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1. Enterprise Students Help Local Needy |
by John Gagnon, promotional writer
Enterprise students are working with local service agencies on an energy-saving initiative to winterize homes of low-income households and the fixed-income elderly. The effort blends campus and community efforts.
Members of Tech's Efficiency through Engineering and Construction Enterprise, local at-risk high school students and volunteers from New Power Tour Inc., a local nonprofit, provide the labor to winterize one home each week.
"The spirit is amazing," says Melissa Davis, managing director of New Power Tour, which is dedicated to the use of renewable and energy-efficient technology and which ramrods the effort. "Every time we do it," Davis says, "the students have fun and are happy to volunteer and make a difference."
The Enterprise started 10 years ago to help with Habitat for Humanity projects. Lynn Artman, lecturer in the School of Technology, is the faculty advisor. She reports that the team has winterized 30 local homes over the past two years. The project received a jumpstart from a Ford College Community Challenge (3C) Grant, which provided $50,000 for materials and equipment, as well as a scholarship fund for at-risk high school students to attend Tech's Summer Youth Programs. Range Valley State Bank has also contributed financial support.
Over the years, Artman and Davis have collaborated with Kiwanis, Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, the Unitarian Church, and St. Vincent DePaul's--all providing referrals and all coordinated by New Power Tour. Davis and other organizers continually cast about for more funding and more opportunities to help. "We're always looking for people to deliver our program to," she says.
Some of the work is a good fit. St. Vincent's, for instance, has a program to help pay for heat when homeowners can't afford it. "It made sense that we could winterize their homes, too," Artman says.
The students have the necessary equipment, including a blower to measure air infiltration and a thermal-imaging camera to detect trouble spots where heat leaks from the house. They also have the materials to seal and insulate water pipes, boilers, windows, doors, attics and foundations, even electrical outlets. The workers encounter temperatures as low as 37 degrees in the nooks and crannies of some homes. The goal: "a tighter house." The students complete the job in an afternoon.
Says Artman, "We hope for another good season." Says Davis, "I love it. It's great. I look forward to it. It tops off my week."
As it does for Chelsea Smith, 21, a native of Manistique, who is a fourth-year engineering student. She is secretary of the Efficiency through Engineering and Construction Enterprise, and her academic focus is energy conservation. She enjoys doing work that will define her career, for her goal is to do large-scale energy audits and reduce energy consumption in buildings. "This work," she avows, "is relevant to my future job and an opportunity for leadership. And it feels good to help out people in the community and to give something back."
One benefactor of that ethic is Patty Monroe, of Chassell. She is 50 and says of the people who winterized her home, "I hope my words can give justice to how wonderful they are."
Her monthly heating bill has been reduced from $200 to $130. "That's huge," says this woman who lives alone on disability. "I'm absolutely, unbelievably grateful. It's like heaven."
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2. Make a Difference Award Winners Announced |
Staff Council announced the Make a Difference Award recipients at an awards luncheon Tuesday. Twenty-six employees were nominated for the seven awards.
David Strong, a senior programmer/analyst in Administrative Information Services, received the Bringing Out the Best award. "Dave brings out the best because his work style creates a welcoming environment for exploration, learning, problem solving and witty banter," said Sheri Thomas in her nomination. Strong will retire this June after 31 years of service. "His service and personality will be irreplaceable," said Margo O'Brien. Strong had letters of support from Bobbie Dalquist, Mary Marchaterre and O'Brien. Other nominees for the Bringing Out the Best award were Peter Bingham (ME-EM) and Joe Cooper (Housing and Residential Life).
Renee Wells, the assistant director of for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, won the Creating Community Connections award. In nominating Wells, CDI Director Shezwae Flemming described Wells as "an outstanding leader, thinker and contributor to the Michigan Tech community." Wells, who has been at Michigan Tech for less than one year, is leading CDI's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (GLBTQ ) programming initiative. "Renee has been a tremendous asset," Fleming said. "Since coming on board, Renee has evaluated and is implementing the Safe Place Program, assisted in creating a cultural competency curriculum and is developing a mentoring program for young women." Wells was nominated by Flemming and received letters of support from a student, Rae Bryant, and colleagues Lori Wier and Karen Wade. Carol Argentati (Institutional Diversity) was also nominated for the award.
The Innovative Solutions award was given to Christine Grotzke, the regional admissions manager based in Chicago. In just over two years at Michigan Tech, "Chrissy has made incredible strides in implementing innovative solutions for undergraduate recruitment in the Chicago-land area," Admissions Director Allison Carter wrote in nominating Grotzke. Since she was hired, the number of students recruited from Chicago has grown 50 percent, thanks to her efforts. Grotzke received letters of support from John Lehman and Tara Crandell. Cheryl Hall of DPSPS was also nominated for the award.
Director of Intramurals Dennis Hagenbuch (KIP) was honored as the Outstanding Supervisor. In a letter supporting his nomination, KIP Chair Jason Carter wrote, "Dennis is a model employee and exemplifies what a supervisor should be. He is a Husky through and through and has devoted the past 25 years to the University." Mark Jakubick, a student who works for Hagenbuch, wrote that he "demonstrates leadership skills that all college students will need to be successful, not only as workers, but as a dedicated individuals." Hagenbuch was nominated by Terry Anderson and received a third additional letter of support from Craig Pellizzaro. Also nominated for Outstanding Supervisor was Brian Cadwell (DPSPS).
Office Assistant Jillian Spagnotti (ME-EM) earned the Rookie Award. Marlene Lappeus states in her letter of support, "Jillian stepped right into our large, dynamic, energetic department with confidence, intelligence and a strong ability to find her way." Spagnotti joined the Tech staff in January 2010 and is a graduate of the School of Business and Economics. Her nominator, Connie Dillman, wrote, "Rookies like her keep our departments running through the good times and bad . . . they become the unsung heros, serving others and bringing out the best in all." Spagnotti also received letters of support from colleagues John Johnson and Karen Bess. Also nominated for the award were Jada Gullstrand (Athletics and Recreation) and Sandy Houle (DPSPS).
Linda Korpela, coordinator of major gifts and planning with the Office of Development, received the Serving Others award. "Linda is someone who dedicates herself to providing high-quality service," said Eric Halonen and George Butvilas in their nomination letter. "She goes and above and beyond her duties to contribute to the Major Gifts and Gift Planning office. Linda's dedication has led her to readily assist six additional major gift officers for the capital campaign and step up after a recent retirement in the office." Her "conscientious and thoughtful work has a direct result on our alumni and friends who support the University," they added. Korpela received letters of support from Connie Scott, Marcia Goodrich and external donors Robert and Ruth Nara. Also nominated for the award were Allison Hein (MSE), Julie Hendrickson (COE), Lisa Pignotti (COMPASS), Christina Sarazin (ME-EM/APSRC) and Tonya Secord (Facilities).
Receiving the Unsung Hero was Department Coordinator Beth Ruohonen (MSE). She joined the department in 1996 and served at Michigan Tech 27 years. Department Chair Mark Plichta and the MSE faculty said in nominating her that they "feel privileged to work with someone like Beth who puts service to others above the literal interpretation of the job description." Ruohonen is known as the go-to person for the department, welcoming questions and requests with a smile and selfless attitude, they said. She also graciously accepts new responsibilities and tasks. Her nominators state that "acknowledgement of her effort is long overdue." Her nomination was supported by an extensive group of faculty, staff and students. Others nominated for the award include Stacy Cotey (Biological Sciences), Chris Crouch (DPSPS), David Fredianelli (Facilities), Tim Gasperich (ChE), John Hackmeier (Facilities), David Perram (CEE) and Denise Wirtanen (Housing and Residential Life).
Members of the Make a Difference Award selection committee were Colleen Erva, Vicky Roy, Tanya Maki, Kathy Goulette and Joel Isaacson. |
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3. Volleyball Camp Still Accepting Participants |
The applications are still being accepted for the Little Huskies Volleyball Development Program, which runs every Saturday, from Jan. 14 to Feb. 25. The program is open to all girls in grades three to eight.
The cost is $30 per child ($15 for each additional child). There will be no clinic on Feb. 11 due to Winter Carnival.
Participants will learn volleyball fundamentals from members of the Michigan Tech volleyball team and will receive a T-shirt that allows them free admittance to all Tech volleyball games.
For more information, see Huskies, or contact Mike Clark at 248-459-1577. |
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4. ME-EM Faculty Candidate to Present a Seminar |
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Vladimir Vantsevich, a professor in mechanical engineering from Lawrence Technological University, will present "Mechatronics Foundation for Ground Vehicle Engineering Multi-Discipline and Systems Engineering Approach to Multi-Scale Systems" at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 13, in Rekhi G06. |
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5. In the News |
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Two British publications, Wired UK and The Engineer, published articles about Assistant Professor Durdu Guney's (ECE) research that could produce a super high-resolution lens. See Wired and The Engineer. |
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6. New Funding |
Assistant Professor Evan Kane (SFRES), co-PI Rod Chimner (SFRES) and co-PI Tom Pypker (SFRES) have recieved $560,115 from the National Science Foundation for a three-year project, "Collaborative Research: PEATcosm: Understanding the Interactions of Climate, Plant Functional Groups and Carbon Cycling in Peatland Ecosystems."
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Assistant Professor John Hill (ME-EM/MTTI), co-PI Colin Brooks (MTRI) and co-PI Liza Jenkins (MTRI) have received $94,789 from the Michigan State Police, Office of Highway Safety Planning for a project, "2012 Michigan Seat Belt Observation Study." |
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7. 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.
Custodian (AFSCME internal posting only)
Facilities Management
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer.
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