Corn Bagasse, Waste Wood and Forest Residues," UOP LLC.; and "Carbon Footprint Analysis of IH2 Biofuels: Proposed Detailed Analysis," Gas Technology Institute
Jeffrey Allen (ME-EM/APSRC), "Stability, Cellular Structure and Heat Transfer of Evaporating Films in Normal and Reduced Gravity," NASA
Nik Subotic (MTRI), "Diverse Sensing for Synergistic Protection in Urban Threat Environment (aka, Counter RPG)," Battelle; and "River Sentinel," DARPA via AFRL
Rupak Rajachar (Biomedical Engineering/BRC), "Novel Composites to Study Cellular Response to Dynamic Mineralization and Matrix Organization," NIH
Ching-An Peng (Chemical Engineering), "Targeted Polymeric Nanocarriers for Neuroblastoma Therapy," NIH
Karl Peterson, Mary Christiansen (CEE/UTC/MTTI), Lawrence Sutter (VPR/MTTI) and John Sandell (Chemical Engineering/UTC/MTTI), "Optimizing Sustainability of Geopolymer Cements," US DOT, Federal Highway Administration
Terry McNinch (LTAP/TDG-MTTI), "2010 ORBP Newsletter," MDOT
Mark Plichta (MSE/IMP), "Analytical and Technical Support for Pilot Plant Demonstration of Biofuel and Steel Co-Production," UP Steel
Lanrong Bi (Chemistry) and Michael Neuman (Biomedical Engineering), "Use of Buckyballs for Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury," NIH
Rupali Datta (Biological Sciences), "Eco-Friendly Phosphorous Control Technologies Involving Vetiver Grass: Phase 1--Testing and Optimization in Greenhouse and Aquaria," Lehman College--CUNY
K. M. Gibson (Biological Sciences), "Novel Treatment and Screening Strategies in Heritable Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acidura," NIH; and "Murine Knockout Model of 4-Hydroxybutyric Aciduria," NIH
Jeff Naber (ME-EM/APSRC), Bradley Baltensperger (Cognitive and Learning Sciences), Bruce Mork (Electrical and Computer Engineering/PERC) and Chris Anderson (Institutional Diversity), "New GK-12: ENERGY Discovery: ENhancing Energy Research and Guiding Youth in Discovery," NSF |
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8. On the Road |
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Archivist Erik Nordberg (Van Pelt and Opie Library) presented a paper, "Industrial Business Collections: A Retrospective on Acquisitions Practice," during the research forum held earlier this month at the annual meeting of the Society of American Archivists in Austin, Texas. He was also invited by representatives of the National Endowment for the Humanities and National Historical Records and Publications Commission to participate on a panel concerning federal funding for archives. |
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