November 2020

NMU will hold a virtual celebration honoring all 2020 graduates at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. The event will include messages from President Fritz Erickson, Board Chair Steve Mitchell, May 2020 graduate Cecilia Ruiz and student-selected faculty speaker Kia Jane Richmond of the English Department.  

NMU's Educational Access Network (EAN) has a firmly entrenched mission of providing broadband internet service through the university's high-speed LTE wireless network to learners of all ages across the Upper Peninsula. But with COVID-19, the EAN's existing technology also helped to prevent an Iron River call center from losing valuable employees whose home internet speeds couldn't handle the demands of working remotely.

The Northern Michigan University College of Business will host virtual presentations by Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate candidates at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Four graduating students will showcase a portfolio of five to six major projects that demonstrate their achievement of learning objectives. 

Northern Michigan University public relations professor and alumna Jes Thompson ('01 BS) has been named the 2020 recipient of the Western National Parks Association Steward L. Udall Award for her leadership on putting together the book America's Largest Classroom: What We Learn From Our National Parks.  

Northern Michigan University will adhere to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' executive order regarding higher education by switching to remote learning effective Wednesday, Nov. 18. Employees who can work remotely must begin to do so by the same date.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance is presenting its newly branded and re-imagined Fringe Festival titled “North x North Coast.” The virtual arts and culture festival will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 22. In addition to theater and dance performances, it will feature vocal and instrumental music, short films, 3D animation and art.

Northern Michigan University senior Emma Drever and her father Peter Drever ('93 BS) have both served as presidents of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University (ASNMU), the student government organization on campus. Emma is president now and Peter was 29 years ago. The father-daughter duo hails from Cook County, Ill.  

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University has received a Michigan Humanities Council grant of $13,226 for its upcoming exhibition titled “The Decolonization.” The project will tell the story of the Anishinaabeg Native American people of the Upper Peninsula through their personal experiences and perspectives. 

Northern Michigan University alumnus Mike Settles has "found his way home," returning to the Upper Peninsula and WNMU Public Media after a 24-year absence. He is the new producer and host of Media Meet, the Ask the... series featuring experts in such areas as law and medicine, and other local content.