Category: News

On the Road

image153105-persDana Van Kooy recently attended two conferences: the British Association for Romantic Studies (BARS) in York, England (July 27-30), where she presented her essay, “Configurations of Jamaica: The Modern Narrative of Diminishing Returns.”

She then attended the North American Society for the Study of Romanticism (NASSR), which met in Ottawa, Ontario (Aug. 10-13). There, she presented a paper entitled, “Reanimating the Decorporializing Logics of Modernity and Capitalism.” Both essays contribute to her current book project about how modernity emerged from the nexus of human and environmental catastrophe: plantation slavery.

Tech Authors’ Book Signings This Weekend in Copper Harbor

M. Bartley Seigel
M. Bartley Seigel

Michigan Tech’s Cyndi Perkins (UMC) and M. Bartley Seigel (HU) are among the writers scheduled to be on hand during the 2017 Upper Peninsula Authors Book Signings—on the porch at Grandpa’s Barn Books in Copper Harbor.

The book signing is in conjunction with Copper Harbor’s Art in the Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 19-20). Grandpa’s Barn is owned by Lloyd Westcoat (GLRC). Seigel, one of the contributors to “And Here:100 Years of Upper Peninsula Writing, 1917-2017,” will be on the porch from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Perkins will sign copies of her novel “More Than You Think You Know,” from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday. A total of 17 writers and artists will be on the porch during the two days.

Grandpa’s Barn is located behind Copper Harbor’s one-room school and is adjacent to the Grant Township Park.

Tech Alumnus Among Service Personnel Killed in Mississippi Plane Crash

Julian Kevianne
Julian Kevianne

A Michigan Tech alumnus was among the military personnel killed when a US Marine Corps KC-130 transport plane crashed near Itta Bena, Mississippi, Monday.

US Marine Corps Sgt. Julian M. Kevianne was among the 15 Marines and one Navy Corpsman on the flight. According to the New York Times, the plane took off from Cherry Point, North Carolina en route to El Centro, California. There were no survivors.

Sgt. Kevianne was a 2007 graduate of Michigan Tech with a degree in humanities. He joined the Marines in 2009. He came to Tech from Detroit’s High School for the Fine and Performing Arts.

He was very active on campus, serving as a resident assistant, a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, Young Democrats, Social Dance Club and the Lemmings broomball team.

Kevianne worked as a management assistant in McNair Hall where he was a student supervisor in the dining hall, helping students with everything from furniture requests to the Husky Host Program. During the winter semester break he organized and facilitated a Christmas dinner for McNair residents and provided transportation for incoming international students. His efforts were recognized when he was named the Student Employee of the Year in 2008.

University President Glenn Mroz says Sgt. Kevianne’s time at Michigan Tech made the University a better place.
“We oftentimes thank our students for what they bring to Michigan Tech and what they leave at Michigan Tech to make it a better place for others.  Julian’s involvement in so many aspects of the University and the quality of his involvement defined that spirit.  It was not surprising that he aspired to one of the most significant commitments a person can take in defense of all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family as we all struggle with this tragic loss of an amazing person,” Mroz says.
Condolences may be shared with the family through Sgt. Kevianne’s brother:
Carlo Kevianne,
15735 Plainview Ave.
Detroit, MI 48223
A gofundme site has been established to help the family with travel expenses to the funeral.