The Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health has announced the winners of its essay contest for Upper Peninsula high school seniors who will begin college in fall 2021 and plan to pursue a healthcare career. It partnered with the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) on the contest in celebration of National Rural Health Day, which was recognized on Nov. 19.

The next film in the documentary series presented by the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University in partnership with WNMU-TV will celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Manoomin (Wild Rice): Ojibwe Spirit Food, which explores an important part of Anishinaabek culture in the U.P. and beyond, airs at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27. It can also be streamed for 30 days after the broadcast on the WNMU website or Passport App. 

Northern Michigan University will continue its annual “Lighting Up the Holidays” tradition in a revised virtual format. Beginning Dec. 1, an event website will feature DIY ornament kits and festive coloring pages, virtual letters to Santa, downloadable images for photos with Santa and Wildcat Willy, and a coupon for a free children's book redeemable at the Barnes & Noble at NMU bookstore.

Adam Little of Ironwood will be the first graduate of Northern Michigan University's bachelor of applied science in management program in December. He was able to fulfill the degree requirements entirely online while he continued working two jobs. 

Northern Michigan University English Professor Kia Jane Richmond is the student-selected faculty speaker for the Dec. 6 virtual commencement celebration honoring all 2020 graduates. She was chosen through a nomination process overseen by ASNMU, the student government organization.

Cecilia Ruiz will be the student commencement speaker for the virtual Dec. 6 graduation recognition ceremony honoring all 2020 Northern Michigan University graduates. With the COVID-19 pandemic, NMU is offering one comprehensive celebration for May, August and December graduates. The ceremony will begin at 3 p.m.  

Mariah Goeks entered Northern Michigan University as a Freshman Fellow, immersing herself in research typically reserved for juniors and seniors at other colleges. Her research alongside physics faculty mentor Rick (P.W.) Mengyan has included several trips to Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the United Kingdom as part of their work with their small international collaboration, which has resulted in two journal articles Goeks has co-authored so far. Recently, the laboratory featured one of their projects as a “science highlight” in its annual review.

The construction management program at Northern Michigan University will host virtual presentations Friday morning on senior projects completed on campus and on behalf of community organizations. The online format was necessitated by safety protocols associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

NMU will hold a virtual celebration honoring all 2020 graduates at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. The event will include messages from President Fritz Erickson, Board Chair Steve Mitchell, May 2020 graduate Cecilia Ruiz and student-selected faculty speaker Kia Jane Richmond of the English Department.