September 23, 2025

As noted in the Tech Forward 2.0 article published in Tech Today yesterday, Sept. 22, each Tech Forward 2.0 theme/initiative and thread/pillar convener group is holding a campus conversation to share their ideas, seek feedback and gauge interest. The conveners for the thread/pillar "The Digital World" are holding their campus conversation on Oct. 3 from 10-11 a.m. in the MUB Alumni Lounge. If this is an area that interests you and you would like a calendar invite sent, please complete our RSVP form.

• Tech Forward 2.0 Discussion — The Digital World
  Friday, Oct. 3, from 10-11 a.m. in the MUB Alumni Lounge

As technology, data and artificial intelligence become more prolific in society, Michigan Tech aims to continue our strong presence in tomorrow's evolving digital landscape. Conveners for the Tech Forward 2.0 thread/pillar The Digital World have drafted a strategic plan to build upon Michigan Tech's data and AI capacity in research, education and administration. The Tech Forward 2.0 Digital World Discussion is a campuswide meeting to solicit feedback on the strategic plan.

Strategic initiatives that will be discussed include:

1. An AI Makerspace
2. AI-Enabled Pre- and Post-Award Support
3. A Regional Database Index
4. Computing Industry Partnerships through Tech Alumni
5. An AI Startup Incubator

We look forward to your participation.

Career Services sincerely appreciates the generosity of all Michigan Tech employees who provided your offices and classrooms for Interview Day tomorrow, Sept. 24, following today's Fall 2025 Career Fair Forged by Nucor. Your support allows us to host employers on campus in a professional and welcoming environment and helps our students connect with meaningful career opportunities.

A full list of companies and their assigned rooms is available online. If your space is not currently being used, please note that it may be held as a backup for any last-minute changes. We will email you directly if we are not using your space tomorrow.

Your willingness to share your space makes a significant difference for MTU's students and our employer partners. We greatly appreciate your contribution in making Interview Day a success.

Thank you once again for your support!

We apologize for the incorrect link shared earlier regarding the Faculty Watch Survey. Please use the updated link below to access the 2025 survey:

Take the Faculty Watch Survey 2025.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps us better understand and serve the needs of our campus community. Thank you for taking about 15 minutes of your time to share your input. By participating, you will be entered to win a $50 gift card.

The deadline to participate is noon (eastern time) on Oct. 31.

What's Faculty Watch?
Faculty Watch is an annual survey conducted by OnCampus Research. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate faculty attitudes and behaviors toward their course materials (i.e., textbooks and other materials required for their classes). The survey also asks about related topics, like the use of artificial intelligence and interaction with your college bookstore. The survey does not collect your personal information, and no attempt is made to sell you anything.

The information collected from the survey is used to track nationwide trends in course materials assigned, format preferences and how materials are used in teaching. Additionally, Michigan Tech will receive a school-specific report comparing the University's responses to other schools across the U.S. and Canada.

What's In It for Me?
Aside from helping us gain a better perspective of faculty wants, needs and perceptions, you will be entered to win a $50 gift card. Michigan Tech may also be able to use the results from Faculty Watch to inform policy or practice.

Privacy
Your responses to the survey are confidential. Results will only be published in the aggregate.

On Thursday, Sept. 25, Michigan Tech IT is releasing an update that will affect how University employees connect to VPN.

Instead of logging in through the Big-IP app, your default web browser will now open and prompt you to sign in using standard single sign-on (SSO) and Duo. If you're already signed in with SSO in your browser, you won't have to log in again each time you reconnect. This includes when your computer wakes from sleep — it will reconnect automatically if your session is still active. Additionally, VPN connections now work on Mac computers using security keys like Yubikey.

For Linux users: The command-line tool f5fpc will no longer work because it doesn't support Duo. Some third-party tools (like OpenConnect or gof5) may work if you have access to a browser on your Linux machine. However, we can't provide direct support for these options. Please check out our VPN support article for more information.

If you have questions about VPN, we can help. Email IT or call 906-487-1111.

Registration for Session 2 of Fall 2025 MTU Aquatics programs opens tomorrow, Sept. 24, 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.
   Note: Due to system constraints, only current students, faculty and staff may use an MTU email. All others must use or create a different email address to create an 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 Boyle at ambengry@mtu.edu or 906-487-2995.

See you at the pool!

Join the Ecosystem Science Center (ESC) on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. for a seminar by Nancy Grimm titled "Fire as a New Entry in the Disturbance Regime of a Desert Stream Ecosystem."

The seminar will be held in GLRC 202 and streamed via Zoom. Find more info and the Zoom link on the University Events Calendar.

Grimm is an ecosystem ecologist who studies the interactions of climate change, human activities, resilience and biogeochemical processes in urban and stream ecosystems. Grimm was founding director of the Central Arizona-Phoenix LTER, co-directed the Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network, and now co-directs the NATURA and ESSA networks, all focused on solving problems of the Anthropocene, especially in cities.

Grimm’s research centers on nature-based, technological and governance solutions that can build resilience to a future with increased frequency and magnitude of extreme events. In streams, she studies how hydrologic and climatic variability influence ecosystem processes such as stream metabolism and nutrient dynamics, and more recently, the impacts of a novel desert disturbance (wildfire) on stream processes through hydrologic connectivity of upland to stream-riparian corridor.

Grimm is a past president of the Ecological Society of America and the Society for Freshwater Science, as well as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Geophysical Union, the Ecological Society of America, and the Society for Freshwater Science. She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has made more than 250 contributions to the scientific literature with colleagues and students.

This seminar is part of the ESC's Distinguished Ecologist Lecture Series and the Department of Biological Sciences' Fall Seminar Series.

Music in the Mine — Thursday and Friday, Sept. 25-26
Quincy Mine 1918 Hoist House | 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. each night
Michigan Tech Music Series

The 2025/26 Michigan Tech Music Series kicks off this week with “Music in the Mine,” an annual sellout show that is a truly unique experience. The concert takes place in the Quincy Mine Hoist building in Hancock, boasting acoustics unlike anywhere else. There will be two shows at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on both Thursday, Sept. 25, and Friday, Sept. 26. Each intimate concert features a variety of performances by the ConScience Chamber Choir, cellist Adam Hall, local soprano Kathryn Summersett and more! Pieces have been chosen from the contemporary genre on the cutting and creative edge of classical music.

Content Guidance: Hard hats are required (and provided). The space is accessible, with a wheelchair elevator available. Warm clothing is recommended.

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Nanowonder: Images of the Microscopic World - Artist Reception — Friday, Sept. 26
Rozsa Art Galleries | 5-7 p.m.
Michigan Tech Art Series

The Art Galleries at MTU’s Rozsa Center are proudly hosting a juried exhibition of photographs taken by the Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope during its residency at Michigan Tech. Titled "Nanowonder," this exhibition is truly collaborative and emphasizes how powerful the relationship between science and the arts can be. Join artists and Rozsa Art Galleries Director Terri Frew from 5-7 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 26, for the gallery reception for "Nanowonder: Images of the Microscopic World" in the Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space. Enjoy refreshments and hear the artists speak about the vision and inspiration for this exhibition.

See beyond the surface of your stuff for free! The Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope will be on location at the Rozsa Art Gallery A-Space for this event. All are welcome to bring a small (approximately 1-by-1 inch), dry, flat sample to be scanned by the microscope technicians.

Support for this event provided by Hitachi, MTU Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory (ACMAL), A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, MTU Department of Visual and Performing Arts, MTU Department of Biomedical Engineering, MTU Department of Materials Science and Engineering and MTU College of Sciences and Arts.

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New Music Detroit — Saturday, Sept. 27
Rozsa Backstage | 7:30 p.m.
Michigan Tech Music Series

New Music Detroit is a collective of musicians dedicated to performing groundbreaking musical works from the late 20th century to the present day. Tickets are still available for this intimate Saturday evening backstage Rozsa experience. NMD will be performing "12 Color Sonnets" by Aliona Yurtsevich and "Red Vesper" by guest composer David Biedenbender. 

Biedenbender is a composer, conductor, performer, educator and interdisciplinary collaborator. A dedicated teacher, he is currently associate professor and chair of composition in the College of Music at Michigan State University. He holds degrees in composition from the University of Michigan and Central Michigan University, and has also studied at the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study, the Aspen Music Festival and in Mysore, India, where he studied Carnatic music. For more information, visit Biedenbender's website.

Friday, Sept. 26
• Volleyball vs. Roosevelt, 5 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege
• Soccer vs. Davenport, 7 p.m. at Kearly Stadium on FloCollege

Saturday, Sept. 27
• Volleyball vs. Parkside, 2 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege

Sunday, Sept. 28
• Soccer vs. Grand Valley State, Noon at Kearly Stadium on FloCollege

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Athletics News
Read more in the MTU Athletics weekly update.

Job Postings for Tuesday, Sept. 23, 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.

Food Service Helper – First Shift (nine months, 40 hours), Dining Services. (AFSCME posting dates are Sept. 23 to Sept. 29, 2025. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates.)

Food Service Helper – PTNB, Shift Varies (12 months, 30 hours), Dining Services. (AFSCME posting dates are Sept. 23 to Sept. 29, 2025. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates.)

Administrative Aide (12 months, 40 hours), Financial Services and Operations. (UAW posting dates are Sept. 23 to Sept. 29, 2025. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates.)

Building Mechanic III – First Shift (12 months, 40 hours), Facilities Management. (AFSCME posting dates are Sept. 23 to Sept. 29, 2025. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates.)

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.

Adam Wellstead (SS) is a co-author of a chapter published in the Handbook of Policy Advice (2025) edited by Michael Howlett  and Ishani Mukherjee.

The chapter is titled "Think tanks and policy labs: knowledge-based policy influence organizations as policy advisors."

Wellstead co-authored the chapter with Michael Howlett of Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

The Daily Mining Gazette and Escanaba Daily Press quoted Christian Montesinos (IPS), Ph.D. student Hasnaa Abo Shosha (atmospheric sciences), and undergraduates Erica Zhu (data science) and Carsyn Boggio (environmental engineering) in stories about Michigan Tech’s 36th annual Parade of Nations and Multicultural Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20. The event featured students from 57 countries, floats, food booths and cultural performances at Dee Stadium.

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University President Rick Koubek, Professor Emeritus Noel Urban, and graduate student Cailin Bishop were guests on the “Copper Country Today” radio program on Sunday, Sept. 21. Koubek discussed University updates during the show's first segment, titled “MTU President Rick Koubek.” Urban and Bishop spoke about efforts to clean up contamination in and around Torch Lake in the second segment, titled "Torch Lake Environmental Cleanup Update."

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WLUC TV6 quoted Michigan Tech students Sam Keuler (chemical engineering) and Jacob Snover and Dillen Tenniswood (both mechanical engineering) in a story about the University’s annual cardboard boat races during Homecoming week. 2025's races featured 39 teams competing at Chassell Centennial Park on Friday, Sept. 19.

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Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the University earning an endorsement from the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, which recognized MTU's robotics and advanced manufacturing curriculum for meeting national workforce development standards. The endorsement was announced last week by Michigan Tech News.

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The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Calumet’s economic resurgence. The article highlighted the role of the University and the Keweenaw Research Center (KRC) in fostering a diverse local economy, with researcher-driven startups and spinoffs contributing to the region’s growth as a hub for manufacturing, research and technology development.

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The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned eight former Michigan Tech hockey players participating in NHL training camps for the 2025-26 season.

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The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) mentioned Michigan Tech alum Aaron Johnson in a story about his appointment as chair of AASHTO’s Committee on Knowledge Management.

Request for Proposals: Century II Campaign Endowed Equipment Fund

Proposals are being requested for Michigan Tech's Century II Campaign Endowed Equipment Fund (C2E2) program, an internal award of the Vice President for Research Office.

The C2E2 program is aimed at providing funds to purchase equipment that will have a campuswide impact and improve the lives of faculty, staff and students.

Proposals are due no later than 4 p.m. on Oct. 9, and must be submitted electronically per the program guidelines. Late submissions will not be accepted.

For more information and proposal submission requirements, visit the C2E2 program page.

If you have any questions, email the C2E2 program at c2e2-l@mtu.edu.

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MTU Voter Engagement Module Available in Canvas

Voting is a critical aspect of civic engagement in democratic societies. Many Michigan Tech students will vote for the first time on Nov. 4. Yet voting as a college student (away from home) can be complicated and requires information and planning in advance. A group of MTU faculty and staff created a Canvas module that is available for instructors to download into any Canvas course via the Canvas Commons (search "MTU vote").

The module is designed to provide the information necessary for every eligible student at Michigan Tech to register and vote, along with optional assessment activities. The module could be a great addition to any course that addresses civic engagement, democracy or government. It could also work for student organizations and student leadership programs to share information.

The module covers basic information about voter engagement for Michigan Tech students, including MTU student voter participation rates over time, registering to vote, options for casting your ballot, and where to find information about elections and candidates.

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TIAA Financial Consulting

No matter where you are in life — just getting started or planning for retirement — a session with a financial consultant can help you create a plan for your goals. And, there's no cost for a consultation as a part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

• Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
• Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
• How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

Matthew Bunch from the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) will be available on Michigan Tech's campus for one-on-one sessions next week, from Monday, Sept. 29, through Friday, Oct. 3. MTU employees can schedule time slots with Bunch at the Lakeshore Center (Conference Room 201) and at the MUB Greenstone Room (MUB 106A) during his time here.

RSVP today, as space is limited. You can register for a session with TIAA directly by logging in to your TIAA or guest account, then searching for "Michigan Tech" in the Institution field. When asked how you would like to meet, select "In Person at My Employer."

You can also register for a meeting by calling TIAA at 800-732-8353 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

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Student Climate Change Leadership Development Opportunity

Do you know a student who is passionate about tackling climate change and ready to develop the skills to make a real difference? Please share with them the NextGen Climate Leadership Award opportunity that offers Michigan Tech students a unique opportunity to invest in their future as climate changemakers.

Thanks to a generous alumni donation, this fund supports current full-time Michigan Tech students at any academic level who want to build networks, develop competencies and strengthen their leadership capacity around climate change solutions. Up to $1,000 is available per student.

For more details and a link to the application, please visit the Sustainability Blog.

Note: Graduate students seeking funding directly related to their research and presenting their research at conferences should first explore funding through their academic departments.

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

Nanowonder: Images of the Microscopic World Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries

Tuesday, September 23, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Art Galleries

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT For centuries, humanity has been fascinated with the microscopic world. Through advancements in technology, visually investigating this hidden...

MTU Fall 2025 Career Fair Forged by Nucor

Tuesday, September 23, 12–5 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC)

🚀 Michigan Tech Career Fair Career Fair is exciting—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You’ve got this, and we’re here to help. Michigan Tech’s Career Fair brings...

Reading Group on Early Christian Thought: St. Augustine of Hippo’s Confessions

Tuesday, September 23, 12–1 p.m. | Walker Arts and Humanities Center, Petersen Library (318)

Join us on Tuesdays at noon for the Fall 2025 reading group on early christian though! What? St. Augustine of Hippo’s Confessions Where? 3rd Floor of Walker, Peterson Library...

Study Away Info Session

Tuesday, September 23, 4–5 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Alumni Lounge A

Want an in-depth introduction to your opportunities to participate in a study away or study abroad program? Attend an info session to learn about our university partnerships...

Linux workshop

Tuesday, September 23, 5–6 p.m. | Rekhi 112

This workshop will introduce you to the essentials of Linux, Git, and version control. You’ll learn how to set up and navigate a Linux environment, manage files and...

Kickoff Meeting

Tuesday, September 23, 6–7 p.m. | MUB Ballroom A2

Whether you are new to crocheting and knitting or an expert, join us for our first Tiny Knitz meeting of the year! Here we will be teaching crocheting basics, or giving you a...

Member Meeting SAF Forestry Club

Tuesday, September 23, 6–7 p.m. | G002 UJ Noblet Building

The Semiweekly meeting of the SAF Forestry Club covering topics including previous events, upcoming events, conferences, and club logistics.

NCSA General Meeting

Tuesday, September 23, 6–7 p.m. | Chem-Sci 211

NCSA's weekly meeting is where we cover what's going on in the organization, often followed by a guest presenter, then discussion of what's going on in the world of...

Weekly Practice

Tuesday, September 23, 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Upper Field

Come practice your soccer skills with us! We run practice like a competitive club team. We practice similarly to how a competitive club or high school team would. We start...

Student Community Meal

Tuesday, September 23, 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Good Shepard

Join us for our weekly free student meal, held Tuesdays during the semester at Good Shepard Lutheran Church. Come to cook, serve, eat, clean up, or all of the above! Cooking...