NMU Senior Tim Kruger has long been interested in woodworking, particularly furniture design. But “an epiphany” during a woodturning class led by Professor Jason Schneider convinced him to hone in on his true passion: teaching. Kruger was inspired to apply for a summer workshop at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, Colo., and received a scholarship to attend. Schneider also returned to “the Ranch,” where he had worked for a decade before joining NMU’s faculty, to teach two summer workshops.

Northern Michigan University's 2018 Homecoming celebration will feature a full slate of activities for alumni and community members Sept. 18-22. Special additions this year include a community-wide ice cream social, the unveiling and dedication of a new Wildcat statue on campus, the premiere of a documentary on the 1975 national champion football team and a dedication of The Woods student housing complex. The following events are free, unless otherwise indicated.

Northern Michigan University will host the Marquette/Alger Counties College Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Don H. Bottum University Center Great Lakes Rooms. The program will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. and is open to high school students and their parents.

Northern Michigan University’s new student enrollment has increased 9.9 percent this fall, thanks to a second consecutive year of growth in first-time freshmen and a significant boost in transfer students. New freshmen numbers are up by 107, or 7.1 percent. Transfers have increased by 81, or nearly 20 percent, according to the university’s 10th day enrollment report.

The 13th annual UNITED Conference will be held Sept. 24-25 at Northern Michigan University. UNITED is a yearly conference composed of a broad range of presentations and films focusing on diversity and inclusion. This year’s speakers and events will address such topics as social justice, human rights and gender studies.