Northern Michigan University's Heidi Blanck and Kathy Richards personify the success women can achieve in the construction, engineering, design and trades industries. Blanck is an associate professor in NMU's construction management program. Richards is associate vice president for Engineering and Planning/Facilities. Each gave a recent presentation encouraging other women to explore related career opportunities as part of the Build Initiative's “Project Accelerate” program.

NMU alumna Tanya Rule of Atlantic Mine is one of eight new members appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Public Health Advisory Council. Rule serves as environmental health director for the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department. She will share her expertise with the council for a term expiring Nov. 1, 2021.

Three former Northern Michigan University basketball teammates—Naba Echols, Isaiah Johnson and Kenton Mack—have co-founded Athletes Igniting Action, a movement that empowers athletes to collectively use their voices and votes to battle racial and social injustices.

Tami Seavoy of Marquette will serve as chair of the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees for calendar year 2021. Steve Young of Lansing will be vice chair. The board held elections for the leadership positions at its Dec. 11 meeting.

Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson was invited to give a presentation on NMU's fall semester response to the pandemic during a statewide COVID-19 community response meeting convened Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.