Around NMU

Eleven students from NMU Theater and Dance recently attended the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) annual conference and stage expo in Columbus, Ohio. Four of the students were selected as conference assistants, and one presented a poster presentation.

As part of Northern Michigan University's 125th Anniversary Celebration, a special public event is planned to recognize the 30th anniversary of "Haywire," the Forest Roberts Theatre musical about an 1880s logging camp that was one of five productions selected from more than 900 national submissions to perform at the Kennedy Center's American College Theatre Festival. 

This month's Northern Michigan University Jazz Festival will be preceded by a presentation on the history of jazz at NMU to coincide with the university's 125th anniversary and feature opening and closing concerts with guest artist Matt Wilson, a drummer, band leader and educator. The annual festival brings middle and high school students from throughout the region to campus for performances and clinics. 

Northern Michigan University hosted a March 8 visit by the touring group 1° of Separation, which presents a comedy show and suicide prevention program aimed at ending the stigma of mental illness. NMU Veterans Services Coordinator Mike Rutledge is on the board of Upper Peninsula Together With Veterans, the organization that brought the show to several U.P. locations. He also collaborates with other organizations that help area residents who have served in the military—outreach that extends beyond his role assisting student veterans and elevating NMU's position on national Military Friendly Schools rankings.

Northern Michigan University cybersecurity students took second place in the March 1 regional event of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) national competition. Five students spent 10 hours on a spring break Saturday working diligently in the Northern Center lab, showing they can compete with the best cybersecurity student across the country.

Northern Michigan University's Social Work Department will hold two events marking the 50th anniversary of its "unwavering dedication to social justice, community engagement and transformative education." A reception will take place from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Landmark Inn's Harbor Room. An open house on campus is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. in 2400 Jamrich Hall. Alumni, students, faculty and community partners are invited to honor the department's legacy and envision its future. 

The calendar shifted to 2025 a short time ago, but it has already been a “banner year” for Northern Michigan University assistant professor of education Kristen White. She co-authored “Teaching with Literacy Programs,” which received the 2025 Gloria J. Ladson-Billings Outstanding Book Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) last week. She also will be honored in March as the 2025 Michigan Reading Association Teacher Educator of the Year. It is an impressive start for a woman who said her only other award in life was “Student of the Week” in 10th grade.

Northern Michigan University's automotive technology program has received a brand new 2023 Ford Escape to further assist students in gaining hands-on experience with modern vehicle systems and technology they are likely to encounter in their careers. The vehicle was donated by Fox Marquette and Ford Motor Company, which also stand to benefit from the career preparation NMU provides for their potential future workforce of automotive technicians.

Northern Michigan University invites incoming fall 2025 first-year students to apply for The Schultz Family Foundation First-Generation Empowerment Scholarship. The award, worth up to $15,000 per year for up to four years, is geared toward students whose parents or legal guardians have not completed a bachelor's degree. Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman emeritus and former CEO, was a first-generation NMU student who graduated with a degree in communications in 1975. He and his wife, Sheri Kersch-Schultz, established the scholarship as part of a $1 million gift to NMU through their foundation.

Northern Michigan University's 18th annual UNITED Conference will be held Monday and Tuesday, March 17-18, in the Northern Center. It revolves around the theme “Voices of the Earth: Learning, Leading and Advancing Equity Together.” Keynote speakers/presentations are: Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, author of this year's NMU Diversity Common Reader Program selection, “As We Have Always Done”; RJ Smith of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, who will address the traditional Anishinaabe game Bagodowe, or lacrosse; and an Anishinaabe theatrical performance.