Around NMU

NMU's Biology Department will host Diversity in STEM Week activities Feb. 5-9. On a related note, Associate Professor Diana Lafferty and NMU alumni Tru Hubbard and Sarah Trujillo co-authored a recent scientific journal publication titled “A Path Forward: Creating an Academic Culture of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” They analyzed faculty hiring data and practices, addressed how a lack of diverse representation impacts STEM disciplines—particularly ecology, evolution and conservation biology (EECB)—and suggested a model for change. 

Northern Michigan University's Biology Department will host Diversity in STEM Week Feb. 5-9. Several events and activities will be presented that “highlight and celebrate the many, often unacknowledged, ways that people from diverse walks of life contribute to the STEM disciplines: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The department will also display entries in the Diversity in STEM Art Contest in the 2nd floor atrium of Weston Hall from noon, Feb. 7 through Feb. 9.

Audio/visual services at Northern Michigan University has a secret rock star in its ranks. Matt Herbig, operations supervisor, played bass guitar in his high school/college heavy metal band, Indecision, as well as the band Pseudocell. They had a few shows around the U.P., with Herbig recalling the shows they put on at an old church in Iron River and at Corner Zone (now The Dance Zone) on Lincoln Avenue.

Northern Michigan University will hold a series of events during Black History Month in February. The annual celebration, officially recognized in 1976 during the U.S. bicentennial, honors the achievements and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation.

Detroit native and Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry book author Tyehimba Jess will be the featured guest at the next Northern Michigan University Visiting Writers Series event at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, in Peninsula II of the Northern Center.

EcoReps, Northern's peer-to-peer sustainability education student organization, embodies one of the university's core values and emboldens students to strive toward equitable sustainability on campus. EcoReps is made up of more than 200 registered members, and hosts activities such as the on-campus Zero Waste event planned for the upcoming hockey game against Michigan Tech on Friday, Feb. 2.

Ann Goodman James, former Wildcats swimming and diving coach (1986-1996) and NMU Sports Hall of Fame inductee, will retire this year at the end of her 48th season in the sport, according to a release from Colorado College Athletics. She has coached across all three NCAA divisions and was named one of the 100 Greatest College Swimming and Diving Coaches of the past century by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America.

Eisenhower Dance Detroit, considered one of the finest contemporary dance companies in the Midwest, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, and Friday, Feb. 9, at Northern Michigan University's Forest Roberts Theatre. The troupe will also offer a master class for NMU students with at least four years of previous dance training to the intermediate or advanced level from 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 9.

Northern Michigan University English Professor Emeritus John Smolens' latest novel, A Cold, Hard Prayer was selected by the Library of Michigan for the 2024 Michigan Notable Books list. This work of historical fiction is his 12th novel. Smolens previously made the list for Wolf's Mouth in 2017 and Day of Days in 2022.