March 11, 2019 | College of Engineering Blog

Making a Difference in Motor City: Alternative Spring Break

Published March 11, 2019

Michigan Tech Alumnus Bruce Brunson during NSBE Alternative Spring Break in Detroit last year. Brunson earned BS degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering in 2018. He now works as an associate design engineer for Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio.

While some students travel for adventure during spring break, others travel for the greater good. The Michigan Tech Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) will head to Motor City to spread the message of STEM.

Ten Michigan Tech engineering students will visit six middle and high schools to encourage students to consider college and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) careers as part of the chapter’s 8th Annual NSBE Alternative Spring Break trip to Detroit from March 11-13, 2019.

During the school day, the Michigan Tech students will make classroom presentations to middle and high school students encouraging them to continue their education after high school, consider going to college or community college, and choose a STEM career path. The NSBE students will also conduct evening Family Engineering events at three K-8 schools.

The goal of the NSBE classroom presentations and Family Engineering events are to engage, inspire, and encourage diverse students to learn about and consider careers in engineering and science through hands-on activities. These programs are designed to address our country’s need for an increased number and greater diversity of students skilled in STEM (math, science, technology, and engineering).

NSBE School Presentation Schedule ~ Monday-Wed, March 11-13, 2019

Morning High School Classroom Presentations (first 3 periods):

Western International High School
Communications and Media Arts HS
Ben Carson High School

Afternoon Middle School Classroom Presentations (2 periods after lunch) and K-8 Family Engineering Nights (3-5 pm):

Ronald Brown Academy
Thurgood Marshall K-8 School
Clippert Academy

This outreach effort is funded by General Motors, and the Michigan Tech Office of Admissions and College of Engineering, in partnership with Detroit Public Schools Community District. The effort is coordinated by the Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach.

High school students at these schools will also be encouraged to apply to participate in a 6-day Engineering & Environmental Science Exploration at Michigan Tech from July 20-27, or a 5-day Summer STEM Internship at Michigan Tech from July 15-19. Each participating student will be supported by a $700 scholarship. Application information is available here.

For many other students at Michigan Tech, For Michigan Tech students, spring break is a time to take the dedication, innovation and tenacity they bring to the classroom to a different venue. Read more about the wide range of alternative spring breaks taking place this year.

Safe Winter Roads, Explained by a Michigan Tech Snow Scientist

Published March 11, 2019

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It’s the first week of March and so far we’ve had 175 inches of snow in Houghton County, with another couple of feet expected before the spring thaw. Despite all the snow, we manage to get around pretty well (most of the time). Snow scientist Russ Alger ’80, ’81 explains just what goes into the UP’s ‘secret sauce’ for safe winter roads.

Russ Alger, Chief Snow Scientist, Keweenaw Research Center

Russ Alger knows about snow. The head of Michigan Tech’s Institute of Snow Research is one of the world’s go-to guys for research on cold climate driving issues, with more than 25 years of experience and counting. Since earning his BS and MS in Civil and Environmental engineering Michigan Tech, Alger has developed a snow grader that can “pave” snow trails in Antarctica, and a product called SafeLane, an epoxy-aggregate mixture that is applied to roads, bridge decks, walkways and parking lots to give the surfaces better traction by reducing snow and ice. SafeLane is now marketed by Cargill and used widely, saving untold lives.

You are a snow scientist. How did you come to choose this path, or did it choose you? My father, George Alger, was a civil engineering professor at Michigan Tech for many years. His expertise was in ice-covered rivers and cold regions engineering in general. Growing up in Dollar Bay and working with him on outdoor projects, as well as being an outdoorsman myself, pointed me down that path at a young age. In 1976, my Dad, along with Michigan Tech civil engineering professors Ralph Hodek and Henry Sanford established a curriculum on Cold Regions Engineering. I started with them that very first year.

Are there best practices for using salt on roadways in winter? Road supervisors and crews rely heavily on the weather forecast. Air temp, pavement temp, temperature trends, precipitation rates and total amounts, wind, time of day, and more all play into the decision making process. For example, if it is going to be below 15^o F, it is likely that crews would consider adding something like calcium chloride to the mix since it is better at colder temps. They might just use sodium chloride above that temp since it works well and is much cheaper. The amount of deicer needed also increases as temperature decreases and there is a point where it doesn’t pay to use deicer at all except for maybe as a “kicker” for sand applications.

Combining salt and stamp sands seems to work pretty well to help us get around amid all the snowfall here in the UP. What all goes into it? Each maintenance entity uses a sand that is easiest in their operation. It depends on availability, and cost—where cost is actual material cost and transportation to the central staging areas. As it turns out, in most of Houghton County, stamp sand is used. It’s abundant, and the County owns some stamp sand property. On top of that, stamp sand is actually a pretty good ‘grit’ for this purpose. The grain size is right to result in traction, which is the purpose of sand. It isn’t too dusty, and most importantly, it is crushed rock, so it is angular. That means it has sharp edges that help it dig into icy pavements and grip tires. The addition of a small amount of deicer, mainly NaCl and CaCl₂ liquid helps the sand piles from freezing up, but is also very effective at helping the sand particles to stick on the ice surface. A small amount of deicer makes the sand particles melt into the surface and stick, making a layer that acts like a piece of sand paper. This is a pretty effective way to increase grip of tires on the surface, which is the end goal of this operation.

“Winter road maintenance is a science in itself, a very complicated undertaking. Each geographic location has its own challenges and ways of doing things that have evolved over the years. That said, there really is no miracle method.”

Are any elements of winter road prep unique to this area? As you drive across the UP and into Wisconsin and Lower Michigan it is evident that each entity has its own way of doing things. Driving west through Twin Lakes and into Ontonagon County this is also quite evident. Each group has its own way of using deicers and each has a unique type of friction course (sand) that they use. The northern UP is also quite unique, as we get so much snow. Heavy snow areas are sometimes difficult areas in which to use deicers, since it takes so much chemical to keep up with the amounts of snow.

Within Houghton County a number of different entities perform our snow removal operations. MDOT takes care of the State and Federal trunklines, Houghton County takes care of all secondary roads, and some of the larger cities in the area take care of their own streets. Each of these entities have their own way of doing things. In fact, across the UP, there are counties that even take care of their own State and Federal Roads. There are some major difference in operations as you drive across the UP in a storm event.

Do you see any room for improvement? There are always ways to improve, but in my experience traveling across the US and Canada through numerous storm events, our local entities have gotten really good at dealing with the extreme amounts of snow that we get. It always amazes me how well we can move around the Copper Country during and very shortly after a snow event. Hats off!!

Why does it seem that so many places elsewhere in the country are unprepared and shut down when even a few inches of snow falls? In areas that don’t get much snow, and not very often, it is hard to justify spending a lot on winter equipment and supplies. That has been a big problem this year since so much of the country is getting record snows. On the other side of the coin, some areas, including some wealthier Detroit suburbs, the public has pushed for roads to be bare pavement at all times. These areas spend a lot of money on snow removal.

Could our method(s) be replicated and shared with other cities and towns? As researchers we always want to share or work and ideas with others. I’ve done a lot of deicer research over the years, some of which is public domain and some is for private companies. We have also done a lot of work on methods over the years such as when to put deicers out, how to put them out, how much, how often, how to predict, and more.

Design Expo 2019 – Enterprise and Senior Design Team Projects

Published March 11, 2019

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All are welcome at Michigan Tech’s 19th annual Design Expo, coming up on Thursday, April 19 in the Memorial Union Ballroom, from 8 am – 3 pm.

At Design Expo, you can explore the breadth and depth of undergraduate innovation, from more than 1,000 students from Michigan Tech’s Enterprise and Senior Design programs. More than 100 projects will be on display, judged throughout the day by a panel of corporate representatives, invited guests, and University faculty, staff, and graduate students. Many projects are sponsored by industry.

Below, check out the entire list of Senior Design and Enterprise teams competing.

SENIOR DESIGN TEAM PROJECTS, ADVISORS, AND SPONSORS
(listed by team number assigned by Design Expo for judging purposes)

201
Remote Switching Station Power
Advisor: John Lukowski, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsor: ITC Holding Corp.

202
Automated Functional Testing Device for Logic Devices
Advisors: Aref Majdara and Tony Pinar, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsor: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

203
Boat HUD
Advisor: Trever Hassell, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsor: Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC)

204
Automated Functional Testing Device for Operational Amplifiers
Advisor: Aref Majdara, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsor: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

205
Mobile Active Threat Emergency System (MATES)
Advisor: Paul van Susante, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Air Force Research Labs

206
Electrostatic Precipitator Inspection Device
Advisor: Paul van Susante, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: DTE Energy

207
Hydro Generating Plant Black Start
Advisor: School of Technology
Sponsor: FDS Engineering & Electrical Services

208
Cobalt Reduction in Tribaloy T-400
Advisors: Paul Sanders and Walt Milligan, Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsor: Winsert Inc.

209
Assembly Cell Changeover
Advisor: William Endres, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: MacLean-Fogg

210
Cancer Detection
Advisor: Tony Pinar, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsor: Barzin Moridian

211
Rapid Prototyping of Ultrasound Elastography Breast Phantom for Ductile Carcinoma Diagnosis
Advisor: Jingfeng Jiang, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Materialise

212
Sorting of Bar Ends and Slugs from Hot-Formed Parts
Advisor: Paul van Susante, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions

213
Ballnut and Ballscrew Inspection Data Post-Processing
Advisor: Steven Ma, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Nexteer Automotive

214
Peripheral Tool Simulation for an Ultrasonic Aspirator Console
Advisor: Orhan Soykan, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Stryker

215
Air Cooled Inverter Heatsink
Advisor: Jeremy Worm, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: US Army TARDEC

216
EPS ball screw lash measurement
Advisors: William Endres and James DeClerck, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Nexteer

217
SERC MARSOC Improved Life Support for Casualties at Point of Injury
Advisors: Feng Zhao and Rupak Rajachar, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsors: Layne Lewis

218
Nodule Reduction on Steel Reheat Furnace Refractory
Advisor: Paul Sanders, Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsor: ArcelorMittal

219
Tinker Omega Sand Delivery System
Advisor: David Labyak, School of Technology
Sponsor: Department of Materials Science and Engineering

220
Automatic Case Sealer
Advisor: Eddy Trinklein, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Fapco, Inc.

221
Gerdau Inclusion Solidification Prevention
Paul Sanders, Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsor: Gerdau – Monroe Mill

222
Fuel Economy Impact Tool
Advisor: Steven Ma, Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor: Maclean Fogg Component Solutions

223
Full Flexion Knee
Advisors: Jeremy Goldman and Keat Ghee Ong, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Department of Biomedical Engineering

224
Data Analysis Methods to Improve Treatment of Chronic Pain
Advisor: Keat Ghee Ong, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Medtronic

225
Transcatheter Single Ventricle Device
Advisors: Smitha Rao and Jeremy Goldman, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Spectrum Health Innovations—Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

226
SERC AFRL 05 Personnel Recovery – Power
Advisor: John Lukowski, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsor: Systems Engineering Research Center

227
Micro-Pistoning Immobilization
Advisors: Bruce Lee and Feng Zhao, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: 3M

228
Load Sensor and Calibrator for Crane Control
Advisor: Fei Long, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

229
Temperature Sensing of Implanted Medical Device Shields
Advisor: Keat Ghee Ong, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Medtronic

230
Universal Driver Gear Train
Advisor: Smitha Rao, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Stryker

231
Hard Surface Disinfectant Innovation
Advisor: Trever Hassell, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsor: Leading Disinfectant Wipes Producer

232
AFRL – MATES
Advisor: Cam Hadden, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Air Force Research Labs

233
Flow Meter for Power Plant Water Quality Analysis Equipment
Advisors: John Irwin and Sunil Mehendale, School of Technology
Sponsor: Sentry Equipment

234
Deposition System GUI
Advisor: Tony Pinar, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsor: Chito Kendrick

235
TRIP Steel Additive Manufacturing
Advisor: Paul Sanders, Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsor: ArcelorMittal

236
Gypsum Water Extraction
Advisor: Paul van Susante, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Michigan Tech’s MINE Enterprise

237
Laser Safety Proposal for Minerals & Materials Engineering Bldg. Room 329
Advisors: John Irwin, School of Technology, and Russell Stein and Paul Sanders, Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsor: Department Materials Science and Engineering

238
Effects of Scandium on Cast Iron
Advisor: Paul Sanders, Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsor: CleanTeQ

239
Clean TeQ Aluminum-Scandium Additive Manufacturing Alloy Development
Advisor: Paul Sanders, Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsor: Clean TeQ

240
Thermal & Mechanical Effects of Power Modalities on Surrounding Tissue
Advisors: Sean Kirkpatrick and Orhan Soykan, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Stryker

241
Disposable Cranial Perforator System
Advisors: Jingfeng Jiang and Bruce Lee, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Stryker

242
EPS Belt Drive Analytical Method to Predict Thrust Forces
Advisor: Aneet Narendranath, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Nexteer Automotive

243
FCA Advanced Hood Architecture – Structural and Attachment Team
Advisor: Cam Hadden, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

244
Catheter Hydrophilic Lubricious Coating Measurement Challenge
Advisor: Sean Kirkpatrick, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Boston Scientific

245
Development of a Blubber-Only Whale Tag Anchoring System
Advisor: Rupak Rajachar, Biomedical Engineering
Sponsor: Dr. Alexandre Zerbini

246
Advanced Vehicle Hood Architecture and Design
Advisor: Jeremy Worm, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

247
Automatic Rotary Indexer with Visual Feedback System for Fine Finish Tooling
Advisor: Eddy Trinklein, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Endres Machining Innovations LLC

248
Pneumatic Flow Totalizer
Advisor: Jeremy Worm, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Donald Engineering

249
Sand Point Tower and Boardwalk
Advisor: Steven Ma, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

250
John Deere Gator XUV835 Exhaust Redesign
Advisor: James DeClerck, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: John Deere

251
Red Laser Inspection Device Improvement
Advisor: Eddy Trinklein, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions

252
Mobile Active Threat Emergency System
Advisor: William Endres, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Air Force Research Labs

253
Eddy Current Inspection In-line Integration
Advisor: William Endres, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions — Metform

—

ENTERPRISE TEAMS, ADVISORS, AND SPONSORS
(listed by team number assigned by Design Expo for judging purposes)

101
Blizzard Baja
Advisor: Kevin Johnson, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Sponsors: Aramco, Denso, General Motors, FCA, Magna, 3M, Altair, Ford Motor Company, Halla Mechatronics, Henkel, IPETRONIK, John Deere, Meritor, Nexteer, Michigan Scientific Corporation, Milwaukee Tool, ArcelorMittal, Cummins, Oshkosh Corporation

102
Clean Snowmobile Challenge
Advisor: Jason Blough, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsors: Aramco, Denso, General Motors, FCA, Magna, 3M, Altair, Ford Motor Company, Halla Mechatronics, Henkel, IPETRONIK, John Deere, Meritor, Nexteer, Michigan Scientific Corporation, Milwaukee Tool, ArcelorMittal, Yamaha, Kohler, Arctic Cat, Camso, V-Converter, Bosch, PCB Piezotronics, TE Connectivity, Simscale

103
Formula SAE
Advisor: James DeClerck, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsors: Aramco, Denso, General Motors, FCA, Magna, 3M, Altair, Ford Motor Company, Halla Mechatronics, Henkel, IPETRONIK, John Deere, Meritor, Nexteer, Michigan Scientific Corporation, Milwaukee Tool, Simscale, TE Connectivity, Mercury, SKF USA, PartSolutions, ArcelorMittal, McLaren, AVL

104
Supermileage Systems
Advisor: Rick Berkey, Pavlis Honors College
Sponsors: Aramco, Denso, General Motors, FCA, Magna, 3M, Altair, Ford Motor Company, Halla Mechatronics, Henkel, IPETRONIK, John Deere, Meritor, Nexteer, Michigan Scientific Corporation, Milwaukee Tool, ArcelorMittal, Saginaw Controls & Engineering

105
Advanced Metalworks Enterprise (AME)
Advisor: Paul Sanders, Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Eck, ArcelorMittal, Gerdau, Clean TeQ, AIST

106
Aerospace Enterprise
Advisor: L. Brad King, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsors: NASA, Air Force Research Laboratory

107
Alternative Energy Enterprise (AEE)
Advisor: Jay Meldrum, Keweenaw Research Center
Sponsors: Keweenaw Research Center, Oshkosh, and Traverse Solar

108
Blue Marble Security
Advisor: Glen Archer, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsors: General Motors, Oshkosh Corporation, ArcelorMittal, Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC)

109
BoardSport Technologies
Advisor: Ibrahim Miskioglu, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsors: ArcelorMittal, Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors, Pavlis Honors College

110
Built World
Advisor: Audra Morse, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Sponsors: Airport Cooperative Research Program University Design Competition

111
Cin/Optic Communication and Media
Advisor: Erin Smith, Humanities
Sponsors: International Research Experience for Students (IRES), Michigan Tech Dept. of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Tech School of Technology, Community Solar

112
Consumer Product Manufacturing
Advisors: Tony Rogers and Sean Clancy, Chemical Engineering
Sponsors: Avery Wilson, General Motors, Kohler Company, Libbey Inc., Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, Robert Carnahan, Schmohz Brewing Company, Keweenaw Brewing Company, ArcelorMittal

113
General Expedition and Adventure Research (GEAR)
Advisor: Brett Hamlin, Engineering Fundamentals
Sponsors: Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC), Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors

114
Green Campus
Advisor: Christopher Wojick, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Sponsor: Michigan Technological University

115
Humane Interface Design Enterprise (HIDE)
Advisor: Robert Pastel, Computer Science
Sponsor:

116
Husky Game Development
Advisor: Scott Kuhl, Computer Science
Sponsor:

117
Innovative Global Solutions
Advisor: Radheshyam Tewari, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: Pavlis Honors College, the Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors

118
ITOxygen
Advisor: Russell Louks, School of Business and Economics
Sponsors: Microsoft, 24G, Denso, Pavlis Honors College

119
Mining Innovation Enterprise (MINE)
Advisor: Paulus Van Susante, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsor: NASA

120
Open Source Hardware
Advisor: Joshua Pearce, Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsors: Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors, ArcelorMittal

121
Robotic Systems
Advisor: Jeremy Bos, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsors: General Motors, SAE International, Continental, Intel, MathWorks, Velodyne

122
Strategic Education through Naval Systems Experiences (SENSE)
Advisor: Andrew Barnard, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsors: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC), Office of Naval Research (ONR)

123
Velovations
Advisor: Steve Lehmann, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Sponsors: Ak Tube LLC, ArcelorMittal, Boss Snow Plow, Churning Rapids Snow Bike Trail, Pavlis Honors College

124
Wireless Communication Enterprise (WCE)
Advisor: Christopher Cischke, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsors: Ford Motor Company, Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC), Michigan Tech Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Michigan Tech Dept. of Visual and Performing Arts

125
High School Enterprise—Dollar Bay School SOAR
Advisor: Joshua Pearce, Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsors: DBTC Area Schools, Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative

2019 ME-EM Department Scholar Award for Amanda Kautzer

Published March 11, 2019

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In recognition of her scholarly achievements, the Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics has selected Amanda Kautzer for the 2019 Department Scholar Award. She was selected from eight strong candidates nominated by ME-EM faculty. Kautzer will be recognized at the 25th Annual Student Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 19.

Kautzer has also been nominated for the Provost’s Award for Scholarship, with enthusiastic support from her enterprise adviser Brett Hamlin and her research supervisor Rupak Rajachar.

Kautzer’s achievements include:

Pursuing a dual major in biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering
A 4.0 GPA
A varsity athlete, competing nationally and internationally with the Michigan Tech Nordic Ski Team, where she most recently won the 2019 Central Region Skiing Championship
Active in the GEAR Enterprise supervised by Brett Hamlin (ME-EM)
Actively engaged in research in the Biomaterials Engineering Lab supervised by Rupak Rajachar (BioMed)
Awarded a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF); the results of which she presented at a poster session during the 2017 Annual Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Conference in Phoenix, Arizona

Thanks to everyone who submitted nominations, we will consider the nominated students not selected for other student awards and recognitions.

Charitable Lead Trust — How I Give

Published March 11, 2019

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“I believe that a great education is the foundation for a great career. I was fortunate to have both.” —Gary Anderson ‘67

I believe that a great education is the foundation for a great career. I was fortunate to have both.

Growing up in Ishpeming in the 1950s, I saw firsthand what hard work looked like. My father had to quit school to work in the mines at age 15 to support the family after my grandfather was killed in a mining accident. Both my father and mother stressed the importance of getting an education. They wanted me to have a better life and sacrificed financially to send me to college.

Michigan Tech proved to be tough, but I welcomed the rigor. It hardened and sharpened me to be able to compete in the global marketplace. I graduated in 1967 with a degree in chemical engineering. I joined Dow Corning and spent my entire career there, eventually becoming CEO and Chairman before retiring in 2004. I’m proud to say our firm grew 50-fold and became recognized as one of the nation’s top 100 companies to work for.

Looking back on my career, I realize the value of my education and the role Michigan Tech played in my development. My wife, Judy, and I wanted to help today’s youth achieve their potential as well. We set up a charitable lead trust. It’s a great tool we are able to use to support Tech and several other of our favorite charities for a 10-year period with the residual trust value going to our children in the future. The trust allows us to see the impact of our annual gifts now while we are alive, as well as reducing taxes on the remaining assets that will go to our family in the future.

I’m happy to say we’ve been able to start the Anderson Family Scholarships for students from Ishpeming and Westwood High Schools as well as a student research fund in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Judy and I believe, just as my parents did, in the importance of a great education. We are thrilled to be able to help others improve their lives through education, and encourage others to do the same.

A charitable lead trust is an irrevocable trust designed to provide financial support to one or more charities for a period of time, with the remaining assets eventually going to family members or other beneficiaries. For more information on lead trusts or other planned giving options, visit www.mtu.legacy.org or email giftplan@mtu.edu.

Day: March 11, 2019

Making a Difference in Motor City: Alternative Spring Break

Safe Winter Roads, Explained by a Michigan Tech Snow Scientist

Design Expo 2019 – Enterprise and Senior Design Team Projects

2019 ME-EM Department Scholar Award for Amanda Kautzer

Charitable Lead Trust — How I Give