Five individuals and five agencies who assisted in the lifesaving rescue of Northern Michigan University employee Stephanie Penhale were publicly recognized at the April 29 NMU Board of Trustees business meeting. Penhale is director of the Network Infrastructure Center. She and her 22-year-old daughter, Lily, attended the session to personally thank those whose quick actions made a critical difference until more advanced medical care could be provided.

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees presented trustee emeritus plaques to Rick Popp and Thomas Zurbuchen in recognition of their distinguished service to NMU. The two men were honored at the board's April 29 meeting.

Northern Michigan University NCAA champion swimmer Ondrej Zach, who won the men's 1,650-yard freestyle at the Division II national meet in March, was formally recognized for his achievement at the April 29 NMU Board of Trustees meeting.

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees presented its annual Student Achievement Awards just before commencement, honoring four individuals for their significant contributions to the quality of life at NMU through extracurricular activities or work in a university department, and one for making a significant commitment to online education through NMU's Global Campus program. Recipients were (click on each name for a more detailed individual story): Jakob Lippert of Green Bay, Wis., Outstanding Graduating Senior; Valeta Gage of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Outstanding Graduating Senior; Veronica Line of South Range, Wis., Outstanding Student of Any Class; Matthew Goss, originally from Rising Sun, Md., Outstanding Nontraditional Student; and Claudia Chavez-Rhoades, Outstanding Global Campus student.

Jakob Lippert of Green Bay, Wis., was awarded one of two Outstanding Graduating Senior awards from the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees. He also won the Library and Archives Research Award for a paper on the Associated Press and Nazi Germany. Lippert will graduate with full honors April 30, earning a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in German studies.