Experience Northern is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Distinguished Team Award recipients.
This team included Chair Chris Greer and committee members Gerri Daniels, Jim Gadzinski, Katie Korpi, Mary Brundage, Rachel Harris, Neil Baumgartner, Cat Hardenbergh, Tricia Bush, Kate Hooper, Kari Garcia, Herb Brundage, Paul Schoonveld, Alden Griffus, Lauren Anargyros, Tara Schafer, Lucas Dushack, Simon Moesch, and Nicole Shoup.
Summer orientation was virtual and students who would normally spend three days on campus were unable to visit and see what Northern and Marquette had to offer. The Experience Northern Team began planning the eponymous event to allow students and their families to visit Marquette and Northern.
“We know that if we can get students and their families to campus we can usually convert them from applicants to enrolled students,” stated their nominations. “In late April it looked like June or July might be a safe time to bring people to campus in small groups.”
Experience Northern was developed to give students an idea of what it is like to live here. The event was held five times beginning in late June. The event was completely free and evaluations were “stellar.”
The group that came together to create this event had to plan advertising, registration, planning of the conference style event, recruiting faculty and staff to offer programs, session registration, housing and meals.
“It is a testament to the committee and our faculty and staff that we were able to offer a very robust program. No two weeks were the same. It was definitely a very successful series of events.”
The committee is grateful for the faculty and staff who volunteered to offer sessions for these students.