Northern Michigan University graduating students have selected Health and Human Performance professor Scott Jordan to serve as the faculty speaker at December commencement. Jordan teaches in NMU's outdoor recreation leadership and management degree program. His research focuses on developing a sustainable model for nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation for the United States.
“I enjoy teaching, but I had no idea that I would be nominated for such an honor,” Jordan said. “I am thrilled.”
Jordan has extensive experience in outdoor recreation, from the guiding and aerial adventure industries to higher education systems. This work has enabled him to serve the outdoor industry on a national level as board president for the Wilderness Education Association and executive committee member for the Professional Ropes Course Association.
Through these associations, Jordan participated in the development of an American national standard for zip line and challenge course construction and operations. He also completed a textbook on the zip line and challenge course industries, which is scheduled to be released at the end of January.
Jordan's commencement speech will address the life lessons he has learned through outdoor recreation, which he attributes to helping him achieve his goals.
“We have foundations in character development, which has its roots in the practical, positive application of the things you learn at school. Character is that aspect of your life that includes things other than math or English class, but applying those to arts, sports or some type of expedition travel and being able to use the skills you learn here to be a good person and community member. Every student is an expert at something, I try to find out what that thing is in order to properly guide them on the correct career path.”
Outside of work, Jordan enjoys mountain biking and hiking with his wife, Cathy, and their two dogs.
The graduation ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Superior Dome. It will be broadcast live on WNMU-TV and streamed online at www.nmu.edu/commencement.
