Category: Alumni

Celebrate 55 Years! Class of 1965

Michigan Tech from the air

Welcome!

Welcome to the Class of 1965’s 55th reunion web page. It’s a special year for you! Eight classes, including yours, will celebrate a milestone anniversary in 2020. Communicate with your classmates by commenting below!


Main Reunion Page

LeaderShape Enters 25th Year

Since 1996, LeaderShape has provided a highly-interactive leadership development experience for 1,118 Michigan Tech students. This intensive, week-long institute continues to offer a unique opportunity to explore core ethical and personal values, develop and enrich relationships, and most importantly, believe in a healthy disregard for the impossible.

LeaderShape participants have gone on to achieve impressive goals as surgeons, researchers, engineers, military officers, inventors, entrepreneurs, teachers, Peace Corps volunteers, writers, missionaries, and more. The list is long. 

How did your LeaderShape experience impact you? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Help current students become young leaders who “lead with integrity.”  Make a gift to the LeaderShape fund today.

Hunting Season, a Tech (U.P) Tradition

Bo Soli and Roger Dault, right, both of LAnse, after they bagged their two deer – 1958

It’s common knowledge that the Upper Peninsula has wilderness unlike any other.  With nearly nine million acres of forest (84 percent of the peninsula), it’s no surprise that many Yoopers take to the woods each fall in the attempt to stock their freezers for winter. That tradition has been popular with Tech students through the years as well.

We’ve heard stories of students hunting all around the Copper Country including some older stories of hunting on campus (the area now the Tech Trails).

Tell us your Tech or U.P hunting stories below!

Nordstrom hunting party near Lake Medora – 1950s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portage Lake Pheasant Hunting – 1958

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grad student, Bill Bauer is pictured with deer he is studying – 1975

 

 

 

 

 

What You Said About Tech in October…

From “hiking the Appalachian Trail” on Facebook

“Next up, the North Country Trail! #RedPlaidNation” -Marianne D.

Sporting the Star Trek dress code: short cut for the women and high cut for the men” – Jim A.

Go Tech!” -Frank B.

From “Michigan Tech vs. Northern Michigan Football Game” on Facebook

“Drop the puck and we find out who will win the U.P. Cup!” -Bill H.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!‘ -Matthew D.

From Keweenaw 360 View on Facebook

Wow… beautiful!” -Catherine P.

My apartment Sr year was right where that red-roof hotel is now. Awesome studio apartment with views of the ship canal and its ship traffic. Love this time of year there with the color.” -Tad S.

Wierd how it looks flat. I can see my old apartment house too!!” -Marie B.

A-ma-zing! Was all there last week…going back again this weekend to see my son at MTU” -Susan R.

From “Football Stadium Named for Kearly Family” in the Alumni Blogs

“As my buddy and I checked into our Freshman year dorm room in Coed Hall, we were surprised to find out we were assigned to a three-person room. Come to find out our third roomie was Jim Van Wagner – star tailback for Tech during 1973-77. Jim set numerous rushing records for Tech and the league and ended up being drafted by the NFL (49ers I believe, then the Saints). Jim was not only an outstanding running back but also a great roommate. My biggest memory of Hubbell Field was the “strict no alcohol” policy — somehow the Vets Club always managed to have a keg in the stands every game!” -Bill W.

“Congrats to the Kearly Family – a well deserved honor. I did not see Tech games at these fields as I was playing on them while at MCMT. I started all four years at guard and tackle, from 1954 through 1957, and played at Sherman Field and Hubbell Field. I remember picking rocks at Hubbell Field when it was first being put into use, prior to starting practice sessions. I also officiated football at the current location working both high school and MTU games at Hubbell in the 1980’s.” -James O.

“I remember going up the hill to Hubbell Field for Huskie football games during my tenure at Tech from ’73 to ’77. And unlike now, seating was free, no tickets necessary for Tech students or anyone else for that matter. I think seating ought to remain free for students now, who have enough expenses to deal with. I went to football games more so than to hockey games. In fact, I only went to one hockey game, just to make it official. After all, I grew up within 30 miles of Lambeau Field in Green Bay, so I already had football in my genetics!” -Rebecca F.

“First night of freshman year, 1976…carried a discarded couch up the hill from Wads, pushed it over the cyclone fence at Sherman Field, climbed the fence, carried the couch to the 50 yard line, lounged on the couch eating brownie & pretzels until the sprinklers surprisingly went on…not a football game, but an unforgettable story for four great friends (we still spend our summer vacations together at Eagle Harbor).” -Nancy

“It is notable for me that the article about Kearly Stadium is in the same newsletter with the alumni profile story on Dale Elliot. I recall many trips to Hubbell Field to watch Wadsworth Hall roommates and cohorts Dale and Fred Guenther (now physician Dr Fred Guenther of Big Rapids) play on the Huskies team. My room was nearby them. They were both linebackers for the Huskies to the best of my recollection. Later all three of us became founding members of the Gamma Chi Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity at Tech. Mostly, of course, I can recollect some snowy games at Hubbell Field in the early 1970s, but we stuck it out to cheer on Dale, Fred and the rest of the team. Jim Bernier 1973” -Jim B.

“Tech played football at Hubbell Field (up on the hill) while I was there in 70-74. The team practiced on Sherman Field – probably so they could be close to their training facilities in Sherman Gym.” -Tom B.

From “Remembering Beloved Tech Professors” in the Alumni Blogs

“I was at Tech when the Masters program in Nuclear Engineering was canceled (1970). I still took all of the courses that were available and truly enjoyed Dr. Daavettila as a professor. I have him to thank for my 44 year in the civilian nuclear power industry.” -Larry R.

“had Don Daavettila for Physics in the mid 90’s and what I remember about him was how neat all of his lesson notes were. His diagrams, formulas and writing were all beautiful and he used about 5-6 different colors of chalk. Then, when the chalk boards would fill up and he needed more space, he would erase everything with a wet, natural sea sponge instead of a typical chalk board eraser and it took about 1-2 minutes to dry. He would say “You can talk amongst yourselves for minute.” That stuck in my head. He was one of my favorite professors at Tech.” -Garry N.

“Back in the mid 60’s Don Daavettila was base in the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department where the Nuclear Engineering department was located. Don was my advisor for my Master’s thesis and an instructor in ,any of the departments courses. Nuclear Engineering was a hot topic at the time and MTU had an interesting array of laboratory equipment in the basement of Konig Hall. The program did not have a long life but the graduates made an impact in the nuclear power industry, the government nuclear laboratories, the nuclear navy, and in nuclear related research. Because the faculty and students were all nearly the same age they form a great group to work with.” -Kenneth K.

“I remember my first physics class with Parks, in 1962, in which he began by writing his name on the blackboard. He wrote “P. N. Parks,” but he placed big periods at the end of his initials, so I duly wrote in my notes. “Po No Parks.” It took me several days to realize that his first name was not Po.” -Geoff J.

 

Celebrate 60 Years! Class of 1960

Michigan Tech from the air

Welcome!

Welcome to the Class of 1960’s 60th reunion web page. It’s a special year for you! Eight classes, including yours, are celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2020. Communicate with your classmates by commenting below!


Main Reunion Page

Football Stadium Named for Kearly Family

The first family of Michigan Tech football now has its name on the Huskies’ home football facility. At a dedication prior to the Sept. 28 Homecoming game, Tech renamed the gridiron “Sherman Field at Kearly Stadium” in honor of Ted and Tom Kearly.

Pictured (l-r): Athletic Director Suzanne Sanregret, Patty Kearly, Helen Kearly (seated), Tom Kearly, Ted Kearly, President Rick Koubek.

The father and son are arguably the two most-successful coaches in program history. Ted served as Tech’s football coach from 1969-72 and held a 29-7 record. Tom was at Tech from 2000-16 including the last 11 years as head coach, where he put together a 70-44 mark.

Sherman Field has been the home for Michigan Tech football since 1981. Ted Kearly was Michigan Tech’s Athletic Director when it was opened. And over the last two decades, the Kearlys have been instrumental in the facility’s upgrades. Ted Kearly gave the lead gift that allowed for the installation of synthetic turf in 2007. Both men have been played a huge role in new stadium seating that was installed in 2017 and plans for additional seating and a new press box coming soon.

The renaming of Sherman Field made us curious as to the history of Michigan Tech’s football field.

According to records, the Huskies played at the original Sherman Field which was on lower campus next to Sherman Gym (now the location of the Rozsa Center). In the late 1970s, Hubbell Field (just west of the Student Ice Arena) served as the home gridiron.

This 1977 map of campus shows the location of the original Sherman Field and Hubbell Field, both of which were used prior to the move to the current location in 1981.

 

 

 

 

 

Share your memories of where you watched the Huskies play.

Remembering Beloved Tech Professors

Former physics professor and Michigan Tech alum, Donald Daavettila, passed away on July 31, 2019.

Don Daavettila graduated from Michigan Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics and a Master’s in Nuclear Physics. Following stints at Argonne National Lab and the Enrico Fermi reactor, Daavettila was hired to develop a nuclear physics program at Tech. He served as faculty in the Department of Physics for 40 years.

During his tenure, Daavettila received the State of Michigan Excellence in Teaching Award in 1991 and Michigan Tech’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 1994. He was a well-known figure in many Husky athletic programs, especially as timing official for home hockey games, and was inducted into the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. Following his retirement in 2000, he continued to teach in physics and serve as Tech’s radiation safety officer.

Daavettila was the faculty advisor to student and fraternal organizations, volunteered for Tech’s centennial fundraising, and was honored by the Alumni Association with their Outstanding Service Award in 2005. As stated by Ravi Pandey, physics chair, Daavettila and his wife supported Michigan Tech in many aspects. He will be remembered for his cheerful and generous spirit.

 

Longtime Michigan Tech Social Sciences professor emeritus, Willie Melton III, passed on July 24, 2019.

Willie Melton grew up in Chicago graduated from Tilden Technological High School. As an undergraduate at Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, Illinois), his interests focused on sociology, family, social attitudes, and social identity. Here he also met his later wife, Gloria Brown. Following the completion of his bachelor’s in 1969, he began his masters, and later transferred to Washington State University, where he and his wife began their doctoral studies. He earned his PhD in 1976.

Melton taught for over 30 years (from 1976 until 2009) and retired as Professor Emeritus in Social Sciences. He served on graduate committees within social sciences, humanities, and forestry.

His research topics included marital stability, family economic and emotional stress, and the relationship between social values and attitudes on public issues.  A Fulbright scholarship supported his travels and studies of modernization and technology in India during the 1980s and the East-West Center in Hawaii later provided cultural exchange opportunities in Hong Kong and southern China.

Over the past 40 years, Willie served on community boards of the Copper Country Sheltered Workshop (later Vocational Strategies), Dial Help, Copper Country Habitat for Humanity, and the Keweenaw Family Resource Center (and “Treehouse”), among others.

 

Former physics professor and Michigan Tech alumnus, Phillip Parks, passed away on September 17, 2019.

Following an impressive high school football career, Phillip Parks attended Michigan Tech on a football scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Master’s in Nuclear Physics. He also attended in additional graduate work at the Kansas State University.

After graduating, Parks worked at NASA for five years before returning to Michigan Tech as faculty in the Department of Physics from 1962-1997.

Following his retirement, he and his wife traveled and enjoyed the company of family.

Throughout his career, Parks published a number of articles in professional journals, conducted US military research, and contributed in writing a book that prepared engineers for their professional exam.

Parks also served as a zone leader for the Parks Society, and was a member of the Sons of the Union of the Civil War where served as an officer for several terms. He was also active in the Christian faith, contributing to Michigan Tech’s InterVarsity Christian Fellowship as a student, and later spent years as a deacon, Sunday school superintendent, and a youth leader.

 

What are your memories of Professors Daavettila, Melton, or Parks? Leave them in the comments below.

 

Sources: Physics Department at Michigan Tech, Keweenaw Report Obituaries

What You Said About Tech in September…

“Who else is ready for Winter Carnival?! This year’s logo is dino-mite!” on Facebook

This actually looks more like a Reunion theme….😊” -Susan U.

This is a great theme and an awesome logo!” – Brian W.

If I was in the area, I would be. Fantastic idea, though. In my neck of the woods, we anticipate hurricanes. Hmmm… this time around, Dorian…” -Cynthia L.

It’s only 104 degrees today here in Dallas……hard to think about snow.” -Will P.

That’s a sick theme” -Christopher H.

I seriously hope that this is not implying humans and dinosaurs lived at the same time…..uuggghh” -Michelle M.

“Looks like I have to go to WC this year” Nick H.

 

From “Today is both K-Day and 906 Day (Sept. 6)! What are your memories of K-Day?” on Facebook

remember waiting to hear the whistle blow and being grateful for a “long weekend”.” Brian W.

A lot of fun and love McLain State park..” – David C.

My favorite k-day memory is being onstage with Sponge. What a day!” -Rayna E.

K-Day was a whole lot of fun for us, a way to prepare for all the work and stress that was gonna pile up “real soon”. The older you get (57 now for me), the more you appreciate those days long ago. The kids there today are in the middle of some of the best days of their lives (and won’t realize it until they are old like me). Life is good. ” -Mike T.

Mid-70s, K-Day was mostly just a day off. We waded across the mouth of the Montreal, climbed Mt. Bohemia fire tower, found an abandoned skip and rode it across the Presque Isle river, explored Redridge, etc. Usually ended with a burger at Luigis or at Schmidt’s Corners or one of the many Yooper bars. Best memories ever, with folks who remain my best friends. Thank you, Tech. ” -Betsy A.

Doing the alligator at McLain! 🎶🐊🎶🐊🎶” -Margaret L.

I remember that Lake Superior was VERY cold. I also remember diving into a giant pile/mound of can koozies that were being given out by the MTSF.”  -Bridgitte R.

K Day is a family tradition. My Dad, my Brother, Myself, both of my Daughters and my son-in-law have all experience K-day. It used to be quite the party at McClain Stat Park! -Gary J.

My favorite memory is the year ADA’s had a button making machine. We had quite the selection of magazines to choose from for creative art.” -Natalie A.

K-Day was a highlight of the year. Warm fall day, beer, more beer, friends old and new… I remember those days Doug! It was a great time!” -Scott L.

I went to a few K-days at McLain but have few memories of them…strange.” -Mike M

Sig Rho ruled K-Day in the 80’s….what a blast!” -Doug L.

In the early 70s, K-Day really WAS Keweenaw Day — we went up to Fort Wilkins and had a blast.” -Candy G.

Guinness world record lap sit at McLain fall of 1980, since been beat” -Pete J.

From “We’ve been gathering some of our favorite Tech memorabilia for display in the Alumni Blogs!”  on Facebook

I miss the big pink “MUB” mugs from the mid 90’s. 😂” -Mike E.

Ooh! And maybe at least a picture of the EERC tree. It ran for student government one year I went there.” -Rayna E.

Bowling shoes from the MUB bowling alley!” -Rayna E.

Please tell me someone has a no drinking Carni sign as memorabilia” -Yolanda H.

A little late to the game, but my refillable Campus Cafe mug, 1991-1992 (freshman year)

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.

“Wish I still had the rock sample, shoulder bag that was used as a book bag. Most everybody carried one” -Louis C.

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

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

NO! NO! Not punchcards! The nightmare returns!Unisuck 1110.” -Courtney F.

One year, I want to say it was maybe 98, they got the bright idea to put up anti-drinking posters but the background was a close up of a glass of beer and the tiny black print was barely visible so it really just looked like an “enjoy this delicious, frosty beverage” ad. I might still have one somewhere. ” -Danielle B.

Oooooh those punch card days….70’s in Fisher Hall then EERC…..some baaaad memories. Talk about frustrating!!!” -Mark Z.

From “Check out Word of the Day from Merriam-Webster”

A fellow died suddenly and found himself at the Pearly Gates. St Peter welcomed him but apologized and said he had to run a few quick errands and would be back in a while. While he was waiting, the man noticed Beelzebub off to the side casting souls down into the fiery pit. Every once in a while he would put one to the side in a stack. Curious, the man went over and asked Satan why he was stacking some souls off to the side. Satan replied, those are Yoopers. They’re too cold and wet to burn.” -Darrell J.

From Cover Photo Update on Facebook

Looks a lot different from when I was last there in 1984!” -Wendy W.

How do you get down to the Metallurgy building from main campus, without driving or falling down a hill?” -Courtney F.

From “Favorite Tech Memorabilia” in the Alumni Blogs

“I know a guy who has an old sheet metal “Unload Here” sign from Mt. Ripley, hanging proudly in his bathroom.” -Carl C.

“Definitely the Book Bag!” -William W.

 

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