Around NMU

Northern Michigan University's DeVos Art Museum is showcasing two exhibitions: the annual NMU School of Art & Design Senior Exhibition, which concludes with a closing ceremony from 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 1; and "Celebrating Legacy: Lake Superior Art Association in the Permanent Collection," in honor of the LSAA's 75th anniversary. 

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. 

The Northern Michigan University Chamber Ensemble and the NMU Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, in Reynolds Recital Hall under the direction of Barbara Rhyneer. Admission is free.

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.

Northern Michigan University Art and Design students Keall Emmers, Lex Klamer and Keziah Arrington, along with alumnus James Asava, have recently been recognized for their work in a variety of ways, including an award, scholarship, exhibitions and acceptance into a graduate program.

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. 

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will highlight the talents of the department's 21 graduating students with its second annual Senior Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 24. A second performance will be held on Mackinac Island for industry professionals from New York, Los Angeles and Chicago on Tuesday, May 5.

At his first university forum on April 13, NMU President Chris Olsen identified the top three priorities he plans to address: enrollment, which he emphasized is the “most immediate challenge”; enhancing community relationships; and fundraising, as NMU prepares to launch the public phase of a comprehensive fundraising campaign in early 2027.

Blake Stenberg, who will earn a bachelor's degree from Northern Michigan University in social studies secondary education, has been selected as the student speaker for NMU's commencement on Saturday, May 2. The Bark River native will deliver his speech not long after returning from a student teaching assignment in New Zealand.

Northern Michigan University Biology Professor Diana Lafferty and some of her students recently concluded efforts to capture and collar moose as part of cooperative research team that also involves members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Michigan DNR. The team focused its winter work on the core moose population area in the western Upper Peninsula.