Northern Michigan University’s Forest Roberts Theatre will present a modified performance of its world-premiere ballet East of the Sun, West of the Moon aimed at children and adults who are either on the autism spectrum or have sensory issues. The goal is to preserve the entertainment value of the show so families can enjoy it together while also creating a supportive environment. The performance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. Free admission for those with sensory issues is made possible through private donor support.

NMU alumnus Patrick Crowley ('97 BS) will serve as the chief public defender for the new Marquette County Public Defender's Office, which was developed to meet standards recently put in place by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission. His official start date is Feb. 4. Crowley attended the University of Dayton Law School and has practiced law since 2003, most recently at a Lansing-area firm. He has experience defending charges ranging from misdemeanors to high-level felonies and capital offenses.

“Understanding Social Motivation in Autism” is the topic of the next presentation in the Your Health Lecture Series at Northern Michigan University. Barbara Thompson of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine will be the presenter. Attendees will learn about the brain mechanisms involved in social motivation, gain awareness of individual differences in social behaviors and recognize the need for individualized interventions for disorders of social behaviors. The lecture will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Admission is free.

More than 300 donor-funded scholarships are available at NMU through the generous financial support of alumni, faculty/staff and friends of the university. The application system will be open Monday, Jan. 28, through Monday, Feb. 18. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently appointed two NMU alumni to posts in her administration. Mark Burton (’99 BS) is her chief strategist. Capt. Joe Gasper (‘97 BA) is the new director of the Michigan State Police.