March 2023

Northern Michigan University's Lydia M. Olson Library and the NMU Center for Teaching and Learning will host a panel discussion on the topic of open educational resources (OER) for faculty, graduate students, local educators and community members. The event is scheduled from 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, in the Olson Library Atrium, with a reception to follow. The panel will serve as the kick-off event for a two-year pilot program to increase OER use on NMU's campus. 

Northern Michigan University's hospitality management program is preparing to open its new student-operated restaurant, tentatively named the NMU Training Kitchen, each Wednesday evening from March 22-April 19. Community members can enjoy fixed-price, four-course meals, with an option to purchase non-alcoholic mocktails and wines from a new Dry Bar menu. This will mark the public debut of the dining laboratory in the Northern Center.

The Northern Michigan University Jazz Festival will include two evening performances featuring guest artist Dean Sorenson. The trombonist will perform with the NMU Jazz Festival Faculty Combo during a 7:30 p.m. opening concert on Thursday, March 23, in Reynolds Recital Hall. He will also share the Forest Roberts Theatre stage with the NMU Jazz Band and Jazz Combo for the closing concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24. 

Northern Michigan University's 16th annual UNITED Conference will revolve around the theme of “Writing Our Own Stories” and celebrate the 10th anniversary of NMU's Diversity Common Reader Program. It will also be presented in a new one-day format on Monday, March 20, with two keynote speeches and several brief sessions on a variety of topics from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Northern Center. 

Northern Michigan University ranks fourth among small public schools nationwide that have been designated 2023-24 Military Friendly Schools by VIQTORY Media. Northern is making its sixth-consecutive appearance in the Top 10, and is the only Michigan institution to achieve that upper tier within the category.

Northern Michigan University is launching a new financial assistance program to provide qualified incoming Michigan resident first-year students free tuition for four years, beginning in Fall 2023.

Northern Michigan University Public Relations Professor Jessica Thompson's commitment to sustainability permeates the courses she teaches for the College of Business, her interdisciplinary research with colleagues to improve climate change communication and increase environmental awareness, and her service activities on campus and in the community. Thompson's achievements and positive impact on students have made her the 2023 recipient of the Stephen Young & Tricia Kinley Distinguished Faculty Award—NMU's top academic honor.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance is presenting Oscar Wilde's Salome, a “darkly thrilling one-act tragedy” and lyrical drama that has inspired creative minds across the ages. The final performances are scheduled March 1-4.