February 2021

Northern Michigan University has announced the winners of its 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. NMU graduate students and McNair scholars presented their original research during the competition in only three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Each candidate was limited to one static PowerPoint slide.

Northern Michigan University Alumnus Travis Smith ('16 EDS) has been appointed to represent local school leaders on a Michigan student recovery council aimed at addressing student and teacher struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic response. He serves as principal of Cherry Creek Elementary School.

Northern Michigan University graduate student Olivia Wendorf was recently featured as the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children's (MIAEYC) student member of the month. She is pursuing a master's degree in early childhood education and is one of eight members representing NMU in Michigan's student chapter, which is the first student chapter in the United States.

The COVID-19 pandemic and a new puppy combined to inspire Northern Michigan University alumna Candi Werenka ('90 BS) to achieve a longtime goal: writing a children's book. She has published Coliola, Courageous COVID Canine: Courage is contagious....in a good way!

The Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives invites the public to visit a virtual Black History Month exhibit. It is also hosting a virtual presentation titled “Critical Information Literacy: Consciousness Raising and Social Justice in the Archives” from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Northern Michigan University's Health Center is preparing to administer COVID-19 vaccine doses when they become available. Northern does not know when doses will arrive, but will follow the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and CDC Guidelines when they do. Staff members and representatives of the university's COVID-19 response team met last week to coordinate efforts to communicate future availability, prioritize and schedule eligible groups, and plot the logistics of holding vaccine clinics in the Northern Center.

An NMU student from China is “studying abroad” in her home country this semester. Yaqing Li had rejoined her family last spring as concerns about COVID-19 intensified, and she has not been able to return to Marquette because of lingering travel bans. Through creative intervention by Northern and one of its study abroad partners, Li is able to maintain her immigration status and continue as an NMU student while enrolled at a prestigious university that most Chinese students would not typically have an opportunity to attend.

Northern Michigan University alumna Jennifer Whittet (BS '98) has become the first woman to hold the rank of deputy chief in the Daytona Beach Police Department. She is also only the second woman to reach that rank in the Seventh Judicial Circuit that includes four counties.

Northern Michigan University has successfully completed its mid-cycle assurance review by its institutional accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission. NMU met all 18 core components with no required follow-up monitoring. The next steps are to begin work on a quality initiative project, and to prepare for the comprehensive evaluation required to reaffirm accreditation at the end of the current cycle in 2026-27.

Northern Michigan University is hosting a Grief Education Speaker Series. The free event is open to the public and will feature virtual presentations from three nationally recognized experts on the topic.