Category: Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences

College of Engineering Dean Audra Morse has selected Nathan Manser, professor of practice from the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES), as this week’s featured instructor in the Deans’ Teaching Showcase. Manser will be recognized at an end-of-term event with other showcase members and is a candidate for the CTL Instructional Award Series.

Manser’s broad educational background in mining engineering, environmental engineering and business administration; extensive industry experience; and professional licensure give him the ability to develop courses that are engaging, informative and practical. He actively participates in the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME), which enriches his teaching with practical insights. His teaching style is characterized by energy, clarity and practicality. Leveraging his extensive professional network, Manser frequently invites industry professionals, including alumni, to his classes, providing real-world examples and experiences. He encourages his students to network and actively facilitates their connections to the professional community, including the annual SME conference.

Most importantly, Manser has the skills to fully prepare his students for successful careers and professional certifications. Students consistently name Manser as their best teacher, attributing their success to his teaching and mentorship. Former students universally praise him as an outstanding and enthusiastic instructor, emphasizing the lasting impact of his mentorship on their professional and personal development after graduation. One student stated, “Having Dr. Manser as a professor greatly impacted my interest in the mineral industry. Dr. Manser’s professional and personable approach made his courses practical and up-to-date, shedding light on the broad opportunities in the mining and geoscience industries.” Another student added, “I can attribute much of my college success to Dr. Nathan Manser. He was the most memorable and influential academic professional I encountered during my studies at Michigan Tech.”

Manser’s commitment to excellence is further exemplified by his role in mentoring students for one of the most competitive events in the mineral industry field: the highly competitive SME/National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association (NSSGA) Student Design Competition. This dedication is exemplified by the team’s remarkable success. In the 2023-24 competition, Michigan Tech once again advanced to the top six nationally. This prestigious event draws the best and brightest from leading mining universities across the country, and our team’s success places them among this elite group. Manser will accompany the team to the 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, where they will present their innovative solutions and compete against other top-tier universities. This accomplishment highlights the caliber of our program and underscores the exceptional guidance and mentorship provided by Manser.

Aleksey Smirnov, GMES chair, summed it up: “Dr. Manser makes himself readily available to help students succeed, not only in class, but also outside the classroom, allowing them to grow into successful professionals.”

“Dedicated faculty members like Nathan Manser allow our students to compete at the national level,” Morse added. “And I thank him for giving our students that chance.”

College of Engineering Dean Janet Callahan has selected Luke Bowman from the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) as the featured instructor this week in the Deans’ Teaching Showcase.

Bowman will be recognized at an end-of-term luncheon with other spring showcase members and is a candidate for the next CTL Instructional Award Series.

Bowman was selected for his instruction in GE 5260 Scientific Communication. The course enhances graduate students’ oral and written communication skills to help them write scientific proposals, present research at conferences and publish their findings in peer-reviewed literature. It also helps in completing their thesis or dissertation. In the course, students develop a research proposal they are encouraged to submit to the National Science Foundation, Michigan Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) and other agencies. Students conduct a literature review, articulate a research question, engage with their faculty research advisor, and provide and receive feedback. Students also interact with guest speakers who are experts in the field of communicating science to varied audiences. They learn how to effectively talk about their research from engaging professionals whose job it is to make an impactful argument.

“The Scientific Communication course has been an ultimate success story,” said Aleksey Smirnov, GMES department chair. “GMES students have had very high success rates with their MSGC grant submissions.”

“Luke is an amazingly dedicated teacher and effective mentor, who keeps providing instrumental contributions to the advancement of the department’s educational mission, especially in the areas of student recruitment and graduate education,” added Smirnov.

Bowman has co-taught the course with PhD candidate Beth Bartel, who was its teaching assistant the prior two years when the course was taught by Professor John Gierke (GMES). While Bowman leaned on the content and activities developed during prior years, each year the course evolves, drawing from the instructors’ personal experience. Bowman and Bartel were able to efficiently weave in topics close to their research interests in geological hazard communication.

“Luke’s dedication to student success is inspiring and a reason why I chose to attend Michigan Tech,” said PhD student Jacob Murchek. “He and Beth always worked together to provide support and guidance not only in their scientific communication course but in any aspect you would need.”

“Luke has been an extremely important part of my success during my graduate studies,” added MS student Emilie Prey. “Not only did he help me successfully navigate writing for the MSGC in Scientific Communication, he has been introducing me to opportunities unique to this department. He is always there to offer support for absolutely anything related to graduate school.”

“Innovative teaching that has students writing and presenting in their discipline is one of the things that make our graduates so successful,” said Callahan. “Luke’s dedication to students and their success exemplifies how Michigan Tech gives students such a high return on their investment.”