February 2021

Northern Michigan University's independent, student-produced newspaper, The North Wind, has launched a weekly podcast series. New episodes are released on Fridays. Each podcast features a news story, a feature and a sports story, which are also covered in The North Wind's digital paper.

Northern Michigan University alumna and Escanaba teacher Gina Pepin ('01 BS) has coauthored a book with Eric Litwin, New York Times best-selling author of "Pete the Cat." Their research- and theory-based publication is titled "The Power of Joyful Reading: Help Your Young Readers Soar to Success."

February is Career Technical Education (CTE) month, and the annual publication that details related opportunities in Marquette and Alger counties has transitioned from a print to a digital format in its seventh year. The online magazine includes descriptions and videos related to programs that prepare individuals for many of the country's most in-demand occupations.

Northern Michigan University alumnus Capt. Rudy Dambeck ('10 BS) became the first commissioned Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps) officer to receive the U.S. Army's prestigious Expert Soldier Badge.

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees approved an external auditing report regarding the WNMU-TV and WNMU-FM financial statements at a brief special meeting today. It also approved Chair Tami Seavoy's appointment of new Trustee Greg Seppanen to the following committees: Academic Affairs; and Ad Hoc Recruitment and Retention.

Northern Michigan University's WNMU-TV is among the state's six PBS stations launching the Michigan Learning Channel (MLC). Developed in partnership with leading educators and community leaders, the MLC delivers no-cost supplemental instructional programming to students, parents and teachers 24 hours each day, seven days a week.

Northern Michigan University Professor James McCommons will discuss his book, "Camera Hunter: George Shiras III and the Birth of Wildlife Photography," during a free webinar presented by The Nature Conservancy in Michigan. The virtual event is scheduled at noon on Friday, Feb. 19.

Northern Michigan University alumna Britta Carlson was one of eight finalists selected to pitch her visionary business concept in the Michigan Women Forward virtual WomenUP pitch competition held Feb. 4. Carlson is an Innovate Marquette SmartZone client. Her concept is Med Pros Share, an online marketplace for occupational, physical and speech therapists, as well as other licensed medical professionals.

Three women who have achieved success in Hollywood and beyond will participate in a free February virtual speaker series hosted by the Northern Michigan University chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theater honor society. They are: Tony Award-winning actress and renowned Disney singing voice Lea Salonga; Academy Award-winning Black Panther costume designer Ruth E. Carter; and Pixar Animation Studios' Danielle Feinberg.

Northern Michigan University Graduate Studies and Research will present its fourth annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition virtually at 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15.