NMU alumnus Brad Paquette (BA 2009) stated that he accepted a challenge from students in his high school civics course to take his “active citizenship” to the next level. So he decided to run for office and was elected to serve the 78th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. His committee appointments include vice chair of the House Education Committee for the 2019-20 legislative term. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in political science and pre-law from NMU, Paquette earned a master’s in teaching from Andrews University and served as an educator at Niles High School in the New Tech program. The 78th District he represents encompasses portions of Berrien and Cass counties.

Fayette, a typeface created by NMU Art and Design alumna Mia Cinelli (BA '11) and inspired by her 2012 visit to the U.P. ghost town, recently received a Graphis Silver Award for Typeface Design and was published in Graphis Typography 4. Fayette was a typical 'boom town,’ smelting iron ore from the Marquette Iron Range from 1867-1891. When it was no longer profitable, the town was abandoned. While in a small museum at the historic site, Cinelli saw sheets of paper with diligent notes on the town’s finances and supplies, penned by an unnamed bank teller/accountant.

Northern Michigan University’s Forest Roberts Theatre will present a Spotlight Variety Show that will combine magic, comedy and circus-style acts. The show features the talents of juggler William Oltman, contemporary circus performer/aerial acrobat Aerial Ashley and the comedic magic act The Magic of Trino.

Northern Michigan University presents the Three Minute Thesis, or 3MT, competition. This annual competition is held at over 600 universities in more than 65 countries. It gives graduate students the opportunity to showcase their theses. Competitors will have one slide and three minutes to explain their original research in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. The top three competitors earn a cash prize and the graduate winner will win $500 and travel to the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools competition in St. Louis.

Northern Michigan University’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration is sponsoring local viewing of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan’s “Great Decisions” series. The weekly series addressing current American foreign policy issues runs every Tuesday, Feb. 5-March 26.