Month: September 2019

What You Said in August about Tech…..

From “What Was Your First Day Like…” in the Alumni Blogs

“I arrived on campus in September 1965 after driving 360 miles, on my motorcycle, from my home town in the Lower Peninsula. It rained most of the way and I was soaked to the skin. My parents arrived about an hour later with my stuff and we stayed overnight at one of the local motels. The next day I was able to move into my dorm, Douglas Houghton Hall. There was a housing shortage that year, due to a lot of last minute applications to the university in an attempt to avoid the draft (I immediately enrolled in Army ROTC) and so for the first couple of weeks I was stuck living in what was normally a one-person room with TWO other people. It was a mess, you could barely stand-up (you almost had to take turns getting dressed). After attrition started to have its affect, I was moved to a normal two-person room up on the 3rd floor of the dorm (DHH).

Anyway, it was a big adjustment for me since I came from a very small town (there were only 30 in my high school class) and not only did I have to adjust to the rigors of my classes, I was also experiencing a bit of culture shock, suddenly being thrown together with people from around the globe. I quickly learned that a college education went well beyond just what you were exposed to in the classrooms, but also having to make new friends with individuals from places which for me had previously only been names on a map somewhere. Looking back on it now, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” -John B.

“Moved into a Wadsworth Friday. Saturday 8:30a.m. Intro to Chemical Engineering – slide rule class.” -Paul G.

“My first day at MTU, and my first real trip to the UP from Oakland County MI, I met my 2 roommates – One from Munising MI, and one from Iron Mountain MI. My roommate from Iron Mountain MI had such a strong UP accent I thought he was a foreign exchange student!!! haha!!! We all became great buddies, and forged a bond, and experiences that made me who I am today.” Ernest K.

“Fall 1972. No one to help move in, had to find my room on my own. Placement tests for chemistry. Car registration. Only two suitcases. Group went to a bar, but I was still 17. Pre printed computerized schedules. Had to negotiate in a hectic ROTC building at booths for changes. Meeting roomate for first time. Orienation lectures in Sherman Gym. Walking assembly line through Admin Bldg to get the administrative details taken care of, including writing a check for tuition and room and board. Figuring out what books I needed and buying them. Then came the first classes with a full lecture and homework assignments the first day. It was a hectic first three days that I still remember.” -Bruce K.

From “Reunion Recap” in the Alumni Blogs

“My 50th anniversary of graduation & my first MTU reunion, my wife & I sure enjoyed ourselves. The MTU staff & the Alumni House did an outstanding job of planning events, presentations & meals and it was appreciated by all; I saw nothing but smiles & heard nothing but positive comments. If you’ve never attended a reunion at Tech all I can say is go, it’s a fun event & it’s great seeing old friends & classmates. I’ll be back & this time I won’t wait 50 years!” -Tom H.

“At the ripe old age of 91 I probably would probably not recognize anyone nor would they
recognize me! I lead a fairly active life in North Carolina – still driving a car with a license
renewed for five years.
My family adore the pasties I make for them when they visit me.”  -Barbara H.

From “What You Said in July about Tech” in the Alumni Blogs

“The first full day was the Monday of Orientation Week and I was disoriented, nervous, maybe even scared, definitely overwhelmed. But I got over it. The trip to the bookstore was shocking and navigating the Wadsworth cafeteria was a challenge. Got over those too.” -Gregory W.

From “Mobile Escape Room” on Facebook

The Forestry Alums who work wildland fire will have no issue getting through your escape room.” -Matt O.

From “See How Many Bucket List Items You Can Check Off” on Facebook

34. And nearly half didn’t exist when I graduated in ’82. 🙂” Dan H.

Michigan Tech Seasonal Timeline

One of the many Michigan Tech icons is the environment, more specifically, our wonderful (and extreme) winters!

Within this blog we’ll be creating a visual timeline of the Houghton area’s color change, from fall through winter, with help from the Michigan Tech Webcams.

Check back here every Monday to see updates.  Click on any image for full size.

 

               College Avenue                               Mid-Campus                                      Mont Ripley


  Monday, August 26th

 

 

 

 

 Monday, September 2nd

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 9th

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 16th

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 23rd

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 30th

 

 

 

 

Monday, October 7th

 

 

 

                                        

Monday, October 14th

 

 

 

 

 Monday, October 21st

 

 

 

 

Monday, October 28th

 

 

 

 

Monday, November 4th

 

 

 

 

Monday, November 11th

 

 

 

 

Monday, November 18th

 

 

 

 

Monday, November 25th

 

 

 

 

Monday, December 2nd

Favorite Michigan Tech Memorabilia

Throughout Michigan Tech’s history, there have been a great number of unique items representing the University and its culture. Below are some of our favorites!

Send us your favorites to be showcased on Social Media at alumni@mtu.edu or @mtualumni on Facebook.

Beanie

Bell

Belt Buckle

Coaster

 Punch Card

Growler/Jug

Dining Hall Food Tray

Glass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Memorabilia Submissions


I still use my HP 15C…..36 years later” -Scott L.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recruiting poster from the early 70’s.” -Herman M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember the Carhartts !!” -William D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graduation announcement” -Cathy P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Varsity Awards Banquet” -Cathy P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Javier P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All my WMTU shirts and bumper stickers.” -Joe A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homecoming button. 1971” -Cathy P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duffel bag from our days on the cheer team/stunt squad. Still serves me well 20 years later!” -Kelly G.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1985 I was a freshman in DHH. Our hall was “Esquire”, middle of the 3rd floor. Our RA held a vote to change the name to “Bloom County”, and I drew up a new logo for the hall. I painted over the “Esquire” sign with the new mural from the drawing below, and our RA had t-shirts and hoodies printed. I think I have a couple of pictures of the mural somewhere.

“I believe the name lasted maybe 3 years before it was changed again and the mural was painted over.” -Joe A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some nifty artwork” -Frank G.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commencement program 1972” -Cathy P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receipt for application fee from 1967” -Cathy P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Erickson did someone say “pink MUB mug”?” -Joe A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old logo hockey puck” -Jacob G.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graduation announcement” Cathy P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autographed Calendar from the glory days” -Richard D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Campus ID card with stickers to show you were registered for that quarter.” -Robert L.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old sticker I have at work!” -Paul P.