Humanities News, Features, and Other Updates

Category: Alumni

Humanities Alumni Social in Germany

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Last summer’s study abroad students come together for a memorable reunion in Dresden.

Calling all alumni of Michigan Tech University! Are you ready to embark on a journey down memory lane in one of Germany’s most enchanting cities? We’re thrilled to announce an exclusive Alumni Student event hosted by our very own Stephanie Rowe, Associate Teaching Professor at MTU. Get ready for an unforgettable evening of reconnecting, reminiscing, and exploring the vibrant city of Dresden. It’s our first Humanities alumni social in Germany!

Savoring German Cuisine

Our exploration continues with a mouthwatering dinner at the historic Sophienkeller. As we indulge in traditional German cuisine and raise a glass to old memories and new experiences, laughter and camaraderie will fill the air. It’s the perfect opportunity to reminisce about our time at MTU and share stories of our adventures abroad.

A Scenic Evening Walk

After dinner, we’ll take a scenic walk past the famous Fürstenzug to Neumarkt, soaking in the beauty of Dresden’s historic landmarks along the way. As we wander through the cobblestone streets and admire the architecture that has stood the test of time, we’ll be reminded of the rich history and culture that make Dresden truly unique.

Concert in the Frauenkirche

Our evening concludes with a breathtaking concert in the awe-inspiring Frauenkirche. Surrounded by the timeless beauty of this iconic venue, we’ll let the music wash over us and create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s the perfect way to end our reunion on a high note, with hearts full of gratitude and spirits lifted by the magic of music.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Humanities Alumni Social in GermanExperience

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned alum, we invite you to join us for this special Alumni Student event in Dresden. It’s a chance to reconnect with your MTU family, rediscover the beauty of Germany, and create memories that will last a lifetime. RSVP today and get ready for an evening you won’t soon forget!

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From STC to a Future Career in Environmental Law

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Krysten Hergert ’14 graduated with a degree in scientific and technical communication from Michigan Technological University. She was recently featured in the Muskegon County legal News, where she talked about her future in environmental law, as well as her start writing proposals for architectural and engineering firms. We wish Krysten good luck as she wraps up her final year of law school.

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Heather Loughman

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Picture of Heather Loughman

Heather Loughman, BA, STC ’09 and MS, RTC ’11 has been selected as the new CEO of Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties. Loughman previously served as Director of Communications and Development for the non-profit agency focused on helping families and individuals living in poverty reach economic stability. Key program areas include early childhood education, homelessness prevention, financial and family well-being, and hunger relief and healthy food access.

“Community Action is an organization very dear to me, where I have had tremendous opportunity to learn and grow both personally and professionally,” said Loughman. “Learning and growth will be at the forefront of Community Action’s continued efforts to create opportunities for individuals to achieve economic stability, and to address both poverty’s conditions and causes.”

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Zach Nicholas named Assistant Director of Athletic Marketing and Communication

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Michigan Tech Athletics has hired Zach Nicholas (STC, ’19) as assistant director of athletic marketing and communication. Nicholas will serve as the primary media contact for soccer, Nordic skiing, and track and field. He will also assist the director of advertising sales with the execution of partnership contracts and artwork.

Nicholas continues with Michigan Tech after three years as an athletic communications intern. He is a native of South Range, Michigan.

“I am very thankful to have the opportunity to promote my hometown Huskies, tell stories of our incredible student-athletes, and establish and maintain strong relationships in the community,” Nicholas said. “I am very appreciative of the invaluable experience and knowledge I have gained as an intern and am excited to continue with Michigan Tech in a new role.”

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RTC Alumnus, Dr. Isidore Kafui Dorpenyo, Publishes Book

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Dr. Isidore Kafui DorpenyoDr. Isidore Kafui Dorpenyo, 2016 RTC graduate, has published his first book, User Localization Strategies in the Face of Technological Breakdown: Biometric in Ghana’s Elections published by Palgrave Macmillan Press, 2019. The book is an extension of his RTC PhD dissertation work. Dr. Karla Saari Kitalong of the Humanities Department at Michigan Tech wrote the foreword to the book.

“Dorpenyo argues that the success of a technology depends on how it meets the users’ needs and the creative efforts users put into use situations.” He “identifies and advances three user localization strategies: linguistic localization, subversive localization, and user-heuristic experience localization, and considers how biometric systems can become a tool of marginalization”. – Dr. Karla Saari Kitalong

Dorpenyo is currently Assistant Professor of Professional Writing and Rhetoric at George Mason University, USA. His research focuses on election technology, international technical communication, social justice, and localization. He co-edited a special issue of Technical Communication focused on technical communication and election technologies. Dorpenyo has also published in Technical Communication Quarterly, the Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, and Community Literacy journal.

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English Alum receives “Up and Comer Award” from Michigan Library Association

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Dillon GeshelWhat do libraries have to do with farmer’s markets? What is a “book bike?” And why was there a Nerf gun battle in the library last Friday night?

Dillon Geshel (English, ’13), Director of the Portage Lake District Library, can tell you, and his efforts to expand community outreach at the library have recently been recognized by his peers. Geshel has been selected for this year’s “Up and Comer Award” by the Michigan Library Association (MLA). This award is given each year to an early-career librarian who is “expanding the role of librarian by being forward-thinking and moving libraries into the future.”

“Winners of this award are energetic, efficient librarians who push the boundaries of originality and creativity and help to establish a library culture that sets high expectations, promotes learning, and creates understanding of the library as an integral part of the community,” said Rachel Ash, MLA communications and membership manager.

“Libraries have so much to offer their community beyond the books on their shelves, and I’m passionate about the non-traditional ways we’re able to meet community needs,” says Geshel. “This award really speaks to the Portage Lake District Library’s ability to do that work in a meaningful way.”

Geshel will accept the award in mid-October at the MLA annual conference in Novi, Michigan.

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Joel Beatty and Stefka Hristova Co-author Book Chapter

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Joel Beatty and Stefka Hristova wearing graduation robesRTC graduate, Joel Beatty, and professor Stefka Hristova have co-authored a chapter in the book, Surveillance, Race, Culture, published by Palgrave Macmillan, 2018. Their chapter is titled “Articulating Race: Reading Skin Color as Taxonomy and as Numerical Data”. According to Dr. Hristova, the chapter “explores the transformation of race into biodata at the turn of the 20th century”. The book is edited by Susan Flynn, University of the Arts, London; and Antonia Mackay, Oxford Brookes University. 

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