October 2022

The 1926 Barnes-Hecker mining disaster that occurred in western Marquette County is the topic of the next “Evening at the Archives,” a public event hosted by The Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives. Jim Paquette, NMU alumnus and retired Cleveland Cliffs Iron Mining Company safety manager, will give the presentation at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3—also known as 

The book selection for the 10th anniversary of Northern Michigan University's Diversity Common Reader Program (DCRP) is "Being Seen: One Deafblind Woman's Fight to End Ableism" by Elsa Sjunneson. The DCRP revolves around a nonfiction book of interdisciplinary interest that advances discussions of diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

“Having grown up in Brighton, Mich., on a dirt road, getting my hands dirty was natural. Hard work is natural,” said Suzi Trdan, retail store manager of Starbucks and Sundre at Northern Michigan University. For Trdan, who is often smiling and eager to make connections with customers, hard work truly does seem natural.

Northern Michigan University Music Professor Barbara Rhyneer was honored as arts educator of the year at the 25th annual awards ceremony recognizing individuals who have made an impact on arts and culture in Marquette. She has been teaching and conducting the symphony orchestra at NMU since 1997.

NMU alumna Rebecca Normington, who earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1990, was appointed director of marketing communications for Security Health Plan of Wisconsin Inc., after almost 20 years in the affiliated Marshfield Clinic Health System.

Northern Michigan University alumnus Tim Hamill was hired by the Outdoor Sportsman Group (OSG) ad sales department as the national endemic account executive.

At least two of the documentaries being screened at the Fresh Coast Film Festival Oct. 13-16 in Marquette were created by NMU alumni and students. Cameron Mattson and Kevin Paczesny, who began collaborating on projects as NMU digital cinema students, will premiere "All Hop'd UP," which explores the unique craft brewing subculture that has been growing in the Marquette area since the mid-1990s. Current student Fischer Genau's first film, "From the Ground Up," is about Partridge Creek Farm in Ishpeming, where he is completing an internship.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations is celebrating the return of 1973 alumnus Rick Comley as NMU's athletic director with a special Northern Now digital event at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, Oct. 19. Alumni and friends are invited to join to hear his vision for the future of NMU Athletics, and also receive updates from NMU Volleyball Head Coach Mike Lozier and NMU Women's Basketball Head Coach Casey Thousand.

Flutist and educator Adam Sadberry will be accompanied by pianist Wynona Wang for a concert on "Togetherness" on Monday, Oct. 17, as part of Northern Michigan University's Siril Concert Series. Both are award-winning musicians. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall. 

Sault Ste. Marie's Downtown Development Authority recently appointed Northern Michigan University alumna Stephanie Sprecker as the new DDA director. She completed NMU's master of public administration (MPA) program in 2022.