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Hundreds of Michigan Tech Alumni and friends are expected to descend upon the Keweenaw this weekend for the University’s annual Alumni Reunion. Beginning Thursday (Aug. 3), the three-day reunion features tours, talks, an alumni basketball game, the Pep Band celebrating 50-ish years, the iconic Pasty Picnic, alumni awards and much more.
Activities begin Thursday morning with the Welcome Breakfast in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Guided campus tours start at 9:30 a.m. immediately following the breakfast.
The morning’s “Tech Talks” focus on geoheritage with Erika Vye followed by a discussion on the role of protein misfolding in Alzheimer’s disease with Ashutosh Tiwari. The hour-long talks begin at 10 a.m. in Fisher 135.
Afternoon activities include the Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Alumni Scholarship Cruise aboard the Ranger III along the Portage Canal. Open to all alumni, boarding begins at 12:30 p.m. with departure at 1 p.m. from the Isle Royale National Park office next to Dee Stadium.
There will be a pasty-making demonstration at 1:30 p.m. in Douglass Houghton Hall. Tech’s Executive Chef Eric Karvonen will share thoughts and insights while creating the Copper Country’s favorite food—pasty. Participants get to taste the finished product. Graduate School representatives will be on hand to talk about online programs.
At 4 p.m. the Reunion Pasty Picnic takes place on the Campus Green. The classic Yooper dinner features pasties, pickled eggs, and KBC beer.
Friday’s activities include the all-class alumni breakfast, class year gatherings and “Stuff-a-Husky.” The Golden M pinning ceremony, inducting members of the class of 1967 will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Tours aboard the RV Agassiz and campus and department open houses highlight Friday afternoon’s activities.
The Annual Alumni Reunion Dinner and Awards Ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom. This year’s winners are:
Outstanding Young Alumni Awards—Kevin Baker ’04 ’05
Outstanding Service Award—Paul Mikkola ’66
Distinguished Alumni Award—John Rockwell ’79
Humanitarian Award—Sanna Roling ’67, Nicholas Schreiner ’11
Silver Medal Honorees—John Drake ’64, Norbert Verville Sr. ’60
Honorary Alumni Award—John Dau
Saturday is devoted to reconnecting with the Copper Country with events such as the Keweenaw Alumni Chapter 5K Run/Walk for Scholarship, Outdoor Adventure Program Open High Ropes Course, a canoe trip on the Sturgeon River and more.
The Men’s Basketball Alumni Game takes place at 3 p.m. in the SDC Wood Gym and the Women of Tech Celebration is slated for 5 to 7 p.m. in the Great Lakes Research Center. A complete schedule of events is available online.
