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Colwitz and Students Perform at Carnegie Hall

Colwitz (third row, far left) with the NMU Arts Chorale by the Carnegie marquee
Colwitz (third row, far left) with the NMU Arts Chorale by the Carnegie marquee, and in her conducting apparel before the performance.
Apr. 24, 2026
Northern Michigan University's Director of Choral Activities, Erin Colwitz, was selected to serve as conductor in residence at New York City's Carnegie Hall for an April 21 Masterwork Festival Chorus performance. She took full advantage of the opportunity to bring along her own singers, creating a memorable experience for 28 students from the NMU Arts Chorale and 99 members of the Marquette Choral Society, which she also directs. The delegation sang alongside professional chamber orchestra musicians and soloists who typically perform at the Metropolitan Opera and on Broadway.

Class Offers Ideas to Increase Student Engagement with Folklife Festival

Apr. 24, 2026
A Northern Michigan University communication studies class collaborated this semester with the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center on campus to increase student awareness of and participation in the next Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival Oct. 2-4. The event features workshops, demonstrations and performances by folk artists reflecting the ethnic and cultural traditions of the region. Students conducted various levels of research and developed ideas for the center related to programming, promotion and a potential student intern to assist with both.
Student Truman Maher presents his group's findings to Ewalt, Truckey and the class.

Superior A Capella Thriving

Apr. 20, 2026
Northern Michigan University's Superior A Cappella, a mixed-voice, student-run ensemble, has grown from its humble beginnings into a thriving musical group, bringing together up to two dozen students each semester. It performed various selections from pop musicals such as “Frozen” and “Wicked,” along with a mix of rhythm and blues songs, at its winter semester concert April 15. 
Superior A Cappella

NMU Social Work Activities Highlighted

Apr. 20, 2026
Three Northern Michigan University Social Work Department faculty members attended the most recent World Summit for Social Development at the National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar. The summit is one of the most significant global events in the field, according to NMU associate professor Vikash Kumar, who attended with colleagues Karl Johnson and Caroline Cheng.
NMU Social Work faculty Karl Johnson (second from left), Vikash Kumar (fifth from right) and Caroline Cheng (second from right) with colleagues at the Second World Social Summit on Social Development, Doha, Qatar. Other participants included representatives the International Consortium for Social Development.

NMU Plans Anderton Earth Week Activities

Apr. 17, 2026
Northern Michigan University's 12th annual Anderton's Earth Week will be held April 19-25. This year's schedule has more than 30 events and activities to celebrate the arrival of spring. Gamma Theta Upsilon, NMU's geographic honors society, is working with the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographic Sciences and the Sustainability Hub for Innovation and Environment (SHINE) to host an action-packed week of Earth-themed activities. 
Earth Week stock photo