September 2018

“Reach or throw; don’t go.” NMU alumna and former Wildcat swimmer Shawn Robinson-Sobczak (’98 BS) routinely recites that phrase when she leads swim lessons or serves as a lifeguard instructor. When someone is in distress and it’s not possible to extend a hand to pull the swimmer to safety or throw something that floats, bystanders should not risk their own lives by entering the water. But Robinson-Sobczak has also been a certified lifeguard for 34 years.

Northern Michigan University held a community-wide ice cream social as part of Homecoming week on Sept. 18. There was a good turnout of students, faculty, staff and Marquette-area residents, despite the drop in temperature from previous days. Fritz and Jan Erickson assisted Dining Services staff in serving up waffle cones and bowls with scoops of vanilla or mint Mackinac Island fudge. The event also featured Double Trouble DJs music, large lawn games and bounce houses.

Northern held a dedication ceremony for the new Paul L. Lang Jr. Garden on Sept. 14. Mona Lang of Marquette honored her late husband, who served as NMU’s provost, by contributing the lead gift to establish and maintain a perennial flower garden on the academic mall. She and their daughter, MacKenzie, attended the dedication.

An Atlanta TV station featured NMU Criminal Justice Professor Charlie Mesloh in an investigative report on a K9 attack in Roswell. The dog refused to let go of a teen suspect despite more than 20 commands from his handler. Mesloh, a former police officer and K9 handler, analyzed the dashcam video of the incident frame by frame and says the dog should have been removed from service for remedial training. See the full report here.