Alumnus Finds True Calling as Fishing Guide

Ermatinger (right) with a client and her catch.
Aug. 4, 2023 —
NMU alumnus Alex Ermatinger graduated in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in environmental science and biology. After a few years working in chemical engineering and then pharmaceutical research, he realized that his true calling was to be a fishing guide. He had grown up fishing for salmon and steelhead in the northern Lower Peninsula. Ermatinger returns to the area to help clients chase the same species during their annual migration from Lake Michigan into rivers along the west coast of the state.

Students Gain TV News Experience

'Public Eye News' at WNMU-TV
Aug. 3, 2023 —
Northern Michigan University multimedia journalism students have abundant opportunities for TV news internships and employment, with four commercial stations in the local market. The public television station on campus also broadcasts the student-led production Public Eye News (PEN), which introduces them to the diverse skills required for the industry.

NMU Responds Proactively to AI

NMU Instructional Technologist Scott Smith
Aug. 3, 2023 —
The rapid proliferation of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), which creates new content from existing data almost instantaneously, is transforming the educational landscape. Some are eagerly embracing AI as a powerful tool that will make learning more personalized and accessible, and provide-data driven insights for educators. Others are concerned it will increase academic dishonesty, generate biased and false information, and adversely impact security and employment. Northern Michigan University is taking proactive steps to ensure that it is incorporated responsibly and effectively.

Campus Closeup: Mark Shevy

Mark and Cheri Shevy
Aug. 3, 2023 —
While Mark Shevy has been a professor of mass communication and media production at NMU since 2007, people still don't agree on his name. Students in his classes usually call him “Dr. Shevy" or "Professor Shevy.” But he has been told that more people may know him as “Zumba Mark” because he enthusiastically instructs the trademark fitness classes that combine cardio with Latin-inspired dance. Students in Radio X and Marquette Ending Hunger—two organizations he advises—just call him “Mark.” Now Shevy has added a new title before his name: department head.