Alumni and friends in the West Michigan area have been enjoying a variety of events, including the annual Spring Dinner, baseball games, and sending off new Huskies to Houghton! If you’d like to follow along with what is happening in the West Michigan area, check out the West Michigan Alumni Facebook Page.
Spring Dinner — May 2024
Michigan Tech alumni and friends in the West Michigan area attended the annual Spring Dinner, held this year at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada. The keynote speaker for the evening was Audra Morse, chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering. Serving as interim dean of the College of Engineering at the time, Morse spoke on various topics, including recent changes taking place on campus and numerous ongoing research projects. Tech alumnus Kevin Grzelak ’89, who helped to host the event, served as emcee. Michigan Tech Alumni Board of Directors Vice President Emma Zawisza ’12 ’16 awarded three door prizes, courtesy of the Office of Alumni Engagement.
Guests seated for dinner
Door prize winner Evan Franzel ’24
Keynote speaker Audra Morse, Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Whitecaps Baseball Game + BBQ — June 2024
Michigan Tech alumni and friends gathered at LMCU Ballpark for a barbecue before a Saturday night baseball game between the West Michigan Whitecaps and Dayton Dragons. Alumni event host John Gutierrez ’94 was joined by over thirty guests, who enjoyed a delicious buffet and had the opportunity to win MTU-branded door prizes. The Whitecaps scored eight unanswered runs as the offense came alive in an 8–4 comeback victory over the Dragons in front of 7,023 fans on Star Wars Night Saturday.
Alumni event host John Gutierrez ’94 greeted guests and gave away door prizes, courtesy of Alumni Engagement Office
Alumni gather at the 1st Base Pavilion for barbecue before the Whitecaps game
New Student Send-Off — August 2024
West Michigan alumni helped send off first-year students to Houghton with an event at Millennium Park in Walker. Regional Admissions Manager Tom Hampton was assisted by colleague Jennifer Todd in organizing the gathering, which drew nearly 200 attendees, including 70 incoming students and their family members. Kona Ice served gourmet shaved ice and Schmohz Brewery provided root beer.
There were several alumni and existing students present to share their stories with new students. Each of the new students had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share something about their field of interest, and what they are looking forward to at Michigan Tech. Following introductions, the students gathered for a group photo that marked the beginning of their exciting adventures at the University.
Welcome to Michigan Tech, Class of 2028!
Group picture of incoming class of 2028 students from West Michigan area
New students each introduce themselves
Regional Admissions Manager Jennifer Todd, and alumni hosts Emma ’12 ’16 and Adam ’16 Zawisza assist with check-in and door prizes