Category: Alumni News

From cheering on the Huskies hockey team to enjoying delicious pickled eggs, alumni and friends in the West Michigan area have been enjoying a variety of events this winter! If you’d like to follow along with what is happening in the West Michigan area, check out the West Michigan Alumni Facebook Page.

Husky Pregame Social: MTU Hockey at Ferris State — November 2024

Kicking off the season, West Michigan Huskies gathered in Big Rapids for a pregame social ahead of Michigan Tech’s matchup against Ferris State. Around 80 alumni and friends met at Cranker’s Brewery, where they enjoyed good company and an exciting game preview from Head Coach Joe Shawhan before he headed off to pregame meetings and warm-ups.

The energy carried over to the rink, where the Huskies came out strong, scoring three goals in less than a minute during the first period. They held their lead through the second and third, skating away with a 3-1 victory and improving to 4-0 in CCHA play. Goaltender Derek Mullahy was outstanding in net, stopping 36 shots in one of the season’s standout performances.

It was a fantastic way to start the season—thanks to everyone who joined us!

Great Lakes Invitational Pregame Social and Hockey Games — December 2024

As the holiday season approached, West Michigan Huskies kicked off GLI weekend with a pregame social at Peppino’s Bar and Grille on Ionia, hosted by Michigan Tech Alumni Board members Tonya Moore-Bouchard ’96, Steve Williams ’86, Emma Zawisza ’12 ’16, and Daniel Madrid ’10.

Around 250 Huskies gathered to enjoy a special Michigan Tech menu featuring delicious pizza, Husky-themed food, and drinks. After socializing, the group made the short walk to Van Andel Arena, where the tournament began with Michigan Tech taking on Western Michigan. The game went into overtime, with the Broncos winning 4–3.

Tech faced Northern Michigan on Monday and claimed third place with a thrilling 4-3 overtime win. Michigan State defeated Western Michigan in the final to become the 2024 Great Lakes Invitational champions. Van Andel Arena was sold out with 10,000 fans each day and will host GLI again in December 2025.

Thank you to everyone who joined us—we hope to see you next year!

Pickled Egg Tasting Contest — March 2025

The annual pickled egg-tasting contest at Schmohz Brewery in Grand Rapids drew over 45 attendees and featured 12 delicious entries. With so many great flavors, choosing winners wasn’t easy! In the end, Lori Crouch took first place, followed by Scott Schnau ’82 in second and Mike DeJonge ’65 in third. The top three received prizes from the Office of Alumni Engagement at Michigan Tech.

Attendees enjoyed plenty of pickled eggs, Schmohz beer, and alumni camaraderie. Jim Couch ’90 organized the event with help from his daughter, Jenna ’18, and the Office of Alumni Engagement provided door prizes for guests.

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