Northern Michigan University's Social Work Department will hold two events marking the 50th anniversary of its "unwavering dedication to social justice, community engagement and transformative education." A reception will take place from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Landmark Inn's Harbor Room. An open house on campus is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. in 2400 Jamrich Hall. Alumni, students, faculty and community partners are invited to honor the department's legacy and envision its future. 

The calendar shifted to 2025 a short time ago, but it has already been a “banner year” for Northern Michigan University assistant professor of education Kristen White. She co-authored “Teaching with Literacy Programs,” which received the 2025 Gloria J. Ladson-Billings Outstanding Book Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) last week. She also will be honored in March as the 2025 Michigan Reading Association Teacher Educator of the Year. It is an impressive start for a woman who said her only other award in life was “Student of the Week” in 10th grade.

Northern Michigan University alumna Anna Dravland's efforts to develop and expand Spread Goodness Day, an annual event that celebrates the “explosive and empowering” impacts of simple acts of goodness, inspired fellow NMU alumna and retired elementary teacher Sue Meier to coauthor a related children's book, The Goodness Garden. With support from generous donors, hundreds of free copies have been distributed to pre-kindergarten through second-grade classrooms in Michigan, Illinois and beyond in advance of this year's Spread Goodness Day celebration on March 14.

Northern Michigan University's automotive technology program has received a brand new 2023 Ford Escape to further assist students in gaining hands-on experience with modern vehicle systems and technology they are likely to encounter in their careers. The vehicle was donated by Fox Marquette and Ford Motor Company, which also stand to benefit from the career preparation NMU provides for their potential future workforce of automotive technicians.

Northern Michigan University invites incoming fall 2025 first-year students to apply for The Schultz Family Foundation First-Generation Empowerment Scholarship. The award, worth up to $15,000 per year for up to four years, is geared toward students whose parents or legal guardians have not completed a bachelor's degree. Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman emeritus and former CEO, was a first-generation NMU student who graduated with a degree in communications in 1975. He and his wife, Sheri Kersch-Schultz, established the scholarship as part of a $1 million gift to NMU through their foundation.