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Northern Michigan University is sponsoring the U.S. Ski and Snowboard (USSS) MidAmerica Series, the premier race series within the Central Division. At the first event, held Dec. 13-15 at Nub's Nob in Harbor Springs, Mich., two NMU students were among the top three finishers in Sunday's FIS MidAm Slalom.

Jessica Cruz, Northern Michigan University's chief diversity and inclusion officer, has been reappointed to the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Her term expires Dec. 10, 2022.

NMU's Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) will host a Rise U.P. Women's March 2020 post-reception Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Ore Dock Brewing Company. The event will feature all-female speakers and musicians, along with a pop-up art show by female artists. PRSSA is highlighting several empowering NMU students, faculty and staff in advance of the march and reception. Here is the first of four installments recognizing their dedication.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced her second appointment to Northern Michigan University's Board of Trustees. Donna Murray-Brown of Detroit will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of a trustee who moved out of state. She is the president and CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association.

In each of the 40 years Marquette has had a Sister City relationship with Higashiomi, Japan, NMU's president has sponsored a student to attend the university. The 40th Japanese scholar, Ami Nakadera, recently delivered a letter from the mayor of her city to NMU President Fritz Erickson.

NMU Dining participated in a Forward Food Culinary Experience training event this week designed to help institutional food service operations incorporate more plant-based cuisine into their menus. The program is designed to meet growing global demand for more sustainable food.

Two NMU alumni were involved in a recent Upper Peninsula birthday celebration held at the Marquette Regional History Center. State Rep. Sara Cambensy introduced a House-adopted resolution commemorating Dec. 14 as the 183rd birthday of the U.P., while Mark Ruge gave a presentation on the “Frostbitten Convention” held on that date in 1836, which ensured that Michigan's boundaries would include the entire Upper Peninsula.

Al Mitchell, longtime director of the former boxing program at NMU's U.S. Olympic Education Center, was inducted Dec. 13 into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame. The legendary coach was in impressive company. The third class of inductees also included Olympic gold-medalists “Big” George Foreman, “Smokin'” Joe Frazier and Mark Breland.

Despite a major assist from Mother Nature to accelerate the start of the ski season in this region, snow-making systems are critical to many ski areas. Alumnus P.J. Britz secured a job with TechnoAlpin, a global leader in the industry, with the help of NMU's ski area business management program. 

Northern Michigan University held its third NMU Day of Giving on Dec. 3. The event raised more than $850,000, nearly double the total from last year. More than half of the gifts went to support scholarships, about $100,000 directly to departments and the remainder to designated programs and greatest need.