Month: September 2012

Technical Communication Scholars to Converge on Tech

Technical CommunicationMichigan Tech is hosting the 40th Annual Meeting of the Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) Thursday to Saturday, September 27 to 29. It is one of the largest international meetings of its kind, according to Ron Strickland, chair of the humanities department, and it brings many benefits with it.

Strickland said the annual meeting is also a chance to showcase the University’s humanities programs, faculty, and facilities. The humanities department will set up a couple of tables to present their publications and grants, one focusing on technical communication.

Read more at Tech Today, by Dennis Walikainen.

NY Times Article Leads to Scholarly Text

Beatrice SmithBeatrice Smith was intrigued by an article she read in the New York Times: jobs were being outsourced to her native Ghana. Her curiosity led her into a yearlong study resulting in “Reading and Writing in the Global Workplace: Gender, Literacy, and Outsourcing in Ghana,” recently published by Lexington Books.

Smith, an associate professor of literacy studies in Michigan Tech’s humanities department, looked at data-processing work coming from US health care companies, utilities, municipalities and others.

Read more at Tech Today, by Dennis Walikainen.

Boots to Briefcases: Veterans as Entrepreneurs

Vet EmploymentPart of his research project, which is currently sponsored by the Michigan Tech Research Excellence Fund (REF), seeks to build more awareness and future connections between the Veteran’s Affairs Office, the University (including [Air Force and Army] ROTC programs) and veterans themselves.

“ROTC has shown great interest,” Saurav Pathak says, “and we will be traveling to the Ishpeming, Marquette and Calumet Armories to talk about my work and see how much interest there really is.”

Read more at Tech Today, by Dennis Walikainen.

Wallace Takes Interim Chair Position in Computer Science

Charles WallaceCharles Wallace, associate professor in computer science, has agreed to serve as interim department chair computer science during the academic year 2012-13. Steve Carr, who served the previous two years, accepted a position at Western Michigan University.

“I am grateful for Chuck’s willingness to take on this new set of responsibilities, some of which fall under the heading of ‘thankless tasks,'” said Bruce Seely, dean of the College of Sciences and Arts.

Read more at Tech Today.

Shekhar Joshi Named Interim Chair in Biological Sciences

Shekhar JoshiProfessor Chandrashekhar Joshi has been appointed as the interim chair of the Department of Biological Sciences for the 2012-13 academic year, while the department conducts a search for a new chair.

According to Bruce Seely, dean of the College of Sciences and Arts, the college and the department are “borrowing” Joshi from the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science for the year to insure that the department continues the progress made over the past three years in revitalizing its program of graduate education and research.

Read more at Tech Today.

Insurance Technology Education Programs Among Top 11 in Nation

IST SchoolsDean Bruce Seely, College of Sciences and Arts, noted that other degrees at Tech also prepare students for work in the insurance industry beyond the computer technology arena. In particular, the actuarial sciences concentration in mathematical sciences opens doorways to another specialty sector of insurance and the financial services industries. Seely said, “Actuarial sciences is a good example of one of the strengths of Michigan Tech–our ability to provide targeted programs that meet real needs in our ever-changing society.”

Read more at Tech Today.

Math’s Actuarial Science Concentration Singled Out

“Our math department has been extremely responsive to industry needs with its outstanding bachelor’s degree program in actuarial science,” said Bruce Seely, dean of the College of Sciences and Arts. “Providing targeted programs to meet real needs is one of Michigan Tech’s unique strengths.”

Read more at Tech Today by Jennifer Donovan.