Day: May 11, 2022

Huskies Engage at Traverse City during Innovation Week


As part of Michigan Tech’s Grand Traverse region initiative, Huskies will be active in Traverse City this week (May 9-15) during a series of events to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship.

Husky Innovate students Bayle Golden (master’s in engineering management) and Rourke Sylvain (biomedical engineering) will pitch their ideas during the TCNewTech University Idea Showcase tomorrow (May 12). On Sunday evening they will pitch again, competing for prizes.

College of Business alumnus and local business owner David McBride ‘82 will serve as a judge of the showcase. This event will be livestreamed via TCNewTech’s Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn channels beginning at 6 p.m. Register to attend virtually or in person.

Golden and Sylvain have engaged in Husky Innovate events including the Bob Mark Business Model Pitch Competition and the New Venture Competition (NVC), where both took top prizes. At NVC, Golden won first place in the Social Mission category and received $10,000 pitching “SafeRow,” an innovative wearable device designed to keep children safe when every second counts. Together, Sylvain and Ali Dabas (biomedical engineering) won second place in the High Tech High Growth category, receiving $5,000. Their pitch, “imi (integrated molecular innovations),” is an electrochemical biosensor for T4 detection.

Husky Innovate is a collaboration between the Pavlis Honors College, the Office of Innovation and Commercialization, and the College of Business. 

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing, as well as a general business option. Graduate degrees include the TechMBA®, a Master of Engineering Management, a Master of Science in Accounting, and a Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics.

Scholarship Spotlight: Ross Roeder Endowed Scholarship

Hillary Prout (left) and Nathan Sodini (right), Michigan Tech College of Business Ross Roeder Endowed Scholarship Recipients
Hillary Prout (left) and Nathan Sodini (right), Michigan Tech College of Business Ross Roeder Endowed Scholarship Recipients

The Michigan Tech College of Business boasts more than 50 donor- and industry-sponsored scholarships reserved exclusively for new and returning MTU business students. These awards are offered in addition to competitive, merit-, and need-based aid. In 2020-21, total scholarships and grants awarded to undergraduate students in the College of Business exceeded $4.6 million.

Today, we’re highlighting the Ross Roeder Endowed Scholarship.

The late Ross Roeder ’60, a Michigan Tech Board of Trustees Silver Medal recipient and an Alumni Association Honorary Alumnus, established an endowed scholarship for the College of Business (COB) to encourage entrepreneurship and leadership. The scholarship is awarded to business Huskies with demonstrated leadership and entrepreneurial skills. The award may be renewed, provided the recipient maintains a 2.5 minimum GPA.

“The Ross Roeder Endowed Scholarship eased the financial burden of achieving my dreams.”

Hillary Prout (accounting), Roeder Scholarship Recipient

Although Roeder graduated from larger institutions, he maintained close ties with Michigan Tech throughout his career. Dean Johnson, dean of the COB, said the College held a special place in his heart. “He and Mary Anne quietly supported COB students with scholarships,” says Johnson.

While Roeder sadly passed away in 2021, his wife Mary Anne continues the couple’s shared mission. Her recent major gift has increased the funding level of the scholarship.

Mary Anne Roeder with her late husband, Ross.
Mary Anne Roeder with her late husband, Ross

“We were both passionate about education, and we both had the opportunity to get a good education,” says Mary Anne. “It’s important to help support talented Michigan Tech students that tomorrow needs.”

“The Roeders’ legacy of supporting Michigan Tech students inspires me to engage in all that Tech has to offer.” 

Nathan Sodini (engineering management and finance), Roeder Scholarship Recipient

Questions related to the Ross Roeder Endowed Scholarship may be directed to business@mtu.edu.

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing, as well as a general business option. Graduate degrees include the TechMBA®, a Master of Engineering Management, a Master of Science in Accounting, and a Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics.