Around NMU

Northern Michigan University researchers were involved in a recent collaborative study of the gut microbiome of Alaskan brown bears, which shows that the microbial life in bears' guts allows them to achieve comparable size and fat stores while eating widely different diets.

Nationally recognized suicide prevention speaker David Woods Bartley will give a free public presentation titled "Suicide is the Enemy, But Not the Target: How Shifting Our Aim Can Help Change the Outcome" at Northern Michigan University. The event begins at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, in Northern Center Ballrooms I and II. 

A community and campus reception for recently appointed Northern Michigan University President Brock Tessman and his family will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, in Ballrooms III and IV of the Northern Center. The event features special appearances by the NMU Marching Band and the NMU Jazz Combo. 

The 1926 Barnes-Hecker mining disaster that occurred in western Marquette County is the topic of the next “Evening at the Archives,” a public event hosted by The Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives. Jim Paquette, NMU alumnus and retired Cleveland Cliffs Iron Mining Company safety manager, will give the presentation at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3—also known as 

The book selection for the 10th anniversary of Northern Michigan University's Diversity Common Reader Program (DCRP) is "Being Seen: One Deafblind Woman's Fight to End Ableism" by Elsa Sjunneson. The DCRP revolves around a nonfiction book of interdisciplinary interest that advances discussions of diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

“Having grown up in Brighton, Mich., on a dirt road, getting my hands dirty was natural. Hard work is natural,” said Suzi Trdan, retail store manager of Starbucks and Sundre at Northern Michigan University. For Trdan, who is often smiling and eager to make connections with customers, hard work truly does seem natural.

Northern Michigan University Music Professor Barbara Rhyneer was honored as arts educator of the year at the 25th annual awards ceremony recognizing individuals who have made an impact on arts and culture in Marquette. She has been teaching and conducting the symphony orchestra at NMU since 1997.

At least two of the documentaries being screened at the Fresh Coast Film Festival Oct. 13-16 in Marquette were created by NMU alumni and students. Cameron Mattson and Kevin Paczesny, who began collaborating on projects as NMU digital cinema students, will premiere "All Hop'd UP," which explores the unique craft brewing subculture that has been growing in the Marquette area since the mid-1990s. Current student Fischer Genau's first film, "From the Ground Up," is about Partridge Creek Farm in Ishpeming, where he is completing an internship.

Flutist and educator Adam Sadberry will be accompanied by pianist Wynona Wang for a concert on "Togetherness" on Monday, Oct. 17, as part of Northern Michigan University's Siril Concert Series. Both are award-winning musicians. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall. 

Northern Michigan University's Symphony Orchestra, University Choir and Arts Chorale will perform the Midwestern premiere of THE UNARMED CHILD at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The nine-movement work was composed by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, 2021 winner of the American Prize in Choral Composition, in response to gun violence against children.