Around NMU

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” winner of a Tony Award for Best Book, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14-15 and 19-22 in Forest Roberts Theatre.

Northern Michigan University's first Science on Tap presentation since the beginning of the pandemic will focus on the history, science and imagery of the James Webb Space Telescope. Ben Hendrickson, adjunct assistant professor of physics, will present “Webb: Worth the Wait” from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6th, at Ore Dock Brewing Co.

Northern Michigan University's English Department will host visiting writer Caroline Hovanec, who will give a presentation on “Vermin Theory: Parasitic Life from Kafka's Metamorphosis to Rawi Hage's Cockroaches.” Hovin will explore the usage of vermin in stories and how literature uses it to think differently about hospitality, debt and the re-assigned potential of the parasite. The presentation will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in 1313 Jamrich Hall.

Northern Michigan University is hosting the 2022 McNair Research Symposium from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in the Founders Room of the Northern Center. Seventeen scholars who participated in a diverse array of summer research and scholarly activities with their NMU faculty mentors will give presentations on their work. 

The Northern Michigan University Center for Forensic Anthropology will host a public symposium where representatives from the decomposition and taphonomy facilities across the country will give presentations about their facilities and programs. The event is scheduled at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, in 109 Harden Hall. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.

To honor Indigenous Peoples' Day, Northern Michigan University's Center for Native American Studies (CNAS) and the Native American Student Association (NASA) are planning an event that begins at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at the Land Acknowledgment Sign on the academic mall. The public is invited.

Northern Michigan University's newly appointed President Brock Tessman said that his selection from among four finalists to lead the institution is exciting, but made even more meaningful because it followed a rigorous and transparent search process. The Michigan native addressed several topics during a virtual press conference after NMU trustees unanimously voted for him to become the 17th president, effective Feb. 1. He said serving as deputy commissioner of higher education for the Montana University System since 2018 will be an asset as he narrows his focus to a single entity.

The Native American Student Association (NASA) at Northern Michigan University will participate in Orange Shirt Day on Friday, Sept. 30, to recognize the thousands of Indigenous children who were forced into the Indian Boarding/Residential School System in the United States and Canada.