All News Releases

NMU-NASA Granite Island Project Underway

Image of members unloading batteries from a boat
Jun. 15, 2018 —
A collaboration between NMU and NASA began this week. Contractors are transporting instruments to Granite Island to set up an offshore solar radiation-monitoring site for NASA’s Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) experiment. CERES has been measuring Earth’s radiation via satellite for more than 30 years. In an effort to validate that data through ground measures—ideally over water, far from land contamination—NASA selected a Lake Superior location after decommissioning a previous Chesapeake Bay site because of safety issues. The goal is that analyses of  CERES data will lead to a better understanding of the role of clouds and the energy cycle in global climate change.

Alumna's Nursing Experience Informs Role as Judge

Image of Judge Kathryn Davis Messerich
Jun. 14, 2018 —

NMU alumna Kathryn Davis Messerich (BS ‘79) made a successful transition from nursing to a legal career. As chief judge of Minnesota's first judicial district, she has used her dual training presiding in juvenile court and previously in two drug courts. “The nursing background was incredibly helpful in understanding the scientific and medical issues associated with addiction and mental health,” said Messerich in a "Minnesota Lawyer" feature.

Grad Appointed to School Safety Task Force

Image of Paul Lauria
Jun. 14, 2018 —
NMU alumnus Paul Lauria ('95 BS) is among Gov. Rick Snyder's initial appointees to the School Safety Task Force. Lauria will represent law enforcement. He is chief of police for the Mt. Pleasant Department of Public Safety. The task force will identify structural and policy recommendations for collaboration, planning and assessment of school infrastructure and safety policies. It also will analyze top-performing states to determine best practices for law enforcement and preventative policies before submitting a final report to the governor no later than Nov. 30.

Reimagine STEM Youth Academy Planned

Jun. 14, 2018 —
NMU is hosting its second "Reimagine STEM Summer Youth Academy" June 16-29. Students who have completed grades 10-12 will learn creative ways to approach science, technology, engineering and math based on Native American traditions, culture and knowledge. The academy includes one week on campus with learning activities led by NMU faculty and Native American elders, followed by one week at Camp Nesbitt.

Alumnus Honors Parents with World Records

Image of Ron Sarchian
Jun. 13, 2018 —

Fueled by a desire to honor his parents, NMU alumnus Ron Sarchian (BS '87) has set seven Guinness World Records and plans to pursue more this summer. The former Wildcat football player punched a heavy bag for 50 hours, nine minutes. He also split 42 watermelons with a karate chop in one minute on the "Today" show.  The industrial technology grad worked seven years for Boeing in Seattle before moving to Southern California to be an actor, stuntman and personal trainer to the stars.

Grad Students to Attend International Charr Symposium

Image of Grace Zimmermanm
Jun. 13, 2018 —
Two NMU biology master's degree candidates will attend the 2018 International Charr Symposium June 18-21 in Duluth. They are among four students being sponsored by the Greater Lake Superior Foundation. Grace Zimmerman's research statement indicates she is "looking at the influence of food availability and temperature on individual differences in metabolic rate in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)." Jacob Bowman is focusing on "how the metabolic physiology of individual brook trout determines their life history characteristics, including migration and movement within streams.”

UC Project's First Phase Begins

demolition kickoff
Jun. 11, 2018 —

The south wing of the University Center was gutted after a demolition kickoff event last week, launching the first phase of the building's renovation. The book store previously relocated to the Peter White Lounge and West Hall and the North Wind Office to Gries Hall to accommodate reconstruction. The first phase is scheduled for completion in April 2019. Renovations to the Great Lakes wing will begin April 2019 and be completed in August 2019.

NMU Student Competes in Canadian Nationals Yo-Yo

Image of Jordan Walker-Jenkins
Jun. 11, 2018 —

NMU engineering design junior Jordan Walker-Jenkins recently competed in Canada's largest yo-yo competition to see how he stacks up against the best "return-top specialists." A resident of Brimley, Walker-Jenkins has retained his Canadian citizenship, which made him eligible to compete in the country's national championship. While he did not advance to the finals, a video of his preliminary round is impressive and supports his contention in a sootoday.com feature that “Modern yo-yo-ing isn’t just like, do walk the dog and then maybe rock the baby on stage.

Grad Guest Edits Literary Journal

Jun. 8, 2018 —

Recent MFA graduate Amy Smith will guest edit an upcoming edition of "Stirring" literary journal, which revolves around a theme: Hot Mess. The poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction Smith selects for publication will celebrate "fantastical failures that we can’t look away from, moments when steering into the skid is the best decision.

Grad's Volunteer Chaplain Group Honored

Jun. 7, 2018 —
Ken McNaughton ('92 BA), volunteer chaplain for the Spokane Valley Fire Department, played an instrumental role in founding the Inland Northwest Fire Chaplains. The nonprofit group provides care to first responders, firefighters and grieving families. It has responded to medical emergencies, fires, car accidents and last year's Freeman High School shooting. In May, the INFC was presented with the 2017 EMS Special Services Award by the Spokane County Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care Council.

Alumnus Named Grand Rapids Library Director

Jun. 6, 2018 —

John McNaughton (BA 1999) was recently affirmed as director of the Grand Rapids Public Library. He has 17 years' experience, most recently as director of the Romeo District Library in southeast Michigan, where he helped to create a Teen Services department, re-design the lobby to improve customer services and developed a new strategic plan. McNaughton previously served as director of the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library. He earned an English degree from NMU and his master's in library and information science from Wayne State. 

NMU Offers CPR, Basic Life Support Courses

May. 31, 2018 —
Northern Michigan University’s School of Health and Human Performance will offer three American Heart Association courses this summer: certification in both First Aid/CPR/AED and Basic Life Support; and a non-certified community Family & Friends CPR course. The schedule is contingent on demand and staff availability. Pre-registration is required. NMU students, faculty, staff, spouses and retirees receive a $10 discount on the certification courses.

NMU One of Top Colleges for Skiers

May. 31, 2018 —
The snow has melted from the slopes, but "POWDER" magazine just published "The Best East Coast Colleges for Skiers" and Northern Michigan University was among the top-five selections featured. Even the editors acknowledged the geographical conundrum of including NMU in the same category as colleges in eastern states such as Vermont and New Hampshire.

'Four the Water' Paddling Lake Superior

Image of the Four the Water members
May. 30, 2018 —
Two NMU students and two alumni comprise Four the Water, a group circumnavigating Lake Superior by kayak to raise awareness of the importance of clean water and funding for nonprofits that protect the Great Lakes. The friends reported on Facebook meeting friendly and interesting people in their first week, including a “wonderful gentleman who shared many stories with us about life on Au Train Island since the late ‘70s, including his pet wolf (not really his pet, but he has one on the island).” There was also Ben, “who taught us how he nets fish as he is a Chippewa Native, allowing us to hop on his canoe.” They will make a documentary about their journey and hope to screen it at film festivals in the Great Lakes region.

NMU EcoReps Makes Impressive Debut

May. 30, 2018 —
NMU EcoReps, a peer-to-peer educator program that focuses on environmentalism, social equity and economic vitality, made such an impressive debut in its first year that it ended the semester with Student Organization of the Year honors. Members also addressed the NMU Board of Trustees in May, lobbying for a $5 student opt-out fee for a proposed GreenFund that would support student sustainability initiatives. They were pleasantly shocked when the board voted on the spot to contribute $20,000 per semester to the organization’s operation for 2018-19 while exploring the viability of implementing a fee.

Hooper Earns Admissions Professional Award

Image of Kate Hooper
May. 30, 2018 —

Kate Hooper (BA 2010), a regional admissions counselor for Northern Michigan University, was awarded the Admissions Professional of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Association for College Admissions Counseling. She is based in Madison and works with prospective students in central and southern Wisconsin. Hooper earned her degree in public relations. She has worked for NMU for five years.

Students Assist GLCC Tree Planting Effort

May. 29, 2018 —

NMU students Breanne Wilmot (biology) and Lynnae Branham (environmental studies and sustainability) are assisting the Great Lakes Conservation Corps with a tree-planting project near Harlow Lake off County Road 550. The project is part of a Michigan DNR wildlife habitat project intended primarily for game species like white-tailed deer, with a potential trickle-down benefit for other species. Wilmot and Branham are featured in a "Mining Journal" article on the project.