August 4, 2025

Korey Kiepert ’97 ’99, co-founder and mechanical engineer at The Gravity Group, is pushing the boundaries of wooden roller coaster design with innovative techniques that are helping to transform the industry.

Kiepert grew up riding roller coasters at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, and was inspired by the engineering influence of both his grandfathers — one a shipbuilder and the other a Chrysler employee in the Detroit area. After attending Michigan Tech’s Summer Youth Programs, he found his way back to Tech as a college student, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Read a Q&A with Kiepert in our 2025 Michigan Tech Magazine.

Do you struggle to keep your Publications data up to date in Digital Measures at Michigan Tech? There is now a brand-new way to import this data that is even faster than using the existing import tools.

Proactive Search uses CrossRef data to notify users of new and/or duplicate publications. With just a few clicks, new records can be added to accounts directly from the main Activities page, including the opportunity to edit records during the process.

To learn more about this new time-saving tool, please watch the short tutorial on Publications Imports.

If you have any questions, please contact the Digital Measures administrator at dm-admin@mtu.edu.

Michigan Tech’s Safety Team — Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and the Office of Risk, Insurance, Safety, Security, and Compliance (RISSC) — will be hosting our next monthly coffee talk: a chance for all Huskies to share a cup of coffee and learn about the importance of campus health and safety.

We invite you to join us on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 9-10 a.m. in MUB Ballroom B.

Topic: Update from Research Integrity Lab Inspection Team

Enjoy a coffee and snacks while our colleagues from the Research Integrity Laboratory Inspection Team give a short update on this year’s inspection process and results, the evolution of the program, and how safety officers and researchers can help tackle common problems they’ve seen across campus.

In addition, there will be an informal opportunity to talk with our campus safety professionals about other safety-related questions and issues.

Mark your calendar and come ask the questions you have always wanted to ask and get the answers you need about Michigan Tech Safety programs, legal compliance issues and additional resources... and have a cup of Joe with the Safety Crew!

Rupali Datta (BioSci) was a guest on the July 25 episode of Planet A, titled “Can plants solve the battery supply crisis?” The episode explored the promise and challenges of phytomining — using hyperaccumulator plants to extract metals like nickel from soil — as a sustainable alternative to conventional mining.

*****

Amy Landis (COE) was mentioned by the Keweenaw Report as the College of Engineering’s new associate dean of graduate and online education.

*****

The Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech in coverage of a Michigan House Appropriations Committee hearing on Upper Peninsula economic development projects.

*****

My UP Now mentioned Michigan Tech football in a story about the 2025 GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Huskies were picked to finish fifth in the conference.

*****

Michigan Tech alum Steve Horenziak ’97 (B.S. Chemical Engineering) was a guest on the Aug. 1 episode of the Freakonomics Radio podcast, titled “Why Do Candles Still Exist?” Horenziak shared insights into the evolution of the candle industry, highlighting how a seemingly obsolete technology continues to thrive in the modern era.

Float Entries and Grants Available for Student Orgs

Community groups and Michigan Tech registered student organizations (RSOs) are encouraged to enter a float in the 2025 Parade of Nations, coming to Houghton on Sept. 20. Cash prizes of $350, $250 and $150 will be awarded to the top three floats that best represent this year’s theme, "Games Around the World."

MTU RSOs may also apply for up to $100 in float grant funding.

Float applications are due by Sept. 6 and RSOs must submit grant requests by Sept. 1 through our 2025 Float and Grant Application.

For more details, contact paradeofnations@mtu.edu or visit Michigan Tech's International Programs and Services office on the second floor of the Administration Building (Admin 200).

*****

Keweenaw Mineral Days Start Today at the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum

Keweenaw Mineral Days return today, Aug. 4, at Michigan Tech's A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum. This year’s Keweenaw Mineral Days events will coincide with the “Keweenaw Week” events hosted by the Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club.

This year, the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum will have an evening lecture and a revamped Surplus Mineral Sale. All events are free and open to the public. See our schedule of events for details.

This year’s Keweenaw Mineral Days events do not require registration; however, for planning purposes, we are asking anyone planning to attend either event to RSVP using our Keweenaw Mineral Days 2025 RSVP Form.

Schedule of Events:

• Extended Hours: Monday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  The museum and gift shop will be open longer than usual before the evening lecture.

• Evening Lecture: Monday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m.
  Our evening lecture, presented by Evan Jones from Unique Minerals of Phoenix, Arizona, is titled “Ben Williams – First Superintendent of the Copper Queen Mine.”
  – Location: MTU Memorial Union Building (MUB), Ballroom B.

• Surplus Mineral Sale: Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Come browse our surplus minerals! There will be about 25 six-foot-long tables with mineral flats. We will keep putting flats out throughout the sale. There will be three pricing tiers: Tier One (priced as marked), Tier Two (20% off), and Tier Three (40% off).
  – Location: Museum back entrance, on the asphalt and cement sidewalk area.

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Strength and Conditioning : Summer Middle School Program

Monday, August 4, 10–11 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Lead by the MTU Strength and Conditioning Staff, this 8-week summer program is for athletes looking to improve their performance and fitness level to prepare for the upcoming...

Strength and Conditioning : Summer High School Program

Monday, August 4, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Lead by the MTU Strength and Conditioning Staff, this 8-week summer program is for athletes looking to improve their performance and fitness level to prepare for the upcoming...

Soccer : Summer Youth Camp - Session 1

Monday, August 4, 5:30 p.m.–6:30 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

This camp and session is available to boys and girls entering grades Pre-K through 3rd grade as of Fall 2025. Campers will learn a variety of soccer skills that will help them...

Soccer : Summer Youth Camp - Session 2

Monday, August 4, 6:45 p.m.–8:15 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC)

This camp session is open to boys and girls entering grades 4 through 8 as of Fall 2025. Campers will learn a variety of soccer skills that will help them fall in love with...