The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association will host a "Callback" panel of theater and dance alumni for its next Northern Now digital series event on Wednesday, Jan. 12. The following panelists will provide insights on how their education at NMU prepared them for their careers in various areas of the industry, reminisce about projects they worked on during their time as students and share their plans for the future:

Christopher Friel, a 1987 graduate of Northern Michigan University's land use planning and management program, is the new director of client success for DATAMARK, the public safety geographic information systems (GIS) team of Michael Baker International.

Steve Young of Lansing is the new chair of the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees, effective Jan. 1. Alexis Hart of Royal Oak will serve as vice chair. The board held elections for the leadership positions at its Dec. 10 meeting. 

Northern Michigan University music education major Caitlin Palomaki of Marquette is serving as guest conductor for the Friday and Saturday performances of NMU Theatre and Dance's “Elf: The Musical.” She will lead the pit orchestra, subbing for music professor Erin Colwitz, who has a conflict directing the Marquette Choral Society concerts this weekend.