Michigan2015 VOLUME 52 NUMBER 1 MAGAZINE Tech IN THIS ISSUE Viking engineering Smart tips for cyber safety Husky road trip: Have sisu, will travel CARRY THE FALLEN How one man’s heart- wrenching journey became a mission to end veteran suicides and help lead a national movement “THIS IS REALLY IT.” Computer Networking and Systems Administration major Sean Branner, who graduated this spring, commented on how it felt to walk that stage at Commencement.“People tell you that time flies, but it’s not until you are in the moment that you actually realize how right they were. My years in college were the longest of my life in terms of hours spent in the lab and studying—but the shortest when it came to all the new experiences, friends I made, and fun I had.” 2 MICHIGAN TECH MAGAZINE 2015 2015 MICHIGAN TECH MAGAZINE 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2015 VOLUME 52 NUMBER 1 14 16 18 HIGHLIGHTS 10 Field Engineer 18 Turning a New Ankle 30 Bootstraps to by Marcia Goodrich by Allison Mills Big Success Joe Berger talks about life as a Walking is not so straightforward. by Jennifer Donovan Minnesota Viking and Michigan Tech researcher and CAREER Michigan Tech earned high marks Tech engineering alum—just Award recipient Mo Rastgaar in a new ranking that measures don’t call him the smartest guy designs robotic prostheses to how well universities contribute in the locker room. improve mobility and agility. to solving the problem of economic disparity—but what does it mean for real people? 14 A Viking Sharpens Up 20 And the Veterans by Marcia Goodrich Rucked On Minnesota Vikings mascot by Kevin Hodur 34 Tech Trivia: How Ragnar has a surprising second Terminally ill armed forces vet Well Do You Know life leading research and Justin Fitch hopes to leave behind Alumni Reunion? development for his family’s a remarkable legacy: ending by Kara Sokol metals company. veteran suicides. From pasties and picked eggs to weird weather and Golden M’s, how well do you know Michigan 16 Throwing Shade 26 Smart Security for Tech’s annual Alumni Reunion? by Allison Mills Smart Technology Thinking beyond plastic, a by Allison Mills Take our quiz and find out. Michigan Tech undergraduate The technology of the future student teams up to create a is here—but is it safe? Find smarter, more sustainable pair out how to keep your home of shades. and information secure in our increasingly connected world. 4 MICHIGAN TECH MAGAZINE 2015 20 26 40 REGULAR FEATURES 06 1400 Townsend Drive Michigan Tech Magazine Comments to the editor 38 A Banner Year [email protected] by Kevin Hodur PhD students learn the art of Published by University Marketing On the ice, field, and court, communicating research,Tech’s and Communications Website our Huskies athletes gave their PCMI program grows, an Ian Repp www.mtu.edu/magazine all—and Michigan Tech had an associate vice president writes —Director of University the book on STEM, and more. Marketing and Communications incredible season to show for it. Class Notes submissions Kara Sokol—Editorial Director [email protected] Jackie Johnson, Clare Rosen 40 From Abbeville to 42 From the Alumni — Ziebach and Sea to Association Designers Address changes Shining Sea Student–alumni broomball Brandy Tichonoff—Creative [email protected] by Danny Messinger invitational, Winter Carnival Director A Michigan Tech couple spends Pictorial history, an important Sarah Bird—University Michigan Technological University is an nine years and 500,000 miles update to the War Memorial Photographer equal opportunity educational institution/ proving there’s plenty to see in Wall, and more. equal opportunity employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected our United States. veterans and individuals with disabilities. 46 Alumni Q&A 47 Class Notes 50 Transitions 2015 MICHIGAN TECH MAGAZINE 5 1400 TOWNSEND DRIVE SPRING CAREER FAIR SEES RECORD NUMBER OF HUSKIES RECRUITERS ON CAMPUS ARE IN Huskies are in high demand.There’s event was the largest spring fair yet, no better way to illustrate just how drawing big-name companies like much companies want Tech grads Amazon, Caterpillar, and Target—and HIGH than with the success of our twice- connecting thousands of eager job annual Career Fair. This February’s seekers with corporate recruiters. DEMAND 242 companies in attendance NEARLY 3,000 student attendees (in 1 packed-to-the-brim Multipurpose Room) Corporate reps from 26 states and 1 Canadian province 2,100 interview slots for students during the days following the Fair 6 MICHIGAN TECH MAGAZINE 2015 JOHN LEHMAN TAPPED FOR EXPERIENCE IN CULTIVATING STEM SKILLS Associate John Lehman, associate “In the US, we tend to look Vice President vice president of enrollment, at science, technology, engi- John Lehman marketing, and communica- neering, and math skills in kids tests the ooblek—an tions, has authored a chapter with a fixed mindset,” Lehman ooey-gooey in Advancing a Jobs-Driven says.“People think you either substance that Economy: Higher Education get it or you don’t.We like to allows kids and Business Partnerships Lead think of it as a growth mind- to “walk on the Way water.” focused on how set, though. Anyone can grow higher education institutions into a STEM field.” can work with companies to There are many companies host science and engineering that want to engage in STEM festivals. outreach but don’t necessarily It’s a fitting topic, consid- know how, he says. His chap- ering the success of Tech’s ter offers options and exam- Mind Trekkers program, which ples—and talks about how to “WE LIKE TO THINK OF IT AS A sends a student-run traveling get young students to realize GROWTH MINDSET. ANYONE CAN science and engineering road- their budding STEM skills, show across the country. ultimately filling the enormous GROW INTO A STEM FIELD.” demand for college-educated scientists and engineers. Alex Mayer Alex Mayer THE SCIENCE OF COMMUNICATING RESEARCH What can happen To combat the issue, A handful of graduate if research scientists and Mayer—the Charles and students have already engineers don’t properly Patricia Nelson Presidential completed the training, which communicate their work to Professor at Michigan Tech—is began last fall semester. the general public? helping the next generation Nicholas Bolton, a PhD The answer, according of researchers learn how candidate in Forest Science, to Civil and Environmental to communicate their work worked with Michigan Tech’s Engineering Professor Alex more effectively.With a director of news and media Mayer: all sorts of bad National Science Foundation relations to learn how to craft things. Funding can dry (NSF) grant, Mayer is the perfect press release. Nicholas Bolton up as policymakers who overseeing a fellowship “I’m a much more efficient don’t understand science program that teaches PhD communicator now,” pull the plug. Advocacy students in a variety of fields Bolton says.“Because of groups can unite to oppose to explain their research this experience, I’m able to their research. The news in K-12 classrooms and articulate my work to people media can misinterpret and to write news releases to and show the application disseminate misunderstanding. communicate with the public of my research in their daily through the media. lives.” 2015 MICHIGAN TECH MAGAZINE 7 1400 TOWNSEND DRIVE As a student, Amber Lily Kenny ’07 served as a Peace Corps Natural Resource Management and Agriculture volunteer in Togo, West Africa, and worked with USAID in Kenya. Today she is a tenured agricultural foreign officer with USAID in Uganda. WWW.MTULODE.COM HAVE KNOWLEDGE, UPLODE A student’s-eye view WILL TRAVEL from the Michigan Tech Lode Michigan Tech adds three new PCMI programs “Give us the “While there are freedom to negative voices out Michigan Tech’s technology expertise,” said determine how there, there are award-winning Peace Corps Kari Henquinet, PCMI director we learn best and also louder voices Master’s International (PCMI) at Tech.“Our new PCMI what instruments waiting to combat program is offering three students will bring technical best complement them.” new options: Master of training together with the our learning.” A glass-half-full outlook Science degree programs in strong interdisciplinary train- Adam Romanko urges is revealed during Computer Science, Electrical ing that all of our Tech PCMI all Michigan Tech a pro-con debate and Computer Engineering, students have.” instructors to permit about the dangers of and Geographic Information Professor Leonard portable tech in their promoting harmful Science. Bohmann, faculty coordina- classrooms. stereotypes on social The new degree options tor for the new ECE PCMI media. will enable more students program, thinks the benefits “Most people in to take part in PCMI—a his students can provide will the world today are “First, remember program in which students be far-reaching. labeled with letters to sleep. Whether earn a master’s degree while “ECE students would be more commonly you like it or not, simultaneously serving in well-versed in applying many used as variables in you will eventually the Peace Corps. Students technologies to help the com- math equations.” succumb to it.” typically take two semesters munities in which they vol- Andrea Spencer Pratik Joshi offers of courses on campus before unteer, ” he says.“They might discusses the essential study advice volunteering for two years work on wireless technology challenges of prior to final exams. overseas and then returning projects or remote, stand- generational labels like to Michigan Tech to complete alone power systems, like Gen X,Y, and Z. their degree. photovoltaic or hydro-energy. “The new programs in One of the problems in many computer science and ECE remote locations is access to were pitched to the Peace power, especially for medi- Corps as an opportunity for cal clinics.