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Connor Loftus of Plainwell, Mich., has been selected as the student commencement speaker for the Dec. 14 graduation ceremony at Northern Michigan University. 

NMU alumnus Scott Crady ('19 BA) is taking his degree to new heights ... literally. He spends his days in the mountains of Colorado providing photo and video services for Red Bull and Adidas. Crady captures sponsored professional climbers such as Sasha DiGiulian (Red Bull) and Molly Mitchell (Adidas) while they're in their element. 

"The New York Times" recently featured a piece written by Northern Michigan University English professor Rachel May titled "Love is Not a Tally Sheet." May reflected on adopting a son born prematurely, against her parents' strong objections, and what single parenting taught her about accepting help. May is the author of "An American Quilt" and is working on a memoir. 

NMU alumnus Greg Quayle of Champion was featured on the 'Today' show during a segment titled "Power of Gratitude: The Positive Effects of Giving Thanks." His daughter, Lindy, and wife, Linda, were both diagnosed with rare forms of cancer within five years of each other. During the televised segment, the women read letters to Quayle expressing gratitude for his love and support during their difficult times. See the introduction and full segment here.

Apple pie is a popular dessert served at many holiday celebrations. The regional cultivation history of the fruit, from native crab apples to modern hobby orchards, is the subject of a book co-authored by NMU professor of history emeritus Russ Magnaghi and alumnus David Smith (‘18 BS). Apple Culture in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Wisconsin Border is described as the first study dealing with an aspect of agriculture in an area better known for mining and timber.

Northern Michigan University alumna Jessica Betz took advantage of a collaborative program that allows students a seamless pathway from NMU's education specialist (EdS) degree to Central Michigan University's doctor of education (EdD). She recently became the first individual to complete the latter, as she successfully defended her dissertation titled “A Phenomenological Study of Remote, Rural Teacher Induction.”

Fueled by the rapid growth of its first-in-the-nation medicinal plant chemistry program, Northern Michigan University recently held a dedication for its new Shimadzu Analytical Core Laboratory for Medicinal Plant Sciences. Undergraduate students in the rigorous chemistry program have rare access to cutting-edge instrumentation and technology applicable to numerous career options in and beyond the burgeoning cannabis industry. 

Northern Michigan University theater and dance students will celebrate their accomplishments and showcase their talents through their senior capstone performances on Monday, Dec. 2.

Northern Michigan University's School of Music, Theatre and Dance will present a holiday cabaret of musical and dance performances from a variety of bonafide holiday classics on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Northern Center. 

Northern Michigan University offers the top accredited RN to BSN program in Michigan, according to 2020 rankings compiled by nursingprocess.org. NMU's fully online program can be completed in as little as four semesters. It allows registered nurses to increase their earnings potential and create pathways to graduate education and leadership positions while gaining skills applicable to their current workplace.  

Northern Michigan University will host its 32nd annual Lighting Up the Holidays from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, at the new Northern Center. It is free and open to the public.

There are no forensic pathology services in the Upper Peninsula to aid in criminal investigations and prosecutions, but Northern Michigan University is a central player in the effort to change that. As discussed at a Nov. 20 meeting of U.P. law enforcement and prosecutors on campus, NMU would be a logical host site for a forensic pathologist, based on its complementary forensic anthropology expertise and research facilities.

Northern Michigan University will hold its third annual Day of Giving to coincide with the global charitable event, Giving Tuesday, on Dec. 3. The intents are to direct giving back to NMU departments and programs, and to stock the NMU Food Pantry. 

WNMU-TV is hosting a red sweater event to commemorate the Marquette premiere of the Fred Rogers biographical drama, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, starring Tom Hanks. The event will take place Friday, Nov. 22, at the Thomas Theatre Group in Marquette.

NMU biology professor John Bruggink shared his expertise with The Washington Post for a story on a rare three-antlered deer photographed in the U.P. woods by former state representative Steve Lindberg. Bruggink commented on what's been described as a "one in a million" find, while also providing a possible explanation for the third antler. Read the full story here. 

Northern Michigan University's Department of Theatre and Dance presents A Christmas Story, based on the popular 1983 film. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-14, with an additional 4 p.m. matinee on Saturday, at Forest Roberts Theatre. 

Northern's public relations program is nearing the end of its first semester in the College of Business. It moved from what is now the Communication and Media Studies Department as part of a larger Academic Affairs restructuring process. The two faculty members directly impacted agree that it is rare for PR to fall under the College of Business organizational umbrella at universities, yet it is a natural fit with closely connected programs such as marketing.

Competing at 77 kg, Woods won four straight matches, outscoring his opponents 24-6.

Christine Lenzen, NMU associate professor of photography, is featured on Lenscratch.com for her ongoing series titled Forever a Wilderness. She wanted to create “a visual mythos of the Great Lakes' north woods culture—particularly for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.” The title is borrowed from a disparaging statement Michigan's first governor made about the U.P. after the Toledo War. Lenzen's photos include landscapes, landmarks, rural businesses and some of the people who possess the perseverance and commitment it takes to live here. See samples of her work and an in-depth interview here.

When Northern Michigan University alumna Christy Sener Townsend (BS ‘11) shared a link on her Facebook page seeking book donations to stock her classroom library, NMU's School of Education, Leadership and Public Service answered the call with a shipment of young adult literature. Townsend is an English teacher at Springport Public High School in south-central Michigan.