Arts and Culture

Dietz Honored at Veterans Day Concert

Nov. 13, 2018 —

At the Northern Michigan University Veterans Day Concert on Nov. 11, distinguished student veteran Traci Dietz received a commemorative coin from President Fritz Erickson for her dedicated time and service.

“I am honored to have been recognized by [Rep.] Sara Cambensy and President Erickson,” she said. “I have worked hard to make the lives of my fellow veterans easier through my work-study position in the Veteran Services Office with Mike Rutledge and his service dog, Welles, who has helped countless students through rough times.”

Reflecting on WWI Impact on NMU

Nov. 8, 2018 —

Veterans Day on Nov. 11 coincides with the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Under the leadership of President James Kaye, Northern State Normal School (now Northern Michigan University) participated in WWI regionally, nationally and abroad. War-time concerns were exacerbated by another significant threat a century ago: a Spanish flu pandemic that ultimately shut down Northern for three months in the fall 1918 semester.

NMU Screens 'Trudell'

Nov. 8, 2018 —

Northern Michigan University’s Native American Student Association will screen the documentary Trudell at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, in the Whitman Hall commons. The event is free and open to the public.

The documentary traces American Indian activist and poet John Trudell's life, from his childhood in Omaha, Neb., through his role as a leader of the American Indian Movement and his rebirth as a musician and spoken word poet.

November is Native American Heritage Month. For more information, visit www.nmu.edu/nativeamericanstudies.

Anti-Semitism, Resurgent Fascism Discussed

Nov. 5, 2018 —

Canadian political theorist Ronald Beiner will present “Dangerous Minds in Dangerous Times” at Northern Michigan University. His talk is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, in the Ontario Room of the University Center. Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided. Beiner will explore themes from his latest book, Dangerous Minds: Nietzsche, Heidegger, and the Return of the Far Right.

First Nations Food Taster Friday

Nov. 5, 2018 —

Northern Michigan University’s Native American Student Association is hosting the First Nations Food Taster. The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at the Jacobetti Complex commons.

The First Nations Food Taster provides guests with an array of Native American foods. Recipes from the Decolonizing Diet Project will be featured, offering traditional Native American foods. Some contemporary Native American dishes will also be available. This year’s menu may include bison stew with cranberries, turkey roast, pecan whitefish, venison and squash bisque.

Annie Humphrey Performs at NMU

Nov. 1, 2018 —

Singer-songwriter Annie Humphrey, the Native American Music Awards' 2018 Artist of the Year, will perform Saturday, Nov. 10, at Northern Michigan University. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre. Her performance is in conjunction with the U.P. Beaumier Heritage Center's exhibition, Ancestral Women. Tickets are $5 for the general public and $1 for NMU students.

Zoology, Theater Combine in 'Sweeney Todd'

Oct. 31, 2018 —
NMU senior Abby Persoon has found a unique way to combine her zoology major with her theater minor by matching different bird species to each of the principle characters in the Forest Roberts Theatre (FRT) production of Sweeney Todd. Persoon worked closely with FRT director Keli Truckey to base each character on a bird to capture an underlying theme of bird imagery that most people aren’t aware is included in the play.

Truckey Receives State Award

Oct. 25, 2018 —
Dan Truckey, director of the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at NMU, was awarded the Peninsulas Prize by the Michigan Museums Association at its annual meeting Oct. 29 in Dearborn. The statewide prize honors an individual or organization that has “demonstrated the significance and impact of community engagement over the last year.” According to the award description, it recognizes the “ability to engage with its community, showcase multiple perspectives, address community needs or concerns, and/or bridge the gap between the past and present.”

Grant Supports Civic Learning

Oct. 17, 2018 —

Northern Michigan University English professor Wendy Farkas is using an Endeavor Foundation grant to integrate civic learning into the English general education curriculum. NMU is among 24 institutions selected for funding from 134 applicants. The funding supports an Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) initiative called “Civic Prompts: Civic Learning in the Major by Design.” The initiative seeks to incorporate civic-minded studies and social responsibility as components within students’ major fields of study.

Research Fellows Present Work Oct. 25

Oct. 16, 2018 —

NMU Honors Program student and Wildcat football player Aaron Rochow researched the political and economic institutions in the neighboring African countries of Botswana and Zimbabwe to better understand their different development paths. He traveled to Botswana through a Lundin Summer Research Fellowship. Rochow and four other students will give presentations on their summer projects at an Oct. 25 event honoring donor Rich Lundin.