Category: News

Interesting stories about and for our students.

Shuttle Hours During Thanksgiving Break

The Transportation Services shuttle will operate 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., MondayWednesday, Nov. 24-26, and will not run Thursday-Friday, Nov. 27-28. The shuttle services the Memorial Union Building to the SDC and stops at both the Lower and Upper Daniell Heights’ bus stops. The shuttle will also stop hourly at the Lakeshore Center.

The City of Houghton shuttle, which includes the Michigan Tech afternoon shuttle, will not be operating on campus during the week of Nov. 24-28. For questions, contact Angie Kolehmainen at 7-3288.

Originally posted in Tech Today (11/24/2014)

New Peace Corps Master’s International Programs (CS, ECE, GIS)

Michigan Technological University’s award-winning Peace Corps Master’s International (PCMI) program is offering new degree options for students in two departments: computer science (CS) and electrical and computer engineering (ECE).  The School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science is also expanding its PCMI programs to include a Master of Geographic Information Science (GIS).

The expanded programs will enable more students to take part in PCMI, in which students earn a master’s degree while simultaneously serving in the Peace Corps. Students typically take two semesters of courses on campus before volunteering for two years overseas and then returning to Michigan Tech to complete their degree.

“The new programs in computer science and ECE were pitched to the Peace Corps as an opportunity for our students to serve in math and science education or other sectors needing IT and technology expertise,” said Kari Henquinet, PCMI director at Tech. “Our new PCMI students will bring technical training together with the strong interdisciplinary training that all of our Tech PCMI students have.”

Read the rest of Danny Messinger’s article here (Michigan Tech News 11/20/2014).

Research and Funding Opportunities for Underrepresented Minority Students in STEM

The National Science Foundation Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) funding Program is supporting research to increase the number of domestic underrepresented minority students pursuing and completing graduate degrees in STEM and moving into careers in academia.

Michigan Tech is part of the Michigan AGEP Alliance, and is making available information about funding opportunities, summer research opportunities and employment opportunities. All the items on the blog were posted to a national listserve by organizations that are specifically seeking to broaden participation by diverse racial and ethnic groups. Students interested in exploring these opportunities are encouraged to check out the AGEP blog.

For more information about Michigan Tech’s involvement with AGEP, please see the original Tech Today post (11/20/2014) .

Nov 24 Seminar: Tips from former NSF Program Director

Min Song, new chair of the Department of Computer Science and former program director at NSF, will give a research seminar on Monday, Nov. 24, in Rekhi 101 from 11 a.m. to noon.  The talk will first explore the critical elements that could strengthen a research proposal and then illustrate a list of typical mistakes that PIs make. At the end of the presentation, samples of programs in the area of computer information science and engineering will be discussed.

Originally Posted in Tech Today (11/19/2014)

International Student Resources Available

Materials from the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning Luncheon event on international students have been added to the award winning archive of all CTL Lunch and Learn events. Instructors and staff can access 5-8 minute videos on the following topics:

  • The Intensive English as a Second Language (IESL) program (Beatrice Smith, HU)
  • The International GTA Assistance Program (IGTAAP)
    (Sylvia Matthews, CSA)
  • The International Student Experience (Shreya Kumar, CS and Ali Mirchi, CEE)
  • A Broad Look at International Programs (Darnishia Slade, IPS)
  • International Students in Teams (Brett Hamlin, EF)
  • How the Multiliteracies Center works with International Students (Abraham Romney, HU)

These resources join similar videos on student accommodations, academic integrity, classroom spaces, group/team activities, integrating communication in the disciplines and blended learning.

For more information, contact the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning at 7-3000 or ctl@mtu.edu, or visit Library 219.
Originally Posted in Tech Today (11/17/2014)

Student earns recognition at International Research Conference

Chemistry doctoral student Suntara Fueangfung (advisor: Associate Professor Shiyue Fang) was recognized at the Sigma Xi 2014 International Research Conference earlier this month. Fueangfung’s research poster presentation, “Purification of Synthetic Oligodeoxynucleotides via Catching by Polymerization,” was rated superior in the Chemistry Graduate Division.

The award for superior-rated presentations includes being nominated for membership by the Sigma Xi Board of Directors, payment of the initiation fee and the first year’s dues and a medal. Fueangfung will graduate from Michigan Tech this December.

For more information visit the Sigma Xi website.

Originally posted in Tech Today (11/14/2014)

Donate Books and media for upcoming Friends of the Van Pelt Library Book Sale

Friends of the Van Pelt Library invite you to donate your gently used books, CDs, DVDs and more for the upcoming book sale, which will be held Apr. 7–8, 2015.

Drop-Off Instructions

  • If you only have a few donations, please drop them off in the Friends Book Drop located in the library vestibule.
  • If you have a box or bag of books, please bring them to the Library Service Desk located on the first floor of the library. If you require assistance, call the Service Center at 7-2508 to have someone meet you at the back door.
  • If you need help getting your book sale donation books to the library and would like someone to come to your house to pick them up, contact Dana Richter at 7-2149 or dlrichte@mtu.edu.

Items Not Accepted

  • old, tattered, yellowed, marked-up or damaged books
  • marked-up lab manuals
  • instructors’ class guides
  • magazines, journals and conference proceeedings
  • outdated almanacs, travel guides and computer manuals
  • cassettes, VHS, etc.
  • catalogs or telephone books
  • encyclopedias and similar sets (unless of high quality and current)

Originally posted in Tech Today (11/14/2014)

Carnegie Museum: Lake Superior Discussion

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Professor Sarah Green, expert on Lake Superior, will lead a discussion titled “Lake Superior’s History and Future” at the Carnegie Museum. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., with the discussion following at 7 p.m.

The event is part of a monthly series of sessions on the Geoheritage and Natural History of the Keweenaw, held at the Carnegie Museum in Houghton. The discussions are aimed at the general public but focuses on current research and science.

Originally posted in Tech Today (11/13/2014)

International Education Week

International Programs and Services presents International Education Week, taking place Nov. 17–Nov. 21. International Education Week provides opportunities to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange abroad.

Schedule of Events:

  • Nov. 17, 6–7 p.m., Fisher 131
    Fulbright Info Session: Charles Wallace will offer a workshop on his experience as a Fulbright Scholar to Chile.
  • Nov. 18, 6–7 p.m., Fisher 131
    Center for Diversity and Inclusion: study abroad panel session for underrepresented students.
  • Nov. 19, 7:30–9:30 p.m., Fisher 139
    “I Learn America”: documentary film about teenage immigrants trying to adjust to American culture. Free admission and concessions.
  • Nov. 20, 5:30–7:30 p.m., MUB Ballroom B
    Games From Around the World: learn new games and have fun. Free pizza, snacks and refreshments provided.
  • Nov, 21, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m., MUB Food Court
    Khana Khazana Lunch: try a new food dish from a different country.

Originally posted in Tech Today (11/12/2014)