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Imperfections made the universe—and us, LTU Commencement speaker says

May 6, 2023

SOUTHFIELD—The universe began in a blinding flash of light as matter and antimatter collided, a renowned cosmologist told hundreds of Lawrence Technological University students at their Commencement Saturday. But thanks to a relatively tiny bit of leftover matter and its imperfections, the universe we now see—including us—evolved.

Thus, cosmologist and author Janna Levin told graduates and their families, imperfection can be useful, even crucial, thing. A perfect, flawless, exactly symmetrical universe couldn’t make stars—or, eventually, Earth and living things.

“The universe is not flawless or perfectly symmetrical,” she said. “Each of us is the product of spectacular imperfections…each of us is made of the same stuff.” And she urged graduates to resist putting too much stock in material wealth, since “the Earth’s resources are only borrowed from the cosmos.” Gold itself, she said, can only form in the collision of two neutron stars.

Levin is a professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She earned a Ph.D. from MIT in physics. Her latest book, “Black Hole Survival Guide,” offers an easily understandable look at “one of the oddest and most intriguing topics in astrophysics,” according to Kirkus Reviews.

Graduates basked in spring sunshine with their families and friends after both the 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ceremonies.

At the 10 a.m. Commencement for the LTU Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, and Business and Information Technology, along with the media arts and design program Specs@LTU,  the university presented its Alumni Achievement Award to Daniel Johnson, a 1976 graduate in physics and mathematics and computer science, who is now a top engineer at Northrop Grumman. Johnson told the graduates to dream big, to write down their dreams and goals on paper, and “tackle the most impossible one first.”

At the 1:30 p.m. ceremony, for the LTU College of Engineeirng, LTU presented the award to Steve Gamache, vice president of engineering at Lear Corp., who earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from LTU in 1992. Gamache left the graduates with three points. “First, as you leave here, dream big, have a big goal, have a big aspiration, and keep thinking about it,” he said. “Second, you’re going to have to work hard … but you’ve already proven you can work hard” by graduating from LTU. Finally, he said, “use the LTU network. This is an amazing university…it has an incredible network of alumni, not just in Michigan, but all over the world.”

LTU President Tarek Sobh reminded the graduates that they’re entering an exclusive club, LTU’s 40,000-plus living alumni, who have made major contributions to space exploration, energy, transportation, architecture, the arts, and more.

Lawrence Technological University, www.ltu.edu, is one of only 13 private, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932, and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, and Engineering. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best in the Midwest colleges. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.

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Use Your Cell Phone as a Document Camera in Zoom

  • What you will need to have and do
  • Download the mobile Zoom app (either App Store or Google Play)
  • Have your phone plugged in
  • Set up video stand phone holder

From Computer

Log in and start your Zoom session with participants

From Phone

  • Start the Zoom session on your phone app (suggest setting your phone to “Do not disturb” since your phone screen will be seen in Zoom)
  • Type in the Meeting ID and Join
  • Do not use phone audio option to avoid feedback
  • Select “share content” and “screen” to share your cell phone’s screen in your Zoom session
  • Select “start broadcast” from Zoom app. The home screen of your cell phone is now being shared with your participants.

To use your cell phone as a makeshift document camera

  • Open (swipe to switch apps) and select the camera app on your phone
  • Start in photo mode and aim the camera at whatever materials you would like to share
  • This is where you will have to position what you want to share to get the best view – but you will see ‘how you are doing’ in the main Zoom session.