Megan O’Connor of Midland will be the graduating senior commencement soloist at Northern Michigan University’s commencement on Saturday, Dec. 15. The communications major and music minor will lead the singing of the university’s alma mater, “Hail Northern,” and the national anthem. O’Connor played a major role in planning and executing the NMU Veterans Day choir concert, which raised $1,200 for the Jacobetti Home for Veterans. Those efforts recently earned her a "Director's Coin" for excellence from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. 

NMU alumna Skye Patrick ('96 BFA) was interviewed on "CBS This Morning" about an innovative program at the L.A. County Library, where she serves as director. Patrons who are 21 and under are allowed to read away their late fees at the rate of $5 per hour. Patrick received the NMU Alumni Achievement Award during Homecoming. Watch her interview here.

Northern held its second NMU Day of Giving Nov. 27, in conjunction with the global charitable event, Giving Tuesday. Focus areas receiving significant support included the Northern Fund, the Flexible Aid Fund, student scholarships and the NMU Food Pantry. The university collected 2112 non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products for the pantry, surpassing its goal of 2,000 and doubling last year's total. The pantry also received more than $2,500 in cash gifts.

The NMU Superior Dome is one of the "25 must-see buildings in Michigan" featured in a USA Today pictorial and compiled by members of the American Institute of Architects Michigan. "From automobiles to furniture design, Michigan has an impressive building stock that spans from the late 19th century to the current day," stated the introduction to the pictorial.

While college is designed to prepare students for their chosen career fields, there can be uncertainty about the job market that awaits them after graduation. But some Northern Michigan University seniors, like Savannah Wheeler from Midland, already have jobs lined up before they walk across the commencement stage.