Sue McDaniel, Tech Topics editorial assistant, 906-487-2343

You can reach us via e-mail at ttopics@mtu.edu The deadline for submitting information for Tech Topics is 5:00 p.m. the Friday before anticipated publication.

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BOARD APPOINTS DESIGN FIRM FOR $31 MILLION RENOVATION PROJECT

The Board of Control accepted a $3.2 million proposal from Boldt/Hammel Green Abrahamson/U.P. Engineers and Architects to provide design and construction management services for the renovation of Wadsworth Hall.

The three-firm partnership brings together representatives from Boldt Construction of Appleton, Wis.; Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, an architectural engineering firm based in Minneapolis; and U.P. Engineers and Architects, of Houghton.

The remodeling is slated to begin in May 2004. The $31.3 million project will take about two years to complete, said William Blumhardt, director of facilities management.

Extensive changes are on the drawing board.

"We want to provide the residents with a more-modern residence hall that offers more privacy in the restrooms, as well as laundry rooms and community areas with kitchenettes on each floor," said John Rovano, director of residential services. "In addition to fire sprinklers, we'll be addressing a number of other safety issues."

Wiring will be upgraded to accommodate the numerous electronic devices students now bring to campus. Handicapped accessibility will be improved, and the dining services will be revamped, so food can be prepared to order.

Students will have more space, including more storage space. "And we'll replace furniture in student rooms," Rovano said.

With 1,160 beds, Wadsworth Hall is the University's largest residence hall. It was originally constructed in 1955, with additions in 1961 and 1966. The renovations will be completed in several phases so that no more than 200 beds will be taken out of use at any given time.

A major telephone service breakdown nearly shut down the Board in mid-meeting. Board Member Claude Verbal was attending via a phone connection to Arizona when a break in SBC's fiber-optic cable in Nestoria interrupted all service outside the Houghton area. With Verbal suddenly absent, the Board lost its quorum and was unable to conduct business for about an hour. He later rejoined the meeting when MTU telecommunications staff set up a cell phone linking him with the Board's electronic sound system.

In other business, the Board

* accepted the low bid of Rehman Robson to serve as the University's auditor. The accounting firm bid $270,000 for the five-year contract.

* tabled action on a proposal to amend the academic calendar. The administration is supporting a calendar with 14-week semesters that has broad support among the faculty. The Undergraduate Student Government opposes the change. Currently, Michigan Tech's calendar has two 15-week semesters.

MTU TO ELIMINATE FOOTBALL

  Michigan Tech will eliminate its varsity football program effective immediately, said athletics director Rick Yeo.

  The move comes in the midst of extremely challenging financial times for Michigan Tech. All units of the University have been mandated to reduce their total budget by 10 percent for the next fiscal year, with additional plans in place for a 7 percent reduction the following year, and 5 percent the year after that.

  "There have been some difficult decisions to make in my 13 years as athletic director, but none quite like this," said Yeo. "While we are sensitive to the fact that this will be an unpopular decision in the eyes of many, particularly those it directly impacts, we are also firm in our belief that this is the best decision for the overall well-being of the athletic program."

  Yeo said that student-athletes in the football program who receive scholarship money will continue to receive that assistance through graduation as long as they remain in good academic standing. In addition, members of Tech's coaching staff will be afforded a nine-month period (through the end of this calendar year) in which to find another position.

  "When you're forced to make the significant budget reductions we were asked to, there really weren't a lot of options," said Yeo. "Our programs are already operating with no room for error, and to come up with the cuts we needed to, eliminating one of our major programs was really the only option.

  "In difficult times like this, it's hard to find good, but there are some positives."

  Yeo was referring to the fact that when the current football scholarships become available, they will remain in the athletic department and will be reallocated to improve the remaining programs. In addition, the Nordic skiing and tennis programs—both once in jeopardy —will be retained.

  Yeo also noted that head football coach Bernie Anderson will be given the opportunity to stay on the staff in another capacity.

  "We'd like to find a position for all of our football coaches," said Yeo, "but that's not realistic. Bernie has been a tremendous ambassador for Michigan Tech in his 19 years here and has many other talents that have the opportunity to benefit our department."

SERTICH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT; NATIONAL SEARCH UNDERWAY

Mike Sertich, head hockey coach at Michigan Tech since Nov. 9, 2000, announced that he will retire, effective June 30.

"I've really enjoyed my time here," said Sertich. "The people have been wonderful and the kids just absolutely fantastic. I feel like the program is on very solid ground, and it's an appropriate time for me to move on to the next stage in life.

"You know, my dad died when he was 61 and never got to retirement. I have a wonderful wife, three terrific children and six grandchildren to enjoy. I'll miss coaching, no question about it, but I feel in my heart that the timing is right."

The 56-year-old Sertich took over the Michigan Tech program on Nov. 8, 2000, nine games into the season, on an interim basis. He had the interim title removed on January 19, 2001, and was signed to a five-year contract.

Michigan Tech made great strides under Sertich's leadership. The Huskies finished the 2002-03 season with 17 points in the WCHA, the most since 1998-99. In addition, 12 of the team's players registered career highs in points for a single season. Sertich also led the club to double digits in wins for the first time since 1997-98.

"Mike's goal when he came here was to create stability in the program, and I believe he has done that," said Yeo. "While I would prefer to have Mike remain for another year or two, I respect his decision, and I'm confident the next coach will be inheriting a team with great potential. I wish Mike the very best in his retirement and thank him for the commitment he made to the Michigan Tech hockey program."

Sertich concludes a 21-year head coaching career with a record of 375-397-53 overall, including a 25-69-9 mark at MTU. He is a four-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year, and was named the NCAA Division I Coach of the Year in 1983-84.

A national search for a replacement is under way.

"We'll move as quick as we can," said Yeo, "but at the same time, we'll take the time necessary to get the right person in place."

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MICHIGAN TECH ELIMINATES VICE PRESIDENT POSITION

Michigan Tech will eliminate one vice president position as part of its restructuring.

President Curt Tompkins announced the position of vice president of administration, currently held by William J. McGarry, will be discontinued. It is part of the structural realignment precipitated by the state's weakened financial condition.

"Bill's dedicated service has helped the University through some troubled financial times," Tompkins said. "He was also a key figure, early on, in the success of our FutureCar and FutureTruck teams."

Areas reporting to McGarry include Auxiliary Services, Facilities Management, Human Resources and Residential Services. Most of these responsibilities will be reassigned to Dan Greenlee, the University's chief financial officer.

McGarry will continue with the University, teaching in the School of Business and Economics and carrying out special assignments for the president. He joined Michigan Tech in 1993 as treasurer and chief financial officer.

Governor Jennifer Granholm's proposed 2003-04 budget includes a 10 percent cut in state appropriations to higher education, including a $5.5 million reduction at Michigan Tech. As a result, the university has implemented a hiring freeze and has begun developing plans for structural realignment.

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FREEZE IN EFFECT

Submitted by Dan Greenlee, CFO

Michigan Tech is immediately placing a freeze on the purchase of capital equipment, fabricated capital equipment and capital leases. This freeze is in effect for all funds except Research and Sponsored Contracts and Grants and Student Lab Fee funds.

Capital equipment is defined as an item which has a unit cost of $2,500 or more and a useful life of two or more years. Fabricated capital equipment is defined as an item being constructed by combining modular components and/or material into one functional unit. The finished product will have a unit cost of $2,500 or more, a useful life of two or more years and the capacity to function without assistance of another item. Capital leases are defined as capital equipment being purchased with a contract from a vendor, banking institution or some other lending institution.

If departments have a critical need to purchase capital equipment, submit a purchase requisition with memo justification to the Purchasing Department. The request will be reviewed by the Capital Equipment Review Committee. An alternative is to submit a request to the Property Office; a search for appropriate equipment on campus will be initiated.

This capital equipment purchasing freeze will be in effect for the next six months.

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CLEAN SNOWMOBILE CHALLENGE KICKS OFF THURSDAY

HANDLING EVENT SATURDAY

Teams of student engineers from across the U.S. and Canada will converge on the Copper Country this week, custom sleds in tow, for the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge.

For the first time, the challenge will take place at the Keweenaw Research Center, home of 500 acres of proving grounds and the Midwest's finest winter driving test track.

The Clean Snowmobile Challenge is the Society of Automotive Engineers' newest collegiate design competition. Teams of engineering students from participating schools take a perfectly good stock snowmobile and then reengineer it to reduce emissions and noise while maintaining or improving performance.

"We've got a dozen very talented teams representing some great schools coming here, and we're really looking forward to showing them the Copper Country," said Jay Meldrum, director of the Keweenaw Research Center.

After safety inspections Thursday, the competition begins in earnest at 11 a.m. with an endurance run from the center, up the snowmobile trail to Copper Harbor. The course will be monitored by the MTU Sledheads student group, who will assist teams that fall behind, and the local chapter of Amateur Radio Emergency Services. "We'll be there to report any sleds that drop out, so that folks can give them a hand," said ARES member Becki Schellinger, a Michigan Tech student.

Friday is given over to noise, emissions, acceleration and braking tests.

On Saturday, the public--especially snowmobiling enthusiasts--is invited to come out to the Keweenaw Research Center to watch the teams thread their sleds through the Snow Cross Course. The handling event is set for 9:30 a.m. to noon. There's no seating; viewers can stand near the course.

The testing events complete, the teams will put their sleds on display from 3 to 5 p.m. outside the Memorial Union. The public is invited to stop by, see the snowmobiles and talk to the students. Lab tours of the mechanical engineering department will be offered at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. beginning in the MEEM lobby. The awards banquet follows at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom. The cost is $25 per person; contact Gail Sanchez at 487-2911 for ticket information.

Teams participating in the Clean Snowmobile Challenge include Clarkson University in New York, Colorado State University, Idaho State University, Kettering University in Flint, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State University-Mankato, State University of New York at Buffalo, the University of Idaho, the University of Waterloo in Ontario, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and the University of Wyoming.

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SHONNARD TO RECEIVE FAHIEN AWARD

Associate Professor David Shonnard (Chemical Engineering) has been selected to receive the Ray W. Fahien Award from the American Society for Engineering Education. The award, which is given annually to an educator who has shown evidence of vision and contribution to chemical engineering education, consists of a $1,000 stipend and a plaque which will be presented to Shonnard at the Chemical Engineering Division Banquet of the ASEE Annual Conference, June 22, in Nashville.

The award is given in honor of Ray Fahien, the editor of Chemical Engineering Education, who gave his time and talents to advance pedagogical scholarship, particularly in the careers of young educators, through his dedication to the journal and the profession.

Since coming to Michigan Tech in 1993, Shonnard has conducted three ASEE/EPA/industry workshops that have been well-attended by both academics and industrial engineers. He and his students have also developed several pieces of software to serve as integrated environmental design tools in chemical process simulators. Most recently he published a textbook, co-authored with David Allen, "Green Engineering: Environmentally Conscious Design of Chemical Processes."

Shonnard has also developed a complementary Web-based resource for pollution prevention curriculum development, http://www.p2workshop.org, under a project sponsored by the National Science Foundation (2001).

His awards include two National Science Foundation grants and five Research Experience for Undergraduates Awards.

"During his time at MTU, he has shown exceptional promise as both a researcher and an educator," said Department Chair Mike Mullins, who nominated Shonnard for the award. "He has consistently tried to link research and the undergraduate curriculum in all of his projects."

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HODEK TO CHAIR STATE ENGINEERING BOARD

Associate Professor Ralph Hodek (Civil and Environmental Engineering) has been elected chairman of the Board of Professional Engineers of the State of Michigan.

His one-year term begins in April.

The board oversees the licensing of all engineers in Michigan. Only licensed professional engineers may practice in the state. The board is charged with protecting the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state of Michigan, Hodek said.

Hodek was appointed to a four-year term on the state board by Governor John Engler in 2000. He has served on the Michigan Tech faculty since 1969.

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FINANCE STUDENTS SEMIFINALISTS IN NATIONAL COMPETITION

Students in the Applied Portfolio Management Program have made it to the semifinal round in the University of Dayton RISE Symposium portfolio competition.

"This is the third year in a row for our team," Assistant Professor Dean Johnson (SBE) said. "We are three for three. . . . We are now in a position to defend our national championship."

Last year, students in the Applied Portfolio Management Program beat out dozens of student investors from business schools across the U.S. and Canada to win the second annual RISE Symposium in the Blended category. As one of the three winning teams, they opened the Nasdaq stock exchange in Times Square and appeared on the CNBC finance program "Squawk Box."

This year's team was featured recently on the CNBC program "Power Lunch."

The symposium will be held March 26-28 in Ohio.

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MICHIGAN SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM 2003 AWARD WINNERS

Students have applied for and received Michigan Space Grant Consortium awards for research. Undergraduates received $2,500 and graduate students received $5,000. They are listed below along with the title of the proposal, department and advisor.

Undergraduate

*Kirk Anderson (Physics), Differential Mobility Analyzer, Raymond Shaw

*Becky Fisher (Biomedical Engineering), FAK/MAPK Signal Transduction with Mechanical Loading of Muscle in Vivo, Eric Blough

*Dave Jaroch (Biomedical Engineering), JAK/STAT Signaling in Muscle Mechanotransduction, Eric Blough

*Meghan McGee (Biomedical Engineering), The Effect of Annual Hibernation on the Mechanics and Histology of Black Bear Bones, Seth Donahue

Graduate

*Yvonne Kay Branan (GMES), Investigating Data Patterns in an Attempt to Better Understand the Factors that Lead to Volcanic Events, I. Matthew Watson

*Michael L. Larsen (Physics), Radar Reflectivity and Rainfall Estimations From Space, Alex Kostinski

*Leonard C. Mankowski (GMES), Bringing a Virtual Field Experience to the Classroom, Jackie Huntoon

*Emily McCarthy (GMES), Multispectral Analysis of the August 2000 Eruption Clouds of Miyakejima, Japan, Gregg Bluth

*Heidi Sherman (GMES), Quantification of Hydrogeologic Controls on Elevated Uranium in Sandstone Aquifers, John Gierke

The following faculty and staff have also received Michigan Space Grant Consortium awards.

*Will Cantrel (Physics), Infrared Spectroscopic Study of Ice Nucleation by Long Chain Alcohols

*Peter Larson (Educational Opportunity), Women and Explorations in Engineering Mentor/Keynote

*John Lehman (Educational Opportunity), MSGC  Aerospace Engineering Summer Scholars, for Precollege Programs and for Special Initiatives Augmentation

*Robert Nemiroff (Physics), Education through the Astronomy Picture of the Day; Public and Student Access to the Cosmos through a Website

*Bela Torok (Chemistry), New Bifunctional Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide Recycling

*Matthew Watson (GMES), Gas Emission Studies of Popocatepetl Volcano, Mexico

For more information, contact Sandy Henkel, 487-2920, shenkel@mtu.edu.

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MCAFEE SOFTWARE AVAILABLE FOR HOME USERS

McAfee VirusScan is available at wholesale prices to all MTU faculty, staff and students for home use.

"We were able to negotiate an extremely low price because of our current contract," said Steve Camps, senior systems analyst. "It's important for security reasons that all MTU computer users have access to this program. Virus protection is important, especially for those who do work-related tasks at home."

Chuck LaPointe of Telcom Customer Service said, "If we could afford to give it away we would. It's that important to our overall computing security. We are able to distribute this software at a cost of $5 per year."

McAfee protects your PC, files and email address book from high-risk, productivity-killing viruses, worms and trojans like Slammer, Code Red, Nimda, SirCam and Bugbear. McAfee will automatically check for virus updates and software upgrades (included free with your one-year coverage), so your protection is always up-to-the-minute.

The $5 cost will cover users through December 31, and is renewable next year for the same price. The software can be obtained through Telcom Customer Service, room B24, EERC. All updates are also included.

For more information call Telcom Customer Service at 487-2000.

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SENATE TASK FORCE LAUNCHES "BEST PRACTICES" CONTEST

The University Senate Task Force on Career Opportunities for Professional Staff is sponsoring a contest to bring forward ideas on professional staff career development.

All faculty and staff are invited to submit their ideas and examples of best practices in industry and academia. Contest prizes include dinners for two at a local restaurant, pairs of tickets for an MTU Great Event performance, Campus Café "bucks," and retail items from the Campus Store. Submissions must be made through the contest website, http://www.mse.mtu.edu/tfcops/contest.htm no later than March 31. Contest winners will be notified by April 4.

Contest submissions may address any one of five areas of professional staff career development: opportunities for promotion, rewards or recognition for activities related to instruction, rewards or recognition for contributions to research, rewards or recognition for professional development, and rewards or recognition for development of University policy.

The task force plans to incorporate winning submissions into their recommendations to the University Senate later this year.

"There may be budget cuts going on, but the Task Force on Career Opportunities for Professional Staff is determined to keep a positive focus on career opportunities for professional staff at MTU," task force member Patricia Sotirin (Humanities) said.

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WEIGHT WATCHERS AT WORK PROGRAM RETURNS TO MTU

The Weight Watchers "At Work Program" is returning to Michigan Tech. The projected date is April 1. Nancy Bykkonen, benefits secretary, has recently completed her Weight Watchers certification and will be the campus WW facilitator.

The cost of the program is $113 per member for the 12-week session. You must present a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan insurance card to be eligible for this discount. A minimum of 15 members must sign up for the program.

A free informational meeting will be held on Monday, March 24, noon-1 p.m. in Memorial Union Red Metal Room 105A. Feel free to bring your lunch and also sign up for a doorprize.

For more information, contact Bykkonen in the Benefits Office at 487-2517 or nabykkon@mtu.edu.

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CROSS FUNCTIONAL PLANNING GROUP MEETING MARCH 26

Faculty and staff are invited to attend the Cross Functional Planning Group meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom A.

This group was formed in December 2001 to brainstorm ideas to provide better service and get better information. Priorities were set and, as a result, six groups were formed to work on the highest-priority items.

The agenda will include presentations by the following groups: Reporting Tools, Position Management, Meeting Enrollment Technology Needs, Data Quality Improvement, Policies and Procedures, and Training.

Please bring your own beverage to the meeting if you wish.

For more information, contact Becky Christianson at 487-2416 or rwchrist@mtu.edu.

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STUDENT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Governor Jennifer Granholm has announced a program to identify and encourage the next generation of leaders for the State of Michigan.

The Michigan Leadership Development Program is designed to expose students from all academic disciplines to activities and work within the governor's office. Also included will be seminars, speakers and projects for internship holders to understand how the state works.

The program will run from the first week of June though the middle of August. Most projects will be in Lansing, but a few will be in Detroit and Washington, DC. The program is open to college juniors, seniors and graduate students from every field of study.

An application form must be completed and can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/gov --click on the bar marked INTERNSHIPS for information and forms. Applications must be submitted by April 30.

For basic background information, contact Bruce Seely, chair of the Department of Social Sciences at bseely@mtu.edu.

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TEACHING AT TECH: THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE TEACHER

by William Kennedy, Director

Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development

A not-so-quiet revolution is taking place in college teaching. Colleges and universities around the world are going through a process of reevaluating everything they do using the single measure "does this (activity, process, unit) directly foster student learning?" They are, in short, redefining their basic missions and rethinking their methods to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse body of entering students and the changing demands of society.

One highly influential, community-college change agent, associated with this reinvention process is Terry O'Banion's book "A Learning College for the 21st Century." O'Banion argues that for community colleges to meet the diverse needs of the widely varying groups of students that they admit, they must restructure themselves to create learning environments and experiences that 1) create productive change in individual learners regardless of their preparation and motivation, 2) engage diverse learners as full partners in the learning process, 3) offer learners with varying aptitudes and competing obligations multiple options for learning, 4) encourage diverse learners to collaborate and partner with one another, and 5) recognize and reward programmatic success only when profound, relevant learning has been clearly documented.

Maryellen Weimer's most recent book, "Learner-Centered Teaching: Five Key Changes to Practice," applies many of O'Banion's ideas to higher education, in general. One of the key changes she advocates is fundamentally rethinking the role of the university instructor. She argues that the tried-and-true lecture model, which still dominates instruction throughout the academy, serves the needs of fewer and fewer of the students that colleges and universities are admitting these days. Rather than wringing our hands and complaining that contemporary students aren't like the ones we admitted in the good old days, Weimer maintains instructors should use their considerable intellectual skills to divine alternate approaches to creating learning in the students who are actually being admitted.

A first step would be for instructors to gradually include non-lecture learning activities into their classes. Eventually, she argues, instructors should come to see themselves more as the "guide on the side" rather than exclusively as the "sage on the stage." She cautions that for non-lecture learning activities to be valued by students and actually foster student learning, non-lecture learning activities must be carefully conceived and properly prepared.

The traditional view of the college instructor as the sole expert who literally calls all the shots for the benefit of the unenlightened has run its course, according to Weimer. Professor as purveyor of course content is also a dated notion in a world literally drowning in information. The teacher who routinely dominated all of the classroom time with lectures and asides and made all the decisions about what is to be learned and how it will be learned is probably pretty frustrated at this point anyway, she points out, as more and more students only weakly "go through the motions" in hopes of passing the test.

Weimer advocates, instead, that instructors embrace alternate images of their role, such as instructor as midwife. In this view, the instructor uses her wisdom to carefully craft situations that encourage student learning and student engagement. The focus is on enabling and encouraging the students to take responsibility for some measure of their own learning. "Good teachers know when to hang back and be silent, and when to watch and wonder at what is taking place all around them," Weimer writes. "They can push and they can pull when necessary--just like midwives--but they know that they are not always called upon to perform."

In Weimer's revised view of university instruction, teachers would 1) do less telling and students would do more discovering, 2) do more design work, 3) consciously model desirable traits more often, 4) do more to get students learning from and with each other, 5) work to create fertile learning climates, and 6) provide quality, timely feedback and encouragement to students along the way.

GREAT JAZZ AT THE ROZSA

submitted by University Cultural Enrichment

This month is a good one for members of the Christian McBride Band, who will be performing at the Rozsa at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 28. Two of the leading journals of the jazz world, "Jazz Times" and "Bass Player," are featuring McBride for their cover stories, as well as reviewing "Vertical Vision," his latest album with the band. Each album represents a milestone in the development of McBride's talent. In this latest CD, and in what the Rozsa audience will hear, McBride has explored fresh new ways to combine acoustic and electric, mainstream and fusion, swing and funk. Recognized by Time magazine as "the most promising and versatile bassist since Charles Mingus," fans and critics alike acknowledge McBride as the most important acoustic and electric bassist to emerge from the jazz world in the last decade. Tickets for this not-to-be-missed concert are on sale at the Rozsa Center Box Office (487-3200, Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) or online at http://www.tickets.mtu.edu.

McBride's startling technical accomplishments, remarkable range and gorgeous full tone first caught the attention of the jazz world in the late 1980s and early 1990s when he was recognized as one of the generation of young lions who emerged at that time. Mentored by Wynton Marsalis, McBride's remarkable talents quickly earned him a stellar reputation. His first touring gig was with Roy Hargrove's band, and then in 1990, with the legendary trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, and later Joshua Redman. McBride's first album as a bandleader, "Gettin' To It" (1995), became one of the most important and best-selling records of the new generation in jazz. His latest, "Vertical Vision," was released last month on the prestigious Warner Bros. Jazz label.

There are very few players who bridge the traditional/contemporary line in jazz as comfortably as McBride. His passion for musical diversity and fusion has led him to work with most of the big names in jazz today, including eight-time Grammy winner Pat Metheny, who has invited McBride to tour as the bassist in his trio when they go on the road this fall. He has performed and recorded (approximately 200 recordings in all) with such notables as Chick Corea, Joshua Redman, Pat Metheny, Sting, Diana Krall, Milt Jackson, Isaac Hayes, Chaka Khan and, in the classical world, with the great soprano Kathleen Battle. Apart from his virtuoso skills as a bassist and bandleader, he is also a highly respected composer, arranger and educator. When he's not touring and recording with his own band, McBride continues to tour with Sting.

Other members of the Christian McBride Band are Ron Blake on saxophone, Geoffrey Keezer on piano and Terrion Gully on percussion. A saxophonist, composer and educator, Blake has been a member of New York's jazz scene elite since he joined the Roy Hargrove Quintet in 1992. Sitting in with the Branford Marsalis trio at the Village Vanguard, as well as the Mulgrew Miller and Kenny Kirkland bands, he rapidly became one of the most sought-after sax players in America. Born in the Virgin Islands, Blake came to the U.S. to attend Interlochen Arts Academy, later graduating from Northwestern University. Geoffrey Keezer, a native of Eau Claire, Wis., where both his parents taught music, began studying piano at age three. After a year at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he moved to New York City in 1989 to join Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Since then he has worked with numerous jazz greats and has released eight albums as a leader. Percussionist Gully is based in New York City, where he is active as a session player in the recording studios and as a sideman with numerous bands. Known for his outstanding talent and versatility, he has toured with a wide variety of artists, from jazz legends to the hottest hip-hop icons.

Christian McBride's visit to the Rozsa is made possible by funding from the James and Margaret Black Endowment and the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and is coordinated through the MTU Great Events Series Office (487-2844).

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ECO-LIT TO HOST ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORIAN

Environmental historian Carolyn Merchant will present "Partnership Ethics: Humanity and the Environment" on Monday, March 24, at 7 p.m. in Fisher 139. The event is hosted by the Eco-Lit Reading Group.

Merchant is the Chancellor's Professor of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California at Berkeley. She is a graduate of Vassar College and received her master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the history of science. She is the foremost authority on environmental history and has been called "the dean" of the subject by her peers.

Merchant has a voluminous publishing record. She is the author of "The Death of Nature: Women, Ecology, and the Scientific Revolution," "Ecological Revolutions: Nature, Gender, and Science in New England," "Radical Ecology: The Search for a Livable World," "Earthcare: Women and the Environment," and "The Columbia Guide to American Environmental History."

The event is supported by the MTU Visiting Women and Minority Scholar Series, the humanities department and the social sciences department. It is free and open to the public.

BALANCING NATURE AND COMMERCE IN COMMUNITY GROWTH

SEMINAR MARCH 31

Ed McMahon, vice-president and director of land use programs for the Conservation Fund and author of "Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities," will be the featured speaker at two presentations on March 31.

He will present "How to Work Effectively with Communities to Achieve Natural, Cultural and Historic Preservation" from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Red Metal Room of the Memorial Union.

"Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities" will be held in the Houghton High School auditorium from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Both presentations are free and open to the public, and are sponsored in part by the GEM Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, MTU Archives and Copper County Historial Collections and Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education.

FACULTY AND STAFF RECEIVE FUNDING

Assistant Professor Chandrashekhar P. Joshi (SFRES) has received $148,883 from the NSF for the first year of a five-year project totaling $583,883, "CAREER: Cellulose Biosynthesis in Aspen Trees."

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MTU NOTABLES

Graduate student Lizzette Rodriguez (GMES) has been awarded research funding in the amount of $1,000 from Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society Grants-in-Aid of Research Program for her project, "SO2 Loss Rates at Volcanoes with Different Atmospheric Conditions."

The Grants-in-Aid of Research Program offers support and encouragement by providing small grants to young scientists. Of the over 700 applications received, less than 25 percent received funding.

Rodriguez is pursuing a PhD in Geology. Research Assistant Professor Iain Watson (GMES) will supervise her research.

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IN PRINT

The Engineering Enterprise program is described in an article, "Business Education Joins Engineering Education: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach," in the International Journal of Engineering Education, Special Issue for 2003. The publication was authored by Associate Professor Vernon P. Dorweiler (SBE) and Mehenna Yakhou of Georgia College and State University.

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ON THE ROAD

Manager Bobbie Dalquist (Accounting Informations Systems, Accounting Services), Associate Director Nancy Seely (Center for Teaching, Learning, and Faculty Development), and Senior Systems Analyst Dee Vincent (Information Technology) presented a session, "New Budget Director Wants What?" at the 2003 SCT Summit Conference held March 9-12, in New Orleans.

Senior Database Administrator David Kent (Information Technology) presented a session, "SQL Enhancements in 8i and 9i," at the same conference.

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CALENDAR: MARCH

20        Thursday

            2 p.m.--Symposium, "Teaching Engineering Design in a Distance Learning Environment"--MEEM 111

22        Saturday

            10 a.m.--Men's Tennis, Lake Superior State at MTU--Gates Tennis Center

            7 p.m.--Clean Snowmobile Challenge Awards Banquet--Memorial Union Ballroom

24        Monday

            Noon-1 p.m.--Weight Watchers informational meeting--Memorial Union Red Metal Room 105A

            4 p.m.--Seminar, "Atmospheric Chemistry of Light Hydrocarbons in Urban Air"--Dow 642

26        Wednesday

            9-10 a.m.--Cross Functional Planning Group meeting--Memorial Union Ballroom A

28        Friday

            8 p.m.--The Christian McBride Band--Rozsa Center

__________

NO NEW POSITIONS THIS WEEK

For a complete listing of available jobs, visit http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings/index.shtml

No new positions are posted this week at Michigan Tech. Vacancy announcements are normally posted every Friday at 1 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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