Around NMU

Northern Michigan University's hospitality management program is preparing to open its new student-operated restaurant, tentatively named the NMU Training Kitchen, each Wednesday evening from March 22-April 19. Community members can enjoy fixed-price, four-course meals, with an option to purchase non-alcoholic mocktails and wines from a new Dry Bar menu. This will mark the public debut of the dining laboratory in the Northern Center.

The Northern Michigan University Jazz Festival will include two evening performances featuring guest artist Dean Sorenson. The trombonist will perform with the NMU Jazz Festival Faculty Combo during a 7:30 p.m. opening concert on Thursday, March 23, in Reynolds Recital Hall. He will also share the Forest Roberts Theatre stage with the NMU Jazz Band and Jazz Combo for the closing concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24. 

Northern Michigan University's 16th annual UNITED Conference will revolve around the theme of “Writing Our Own Stories” and celebrate the 10th anniversary of NMU's Diversity Common Reader Program. It will also be presented in a new one-day format on Monday, March 20, with two keynote speeches and several brief sessions on a variety of topics from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Northern Center. 

Northern Michigan University ranks fourth among small public schools nationwide that have been designated 2023-24 Military Friendly Schools by VIQTORY Media. Northern is making its sixth-consecutive appearance in the Top 10, and is the only Michigan institution to achieve that upper tier within the category.

Northern Michigan University is launching a new financial assistance program to provide qualified incoming Michigan resident first-year students free tuition for four years, beginning in Fall 2023.

Northern Michigan University Public Relations Professor Jessica Thompson's commitment to sustainability permeates the courses she teaches for the College of Business, her interdisciplinary research with colleagues to improve climate change communication and increase environmental awareness, and her service activities on campus and in the community. Thompson's achievements and positive impact on students have made her the 2023 recipient of the Stephen Young & Tricia Kinley Distinguished Faculty Award—NMU's top academic honor.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance is presenting Oscar Wilde's Salome, a “darkly thrilling one-act tragedy” and lyrical drama that has inspired creative minds across the ages. The final performances are scheduled March 1-4.

Northern Michigan University graduate students Michael Woodworth and Amy Munes were recently selected as Presidential Management Fellows (PMF), a prestigious program that partners early-career professionals with U.S. Federal Agencies to make a difference in government and impact their communities. There were 850 fellows chosen from more than 10,000 applicants.

NMU Center for Native American Studies Professor Martin Reinhardt is featured in a YES! Magazine article on the abundant varieties of fungi that can be foraged in the wild and what they symbolize to Indigenous cultures. Reinhardt said the Anishinaabemowin term for mushroom is “papowii,” which means “to swell up in stature suddenly and silently from an unseen source of power.” 

Pamela Peterson of Iron Mountain is the recipient of the first Northern Michigan University “full-ride” Harden Scholarship designated specifically for transfer students. She will transfer to Northern from Bay College this fall as a social work major, and said her goal is to become a substance use disorder counselor.