Dedication ceremonies are scheduled in September for two new enhancements to Northern’s campus landscape: the Paul L. Lang Jr. Memorial Garden and the bronze Wildcat statue. Both projects were made possible through the generous support of private donors.

NMU President Fritz Erickson will deliver his fall convocation at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, in Jamrich Hall 1100. Provost Kerri Schuiling will host the convocation and Alec Lindsay, chair of Academic Senate, will present opening remarks and introduce the president. Fritz and Jan Erickson will host a reception following the program at 5 p.m. in the adjacent lounge area. Attendees are asked to bring a canned good for the NMU Food Pantry.

Gary Bertoline ('74 BS) has been appointed to the Conexus Indiana board of directors, which guides efforts to promote and grow the state's advanced manufacturing and logistics economy through innovative collaborations. He is dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute and distinguished professor of Computer Graphics Technology and Computer & Information Technology at Purdue University.

Brant Kucera (2000 MPA) has been named the new city administrator for Ashland, Wis. He is scheduled to assume those duties on Monday, Aug. 27. Kucera previously served as city manager for the Oregon municipalities of Sisters and Cannon Beach, and for Gladstone, Mich. from 2005-08, according to his LinkedIn profile.