Five Northern Michigan University alumni were honored during Homecoming festivities Sept. 21-22 for significant achievements in their fields, substantial contributions to society and demonstrated exceptional leadership and civic qualities. The recipients and their awards were: Keith Nelsen (’86 BS) of Minneapolis, Minn., and Scott Schloegel (’90 BS) of Springfield, Va., Distinguished Alumni; Beth Millner (’08 BFA) of Marquette, Outstanding Young Alumni; Michele Butler (’76 BS, ’78 MAE) of Marquette, Alumni Community Service; and Skye Patrick of Downey, Calif., Alumni Achievement.
NMU Senior Tim Kruger has long been interested in woodworking, particularly furniture design. But “an epiphany” during a woodturning class led by Professor Jason Schneider convinced him to hone in on his true passion: teaching. Kruger was inspired to apply for a summer workshop at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, Colo., and received a scholarship to attend. Schneider also returned to “the Ranch,” where he had worked for a decade before joining NMU’s faculty, to teach two summer workshops.
Heidi Kattula ('98 MA), the new superintendent of East Grand Rapids Public Schools, is featured in a School News Network article. She has 26 years of experience in public education. She also serves as the treasurer of International Baccalaureate Schools of Michigan, which focus on educating from a global perspective. East Grand Rapids is exploring the designation and Kattula was a principal in Bloomfield Hills when it became the first IB district in the state.
Northern Michigan University’s Forest Roberts Theatre will present the dark and haunting musical Sweeney Todd in time for the Halloween season. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 -Saturday, Oct. 27 and Tuesday, Oct. 30-Saturday, Nov. 3. An additional 1 p.m. matinee is scheduled Nov. 3.
Swedish musical artist and Grammy nominee Emilia Amper will present a folk musical performance with her band at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29, in the Forest Roberts Theatre at Northern Michigan University. The event is $5 for NMU students, as well as guests under 18, and $10 for the public.
A student organization at Northern Michigan University is hosting a “Medical Cannabis Symposium.” The event will cover a range of topics related to cannabis, including its chemistry and pharmacology, the social impact of legalization, Michigan laws and medical cannabis in K-12 schools. Presenters include professors, lawyers and industry experts.
Northern Michigan University alumnus Robert Torrence ('15 MS) will return to campus to give a presentation titled "Residual and acute effects of cannabis on emotional processing in anxiety disorders." His talk is scheduled from 4-5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, in Jamrich 1100. It is open to the public.
“Reach or throw; don’t go.” NMU alumna and former Wildcat swimmer Shawn Robinson-Sobczak (’98 BS) routinely recites that phrase when she leads swim lessons or serves as a lifeguard instructor. When someone is in distress and it’s not possible to extend a hand to pull the swimmer to safety or throw something that floats, bystanders should not risk their own lives by entering the water. But Robinson-Sobczak has also been a certified lifeguard for 34 years.
Northern Michigan University held a community-wide ice cream social as part of Homecoming week on Sept. 18. There was a good turnout of students, faculty, staff and Marquette-area residents, despite the drop in temperature from previous days. Fritz and Jan Erickson assisted Dining Services staff in serving up waffle cones and bowls with scoops of vanilla or mint Mackinac Island fudge. The event also featured Double Trouble DJs music, large lawn games and bounce houses.