April 2021

Northern Michigan University junior Bazile Panek won NMU's 2021 New Business Venture Competition for both his written plan and his presentation in the Big Pitch competition for his proposed business, Niim, which will market socks adorned with traditional Indigenous designs created by Native Americans. Freshman Jimmy Flom won the crowd favorite award at the Big Pitch for his proposal, The Burger Boat.

Northern Michigan University junior Bazile Panek will serve as the student keynote speaker at the third Shifting Seasons Summit hosted by the College of Menominee Nation—Sustainable Development Institute. He will present alongside three well-known Indigenous scholars and activists during the April 19-21 virtual summit, which promotes sharing adaptation and resilience knowledge across Indigenous communities.

Northern Michigan University student Jakob Lippert of Green Bay finished 2nd in individual scoring among 128 players at the Intercollegiate Championship Tournament, the premier national quiz bowl event at the collegiate level. He was a member of NMU's team, which defeated squads from Harvard, Amherst, Tufts and other universities en route to a 15th place finish among 31 teams. Lippert averaged 66 points per game for the tourney.

Northern Michigan University's quiz bowl team recently competed in the Intercollegiate Championship Tournament, the premier national event at the collegiate level. It defeated squads from Harvard, Amherst, Tufts, Boise State and Santa Fe en route to a 5-6 record. The team finished 15th among 31 teams. NMU's Jakob Lippert placed 2nd in individual scoring out of 128 total players, averaging 66 points per game. 

Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson held a virtual forum this afternoon to provide a COVID-19 update and confirm that NMU is “still on track” for a return to normal operations in the fall. He also addressed a request for an official commitment to carbon neutrality and proposed modifications to the university's strategic plan.

Jalen Sims of Waterford, Mich., will be the student speaker for Northern Michigan University's May 1 commencement. The graphic design major recalled an early project in which he had to create brand and marketing materials around a fictitious business. He came up with Home Grown seed packets, a nod to his passion for gardening and plants. That might have been prophetic. Sims plans to remain in Marquette to cultivate a farming career while pursuing an online graduate degree related to running an agriculture business.

NMU Dining launched a new Eco-Bag initiative this semester, providing more than 900 residence hall students with a free bag to reuse at all of its locations. The program was created in response to student concerns about disposable plastic bag waste generated by the increased reliance on takeout meals and snacks during the pandemic.

Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson announced the formation of a campus committee to conduct a national search for a new provost and vice president for academic affairs. Carol Johnson, dean of the School of Business, will serve as chair. The 25 members comprising the committee include faculty, staff, students and administrators.

Several Northern Michigan University student organizations are collaborating to make Anderton's Earth Week 2021 the biggest celebration of its kind on campus. The April 17-22 event will feature three virtual presentations on innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint and daily activities that promote environmental sustainability.

Northern Michigan University has canceled vaccine clinics for students scheduled today and tomorrow in response to calls from two federal agencies, the FDA and CDC, for an immediate pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. NMU's Health Center was notified last week it would receive an allocation of J & J single-shot doses and scheduled clinics in the hope of fully vaccinating students before the end of the semester.