Michigan Technological University is something of an Elliott family tradition. Dale Elliott, his older brother, two brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law as well as a niece and her husband all went to school there.
Elliott earned an MBA from Michigan Tech’s School of Business and Economics in 1979 and he has served on both the business school’s national advisory board and the President’s Advancement Council. He is also a Life Trustee of the Michigan Tech Fund.
Now he and his family have pledged $1.1 million in scholarship funding to help deserving business students—particularly first-generation college students—benefit from a Michigan Tech education.
“In today’s world, there are some very deserving young people who just need a helping hand,” he explains.
“A business person who understands technology, and a technology person who understands business is a skill set in great demand,” Elliott continued, “and Tech’s School of Business and Economics is doing an outstanding job of preparing students to benefit from that.”
Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz thanked Elliott for his gift, saying: “Dale is a perfect example of someone who used his Michigan Tech education as a springboard to success and now wants to give back, to help deserving students prepare for their own future success.”
Elliott, who was the midyear Commencement speaker last December, currently is CEO of FCM Advisory Group, a consulting business he established. Prior to that he was President of the Global Bath & Kitchen Business for American Standard Companies and Chairman, President and CEO of Snap-on Tools for many years.
At Michigan Tech’s Dec. 20, 2014 Commencement, he was awarded an honorary doctorate.
About three years ago, Elliott, his wife and daughters established the Elliott Family Annual Scholarship, which helps pay for a business school student’s education.“ We made a modest start and now we’ve decided to expand the program and make it more permanent,“ Elliott said about the new Elliott Family Endowed Scholarships. “It reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the educational opportunities that Michigan Tech offers.”
Elliott’s wife, Judy said she is very proud of her husband’s accomplishments. “He was taught a strong work ethic early on and has applied that throughout his career. But even with hard work, to succeed, you have to start with a good education,” she said. “He is so grateful for the education he got at Michigan Tech that he wants to give others that same opportunity, someone who might not be able to afford it otherwise. We both feel really passionate about that.”
The Elliotts’ daughter, Nicole Peace, pointed out that their family has generations of history with Michigan Tech and the City of Houghton. “It is a source of tremendous pride that our father has demonstrated the significant value an advanced education can provide. By continuing his support of Tech students through this scholarship at the School of Business and Economics, more opportunities can be given to future graduates, who will learn and grow in the great setting Houghton and the Tech community has to offer.”
Jennifer Elliott, the couple’s other daughter, said “We are proud to be a part of this scholarship, which will enable first-generation college students to gain access to an advanced education at Tech and realize their potential for lifelong achievement. It is an honor to reinvest in the university community that has shaped our family for generations.”
Gene Klippel, dean of the School of Business and Economics said that the Elliotts’ gift could not come at a more opportune time. “The number of applications to the School of Business and Economics is up 23 percent from last year. A substantial portion of those applicants are Michigan residents, with the majority being from the Upper Peninsula.“
“Thanks to Dale Elliott and his family, we are now able to provide two incoming undergraduate students a renewable scholarship worth $2,500. Each year, two additional undergraduates will be selected to receive an Elliott Family Annual Scholarship.”
“The School of Business and Economics’ faculty, staff and current students greatly appreciate the generosity and support of the Elliott family,” Klippel went on to say. “They have been long- time friends and supporters of the School. So, we wish to thank the Elliott family for providing this opportunity to our future business students as they work to achieve their potential and place in the world of business.”
This article was originally published by Jennifer Donovan, student writing intern for Michigan Tech News.
For the ninth time in Michigan Tech men’s basketball history and seventh time in the last 14 years, the GLIAC Player of the Year wears a Huskies jersey. Senior Ben Stelzer (Manitowoc, Wis.) earned the honor in voting from the league’s head coaches.
Stelzer was also named to the All-GLIAC First Team while backcourt mate Jordan Chartier (Chatham, Mich.) earned a spot on both the All-GLIAC Second Team and GLIAC All-Defensive Team.
Stelzer led the GLIAC in scoring all season, finishing at 22 points per game. The recently-named Academic All-American posted 20 or more points in 18 games with three 30-point performances. He leads the nation in 3-point field goals made per game (3.96) and ranks among the national leaders in scoring and 3-point percentage (45.0). Stelzer, with 572 points this season, has totaled 1,709 career points—seventh most in Michigan Tech history. The senior guard also reset Tech’s record for 3-pointers made (355). Stelzer was the preseason GLIAC Player of the Year and four-time GLIAC Player of the Week during the 2014-15 campaign that saw the Huskies finish second in the GLIAC standings.
Chartier ranks second on the team in scoring at 10.3 points per game. He leads the GLIAC and ranks seventh nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.26-to-1) with 88 assists and just 27 turnovers all season. The 6-2 guard also averages 4.5 rebounds—second most on the team—while playing 36.2 minutes of each contest.
The two Huskies helped Tech to a 16-6 mark in GLIAC play—tied for the second best mark in the league. Tech holds the No. 2 seed in the GLIAC Tournament, which begins Wednesday (Mar. 4). The Black and Gold host No. 7-seeded Walsh for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
Notes: Other GLIAC MVPs from Michigan Tech were Ali Haidar (2011-12 and 2012-13), Josh Buettner (2003-04 and 2004-05), Matt Cameron (2001-02 and 2002-03), Matt Trombley (1994-95) and Russ VanDuine (1980-81) … The All-GLIAC Women’s Basketball Teams will be announced at a banquet on Friday (Mar. 6) prior to the GLIAC Final Four.
| 2014-15 GLIAC Men’s Basketball Postseason Awards & All-Conference Teams | ||||
| Player of the Year: Ben Stelzer – Michigan Tech |
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| Freshman of the Year: Ben Haraway – Malone |
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| Coach of the Year: Steve Hettinga – Lake Superior State |
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2014-15 All-GLIAC First Team |
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| Name | School | Year | Pos. | Hometown/Previous School |
| Ben Stelzer | Michigan Tech | Sr. | G | Manitowoc, Wis. / Roncalli |
| Drew Lehman | Ferris State | Sr. | G | Toledo, Ohio / Central Catholic |
| Kyle Cooper | Hillsdale | Jr. | F | Northville, Mich. / Detroi Catholic Central |
| Wendell Davis | Ashland | So. | F | Reynoldsburg, Ohio / Bell |
| Alex Williams | Lake Superior State | Sr. | G | Benton Harbor, Mich. / Benton Harbor |
| C.J. Turnage | Saginaw Valley State | So. | F | Ypsilanti, Mich. / Milan |
| Jake Heagen | Findlay | Sr. | F | New Concord, Ohio / John Glenn |
| Will Bowles | Northwood | Sr. | F/C | East Detroit, Mich. / South Lake |
| Jesse Hardin, Jr. | Walsh | Jr. | G | Warren, Ohio / Harding |
| Tony Harris | Lake Superior State | Sr. | G | Auburn Hills, Mich. / Avondale |
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2014-15 All-GLIAC Second Team |
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| Name | School | Year | Pos. | Hometown/Previous School |
| Jared Stolicker | Ferris State | Jr. | C | Middleville, Mich. / Thornapple-Kellogg |
| Damon Bozeman | Saginaw Valley | Jr. | G | Detroit, Mich. / Madison Heights |
| Garrett Hall | Saginaw Valley | So. | G | Indianapolis, Ind. / Cathedral |
| Dylan Langkabel | Northwood | Jr. | G | Morristown, Ind. / Morristown |
| Maurice Jones | Northwood | Jr. | G | Saginaw, Mich. / Arthur Hill / USC |
| Jamil Dudley | Lake Erie | Sr. | F | Massillon, Ohio / Massillon |
| Ricardo Carbajal | Grand Valley State | Jr. | F | Munster, Ind. / Quincy |
| Ryan Sabin | Grand Valley State | Sr. | G | Byron Center, Mich. |
| Jordan Chartier | Michigan Tech | Jr. | G | Chatham, Mich. / Superior Central |
| Josh Fleming | Ferris State | Jr. | F | Carol Stream, Ill. / Glenbard North |
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2014-15 GLIAC All-Defensive Team |
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| Name | School | Year | Pos. | Hometown/Previous School |
| Tony Harris | Lake Superior State | Sr. | G | Auburn Hills, Mich. / Avondale |
| Kellen Smith | Saginaw Valley | Jr. | G | Covington, Ky. / Scott |
| Jared Stolicker | Ferris State | Jr. | C | Middleville, Mich. / Thornapple-Kellogg |
| Akaemji Williams | Lake Superior State | Fr. | G | Rochester, Mich. / Adams |
| Dawuan Thomas | Ashland | Sr. | G | Dayton, Ohio / Trotwood-Madison |
| Jordan Chartier | Michigan Tech | Jr. | G | Chatham, Mich. / Superior Central |
| Ryan Sabin | Grand Valley State | Sr. | G | Byron Center, Mich. |
| John Staley | Findlay | Jr. | F | Dayton, Ohio / Chaminade-Julienne |
| Davonte Beard | Walsh | Sr. | G | Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary |
| James Chappell | Ferris State | Jr. | F | Detroit, Mich. / Southwestern |
Michigan Tech men’s basketball player Ben Stelzer (Manitowoc, Wis.) has become the program’s fifth player to earn Academic All-America recognition. The senior guard was named to the Capital One Academic All-America Second Team today.
Stelzer, who was the preseason GLIAC Player of the Year, leads the GLIAC in scoring at 22.1 points per game. He has posted 552 points this season to run his career total to 1,689—seventh-most in program history. The 6-1 guard leads the nation in 3-point field goals per game (4.0) and broke the Huskies career record for 3-pointers made (now with 352). In the classroom, Stelzer has a 3.69 cumulative grade point average in finance.
He joins an exclusive group of men’s basketball players who have earned Academic All-America status. Austin Armga (2014), Wayne Helmila (1985), J.T. Luginski (2002 and 2003) and Russ VanDuine (1980 and 1981) are the others.
Michigan Tech concludes its 2014-15 regular season today at arch rival Northern Michigan. The Huskies will then host a GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal game at the SDC Gym next Wednesday, Mar. 4.
Dr. William Breffle, Associate Professor of Economics within Michigan Tech’s School of Business and Economics (SBE), has been selected as a finalist for the Distinguished Teaching Award, a notable recognition from the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning.
Based on 50,000 student ratings, five finalists were chosen for the 2015 award. The selection committee will be basing its ultimate decision on class surveying, and on recommendations from the Tech community. Staff, faculty, and all current and former students of Dr. William Breffle are strongly encouraged to submit a recommendation by Friday, April 3.
Associate Professor Breffle is consistently one of the SBE’s most beloved professors. In the 33 courses he has taught, Breffle maintains an average rating of 4.6 on student evaluations. He has an overall quality rating of 4.3 on Rate My Professors, being cited as inspirational and known to give amazing lectures. One student of EC3100: International Economics wrote in December 2014,
“In seven years of academia, Dr. Breffle is BY FAR the best professor I’ve ever had. Extremely passionate about his topic and wants students to learn. He uses real world examples to simplify the subject and is a fair grader. Took another class from him because he’s THAT good!”
Breffle is also an active researcher, having published over 20 peer-reviewed articles, including very recent papers in top journals such as Contemporary Economic Policy, Environmental and Resource Economics, and Ecological Economics, among many others. His strong research record helps to keep his classroom curriculum on the cutting edge and directly related to real-world policy. His current research interests lay within environmental economics, non-market valuation, discrete choice modeling, benefit-cost analysis, restoration program planning, and health economics.
Breffle’s impressive resume also boasts numerous presentations at institutions nationwide, including Colorado State University and Cornell University. He currently serves as article reviewer for 19 top journals in environmental economics and policy, and he remains a member of Mensa, Phi Beta Kappa, the American Economics Association, and the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, among others. A new father, Breffle has found a perfect balance between life with a newborn and his love for teaching economics.
Please submit a comment in favor of his award recognition by clicking here so that we can show Dr. Breffle how much we appreciate his hard work and dedication to Michigan Tech!