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1. Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative Funded for Two More Years |
The Western UP Center for Science, Math and Environmental Education has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the Wege Foundation and the Great Lakes Fishery Trust to continue and expand the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI) through the 2012-13 school year.
"Our mission is to have schools and communities work together to engage young people in the stewardship of Lake Superior and its watershed," said Shawn Oppliger, director of the Western UP Center. She works with Joan Chadde and Lloyd Wescoat, both of Michigan Tech, to coordinate LSSI.
Mike Benda, a member of the initiative's advisory council and the K‐12 assistant principal for Adams Township Schools, added: "LSSI promotes firsthand experience in the natural environment in an effort to establish a sense of place, enhance environmental appreciation and build a foundation for environmental stewardship for both youth and adults."
The grant will allow the LSSI to add two more schools in the western UP, bringing to 16 the number of participating schools.
The grant will also provide mini‐grants to all participating schools to support stewardship projects, funding for teacher professional development workshops, and education/outreach programs for the community.
LSSI was established in 2007 and its programs have grown to include 2,236 students and 79 teachers at 14 schools in the area. Many community organizations and government agencies are also involved.
Projects include storm water education and rain garden construction; creation of nature trails and heritage school gardens; designing remotely operated vehicles to investigate water quality; establishing new service-learning courses in the school curriculum; constructing a disc golf course for community recreation; controlling invasive species; and conducting two adopt‐a-beach programs.
The LSSI is one of eight regional hubs of the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (GLSI), a statewide program that was also launched by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust in 2007.
The GLSI connects teachers and students with their communities to create opportunities for learning for a lasting and positive impact on the local area, including the environment.
With the support of regional hubs like the LSSI, students work with local community groups to identify and study a local environmental issue and plan and implement solutions to problems.
"We are engaging students, invigorating educators, transforming schools, and improving communities through place‐based education" said Mary Whitmore, GLSI coordinator.
The Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education is a partnership of the Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach and the Copper Country and Gogebic‐Ontonagon Intermediate School Districts.
For more information on the UP Center, see UP.
For more information about the LSSI, see Superior.
For more information about the GLSI, see Great Lakes.
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2. Michigan Tech Participating in UP-wide Reverse Transfer Agreeement |
Michigan Tech is among six UP higher education institutions that have forged a formal agreement to help students complete a "reverse transfer" associate degree while working on a bachelor's degree.
Students and their families are generally aware that associate degree credits can be applied toward bachelor degree requirements, but they are not always familiar with the concept of "reverse transfer," which applies academic credits awarded at the baccalaureate level to an unfinished associate degree.
Other schools participating in the agreement are Finlandia University, Bay College, Gogebic Community College, Lake Superior State University and Northern Michigan University.
This agreement formalizes that process among the six colleges and universities and is designed to benefit students, mostly from the UP.
"The associate degree is a valuable credential in the employment market, both as evidence of job preparation and for career advancement," said Philip Johnson, president of Finlandia University. "This option will give students a degree they can use to enter the workforce while they continue on to a bachelor's degree."
President Glenn Mroz agreed. "The associate degree is a valuable asset for our transfer students, and we're very pleased that their Michigan Tech coursework will help them earn this initial academic credential," he said. "In addition, the reverse transfer program reinforces our relationship with other Upper Peninsula colleges and universities."
The institutions' presidents hope the agreement will address three issues in particular: undocumented learning, increasing and promoting associate degree completion for transfer students, and encouraging students to continue on to a bachelor's degree.
For more information, students interested in taking advantage of the reverse transfer program should visit the registrar's office of their college or university. |
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3. Tech Football Games Will Start with a Bang This Year |
by John Gagnon, promotional writer
Okay, football fans: remember that pipsqueak cannon that sounded like a firecracker when it was shot off each time the hometown boys scored on the gridiron?
A toy no more. Courtesy of the Army ROTC program, Tech now has a 75mm howitzer, a husky piece that will signal the start of each home game and each score by the home team.
It's big and it's loud. "Top of the line right now, sir," said Sgt. 1st Class TyWayne Richardson. He and other ROTC personnel tested the cannon last week at Sherman Field. It spewed fire and smoke and rattled the ears.
Hailing from the 1920s, this type of cannon saw duty in World War II and Korea, Richardson said. As well, it was shipped around the world, from China to Britain. Japan used it into the 1980s. In the US, it started out as a field artillery piece for training and combat; now it's for ceremony and fun.
It comes to campus from another ROTC school in south-central Missouri. Lt. Col. James Spence, commander of Tech's Army detachment, started the paperwork in October; the cannon arrived in March. It's officially called a pack howitzer because it was designed to be broken into pieces that could be carried by pack animals. True to form, it came in pieces from Missouri and had to be reassembled; it also was painted and now black and gold cover up army green. "We can make it as cool as we want it," said Master Sgt. James Eagleman.
The cannon is transportable enough that two men can move it around. It is housed in a secured storage shed at Sherman Field. The ROTC cadets are organizing a campus-wide naming contest. The winning name will be painted on the cannon’s barrel and on its storage shed. Whoever wins the naming contest will fire the first shot to open the home football season Saturday.
Three cadets are required to fire the cannon: one to load and unload, one to command, and one to trigger. Meanwhile, another football tradition will continue: ROTC cadets will be on hand at games to do push-ups whenever Tech scores--each time matching the total points. Thus, on the first touchdown, they’ll drop for seven push-ups; on the second touchdown, 14 push-ups; on the third touchdown, 21 push-ups. Four touchdowns, then, will amount to an aggregate of 70 push-ups.
Army cadet Alex Tuomi, of Chassell, a third-year student in mechanical engineering, was installing the breech block and firing mechanism last week. They come off after every use. "The piece can't be fired when we're not in charge of it," Tuomi said.
The cannon fires a blank round consisting of gunpowder and wax. For games, the cannon will be situated in the northeast corner of the field.
Tom Hruby, past director of alumni relations, was sitting in the bleachers and watching students play Frisbee when the cannon was test-fired twice last week. "It scared the hell out of me, the first time," he said. "It'll give us old guys a heart attack."
"Heart attacks are not authorized," said the spit-and-polish Richardson.
Somebody suggested using the cannon at hockey games. "There'd be no dust in the rafters," said Spence. "We'd keep it clean."
On a serious note, Eagleman said, "In the military, we're gone all the time, and this is a tradition that will carry on after we leave. It will keep going and building."
Spence said he has plenty of blank rounds for the season. "Let's hope you don't," said Chris Roy, manager of facilities and special events at the SDC, who was on hand and dreaming of a potent offense.
It wouldn't be surprising, though, if the cadets doing push-ups will be rooting for a three and out.
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Jonathan Hamilton, director of marketing and sales in Athletics and Recreation, is helping the ROTC cadets organize a naming contest for the cannon. He has posted the announcement and seeks submissions on Facebook. He says Tech has a Facebook fan base totaling 5,200. To participate, go to Facebook and click on MichiganTechHuskies. Or email eagleman@mtu.edu. Weigh in today with your best shot.
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4. Retirements |
Dining Services invites friends, family and coworkers to help celebrate the retirement of Linda Osthoff at 1:30 p.m, Friday, Sept. 9, in the McNair Hall dining room.
Linda will retire with 22 years of service in Dining Services. She started her employment with Michigan Tech in 1971, working at Wadsworth Hall as a food service worker for three years; then she moved away from the area. She returned in 1992 as a food service worker, cook's helper and a cook at McNair Hall. She has also worked in the MUB, Wadsworth Hall and DHH.
Osthoff and her husband Jim reside in Hancock.
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Mike Wilmers of Facilities is retiring on Friday, Sept. 9. His retirement party will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 8, in the Facilities Management Conference Room. All are welcome to attend and wish him farewell.
Wilmers has been at Tech for 21 years with a break in service for 11 years to work for the State of Michigan, overseeing construction all over the State, including the Dow Building.
Wilmers was also the project engineer/manager for new construction of the SDC, M&M, the Center for Integrated Learning and Information Technology, the Sherman Gym's transformation to Walker, the PLGC Clubhouse, the Rozsa Center, the MacInnes Student Ice Arena hockey suites and the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum.
Wilmers said that his proudest accomplishment is the Center for Integrated Learning, which was well within budget and on time.
He has worked with many architects, engineers and contractors, as well as faculty, staff and students. Anyone who comes to Wilmers' office is greeted in true "Yooper style," as he never takes down his holiday decorations, and that means all holidays. He also hunts far and wide to keep his candy dishes full of fresh Bit O Honey's, which will be missed by his coworkers.
Wilmers has two daughters, nine grandchildren, and a few dogs and cats. He will be spending more time with his best friend and wife of 41 years, Barb. |
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5. Physics Colloquium |
Paulo Fialho, professor of chemistry at the Azores University-Portugal and cofounder of the Pico Azores Mountain Observatory in collaboration with Michigan Tech and University of Colorado researchers, will present a physics colloquium, "Optical Measurement and Aerosol Filter Loading for Climate Studies," at 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 8, in Fisher 139.
For more information, contact Claudio Mazzoleni at 487-1226 or at cmazzoleni@mtu.edu , or Petra Hüntemeyer at 487-1229 or at petra@mtu.edu . |
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6. Seminar on Competitive Fellowships |
Many federal agencies solicit highly competitive graduate fellowship/scholarship applications. In particular, Michigan Tech students have had success with the following:
* The National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (nsfgrfp.org)
* Department of Defense SMART program (smart.asee.org) and NDSEG (ndseg.asee.org)
* Department of Energy (scgf.orau.gov)
* Environmental Protection Agency (epa.gov/ncer/fellow)
* NASA (nasa.gov)
The Sponsored Program Enhancement office is offering a series of seminars/workshops to help eligible domestic first-year graduate students and senior undergraduate students understand what opportunities are available and help them develop a competitive application.
Overview of Funding Opportunities
Sept. 8, 4 to 5 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
Writing the Personal Essay and References
Sept. 15, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
Tips from Real Panel Reviewers
Sept. 22, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Ballroom B3
Writing Research Essays
Sept. 6, 4 to 5 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
Peer Review Workshop
Sept. 13, 4 to 5 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
Peer Review Workshop
Sept. 20, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Ballroom A2
For more information, contact Jodi Lehman at jglehman@mtu.edu .
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7. Reminder: Malta Scholar/Journalist to Present on Media and Migration |
Carmen Sammut, of the University of Malta, will speak on Migration and Media Narratives in the Mediterranean at 7 p.m., today, in Fisher 129.
Sammut, an international relations lecturer, will explore the competing positive and negative portrayals of immigrants in European media. She is also a journalist and has her own radio talk show in Malta.
Her talk at Tech is sponsored by the Visiting Women and Minorities Speakers program, the Department of Social Sciences, and General Education. The talk is open to the public. A reception will follow.
Sammut also has been visiting classes. |
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8. Sports in Brief |
by Wes Frahm, director of athletic communications and marketing
What's Happening This Week
Tuesday, Sept. 6
Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM
Wednesday, Sept. 7
Women's Soccer hosts Northern Michigan, 7 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM)
Thursday, Sept. 8
Fall Sports Luncheon (Grant Hockey Ed Center), Noon
Friday, Sept. 9
Women's Tennis hosts Ohio Dominican, 1 p.m.
Women's Soccer at Ohio Dominican, 3 p.m.
Cross Country at Northland Invitational, 4 p.m.
Volleyball hosts Ferris State, 7 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM)
Saturday, Sept. 10
Women's Tennis hosts Lake Erie, 10 a.m.
Football hosts Lake Erie, 1 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM)
Volleyball hosts Saginaw Valley State, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 11
Women's Tennis hosts Ashland, 10 a.m.
Women's Volleyball hosts Grand Valley State, 3 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM)
All times Eastern; home events are italicized.
Last Week's Results
Football (1-0, 0-0 GLIAC)
Sept. 3--Michigan Tech 23, at Winona State 6
Women's Soccer (2-0-0, 0-0-0 GLIAC)
Sept. 3--at Michigan Tech 3, Bemidji State 2
Sept. 4--at Michigan Tech 3, Minnesota Crookston 0
Volleyball (2-3, 0-0 GLIAC)
All matches at Renssalaer, Ind.
Sept. 1--at St. Joseph's 3, Michigan Tech 0
Sept. 2--Michigan Tech 3, Franklin Pierce 2
Sept. 2--Indiana (Pa.) 3, Michigan Tech 1
Sept. 3--Michigan Tech 3, Notre Dame College 0
Sept. 3--Cedarville 3, Michigan Tech 2
Cross Country
Sept. 2--Women first of four teams; men first of three teams at UP Opener
Top News of the Week
Fall Sports Luncheon
Tech will host the first of three fall sports luncheons at noon, Thursday, Sept. 8, in the Begg Conference Room of the Grant Hockey Educational Center. Football coach Tom Kearly will be the featured speaker at the event. A complimentary light lunch will be provided. This event is open to the public.
Football Earns Non-Conference Win
The football team won its fifth consecutive game dating back to last season with a 23-6 result at Winona State Saturday, Sept. 3. Freshman quarterback Tyler Scarlett completed 21-of-28 passes for 199 yards in his collegiate debut. Senior defensive end Todd Storm registered 2.5 sacks, picking up where he left off last season as the GLIAC leader in sacks per game.
Soccer Starts 2-0; Set for Northern Wednesday
The soccer team opens conference play Wednesday, Sept. 7, when it hosts Northern Michigan. Tech enters the match undefeated (2-0-0) after defeating Bemidji State (3-2) and Minnesota, Crookston (3-0). Sophomore Katie Boardman tallied six points on the weekend (two goals, two assists), including a school-record five points (two goals, one assist) against Crookston.
Volleyball Opens Home Season Friday
The volleyball team will host Ferris State Friday, Sept. 9, for both its home and conference opener. Tech will also host Saginaw Valley State Saturday, Sept. 10, and Grand Valley State Sunday, Sept. 11. The Huskies posted a 2-3 record at the Saint Joseph's Tournament over the weekend. Senior libero Kenzie Tonn earned all-tournament honors for the Huskies.
Cross Country Sweeps Home Meet
The cross country teams swept the UP Opener at the Nordic Training Center Friday, Sept. 2. Freshman Jani Lane won the first race of his collegiate career covering the five-kilometer course in 16:38. Sophomore Deedra Irwin won the women's race for the second straight year in a time of 19:49 over the five-kilometer course.
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9. In the News |
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Michigan Tech's Lumberjack Club was mentioned in a Detroit Free Press Story on weird college clubs and organizations. For the full story, see Freep. |
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10. 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.
Technical Writer
Michigan Tech Transportation Institute-Center for Technology and Training
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer.
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11. New Funding |
Professor Martin Jurgensen (SFRES/ESC) has received $36,000 from the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, for a 15-month project, "Reburns: Their Impact on Woody Debris, Carbon Storage, Soil Properties and Vegetative Response."
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Assistant Professor Amy Marcarelli (Biological Sciences/CWS) and co-PI Casey Huckins (Biological Sciences/CWS) have received $35,632 from the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station, for "Changes in Ecosystem Function Associated with Sand Accumulation in a Lake Superior Tributary."
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12. In Print |
Assistant Professor Manish Srivastava (School of Business and Economics) published his paper as the lead author, "When Do Relational Resources Matter? Leveraging Portfolio Technological Resources for Breakthrough Innovation," in the Academy of Management Journal (2011), Volume 54 (4):797-810.
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13. On the Road |
Assistant Professor Manish Srivastava (School of Business and Economics) presented his paper, "Lost in Your World? Role of Behavioral Orientation in Leveraging Alliance Portfolio Resources for Innovation," at the Atlanta Competitive Advantage Conference Research Workshop in May and at the Academy of Management Conference in August, San Antonio.
Srivastava was also invited for the Technology and Innovation Management Junior Faculty Consortium at the San Antonio Academy of Management conference.
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14. Giveaways |
ME-EM has the following:
* Welder, Linde Type C-300
* Pedestal grinder, 3-phase
* Assortment of slotted machine screws, various sizes
If interested, contact Paul Kilpela at 7-2945 or at pmkilpel@mtu.edu .
University property may only be transferred between departments. It may not be given or sold to individuals.
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