Alumni News

Alumni Reunion 2025 Photos

Published August 5, 2025

By Jordan Shawhan

We hope you enjoyed reconnecting with Michigan Tech and each other during Alumni Reunion 2025!

Thursday, July 31

Friday, August 1

Saturday, August 2

Alumni Reunion 2025: Honored Class Year Slideshow

Published August 4, 2025

By Jordan Shawhan

Reunion

Last weekend, Michigan Tech celebrated Alumni Reunion 2025, bringing together graduates from a variety of decades, including our honored class years: 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2015. The following photos were displayed in a slideshow at various events throughout the weekend. We invite you to explore the slideshow below and relive the special moments that have shaped our Michigan Tech community.

Retired TechAlum Newsletter Editor Dennis Walikainen Passes Away

Published July 3, 2025

By Jordan Shawhan

The Office of Alumni Engagement is saddened to share that longtime Michigan Tech staff member, Dennis Walikainen, passed away on June 14 at age 68.

Walikainen served the University for more than three decades, telling Michigan Tech’s story as former editor of the TechAlum newsletter and voice behind the University’s news and publications. His love of language, sense of humor, and genuine care for people left a lasting mark on campus.

A proud member of the Houghton and Hancock communities, Walikainen earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Northern Michigan University and later his master’s in 1992 and PhD in Rhetoric and Technical Communication from Michigan Tech in 2009. He retired in 2015.

Below are a few snapshots from TechAlum over the years—a publication that, when it launched on May 9, 1994, was the first electronic alumni newsletter in the nation. With the help of Walikainen, among others, the newsletter evolved from a simple text email to a more engaging, photo-rich experience for alumni around the world.

We invite you to remember Walikainen by reading his full obituary.

Screenshot of TechAlum eNewsletter from 2018.

In Memoriam

Published July 2, 2025

By Jordan Shawhan

Alumni

January 1 – June 30, 2025

Class Year	Full Name	Degrees	Year of Death
1947	John T. McCall	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1948	Gerald L. Boerma	BS Electrical Engineering	2006
1949	William E. Balmer	BS Forestry	2022
1949	Raymond R. Barber	BS Chemical Engineering	2018
1949	Dwight E. Bishop	BS Engineering Physics	2022
1949	Horace W. Blakeney	BS Electrical Engineering	1994
1949	William J. Clark	BS Electrical Engineering	2022
1950	George C. Christopher	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2014
1950	George J. Clay	BS Mechanical Engineering	2020
1950	Margareta J. (Kinnon) Jackson	BS General Science	2025
1950	Norman F. Pratt	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1951	Jack G. Bachand	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2013
1952	Abraham Baron	BS Electrical Engineering	2006
1952	Warren E. Carlson	BS Civil Engineering	1992
1952	Robert N. Thomas	BS Chemical Engineering	2025
1953	Donald L. Holley	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1953	Robert J. Penberthy	BS Forestry	2025
1954	Charles A. Robertson	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1955	Richard C. Beard	MS Geological Engineering, BS Geological Engineering	2024
1955	Ralph D. Bockstahler	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1955	Robert J. Goad	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1955	Wesley W. Piippo	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1955	Marion R. Scudder	BS Civil Engineering	2022
1955	Reuben J. Sironen	MS Chemistry, BS Chemistry	2023
1955	Eugene A. Suppelsa	BS Mechanical Engineering, MS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1956	Barbara J. (Martin) Abrams	BS General Science	2021
1956	Donald D. Johannesen	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1956	David B. Rom	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1957	James A. Fegan	BS Geology	2025
1957	Robert E. McKenzie	BS Mechanical Engineering	2020
1957	Kenneth G. Riddle	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1957	Frederick J. Uhlig	BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1958	Richard H. Beck	BS Geophysical Engineeing	2025
1958	James C. DeRubeis	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1958	Harold L. Godlevske	BS Forestry	2025
1958	Robert Kandarian	BS Engineering Physics	2025
1958	Donald E. LaCosse	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1958	Milton J. Rogers	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1958	Barry G. Rought	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1959	James C. Gerdeen	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1959	Lawrence J. Mahalak	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1959	Roy T. Mattson	MS Engineering Mechanics, BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1959	Thomas J. Seavoy	BS Electrical Engineering	2022
1959	Harold J. Seppala	BS Chemical Engineering	2025
1959	Jay J. Williams	BS Mining Engineering	2025
1960	Charles D. Buell	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1960	Ronald E. Crane	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1960	Kenneth L. Graesser	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1960	Richard G. Green	BS Chemical Engineering	2025
1960	Alex R. Hermann	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1960	Clifford H. Hill	BS Civil Engineering	2021
1960	James R. Hooper	BS Civil Engineering	2021
1960	Marvin L. Kitchen	BS Civil Engineering	2022
1960	Frederick Matthis	BS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1960	Frederick R. Pfeiffer	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1960	William J. Rodda	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1960	Edward H. Rowley	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1960	Allen L. Schoolcraft	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1960	Joseph S. Wasielewski	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1960	Gerry N. Wixson	BS Chemical Engineering	2025
1961	Marvin A. Genshaw	BS Chemistry	2025
1961	William A. Haglund	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1961	Franklyn K. Haseley	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1961	Gerald J. Hill	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1961	William H. Lewis	MS Chemical Engineering, BS Chemical Engineering	2025
1961	John D. Opie	BS Chemical Engineering	2019
1961	William J. Riutta	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1961	Paul E. Williams	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1962	Allen D. Ackerman	BS Metallurgical Engineering, MS Metallurgical Engineering, PHD Metallurgical Engineering	2022
1962	Margaret A. (Mogren) Caserta	BS Medical Technology	2024
1962	Arthur W. Heikkinen	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1962	Erich Kothe	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1962	Thomas R. Lowe	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1962	Paul N. Prokopchuk	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1962	Thomas G. Tallon	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1962	Ronald R. Wood	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1963	Nicholas C. Carter	MS Geological Engineering	2025
1963	Patrick E. Casey	BS Business Administration	2023
1963	James C. Crowder	BS Chemical Engineering	2023
1963	Anthony J. Ghidorzi	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1963	Dennis H. Jensen	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2025
1963	Robert H. Nelson	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2022
1963	Reidar Tryggestad	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1963	Ronald S. Warren	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1964	George A. Hage	BS Business Administration	2019
1964	Jon D. Mathieu	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1964	John A. Nicolson	BS Forestry	2021
1965	Tony J. Vander Heide	BS Forestry	2022
1966	Michael T. Boho	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1966	John J. Elenich	BS Business Administration	2024
1966	Richard H. Green	BS Mechanical Engineering	2020
1966	Walter J. LaSovage	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1966	Clayton M. Mathews	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1966	Joseph D. Rhodea	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1967	William G. Hesterberg	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2025
1968	David R. Jalkanen	BS Mathematics, MS Mathematics	2024
1968	Daniel B. Mitchell	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1968	Harish N. Patel	MS Chemical Engineering	2025
1968	Brian J. Rodden	BS Forestry	2024
1968	Virgil P. Sabin	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1968	Stephen M. Stewart	BS Applied Physics	2024
1968	Douglas R. Williams	BS Business Administration	2025
1969	James T. McEachen	BS Business Administration	2025
1969	John C. Shirriff	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1970	Joel E. Andersen	MS Biological Sciences	2025
1970	Lawrence E. Groff	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1970	James E. Hanttula	BS Geology	2025
1970	Paul H. Marshall	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1970	Timothy J. McClellan	MS Civil Engineering, BS Civil Engineering	2014
1970	Elwood A. Narhi	BS Biological Sciences	2025
1970	Sami A. Sayegh	BA Liberal Arts	2025
1970	James C. Wiester	BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1970	David E. Williams	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2005
1971	Charles M. Dietzel	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2024
1971	Paul Michaels	BS Applied Geophysics	2025
1971	Dana M. Smith	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1972	Robert F. Donovan	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1972	Edward P. Dzarnowski	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1972	David D. Fales	BS Biological Sciences	2025
1972	Richard A. Kunz	BS Business Administration	2024
1972	Keith G. LaFleur	BS Physics, MS Physics	2023
1972	Robert P. Mayer	BS Chemistry	2023
1972	Thomas M. Soltysiak	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1973	James E. Hartmann	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1973	Larry A. Hulst	AAS Civil Engineering Technology	2025
1973	Robert P. Klenner	BS Chemical Engineering, MS Chemical Engineering	2025
1973	Joseph J. Krebs	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2015
1973	Randall C. Kriscunas	BS Civil Engineering	2014
1973	Ronald J. Velat	BS Business Administration	2025
1974	Robert W. Aho	BS Biological Sciences	2025
1974	William J. Cooper	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1974	Donna M. House	BS Medical Technology	2024
1974	David A. Palmer	AAS Civil Engineering Technology	2025
1974	Bruce J. Trusock	BS Biological Sciences	2025
1975	Joanne (Thomas) Dennis	AAS Nursing Technology	2025
1975	Gretchen (Westphal) Justusson	BS Medical Technology	2023
1975	Glen D. Saari	BS Business Administration	2022
1976	Paul S. Casarez	BS Chemical Engineering	2025
1976	Mary B. (Dupras) Eiermann	BS Social Sciences	2024
1977	John P. Ignaczak	AAS Forest Technology	2022
1977	James E. Oikarinen	BS Forestry	2025
1977	Mark A. Waldron	BS Electrical Engineering	2025
1978	Duane J. Prais	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1979	John C. Maki	BS Chemical Engineering, BS Geology, MS Geology	2025
1979	Edward G. Valines	BS Chemical Engineering	2025
1980	Glenna G. Cox	BS Computer Science	2025
1980	Thomas J. Grebinski	BS Chemistry	2025
1980	Charles S. Knobloch	BS Applied Geophysics	2023
1980	Barbara J. Robbins	AAS Nursing Technology	2025
1980	Timothy R. Roth	AAS Forest Technology	2018
1981	Elizabeth Y. Jacobson	BS Mathematics, BS Chemistry	2025
1981	John T. Lukowski	BS Electrical Engineering, MS Electrical Engineering	2025
1981	Mitchell A. Raymond	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1985	Robert H. Burgin	BS Business Administration	2025
1985	Marcia K. (Kearney) Kearney	BS Applied Geophysics, GRCERT	2025
1985	Royal F. Kessick	BS Chemistry
1986	Christine C. (Burgess) Patrick	BS Chemical Engineering	2025
1987	Johndan Johnson-Eilola	BS Scientific & Tech Comm (BS), MS Rhetoric & Tech Communication, PHD Rhetoric & Tech Communication	2023
1988	Craig W. Fogus	BS Chemical Engineering	2025
1990	Denise L. Toner	BS Biological Sciences	2025
1992	Dennis K. Walikainen	MS Rhetoric & Tech Communication, PHD Rhetoric & Tech Communication	2025
1993	James R. DeVlaminck	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1993	Daniel C. Gilmer	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
1994	Lawrence S. McNally	BS Civil Engineering	2025
1994	Ronald S. Steube	BS Metallurgical Engineering, MS Metallurgical Engineering	2025
1995	Jason B. Willis	AAS Mechanical Design Eng Tech	2024
1996	David S. Buckley	PHD Forest Science	2025
1996	Shane S. Ladwein	BS Chemical Engineering	2025
1998	Michael J. Mangiapane	BS Mechanical Engineering	2025
2000	David K. Hayes	MS Industrial Archaeology	2025
2000	Jeffrey P. Wood	BS Civil Engineering	2025
2002	Ian O. Gagnon	BS Forestry	2025
2003	Andrew P. Schomaker	BS Chemical Engineering	2025
2004	Neil R. Pekrul	BS Mechanical Engineering, MS Business Administration	2024
2008	Donald T. Shankin	BS Computer Engineering	2025
2014	Keegan J. Larkin	BS Computer Engineering, BS Electrical Engineering	2024
2022	Connor J. Dopke	BS Finance	2025
2024	Elisabeth A. Salter	BS Computer Engineering, BS Electrical Engineering	2025
2024	Matthew D. Sisson	MS Materials Science and Engrg	2025

In Memoriam for January 1 – December 31, 2024

In Memoriam

Published June 25, 2025

By Jordan Shawhan

Alumni

January 1 – December 31, 2024

Class Year	Full Name	Degrees	Year of Death
1946	Oliver W. Amstutz	BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1947	Irvin W. Beyerlein	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2016
1948	John A. Chamberlain	BS Electrical Engineering	2008
1948	Donald G. Eagling	BS Civil Engineering	2020
1949	Robert A. Kass	BS Mechanical Engineering	2020
1949	Dale H. Knapschaefer	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1949	Ralph S. Mackey	BS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1949	William R. Niemi	BS Mechanical Engineering	2008
1950	Clarence R. Allemang	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2011
1950	Paul E. Chuba	BS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1950	Lawrence D. Eckhoff	BS Mechanical Engineering	2012
1950	George F. Friedli	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1950	Donald W. Grabowski	BS Chemical Engineering	2014
1950	John R. Herron	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1950	Fred H. Liesong	BS Mechanical Engineering	2002
1950	Paul D. Matthews	MS Civil Engineering, BS Civil Engineering	2020
1950	Robert E. Monica	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1950	John S. Nevitt	BS Chemical Engineering	2017
1950	John W. Paull	BS Civil Engineering	2014
1950	David L. Rigotti	BS Chemical Engineering	2014
1950	James A. Welch	BS Electrical Engineering	2012
1950	James R. Young	BS Mining Engineering	2011
1951	David M. Bennett	BS General Science	2017
1951	Robert T. Bourdow	BS Forestry	2020
1951	Edward F. Crimmins	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2013
1951	William M. Justusson	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2017
1951	David A. Leach	BS Mechanical Engineering	2019
1951	Donald W. Liljequist	BS Civil Engineering	2022
1951	Robert L. Linden	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1951	William S. Peterson	BS Civil Engineering	2020
1951	Harold R. Smith	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2020
1951	James D. Spain	BS Chemistry	2024
1951	Robert B. Vogeler	BS Electrical Engineering	2010
1951	George C. Wilson	BS Electrical Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering	2018
1952	Jerry J. Archer	BS Forestry	2024
1952	Jack C. Brodsky	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2015
1952	John C. Huber	BS Chemical Engineering	2021
1952	Lawrence G. Maloney	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1952	Thomas Pavlovich	BS Mechanical Engineering	2015
1952	Harold G. Plog	BS Mining Engineering	2021
1952	Wilmot F. Pruyne	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2020
1952	Robert R. Rounsley	BS Chemical Engineering, MS Chemical Engineering	2023
1952	Richard P. Sernka	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2020
1952	Helena K. (Dixon) Tascott	BS General Science	2022
1952	Duane E. Williams	BS Mechanical Engineering	2022
1953	Robert D. Carnahan	BS Metallurgical Engineering, HON Hon Doctor of Engineering	2024
1953	Margery E. (Nancarrow) Conrad	BS General Science	2020
1953	Allan J. Firak	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1953	Richard J. Lang	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1953	Roy E. Margenau		2024
1953	Robert L. Pelmear	BS Civil Engineering	2009
1953	Clifford W. Schultz	BS Metallurgical Engineering, MS Metallurgical Engineering	2021
1953	Donald R. Vredeveld	BS Chemical Engineering	2022
1954	Jay W. Bastian	BS Forestry	2024
1954	Guenther E. Frankenstein	MS Civil Engineering, BS Forestry	2024
1954	George A. Hagelthorn	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1954	Donald A. Hall	BS Mining Engineering	2024
1954	Donald P. Jenkin	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1954	Emil D. Sjoholm	BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1955	Wiljo E. Asiala	BS Chemical Engineering	2017
1955	Lloyd J. Banaszak	BS Mechanical Engineering	2015
1955	Donald E. Bur	BS Forestry	2020
1955	Ray K. Burgess	BS Civil Engineering	2021
1955	John L. Buzzelli	BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1955	Donald R. Gefvert	BS Electrical Engineering	2014
1955	Ronald E. Havel	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1955	Carl F. Heald	BS Electrical Engineering	2020
1955	John W. Kytola	BS Mechanical Engineering	2013
1955	James F. Luecker	BS Civil Engineering	2011
1955	Thomas C. Schweinzger	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1955	John S. Wakeman	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2024
1956	Roger G. Anderson	BS Mining Engineering	2017
1956	Ronald L. Cadogan	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2020
1956	Richard C. Cooper	BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1956	Richard I. Cushman	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1956	Raymond W. Fischer	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1956	John N. Kressbach	BS Forestry	2024
1956	Ronald J. Meyette	BS Mechanical Engineering	2019
1956	Eugene R. Moore	BS Chemical Engineering, BS Chemistry	2024
1956	John A. Moore	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1956	James H. Shanley	BS Mining Engineering	2024
1956	Ralph E. Smith	BS Mechanical Engineering	2017
1956	Virgil W. Snyder	MS Civil Engineering, BS Civil Engineering	2024
1956	Richard J. Zabelka	BS Mechanical Engineering	2016
1957	Raymond F. Armour	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1957	William E. Briggs	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1957	Chauncey L. Carpenter	BS Mining Engineering	2024
1957	Eugene L. Chevrette	BS Mechanical Engineering	2012
1957	Kenneth W. Exworthy	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1957	Alan S. Jacobsen	BS Electrical Engineering	2013
1957	Philip G. Johnson	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2017
1957	Robert C. Marcinek	BS Mechanical Engineering	2017
1957	Louis J. Mazzaro	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1957	Jack G. McManus	BS Geological Engineering	2024
1957	Norman G. Paige	BS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1957	Fred J. Plutchak	BS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1957	Raymond F. Raetzel	BS Mechanical Engineering	2019
1957	Donald C. Richards	BS Mechanical Engineering	2015
1957	Ronald R. Sadler	BS Forestry	2024
1957	Ronald G. Wiersema	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1957	Paw K. Wong	BS Civil Engineering	2013
1958	John W. Bergacker	BS Civil Engineering	2023
1958	Donald P. Boldt	BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1958	Robert L. Chase	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1958	Jack E. Conrad	BS Geological Engineering	2020
1958	Darrell K. Edwards	BS Chemical Engineering	2015
1958	Elwood H. Heinonen	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1958	Richard G. Korseberg	BS Forestry	2007
1958	James L. Peters	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1958	Alan L. Richardson	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1958	Paul B. Ward	BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1958	William F. Wilson	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1959	Lawrence C. Graham	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2023
1959	Richard N. Hansen	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1959	Donald W. Johnson	BS Business Administration	2015
1959	James M. Kilpela	BS Engineering Physics	2024
1959	John D. McAuliffe	BS Chemical Engineering	2023
1960	Mark A. Anderson	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2024
1960	William P. Bremer	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1960	Lloyd D. Doney	BS Business Administration	2013
1960	Wayne G. Farley	BS Geophysical Engineering	2020
1960	James E. Graham	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1960	Richard J. Horsma	BS Civil Engineering	2021
1960	Maurice J. O’Connor	BS Mechanical Engineering	2018
1960	Clark L. Pellegrini	BS Business Administration	2024
1960	Francis R. Rastello	BS Business Administration	2017
1960	Guillermo E. Rodriguez	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1960	James A. Rye	BS Forestry	2020
1960	John D. Sanderlin	BS Electrical Engineering	2009
1960	Frank K. Thompson	BS Mechanical Engineering	2017
1960	Charles M. Valentine	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1960	Warren F. Wagner	BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1961	James L. Anderson	BS Business Administration	2022
1961	Kenneth R. Apsey	BS Civil Engineering	2020
1961	Thomas E. Ashton	BS Geological Engineering	2017
1961	Bruce R. Bartter	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1961	John Blaser	BS Electrical Engineering	2019
1961	Ross J. Bremer	BS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1961	Dennis A. Briley	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1961	Roy W. Brodie	BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Metallurgical Engineering	2024
1961	Kenneth D. Cygan	BS Geological Engineering	2024
1961	David P. Gustafson	BS Civil Engineering	2023
1961	Willard T. Heikkila	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1961	George A. Hendrickson	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1961	Alan K. Jantz	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1961	Leon R. Kabat	BS Forestry	2024
1961	Donald T. McColl	BS Business Administration	2000
1961	George M. Peterson	BS Mechanical Engineering	2011
1961	Jay D. Rowe	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1961	Don L. Zimmermann	BS Mechanical Engineering	2017
1962	Carl R. Adams	BS Applied Physics, BS Applied Physics	2024
1962	James W. Bradshaw	BS Electrical Engineering	2022
1962	Talmadge G. Bullock	BS Electrical Engineering	2018
1962	Thomas D. Clark	BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1962	Robert E. Douglas	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1962	Frederic H. Floodstrand	BS Physics	2018
1962	Donald J. Hibbeln	BS Mechanical Engineering	2019
1962	Michael H. Hill	BS Civil Engineering	2019
1962	James H. La Bean	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1962	Bruce E. Latvala	BS Mechanical Engineering	2007
1962	Paul P. Noe	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2024
1962	Ghulam M. Qureshi	BS Geological Engineering	2010
1962	Marcel F. Reynolds	BS Civil Engineering	2022
1962	Lawrence A. Seidel	BS Mechanical Engineering	2022
1962	Theodore C. Seim	BS Civil Engineering	2021
1962	Jerry F. Theiler	BS Forestry	2024
1962	Herald E. Thomas	BS Mining Engineering	2018
1963	John E. Birchler	BS Chemistry, MS Nuclear Engineering	2022
1963	David J. Dzierwa	BS Geophysical Engineering, MS Geophysics	2024
1963	John S. Eggert	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1963	Lawrence E. Faw	BS Chemistry	2021
1963	Jerry H. Hamelink	BS Mechanical Engineering, MS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1963	Rhea J. (Brown) Harris	BS Medical Technology	2020
1963	James R. Hull	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1963	Gerald E. Johnson	BS Mechanical Engineering	2020
1963	Peter A. Korelich	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1963	Clarence H. Lougheed	BS Business Administration	2022
1963	Robert D. McGowan	BS Business Administration	2005
1963	Robert J. Ockun	BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1963	Arthur J. Peterson	BS Mathematics	2022
1963	Robert M. Poquette	BS Mechanical Engineering	2015
1963	Stanley B. Schroeder	BS Chemistry	2024
1963	Avanti C. Shroff	BS Civil Engineering, MS Engineering Mechanics	2024
1963	Fredric A. Simonen	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1963	Marvin B. Sorenson	BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Metallurgical Engineering	2013
1963	Harry G. Thibault	BS Applied Physics	2020
1963	Gary W. Weirauch	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1964	Douglas A. Bain	MS Metallurgical Engineering, BS Metallurgical Engineering	2024
1964	David O. Carlson	BS Applied Physics	2019
1965	Dale W. Dietz	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2022
1965	James F. Grobar	BS Applied Physics	2024
1965	Michael C. Gustafson	BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Electrical Engineering	2020
1965	Albert E. Kampe	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1965	David C. Kersten	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1965	James E. Lindell	BS Civil Engineering	2020
1965	Terrence C. Maki	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1965	Orville H. Ormsby	BS Chemical Engineering	2016
1965	Victor L. Rizzo	BS Chemistry	2012
1965	Thomas J. Weston	BS Civil Engineering, MS Civil Engineering	2023
1965	Larry B. White	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2024
1966	James E. Brahler	BS Civil Engineering	2023
1966	Lon E. Carr	BS Civil Engineering	2020
1966	Lawrence B. Cottenden	BS Business Administration	2024
1966	Joseph A. Drelicharz	BS Civil Engineering, MS Civil Engineering	2002
1966	Kirby W. Johnson	BS Civil Engineering	2023
1966	Subhash C. Kansal	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1966	Keith A. Kessler	BS Civil Engineering	2023
1966	James M. Roe	BS Chemistry	2020
1966	John L. Schmidt	BS Electrical Engineering	2022
1966	Edward L. Self	BS Electrical Engineering	2018
1966	Glenn R. Snider	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1966	Ronald L. Sosnowski	BS Chemical Engineering	2015
1966	Richard J. Sudkamp	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1967	William T. Compeau	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1967	Mark A. Franck	BS Forestry	2018
1967	Charles L. Gossen	BS Biological Sciences	2020
1967	Dorwin G. Hicks	BS Business Administration	2021
1967	Alan M. Holgers	BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Mining Engineering	2024
1967	Otto A. Koch	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1967	Richard C. McCarthy	BS Electrical Engineering	2022
1967	Glenn W. Mikko	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1967	Nancy J. (Flynn) Morrison	BS Mathematics	2012
1967	Don R. Nemeth	BS Chemical Engineering	2010
1967	Richard W. Pierce	BS Business Administration	2024
1967	Glen W. Rantala	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1967	William C. Retzlaff	BS Business Administration	2021
1968	Suryaji R. Bhonsle	PHD Engineering Mechanics	2017
1968	Phyllis O. Boutilier	MS Mathematics	2024
1968	William D. Cade	MS Mathematics	2024
1968	John J. Gigliotti	BS Civil Engineering	2021
1968	Brian R. Isaacson	BS Business Administration	2024
1968	Axel Schwenn	BS Electrical Engineering	2015
1968	Daniel J. Sundberg	MS Business Administration, BS Electrical Engineering	2021
1969	Rudolf Ams	BS Business Administration	2023
1969	Russell A. Gronevelt	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1969	Keith E. Kalnbach	BS Business Administration	2024
1969	David M. McDonald	MS Electrical Engineering, BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1969	Patrick D. Menard	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1969	Richard C. Perlberg	BS Mechanical Engineering	2020
1969	Thomas M. Plutchak	BS Physics	2024
1969	Ted L. Preston	MS Engineering Mechanics	2023
1969	Lawrence J. Raymond	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2020
1969	Donald J. Ruppe	BS Chemistry, BS Biological Sciences	2021
1969	Charles D. Simpson	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1969	Richard E. St John	BS Chemistry	2022
1969	Jeffrey P. Swanson	BS Civil Engineering	2021
1969	Andrew J. Vargo	BS Mechanical Engineering	2013
1969	Daniel L. Vrable	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1969	Bruce M. Walker	BS Geological Engineering	2022
1969	Edward D. Wertanen	AAS Civil Engineering Technology	1987
1969	Carl J. Wick	MS Mechanical Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering	2022
1969	Gordon M. Williams	BS Electrical Engineering	2019
1969	John C. Ylitalo	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1969	Donald C. Zickus	BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Mathematics	2007
1970	Frank A. Bruttomesso	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1970	George H. Burger	BS Business Administration	2021
1970	Douglas G. Hinton	BS Business Administration	2024
1970	John W. Isola	AAS Civil Engineering Technology	2020
1970	Eugene M. Lehtola	BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Electrical Engineering	2012
1970	Betty J. (Fentz) Mueller	BS Business Administration	2024
1970	John A. Opitz	BS Mechanical Engineering	1998
1970	Barry K. Osborn	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1970	Kenneth G. Piwarski	AAS Civil Engineering Technology	2022
1970	George P. Schubert	BS Geological Engineering	2019
1970	David A. Sleeper	BS Mechanical Engineering	2022
1970	Gary L. Sundin	BS Geology	2022
1970	Karl F. Wagner	BS Forestry	1999
1971	Henry Badal	BS Mechanical Engineering	2020
1971	Richard C. Dumler	BS Electrical Engineering, MS Business Administration	2024
1971	Charles J. Hornick	BS Medical Technology	2024
1971	Bruce G. Kuffer	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1971	Larry C. Levengood	BS Biological Sciences	2024
1971	Ronald E. Mabee	BS Electrical Engineering	2022
1971	David B. Nelson	BS Business Administration	2024
1971	James D. Philo	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1971	Michael A. Priest	BS Mining Engineering	2022
1971	Robert A. Urban	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1971	Lawrence E. Williams	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1971	Bruce H. Wright	BS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1972	Lee G. Ferguson	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1972	Dick E. Palmer	AAS Civil Engineering Technology	2010
1972	Robert J. Stevens	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1972	James A. Walendzik	BS Chemical Engineering	2023
1973	Stuart A. Anderson	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2021
1973	Mohan P. Boaz	BS Business Engineering Admin	2006
1973	David C. Bryson	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1973	Paul J. Bylkas	AAS Forest Technology	2024
1973	Leon D. Hansen	BA Liberal Arts with History Opt	2024
1973	William B. Harkema	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2014
1973	Mark E. Jackson	BS Physics	2018
1973	James R. Johanson	BS Civil Engineering	2018
1973	Robert L. Johnson	MS Geology	2022
1973	Scott R. Kater	BS Business Administration	2005
1973	David M. Lyth	BS Business Administration	2024
1973	Arthur A. Maxwell	BS Applied Geophysics	2024
1973	Randall J. Moeller	BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1973	Jerry M. Muff	BS Business Administration	2024
1973	David L. Perry	BS Biological Sciences	2020
1973	Bruce E. Peterson	BS Mechanical Engineering	2006
1973	John J. Popa	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1973	Matthew W. Riipi	BS Business Administration	2024
1973	Joanne K. (Hyttinen) Sewell	BS Medical Technology	2024
1973	George L. Wilson	BS Mechanical Engineering	2014
1974	Steven E. Dziuban	BS Mining Engineering	2021
1974	Markus J. Ladd	BS Mining Engineering	2024
1974	Robert C. Mania	BS Physics, MS Physics	2019
1974	Richard A. Morse	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1974	Dennis K. Polzien	BS Forestry	2024
1974	Arthur F. Saari	BS Chemistry	2024
1975	Daniel L. Belmore	BS Civil Engineering	2013
1975	James D. Corlett	BS Mechanical Engineering	2018
1975	William L. Curtis	AAS Forest Technology	2018
1975	Douglas M. Gordon	BS Forestry	2017
1975	Douglas A. Karie	BS Biological Sciences	2010
1975	Wayne A. Kraenzlein	BS Biological Sciences	2013
1975	Dennis M. McKaig	BS Biological Sciences, MS Biological Sciences	2024
1976	Raymond J. Bedore	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2024
1976	Gary L. Burrus	MS Business Administration	2012
1976	George J. Groos	BS Electrical Engineering	2018
1976	James B. Hall	BS Electrical Engineering	2011
1976	Bruce E. Holbrook	MS Civil Engineering	2013
1976	Karol M. Hyypio	BS Medical Technology	2024
1976	Don W. Kilpela	BA Liberal Arts	2024
1976	William L. Kowalski	MS Biological Sciences	2024
1976	Charles B. Lott	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2024
1976	Kenneth E. Reid	BS Electrical Engineering	2015
1976	Timothy Thomson	MS Chemistry	2021
1977	Robert C. Bowen	BS Biological Sciences	2009
1977	Stephen E. Drabik	BS Biological Sciences	2014
1977	Thomas J. Heinowski	MS Business Administration	2024
1977	Glenn C. Klos	BS Biological Sciences	2014
1977	Brian K. Larche	BS Business Administration	2022
1977	Donald J. Marcotte	BS Civil Engineering	2014
1977	Michael P. McCullough	BS Mechanical Engineering	2017
1977	Shirley M. Pattison	AAS Nursing Technology	2012
1977	John W. Savich	BS Forestry	2013
1977	Steven D. Saxton	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1977	Michael R. Sloat	BS Biological Sciences	2021
1977	Franklin M. Smith	BS Civil Engineering	2017
1978	Paul E. Aho	BS Business Administration	2024
1978	Marian J. Boxer	AAS Nursing	2024
1978	Wendy S. (Emaus) Cybulla	AAS Nursing Technology	2012
1978	Derek P. Fountain	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2020
1978	Jon B. Jansma	BS Chemical Engineering	2021
1978	David P. Larson	BS Chemical Engineering	2010
1978	Donald R. Peterson	BS Forestry	2022
1978	Will R. Pirhonen	BS Business Administration	2006
1978	Gregory T. Stibitz	BS Medical Technology	2012
1978	Diane B. (Brusorio) Yankovich	AAS Nursing Technology	2023
1979	Robert B. Bergman	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1979	Kenneth F. Bieszke	BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Chemical Engineering	2007
1979	Dennis P. Bolger	BS Mining Engineering	2011
1979	Michael F. Ehlen	BS Mechanical Engineering	2022
1979	Paul G. Fudaly	BS Civil Engineering	2023
1979	Wilfredo J. Garcia	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2011
1979	Elizabeth A. Korby	AAS Nursing Technology	2024
1979	Debora J. Lee	AAS Nursing Technology	2013
1979	Steven D. Magnuson	BS Mining Engineering	2021
1979	David P. Sinclair	BS Chemical Engineering	2016
1979	Robert J. Smickley	MS Metallurgical Engineering	2024
1980	Michael W. Bernock	BS Electrical Engineering	2014
1980	Brian R. Frizzle	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1980	Philis E. Heldstab	BS Forestry	2020
1980	Michael J. Labar	AAS Civil Engineering Technology	2008
1980	Dean G. May	BS Civil Engineering	2014
1980	Donald P. Nurmela	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1980	Kathleen A. (Hughes) Peterson	BS Mining Engineering	2021
1981	Gerald K. Berner	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2017
1981	Brian N. Glenn	BS Chemical Engineering	2013
1981	Scott D. Hartz	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS), BS Business Administration	2024
1981	Elizabeth P. (Person) Herzog	BS Forestry	2021
1981	David L. Kruszka	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2014
1981	Michael J. Lapp	BS Electrical Engineering	2022
1981	Timothy J. Lazowski	BS Electrical Engineering	2010
1981	Phillip K. McNaught	BS Mechanical Engineering	2023
1981	Eric E. Petkus	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2020
1981	James H. Wiegand	BS Mechanical Engineering, MS Mechanical Engineering	2013
1982	Steven W. Anderson	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1982	Robert E. Bessonen	BS Forestry	2024
1982	Patrick Cullen	BS Business Administration	2014
1982	John H. Dibbs	BS Electrical Engineering	2017
1982	James W. Klein	BS Business Administration	2024
1982	Randall W. Knisely	AAS Forest Technology	2016
1982	Paul L. Luedtke	BS Business Administration	2024
1982	Daniel L. Sanville	BS Geological Engineering	2014
1982	Douglas L. Walls	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1983	Carol A. Brown	BA Liberal Arts, MS Rhetoric & Tech Communication	2024
1983	Robert E. Brown	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1983	Neil L. Daavettila	BS Mechanical Engineering	2018
1983	Lori J. (Compeau) Haueter	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1983	Carl A. Sewell	BS Mechanical Engineering	2012
1983	Ron D. Trevillian	AAS Forest Technology	2014
1983	Peter A. Tropper	BS Electrical Engineering	2019
1983	Robert S. Varda	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS), BS Business Administration	2019
1983	Gary P. Wickman	BS Mechanical Engineering	2007
1983	Beth A. (Adamson) Wright	BS Business Administration	2011
1984	James M. Anastasiow	BS Scientific & Tech Comm (BS)	2016
1984	Robert H. Feldscher	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2024
1984	Bruce G. Frantti	BS Applied Geophysics	2024
1984	Gregory D. Hansen	BS Electrical Engineering	2016
1984	Scott G. Heiden	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1984	Garrett G. Heil	BS Electrical Engineering	2013
1984	Joseph A. Kalesavich	BS Applied Geophysics	2019
1984	Brad L. Landstra	BS Computer Science	2021
1984	Patrick J. Northrop	BS Applied Physics	2020
1984	Victoria B. Osborne	BA Liberal Arts	2015
1984	Russell D. Pruyt	BS Scientific & Tech Comm (BS)	2022
1984	Thomas D. Smith	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1984	Sam S. Starcevich	BS Civil Engineering	1996
1984	Joseph R. Thompson	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1985	Van Nhan Do	BS Electrical Engineering	2013
1985	Mark R. Hedstrom	BS Chemistry	2019
1985	Norman E. Hovis	BS Mechanical Engineering	2022
1985	Gregory B. LaZur	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2010
1985	Gary J. Markstrom	BS Civil Engineering	2024
1985	Janet B. Papworth	BS Business Administration	2010
1985	Kenneth R. Perala	AAS Civil Engineering Technology	2019
1985	Henry A. Rebandt	BS Electrical Engineering	2014
1985	Earl Wuestnick	BS Geological Engineering	2024
1986	Kevin A. Brooks	BS Mechanical Engineering	2017
1986	Michael M. Klink	BS Computer Science	2016
1986	Mark B. Morter	BS Mining Engineering	2015
1986	Gary S. Stuber	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1986	Paul C. Wiers	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1987	Mark E. Carlson	BS Computer Science	2024
1987	Jeffrey J. Haan	BS Mechanical Engineering	2021
1987	Rodney E. Winquist	BS Business Administration	2020
1988	James M. Kitchen	BS Electrical Engineering, CERT Modern Language	2024
1989	Mark E. Boden	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1989	James S. Grzesiak	BS Electrical Engineering	2011
1989	Peter A. Lincoln	BS Business Administration	2024
1989	Keith G. Ramsay	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1989	Helen J. (Tourville) Thomas	BS Social Sciences	2011
1990	Robert S. Crane	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1990	Ernest J. Korpi	BS Computer Science	2012
1990	Joseph W. Lett	AAS Civil Engineering Technology, BS Surveying	2024
1990	Mark W. Marklin	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1991	James R. Clark	BS Electrical Engineering	2019
1991	Brian J. Diercks	AAS Mechanical Design Eng Tech	2024
1991	Larry M. Hopkins	MS Computer Science	2024
1991	Patrick J. Niemi	BS Scientific & Tech Comm (BS)	2024
1992	Derek R. Dexter	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
1992	Christopher E. Martens	BS Mechanical Engineering	2018
1992	Daniel J. McCarthy	BS Business Administration, BS Mathematics	2024
1992	Kelly J. Rohan	MS Rhetoric & Tech Communication	2019
1992	Daniel C. Ulep	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1992	Daniel J. Vomastek	BS Mathematics	2024
1992	Michael W. Williams	AAS Electromechanical Eng Tech	2024
1992	Yingxian Yao	PHD Mechanical Engineering	2019
1993	William L. Ellerbruch	BS Mathematics	2024
1993	Eric R. Shaffer	MS Civil Engineering	2023
1994	Russ B. Krzyzaniak	BS Computer Science	2011
1994	Kim M. (Robbins) Rogan	MS Chemistry	2015
1994	Thomas F. Smith	BS Mechanical Engineering	2013
1994	Kurt E. Vadnais	BS Business Administration	2023
1995	Paul J. Elowsky	BS Mechanical Engineering	2006
1995	Catherine J. (Wood) Fisher	BS Scientific & Tech Comm (BS)	2023
1995	Carl J. Owens	AAS Mechanical Design Eng Tech, BS Business Administration	2024
1995	Mathew R. Skoda	AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)	2015
1996	Donovan E. Carrick	AAS Mechanical Design Eng Tech	2022
1996	Joseph A. LaPrad	BS Chemical Engineering	2024
1996	Stephen D. Nelson	BS Mechanical Engineering	2020
1996	Gang Zheng	MS Mathematics	2014
1997	Robert B. Fiandt	BS Social Sciences	2024
1997	Judith S. (Ruonavaara) Jukuri	BS Business Administration	2024
1997	Jingjing Xu	MS Chemistry	2018
1998	Sung-Jae Kim	PHD Biological Sciences	2013
1998	Eric W. Olson	BS Civil Engineering	2011
1999	Aaron W. Arvia	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
1999	Dena M. Beers	BS Biological Sciences	2024
2000	Kathryn E. (Quinlan) Schneider	BS Electrical Engineering	2010
2000	James E. Scarlett	AAS Mechanical Design Eng Tech, BS Business Administration	2024
2000	Michael S. Winchell	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
2001	Elaine J. (Meyer) Engstrom	BS Electrical Engineering	2024
2001	Michael W. Humes	BS Mechanical Engineering	2015
2001	James B. Montney	MS Industrial Archaeology	2024
2002	Wesley W. Adkins	BS Chemical Engineering	2015
2002	Kimberly A. Curtis	BS Civil Engineering	2024
2006	Aaron L. Maki	BS Business Administration	2012
2006	Elizabeth A. Stone	BS Business Administration	2016
2007	Robert F. Holloman lll	BS Electrical Eng Tech	1999
2011	Timothy D. Greening	BS Civil Engineering	2023
2011	Kathryn E. Johnson	BS Biomedical Engineering	2024
2012	Justin B. Miner	BS Mechanical Engineering Tech	2024
2012	Charles D. Warner	BS Computer Network & System Admn	2014
2013	Nathan R. Morris	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
2013	Briana Wakeham	BA Communication, Culture & Media, CERT Media	2024
2014	Patrick J. Matlock	BS Civil Engineering	2021
2014	Kyle G. Ver Hoef	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
2018	John Hoffman	BS Mechanical Engineering	2024
2021	Edward Swager	BS Psychology	2024

In Memoriam July 1 – December 31, 2023

In Memoriam

Published June 24, 2025

By Jordan Shawhan

Alumni

July 1 – December 31, 2023

Class	Full Name	Degrees	Year of Death
1950	Calvin J. Wheeler	BS Electrical Engineering	2023
1958	Raymond L. Jablonski	BS Metallurgical Engineering	2023
1972	Shirley A. (Anderson) Brantingham	BS Mathematics	2023
1972	John C. Swift	BS Business Administration	2023
1974	Edward V. Dragunas	BS Forestry	2017
1984	Noel K. Hanson	MS Biological Sciences	2023
2012	Nicholas Lyon	BS Management Information Systems	2023

In Memoriam for April 1 – June 30, 2023

Stories of Service: Histories from Military Service Collected During Appreciation Weekend

Published June 4, 2025

By Jordan Shawhan

Alumni

Hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement, Military Service Appreciation Weekend was held on campus May 2–3, 2025, to recognize and celebrate members of the Michigan Tech community who have served in the US Armed Forces.

The weekend featured presentations, open houses, a guided tour of the Keweenaw Research Center (KRC), and opportunities for connection over shared meals and activities. Alumni were also invited to contribute their personal reflections on military service, careers, and the lasting impact of a Michigan Tech education.

Below are highlights from those conversations. Each profile offers a deeper look at the careers and contributions of our alumni, and how Tech helped shape their path. Click through to read each full story.

Shawn Cantlin ’82

Shawn Cantlin graduated from Michigan Tech in 1982 with a degree in chemical engineering. Cantlin found his path through Army ROTC, was commissioned at graduation, and after advancing from brigade chemical officer to platoon leader, earned a master’s in nuclear engineering in 1988. His career then took him from designing nuclear weapons in the Army to serving as a nuclear expert for counter weapons of mass destruction in Washington, D.C. Cantlin retired from the Army in 2004 as a lieutenant colonel, and again from national security work in 2023.

David Gothard ’71

David Gothard ’71 earned his BS in Forestry from Michigan Tech and was commissioned into the US Air Force through ROTC. He flew B-52 bombers out of KI Sawyer Air Force Base and later held assignments at Wright-Patterson, Wurtsmith, and the Pentagon, where he served as lead project officer for the B-1 program and deputy program executive officer for fighters and bombers. Gothard retired as a colonel after working on the B-2 stealth bomber program and continued to support the Department of Defense as a contractor.

Brett Johnson ’82

Brett Johnson came to Michigan Tech to study geology and enroll in Army ROTC. Completing Ranger School prior to his senior year at Tech, Johnson graduated in 1982 with a BS in Geology, was commissioned into the Army as a transportation officer, and then trained as a Blackhawk flight crew member. Across more than 20 years of active duty, Johnson served in multiple operations around the world—including Panama, Somalia, and post-Hurricane Andrew relief in Miami. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2003 and later spent 13 years as an ROTC instructor at Western Michigan University.

Dr. Jerry Luoma ’65 ’67

Jerry Luoma ’65 ’67 grew up in Calumet and stayed close to home for college, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan Tech. Commissioned through Army ROTC, Luoma served in the Michigan National Guard and was deployed during the 1967 Detroit riot. He was later called to active duty, with deployments to Germany and Vietnam, where he commanded engineering units. After his service, Luoma returned to Tech as a math instructor but soon decided to pursue medicine. He completed his MD at the University of Michigan and returned to Calumet, where he spent 35 years as a family physician and medical director.

David Ouillette ’71 ’73

David Ouillette ’71 ’73 served in the US Air Force as a dental technician, with assignments that took him from Alaska to North Carolina. He enrolled at Michigan Tech eight years after enlisting and went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in forestry. A lifelong learner, Ouillette later returned to Houghton to work for Michigan Tech, from where he retired in 2000.

David Schuster ’63

David Schuster ’63 earned his civil engineering degree from Michigan Tech before serving as a medical construction liaison officer in the US Air Force—including a year-long assignment in Vietnam. Recruited from the private sector to oversee the expansion of Ohio State University’s medical complex, Schuster transitioned to the Air Force Reserve and pursued an MBA. He later went to work for himself and ran his family’s petroleum business for 19 years while remaining active in both the Reserve and his community.

Summers at Michigan Tech

Published May 29, 2025

By Jordan Shawhan

Memories and Nostalgia

Since the earliest days of Michigan Tech, campus life has taken on a different rhythm in the summer. Many students head home, faculty go on research trips, and a new season of special programs begins—like sports camps, summer youth programs, and field schools. This is true today, just as it was in the early 1900s.

This great image from the University Archives’ Negative Collection, dated June 1, 1911, shows a group of summer field students preparing for a trip into one of the local mines—lunch buckets and all!

What summer experiences did you have as a student? Did you participate in summer sessions or special programs during your time at Michigan Tech? Let us know in the comments!

A group of almost two dozen summer field students in 1911 walking down a dirt-covered road on their way to the local mine.

About the Archives

The Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections houses a wide variety of print, graphic and manuscript resources related to the history and culture the Copper Country and Michigan Technological University. If you would like to research in the archives, appointments are available from 1-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Appointments may be requested by calling (906) 487-2505 or by filling out the request form on the archives website. If you have any questions regarding archives services, collections, or remote research help, please reach out to (906) 487-2505 or e-mail us at copper@mtu.edu. The Michigan Tech Archives can also be found on Facebook (Michigan Tech Archives), Instagram (@michigantecharchives), and X (@mtuarchives).

Beaches of the Keweenaw

Published May 6, 2025

By Jordan Shawhan

Memories and Nostalgia

Beachcombing days have returned to the Keweenaw! While the shorelines can be explored in all seasons, they are much more welcoming in the warmer months. This image from the University Archives’ Harold Putnam Collection shows a peaceful reflection at Eagle Harbor Beach in the mid-twentieth century.

Do you prefer the softer, more poetic beach experience—looking within or searching for beach glass? Or perhaps the more animated experience of splashing in the waves and skipping stones? Let us know your favorite Keweenaw beach and beachfront activities in the comments!

A visitor sitting on a rock enjoys a peaceful reflection at Eagle Harbor Beach in the mid-twentieth century.

About the Archives

West Michigan Event Report: Winter 2024–25

Published March 31, 2025

By Jordan Shawhan

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.

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