Students in Marika Seigel’s HU3629 Grant Writing course have begun the long process of seeking funding for various local organizations and businesses. The class not only details the grant writing process with class readings and exercises, but also offers the students a unique opportunity to get real life job experience.
Community members who needed help from the class presented their ideas, projects, and goals to the students.
The students, in groups, chose who they want to work for, and will be collecting data, budgeting, doing literature reviews and research, and applying for grants on behalf of the client.
At the end of the semester the groups will have written actual grant proposals, intended for submission to foundations.
Local clients include: BHK Child Development Center, HERCULES (Husky Emergency Response Coalition Under Law Enforcement Supervision), KBIC Ojibwa Language Preservation, Copper Harbor Trails Club, Finlandia University’s Fiber and Design program, K-SNAG, and PANK magazine.
With the help of students from this course, two years ago the Copper Country Humane Society was successfully granted money for its spay and neuter program.
The grant, which is renewable, is still a huge asset for the Humane Society. Marika hopes to see more organizations get funding this year.
“The groups this semester are very local and self contained; I’m hoping to see some positive results,” she says. If the groups do not get successful funding, their work will still be greatly appreciated by the organizations.
“The companies can still use the proposals the students have written for future grant applications,” says Marika. “This is a great opportunity for students to get experience working with the real world, which can be trickier than classroom work, and polish their technical writing skills. It’s really great to be able to help out the business – and our community.”

The Huskies are pleased with their 3-0 record so far, but conference play brings new challenges, and Michigan Tech faces a tough opponent right away in Wayne State. The Warriors are 1-3 overall, but the losses were against tough non-conference opponents and the win came against nationally recognized Northern Kentucky, who Michigan Tech knocked off last year, propelling their Cinderella-like run to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

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On Friday November 13th, 2009 the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts hosted Michigan Tech’s Superior Wind Symphony and the Jeffers High School Band. The Jeffers High School Band, directed by Emily Raffaelli, started the show with “Black Tower,” and “Si Trocadero.” They also played familiar crowd pleasers “Danny Boy,” “Symphony in E Minor” by Dvorak, and “Music of the Night” from The Phantom of the Opera.
Superior Wind Symphony, conducted by Nicholas Enz, played after a brief intermission. They played “Tico Tico,” “Prelude, Opus 34, No. 14,” and “Incantation and Dance.” Then renowned guitarist and Michigan Tech Alumnus Pat Valencia joined them on stage. Pat’s classical guitar playing was the feature of “Sunburst.” He then played electric guitar in “Chaos Theory.” This song featured a five minute solo from Pat. “Superior Winds should be honored to feature such skillful guitar playing. Pat Valencia is the man,” said Josh Mayo, Recording Engineer. Pat provides Suzuki Classical Guitar instruction and has a studio on the campus of Finlandia University.
Jeffers High School Band joined Superior Winds on stage to finish the night with two more songs. They played “Malaguena,” a Latin song whose melody can be heard in the “Zorro” soundtrack. The combined bands ended with the John Philip Sousa classic “Semper Fidelis,” which Emily Raffaelli conducted. The performance received a warm reception from an enthusiastic crowd, and was a great way to kick off the weekend.

Last Saturday, Michigan Tech’s Baseball Club challenged Division III Finlandia University to a double header at the Houghton County Fairgrounds. Tech lost both games (11-1, 11-7), but the team has seen significant growth. Check out the Lode’s feature on the Club at mtulode.com, from our Oct. 1 issue. For more info on the club, visit their website: http://tinyurl.com/yzhj5df
Photo by Antti Knutas

The Michigan Tech baseball club has come a great distance since last year, when it was just “8-12 people” showing up every week to toss “a ball around in the gym.” According to club president and player Ben Meemken, “with recruiting efforts” there are now 25 members practicing twice a week. The club has joined the National Club Baseball Association, NCBA (www.clubbaseball.org.

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A tradition in the Copper Country since 1999, Heikinpäivä is a Finnish holiday that celebrates the halfway mark of winter. The holiday most notably celebrates the death of Saint Henrik, the patron saint of Finland. Legend tells that Bishop Henrik was murdered by Lalli, a wealthy convert, during the year of 1156 when Bishop Henrik was on a missionary trip. During his journey, the Bishop stopped at Lalli’s house looking for refreshment but met only his wife. Lalli’s wife was hesitant to give him food, but the Bishop reminded her that custom dictated she must give him provisions. After the Bishop finished his meal, he thanked Lalli’s wife and paid her for her food. When Lalli arrived back home, he discovered the Bishop had eaten at his table but was not told the Bishop had paid for his meal. Enraged, he followed the Bishop and murdered him on Köyliö Lake, which was frozen over during the winter months (pasty.com).

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Winter break was far from boring for Michigan Tech women’s basketball. Seven wins and one loss bolstered the ladies to a 10-2 overall record while they remain undefeated, 8-0, in conference.

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Away for the weekend, the Michigan Tech women’s basketball team came away with some impressive wins. Thursday night opened the conference season in Detroit, Mich., where three Huskies came out with double digit point totals, and Katie Wysocky came away with a double double in 16 points and 13 rebounds. Notable point scorers were Danae Danen (18), Katie Zimmerman (12) and Sarah Stream (11).

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The Michigan Tech men’s basketball team played their first home series last weekend on Nov. 21 and 23 against Alma College and the University of Minnesota–Duluth. The squad went 1-1 at home, first taking on Alma College on Friday night.

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Much focus after the election has been on the national level and on controversial statewide proposals, but there are other decisions that were made on a local level that will certainly impact people.

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