At the Oct. 27 campus forum, Northern Michigan University Interim President Gavin Leach provided updates on the presidential transition, enrollment-related initiatives, facilities projects, and impacts of both the finalized state budget and federal funding cuts. Other staff members gave presentations on progress related to the Grand Challenges in “Our Compass,” Northern's strategic plan. 

The nine recent appointees to the Northern Michigan University Alumni Advisory Board bring a diverse range of professional experience and perspectives. They represent decades of leadership across education, law, healthcare, engineering and public service. The recent additions are: Charlita Anderson White, Dan Blood, Cody Bonk, Alejandra Magaña, Ryan McAllister, Dan Miller, Jessie Neece, Kate Sartori and Josh Todd.

Northern Michigan University's AFSCME union, which represents 119 food services staff and maintenance employees, ratified a three-year contract Oct. 27.

WNMU-TV will host a preview screening and panel discussion related to "The American Revolution," a new Ken Burns six-part, 12-hour documentary series that explores the country's founding struggle and its eight-year War for Independence. The screening is open to the public and takes place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, in the Northern Center Ballrooms on Northern Michigan University's campus. 

Northern Michigan University faculty member Theresa Camilli will discuss and premiere the late piano teacher and Marquette resident William Weber's "Lake Superior Piano Suite," a composition depicting the view atop Sugarloaf Mountain. Her solo concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Reynolds Recital Hall. A selection of Weber's never-before-seen paintings, inspired by the vivid colors and textures of the Upper Peninsula, will be available for purchase, with 100% of proceeds directly benefitting NMU music scholarships. 

Northern Michigan University alumna Shannon Konoske is getting settled in to her relatively new role as news director at WLUC-TV6 in Marquette. She oversees the station's news operations, guides editorial direction and fosters innovative approaches to engage viewers across TV6 & FOX UP platforms. 

Migrant workers are an instrumental part of America's agriculture industry, comprising about 68% of hired crop farmworkers in the United States from 2020-2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Despite their contributions, many encounter challenges related to their jobs. Northern Michigan University students Citlali Esparza-Salvador and Abby Martin discovered this first hand through their internships with a Grand Rapids nonprofit organization.