Around NMU

Northern Michigan University's Criminal Justice Department and Regional Police Academy recently hosted Alpena Community College (ACC) Director of Criminal Justice Robert Mills. The two schools are firming up a partnership to offer a 3+1 program, in which students would attend ACC for three years before transferring and completing a bachelor's degree at Northern.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations will present a virtual family cooking segment with NMU Dining Services Executive Chef Alden MacDonald, CEC, at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, June 28. To help attendees prepare for 4th of July festivities, MacDonald will showcase red, white and blue recipes that can be made and enjoyed by the whole family. She will be cooking inside the state-of-the-art kitchen at the Northern Center, the new home for the NMU Hospitality Management program, and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the facility.

Five randomly chosen local organizations will receive automated external defibrillators (AEDs) donated by the Green Bay Packers. This winter, the Packers and Bellin Health announced that the team would fund $100,000 toward providing 80 AEDs to eligible organizations in need throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The decision was made in the wake of the January cardiac emergency experienced by Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin.

The Northern Michigan University (NMU) Foundation, in partnership with the City of Marquette, has selected Adamo Group, a family-owned demolition company founded in 1964, based in Detroit, as general contractor for the blight elimination project at the former hospital property adjacent to NMU's campus in Marquette. It was the lowest of seven bidders. Adamo Group and the NMU Foundation entered into a demolition services agreement on June 12 after finalizing approvals with funding partners, including the State Land Bank Authority, City of Marquette, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Northern Michigan University researchers are exploring the feasibility of using hemp to remediate soil contaminated with PFAS, a group of manufactured chemicals that make a wide range of industry and consumer products non-stick, greaseproof and flame retardant. NMU Chemistry Professor Lesley Putman said the hope is that hemp will not only draw up PFAS from the ground, but ultimately be able to degrade them, unlike the typical and more costly remediation methods using granular activated charcoal or reverse osmosis.

The Two Books Two Communities committee is pleased to announce its 2023 selections: Chevy in the Hole, a novel set in Flint, Mich., by Kelsey Ronan; and A Psalm for the Wild-Built, a “solar punk” sci fi novella set on a rewilding moon by Becky Chambers. The Two Books Two Communities program fosters a sense of community by bringing together Northern Michigan University and Marquette and Alger County readers. Community members can add these titles to their summer reading lists in order to join the conversation at related events this fall.

Northern Michigan University's Young Wildcat Scholars (YWS) program resumed last month after a three-year hiatus related to the pandemic. YWS brings together 6th graders from all of NMU's charter schools to help them gain a better understanding of higher education and what Northern and the Marquette community have to offer.  About 300 students participated in educational opportunities and group social activities.

Northern Michigan University 2013 alumnus Ben Argall, an Ishpeming realtor who has been flipping houses for the past six years, is featured on the new season of HGTV's “Battle on the Beach.” He and area licensed contractor Pete Meldrum represent one of three teams competing in weekly renovation challenges across three seaside homes in Gulf Shores, Ala. Argall and Meldrum won the bedroom challenge in the second episode that aired June 11.

Northern Michigan University is offering “Summer of STEM College for Kids” programs for students in K-6 and 7-8. Classes are offered June 26-30 and July 10-14.