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In Memory of Dr. Bill Predebon

Published August 8, 2023

We are deeply moved and saddened at the passing of Dr. Bill Predebon.

Dr. William W. Predebon, emeritus professor and retired chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM), passed away on July 21. He was a beloved member of the Michigan Tech community.

Bill dedicated much of his life to building and supporting the ME-EM department, and the impacts of this work will continue to be felt well into the future. We lost a great friend and stalwart supporter of the department and University.

Information about Bill’s upcoming Celebration of Life Ceremony is available on the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home website.

Bill was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to Walter and Josephine Predebon. After high school Bill attended the University of Notre Dame where he received his bachelor’s of science in Engineering Science.

While at Notre Dame, Bill boxed for the Bengal Bouts, founded by Knute Rockne, which was a charity event whose proceeds benefited the Holy Cross missions in Bangladesh. He competed in the 155 lb division and was the boxing champion at Notre Dame in 1964. Through his undergrad, he developed lifelong friendships, and it is where he met his future wife of 56 years, Mary Ann Montgomery. Bill was in the Army/ROTC as a commander of the Irish Moroder’s Drill Team. Upon graduation, Bill was commissioned as a Lieutenant and he would eventually be promoted to Captain later in life.

He received both his masters and doctorate from Iowa State University. In 1967, while pursuing his degrees, he married Mary Ann and they were blessed with two beautiful children, Nadine and Bill Jr. Predebon. After his PhD, he was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. He then stayed on as a civilian after his military obligation was fulfilled. In 1975, Bill and his family moved to Houghton, Michigan, where he took a job as a Professor at Michigan Technological University (MTU).

Throughout his career at MTU, Bill earned recognition for advancing engineering education. He retired in June, 2022, after 25 years as the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM) and nearing 47 years at the University. Under his watch, the department made great strides in conducting interdisciplinary research, growing the doctoral program, expanding research funding, and updating the curriculum and labs.

He led the ME-EM Department to rapidly evolve its educational methods, infusing into undergraduate and graduate curriculum the knowledge and critical skills to use big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in solving engineering design problems.

A Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Bill has received numerous additional honors at MTU, including membership in the Academy of Teaching Excellence; the Outstanding Service Award for his work with the student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers; the first annual Martin Luther King Award by the Black Student Organizations; and the Distinguished Teaching Award, the Honorary Alumni Award, and the Diversity Award.

Bill led efforts to create the Michigan Tech Learning Resource Center for Self-Paced Programmed Instruction, the ME-EM Engineering Learning Center, as well as a distance learning doctorate degree in mechanical engineering, and a Design Engineer Certificate program with General Motors in 2000. More than 600 GM employees earned the certificate.

He received the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Michigan Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and was inducted into the Pan American Academy of Engineering, which brings together engineers from across the continent of North America, South America, and Mexico—a total of 18 countries.

Throughout his life, exercise was an important part of his lifestyle; many may know he was a fixture at the MTU Student Development Complex’s gym. He was a huge supporter of the MTU sports teams; he was a season ticket holder to volleyball, basketball, football, and ice hockey. This also was evident outside of his duties at MTU, where he was known as “Coach Wally”. He enjoyed coaching his son and teammates from little league, senior league and legion baseball. Bill was also a figure on the alpine ski hill, supporting his children’s ski endeavors in the Central United States Ski Association and Houghton High School Ski Team.

Bill was passionate about whatever he did, whether it be his strong work ethic, his family, or his devotion to faith. Throughout his life, his curiosity fueled the continued pursuit of knowledge.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Walter.

Surviving him are: His wife: Mary Ann Predebon; His daughter: Nadine (Jeff Beaupre) Predebon; His son: Bill (Sheri) Predebon Jr.; His grandson: Tyler (Sarah) Brooks; His granddaughter: Madison Brooks; His half-sister: Patty Davis; His feline companion: Poe.

Civil Engineering Student Cody Scholz to run Wausau Marathon for Gold Star Families

Published July 18, 2023

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by Jalen Maki, Tomahawk Leader

Cody Scholz, a Michigan Tech civil engineering student is training to run in an area marathon in an effort to raise funds for families who have lost a family member in active duty military service.

Scholz, who graduated from Tomahawk High School in Wasau, Wisconsin, is a member of Air Force ROTC, which allows college students to take part in three- or four-year programs that offer a mix of normal college courses and the Air Force ROTC curriculum, covering everything from leadership studies to combat technique. Upon completion of a program, a student enters the U.S. Air Force as an officer.

Scholz said he chose to raise funds for Gold Star Families because he did not know what they were prior to being in Air Force ROTC, and after talking to family and friends, they were also unsure.

“This made me realize that many people in my community and surrounding area may also be unaware of Gold Star Families, their sacrifice and the support they need,” Scholz stated.

In response to this, Scholz decided to make an effort to educate those in his community about Gold Star Families and raise money for those families while training for and running the Wausau Marathon, slated for Saturday, Aug. 19.

The roughly 26-mile race will be Scholz’s first marathon. Scholz has set a fundraising goal of $5,000.00. “All support given is appreciated and makes a difference, no matter the size of the gift,” Scholz stated.

To contribute to Scholz’s efforts, visit his GoFundMe page.

Read the full news story on the Tomahawk Leader website.

Join Professor Brad King at MTU Alumni Reunion Friday, August 4

Published July 12, 2023

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Brad King portrait — “Small satellites are changing the way humans do business and science in space,” says Professor Brad King.

Special Guest: Dr. Brad King
R.L. Smith Bldg., Room 111
Friday, August 4, from 3-4 p.m.

Please register to join in person or via Zoom.

Join Dr. Brad King during Michigan Tech’s annual Alumni Reunion to learn about the role of engineering as it relates to maneuvering satellites in orbit. The title of his presentation is “Michigan Tech is Propelling the Small Satellite Revolution.”

Not on campus? You’re invited to join via Zoom. No Zoom or alumni reunion registration is required. Your presence will be anonymous to other attendees. All are welcome. You’ll find the direct Zoom link here (just scroll down to see it).

Dr KIng is the Richard and Elizabeth Henes Endowed Professor (Space Systems), Mechanical Engineering- Engineering Mechanics. He also serves as director of the ME-EM Space Systems Research Group. He founded Orbion Space Technology in 2016 to develop and manufacture revolutionary plasma propulsion systems for small satellites.

Orbion Space Technology is one of only a few companies in the brand-new propulsion system market. The company was conceived at Michigan Tech and established its base in Houghton.

Dr. King is the founder and faculty advisor of Michigan Tech’s Aerospace Enterprise team, where he empowers undergraduate students to design, build, and fly spacecraft, too. One of the team’s student-built satellites (Oculus) is now in orbit; their second small satellite (Stratus) is due to launch in 2022, and a third (Auris) now in progress.

“Small satellites are changing the way humans do business and science in space,” says King. “The cost to build and launch a small satellite is now about the same as the cost to build and launch a software app. With the cost barrier removed, innovative students and start-up companies are building small satellites to provide capabilities that my generation has never even dreamed about. Michigan Tech is on the forefront of this movement.”

To attend this event in person at the R. L. Smith Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Building, register for Alumni Reunion 2023. The event is free, but a ticket is required to attend. The deadline to register is midnight Sunday, July 23, 2023.

Watch:

106: Aerospace

Pasi Lautala Named College of Engineering Associate Dean for Research

Published July 11, 2023

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Pasi Lautala, Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering

Pasi Lautala has been named College of Engineering (CoE) associate dean for research. He is a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE); director and founder of Michigan Tech’s Rail Transportation Program (RTP); and director of the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute.

In his new position as associate dean, Lautala will support faculty and staff engagement with agencies that fund research projects — ranging from one-year, single-investigator projects to complex multidisciplinary projects involving several institutions, spanning years.

“Dr. Lautala will work to further expand the University’s mission of discovering new knowledge through research, and launching new technologies through innovation,” said Audra Morse, interim dean of the College of Engineering. “He has a strong track record of working with faculty members to form highly competitive research teams. He’s going to continue doing that work, and also expand his efforts to help others lead large, collaborative research proposals.”

Under Lautala’s direction, Michigan Tech developed one of the largest multidisciplinary rail transportation research and education portfolios in the nation. RTP projects include improving grade crossing safety through improved inspection techniques and data analytics that utilize drones, communications research between automated and connected highway/railway vehicles, and better understanding of driver behavior at crossings.

Michigan Tech researchers are involved in additional rail projects, including development of a life cycle analysis framework for rail infrastructure, rail transportation resiliency and lowered environmental footprint through locomotive emissions analysis, and predicting track vulnerabilities for short- and long-term natural disruptions.

Lautala serves as chair of the Rail Group on the Transportation Research Board (TRB), a unit of the National Academies of Sciences (NAS).

“It has been a great experience to work with the Rail Transportation Program, the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute, and colleagues in the CEGE over the last 15 years,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to this new adventure. For me, the most exciting part of research has always been identifying opportunities that allow our greatest minds to cross-pollinate and use their expertise to address the variety of issues facing us on a daily basis. It’s going to be a steep curve to learn all the facets of research that take place within and beyond the College of Engineering, but I’m excited about the opportunity. I will do my best to help continue the expansion of our research in new directions.”

Lautala joined the Michigan Tech faculty in 2007, and soon after established the RTP to advance rail education and research across disciplines. He first came to Tech from Finland in 1996 to earn an M.S. in Civil Engineering. After his graduation, he worked for five years as a railroad and highway engineering consultant in Chicago before returning to Michigan Tech for a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – Transportation.

Materials Science and Engineering Professor Emeritus Larry Sutter was the previous associate dean for research. He retired in July 2022.

Husky Bites on PAWS for Fall 2023

Published July 11, 2023

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Husky Bites, the College of Engineering’s free interactive Zoom webinar series is on “paws”. Please stay tuned for updates.

To browse and view past session recordings and blogs, visit mtu.edu/huskybites.

CEGE Department Chair Audra Morse Named MTU Interim Dean of Engineering

Published July 10, 2023

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Audra N. Morse, Interim Dean of the College of Engineering, Michigan Tech

Audra N. Morse, chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering has been named interim dean of the College of Engineering at Michigan Technological University, effective June 25.

As interim dean, Dr. Morse seeks to enhance the world-class research, scholarship, and innovation Michigan Tech provides. “It is an honor to support the people and programs that enable our graduates to take the next step in their life journey, and positively impact society and the world around them,” she says.

Dr. Morse led the University’s Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering for the past six years—a department with 32 faculty, 8 full-time staff, and more than 500 undergraduate students and 100 graduate students. During that time Morse led efforts to establish new online programs in structural and water resource engineering with the support of the faculty and staff in the department. She expanded enrollment of the geospatial engineering program nearly tenfold, and fostered faculty research, which resulted in new and increased funding.

Prior to coming to Michigan Tech, Dr. Morse was a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering in the Whitacre College of Engineering at Texas Tech University. She also served as Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, and led the Engineering Opportunities Center. She received the two highest teaching honors at Texas Tech, the Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Teaching Award and the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

Dr. Morse is an expert in water and wastewater treatment, specifically water reclamation systems and the fate of microplastics in treatment systems. She is a Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and has served on numerous committees that support education and accreditation. She is also heavily involved in ABET and is currently a member of the ABET EAC Executive Committee. She earned BS and MS degrees in Environmental Engineering, and a PhD in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech.

“It is an honor to support the people and programs that enable our graduates to take the next step in their life journey, and positively impact society and the world around them.”
Audra N. Morse, Interim Dean of the College of Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Michigan Tech Faculty Take Part in 130th ASEE Conference

Published June 28, 2023

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Exterior of the Baltimore Convention Center at night — The American Society of Engineering Education is holding its 130th Conference this week at the Baltimore Convention Center.

More than a dozen Michigan Tech faculty are taking part in the 130th American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference and Exhibition, “The Harbor of Engineering Education,” June 26-28 in Baltimore, Maryland. This year’s three-day event has a record number of abstracts, papers, and almost 100 exhibitors.

ASEE’s mission is to “advance innovation, excellence, and access at all levels of education for the engineering profession,” says ASEE President Jenna Carpenter, dean of engineering at Campbell University in North Carolina.

American Society of Engineering Education

Michigan Tech Chemical Engineering Professor Adrienne Minerick will be finishing up her term as ASEE president at the conference. Presidents of ASEE take part in a three-year cycle: a year as president-elect; a year as president; and then a year as past president.

“We must work to include information, include people, and include voices so that our engineered solutions are much more robust,” says Adrienne Minerick, ASEE past president (2022)

Michigan Tech Professor Emerita Sheryl Sorby, professor of engineering education at the University of Cincinnati, served as ASEE president in 2020.

This year, some participants from Michigan Tech were unable to attend due to weather-related flight delays and cancellations. Here’s a rundown of their scheduled events:

MMET Department Chair John Irwin is program chair of the Engineering Technology Council and Engineering Technology Division and is the incoming Chair of the Engineering Technology Chair and ASEE Board member for 2023-24.

Engineering Fundamentals Associate Professor Jon Sticklen is program chair of the Systems Engineering Division

Leonard Bohmann, College of Engineering Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, spoke at “Preparation for an On-Site Visit, presented by ABET.”

Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Associate Teaching Professor Aneet Dharmavaram Narendranath was a panelist at a technical session, “Measuring and Visualizing Metadiscursive Markers in Student Writing.”

“ASEE is poised to help as we rethink engineering and engineering technology education. We want to prepare our students for a lifetime of learning and intellectual engagement,” says Sheryl Sorby, ASEE past president (2020)

Narendranath, along with Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Assistant Professor Jaclyn Johnson and Teaching Professor Radheshyam Tewari, presented “Work in Progress: Quantification of Problem-Complexity and Problem-Solving Skills with Directed Networks in a Sophomore Course in Mechanics of Materials.”

Engineering Fundamentals Assistant Professor Michelle Jarvie-Eggart presented “Potential Interventions to Promote Engineering Technology Adoption among Faculty.” Her co-author is Assistant Provost and Professor Shari Stockero.

Assistant Professor David Labyak presented “Teaching Vibration and Modal Analysis Concepts in Traditional Subtractive Machining to Mechanical Engineering Technology Students.”

Computer Science Assistant Professor Briana Bettin presented “More Teaching to Transgress in Computing: Creating Identity-Inclusive Computing Experiences in K-16 Computing Education.”

Library Director Erin Matas presented virtually “Undergraduate Students Experience Cognitive Complexity in Basic Elements of Library Research.”

Jin Choi, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, attended the Department Chairs sessions.

Professor Janet Callahan was recognized at the Women in Engineering Division business meeting for sponsoring the Mara Wasburn Early Engineering Education Grant Award.

“Together we are moving ASEE’s mission forward to create a better world.”
Jacqueline El-Sayed, ASEE Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director

Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering served as an Educator sponsor of the 2023 ASEE Annual Conference.

Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering served as an Educator sponsor of the ASEE Annual Conference.

Michael Mullins Named Chemical Engineering’s Interim Chair

Published June 5, 2023

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Chemical Engineering Professor Michael Mullins

Michael Mullins has agreed to serve as interim chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering. He will officially start July 1, taking over from chair and faculty member Pradeep Agrawal.

Mullins, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, has previously served as department chair. He has extensive experience leading the Michigan Tech University Senate, and also won a Fulbright award, the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Alternative Energy Technology, to spend the 2015-16 academic year on sabbatical at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden.

“The department is in a strong growth curve of research, and I know that Michael will only help accelerate this as we add additional faculty to the department and also search for the department’s next Chair,” said Dean Janet Callahan.

“Having been in the department for over 35 years, I am pleased to serve as interim chair as we go through the transition period of finding our next chair and hiring additional faculty,” said Mullins. “Until that time, we will continue to promote excellence in education and research, and stay connected to our alumni and industry stakeholders.”

Agrawal came to Michigan Tech in 2017 to serve as chair after nearly 40 years at Georgia Tech. He will soon be returning to Atlanta upon retirement, where he will enjoy winters without anywhere near as much ice or snow!

SWE Places Third in SWE Global Outreach Competition

Published May 31, 2023

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MTU’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Section participated in the global SWE Outreach Competition, where they presented on Engineering Day!, a K-5 outreach program.

Undergraduates Skyler Brawley (computer engineering) and Carsyn Boggio (environmental engineering) described the program developed and hosted jointly by the SWE section and Engineering Ambassadors, which reached over 600 K-5 students and Girl Scouts last year. MTU’s SWE section partnered with the SWE Professional Section in Grand Rapids to host an event for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors scouts. We hosted another at Michigan Tech for Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula Girl Scouts. Locally, Engineering Day! was held at Lake Linden-Hubbell Elementary, Barkell Elementary and Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Elementary. We were especially thrilled for the first- and second-place sections, both of whom were from Africa and had developed innovative ways to connect with girls and help youth learn about STEM careers and engineering.

The SWE section and Engineering Ambassadors will continue to host Engineering Day! in local schools and with Girl Scouts. We have already begun planning for the Fall and are looking forward to another fun and exciting year of outreach.

The section thanks SWE, Michigan Tech and our industry sponsors for their outreach support.

By Gretchen Hein, Advisor, Society of Women Engineers.

Michigan Tech SWE faculty advisor Gretchen Hein helps out during SWE outreach events, too.

MTU Blizzard Baja Team Succeeds at Baja SAE Competition

Published May 25, 2023

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“It’s only up from here,” wrote Michigan Tech’s Blizzard Baja team after their success in Oshkosh. Follow the team on Instagram. They’re also on Twitter and Facebook.

Michigan Tech’s Blizzard Baja team took home an 8th place finish at the recent Baja SAE North American Competition in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in May.

In addition to a steering arm failure, the pit team also had to deal with mud build up during the race.

“Our 8th place finish was sealed by a 4th place finish in the final 4-hour Endurance event Sunday morning,” says team faculty advisor, Assistant Teaching Professor Kevin Johnson. “We were in 2nd place in the Endurance event for a long time until we had a steering arm failure on the car. The team quickly replaced the steering knuckle in the pits and got back on the track with a half hour remaining in the race. Regardless of this setback we were able to finish in 4th place.”

Earlier in the race, the team received a black flag, due to their car numbers not being visible due to mud buildup. The team had to enter the pit to clean them off, which set them back a bit, as well.

“This year we had a very strong team with outstanding participation,” adds Johnson. “The team had two major obstacles; a working reliable 4 wheel drive system and a new larger Kohler engine to replace the Briggs that had been used for many years previously.”

The team raced with their newest vehicle, the Matador.

Michigan Tech’s Blizzard Baja is one of 25 Enterprise teams, part of Michigan Tech’s award-winning Enterprise Program.

The Blizzard Baja team consists of numerous sub-teams. One of those, the 4×4 Senior Design team with members William Rivet and Alec Pominville, scrapped the 4×4 design from last year due to major issues. “They went through some iterations including a belt and a chain drive and finally ended up with a drive shaft, gearbox, and differentials design,” notes Johnson. “They put countless hours into design, manufacturing, and testing the last two semesters with help from a number of other students.”

This year, Michigan Tech served as host to Fei Baja, the SAE Baja team from Centro Universitário FEI, a university in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. “The team from Brazil contacted our team through social media asking if MTU Baja SAE would be willing to host them,” said Johnson. It turned out to be a fantastic experience for both teams.

MTU Blizzard Baja hosted friends from Brazil, team Fei Baja, during the competition.

“The best part of the competition was seeing all of our hard work pay off in the form of a top 10 finish,” said Gregory Jowett, a mechanical engineering student who serves as President of Michigan Tech’s Blizzard Baja SAE team.

“Whether someone was directly working on the vehicle, doing modeling or simulation, or making sure the trip ran smoothly, it’s incredibly rewarding to see everyone’s effort culminate in a successful experience like it did in Oshkosh,” he says.

“I am extremely proud of the entire team and feel they represented Michigan Tech very well.”
Prof. Kevin Johnson, Blizzard Baja faculty advisor

“Needing to modify our frame to pass technical inspections and breaking an a-arm during the endurance race were some of the larger setbacks we faced. In both cases, the team was able to efficiently work together to quickly solve both problems. Even after an early morning and 3.5 hours of racing, the team was able to replace the a-arm in the pits and get our driver back out on the track in less than 10 minutes.”

The success experienced by our team is a direct reflection of Blizzard Baja’s “work hard, play hard” culture,” adds Jowett. “We enjoy team bonding when we have free time, but when there are things to do, none of our members hesitate to selflessly step up and get things done.”

“Props to our pit crew!”
Gregory Jowett, Blizzard Baja president

As for joining the team, the Blizzard Baja enterprise conducts interviews for prospective new members twice per year. For more information, students can visit the website at baja.mtu.edu or email the team at baja@mtu.edu.

Category: News