Month: September 2017

Brenda Ryan ’76 Keynote Speaker for Student Development Days

Brenda Ryan
Brenda Ryan

About 1,800 female Michigan Tech students were invited to Student Development Days with the Presidential Council of Alumnae (PCA). More than 200 students reserved their seats for the event on September 21-22, 2017. The theme of the two-day event was “HerStory,” emphasizing the inspiration, value and wisdom communicated through individual stories that focus on the female perspective.

The event on the first day included lunch and Lightning Talks, 10-15 minute presentations by members of the PCA. Topics for the talks included: Negotiating salaries, dealing with conflict or disrespect in the workplace, making the most of your summer internship, socializing in the workplace, and professional communication at work. Lunch was sponsored by Ford Motor Company.

Keynote speaker Brenda Ryan kicked off the second day’s events at breakfast, sponsored by Kimberly-Clark. Ryan graduated from Michigan Tech with a BS in metallurgical and materials engineering in 1976. She is the president and owner of Ryan Industries Inc., Ryan Properties LLC in Wixom, Michigan and Alliance Industries LLC, in Springfield, Missouri. She also serves as the current vice chair of Michigan Tech’s Board of Trustees.

Following Ryan’s address, students engaged in round-table discussions with members of the PCA. Round-table discussions allowed students to ask questions, express their concerns about the future, and receive personal advice from the women of PCA.

Adam Pringle Named Finalist in Worldwide Competition

Adam Pringle
Adam Pringle

Graduate student Adam Pringle (MSE) has been named one of nine finalists worldwide for a project he submitted to the international “Make A Difference” competition. As a finalist, he will be flown to Hamburg, Germany, to present his project at OpenLab Hamburg in November 2017.

The project, “Composite Filament Fabrication Process,” focuses on ecological sustainability by breaking down waste materials and turning them into composite 3-D printing filament, which then can be used to make useful products.

The “Make A Difference” competition seeks ideas that provide solutions for the needs of refugees, the health of society, education and ecological sustainability.

Finalists will build, test and showcase prototypes of their projects at OpenLab Hamburg, and one overall winner will be selected.

Pringle is a member of Joshua Pearce’s (MSE) research group, Michigan Tech Open Sustainable Technology (MOST) lab.

Original story by Jenn Donovan.

“Make a Difference” is an idea challenge for everyone. It aims toward making a social and ecological impact based on the open source principles. For the 2017 Idea Challenge, 76 ideas were received, the top 20 ideas were considered for the final evaluation, and nine finalists are going to Hamburg. Professor Joshua Pearce is among the jurists.

OpenLab Hamburg takes place October 30 to November 3. Digital, high-end devices will be at the service of the finalists, who will work with the OpenLab team to make their dreams come true. “Make a Difference”  is the inaugural Idea Challenge organized by the Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg, and the Arab German Young Academy.