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Jim Thorburn of Livonia, Mich., a decorated police officer whose law enforcement career spanned nearly 30 years, accepted Northern Michigan University's Alumni Achievement Award during a 125th anniversary Homecoming celebration. He was a two-time Police Officer of the Year, and retired in 2022 as a detective and public information officer for the Allen Park Police Department. It was in the latter role that he helped to bridge the divide between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

After retiring as a university administrator, Northern Michigan University alumnus and former Wildcat football player Jim Mansfield found fulfillment in his longtime volunteer role as a blood courier in Spokane, Wash. He was honored last year with a President's Lifetime Achievement Award, signed by Joe Biden, for his “7,304 hours of service to this nation.” He also received every award bestowed by his local blood center for his efforts. 

Northern Michigan University will present the daring and provocative musical Cabaret Oct. 3-5 and 10-12. The play is set in a Berlin nightclub as the 1920s draw to a close. It explores the tumultuous life of the city's natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich.

Northern Michigan University will host a grand opening garden party for its new Campus Nursery as part of the 125th anniversary celebration at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1. Participants are invited to tour the garden and learn about native plant species and efforts to increase biodiversity on our campus. There will also be an opportunity to get hands dirty by helping with fall tree and bush planting. Light refreshments will be served.  

Northern Michigan University has announced a new partnership with Shift Labs Network™, an initiative spearheaded by Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) da Vinci Center for Innovation. The Shift Labs Network™, a Fast Company 2023 Innovation by Design award winner, is dedicated to accelerating access to innovation and entrepreneurship educational opportunities through a collaborative network of educational institutions, partner organizations and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

The Trouble Notes, a trio that blends traditional folk, gritty progressive rock and explosive dance music, will perform a concert and deliver two free public presentations at Northern Michigan University on Friday, Oct. 4. An "enchanting and usually very fast-played violin" is the voice of the group, but guitar and percussion complete their unique sound, which mixes influences from all over the world.