The Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health has announced the winners of its annual essay competition for U.P. high school seniors to coincide with National Rural Health Day. This year's contest was sponsored by the Literacy Legacy Fund of Michigan and the Michigan Center for Rural Health. The top three prizes in each U.P. region—east, central and west—were $500, $250 and $100.

Taking care of crops and animals is hard on farmers and agribusiness professionals, who contend with stressors ranging from low commodity prices and other financial issues to extreme weather events and injuries. NMU alumnus Remington Rice is applying his psychology degrees to his career as a community behavioral health educator with Michigan State University Extension, helping farmers better manage stress and enhance their own health and wellness.  

Northern Michigan University will hold its sixth consecutive Day of Giving on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The NMU Foundation encourages faculty, staff, alumni and friends to show their support for students through a variety of giving options.

Northern Michigan University was among 18 higher education institutions nationwide featured in an Outside Magazine article titled “These Schools Can Help You Break into the Outdoor Industry.” The story addressed a growing number of U.S. colleges offering programs for future adventure-industry workers in response to the booming outdoor recreation industry. NMU was referenced for its outdoor recreation leadership and management program.

NMU 1968 alumna Jeannie Thoren was recently inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Museum Hall of Fame for her internationally recognized role in revolutionizing women's ski equipment. The U.P. native was an avid racer and earned a spot on the Junior National Ski Team. When coaches critiqued her stance, she customized her gear to perfect her technique. The Thoren Theory, based on the motto that “women aren't small men,” evolved through decades of research as a way to help women skiers improve performance through equipment modification.