Michigan Tech College of Business Newsblog

SBE’s Director of Administration Retires

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It is with mixed emotions that the Deans Office announces Diane Benda has elected to retire from Michigan Tech effective July 1st.   While we would love her to remain within the SBE, we know Diane has plans to spend more time with her family.  As the Director of Administration, Diane has been the key hub between the central administration, the Deans  Office, faculty, staff, alumni and students.  Diane’s efficient performance of her job masks the enormous responsibilities and duties she performs on a regular basis.  She has been vital to the SBE’s progress and accomplishments over her career.

The SBE held a retirement reception for Diane on May 1st.  We wish her the best, and congratulate her on a well-earned retirement!

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Gina Roose wins Student Leadership Award

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Gina Roose201804270007The Student Leadership Awards took place on Friday, April 20. These awards celebrate and reward the individual and group efforts of students involved in organizations across campus. There are awards for student employees, student organizations, programs, and more.

This year, Gina Roose (accounting and finance major) was selected as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Advancement Award for Service. Once nominated, Gina submitted her resume and an essay (featured below) describing the volunteer/community services she has been involved in while enrolled at Michigan Tech.

As a student, I have worked many places on campus. I started at University Images. The past 3 years, I’ve been a Peer Mentor for the Wahtera Center; helping students adjust to college, develop study skills, and get involved has been one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had.

My favorite job on campus has been working for Residential Life – as an RA for a year and a half, and this year as Community Coordinator. As an RA, I learned how to create an accepting community, bring people together, and apply creativity in problem-solving. This year, I enjoy fostering RA growth as a mentor in the CC role.

In all my roles, I aim to go beyond what is required. Residential Life, for example, is not about checking the boxes for me. I try to take every opportunity to help improve the lives of students I work with. While supporting students is a job requirement, I do my best to live and breathe that aspect of the job, and to extend beyond just the students in my hall. I also seize opportunities to expand my ability to support students I work with by seeking out optional training. I’ve been certified in Mental Health First Aid, as a Safe Place Ally, and as a facilitator for One Love domestic violence training.

While I’ve poured a great deal of myself into my jobs, I have also maintained a focus on school. I love my studies and have done very well in my classes. I have a passion for education, and balancing education and work allows me to combine what I learn in and out of the classroom.

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Dr. Jeffrey Wall Recognized at the MTU Teaching Showcase

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During each spring semester, the five college Deans will identify outstanding instructors within their unit. (Engineering-4, Sciences and Arts-5, Business-1, Forestry-1, and Technology-1) These twelve nominees (allocated proportionally by the total number of affiliated faculty) are announced one per week through the spring term. All twelve are invited to an end-of-term luncheon where they receive formal recognition and a small token of appreciation from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).

Beginning in 2017, Deans’ Teaching Showcase winners are considered (along with the distinguished teaching award finalists not selected) for three additional university-wide $1000 awards in targeted areas. Awards are given for exceptional large classroom/introductory teaching, innovative or outside the classroom teaching methods, and/or curriculum or assessment development. Each awardee is asked to make a presentation at a separate CTL event the following fall, sharing exceptional contributions and formally receiving recognition. Recipients take part in the next selection process.

This year, the School of Business and Economics is proud to recognize Dr. Jeffrey Wall, Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems.

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Captain Amanda Nerg ’10 Recieves Michigan Tech’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award

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Nerg, Amanda Capt photoThis award is presented each year to alumni under the age of 35 who have distinguished themselves in their career. The award recognizes the achievement of a position or some distinction noteworthy for one so recently graduated.

Captain Amanda (Taylor) Nerg ’10 believes in leaving a place better than when you arrived.

“Your actions will affect those around you and you can be that guiding force in creating a better future for those who come after us.”

For Nerg attending Tech was coming home. During her childhood, she lived near Tech while her mom served as the commander for the Air Force ROTC. “When we moved I missed everything about the area. When I began my search for a college, I only applied to one school, Michigan Tech. It was exciting to return to the place I had once called home.”

Nerg received a bachelor of science degree in business administration in 2010. In 2014, she earned her master of business administration at the Naval Postgraduate School.

She says the training she received at Michigan Tech prepared her for a career in the Air Force. Her first assignment she served as a contract administrator at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota where she managed a $7.6 million architect-engineer services program.

“Michigan Tech instilled a passion for innovation and creative thinking. The Air Force ROTC program guided me to become a strong leader and follower in the military. Alpha Gamma Delta taught me the values of living with purpose and impacting the world. Every class, every extracurricular activity provided the foundation for who I am today.”

Nerg is the Chief of Contracting Office at Moron Air Base in Spain, where she supports multiple Air Force, Marine, and NATO missions. While working on her master’s degree at the Naval Postgraduate School, she says her analytical background from Tech calculus and statistics classes helped create her thesis on geospatial information systems (GIS) and their use in humanitarian and disaster response, developing a transportation routing model for fuels distribution.

She says she has many fond memories from Tech include meeting her husband, Steve Nerg ’11. The couple has been married for more than six years.

Tech helped Nerg discover who she wanted to be. “Everything you do and have done at this university has shaped you into who you are today. Aspire to be your best and do your job with integrity and passion.”

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Student Chapter (Branch) of ASQ

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The American Society for Quality, an international organization promoting quality management and continuous improvement, has approved a Student Chapter (Branch) of the American Society for Quality at Michigan Tech.

We are the first chapter in Section 1014 representing northern lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. The founding membership has 17 student members. The major objectives of the chapter are to promote professional certification, foster a culture of lifelong learning and to connect students with chapters across the country as they transition from student life to their chosen careers.

We are especially thankful to Lisa (Gippert) Smith ’98 (ME) for her work in getting the chapter established. We are also thankful to Don Brecken and Nicole O’Reilly from American Society for Quality, Milwaukee. Three of the 17 members have completed the ASQ Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification. There are several more who will take the exam in May 2018.

The founding officers are

Stephen Butina, President

  • Management major with a concentration in Supply Chain and Operations Management
  • Hometown: Painesdale, MI

Tim Bart, Vice President

  • Engineering management major
  • Hometown: Brighton, MI

Kelby Chrivia, Treasurer

  • Engineering management major
  • Hometown: Hale, MI

Gabriela Mayorga, Secretary

  • Engineering management major
  • Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Dana M. Johnson (SBE) is the advisor for the organization. She is a Senior Member of ASQ.

In the Fall semester, the organization will actively begin recruitment of students. The organization is open to all students including undergraduate and graduate students. Any interested students should contact Stephen Butina or Dana Johnson.

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