Tag: Michigan Technological University

Meet Tim Spehar…

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Tim Spehar is a spring 2017 graduate of our engineering management major! He recalls visiting a series of universities during his junior year of high school. He and his Dad traveled around the state of Michigan before making it up to the U.P. to check out Michigan Tech’s School of Business and Economics.  During his visit, Tim found exactly what he was looking for: the opportunity to combine both business and technical skills into one program. When he left his campus visit, Tim knew he had chosen his college! He knew he would be coming to Michigan Tech to major in engineering management.

Tim’s four years on campus were packed with classes, involvement in student organizations, and playing outside. As he reflects on his experiences, he came up with some advice he would like to share with future students:

  1. Academics come first. College chemistry is a lot more difficult than high school. When arriving on campus Tim was used to being able to get good grades without putting in extensive study time. Even if you’re at the top of your high school class, you are going to need to devote more time to your studies in college.
  2. Get outside your comfort zone. In his first year of college Tim’s roommate was a guy he went to high school with. Although they came to school together, Tim said he was surprised at how quickly he branched out and met new friends. “It is important to get out and meet people during orientation week when everyone is trying to find their place on campus.” He advises getting to know your neighbors in the residence hall. When Tim moved off campus, he moved into a house with guys that lived near him in Wadsworth Hall.
  3. Pick up new hobbies. Tim played rugby and lacrosse in high school, but when he started at Michigan Tech he decided not to play on the club teams here. Instead, he got involved in starting a new student organization on campus! American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM). Tim worked closely with both Dr. Dana Johnson and Roger Woods and became the first president of the Michigan Tech chapter of ASEM. This organization is a student based chapter of a national organization that is centered around raising awareness of engineering management as a profession.
  4.  Attend every career fair. You just never know who you are going to meet. During the fall career fair of his senior year, Tim was waiting in a long line to talk to a recruiter from a company he was interested in.  While he was waiting in line he started reading information on a nearby table for a different company. He ended up going to their table and talking to a representative for Therma-Tron-X Inc. After talking a while he was offered an interview for the next morning.  It wasn’t long before Tim was invited down to their office in Wisconsin and ultimately was offered a job.

Tim has already started his position as Project Engineer at Therma-Tron-X Inc. and has been enjoying his first few weeks on the job. On behalf of the School of Business and Economics, we congratulate him and wish him the best on his future endeavors! If you’d like to get in touch with Tim please feel free to send him an Email at tmspehar@mtu.edu, or follow him on Instagram @the_cycling_engeineer

Tim commencement with parents

2017 Sam Tidwell Outstanding Man and Woman in Business

Each year the School of Business and Economics recognizes two students who bring honor and pride to the school through high scholastic achievement and involvement. Students eligible for this honor went through an intense interview process that included an essay and interview with faculty.  This year 8 men and 7 women applied.

We are pleased to announce the 2017 winners: Jaylyn Williams-Boone (finance) and Kayleigh Lake (accounting) both recipients plan to continue their education with the School of Business and Economic’s Accelerated Accounting  MS upon graduation next spring.

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Michigan Tech School of Business and Economics Faculty and Alums Receive the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Spark Plug Award

Each year the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce presents awards in the following categories:

  • Community development,
  • Growth,
  • Customer Service/Quality/Teamwork,
  • Transformation/Innovation
  • Young Professional of the Year, and
  • Person/Project of the Year

The 2016 SparkPlug Award for Project of the Year was awarded to Leadership Keweenaw, with a mission to challenges participants to develop their leadership skills through networking, education, exciting and fun activities and community involvement. The vision: Leadership improves the quality of life for Keweenaw residents and guests via its graduates’ active, consistent practice of inclusive leadership.  To build our leadership talent to positively impact our economy, environment, and society.

This award is provided to a high impact project that is notable within the community and will provide lasting benefits to businesses and community member.  Leadership Keweenaw was one of eight nominations for the Project of the Year category.

Dana M. Johnson, Ph.D., SBE faculty and alum and chair of the steering committee for Leadership Keweenaw, along with Marilyn Clark, MTEC SmartZone CEO and SBE alum, were two of the nine team members to receive this award for their work in the design, development, and presentation of the leadership program.  The team has been working on the project since summer 2015, with the first class beginning in August 2016 with a planned graduation of 2017.

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2017 Beta Gamma Sigma Induction Ceremony

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On Tuesday, April 4, 2017, the Michigan Technological University chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma inducted 17 new members.  Beta Gamma Sigma is an international honor society that recognizes the top 10% of undergraduates and the top 20% of master students.  Michigan Technological University’s Chapter Advisor is Senior Lecturer, Sheila Milligan. This year’s inductees are as follows:

Seniors

Leslie Ditlow, Kalli Hooper, Kelsie Nummilien, Nyomie Olson, Anne Raisanen, Brenna Thompson

Juniors

Tanner Flatt, Devin Kero, Emma LaFleur, Kayleigh Lake, Jackson Pundt

Masters

Jannah Brandt, Tessa Haapapuro, James Schmidt, Nicholas Steffey, Dong Xia

Each year, SBE faculty who are a part of  Beta Gamma Sigma choose an additional faculty member to induct into the society. This year, Professor of Practice, Russ Louks was inducted.

Beta Gamma Sigma Faculty Members

Dr. Mari Buche, Dr. Sonia Goltz, Dr. Dana Johnson, Dr. Dean Johnson, Mr. Bryan Lagalo, Ms. Sheila Milligan, Dr. Junhong Min, Dr. Paul Nelson, Dr. Emanuel Oliviera, Dr. Howard Qi, Mr. Joel Tuoriniemi, and Dr. Jeffrey Wall

SBE 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year

It is with great pleasure to announce the School of Business and Economics 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year has been awarded to Senior Lecturer, Roger Woods!  He is a second-time winner of this award, he was also selected as the 2013-2014 recipient!

Every spring fourth-year students from the School of Business and Economics nominate three faculty members they believe are deserving of this award.  The results from that survey are tallied, and the faculty members with the most nominations move on to the second round.  The second survey goes out to the entire SBE student body.  This time students are asked to select one faculty member they feel should be recognized as Teacher of the Year and also have the opportunity to share comments on why that individual is deserving.

Our students had wonderful things to say about Roger, it is clear he is making a difference inside and outside his classroom. Congratulations to Roger!

 

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