Northern Michigan University's Technical and Office Professionals union (UAW 1950) has ratified a one-year contract extension, with 96% support among those who cast virtual ballots on Monday.

The new NMU Center for Rural Health has received a $100,000 federal development grant that will focus on diabetes prevention and treatment, as well as access to emergency medical services, across much of the Upper Peninsula. It also has its first director. Elise Bur of Marquette has most recently served as administrative director of Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center.

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University has announced its 2020 Upper Peninsula Folklife Awardees: musician Randy Seppala of Watton; folklorist Yvonne Lockwood, an Ironwood native who resides in Chelsea; and woodcarver Peter "Pekka" Olson of Chassell. The awards will be presented on Friday, Nov. 6, at NMU's Sonderegger Symposium. 

Cindy Steele, who attended Northern from 1986-88, played a role in the historic SpaceX launch to the International Space Station. As chief of NASA's Public Engagement Division, she coordinated the logistics of VIPs at the launch site.

NMU alumnus and former Wildcat basketball player Rod Coe ('58 BS) traveled extensively over his 26-year career with World Book Encyclopedia, before retiring as an executive vice president. His job put him in contact with NBA legend Bob Cousy, Mount Everest climber Sir Edmund Hillary, “Mercury Seven” astronauts, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and others. Coe later formed an RV tour company. At 83, he continues to share his enthusiasm for travel, along with the knowledge gleaned from actually reading the encylopedias he sold.