Student Scoop – August 23, 2023

Part of the Pack with CDI

Learn about campus academic and support services at CDI’s Part of the Pack event TODAY @ 12:30 PM! Join us for a chance to win prizes and hear a keynote address from Jailynn Johnson, Class of ’22.

The CDI is excited to welcome you to our Husky Family!

(This event is intended for first-year students. Contact cdi@mtu.edu for questions.)


Check Out Local Businesses During An Afternoon on the Town!

An Afternoon on the Town is an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to welcome you to the Keweenaw and show you what they have to offer.  Starting on campus, down College Avenue, and throughout the downtown Houghton area on Shelden Avenue there will be music, refreshments, and giveaways for participants.

Over $3,000 in prizes are also available to participating students! To enter to win one of more than 80 raffle prizes, simply tap your ID at BOTH tapper locations on the route. The first tap-in station and start of the route will be located on the north side of the Memorial Union Building. The second tap location will be located downtown on the south side of Shelden Avenue in front of the Quality Inn and Suites. 

Check out our 2023 participating groups on the map below! The Walking Map shows where they will be for An Afternoon on the Town, while the Business Map shows the group’s permanent locations. Explore the Map


Welcome Aboard!

Ahoy there, husky! Welcome aboard the SS Michigan Tech. Get ready to set sail on a sea of fun and adventure, where every day has a new horizon to explore. Don’t be a landlubber, go check out our Welcome Week programs for a sea-riously good time! Batten down the hatches and grab a friend to navigate the waters of exploration together! Arrr you ready?

University-sponsored events are in bold below. All other events are hosted by registered student organizations. 

Saturday, August 26th

An Afternoon on the Town – 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Downtown Houghton
Learn to Play Rugby with Men’s Rugby Football Club – 1:00 PM, Walker Lawn
Hiking at Mt. Baldy with the Navigators – 3:00 PM, Mt. Baldy
Party on the Patio with Douglass Houghton Hall Council – 3:00 PM, DHH Patio
Wiffle Ball with Baseball Club – 4:00 PM, Walker Lawn
SDC Broomball – 6:00 PM, MacInnes Ice Arena
A Night of Comedy – 10:00 PM, Rozsa Center

Sunday, August 27

Sand Volleyball Tournament with Men’s Volleyball Club – 10:00 AM, Sand Courts
Huskies’ Walmart Takeover – 2:00-4:00 PM, Walmart
Learn to Row with Rowing Club – 3:00 PM, SDC Rowing Studio
Ultimate Frisbee with Men and Women’s Ultimate Teams – 6:00 PM, Soccer Field

Monday, August 28

First-Day Photo Booth and Treats with Alumni Engagement – 9:30-11:30 AM, Husky Statue

Tuesday, August 29

On-Campus Job Expo with Career Services – 11:00 AM-2:00 PM,  MUB Alumni Lounge
Stay Afloat with the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being- 1:00-3:00 PM, near the Husky Statue
Messy Twister with Railroad Engineering and Activities Club – 7:00 PM, Walker Lawn

Wednesday, August 30

Open Cheer Practice with Cheer Team – 7:00 PM, Walker Lawn

Thursday, August 31

Lacrosse with Men and Women’s Club Lacrosse – 2:00 PM, Walker Lawn
Volleyball vs. Winona State – 6:00 PM, SDC Wood Gym
Off-Road Vehicle Display with Four Wheelers at Michigan Tech – 6:00 PM, Lot 14
Soccer vs. St. Cloud State – 7:00 PM, Kearly Stadium

Friday, September 1

Sail in for a Slice at Sea[DI] – 1:30-3:30 PM, Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Sun, Sand, and Sigma with Sigma Rho – 2:00 PM, Prince’s Point
Rock Painting with Mu Beta Psi – 5:00 PM, Rock Garden
Wildlife Walk with Wildlife Society – 5:00 PM, MTU Trailhead/Nordic Wax Center
Board Game Night with Gamers Anonymous – 6:00 PM, Fisher 129/130
Glass Painting with Panhellenic Council – 7:00 PM, MUB Alumni Lounge
Pep Band Parade – 7:00 PM, Around the Residence Halls

Saturday, September 2

Splatter Painting with MUB Board – 12:00-4:00 PM, Walker Lawn
Soccer vs. Minnesota Duluth – 12:00 PM, Kearly Stadium
Introduction to Timbersports with Forestry Club – 1:00 PM, Wood Cut Site
Bonfire with Triangle Fraternity – 7:00 PM, Prince’s Point
BSA Blackout Dance – 8:30 PM, Walker Lawn

All Week Long!

Boats, Buoys, and Books with the Van Pelt and Opie Library – 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Library “Ask Us” Desk


First Day of Class Photo Booth + Treats

As you set sail on a new academic year, the Alumni Engagement Office welcomes you to kick off the school year with a sweet treat and a memorable first-day-of-class photo. Join us on Monday, August 28, 2023, between 9:30-11:30 a.m. in front of the Husky Statue to strike a pose with your crew and commemorate the start of your next adventure at Michigan Tech.


Catalyst by LeaderShape

A catalyst starts something. It provokes change or action. You can be a catalyst. Join other student leaders who also want to start something extraordinary for small-group discussion, large-group interaction, and personal reflection.

Catalyst is a one-day program focused on developing your own authentic path, connecting to groups and causes you care about, and committing to a plan to be a catalyst for yourself and the groups you’re part of.

The approximate schedule and topics are:

  • 9:30-9:45 AM Registration and Welcome Activity
  • 9:45-10:35 AM Get Connected
  • 10:35-10:50 AM Break
  • 10:50 AM-12:00 PM The Stories We Tell
  • 12:00-12:45 PM Lunch
  • 12:45-1:20 PM Leadership Stories
  • 1:20-2:15 PM The Work of Leadership
  • 2:15-2:25 PM Break
  • 2:25-3:15 PM Authoring My Story
  • 3:15-4:00 PM Maintaining Momentum

All participants will receive free workshop materials, lunch, and a participation gift. Please RSVP on Involvement Link by the end of the day on Monday, September 4th to ensure adequate program supplies.


Looking for K-Day Volunteers

Student Leadership and Involvement is looking for K-Day volunteers! Volunteering for K-Day is not just about giving back to your campus community; it’s also a fantastic way to gain leadership skills, make new friends, and create lasting memories. Volunteering roles include: set up, check-in, floaters, food and swag distributors, risk management, and tear down.

Ready to be a part of this incredible experience? Signing up as a K-Day volunteer is easy. Just follow this link to access the sign-up form on GivePulse. Select your preferred role(s), choose your shifts, and get ready to have an unforgettable day!


Pronoun Selection System Now Live

Michigan Tech is committed to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff. We value all members of the University and encourage respectful interactions throughout our community with our diversity and inclusion efforts. Our goal is to provide a shared sense of belonging on campus that allows everyone to realize their full personal and professional potential within a supportive community.

For more information about the Pronoun Selection System, click here. To update your preferred name and pronouns, click here.


Application for the 23-24 MI Student Task Force

The application for the 2023 – 2024 Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force is now available for current college and university students. The nonpartisan task force, led by the Michigan Department of State and Bureau of Elections, brings together students from across the state who are passionate about civic engagement. Appointed students will work through 2024 to improve youth voter engagement on their campuses and across the state. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15 at 11:59pm. 

Students can apply by visiting Michigan.gov/CSATF. More information is also available in the press release below. For answers to frequently asked questions, please visit Michigan.gov/CSATF.

Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force returns for 2023-2024

Department of State now accepting applications from students looking to engage voters on campus

LANSING, Mich. – Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson today announced the application period to serve on the 2023-2024 Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force is now open to college and university students across the state. The task force is a nonpartisan initiative of the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) in partnership with Campus Vote Project (CVP), a project of the Fair Elections Center, a national, nonpartisan voting rights organization. The student task force will work through the 2024 election cycle to improve youth voter engagement. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15.  

“It’s critical that today’s young voters are also informed voters, and this task force helps young people better understand the process and truly engage in our democracy,” said Secretary Benson. “We look forward to hearing directly from the new class of task force members on the best ways to support and empower students at Michigan colleges and universities, help them fully understand our state’s new voting rights laws, and know exactly how to exercise their rights.”

The task force, first established by Benson in 2019, brings together students from across the state who are passionate about civic engagement. Task force members will serve as liaisons between MDOS, their student body, school administrators, and peers. The group will advise on the unique experiences and barriers for student voters, helping to ensure the voices of young people are heard in our state’s elections. 

Appointed students will serve on the task force with optional enrollment in a paid CVP Democracy Fellowship from September 2023 through December 2024. As a Democracy Fellow, students will be provided the tools to turn their civic engagement ideas into action. Democracy Fellows will work to remove on-campus voting barriers, to educate their peers about elections, and to build a campus coalition to support student voter engagement.

“The Campus Vote Project team is excited to partner with Secretary Benson to provide more opportunities for student leaders who are committed to expanding voting access for their peers,” said Landon Myers, Michigan Coordinator for CVP. “If Michigan is going to maintain the nation’s highest youth voter turnout in 2024, we must continue empowering students to organize their campus communities and remove barriers to voting.”

Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in a college or university in Michigan and demonstrate a commitment to voting and enthusiasm for voter engagement through their past experience, answers to application questions, and an interview. A total of 20 to 30 students from around the state will be selected to serve, with no more than two students representing any one school. Students set to graduate during the tenure of the task force will not be considered.

Additional information, as well as the task force application, can be found at Michigan.gov/SOSStudentTaskForce. Students can also email Secretary@Michigan.gov with questions or comments. The application period will close on Friday, Sept. 15 at 11:59 p.m.


Interested in Greek Life?

Interested in Greek Life? Check out what the Interfraternity Council thinks are the Top 5 Reasons to join a Fraternity! 

If you have any questions reach out to ifc@mtu.edu.


USG Nominations Now Open!

Nominations for Undergraduate Student Government are now open. We have the following positions available:

  • 1st Year Representative (3 positions)
  • 4th Year Representative (1 position)
  • Residential Representative (2 positions)
  • College of Sciences and Arts Representative (1 position)
  • College of Forest Resources and Environmental Sciences Representative (1 position)
  • College of Computing Representative (1 position)

Please consider nominating yourself or another student for one of these positions using this form, or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecPsr5DkUUmIFR2RFfasET4_V7wG_9lzI7B-eSjpbx9csp5Q/viewform?usp=sf_link 

USG Reps must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25 and be in good standing with conduct. They must attend weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 7-9pm, hold 3 weekly office hours, and join a standing committee. Together, this comes to a weekly commitment of 6 hours. Additionally, there are occasional events that members are expected to attend each semester. 

If you are nominated for a position and do not meet the GPA or conduct requirements, you will not be eligible to run and will not receive an email notifying you of your nomination and next steps. 

Nominations will be accepted until 5pm on Sunday, September 10th. Mandatory election information sessions will occur the week of September 10th. Elections will open at 8am on Monday, September 18th, and close at 5pm on Sunday, September 24th. New members will be sworn in at the meeting on Wednesday, September 27th at 7pm. For more information about USG, visit our website, follow us on Instagram, and join our discord!


Huskies Pep Band Band Camp 2023

Join the Huskies Pep Band at their annual Band Camp! Meet returning members, learn our music, and make a lot of noise. Please bring a bottle of water and your instrument. Music will be provided during both days.

Day One:

Friday, August 25, 5-7:30pm

@ McArdle (second floor of Walker)

Hot dogs will be provided for dinner, courtesy of Mu Beta Psi.

Saturday, August 26, 12:30-3:30pm

@ Sherman Field (visit mtu.edu/transportation/options/shuttle/ to view the bus schedule from the MUB to the SDC)


Collegiate DECA Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraiser

Like Pizza? Cheese Bread? Maybe even cookies? Starting today and for the next 3 weeks, MTU’s Collegiate DECA chapter is selling Little Caesars Pizza Kits and In-Store Meal Deals to raise money for our members to attend our first DECA Engage Conference in Kansas City this year. To reach our goal of selling 84 kits, we need everyone’s help. This is a digital fundraiser and so all orders are placed online and kits will be shipped to buyers via FedEx with the exception of In-Store Meal Deals being able to be picked up from local Little Caesars near you. Kits are easy to make, requiring just the spread of toppings, and ready to be placed in the oven. These kits would be perfect for dinner if you’re looking for something quick to make. It could even be a fun activity for families to participate in! Every kit or In-Store Meal Deal sold, the MTU DECA earns $6 in profits, and that makes a HUGE impact! Please consider sharing with family, friends, and anyone you think may be interested. This fundraiser is open to all. 

To view our kits and place an order, follow this link here or scan the QR Code in the flyer attached to this email. This fundraiser ends September 13th so be sure to purchase your kits before then! For any questions about our fundraiser, contact deca@mtu.edu.

The MTU DECA team thanks you for your support!


5th Annual GeekU.P. Mini-Con Charity Event

5th Annual GeekU.P. Mini-Con Charity Event Comes to Michigan Tech’s Rozsa Center, Houghton, MI, September 9th, 2023

Local bookstore and homegrown celebrity team up for a fun-filled geektastic charity event! 

Co-founders Shana Porteen, owner of Black Ice Comics & Books in Houghton, MI, and Patricia Summersett, actor/voice actor from L’anse, MI, are proud to announce the 5th Annual GeekU.P. to be held September 9th at Michigan Tech’s Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts in Houghton, MI.  GeekU.P., which will be 12pm to 7pm, is a mini-con charity event celebrating geek culture offering an artists’ alley, vendors, cosplay contest, celebrity Q&A’s, autograph sessions, and more!

This year’s charity recipient is Unite Mental Health and Wellness, located in Houghton, MI.  Unite Mental Health and Wellness is a nonprofit mental health service organization committed to helping individuals in our community connect to non-emergency mental healthcare.  Partnering with providers both locally and remotely, they support professionals and services currently available in our community while filling in the gaps where care may be lacking. 

GeekU.P. has an exciting celebrity guest line-up this year and they will take part in Q&A sessions and autograph signings for attendees: 

Colleen O’Shaughnessey is a voice actor who can be heard in numerous animated series and features, video games, commercials and toys. She is best known for her roles as “Tails” in Cartoon Network’s animated series, Sonic Boom, as well as in the Sonic the Hedgehog Movie, “Wasp” in Avengers-Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, “Jazz” in Nickelodeon’s Danny Phantom, and “Sora” in the anime series, Digimon & Digimon Adventure Tri. Other noted voice roles for fans of anime include “Ino” and “Konohamaru” in Naruto, “ChoCho” in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, “Kelsey/Glitter Sunny” in The Glitter Force, “Anna” in K Return of Kings, and “Nel” in Bleach.

Roger Craig Smith is a prolific voice actor who has voiced some of the most iconic characters in entertainment.  Over the course of his illustrious career, one of Roger’s notable credits include the voice of “Sonic the Hedgehog” not only in video games, but also in the Disney film series, Wreck-It Ralph, and in Cartoon Network’s animated series, Sonic Boom.  Other notable credits include the voice of “Batman” in the video game Arkham Origins as well as in the DC animated films Batman Ninja and Superman: Red Son, the voice of “Ezio Auditore da Firenze” in the Assassin’s Creed Franchise, and the voice of “Claggor” in Netflix’s award-winning animated series Arcane. Anime fans will know Roger as the voice of “Deidara” from the worldwide hit Naruto, “Shinji Hirako” in Bleach, and “Minoru Okabe” in the blockbuster, Suzume.

Providing voice and full performance capture for several video games, Patricia Summersett is known as the first official voice of “Princess Zelda” in Nintendo Video Games for: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Other top voice credits include Rainbow Six: Siege, Star Wars: Squadrons, and the Assassin’s Creed Franchise. She has also appeared in several films and television series. Patricia was raised in L’anse, MI, and graduated from Houghton High School before pursuing her acting career in L.A. and Montreal.

“We’re very excited about what we have in store for GeekU.P. this year”, said Shana Porteen, GeekU.P. co-founder and owner of Black Ice Comics & Books.  “We want to welcome folks of all ages to GeekU.P. to come have a great time. Even if it’s been years since you read a comic, or you’ve never played a video game, we can’t wait to share the fun, have folks meet our fabulous celebrities, and help us raise money for Unite Mental Health and Wellness.”

“I’m thrilled to celebrate local arts and culture in the community I grew up in! I certainly hope to inspire and provide insight for budding artists who may be thinking of a related career path”, said Patricia Summersett, GeekU.P. co-founder and guest celebrity. “Shana and I dreamed up this event several years ago and I’m amazed how the festival has evolved so considerably. I’m excited to imagine how it may grow and expand in years to come!” 

More information and the developing schedule can be found at our website www.GeekUP906.com.

Tickets at the door can be purchased through cash/credit or at Black Ice Comics and Books in downtown Houghton. $15 for Adults, $10 for Current MTU Students with ID, and $10 for kids 14 and under.

Contact: 
906-523-7500

Social links:

GeekU.P.

Facebook.com/geekup906

Official Website: GeekUP906.com

Official Hashtag: #GeekUP906

Shana Porteen

Inst/twitter @blackicecomics

https://www.blackicecomics.com/

Facebook.com/blackicecomicshop

Patricia Summersett

Inst/twitter @summersett_

Facebook.com/patriciasummersett


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