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Northern Michigan University will continue its annual “Lighting Up the Holidays” tradition in a revised virtual format. Beginning Dec. 1, an event website will feature DIY ornament kits and festive coloring pages, virtual letters to Santa, downloadable images for photos with Santa and Wildcat Willy, and a coupon for a free children's book redeemable at the Barnes & Noble at NMU bookstore.

Adam Little of Ironwood will be the first graduate of Northern Michigan University's bachelor of applied science in management program in December. He was able to fulfill the degree requirements entirely online while he continued working two jobs. 

Northern Michigan University English Professor Kia Jane Richmond is the student-selected faculty speaker for the Dec. 6 virtual commencement celebration honoring all 2020 graduates. She was chosen through a nomination process overseen by ASNMU, the student government organization.

Cecilia Ruiz will be the student commencement speaker for the virtual Dec. 6 graduation recognition ceremony honoring all 2020 Northern Michigan University graduates. With the COVID-19 pandemic, NMU is offering one comprehensive celebration for May, August and December graduates. The ceremony will begin at 3 p.m.  

Mariah Goeks entered Northern Michigan University as a Freshman Fellow, immersing herself in research typically reserved for juniors and seniors at other colleges. Her research alongside physics faculty mentor Rick (P.W.) Mengyan has included several trips to Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the United Kingdom as part of their work with their small international collaboration, which has resulted in two journal articles Goeks has co-authored so far. Recently, the laboratory featured one of their projects as a “science highlight” in its annual review.

The construction management program at Northern Michigan University will host virtual presentations Friday morning on senior projects completed on campus and on behalf of community organizations. The online format was necessitated by safety protocols associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

NMU will hold a virtual celebration honoring all 2020 graduates at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. The event will include messages from President Fritz Erickson, Board Chair Steve Mitchell, May 2020 graduate Cecilia Ruiz and student-selected faculty speaker Kia Jane Richmond of the English Department.  

NMU's Educational Access Network (EAN) has a firmly entrenched mission of providing broadband internet service through the university's high-speed LTE wireless network to learners of all ages across the Upper Peninsula. But with COVID-19, the EAN's existing technology also helped to prevent an Iron River call center from losing valuable employees whose home internet speeds couldn't handle the demands of working remotely.

The Northern Michigan University College of Business will host virtual presentations by Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate candidates at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Four graduating students will showcase a portfolio of five to six major projects that demonstrate their achievement of learning objectives. 

Northern Michigan University public relations professor and alumna Jes Thompson ('01 BS) has been named the 2020 recipient of the Western National Parks Association Steward L. Udall Award for her leadership on putting together the book America's Largest Classroom: What We Learn From Our National Parks.  

Northern Michigan University will adhere to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' executive order regarding higher education by switching to remote learning effective Wednesday, Nov. 18. Employees who can work remotely must begin to do so by the same date.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance is presenting its newly branded and re-imagined Fringe Festival titled “North x North Coast.” The virtual arts and culture festival will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 22. In addition to theater and dance performances, it will feature vocal and instrumental music, short films, 3D animation and art.

Northern Michigan University senior Emma Drever and her father Peter Drever ('93 BS) have both served as presidents of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University (ASNMU), the student government organization on campus. Emma is president now and Peter was 29 years ago. The father-daughter duo hails from Cook County, Ill.  

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University has received a Michigan Humanities Council grant of $13,226 for its upcoming exhibition titled “The Decolonization.” The project will tell the story of the Anishinaabeg Native American people of the Upper Peninsula through their personal experiences and perspectives. 

Northern Michigan University alumnus Mike Settles has "found his way home," returning to the Upper Peninsula and WNMU Public Media after a 24-year absence. He is the new producer and host of Media Meet, the Ask the... series featuring experts in such areas as law and medicine, and other local content. 

Jesse Sherman is Northern Michigan University's 2020 Student Veteran of the Year. He received a ceremonial coin at a small campus event held on Veterans Day and attended by his family, along with Michigan Rep. Sara Cambensy and Sen. Ed McBroom. Sherman is scheduled to graduate in late November with a master of business administration (MBA) degree.

The DeVos Art Museum at Northern Michigan University is hosting the Senior Art Exhibition for graduating seniors of the art and design program through Friday, Nov. 20. The museum is currently open exclusively to NMU students, faculty and staff. The general public can explore the exhibition online at art.nmu.edu/museum.

NMU alumna Shelley O'Dowd ('70 MAE) was recently surprised with 80th birthday treats and balloons from her colleagues at Pennfield High School in Battle Creek, where she continues to have a meaningful impact on students as a special education teacher. Neither the COVID-19 virus nor the increased emphasis on technology for remote instruction could deter the lung cancer survivor from returning for her 36th year at the school.

The NMU Department of Music and the Siril Endowment for the Musical Arts are presenting a digital streaming event featuring the world-renowned voices of the British ensemble Voces8. The concert will be available from Wednesday, Nov. 11, until Friday, Nov. 13, at midnight.