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Northern Michigan University is offering 11 self-paced, online educational modules related to the COVID-19 pandemic free of charge. NMU faculty members from a variety of disciplines developed the short, non-credit courses. Topics range from the scientific aspects of coronaviruses and testing to the impacts on communities, businesses and families.

Northern Michigan University is suspending the per-credit online fee for all distance learning courses this fall, as it did for the winter and summer semester. This also applies to Global Campus students. 

Northern Michigan University is piloting a “test-blind” admissions policy, in which freshmen applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT test scores to be admitted. The change was prompted in part by barriers to administering standardized tests during the coronavirus pandemic. It is also supported by statistical evidence from national sources and NMU analyses that high school grade-point average, not SAT/ACT scores, is the most reliable gauge of how students will perform in college. 

Northern Michigan University's Technical and Office Professionals union (UAW 1950) has ratified a one-year contract extension, with 96% support among those who cast virtual ballots on Monday.

The new NMU Center for Rural Health has received a $100,000 federal development grant that will focus on diabetes prevention and treatment, as well as access to emergency medical services, across much of the Upper Peninsula. It also has its first director. Elise Bur of Marquette has most recently served as administrative director of Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center.

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University has announced its 2020 Upper Peninsula Folklife Awardees: musician Randy Seppala of Watton; folklorist Yvonne Lockwood, an Ironwood native who resides in Chelsea; and woodcarver Peter "Pekka" Olson of Chassell. The awards will be presented on Friday, Nov. 6, at NMU's Sonderegger Symposium. 

Cindy Steele, who attended Northern from 1986-88, played a role in the historic SpaceX launch to the International Space Station. As chief of NASA's Public Engagement Division, she coordinated the logistics of VIPs at the launch site.

NMU alumnus and former Wildcat basketball player Rod Coe ('58 BS) traveled extensively over his 26-year career with World Book Encyclopedia, before retiring as an executive vice president. His job put him in contact with NBA legend Bob Cousy, Mount Everest climber Sir Edmund Hillary, “Mercury Seven” astronauts, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and others. Coe later formed an RV tour company. At 83, he continues to share his enthusiasm for travel, along with the knowledge gleaned from actually reading the encylopedias he sold.

Northern Michigan University today donated 24 refurbished notebook computers to Norlite Nursing Center in Marquette, which has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the Upper Peninsula. All Norlite residents who have been isolated in their rooms since mid-March now have the technology to communicate with friends and family and engage in online group activities.

In "Wild Horses: A Crime Revisited," author and NMU alumna Susan Serafin Jess ('05 MFA) examines the 1967 case of a love triangle in lower Michigan that ended with a manslaughter conviction. Sarah Barclay had fallen hard for another woman whose husband became incensed and threatened her life. When he confronted Barclay forcefully one night, she shot him. Despite her claim of self-defense, she was convicted and died in prison only two years into her sentence, at the age of 26.

As protests in response to George Floyd's murder continued across the country, NMU President Fritz Erickson sent a campus-wide email earlier this week expressing solidarity in advocating for systemic equity in all sectors of society. He said Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Jessica Cruz will take the lead in identifying “actionable strategies for moving forward and creating opportunities for dialogue” this summer and when classes resume this fall. Cruz shared her thoughts on recent events and the need for related campus initiatives in the following Q&A. 

Three NMU education alumni have received accolades for their effective instruction. Jennifer Melero ('92 BS) is the Michigan Charter School Teacher of the Year, Jeremy Connin ('05 BME) is the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 13 Teacher of the Year, and Nicole Sheltrow ('99 BS, '05 MAE) is Gwinn Area Community Schools' Teacher of the Year.

Northern Michigan University is one of the two most affordable universities in Michigan, according to a ranking released by University Headquarters (HQ).

NMU alumnus Andy Herro will serve as Marquette County community bank president and commercial lender for Upper Peninsula State Bank when it expands with a new full-service location at the site of the former Burger King on Washington Street in Marquette. He graduated in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

The latest Wildcat Minute focuses on NMU electrical line technician graduate Ross Carr, who reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the final stretch of his college experience. He is currently employed in this essential field in Vermont.

The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association hosted a live virtual event, Fireside with Fritz: A Conversation with President Erickson on May 20. More than 150 alumni from 19 states joined President Erickson for a fireside chat, as he shared campus updates, answered questions live and engaged with the Wildcat community.

Northern Michigan University Economics Professor Gary McDonnell was one of the featured expert panelists in a recent WalletHub piece comparing states' unemployment rates related to the COVID-19 pandemic. He addressed the impact of the $2.2 trillion federal emergency relief package and the accuracy of a conventional measure of unemployment.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced nine appointments, including NMU alumnus and former Wildcat basketball player Ryan Reichel, to the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. 

Northern Michigan University is featured prominently in a Forbes article titled "Cannabis Education Arrives (Virtually) At More American Universities." NMU recently announced its partnership with Green Flower to offer non-credit online certificate programs beginning July 1.

COVID-19 impacted instructional formats, with most universities initially shifting to online-only course delivery prompted by stay home protocols. It has also affected some college rankings, which now place more emphasis on distance learning options. Northern Michigan University is the only U.P. school in Michigan's top “Tier 1,” according to an Educate to Career (ETC) ranking adapted for the COVID-19 climate.