Around NMU

The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team won its second-consecutive GLIAC Regular Season Championship and defeated Michigan Tech 5-0 in Tuesday's opening round of the postseason tournament. NMU will host the remainder of the playoffs this weekend, with the goal of earning back-to-back GLIAC Championships as well. After the Wildcats achieved both titles last year, Head Coach Jon Sandoval recognized that elevating the team's facilities would be essential to continuing the program's success. A $10,000 locker room renovation was completed prior to the start of this season through the generous support of more than 85 private donors who collectively surpassed the fundraising goal.

Northern Michigan University has received an Innovation Investment Award of nearly $906,000 from the Michigan Center for Adult College Success to develop competency-based education options that will help adults—regardless of age or career status—obtain postsecondary credentials to secure jobs or advance professionally in a knowledge-based economy.

Northern Michigan University alumna Mary Stolze of Kingsford recently told fellow members of the U.P. Nurses Honor Guard about her experience serving as a field nurse in Vietnam. She recalled working 16- to 18-hour shifts, caring for injured U.S. soldiers as well as the Vietnamese, children and prisoners of war. Shortly after becoming a registered nurse, Stolze joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1968 with a direct commission to go to Vietnam. She later earned her BSN degree from NMU in 1990. Read an Iron Mountain Daily News feature story on Stolze here.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation's longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative teens, are accepting entries from teenagers across the country in grades 7–12 through Dec. 3. The Northern Shores Storywork Writing Project site at Northern Michigan University is serving as the Upper Peninsula affiliate of the awards.

The three executive sponsors of the Our Compass strategic plan grand challenges—supporting our people, partnering with our place, and realizing the potential of all students—outlined initial strategies to address each at Wednesday's university forum. The event also provided updates on facilities projects and the Wildcat Way pedestrian/bike path through campus, along with innovation funding opportunities. In his opening remarks, President Brock Tessman announced an upcoming organizational change.

Late last winter, U.S. Army veteran and NMU student Travis Syrja was having major issues with his existing boiler, which proved unfixable. The single father resorted to using small electric heaters in his Negaunee home. That won't be necessary this season. Through the support of area businesses and the efforts of his instructor and fellow second-year students in Northern's HVAC/R program, Syrja's home is now equipped with a new boiler.  

NMUDoIt, a student theater group established early this year at Northern Michigan University, will present its first full-length production—the musical The Last Five Years—at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Panowski Black Box Theatre. Tickets are free (donations accepted). Written and composed by Drama Desk winner Jason Robert Brown, The Last Five Years is described as an emotionally powerful and intimate musical about two New Yorkers in their 20s who fall in and out of love over the course of five years.

Northern Michigan University will host a public panel presentation titled “Refugee Voices of Resilience” on Thursday, Nov. 7. Former refugees and migrants who now serve in government, humanitarian and educational roles will share their journeys to where they are today, highlighting their work in supporting vulnerable communities and giving back.

Northern Michigan University 2015 psychology alumnus Robert Torrence will give a presentation on how his employer, ThinkAlike Laboratories, applies neuroscience to real-world business challenges. This talk covers EEG-based methods to measure attention, engagement and product impact, providing a glimpse of innovative paths to impact consumer insights and strategy.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations will host a Northern Now digital event for alumni and friends that features a virtual cooking segment with students in NMU's hospitality leadership program, under the guidance of instructor/chef and 2010 alumna Alden MacDonald. The segment will be available at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, Nov. 13.