July 24, 2025

We are heartbroken to share that Jacob (Jake) Hiller, longtime professor in Michigan Tech’s Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering, passed away unexpectedly on July 15.

For 16 years, Jake was a valued faculty member — deeply committed to his students, respected by his peers and passionate about pavement engineering. He also served as president of the International Society for Concrete Pavements (ISCP), where his leadership left a global impact on the field.

Jake is survived by his wife Renee and their three sons, Nate, Ben and Casey. Memorial services are planned in August in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and New Baltimore, Michigan.

Read the full obituary.

Jake’s legacy lives on through the lives he touched at Michigan Tech and across the engineering community.

The ISCP is collecting tributes and memories of Jake. Donations in his honor can be made to the American Heart Association or the USA Hockey Foundation's Youth Hockey Development Fund.

The National Science Foundation-funded project “REU Site: InSPiRES: Integrated Circuits and Semiconductor Processes to Promote Responsible Engineering and Sustainability” at Michigan Tech will host its first research symposium on Wednesday, July 30, from 3-5 p.m. in GLRC 202.

The project is funded by NSF award 2447809 and partially supported by the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC). The research symposium will feature SRC scholars, with presentations covering the work carried out by participants from Michigan Tech and visiting scholars from other campuses. The participants worked under the mentorship of Paul Bergstrom (ECE), Rob Handler (ChE), Christopher Middlebrook (ECE), Daisuke Minakata (CEGE) and Smitha Rao (BioMed).

Join us in celebrating their research experience and learn about their work. This event is free and open to the public.

Request a Zoom Link to the Event.

Event Details:

• What: REU Site: InSPiRES Research Symposium
• When: Wednesday, July 30, from 3-5 p.m.
• Where: GLRC 202

Michigan Tech's summer hours will end on Aug. 10. Beginning Aug. 11, the University will return to regular office hours.

Regular hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All offices must be staffed during these hours.

The Central Ticket Office located at the Student Development Complex (SDC) will be closed on the following dates/times:

• Friday, July 25 — Closed at 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 26 — Closed
• Monday, July 28 — Closed at 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 1 — Closed at 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 2 — Closed at 2:15 p.m.

Patrons will still be able to access the facilities at the SDC during building hours. Day passes are available to purchase online, by scanning a QR code, or in cash with the desk attendants. Any further inquiries on purchases must be made while the Central Ticket Office is open.

Please contact us at 906-487-2073 or at tickets@mtu.edu with any questions. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Mark your calendar! Registration for Session 1 of our Fall 2025 Michigan Tech Aquatics programs opens on Aug. 6 at 8 a.m.!

Explore our programs for all ages and abilities:

• Huskies Group Swim Lessons Parent & Child Aquatics (ages 6 months to 3 years)
• Huskies Group Swim Lessons Preschool Aquatics (ages 4-5 years)
• Huskies Group Swim Lessons Learn to Swim Levels 1-5 (ages 6-17 years)
• Huskies Swim Training (ages 6-17 years)
• Adult Huskies Swim Lessons (ages 18 and older)
• Adult Huskies Swim Training (ages 18 and older)
• Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons

We’re excited to announce that beginning with fall 2025 program registration, we will be transitioning to a new recreation program registration system designed to better support our youth and family programming. As part of this upgrade, there is an important change to how you will register your child for youth programs.

Important Information for Parents/Guardians: To register your child for aquatics programs this coming fall, you’ll need to:

1. Create your account.
2. Add your children as your affiliates (with their date of birth).
3. Register your child through their affiliate profile (profile options in top right corner), not your own, for any program with an age requirement (this ensures accurate participant info and correct age group placement).

Create your accounts early to be ready!

• Additional information on how to create your user account
• Additional information on how to create your child’s affiliate account

Thank you for your support as we make this exciting transition! We’re confident this new system will offer a more user-friendly and efficient experience for all.

Questions? Contact Aquatics Manager Annie Bengry at ambengry@mtu.edu or 906-487-2995.

See you at the pool!

Job Posting for Thursday, July 24, 2025

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Assistant Professor – Environmental Data Science and Biostatistics, ​College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. Apply online.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment, or for an interview, at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or humanresources@mtu.edu.

The Daily Mining Gazette quoted Steven Walton (SS) in a story about the upcoming return of the Hancock Historic Preservation Commission. Walton discussed the commission’s goals to preserve and interpret Hancock’s historic fabric through museum displays, historic signage and walking tours.

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The Southwest Research Institute mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the completion of its eight-year NEXTCAR project, highlighting MTU’s participation in the ARPA-E Field Day demonstration showcasing connected and automated vehicle technologies.

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WZMQ 19 News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the upcoming Great Lakes Aurora Dark Sky Jamboree (GLAD Jam), a northern lights celebration taking place in Houghton from Sept. 11-14. The event will include private tours of Michigan Tech’s AMJOCH Observatory.

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Packaging and Labeling mentioned Michigan Tech alum Caleb Pheneger ’12 (B.S. Chemical Engineering) in a story about his promotion to president of Cortec Corporation.

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

Strength and Conditioning : Summer Middle School Program

Thursday, July 24, 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

Thursday, July 24, 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...