Michigan Tech and Central Michigan University (CMU) will celebrate an “Exercise in Partnership” at 3:15 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at the Advanced Technology Development Complex. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the collaborative opening of the Michigan Tech location for Central Michigan’s physical therapy doctoral program.
The innovative partnership will enable students attending the program at Michigan Tech to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from CMU, one of the strongest programs in the country, said Bruce Seely, dean of the College of Sciences and Arts. “Physical therapy represents one of the fastest-growing areas of medical practice, and the opportunity to educate and prepare professionals for this field here in the Upper Peninsula is an exciting step for both universities and for the hospitals in the UP,” Seely said.
The campus community is invited to the ceremony, which will be shared with CMU on YouTube. Speakers will include President Glenn Mroz; CMU Provost Michael Gealt; Seely; and Chris Ingersoll, dean of CMU’s Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions. Twelve students from CMU who are enrolled in the program are also scheduled to attend, along with other visitors from Central Michigan, state officials and other supporters of the program.
Renovation of the classroom, laboratory training space and student facilities was undertaken with support from community partners. These include a matching gift of $125,000 from the Upper Peninsula Health Care Network and $25,000 each from four UP hospitals–War Memorial, Portage Health, Aspirus Keweenaw, and Dickinson County Healthcare System. Other supporters include Charles ’36 and Pat Nelson, Edwin Davis ’29, Suzanne Jurva ’82, Joe Ehlinger ’82, Michael Jurva, and Cisco.
After the ribbon-cutting, guests are invited to tour the facility and enjoy refreshments.
From Tech Today, by Jennifer Donovan, director of news and media relations.