April 2022

WNMU-FM producer and host Kurt Hauswirth recently won two Broadcast Excellence Awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. “The Local Shuffle,” a special edition of “The Shuffle” new alternative music program that premiered on the station just last year, was recognized as best musical programming. An interview he conducted with poet Moheb Soliman about his “HOMES” release and reading in Marquette earned a merit award for special interest and cultural programming.

Four student finalists recently presented their entrepreneurial ideas at the NMU College of Business' Big Pitch event, the culminating activity in the annual new business venture competition. Donald McKaba earned $3,000 for winning the Big Pitch with Wasteless, his plan for an “innovative shopping experience” that aims to reduce one-use containers that end up in landfills. Grace DeNoya won $5,000 for best business plan for You'd Never Know, a 100% gluten-free bakery, and $1,500 each for best trade fair display and crowd favorite.

Of the 1,120 students eligible to participate in Northern Michigan University's commencement on Saturday, April 30 (1,011 for the current semester and 109 for summer), more than 850 plan to march in the ceremony.  

Northern Michigan University honored several individuals and teams during its 2022 Faculty and Staff Recognition Celebration. The individual and team award winners are featured in more detailed individual stories with photos at the highlighted links below. 

NMU Wildpups has been selected as Northern Michigan University's 2022 Team Innovation Award recipient. The Wildpups team included chair Michelle Andriacchi and team members Michelle and Dominic Andriacchi with Fonzie, Casey Hopper with Boris, Katie Taylor with Sadie, Rachel Nye with Maggie, and Anne Stein with Ramsey.

Madison Ngafeeson, associate professor of Business, is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Individual Innovation Award recipients for the development of business analytics courses, as well as his scholarship, professional development, service, dedication and the elite partnerships he has formed. 

Kurt Hauswirth, producer, host and announcer for WNMU-FM, is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Individual Innovation Award recipients for his passion and determination to embrace new technologies and improve existing technologies to create new opportunities.

Ruth Abbott, senior library assistant at Lydia M. Olson Library, is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Individual Innovation Award recipients for her persistence and passion regarding Open Educational Resources (OER).

The Superior Dome Consolidation/Realignment is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Distinguished Team Award recipients.