Graduate School Newsblog

Author: Debra Charlesworth

Change in Leadership at Peace Corps Master’s International Program

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Professor Blair Orr (SFRES) is stepping down as director of Michigan Tech’s Peace Corps Master’s International (PCMI) program, the nation’s largest. Orr will be replaced by Lecturer Kari Henquinet (SS).

“I am very sorry that Blair will no longer be working with the Graduate School on PCMI and related topics,” said Jackie Huntoon, associate provost and dean of the Graduate School. “His dedication to the PCMI program has been remarkable. Blair has been an outstanding leader and has helped the University attract students who might not have considered Michigan Tech, if it were not for the PCMI program. In addition, he has helped the University attract and better serve other students who have contributed time and effort in service of the United States. The National Service Graduate Tuition Fellowship, which is available to groups of students, including honorably discharged military veterans, was developed under Orr’s guidance, with members of the Air Force and Army ROTC.”

Orr is also a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served in Lesotho from 1978 to 1981. Orr’s familiarity with the Peace Corps helped Michigan Tech and its students to negotiate agreements and find appropriate placements around the world.

As the new Michigan Tech PCMI campus director, Henquinet will work with the Graduate School to oversee existing PCMI programs and assist in the development of new ones. She will serve as the primary point of contact at Michigan Tech for the Peace Corps. Henquinet earned her PhD in Anthropology from Michigan State, and her research is in the area of international development. Henquinet has been working with PCMI students from across campus for several years, and she will report to the dean of the Graduate School and represent the PCMI programs on the Graduate Faculty Council.

“Kari’s prior involvement with the PCMI programs and students from across campus will be invaluable as she helps the University maintain its record of excellence in this aspect of our graduate offerings,” said Huntoon. “I look forward to working with Kari in her new role.”

Currently there are 67 students from eight different disciplines enrolled in the PCMI program at Michigan Tech.

Published in Tech Today

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Women Helping Women at Ignite Night

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The President’s Council of Alumnae and the Michigan Tech chapter of the Society of Women Engineers are bringing 10 successful women to campus for Ignite Night at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, in the Memorial Union Ballroom. There will be a question-and-answer session, refreshments and a chance to chat informally with the speakers after the program. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

Oil company vice presidents, automotive engineers, geologists, professors and other female leaders in their fields will talk about the challenges they’ve faced and how they’ve handled them.

Speakers include Colleen Cervantes, vice president of product supply and trading for Chevron; Diane Doser, professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso; Birgit Sorgenfrei, a professional engineer at Ford Motor Co.; Patricia Henderson, president of Cygany Inc.; Shanon Lemke, a senior geologist at Vitruvian Exploration II; Marilyn Clark, CEO of the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation SmartZone; Christine Manninen, director of the Great Lakes Commission’s Great Lakes Information Network; and Lee Rouse, president and CEO of Omni Tech International.

Their topics include: “What I Wish I had Known at the Beginning of My Career”; “From Wallflower to Sunflower–Why Networking is Important, Even for Shy People”; “Why You Don’t Need to Know What You Want to Be When You Grow Up”; “Communicate Early and Often”; and “Putting Your Best Foot Forward.”

Published in Tech Today

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Washington Monthly Rates Michigan Tech Among Top 100

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Michigan Tech has been named one of the top 100 universities in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine. The publication ranked Michigan Tech 63rd overall and 4th in the country for encouraging students to give service to their country through its ROTC programs.

Tech placed third of only 5 Michigan universities ranked in the top 100. The other Michigan rankings were: University of Michigan, 13th, Michigan State, 34th, Western Michigan, 90th, and Wayne State University, 95th.

The magazine says its ratings differ significantly from other national publications’ rankings. According to its website, “the Washington Monthly rates schools based on what they are doing for their students and the country–on whether they’re improving social mobility, producing research and promoting public service.”

The rankings are further defined by contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students); research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs); and service (encouraging students to give something back to their country).

“We are particularly gratified by our excellent showing in this ranking because the criteria align so closely with our University’s strategic plan and goals,” said President Glenn Mroz. “Recruiting and graduating disadvantaged students in spite of declining state support, conducting cutting-edge research, growing our Graduate School and encouraging students to give back are at the heart of the Michigan Tech philosophy.”

In a news release announcing the rankings, Washington Monthly explained its criteria: “The main flaw in most college rankings is that they tend to measure how prestigious institutions are rather than how effectively they serve their students.”

by Dennis Walikainen, senior editor
Published in Tech Today

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First Friday Social – at the Graduate School!

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Faculty, staff and graduate students are invited to attend the September First Friday University Social from 4 to 6 p.m., Sept. 7, at the Pat Nelson Graduate Conference Center on the fourth floor of the Administration Building. Complimentary soda, beer and wine will be served, along with Asian appetizers.

The Graduate School and Graduate Student Government are this month’s sponsors. Plan to come and mingle with your colleagues and see the recently donated conference room and the new GSG offices. Along with the Graduate School and GSG, the conference center was funded by the late Patricia Nelson, wife of Michigan Tech Chemical Engineering graduate Charles J. Nelson (’36, deceased).

The First Friday University Socials began in 2006 to provide a casual setting for members of the campus community to get together informally, share their work and get to know each other. Such informal gatherings often lead to more productive work relationships and an appreciation for diversity.

In an effort to increase the effectiveness of the initiative, this academic year will continue to feature campus partners who will sponsor each month’s event. International Programs and Services will host the next social on Friday, Oct. 5. If your department is interested in hosting a social or would like more information, please contact Megan Ross at 487-3123 or mrross@mtu.edu .

Published in Tech Today.

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Introducing Husky Motor’s Free Shuttle Service

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Husky Motors will now be operating a free shuttle service between the SDC, Daniell Heights, Wadsworth Hall and the Memorial Union Building every 20 minutes on weekday mornings and afternoons.

Taking the shuttle is a great way to get from perimeter lots down to campus and from campus up to the SDC.

For the current shuttle route and time schedule, please visit Transportation Services.

Rollout of the new service will be at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 22.

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Productivity and Technology

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Academics are lucky – they get two (or three if you count summer) chances to start a fresh leaf every year. Each new start is an opportunity to re-energize yourself and be more productive.  Are you looking for some inspiration on how to use technology to be more productive?  If so, check out these two resources:

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Paper is among most read articles

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A paper by Yun Hang Hu and graduate student Yan Huo was among the most-read articles in the Journal of Physical Chemistry during the second quarter of 2012. “Fast and Exothermic Reaction of CO2 and Li3N into C–N-Containing Solid Materials” showed that carbon nitride could be made in an exothermic reaction of carbon dioxide and a lithium compound. Read more about Hu’s discovery at Carbon Nitride.

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How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Dissertation

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This article from Inside Higher Ed’s blog will show you how to love your dissertation (or thesis). Writing can be an overwhelming task, and everyone can use tips on how to manage the writing process and motivate yourself to do just a little bit every day. These tips also apply to any large-scale project, like writing a proposal or journal article.

One of the pieces of advice that we often give students is that the best dissertation is a finished dissertation. Focus on completing your degree and starting the next stage in your career rather than seeking perfection.

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Maintain Your Lit Review, Maintain Your Sanity

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A good literature review is one of the foundations of your thesis or dissertation.  Most students complete a thorough literature review as part of their Research proposal examination, but the final dissertation might be a year or more away in the future.

This article from the Gradhacker blog has some tips on how to keep your literature review up to date using technology to automate as much of the process as possible.  Learn how to:

  • Keep track of search terms
  • Use Google Reader to stay up to date
  • Use the media to stay current
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You’ve Got Mail. And Better Things to Do.

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With smartphones, tablets, and computers surrounding us every day, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by new information. This essay from the Chronicle offers some great tips about how to manage your e-mail and time better to help improve your productivity.

One tip, for example, is to have an e-mail strategy – and stick to it.  How often will you read your e-mail? How often will you reply? Setting aside specific times to answer e-mails will allow you to focus on other tasks during the rest of the day.

Some articles from the Chronicle require a full subscription to read. Michigan Tech students, faculty, and staff will have full access when they access articles from a campus IP address.

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