Many U.S. universities have shifted from face-to-face instruction to online platforms in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The conversion can be more challenging for labs and performance classes that don't lend themselves well to written material or slide presentation software. Some faculty members, including NMU Director of Dance Jill Grundstrom, are exploring innovative ways to engage students in a virtual environment.

NMU alumna Melissa (Missie) Holmquist, president and CEO of Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) in Marquette, has been appointed secretary of the Medicaid Health Plans Board of Directors. She is also one of Crain's Detroit Business' 2020 Notable Women in Health.

Northern Michigan University's Forest Roberts Theatre will postpone its production of Cats and cancel its summer North Coast Theatre Festival in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Northern Michigan University director of theater William Digneit received the Dr. Dawn Gallup Honor Recipient Award on March 5 from the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children. Digneit was honored for his efforts to create sensory-friendly productions of shows produced by the NMU Theatre and Dance department in partnership with the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) in New York City.

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation announced March 9 that its 2020 Legend of College Hockey recipient is Rick Comley, the first and longest-serving head coach of NMU's program. He spent 26 years behind the Wildcat bench and guided NMU to the 1991 NCAA Division I Championship. The rink in the Berry Events Center is named in his honor.