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1. SAE Baja Team Nabs Top 10 Finish in Wisconsin |
Michigan Tech's Baja Enterprise team excelled in the 2012 SAE Baja Wisconsin, finishing in the top 10.
"We were eighth overall, fifth in the US, and the top team among the six Michigan schools competing," said the team's advisor, Brett Hamlin, assistant chair of engineering fundamentals. A total of 95 schools from six nations fielded teams.
To read the whole story and see some great photos taken by team member Zach Peck, go to SAE Baja. |
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2. Volunteers Sought for Move-in Weekend |
by Les Cook, vice president for student affairs
Welcoming new students and their families to campus is one of the most exciting and energizing times of the year. At Michigan Tech, it has become a tradition to invite all faculty and staff to help welcome our new students to campus in August during move-in.
Everyone is invited to take advantage of this opportunity to meet new students and their families, provide directions and a friendly face, help unload a plasma TV or a case of Mountain Dew, and to welcome students to their new home here at Michigan Tech.
Volunteer shifts for faculty, staff and any interested spouses, partners and family members are available on Saturday, Aug. 25 and Sunday, Aug. 26. Please visit the volunteer registration website at Move-in Registration to sign up. You will be asked to provide the information needed for your volunteer experience, including when you would like to volunteer, what role you would like to have your personal contact information and your t-shirt size. Please note that you may volunteer for more than one shift.
Please show your support as a dedicated and caring member of the Michigan Tech community by welcoming our newest members. Thanks in advance for your support of this initiative, and go Huskies!
Please register by July 30 at Move-in Registration. |
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3. Tech Helps Establish International Sustainable Resources Universities Forum |
by Jennifer Donovan, public relations director
Provost Max Seel was one of only two representatives from American universities invited to a world forum of 58 universities that conduct substantive research and teaching in sustainable natural resources and life-cycle thinking in engineering processes. The forum took place in Frieberg, Germany, earlier this month. The other American university represented was Virginia Tech.
On June 12, the forum signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a permanent World Forum of Universities of Resources on Sustainability. The establishment of the forum marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development was signed in June 1992.
In several workshops, university representatives discussed society's role in developing a new awareness of sustainable natural resources management and development and ways that the universities could intensify their cooperation. They agreed to define joint training standards and establish new international study courses on sustainable natural resource processes.
"I think it was significant for Michigan Tech to be part of this initial kick-off meeting and world forum on sustainability, because sustainability is a key theme for Michigan Tech," said Seel. "This forum opens international contacts both for faculty and student exchanges. I had a chance to present our International Sustainable Development Engineering Certificate as a best practice example. It provides undergraduate engineering students breadth in the areas of ethics, resource equity, economics, interactions between technology and society, engineering connections with the environment, engineering materials, and water and sanitation, all from a global perspective. "
The next step will be to establish an international executive committee to develop a road map for implementation of the broad ideas outlined in the memorandum of understanding, Seel said.
The next world forum is scheduled for 2013 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The St. Petersburg State Mining Institute and Technical University worked with the German TU Bergakademie Freiberg to put together this year's forum. |
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4. Resilient Editors Create a New Scholarly Book |
by Dennis Walikainen, senior editor
It was an idea begun at a conference seven years ago. Michigan Tech hosted the Fifth Biennial International Feminism(s) and Rhetoric(s) Conference in 2005, and conference coordinators Beth Flynn, Ann Brady, and Patty Sotirin, all faculty members in the Department of Humanities, realized the resilience of those who made it to campus after a storm had closed the local airport. Elsewhere, the monumental resilience of the survivors of Hurricane Katrina was displayed across the globe.
Resilience, then, became a theme of the conference, and, in effect the book "Feminist Rhetorical Resilience" was born. All of the chapter authors attended the conference and presented papers on issues related to their essays in the book. Most of the respondents attended the conference as well.
"Resilience is a term found elsewhere in scholarship, but it hadn't been applied to feminist rhetoric," Flynn said. "Our editor at Utah State University Press liked the focus it would give our book."
Resilience also came to define the book, Flynn said, as it took two years to revise the introduction and supervise the revision of the chapters toward the goal of sharpening the focus. "It rarely happens that editors and contributors put this much effort into a revision. We are all very happy with the result."
The coeditors also came up with their own definition of resilience, one that stresses agency (especially public action), metis (resourcefulness), and relationality (support from others).
"Our idea is that women often can't do it alone," Flynn said, "especially given the current economic constraints, for example. They need that network, that connection. It's mobilizing the forces available."
Initially, the attendees at the conference were invited to submit chapters for the book. Other scholars were asked to respond to the chapters that were selected, and the initial authors then wrote their reflections on the responses. So, it is a true dialogue in print.
"The exchange of responses and reflections is productive," Sotirin said. "The contributors don't just agree with each other. The result is that these exchanges work through the implications of resilience."
Brady appreciates the discussion too.
"The fact that not everyone agrees is a reflection of how important this is," she said. "There is not a unified understanding of resilience and how it can be used."
Brady uses the concept of metis as another example of an ongoing rhetorical discussion.
"Often it is formed in a time of hopelessness, but it doesn't always end in a clear victory," she said. "It is more often a way of negotiating with others and with systems in productive ways. That's the power of it." Brady also appreciates the diversity of the chapters: resilience in the workplace, in other nations and cultures, in the economically disadvantaged, in sexual orientation.
"We're kick-starting a new conversation," Sotirin said, "with people who should be considering this."
The three coeditors are also using their newfound knowledge in their future research. At an upcoming Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC), they will extend the concept of resilience. Flynn is focused on agency, using an Eastern/Buddhist approach. Sotirin is looking at relationality from a contemporary philosophical perspective. Brady is analyzing metis as embodied intelligence. All are working to expand the framework of feminist rhetorical resilience.
Their hope is that the book will be well received and have an impact on the field. In the meantime, they are learning about marketing ("websites, postcards, book signings"), which resides outside the normal realm of the academic enterprise.
"We know this concept is worthy," Flynn says. "As three single mothers, we've all enacted our own versions of resilience. In our lives, our scholarship and in the world today, resilience is a timely concept and resource." |
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5. Scholarships Available for Little Huskies |
Parents and guardians of young children are invited to apply now for The Access to High Quality Early Childhood Education Scholarship Fund.
The purpose of this scholarship is to allow Michigan Tech's most needy families access to high-quality early childhood education at Little Huskies Child Development Center. Applicants may be undergraduates, graduate students or low-income employee families. Award amounts may vary from partial subsidies to full tuition scholarships.
For more information, go to or email eva@gretchenshouse.com for more information. The application deadline is July 2. |
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6. Library Matters: Archives Closed June 28 |
The Michigan Tech Archives will be closed on Thursday, June 28, for
staff training. The Archives will reopen at 10 a.m. on Friday, June
29.
Questions or comments may be directed to Erik Nordberg at 487-2505 or copper@mtu.edu. |
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7. Flags Lowered Friday |
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Flags throughout the state will be lowered to half-staff in honor of former state Sen. William Van Regenmorter, of Jenison, who died Monday June 18. |
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8. Green Film Series Ends Tonight with "Into Eternity" |
"Into Eternity," the last in this season's Green Film Series, will be shown tonight (Thursday, June 21) at 7 p.m. in the Forestry Building Atrium and Hesterberg Hall.
The 58-minute film explores the scientific and philosophical questions posed by long-term nuclear waste storage. Wayne Pennington, chair of geological and mining engineering and sciences, will lead a discussion after the film, and coffee, tea and dessert will be served.
The Green Film Series is free, although a $3 donation is suggested. Series sponsors are the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, the Keweenaw Land Trust, the Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society and the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
The series is partially funded with a grant from the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country, the Friends of the Land of Keweenaw and the UP Environmental Coalition. |
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9. Michigan Tech Volleyball Completes Recruiting Class |
by Ian Marks, assistant director of athletic marketing and communications
Michigan Tech head volleyball coach Matt Jennings has announced the addition of three student-athletes to the Huskies' 2012 incoming class. Their commitment completes the team's roster for the 2012-13 season.
"One of the first things I found to be true upon my arrival here in Houghton was the quality of the people who attend, work for, and dedicate themselves to Tech and the advancement of the overall experience to be had here. This certainly is true regarding our returning players, and I am proud to say that I feel we have five new members of our family coming in this fall that fit that mold very well. Top to bottom, this class is not only talented and intelligent, but also brings a variety of intangible qualities that should prove to be valuable for the rejuvenation of our volleyball program. I am very grateful for their trust in us and belief in how being a Tech student-athlete will better them now and upon graduation."
Overall, Tech's incoming class includes players from three different states and Canada; a valedictorian; all-state, all-conference and all-region nominees; and a two-time AAU All-American.
Jacqueline Aird (5-4) was a two-year varsity starter and libero/defensive specialist at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in Chicago. An all-girls Catholic school located on Chicago's Southside, Mother McAuley is a storied powerhouse in Illinois volleyball. The Orland Park, Ill., native earned all-conference first team honors her senior season. Aird played club volleyball for 1st Alliance and led the team to an AAU National Championship in 2010 and a fifth place finish in 2011. She earned AAU All-American honors both years. 1st Alliance is one the premier clubs in the United States and is well known for producing great teams and players through its elite level training.
"Jacqueline will fit in extremely well here for many reasons, first and foremost being her toughness and competitiveness. She's the kind of player who will run down every ball and rarely lacks for effort. Her training and skill level, in combination with her mindset, will provide her ample opportunity to see the court right away as long as she continues to improve and never settles for anything less than what she is capable of."
Aubrey Havlichek is a 5-9 outside hitter/right side attacker from Brighton, Colo. She was a two-time all-conference selection, earning first-team honors her senior season at Horizon High School. Havlichek, who plays club volleyball for Juggernaut, chose Michigan Tech over St. Leo (Fla.) and West Texas A&M. A strong student, Havlichek earned high honor roll honors all four years in high school.
"Aubrey is a strong, dynamic player who has the ability to swing at either pin position,” said Jennings. “She will provide depth offensively and has the capability of eventually being a six-rotation player for us if she works hard at it. She is a true competitor with a desire to win, and is someone who we look to contribute from the outset.”
Sarah Rasmussen is a 5-3 libero/defensive specialist from Chanhassen, Minn, who graduated No. 1 in her class. She helped Chanhassen High School to the 2011 Missota Conference Championship with an undefeated record and a 21-5 overall record. Rasmussen arrives in Houghton with several accolades earned during her prep career, including three all-conference awards and an academic all-state award. She was selected as team captain two of her three seasons on varsity. The Storm advanced to the Minnesota Section 2AAA Semifinals in 2011. She has played club volleyball for Minnesota One for four years.
"Sarah is a defensive specialist who will provide quality ball control and defense to our back-row game," said Jennings. "She brings depth to the back court and a great work ethic to the gym and classroom."
These three student-athletes complete Tech's recruiting class that also includes Janelle RupKaluis (Andover, Minn.) and Sylvie Rokash (Calgary, Alberta).
RupKaluis is a 6-1 attacker who can play rightside and middle. She played five seasons at Northern Lights Volleyball Club and three years of varsity volleyball at Andover High School, earning all-conference recognition her senior year. RupKaluis intends to study civil or biomedical engineering.
Rokash is a 6-2 attacker that plays for Dinos Volleyball Club in Calgary, who also can play in the middle and on the rightside. Rokash intends to study biomedical engineering.
The Huskies open their season on the road at the Crimson Invitational hosted by Indiana (Pa.). Their first home match is Sept. 29 against GLIAC foe Wayne State. |
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10. Items Available |
* Dry mounting/laminating press, model# Jumbo 160M
If interested, please contact Jeff Lewin at 7-3435 or jclewin@mtu.edu.
University property may only be transferred between departments. It may not be given or sold to individuals.
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11. New Funding |
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Wenzhen Li (Chemical Engineering/SFI) received $50,000 from the US Department of Defense, Navy, Naval Research Laboratory for "Catalyst Design for Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction into Hydrocarbon Fuels." |
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