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MULLINS NAMED CHAIR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Michael Mullins has been named chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering. Mullins has taught and conducted research at Michigan Tech since 1988. He was named professor of chemical engineering in 1994 and has served as interim chair of the department for the past year.

"I am really pleased that Dr. Mike Mullins has accepted the chair's position in the Department of Chemical Engineering," said Dean of Engineering Robert Warrington. "He was clearly an outstanding candidate in a national search that was conducted this past year. His credentials are excellent and he has already made a positive impact during this past year as the interim chair."

His research interests are in the areas of environmental thermodynamics and kinetics, glass and ceramic synthesis, particle technology, polymer-inorganic nanocomposites, and catalysis and reaction engineering. He has successfully directed more than 30 research projects with a value of over $7 million, supporting over 20 master's and eight PhD students. He has taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate classes spanning most of the chemical engineering curriculum. He has served in many capacities within the department and university, including as chair of the departmental graduate and curriculum committees, on the University Senate, and as president of the Michigan Tech chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Mullins received his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a Chemical Engineer's degree, a graduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester. He worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratories and the Research Triangle Institute and taught as an adjunct faculty at North Carolina State University before coming to Michigan Tech.

FRENDEWEY APPOINTED ASSOCIATE DEAN OF SBE

James O. Frendewey has been appointed associate dean of the School of Business and Economics effective July 1, Keith Lantz announced.

"We are pleased to have someone as capable as Jim to take over the position," said Lantz, dean of the School of Business and Economics.

Frendewey earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BS in Engineering Administration from Michigan Tech before earning MS and PhD degrees in Management Science from the University of Colorado in Boulder. He taught in the School of Business at Virginia Tech before returning to Michigan Tech in 1989.

His research has been in the areas of network optimization, scheduling and computational testing of optimization algorithms. He is on the "Editorial Advisory Board of Computers & Operations Research."

Frendeway has coauthored articles appearing in several journals, including "Networks," "Decision Sciences," "Journal of the Operational Research Society," "Forest Science" and "Mineral Resources Engineering."

Frendewey has advised several MS students and has served on a number of MS and PhD committees across campus. He has also been active on many University committees.

Frenedewey fills the position vacated by Terry Monson, who, after 10 years in administration, has decided to return to the SBE faculty. Monson was highly instrumental in attaining accreditation through the AACSB for the SBE. "We appreciate the many years of service Terry provided the School," Lantz said.

SEELY NAMED CHAIR OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Bruce E. Seely has accepted an appointment as chair of the Department of Social Sciences.

"He will assume his new duties August 19," said Max Seel, dean of sciences and arts.

Seely succeeds Terry Reynolds, who, after 12 years as department chair, is stepping down to a regular faculty position.

Seely received his PhD in the History of Technology from the University of Delaware in 1982, joining the Michigan Tech faculty in 1986. During his tenure at Michigan Tech, he has served three years as president of the University Senate and was MTU's first conflict of interest coordinator. He has also been active on a number of University committees.

"Due to his extensive University-wide service, Bruce is not only highly respected by the faculty in the Department of Social Sciences, but by faculty and administrators across campus," Seel said. "In addition, Bruce has been highly active at the national level. The department and the University will benefit from Bruce's experience and connections."

Seely is a past secretary of the Society for the History of Technology and past president of the Public Works Historical Association. He has spent the last two years on leave from Michigan Tech serving as director of the Science, Technology and Society Program at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Va.

Seely's research has been nationally recognized. Among his honors is the Abel Wolman Award of the Public Works Historical Society for his book, "Building the American Highway System: Engineers as Policy Makers." In addition, his scholarly articles have won prizes from the Society for the History of Technology, the Railroad History Society, the Society for Industrial Archeology and the American Society for Engineering Education.

WHO'S THE NERDIEST? WE ARE!
by Dean Woodbeck

We may be nerds, but at least we're in good company.

That sums up Tech's reaction to a new book that has just been released.

"The Unofficial, Unbiased, Insider's Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges" includes an annual survey of high school guidance counselors on various aspects of how students choose a college. One question in the survey asked counselors to consider: if the movie "Revenge of the Nerds" were remade today, where would it be filmed?

Among the top 10 schools chosen was Michigan Tech. The "nerdiest school by far" according to the publisher, was the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Other schools on the list include Cal Tech, Harvard, Princeton and Carnegie Mellon. As the only university in Michigan on the list, Tech lays claim to the title, "nerdiest school in the state."

Michigan Tech undoubtedly gained its mention because of its engineering and science focus--stereotypical nerdy fields, to be sure.

About 60 percent of the students at Tech study engineering, and a large majority of the rest are in fields like computer science, mathematics, biological sciences, chemistry and forestry and ecology. But the university also has strong programs in business and communications.

The book, published by Kaplan Publishing and Simon and Schuster, is now available in bookstores

BLUE KEY WINS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Michigan Tech's Blue Key Honor Fraternity was recognized as "A Model Blue Key Chapter" and was presented the Award of Excellence from the executive director of the national organization at their national convention in Kansas City in June.

MTU Blue Key president Ed Verhamme and members Jacob Halkola and Hiromi Suenaga accepted the honor at the convention.

"We had the opportunity to share our chapter's activities involving Winter Carnival," Verhamme said. "It was almost impossible to explain to everyone exactly where Houghton was located and that it was possible to transform snow into marvelous statues."

Verhamme was elected to serve on the National Blue Key Board of Directors, which is comprised of only three students nationwide. "There are more than 80 chapters of Blue Key in the country, so it is a great honor to serve on the national board," Verhamme said. "Chris Sieverdes, executive director of Blue Key, cited 'our chapter's significant contribution to the community and university that exemplifies the ideals upon which Blue Key was founded.' He wanted our chapter's success to rub off on other chapters so having 'MTU represented on the board is a must.'"

The advisor of the MTU chapter is William McGarry, vice president, Administration

MTU FLASH SITE HONORED AGAIN

The Michigan Tech "Build" Flash website and postcard have received a 2002 Apex Award of Excellence for Site Content and Marketing Plan by Communications Concepts, Inc. of Springfield, Va. According to their press release, "Apex Awards are based on excellence in graphical design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence."

This is the second award for the website and postcard, which were coordinated by Nancy Rehling, director of admissions; edited by Dennis Walikainen; and designed by Chad Arney and Diane Keranen (University Relations).

MILLER TO PARTICIPATE IN NAE NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

Associate Professor Michele Miller (ME-EM) is among 84 of the nation's top young engineers selected to participate in the National Academy of Engineering's eighth annual Frontiers of Engineering symposium. The three-day event will bring together engineers age 30 to 45 who are performing leading-edge engineering research and technical work. The participants--from industry, academia and government--were nominated by fellow engineers or organizations and were chosen from a field of nearly 150 applicants.

"Frontiers of Engineering is a unique opportunity for outstanding young engineers from a variety of disciplines to meet one another and discuss cutting-edge topics in the field," said NAE President William A. Wulf. "This symposium brings together talented individuals who represent the future leaders in engineering."

The symposium will be held Sept. 19-21 at the National Academies' Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center in Irvine, Calif., and will explore topics in chemical engineering, human factors engineering, nuclear energy and quantum information technology. Andrew Viterbi, president of Viterbi Group and co-founder of Qualcomm, will be a featured speaker

STUDENTS: BE AWARE WHEN CONSOLIDATING STUDENT LOANS

When consolidating student loans, be sure you understand all the consequences.

For example, some lenders were encouraging borrowers to consolidate their federal student loans before interest rates were slated to drop on July 1.

In addition, other benefits could be lost with a consolidated loan. For example, the federal government offers loan forgiveness provisions for its teachers. If the teacher has already consolidated his or her loans, the loan forgiveness provision may not apply.

If you have any questions about consolidating loan information, contact the U.S. Dept. of Education Student Financial Assistance Ombudsman. The Ombudsman Customer Service Line is 1-877-557-2575.

EPA RESEARCH VESSEL OFFERS TOURS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Michigan Tech will sponsor an open house on the research vessel Lake Guardian, Saturday, July 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. The ship will be docked on the Houghton side of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge near Houghton Waterfront Park.
Thirty-minute tours of the vessel will be conducted by EPA researchers for 20 people per tour, every 15 minutes, starting at 7 p.m. Tour space will be reserved on a first-come basis. To register, contact Katie Walch (kewalch@mtu.edu or 487-3341).

The EPA uses the Lake Guardian to gather data concerning the chemical and biological conditions of the Great Lakes and to monitor pollutant concentrations. It is fitted with state-of-the-art navigational, laboratory and mechanical equipment. EPA researchers will display and explain the variety of monitoring devices used aboard the ship.

As part of its long-term trends program, the EPA conducts monitoring surveys of the Great Lakes every two years. During each survey, samples are taken at from eight to 20 pre-established locations in each lake.

The Lake Guardian will have just completed a week on Lake Superior as part of the Ecology of the Great Lakes Institute attended by 20 science and math teachers. Almost half of the participating teachers are from Houghton County schools. The institute aims to help educators teach about Lake Superior and Great Lakes ecology.

The course is cosponsored by Michigan Tech, the Isle Royale Institute and the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education. The center is a partnership of Michigan Tech and the Copper Country and Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School Districts.

"These tours provide a great opportunity for middle- and high-school students to become acquainted with careers in science and math," said Joan Chadde, a program director at the Western U.P. Center.

CITIZEN KANE COMES TO THE CALUMET THEATRE
by Joe Kirkish

On Friday, July 19, the Mu Beta Psi music fraternity brings Orson Welles' world acclaimed masterpiece "Citizen Kane" to the screen at the Calumet Theatre.

Without exaggeration, it can be claimed that this film has received accolades from around the world. At an international film festival in Brussels, it was voted one of the 12 best of all time. The American Film Institute rates it as number one in its list of top 100 greatest films, just above "Casablanca" and "Sunset Boulevard." It is considered so important no film study class would be without it.

And yet, ironically, when it first opened in 1941, it was a commercial disaster, partly because its filmic innovation (later to be copied by every great film maker in the world) was not understood by its contemporary audiences, and also because it was virtually driven from the American screens by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who saw it as a thinly disguised condemnation of his life.

With his clout, Hearst discouraged the press from publishing information regarding the film-even dates and places of showings were removed from the papers which Hearst owned-and that compromised nearly all the important newspapers in the country at the time.

"Citizen Kane" is the story of a complicated, wealthy man's life. It is also the story of love and power, with power and an overwhelming ambition taking dominance as the story progresses.

The movie reveals the brilliance of a youthful Welles who almost single-handedly masterminded the film. At the age of just 25, after his great success with his Mercury Theatre of the Air--a radio series that included the never forgotten "War of the Worlds"--Welles turned his attention on Hollywood for his next conquest.

He brought with him many of the already-famous radio stars from the radio series, created a script with veteran writer Herman J. Mankiewicz, borrowed one of Hollywood's greatest cinematographers, Gregg Toland, and conscripted Robert Wise (later to become famous as an important director of the 1930s-60s) to do the editing. But, entrepreneur that he was, Welles not only acted the lead and directed the film, but oversaw every stage of the production. Win or lose, it was to be his opus.

The film has an intricate structure. It is developed like a mystery story in which pieces of a puzzle must be put together to solve its basic mystery, the answer to "Who or what is Rosebud?" It begins with the wealthy man's dying word, "Rosebud," and then goes on as five people are interviewed to learn the secret of the word. Each of the interviews flashes back to reveal in chronological order, from childhood to the man's death, the multi-faceted, complex features that made up that man. Only at the very end is the puzzle pieced together and the meaning of "Rosebud" made clear.

Without a doubt, "Citizen Kane" is a true, suspenseful masterpiece. From its overall design to the smallest detail, it displays Welles' ability to weave a fascinating story while displaying his imaginative use of the filmic medium.

As a neophyte in movie techniques, Welles took chances with lighting, camera angles, use of wide-angle lenses and deep focus in ways never before considered. Ironically, today, imitation of his innovative techniques is ubiquitous, with some of the world's finest film makers admitting they learned from and freely imitated this single movie. For all that, "Citizen Kane" remains as a one-movie exercise in a penetrating exploration of what a good movie is all about.

It will be shown at 7:15 p.m., preceded by what the chefs at the Keweenaw Coop call Contemporary Hollywood Cuisine-a mix of tantalizing new tastes from the land of glitter and tinsel. Their gourmet buffet will be served at 6 p.m.

The combination of food and film is still $13, while the film alone again will be $3.50. (Discounts for children for this PG-rated movie.) Reservations for the buffet should be made by calling the Calumet Theatre at 337-2610.

"Citizen Kane" is brought through the financial support of the Mariner North Restaurant and Lodge, Copper Harbor.

Looking to next month, the August Club Indigo takes an ironic look at war with another great black and white classic, "Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb"--a timely film for all the world today.

August Computer Classes

Michigan Tech offers computer classes in collaboration with dL Education. To register, send an e-mail to the Center for Professional Development and Quality Improvement at rwchrist@mtu.edu. Include the class(es) in which you want to enroll, your phone number and account number to which the class(es) should be charged. The charge is $60 for three-hour (half-day) classes; $120 for six-hour (full-day) sessions. Charges will be billed to your account the month following attendance. dL Education is located in the E. L. Wright Plaza, Suite 201A at 801 N. Lincoln Drive in Hancock. The Plaza is located on Quincy Hill, just below Pat's IGA.

The Center for Professional Development will be closed through Sunday, July 21. If you need to register for computer classes during that time, contact Brandy at dL Education directly at 487-9219. You may also email her at bkilpela@upideas.com. She will need your email address and phone number, along with the classes in which you wish to enroll. Please copy the Center (rwchrist@mtu.edu) and include the account to be charged on your email.

• Access level 1, Tues., August 6, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Access level 2, Tues., August 13, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Access level 3, Tues., August 20, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Excel level 1, Thurs., August 22, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Excel level 2, Thurs., August 22, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Excel level 1, Mon., August 5, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Excel level 2, Wed., August 7, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Excel level 1, Mon., August 26, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Excel level 2, Tues., August 27, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• PowerPoint, Thurs., August 8, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Publisher, Wed., August 28, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Windows level 1, Thurs., August 1, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Windows level 2, Thurs., August 1, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Windows level 1, Mon., August 12, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Windows level 2, Wed., August 14, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Word level 1, Thurs., August 15, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Word level 2, Thurs., August 15, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Word level 1, Mon., August 19, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Word level 2, Wed., August 21, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

REGULAR FEATURES News  | Entertainment & Enrichment  |  Seminars & Workshops  |  Calendar MTU Notables On the Road New Job Posting

MTU NOTABLES

Associate Professor Sonia Goltz (SBE) and Assistant Professor Amy Hietapelto (SBE) presented two sessions at the Organizational Behavior Teaching Conference in Orange, Calif. on June 21: "Using Challenge Course Activities to Stimulate Discussions of Ethics" and "Using Challenge Course Activities to Stimulate Discussions of Diversity." The sessions were also co-authored by training coordinator Sharon Tyrell (Human Resources). The three authors received Best of Conference honors for their sessions for being among the "most innovative and highest rated of the entire conference," according to the conference coordinator.

NEW STAFF

William I. Roberts has joined the Admissions Department as a campus visit coordinator/Wisconsin admissions representative. He was formerly employed at ITT Technical Institute as an admissions representative. He was also employed as a financial aid administrator at ITT.

Roberts received a bachelor of science degree in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. He enjoys canoeing/kayaking, camping, skiing and studying history. He and his wife Amy live in Lake Linden.

Robert M. Bishop has joined the Office of Student Affairs as assistant director or student activities. He was formerly employed as the director of special events at Finlandia University and also served in the U.S. Marines.

Bishop received a bachelor of science degree from Northern Michigan University. He is presently a candidate for a master of arts in Administrative Services at NMU. He lives in Lake Linden with his wife Sierra and son Hunter.

ON THE ROAD

Professor Elizabeth A. Flynn (Humanities) delivered a paper, "Modernist Generations: Woolf's (Anti)Modern Reading," at the 12th Annual Virginia Woolf Conference, held at Sonoma State University in early June.

Associate Professor Barry Solomon (Social Sciences) presented a paper, "Eco-Labeling for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: a Meta-Evaluation of U.S. Programs," at the Annual Conference of the National Association of Environmental Professionals held in Dearborn on June 23-26.

Michigan Tech Positions Available

Job descriptions will be available at 1 p.m. on Friday or by e-mail from <JOBS@MTU.EDU>. For a complete listing of available jobs, visit http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings/index.shtml

The following position will be posted Friday, July 12, 2002, at 1 p.m. through noon, Friday, July 19, 2002, in the Human Resources Office.

Maintenance Machinist--College of Engineering (AFSCME internal posting only)

University employees are reminded to apply in writing prior to noon, Friday, July 19, 2002, to be considered as internal candidates for bargaining unit positions only. Applicants from the recall pool will be given first consideration for non-bargaining-unit positions only. Vacancy announcements are normally posted every Friday at 1:00 p.m. in the Human Resources Office. Complete job descriptions are available in the Human Resources Office or by calling 487-2280. More information regarding employment opportunities is available by calling the Job Line at 487-2895. Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer.

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