Graduate School Newsblog

Tag: Graduate School

International Student Dies in Car Crash

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Zhang Yue, an international graduate student in electrical engineering, died Wednesday, Dec. 14, in a car accident in Ontonagon County. He leaves behind a wife and young child, currently residing in Minnesota, and family in China.

The Office of International Programs and Services is working with the Chinese Students and Scholars Association to ensure that Zhang Yue’s memory is properly honored. If you would like additional information about how you can offer your sympathy or condolences to Zhang Yue’s family, please contact Thy Yang, IPS director, at thyy@mtu.edu.

Published in Tech Today.

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Over 400 Michigan Tech Grads to be Honored at Midyear Commencement

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Michigan Tech will hold Midyear Commencement at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, in the Wood Gymnasium at the SDC.
At the ceremony, the University will honor the achievements of more than 400 graduating students, including 336 students receiving undergraduate degrees, 107 master’s degree candidates, and 27 PhD recipients.

Chang K. Park ’73, founder, president and CEO of Universal Remote Control Inc., will give the commencement address as well as receive an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy. His Harrison, N.Y.-based company is a world leader in technology and innovation and has supplied more than 80 million remote controls and home automation devices in the past 10 years alone.

Born and raised in South Korea, Park came to the US as a teenager. He soon developed an interest in mathematics–the only language he could understand. After enrolling at Michigan Tech, he received bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and engineering administration and went on to earn an MBA at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his career with an engineering consulting firm specializing in mass transit and for several years was employed in corporate finance. Then he started a business in his sister’s garage and steadily expanded it to market and develop remote controls and related devices.

He chairs the Chang K. Park Foundation, an organization that supports human rights, the elimination of poverty and hunger, political reform and economic justice. He is also a member of the board of Common Cause.

Written by Marcia Goodrich, senior writer

Published in Tech Today.

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December 14: Graduate School Brown Bag Lunch and Learn

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Has the end of the semester left you feeling overwhelmed and wondering how you can manage the demands of your work, school, and family?

If so, on December 14th from noon – 1pm, join presenters from Counseling and Wellness Services as they present tips relevant to time management for graduate students.  We’ll provide soft drinks (soda and water), chips, and desert – bring your own lunch.

Register online to save your seat and receive the location of the seminar.  Seating is limited – register early!

Questions?  Contact Debra Charlesworth.

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Spring Orientation – January 6th

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Spring orientation for new graduate students, and students unable to attend fall orientation is quickly approaching.  Our session will be on January 6, 2012 from 8:30am – 1pm in the Memorial Union Ballroom.

Register now to reserve your seat and help us plan this event.  Registration will close on December 21, 2011 – after that date, student will only be accommodated if space is available.

All graduate students are required to either attend orientation or complete an online training course.  See the linked sites for more information about each program.

Questions about orientation?  Contact Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School.

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Tech Bucks National Trend in Graduate Enrollment

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Across the United States, enrollment of new graduate students has declined somewhat, while the overall graduate school enrollment has increased only slightly (1.1 percent). However, those newest numbers, reported by the Council of Graduate Schools, are not reflected at Tech.

Bucking the national trend, graduate student enrollment here has increased nearly everywhere on campus. Total graduate enrollment sits at a new record of 1,303, while new master’s students have increased 6.9 percent, and new doctoral students have increased 4.3 percent.

So, why the difference?

“Students are interested in coming to our campus because of the quality of our faculty,” says Graduate School Dean Jackie Huntoon. “Many hear about us from friends and relatives who tell them that we provide great education opportunities in a wonderful place.”

According to Jacque Smith, director of graduate marketing and advancement for the Graduate School, there are other reasons.  “Of course, we provide a quality education,” he says, “and we combine a lot of resources with smaller numbers, so it’s a highly personalized graduate education.”

And research experiences at Tech are different, according to Smith. “We’ve always been known for hands-on, real-life research and lab experiences.” Less debt and more job offers are also incentives for students to seek education beyond the bachelor’s degree, he says.  “And, although it’s especially true for the STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math] disciplines, we are experiencing growth in most areas,” he says.

See enrollment for further breakdown of program enrollment data for fall.

Story originally published in Tech Today.

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Tech-trained Teacher Meets President Obama

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Lorentyna Baldus, a science teacher in Grand Rapids who went through special training with Michigan Tech faculty and graduate students in a National Science Foundation-funded program MiTEP (Michigan Teaching Excellence Program), was laid off this summer by Grand Rapids Public Schools. After being recommended by Graduate School Dean Jacqueline Huntoon, Baldus was chosen by the National Science Teachers Association to meet President Barack Obama and tell her story.

“I was able to stand on the steps of the Rose Garden during President Obama’s speech!” she wrote to Huntoon. “What an experience to meet the president and vice president!”

The dean, who described Baldus as “awesome,” said that MiTEP promotes not only better science education, but leadership among teachers.

Michigan Tech’s $4 million grant was one of only four awarded nationwide to establish math and science teacher institutes. The institutes are part of a larger NSF program called Math and Science Partnership.

Baldus said she is hoping to be called back to work soon.

by Jennifer Donovan, director of public relations
Published in Tech Today

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Tech’s Enrollment Tops 7,000

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With well over 7,000 students, enrollment is at its second-highest point since 1983.

Data reported to the State Budget Office on Wednesday, Sept. 7, show total enrollment at 7,031, a 1 percent increase over fall 2010’s official figure of 6,976.

Female enrollment is up for the sixth straight year to an all-time high of 1,837, or 26.1 percent of the student body.

Graduate enrollment increased approximately 5 percent, with a record 1,303 students seeking master’s and PhD degrees, up from 1,256 in fall 2010. “We broke through 1,300 for the first time and processed 3,000 applications, another record number,” said Jacqueline Huntoon, dean of the Graduate School. “Graduate enrollment continues to increase in accordance with our strategic-plan goal of having 3,000 grad students by 2035.”

“Of our on-campus enrollment, growth is strongest among international students, and we are very pleased that students are drawn here from all over the world to pursue a graduate degree,” she said. Many are self-supporting or are supported by their employers or home countries, she noted. “They provide an economic boost both to the University and to the local community.”

Another area of growth is distance learning. The number of students seeking a graduate degree online is up markedly, from 58 to 106.

Undergraduate enrollment is up as well, with 5,728 students compared to last year’s 5,720. The number of new first-year students grew from 1,115 to 1,161, an increase of approximately 4 percent. The freshman class will also include more women: 288 as compared to 273 in 2010.

In addition, the academic credentials of the entering freshman class are up for the sixth straight year, with a record-setting average ACT composite score of 26.4, compared to last year’s 26.1.

“Smart, adventurous students want to study with other smart, adventurous students,” explained John Lehman, assistant vice president of enrollment services.

The enrollment count also reflects the fact that more students are staying at the University. The retention rate from undergraduates’ first to second year of study has risen to 83.3 percent, approximately 2.5 percent higher than 2010’s 80.9 percent.

The COMPASS program employs a variety of strategies to improve student retention. “Our orientation program helps new students acclimate to the community and learn about the resources that can make them successful,” said Director Susan Liebau. The office offers special services for transfer and commuter students, along with the ExSEL program, which combines leadership development with tips for improving academic performance.

In addition, the University tracks first-year students’ mid-term grades and has stepped up efforts to reach out to those who are struggling. “That’s been one of our most effective efforts to ensure the success of students,” Liebau said.

Published in Tech Today
by Marcia Goodrich, senior writer

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Donald Yerg, former Graduate Studies Dean and Physics Faculty Member, Dies

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Donald G. Yerg, 86, died July 23 in Minneapolis. He was born in Lewistown, Pa., and received a PhD in Physics/Meteorology from Pennsylvania State University. He joined the faculty of Michigan Tech in 1955, after several years of conducting research and teaching at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and in Puerto Rico.

At Michigan Tech, he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in the physics department and was the University’s first Dean of Graduate Studies (now the Graduate School), helping to build Tech’s master’s and doctoral programs.

Professor emeritus Don Daavettila recalled working with Yerg as a graduate student before they became colleagues in the physics department.

“He was very helpful to us as students, always explaining what he was doing,” Daavettila said. “I enjoyed that. He was a fine person. He loved to talk physics, and he loved to talk politics, too.”

Yerg remained active in upper atmosphere research by publishing and presenting at various national scientific and academic conferences. For several years, he hosted a program on Michigan Tech’s radio station, WGGL, where he interviewed scientists on how their research impacted everyday life.

An avid reader of political, social and foreign journals, and historical works; a student of the Spanish language, the recorder and acoustic guitar; and a writer of progressive letters to the press–he was a man of inquisitive mind and critical thinking.

He was happiest on the shores of Lake Superior or on backwoods trails of the Keweenaw, whether it was sailing, hiking, biking or skiing. His ashes will be spread over Lake Superior in a family ceremony.

He is survived by wife, Mary Jane, children George, Mark, and Suzanne Yerg, and four grandchildren. Cards can be sent to Dare’s Funeral Home, 805 Main Street, Elk River, Minn. 55330, or visitors can sign the guest book at daresfuneralservice.com .

by Dennis Walikainen, senior editor
Published in Tech Today

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Seminar: Submitting your Thesis or Dissertation to the Graduate School

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Students planning on finishing a thesis or dissertation fall 2011 or spring 2012 are invited a seminar designed to help students understand the submission process and answer questions about it.

Once you register, you will receive a confirmation with the location and a reminder of the date and time.

If you are unable to join us, a taped version of this seminar is available online from our May 19th presentation.

Students who are interested in learning more about the formatting requirements and resources available to assist them should visit our formatting web page and refer to our January 27 seminar.

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Graduate School Dean Reappointed, New Titles Announced

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After a highly favorable review of her second three-year term as dean of the Graduate School, Jacqueline Huntoon has been reappointed to another three-year term, Provost Max Seel announced. She will have a new title: associate provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School. The new title highlights the role of the graduate dean as advocate for quality graduate education across campus and brings the title in line with other graduate deans at peer institutions, Seel explained.

At the same time, Christa Walck’s title has been changed from assistant provost to associate provost. Her new title reflects expanded responsibilities. In addition to leading the on-going accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, Walck will be chairing the Assessment Council and directing outcome assessment, as well as chairing the Advising Council, working with academic advisors, COMPASS and ExSEL to coordinate and assess academic advising. She also will have responsibility for coordinating and assessing faculty mentoring and serve as liaison to IPS.

by Jennifer Donovan, director of public relations
Published in Tech Today

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