October 2021

Chris Alpers, a 2006 NMU graduate, is the new chair of the USApple Association board of directors for the 2021-22 term. The third-generation grower serves as operations manager of RedPath Orchards and Alpers Farms, where he grows apples, as well as sweet and tart cherries. He is also a partner in Alpers Tree Sales in Lake Leelanau, Mich.

Mlado Ivanovic's dramatic experience as a 13-year-old refugee during the Bosnian war heavily influenced his career path and involvement in humanitarian projects. The Northern Michigan University philosophy professor has researched the moral, political and environmental factors related to forceful displacement. He has applied his discipline practically by engaging in summer projects at international refugee camps—most recently helping to develop a sustainable agriculture program in Malawi in southeastern Africa. And he has NMU students design service projects that tackle local issues.

Northern Michigan University's indoor agriculture and construction management programs are partnering with the True North Treks Foglia Foundation WALDEN Institute, a wilderness retreat facility built into the cliffs of Lake Superior near Au Train, where young adults with cancer can connect with nature. 

The Northern Michigan University Foundation has released a five-year impact report on strategic changes implemented to support fundraising for NMU. The report details enhancements in four focus areas that put the NMU Foundation in a better position to secure and manage major gifts to support innovative strides in learning, teaching, programming and operations.

Lori Blaker, recently retired president/CEO of the Bloomfield Hills-based TTi Global and a longtime advocate of gender equality and women's empowerment in the workplace, will serve as the 2021 Executive in Residence for Northern Michigan University's College of Business Oct. 18-21. 

Northern Michigan University alumna Alice Lyn Jasper is committed to diversifying outdoor recreation and environmental advocacy by identifying barriers and opportunities for people of color to develop positive relationships with nature. The Grand Rapids resident produced a related documentary titled "Color Out Here" for WGVU Public Media's "Shaping Narratives" program. She screened it at the Fresh Coast Film Festival in Marquette Oct. 16 and17.

Northern Michigan University's Department of Music will present its NMU Choral Invitational Concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The performance will feature choir students from Wausaukee middle and high school and Ishpeming and Calumet high schools. Those students will have spent the day visiting NMU's campus and rehearsing with Director of Choirs Erin Colwitz. 

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance presents the world premiere stage adaptation of “Above the Timberline,” a visual journey by Gregory Manchess. Show times in Forest Roberts Theatre are 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 15-16, and Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 20-23. A sensory-friendly performance is scheduled at 2 p.m. Oct. 16.

The Northern Michigan University Regional Police Academy will host two informational meetings Oct. 27 on the campus of Bay College. They are scheduled at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in room 221 of the Bonifas Building. The meetings are for those interested in attending NMU's Regional Police Academy, which begins May 2022 and concludes in August 2022.

NMU Alumni Relations will continue Northern Now, its monthly digital event series for alumni and friends, at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, Oct. 13, with a panel of alumni entrepreneurs in partnership with Invent@NMU. Panelists include Joe Thiel ‘03, CEO at Innovate Marquette SmartZone and executive director of Invent@NMU; Ian Altobello ‘19, founder of The Boreal Collective; and Britta Carlson ‘12, CEO and founder of Med Pros Share.