Ask the Dean is a weekly column by MTU’s Dean of Students, Dr. Wallace Southerland III, where students can submit questions for him to answer. To submit a question, email mtulode@mtu.edu

Q: “What Winter Carnival traditions are you most looking forward to?”

Dear Huskies,

Where has time gone? It’s already Carni time. This year’s Carni will be my second and I’m really excited about it. I am getting myself ready mentally. Since returning from winter break, Winter Carnival is one of the biggest university events I’ve been looking forward to.

Driving down College Avenue watching students work on their ice sculptures has been a beautiful site. Seeing students’ commitment to their winter craft during some of the coldest temperatures of the year has been inspiring.

As the vice president for student affairs and dean of students, I get a lot of “inside information” about Carni, so I’ve been planning my “to do” list for a while. Obviously, like most people, the ice sculpture tradition is high on my list, but that’s to be expected. I am really looking forward to the following traditions:

1. Stage Revue. Tech students are not only brilliant, but they are also funny and creative. I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s talent.
2. Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride. Mrs. Dean of Huskies will be at this year’s Carni as well and I would love to have a romantic sleigh ride with the Mrs.
3. Torch-light Parade and Fireworks. Last year, I thought this was a beautiful event watching the torches snake their way down Mont Ripley followed by fireworks.
4. Fun. I am looking forward to watching Huskies just have fun with each other and celebrate our winter achievements.

In closing, I will do what I did last year: walk around interacting with students, supporting as many events as I can, watching students dance the night away, enjoying pancakes, sampling hot chocolate and chili, watching Broomball series, and, of course, taking selfies with students.

This is the Year of Kindness at Tech. I want students to HuskyUP and “connect on a deeper level,” have fun, and make safe and healthy decisions.

With kindness and gratitude,

Dr. S.

VP and Dean of Huskies

HuskyUP! All day. Everyday.^©

Dear Huskies,

I think it’s safe to say that embracing the winters is almost a requirement at Michigan Tech. But I also recognize that some may struggle with what sometimes feels like unforgiving and brutally cold temperatures that blanket the Upper Peninsula. Growing up in Washington, D.C., going to college in Connecticut, and living in Illinois, I’ve become quite accustomed to cold weather. But there is something unique about the cold in the UP, so below are some tips for the cold weather.

1. Plan well. Pay attention to weather forecasts but take them with a big grain of salt because, it seems, that no one really knows how frigid the weather will be until it happens. Make sure you have a reliable weather app. If you travel to remote areas, make sure you have an emergency communication plan so we can find you if you get lost.
2. Eat and drink well. To maintain good energy and nutritional health, it’s important to stay hydrated and healthy. Make sure you have healthy and hot meals and drinks daily. Keep healthy snacks with you to nibble on throughout the day. If you’re not eating and drinking well, you will not have the energy to enjoy the plethora of winter activities available to you.
3. Dress well. I remember being told by an alum when I moved here that “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Get your gear straight from head-to-toe: warm hat, warm earmuffs, scarf, proper coats and jackets, proper pants (joggers and leggings don’t really count but they look cool), thick socks, and appropriate shoes or boots. You can avoid hypothermia and, possibly, colds and flus by dressing well for cold weather.
4. Play well. The beauty of winters in the UP is that you can visit ice caves, climb walls of ice, ski slopes, ice fish, snowmobile, play broomball, play hockey, and so on. But choose activities that may be challenging but not excessively dangerous.
5. Be well. Cold weather can be dangerous to those with some pre-existing health conditions. Make sure your physician clears you for potentially dangerous winter activities. Be sure to manage your medications as well.

Cold weather can be dangerous, so it’s important that you Husky UP and stay safe and warm out there.

Kindest regards,

Dr. S.

VP and Dean of Huskies

Husky UP! All day. Everyday.©

Dear Huskies,

This is a tough one. I’ve never really thought about my favorite time of day. But I would have to say that “evening time” is my favorite time of day for a few reasons.

Firstly, and the most important reason, is that evening time is my time, and it belongs to me for the most part. Daytime is pretty much devoted to Michigan Tech and the state of Michigan since I am a state employee. During the day, I am focused on putting in a productive, honest, and honorable workday working on projects and initiatives and attending a plethora of meetings – all devoted to improving the student experience and student success.

Secondly, evening time allows me to do what I enjoy: seeing a movie, going out to dinner, “hanging out” with students at student events, catching a performance at the Rozsa, spending time with friends, or relaxing with family. Once evening time comes, I am not as “on edge” or as restricted with my time so I can branch out and have different experiences that bring me joy.

Thirdly, evening time allows me to catch-up on binge-watching a favorite show if I want to. Recently, for example, I have been binge-watching the classic “Law and Order” series and the “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay” cooking shows. I just finished binge-watching “Jack Ryan” and started “The Hunters II.” I can even catch-up on some news if I want something more serious.

Fourthly, evening time is also a good time to take care of personal matters such as working out (I need to get back on top of this!), sorting mail (which is piling up), paying bills (which is frustrating), or experimenting with a new healthy recipe. During the summertime, I take longer brisk walks to enjoy the Houghton waterfront and maintain heart-health.

In closing, whatever your favorite time of day is, just “HuskyUP!” and make it count. Find and do joy in this Year of Kindness at Michigan Tech.

Kindest regards,

Dr. S.

The VP and Dean of Huskies

HuskyUP! All day. Every day.©

Ask the Dean is a weekly column by MTU’s Dean of Students, Dr. Wallace Southerland III, where students can submit questions for him to answer. To submit a question, email lodesubmit@mtu.edu

Q: “What are you most lookig forward to in the spring semester?”

Dear Huskies:

Happy New Year! I hope your winter break was relaxing, reflective, and rejuvenating. Welcome back to another exciting semester at Husky Headquarters. I wonder if you were one of the students I called randomly on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? I am looking forward to some good (and odd) questions this semester.

Okay, so, people probably think I’m going to say that I am most looking forward to “Winter Carni” this semester. Nope! While it is true that I am, indeed, looking forward to my second Winter Carnival and all the good food that I hope will be there (e.g., Army ROTC and AFROTC pancake and waffle competition that I’m judging), that’s not my answer. Or you might think that I am most looking forward to April’s commencement so I can HuskyUP and get out of here for a short vacation. Nope, that’s not it either.

Tech’s Division of Student Affairs is making 2023 “The Year of Kindness at Michigan Tech.” So, what I am most looking forward to is watching, hearing about, and learning about all the ways we will be kind to each other at Tech. It is true that we should be kind to ourselves and each other every day and every year and not brag about it — yada, yada, yada. But this year, we will intentionally, unapologetically, and unabashedly promote, celebrate, recognize, talk about, teach about, and model kindness to ourselves and each other all…year…long.

During this Year of Kindness, we want to teach and celebrate that “HuskyUP” means: kindness, civility, respect, listening, family, community, belonging, and caring. We have free posters if people want any of these or people can get them in a pack of eight – all for FREE! Contact deanofstudents@mtu.edu.

So, Huskies, if you haven’t really thought about being kind to yourself or to others, this is a great time to start. Stay tuned for more information throughout the year.

Kindest regards,

Dr. S.

The VP and Dean of Huskies

Ask the Dean is a weekly column by MTU’s Dean of Students, Dr. Wallace Southerland III, where students can submit questions for him to answer. To submit a question, email lodesubmit@mtu.edu

“Do you have a favorite recipe you would be willing to share?”

Reluctantly, I’ll share a recipe for my famous “Hoppin’ John” which is often a hit at potlucks, parties, and family events. Hoppin’ John is a delicious southern-inspired cultural dish that can be made a few ways. Just google the dish and you’ll see what I mean. My recipe is not written down (until now!) and is not made like what you’ll see online. I just know it, do it, and enjoy it. Here goes:

1.     Soak 1lb of black-eyed peas for about 6-8 hours or overnight then rinse. Put in a big ol’ pot. I prefer a crock pot so it can slow cook all day or overnight.

2.     Put a giant smoked turkey drumstick (or pieces) in the pot with the peas and cover with a lot of water (maybe 6-8 cups) which creates a delicious broth.

3.     Slow cook on “low” overnight so your soul smells the aroma through the night or cook while at work or out for the day. Then, after it’s all done:

4.     Optional: Pull that turkey off the bone and mix that meat into the pot. Watch the thin bones.

5.     Optional: Cook a 1lb of spicy ground sausage (my choice!) or turkey – remove the oil.

6.     Chop about 1 white onion.

7.     Chop 1 green pepper.

8.     Chop 2-3 stalks of celery.

9.     Use 2-3 heaping tablespoons of minced garlic or use a little fresh garlic.

10. Sautee’ items 6-9 until the aroma makes you salivate. Do not overcook. Mix all of it in pan with item 5 for that extra aroma and seasoning. Now dump that into the black-eyed peas and mix well. Smell.

11. Optional: Add a few splashes of hot sauce.

12. Optional: Add cooked Kale or cook the Kale with the peas.

13. Optional: Skip the meat and use shrimp or crab or tilapia or all three. I call this my “Eastern Shore Hoppin’ John.” If you do this, add Old Bay seasoning to taste.

I prefer juicy texture but not soupy. Add over rice or mash potatoes or cornbread. HuskyUP and enjoy. I’ll let y’all know the next time I make some because winter is coming.

Dr. S.

HuskyUP. All day. Everyday.

Awoooo!

Ask the Dean is a weekly column by MTU’s Dean of Students, Dr. Wallace Southerland III, where students can submit questions for him to answer. To submit a question, email lodesubmit@mtu.edu

Q:”What advice do you have for MTU students dealing with burnout?” 

October is mental health awareness month, so this is timely. Burnout is real! The dictionary defines burnout as “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” Burnout can happen to any student: those struggling and not struggling, the best and the brightest, undergraduate and graduate, full-time and part-time, residential and commuter, traditional-age and contemporary-age, the minority and the majority, and others.

What can cause students to burnout? A lot of things such as poor time management, family, relationships, workplace, volunteering, raising children, taking care of loved ones, juggling competing academic and non-academic responsibilities, travelling, etc. – and I have seen it all. But you know what else can cause burnout?: trying to please people, worrying about making others happy, or trying to be something or someone you are not.

Huskies, you DO NOT have to suffer from burnout unless you have health conditions beyond your control. I believe that burnout is often the result of the choices we make. My best advice for MTU students dealing with burnout is to STAND…IN…YOUR…TRUTH! As you stand in your truth, “HuskyUP!©” and DO the following:

1. Accept your limitations as a human being. You do not NEED an “A” in everything. You do not need to be perfect at everything. You cannot please everybody.

1. Embrace your faith or spiritual practices that keep you grounded and healthy.

1. Terminate relationships that no longer add value to your life.

1. Listen to music that inspires you and speaks to your soul.

1. Do things that make YOU happy and STOP apologizing for it.

1. Manage and structure your time so you complete essential tasks first.

1. Manage your medication if you take any.

1. Meditate.

1. Embrace saying “no.”

1. Live well. Recharge well. Connect well. Play well.

Tech’s and society’s current realities are such that students can no longer rely solely on clinical therapy to deal with burnout. You will need to become more resilient, self-reliant, and creative as you make your health a priority. Embracing these lessons now will help you in the future.

Dr. S.

Dean of Huskies

Ask the Dean is a weekly column by MTU’s Dean of Students, Dr. Wallace Southerland III, where students can submit questions for him to answer. To submit a question, email lodesubmit@mtu.edu

Q:”What advice do you have for MTU students dealing with burnout?” 

October is mental health awareness month, so this is timely. Burnout is real! The dictionary defines burnout as “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” Burnout can happen to any student: those struggling and not struggling, the best and the brightest, undergraduate and graduate, full-time and part-time, residential and commuter, traditional-age and contemporary-age, the minority and the majority, and others.

What can cause students to burnout? A lot of things such as poor time management, family, relationships, workplace, volunteering, raising children, taking care of loved ones, juggling competing academic and non-academic responsibilities, travelling, etc. – and I have seen it all. But you know what else can cause burnout?: trying to please people, worrying about making others happy, or trying to be something or someone you are not.

Huskies, you DO NOT have to suffer from burnout unless you have health conditions beyond your control. I believe that burnout is often the result of the choices we make. My best advice for MTU students dealing with burnout is to STAND…IN…YOUR…TRUTH! As you stand in your truth, “HuskyUP!©” and DO the following:

1. Accept your limitations as a human being. You do not NEED an “A” in everything. You do not need to be perfect at everything. You cannot please everybody.

1. Embrace your faith or spiritual practices that keep you grounded and healthy.

1. Terminate relationships that no longer add value to your life.

1. Listen to music that inspires you and speaks to your soul.

1. Do things that make YOU happy and STOP apologizing for it.

1. Manage and structure your time so you complete essential tasks first.

1. Manage your medication if you take any.

1. Meditate.

1. Embrace saying “no.”

1. Live well. Recharge well. Connect well. Play well.

Tech’s and society’s current realities are such that students can no longer rely solely on clinical therapy to deal with burnout. You will need to become more resilient, self-reliant, and creative as you make your health a priority. Embracing these lessons now will help you in the future.

Dr. S.

Dean of Huskies

Ask the Dean is a weekly column by MTU’s Dean of Students, Dr. Wallace Southerland III, where students can submit questions for him to answer. To submit a question, email lodesubmit@mtu.edu

Q: “What are some ways MTU can support students as the student body population increases, especially in regard to housing?”

Now this is a serious question. It is true that Michigan Tech’s strategic and master plans include increasing enrollment to 10,000 students by 2035. We are already at a little more than 7,000. I support this growth and it shows that Tech is in demand.

Tech is an exceptional technological flagship university, and we will be even more exceptional as we pursue our 2035 goals. The university community will learn more about our plans soon, but below are some thoughts about how MTU can support students as our population increases, especially in housing area. Here goes:

1.     Build a new housing facility to house more students on campus, including transfer students
2.     Show more love to first-year transfer students
3.     Offer more guidance to students living off-campus so they’re not taken advantage of
4.     Offer more campus cultural educational experiences that celebrate contributions of U.S. “minority” populations
5.     Focus even more on career readiness and professional development services – we want Huskies to get AND keep those great jobs
6.     Make prevention and resilience the centerpiece of health and well-being services
7.     Raise money to offer “finish line” scholarships to students who need that extra boost to get across the graduation finish line
8.     Raise money to offer more study away and abroad experiences to students so y’all can actually see the world you’re expected to improve  
9.     Eliminate food insecurity among students – completely

And the 10th and most important thing we will do as more students come to Tech: tighten up our wrap-around support services and remove barriers that unnecessarily slow down progress toward degree or program completion. We can and will do a lot more, but this list is certainly a great place for us to start.

HuskyUP!

Dr. S.

Dean of Huskies

According to the H-STEM website, the new facility will focus on “the application of science, technology, engineering, and math to improve human health and quality of life.” The project will also “permit teams of researchers and students from Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Cognitive and Learning Sciences, Computer Science, and Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology to work together in collaborative spaces with shared equipment.”

I am not sure if “changes” is the best word, but I am hoping for a few things with the construction of the new H-STEM building. For example:

 A problem-solving engine. The world’s problems are incredibly complex, and we need our best minds to come together to find grand solutions to grand problems. The H-STEM building will probably be a “laboratory” for interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinarity scholars and scientists to tackle and unpack global challenges to the human condition. Students should be working alongside researchers so they can learn methods that will enable them to leave Tech and solve problems.

A discovery engine. The new H-STEM building could also provide space for community and statewide practitioners to come together to hear and learn about the latest Tech discoveries that will serve as the fiery engine that fuels positive social change within our region and throughout Michigan. The H-STEM facility could be another bridge of hope and possibility between Tech and the state of Michigan…and the world.

A symbol of collaborative excellence. Michigan Tech is a STEM-focused university. We get it. We also have students interested in jazz studies, English, American Studies, Anthropology, art, automotive systems, accounting, diversity studies, communications, languages, journalism, leadership, and other non-STEM disciplines – all of which also make Tech an exceptional university. I would love it if the new facility was a model of intentional collaborative excellence between STEM and non-STEM disciplines. Probably won’t be easy, but what a dream!