Around NMU

After making history last month as the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl, Sarah Thomas will give a virtual presentation through Northern Michigan University's Platform Personalities titled “Breaking Through: A Journey to Becoming the First Female NFL Official.” Her talk is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, and can be viewed by the public via Zoom. 

Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson will hold a virtual community forum to provide an update on several university topics. The event is scheduled at noon Tuesday, March 16. 

Northern Michigan University's Anishnaabe News is celebrating a timely milestone with a relaunch by releasing its digital 50th anniversary edition. Originally titled Nishnawbe News, it grew to a circulation of more than 8,000 worldwide, was once the second-largest Indian publication in North America and received acclaim in publications like The New York Times and Time magazine before its first hiatus in October 1983.

Northern Michigan University has been designated a "Voter Friendly Campus" through an initiative led by two national nonpartisan organizations: Fair Elections Center's Campus Vote Project (CVP); and NAPSA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Both held participating institutions accountable for planning and implementing practices that encouraged students to register and vote in 2020 elections and in the coming years. 

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University will reopen its gallery to the general public on Monday, March 8. Visitation will be limited to six people at one time. Reservations, face masks and proper social distancing are required. The center's current exhibition is titled “Conflict and Resolve: Labor in the Upper Peninsula.” 

Northern Michigan University's Invent@NMU business incubator has received a $320,000 grant to continue offering innovative support services for entrepreneurs across the Upper Peninsula. The Michigan Strategic Fund recently approved several grants to support initiatives throughout the state.

The Northern Michigan University Food Pantry received a large shipment of non-perishable food and other items Wednesday, made possible by nearly 130 meal plan students who generously shared $5,400 of their remaining Dining Dollars at the end of the fall semester.

Marquette Senior High School teacher Eric Hammerstrom said the stars aligned when one student's desire to interview someone from the National Hockey League developed into an opportunity for his entire class to connect virtually with high-profile Canadian sports legends and even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Northern Michigan University's highest faculty honor, the Distinguished Faculty Award, has been endowed by a major gift from NMU Board Vice Chair Steve Young and his wife, Tricia Kinley, of Lansing.

The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association continues Northern Now, a monthly digital event series for alumni and friends, at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, March 10. A panel of alumni, faculty and students from the NMU School of Education will discuss the importance of relationships and creating a strong network throughout one's educational and professional career.