Around NMU

Patrick Deneen, author of Why Liberalism Failed, will give a presentation followed by a Q&A session at Northern Michigan University. The event will be held from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in 1322 Jamrich Hall. It is free and open to the public.

Northern Michigan University and Meijer representatives today participated in a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Meijer Student-Athlete Fueling Station in the NMU Superior Dome. The station, which offers grab-and-go snacks and drinks to Wildcat athletes free of charge, is the newest component of a multi-layered master sponsorship agreement with the Grand Rapids-based retailer. Meijer has contributed gift cards valued at $15,000 annually to NMU Intercollegiate Athletics to keep the fueling station stocked.

The Northern Center for Lifelong Learning will present a program on how natural stone countertops are cut and finished at Stone Reflections, followed by a Dutch treat lunch at Jackson's Pit. The event is scheduled from 10:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, with a registration deadline of Thursday, March 7. Cost is $3 for NCLL members and $6 for non-members. To register, call 227-2979.

At its Feb. 15 meeting, the NMU Board of Trustees approved moving Alumni Relations operations and reporting from the Extended Learning and Community Engagement Division to the NMU Foundation. According to the NMU Foundation, this realignment represents an important step in a larger restructuring effort establishing a holistic team-driven approach to advancement in preparation for the upcoming fundraising campaign.

The Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company will perform at Northern Michigan University's Forest Roberts Theatre on Friday, March 15. An educational performance for school classrooms, home-school groups and other educational organizations is scheduled for 11 a.m. A public performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the evening event are $5 and there will be a meet and greet in the lobby of FRT following the performance.

NMU President Fritz Erickson recently testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges as part of the state budget process. The subcommittee is comprised of mostly new members this cycle. It requested that university leaders address formula funding, first-generation students, enrollment trends and unique attributes of their institutions in their formal remarks.

Some of NMU's construction management students had a rare opportunity to meet privately with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during her visit to campus earlier this month. They gave her an overview of the program, explained why they chose that academic path and shared their career plans after graduation.

Ten NMU faculty members have received 2019 Faculty Research Grants to support scholarly activities. The recipients and their project titles are:

Northern Michigan University will host a Career Exploration Open House from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16, in the Jacobetti Complex. Prospective students and families are invited to tour the learning labs, meet with faculty to discuss programs and explore career choices. 

The Northern Center for Lifelong Learning will present “Lunch at The Lights,” a meal at Northern Michigan University's renovated dining hall. NMU Dining staff will give an update on changes and discuss the Food Recovery Network. The registration deadline is Tuesday, March 5. The event is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 12.