Nominations open for Spring 2014 Finishing Fellowships

Applications for spring 2014 finishing fellowships are now being accepted, and are due no later than 4pm, October 23, 2013 to Dr. Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School. Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online.  Please note that the required form has changed slightly for this cycle of competition.

Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student.
  2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
  3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a finishing fellowship.
  4. Must be eligible for or in Research Only Mode at the time of application.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to PhD candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in The Michigan Tech Plan. The Graduate School anticipates funding up to ten fellowships with support ranging from $2000 to full support (stipend + tuition). Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

ORAU provides funding for Lindau Meeting in Germany

Since 1951, Nobel Laureates in chemistry, physics, and physiology/medicine convene annually in Lindau, Germany, to have open and informal meetings with students and young researchers.  These students will travel to Lindau to participate in discussions with the Nobel Laureates, as well as other graduate students and junior researchers from around the world.

The 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting dedicated to physiology or medicine will be held June 29 through July 4, 2014.   Nomination deadline is Friday, November 1, 2013 4:00 pm, Eastern Time..

The 5th Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences will be held August 19 through August 23, 2014.  Nomination deadline is Friday, November 15, 2013 4:00 pm, Eastern Time.

Transportation, lodging and registration expenses are arranged and paid for by the sponsoring agencies.  Participants meet in Washington, D.C., for an orientation meeting and travel as a group to Germany.  A student awardee will be committed to travel from June 27 or 28, 2014 until July 5 or 6, 2014.  The final dates will be determined at a later date.

Federal budget uncertainties prohibit a formal announcement of an internal due date for applications.  ORAU member institutions may nominate one student per university.  Your institution will also be invited to nominate additional students by our partnering organizations.

Further information about the program, and the web site for submission of nominations, can be found online at http://www.orau.org/lindau/.

The meetings will feature recipients of the Nobel Prize in Medicine/Physiology and Economics.

Eligibility:

  • U.S. citizens currently enrolled at a university as full-time graduate students;
  • Completed by June 2014 at least two academic years of graduate studies toward a doctoral degree in the discipline of medicine/physiology or a related discipline, but not be planning a dissertation/thesis defense before December 31, 2014  (Note: eligibility requirements for the Economics Meeting will vary)

We are especially interested in receiving nominations from a diverse group of students, including women, minorities and people with disabilities.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Sam Held (sam.held@orau.org) or me (ann.farler@orau.org).

Reminder: Pick up your HuskyCard by Monday Sept 30

Pick up your HuskyCard by Monday, Sept. 30, to ensure uninterrupted service!

Michigan Tech is issuing the new HuskyCard to all faculty, staff and students.  Your HuskyCard will be your official Michigan Tech ID card, replacing the existing Tech Express ID.  It will have the same functionality as your Tech Express card, with the additional optional benefit of a prepaid Debit MasterCard, if you choose to register your account.  Additionally, you will be able to receive your student financial aid refunds faster, by having them applied to the HuskyCard.

Everyone using their ID for card readers should obtain their new HuskyCard by Sep. 30, to ensure you will have uninterrupted access to all your buildings and parking.  We are in the process of transitioning existing card readers on campus to new contactless smart chip readers, and the new technology will not support the old Tech Express cards.

To obtain your HuskyCard, stop by the HuskyCard Service Center (Library and IT Service Center) in the J. R. Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library.  Bring your existing Tech Express card or photo identification.

Our goal is to ensure uninterrupted access to the areas in which you currently have and need access.  If you have additional questions, please email it-help@mtu.edu. For more information about the Michigan Tech HuskyCard, visit HuskyCard.

Published in Tech Today

Introducing MyMichiganTech

MyMichiganTech is a personalized website that will allow students to quickly and easily see their current student status. You will also be able to get direct access to Gmail, Canvas, banweb and more from MyMichiganTech – think of this as the first place to go every morning! The Graduate School is pleased to introduce it to you and looks forward to receiving your feedback on how we can improve it in the future.

Navigate to MyMichiganTech.mtu.edu and log in with your Username and ISO Password (just like Canvas, e-mail, or any other campus service)

Picture of MMT log in
The login screen for MyMichiganTech

The homepage has news, events, and weather. Click on the “Current Students” tab (outlined in a red box below) to show information about your current status. Depending on the services you use at the University, such as financial aid, or campus housing, different options will appear.

MyMichiganTech welcome screen.
MyMichiganTech welcome screen.

Employment for F-1 and J-1 Students and Scholars Workshop

Thy Yang from the International Programs and Services Office will be conducting a workshop for students entitled, “Employment Options for F-1 and J-1 Students and Scholars” on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Faculty and staff who advise international students are strongly encouraged to attend in order to gain greater insight on the legal challenges and issues faced by our international students seeking to work in the United States.

Topics addressed include:

  • on campus employment
  • co-ops and internships
  • optional practical training (OPT)

We will also discuss special benefits for STEM students after they complete their studies at Michigan Tech.

To register for the workshop, please contact the International Programs and Services office at 7-2160 or ips@mtu.edu.

Published in Tech Today.

Michigan Tech Students Take Top Honors at SME

Michigan Tech undergraduates and graduate students studying chemical engineering took first and second place in the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration’s (SME) Mineral and Metallurgical Processing Division 2013 student poster contest at the SME annual meeting in Denver.

Undergraduate winners:
First place: Katrina Swanson
Second place: Paul Hagadone II

Graduate student winners:
First place: Brett Spigarelli
Second place: Howard Haselhuhn

Published in TechToday

Additional EndNote Workshop scheduled for Sept 30

Due to the strong interest in the event, the Van Pelt and Opie Library has scheduled a second ‘EndNote Basics 1’ workshop to be held on Monday, Sept. 30, from 5-6pm.

We would also like to remind those interested that seating is still available for the ‘Advanced Topics’ session scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3.

Seating is limited and registration is required.  To register please visit: EndNote LibGuide.

EndNote Basic I – Monday, September 30 from 5-6pm, Library room 242

The Van Pelt and Opie Library is offering a one hour introductory workshop on creating and managing references using the citation software, EndNote.  EndNote allows you to easily collect, organize and use your research references.  No prior knowledge of EndNote is necessary.

In this workshop participants will learn how to:

  • Construct an EndNote Library in order to effectively organize references
  • Create custom and smart groups to efficiently manage references

Note:  Our sessions use EndNote X7 on PCs.  Laptop users are encouraged to update their versions of EndNote prior to the session.  See the Library’s EndNote Download page.

Fall Career Fair Features New Companies and Veteran Recruiter

With 264 companies registered for the Fall Career Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 24, recruiters are running the gamut from new to renewed to never-miss-a-fair.

Among the new companies, according to Jim Turnquist, director of Career Services, is Chevron. Although they have recruited and hired on their own on campus, this year they’ve joined the job fair and expanded their search.

“In the past, they focused on geology, but this year they are looking for many different engineering fields: chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical,” Turnquist says. “That’s a big plus.”

Back after a hiatus from recruiting is Procter and Gamble. They are scouting for chemical, electrical and mechanical engineers, Turnquist says. “This is fantastic.”

A new company to the fair is Tata Motors, India’s largest auto manufacturer. “They have an IT branch, called Consultancy Services, which is also huge,” he says.

Old favorites like Dow Chemical have increased their presence. Instead of a couple of interview rooms, they’ve reserved eight for the day after the fair.

The Career Fair has grown into a week-plus of activities, Turnquist says, in both the fall and spring semesters. Interview skills training and resume blitzes have already started, and fair week has numerous events:

* Chrysler and GM both had ride and drive events. Chrysler’s Sunday Copper Harbor trips were all full. GM’s events were split between faculty and staff (Sunday) and students (Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) leaving from the pay lot, next to the Administration and Student Services building. More information is available at career@mtu.edu.

* The Society of Women Engineers hosts Evening with Industry, where recruiters can meet with students before the fair. It will be held tonight at 5:15 p.m. in the MUB Ballroom.

* The University Department Information Fair (Meet the Faculty) is held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the fair. Academic and administrative departments can meet with company representatives.

* Center for Diversity and Inclusion Corporate Reception–Corporations can meet with students from organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (oSTEM), American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), and more. The event is scheduled for 6 to 7:45 p.m. at the Hamar House Tuesday night.

* Railroad Information Night, Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m., DHH Ballroom–The Railroad Engineering and Activity Club and Tech’s Rail Transportation Program bring together students and railroad industry representatives.

“Also, on Monday night, there will be more than forty company information sessions,” Turnquist adds. “And these companies are looking for people. They are looking to hire.”

Published in Tech Today by Dennis Walikainen, senior editor

Responsible Relationship Events Planned

As part of the annual Responsible Relationships Awareness days, two events are happening on campus this week.

Anti-violence/anti-assault t-shirts will be displayed on clotheslines around campus all next week as part of the Clothesline Project. The Clothesline Project provides a way for campus and community members to speak out against sexual violence and sexual assault. Full details are available at Clothesline Project.

Also, there will be a “Forget Stranger Danger” event next Thursday, Sept. 26, from 7 to 8 p.m. in MUB Ballroom B. This event is intended to help educate students about the dangers of acquaintance/date rape among college students. Please encourage students to attend. The event poster is available at Forget Stranger Danger.

The Clothesline Project and Forget Stranger Danger Event are part of the 2013 Responsible Relationship Awareness Days, an annual week of events hosted by the Title IX Committee to raise awareness about issues such as sexual violence, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and hazing. For more information about Title IX resources and reporting channels, see Title IX.

Published in Tech Today.

A Night at the Museum Features Geology PhD Student

The Carnegie Museum, in downtown Houghton, will host its third annual “Night at the Museum” fundraiser this Saturday, Sept. 21, from 4 to 8 p.m.  Tickets are $25 each and include a guided Red Jacket Trolley Tour, gourmet refreshments, music performed by local Suzuki students, and a silent auction.

This year’s guided Red Jacket Trolley tour will be of the ruins of Houghton’s Isle Royale Mine. Led by Erika Vye, geology PhD student and Wil Shapton of the Red Jacket Trolley company, the tour reflects our current exhibit theme “Gone But Not Forgotten: Preserving Memories of the Copper Country.”  The tour will illuminate how mining influenced our city’s landscape and how the remnants of the mining days live on amongst us.

Tickets are available at the museum (open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday noon to 4 p.m.) Trolley seating is limited so be sure to choose your tour time, (4, 5, or 6 p.m.) when purchasing your ticket. Tickets sold at the door are not guaranteed a trolley tour.  All proceeds from the event will support building restoration and improvements, website development, exhibits and programs.

For more information, email history@cityofhoughton.com or call 482-7140.

Published in Tech Today