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NMU's Biology Department will host Diversity in STEM Week activities Feb. 5-9. On a related note, Associate Professor Diana Lafferty and NMU alumni Tru Hubbard and Sarah Trujillo co-authored a recent scientific journal publication titled “A Path Forward: Creating an Academic Culture of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” They analyzed faculty hiring data and practices, addressed how a lack of diverse representation impacts STEM disciplines—particularly ecology, evolution and conservation biology (EECB)—and suggested a model for change. 

Northern Michigan University's Biology Department will host Diversity in STEM Week Feb. 5-9. Several events and activities will be presented that “highlight and celebrate the many, often unacknowledged, ways that people from diverse walks of life contribute to the STEM disciplines: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The department will also display entries in the Diversity in STEM Art Contest in the 2nd floor atrium of Weston Hall from noon, Feb. 7 through Feb. 9.

Mike Oswald, a 2003 Northern Michigan University construction management alumnus and former Wildcat football player, has been promoted to CEO of Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors in Richardson, Texas. He joined the firm as a project engineer shortly after earning his NMU degree. His solid performance fueled rapid promotions through various leadership roles over the past 20 years. Prior to being elevated to CEO, Oswald served as chief operating officer, managing field operations for all divisions.

Audio/visual services at Northern Michigan University has a secret rock star in its ranks. Matt Herbig, operations supervisor, played bass guitar in his high school/college heavy metal band, Indecision, as well as the band Pseudocell. They had a few shows around the U.P., with Herbig recalling the shows they put on at an old church in Iron River and at Corner Zone (now The Dance Zone) on Lincoln Avenue.

Northern Michigan University will hold a series of events during Black History Month in February. The annual celebration, officially recognized in 1976 during the U.S. bicentennial, honors the achievements and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation.

Detroit native and Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry book author Tyehimba Jess will be the featured guest at the next Northern Michigan University Visiting Writers Series event at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, in Peninsula II of the Northern Center.

EcoReps, Northern's peer-to-peer sustainability education student organization, embodies one of the university's core values and emboldens students to strive toward equitable sustainability on campus. EcoReps is made up of more than 200 registered members, and hosts activities such as the on-campus Zero Waste event planned for the upcoming hockey game against Michigan Tech on Friday, Feb. 2.

Ann Goodman James, former Wildcats swimming and diving coach (1986-1996) and NMU Sports Hall of Fame inductee, will retire this year at the end of her 48th season in the sport, according to a release from Colorado College Athletics. She has coached across all three NCAA divisions and was named one of the 100 Greatest College Swimming and Diving Coaches of the past century by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America.

Eisenhower Dance Detroit, considered one of the finest contemporary dance companies in the Midwest, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, and Friday, Feb. 9, at Northern Michigan University's Forest Roberts Theatre. The troupe will also offer a master class for NMU students with at least four years of previous dance training to the intermediate or advanced level from 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 9.

Northern Michigan University English Professor Emeritus John Smolens' latest novel, A Cold, Hard Prayer was selected by the Library of Michigan for the 2024 Michigan Notable Books list. This work of historical fiction is his 12th novel. Smolens previously made the list for Wolf's Mouth in 2017 and Day of Days in 2022.

Wilbert Alik, a 2021 Northern Michigan University anthropology alumnus from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, recently donated a flag from the island nation in the northwest Pacific to the collection of world flags hanging in the Whitman Hall Commons on campus. After earning his NMU degree, Alik returned to his home country and became director of its Historic Preservation Office and the national historic preservation officer.

Three Northern Michigan University musical theater majors scored major achievements at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival's (KCACTF) Region 3 conference in Flint. Junior Maya Moreau of Dearborn made history as the first NMU student to win the $500 Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship and advance to the national KCACTF festival competition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Liam Fisher of Grand Rapids and John Thomson of Marquette were among 18 finalists selected for the regional Musical Theater Intensive, out of nearly 70 who auditioned.

Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota artists who reside north of the 45th parallel are invited to submit works for the annual “North of the 45th” juried exhibition at Northern Michigan University's DeVos Art Museum. Artists 18 and older may enter up to five images of their work across all media created within the past three years to be considered for the summer 2024 show. The submission deadline is Wednesday, March 13.

Northern Michigan University's CO/LAB Dance Company will present “Carnival of the Animals: A Short Ballet” for the young and young at heart, set to the renowned musical score by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The ballet will be followed by a choreographic showcase by NMU students and faculty. The production begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1 through Saturday, Feb. 3, in Forest Roberts Theatre. A sensory-friendly Theatre for All matinee will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Northern Michigan University's Superior Dome is featured in a story in Connected World, a specialty digital publisher on sustainability and other topics. The article states that domes—whether made of brick and mortar, wood or contemporary materials—have been a staple of architecture for thousands of years, particularly as a cover for churches and stadiums. It then focuses on Northern's, which was completed in 1991. 

Northern Michigan University celebrates Winterfest 2024: “Spinning with the Snowflakes.” Winterfest is an annual series of campus-wide events held during the winter semester, hosted by the NMU Special Events Committee (SEC).

Northern Michigan University invites students, faculty, staff, alumni and Upper Peninsula residents to submit original alma mater compositions in recognition of its 125th anniversary celebration in 2024. An alma mater is traditionally a short-form musical piece with lyrics pertaining to the university's distinctive elements, and is used at official events such as commencement. Selected creations will be eligible for monetary awards of $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second and $500 for third.

Northern Michigan University alumnus Geoff Parkhurst, who earned a master's in administrative service in 1995, was promoted to director of life cycle management at SRCTec. The not-for-profit research and development company “combines information, science, technology and ingenuity to solve ‘impossible' problems in the areas of defense, environment and intelligence."

Northern Michigan University alumna Doris Ranski-Zazula RN, MSA, is the new vice president of the Karmanos Cancer Network, which is part of McLaren Health Care and the largest cancer care and research network in Michigan. The 1983 BSN graduate provides oversight for several Karmanos locations in the Lower Peninsula. 

Northern Michigan University's “Path to Carbon Neutrality by 2050” plan is now finalized, outlining the strategies for achieving that goal and targeted reductions in carbon emissions for each decade along the way. The completed plan aligns with NMU's core values and strategic priorities, which include a focus on building a culture of sustainability.