Around NMU

Four Northern Michigan University dance students recently completed a faculty-led trip to the performing arts mecca of New York City. Many shows are still shuttered by the pandemic, but the group was able to watch the closing performance of American Ballet Theatre's Across America Tour, held outdoors at Rockefeller Center. They also took several classes at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway, and joined NMU Theatre and Dance alumni for a gathering in Central Park.

Northern Michigan University's new Sustainability Hub for Innovation and the Environment (SHINE) launched this week at an event announcing its partnership with Grand Rapids-based nonprofit People First Economy. With NMU student involvement, the two entities will deploy technical assistance and sustainability expertise to a cohort of Marquette-area businesses.

NMU's Sustainability Hub for Innovation and the Environment (SHINE) complements the College of Business' new bachelor's degree program in sustainable business enterprise. Professor and SHINE Interim Director Jes Thompson calls it a “Swiss army knife” academic major because of its broad, interdisciplinary approach.

Helen Maroulis, who trained at what is now the NMU National Training Site won Olympic bronze with ease, defeating Mongolia's Khongorzul Boldsaikhan in the womens freestyle 57kg wrestling event, 11-0. The 2016 gold medalist said competing in another Summer Games was "a gift" after enduring injury and personality-altering brain trauma. 

Northern Michigan University is revising its mask protocol for the start of the fall semester because of the higher transmissibility of COVID's Delta variant and rising caseloads nationwide. Whether vaccinated or not, all individuals will be required to wear masks in common areas during residence hall move-in activities Aug. 19-23, and in classrooms and labs effective with the first day of classes Aug. 23.

Northern Michigan University students enrolled for the fall semester are eligible for grants funded by federal stimulus dollars ranging from $250 to $1,000. They simply need to read brief information online and select how they want the funding to be processed.

Northern Michigan University's Department of Theatre and Dance has added two shows to its 2021-22 season. Both will be staged next summer as part of the North Coast Theatre and Dance Festival. The new productions are: “Buffett Bash” June 30-July 1 at the Shoreline Theatre; and “A Chorus Line” July 13-16 and 20-23 at Forest Roberts Theatre.

Northern Michigan University's Website Redesign Team was selected to receive a 2021 NMU Distinguished Team Award.

The Northern Michigan University Spalding Hall Isolation/Quarantine team was selected to receive a 2021 NMU Distinguished Team Award.

Former Northern Michigan University student Sarah Robles, who trained at what is now the NMU National Training Site on campus, became the first U.S. woman to win two Olympic weightlifting medals when she claimed bronze Monday night in Tokyo. She previously earned the same color medal at the Rio Games in 2016.