Reliable internet access is critical in today's world. This has been verified during the pandemic, with at least temporary shifts to virtual education and medical appointments. For two U.P. Community Action Agencies, Alger-Marquette and Gogebic-Ontonagon, the pandemic also revealed some community members they serve confronted barriers to securing internet access when it was needed most. They were able to address the issue with assistance from Northern Michigan University's Center for Rural Health and the NMU Educational Access Network through the Digital Divide program.

NMU management alumnus Brent Madalinski ('91 BS) was recently named a recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award from Bay College in Escanaba, where he serves as a full-time business instructor. The award recognizes commitment to education and excellence in service to others. Recipients are nominated by colleagues, students or community members.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations is hosting Fireside with Fritz: A Conversation with President Erickson at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, May 12. Alumni are invited to join President Erickson for a fireside chat as he shares campus updates, answers questions, and virtually connects with the Wildcat community.

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees presented its annual Student Achievement Awards in advance of the May 1 commencement. Recipients were: Sarah Kendall of Faribault, Minn., Outstanding Graduating Senior; Elizabeth Mansfield of Boyne Falls, Mich., Outstanding Graduating Senior; Lauren Rotundo of Marquette, Outstanding Student of Any Class; Logan Hartz of Rochester, Ind., Outstanding Non-Traditional Student; and Andrea Fox of Euclid, Ohio, Outstanding Global Campus Student.

Two Northern Michigan University entities are holding a virtual Walk for Justice throughout the month of May to raise awareness of what has been called “the silent epidemic” of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).