Around NMU

The Northern Michigan University jazz ensembles will present their second concert of the fall season at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. The concert will feature both the NMU Jazz Band and the NMU Jazz Combo.

Three Northern Michigan University Quiz Bowl squads traveled to Houghton Nov. 16 to compete with three Michigan Tech teams for the right to claim the Superior Cup, a traveling trophy that has been presented to the winner at each meeting of the two schools since 2015. NMU's A squad finished in first place with a 7-0 record, so the Superior Cup will remain in its trophy case in The Science Building.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a festive new production titled “Home for the Holidays” Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 in Forest Roberts Theatre. The show is about a group of NMU students who convene to share tales of their diverse family traditions before they journey home for the holidays. It features musical singing and dance numbers—many familiar—with bits of dialogue to tie it all together.

The Northern Michigan University student organization LIVE@NMU will kick off the 4th Annual LIVE Art & Word Contest as a way to help break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and suicide, engage individuals, encourage positive mental health and showcase the talents of both high school students and adults from across the Upper Peninsula. 

SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU and Innovate Marquette announce the Peak25 conference, taking place Feb. 20-21 at Northern Michigan University. Programming  provides a dynamic platform to celebrate research and scholarship, promote entrepreneurial ventures in outdoor innovation, creative technology, and sustainable solutions, as well as encourage collaboration. Peak25 is free and open to the public. Registration information is coming soon at peakconference.org.

Inspired by his recent visit to Northern Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications in 1975, Starbucks chairman emeritus and former CEO Howard Schultz and his wife, Sheri Kersch-Schultz, have announced a $1 million gift to NMU through their Schultz Family Foundation. The funding will support scholarships for first-generation students and Wildcat Athletics initiatives to promote student-athlete success.

“Cancer taught me that tomorrow isn't promised, and that we can't control everything, but we can choose how we respond,” said Northern Michigan University student Caleb Bell, reflecting on his T-cell lymphoma diagnosis at age 12. The Marquette native endured chemo, open-heart surgery and other challenges over two years, but achieved survivor status and even played club hockey his freshman year at NMU. He continues to support the “Stick It to Cancer” hockey fundraiser first organized on his behalf, and he is exploring opportunities to share his story in the hope of inspiring children currently coping with the disease.

Northern Michigan University offers the top accredited RN to BSN program in Michigan, based on annual rankings compiled by NursingProcess.org, and its nurse practitioner program is No. 3 in the state, according to RegisteredNursing.org.

The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team won its second-consecutive GLIAC Regular Season Championship and defeated Michigan Tech 5-0 in Tuesday's opening round of the postseason tournament. NMU will host the remainder of the playoffs this weekend, with the goal of earning back-to-back GLIAC Championships as well. After the Wildcats achieved both titles last year, Head Coach Jon Sandoval recognized that elevating the team's facilities would be essential to continuing the program's success. A $10,000 locker room renovation was completed prior to the start of this season through the generous support of more than 85 private donors who collectively surpassed the fundraising goal.

Northern Michigan University has received an Innovation Investment Award of nearly $906,000 from the Michigan Center for Adult College Success to develop competency-based education options that will help adults—regardless of age or career status—obtain postsecondary credentials to secure jobs or advance professionally in a knowledge-based economy.