Around NMU

Four Northern Michigan University students or recent alumna, from among seven NMU applicants, have achieved semifinalist status by being recommended for awards through the annual U.S. Fulbright Program competition. The final selections will be made by Fulbright committees in the host countries between March-June.

When Northern Michigan University hosted the first full cold-weather training exercise for the Region 5 Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) last March, National Ski Patrol members from Michigan were among the participants. An article about the exercise is featured in this month's "Ski Patrol Magazine," which is distributed to 30,000 patrollers nationwide, and to industry partners such as equipment manufacturers and resort operators.

Northern Michigan University Criminal Justice Professor Charlie Mesloh contributed his expertise as a former police officer and researcher on crowd-control munitions to a Jan. 26 Minnesota Star Tribune article titled “Chemical munitions can pose toxic threat.” The story addressed concerns about the ingredients in grenades and canisters being deployed in Minneapolis, and their potential health consequences.

Northern Michigan University's Black Student Union will host a "Why Black History Month?" presentation by Political Science Professor Carter Wilson at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in Jamrich 1319. Drawing from the works of a long list of scholars—ifrom WEB DuBois and Toni Morrison to Carter G. Woodson and Basil Davidson—Wilson will demonstrate that neither world or American history can be understood without an understanding of the roles and contributions of Africans and African Americans. 

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present “Cupid's Cabaret,” an immersive and potentially interactive performance set at a 1980s high school prom. 

Northern Michigan University's Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center will unveil two exhibits in its new gallery space in 223 Harden Hall: "The Conservationists: George Shiras III, Theodore Roosevelt and the Migratory Bird Act"; and a permanent display of artifacts, photographs and stories about NMU. The opening reception begins at noon Saturday, Jan. 31.

Northern Michigan University will participate in the 2026 Education Preparation Provider Collaborative, a new two-year statewide initiative designed to improve teacher preparation recruitment, retention and quality, and to form a strong foundation to help teacher preparation programs be responsive to the evolving needs of today's students. NMU is one of only five Michigan universities selected as educator preparation programs for the collaborative.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance made a strong showing at the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) Region 3 Festival in Madison earlier this month. Senior Liam Fisher was the region winner in the Music Theatre Intensive vocal category, and freshman Neel Archis Manish was region runner-up for the Irene Ryan acting award. NMU's production of CTRL+ALT+DELETE, directed by Jimmy Ludwig, also won the BOLD Audience Choice Award after two sold-out performances at the festival.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will host a staged reading of "Tragedy Sound," a play written by NMU alumna Karen Saari, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, in Jamrich 1100. The reading is free and open to the public. The production follows three U.P. women who are lifelong friends as they find themselves stranded on Lake Superior after accepting a dare to embark on a canoeing trip.

Northern Michigan University students helped to create environmental education programs for the Historic Thunder Bay Inn in Big Bay. NMU's Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management program's partnership with the inn will result in an Environmental Education Center (EEC) on the hotel property and related educational programs and activities. This aligns with owners Mark and Sue Bevins' goals to expand access to outdoor recreation and educate people about the local culture and history.