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Northern Michigan University will hold a virtual commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 1, with 929 students registered to graduate and 962 degrees awarded if all requirements are met (33 students will earn multiple degrees). The ceremony can be viewed via a link at nmu.edu/commencement.

The Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health has completed its inaugural “Fight the Flu” competition to determine which of the four Upper Peninsula universities could get the highest percentage of its total population vaccinated against the flu. The winner for the 2020-21 academic year is Finlandia University, with 12.1% of its students, staff and faculty members reporting they had been vaccinated.

Northern Michigan University Marketing Professor Gary Brunswick has been awarded the Sam M. Cohodas Professorship. He has been a member of the NMU College of Business faculty for 30 years and was previously honored with the 2018 Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2005 Distinguished Faculty Award, among other accolades.

Analise Osgood of Birmingham, Mich., has been named the Northern Michigan University Department of Psychological Science 2020-21 outstanding graduating senior. She is graduating May 1 with a bachelor's degree in psychology, with a concentration in mental health and pre-clinical psychology. 

Hayley Gilbertson of Carbondale, Ill., has been named the Northern Michigan University Department of Psychological Science 2020-21 outstanding graduating graduate student. She completed her studies in December, earning a master's degree in psychological science. 

Mariah Goeks of Lake Forest, Ill., has been named the Northern Michigan University Physics Department 2020-21 outstanding graduating senior. She will earn her bachelor's degree May 1. Goeks began working with the NMU solid-state physics research group as a Freshman Fellow. Through that experience, she was able to travel to a national laboratory in England. 

Denice Weeks of Boyne City, Mich., has been named one of two Northern Michigan University School of Nursing 2020-21 outstanding graduating seniors. With a 4.0 grade-point average, she graduated in December, earning her RN to BSN degree while simultaneously working full-time in the operating room at McLaren Northern Michigan. 

Tess Kostelec of Columbia, Md., has been named one of two Northern Michigan University School of Nursing 2020-21 outstanding graduating seniors. She is graduating May 1 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). 

Arabella Olson of Negaunee has been named the Northern Michigan University Department of Music 2020-21 outstanding graduating senior. She is graduating May 1 with a bachelor's degree in music, specializing in trombone. 

Robin Moriarty of East Lansing, Mich., has been named the Northern Michigan University Department of Mathematics and Computer Science 2020-21 outstanding graduating senior. With a cumulative 4.0 grade-point average, Moriarty is graduating May 1 with degrees in both mathematics and computer science. 

Erik Flinn of Marquette, Mich., has been named the Northern Michigan University Department of Mathematics and Computer Science 2020-21 outstanding graduating graduate student. He was part of the inaugural class of NMU's new Master of Science in Mathematics program, and will earn his degree May 1.

Margaret Vaitkus of Sawyer, Mich., has been named the Northern Michigan University Languages, Literatures and International Studies 2020-21 outstanding graduating senior. She is graduating May 1 with degrees in Spanish and fisheries and wildlife management. 

Logan Hartz of Rochester, Ind., has been named the Northern Michigan University History Department 2020-21 outstanding graduating senior. He is graduating May 1 with a 4.0 grade-point average. 

Northern Michigan University's Theatre and Dance department will present a modern twist on the literary classic Romeo and Juliet with a filmed production available for viewing Monday, May 10-Wednesday, June 30. This production of Shakespeare's infamous tale of two star-crossed lovers will be the department's first full-length film.

Katharina Springhetti of Tramin, Italy is the Northern Michigan University School of Health and Human Performance 2020-21 outstanding graduating senior. She will receive her bachelor's degree in sports science with a 3.81 grade-point average on May 1. Springhetti also competed on the NMU Swim and Dive Team as a national-level qualifier.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations is hosting a virtual alumni social with Interim Dean Steve VandenAvond and faculty members from the College of Technology and Occupational Sciences at 6:30 p.m. EST Wednesday, April 28. All NMU alumni are invited to join.

Josie Mazzone of Marquette has been named the Northern Michigan University School of Health and Human Performance 2020-21 outstanding graduating graduate student. She will receive her master's degree May 1 with a 4.0 grade-point average. 

David Robinson of Marquette, Mich., has been named one of two Northern Michigan University English Department 2020-21 outstanding graduating graduate students. On May 1, he will receive a master's degree in English literature with a concentration in contemporary African-American literature. 

Matthew Alanskas of Macomb, Mich., has been named the Northern Michigan University Engineering Technology Department 2020-21 outstanding graduating senior. He is graduating May 1 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology and a 3.92 grade-point average.

Emma Drever of Forest Park, Ill., has been named the Northern Michigan University English Department 2020-21 outstanding graduating senior.