Around NMU

Northern Michigan University senior Chloe Holt received a Student Honor Award from the Society for Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) Michigan at its annual conference in November in Traverse City.

A visual arts exhibit revolving around the themes of identity, power and social justice will be on display Nov. 30-Dec. 15 in the Olson Library Atrium at Northern Michigan University. It is a collaboration involving two NMU entities: the School of Art and Design and the French program. A catered opening reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present A Holiday Double Feature: A Charlie Brown Christmas and The Nutcracker Dec. 9-10 and 14-17. The evening opens with a feel-good, 30-minute musical based on the beloved classic animated television special and closes with excerpts from the timeless ballet. Show times are at 7:30 p.m., with an additional 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance is bringing back its “Letters to Santa” program starting Monday, Nov. 14. These letters can be found at either Forest Roberts Theatre or the Northern Center. Anyone who fills it out and sends the letter will get a signed postcard from Wildcat Willy in a holiday suit with a promo code for a buy-one-get-one coupon to use for a future show.

Northern Michigan University will continue its Science on Tap series at Ore Dock Brewing Company with a presentation by NMU Biology Professor Kurt Galbreath titled “Where the Wild Things Are: Discovering Mongolia's Hidden Diversity." The event begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10. 

Northern Michigan Univerity's Siril Concert Series hosts soprano Mimmi Fulmer and pianist Craig Randal Johnson at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in Reynolds Recital Hall.

For the first time, all Upper Peninsula universities and colleges will participate in the annual "Fight the Flu" competition hosted by the Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health. Now in its third year, the contest determines which school can get the highest percentage of students, staff and faculty vaccinated against the flu.

Documentation prepared and signed by Northern Michigan University history alumnus Logan Hartz during a “career-changing” internship for law school will end up on the desk of the president of the United States. While working for a nonprofit public interest law organization, he completed clemency applications for four clients—including one from Michigan—serving up to 60-year federal prison terms for nonviolent cannabis crimes.

NMU Trustee Greg Seppanen has a penchant for planning and for preserving the environment—two elements that he said should frequently intersect. The NMU alumnus and retired teacher has served more than 40 years on planning commissions, and as a member of the Marquette County Climate Adaptation Task Force and other environmental organizations, to achieve his long-term goal of leaving the community in a better position than it is now. Seppanen said there is an opportunity for his alma mater to play a critical role in addressing climate change at the local level.

Former NMU student Richard “Duke” Mayo of Cheboygan will spend Veterans Day marking the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial—also known as The Wall—in Washington, D.C. He is making the trip with the Michigan State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Mayo was a member of the student Vets Club at Northern after his own service in Vietnam. His continued involvement in veterans' organizations and causes earned him a Hometown Hero of the Month award from the Cheboygan County Veterans Subcommittee earlier this year.