All News Releases

Michael Blaustein, a headlining comedian and actor who co-hosts the popular podcast called “Stiff Socks,” will visit Northern Michigan University on Thursday, March 14. Doors to Jamrich 1100 open at 6:30 and the show—recommended for 18 years and older—begins at 7. The opening act is comedian Kase Raso.

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters presented WNMU-FM with three 2023 Broadcast Excellence Awards. News Director Nicole Walton won “Best in Category” for Hard News and Current Event Story for Social Media Extortion, about a case that ended in the suicide of a Marquette teenager. Classical Music Host and Producer Kurt Hauswirth won “Merit” awards in both the Musical Programming and Music Feature categories. Both are NMU alumni.  

Northern Michigan University alumna and Ironwood native Beth Rondeau Deacon will return to campus on Wednesday, March 13, for a series of events related to her work as a screenwriter, book author and mathematics teacher. She and director/producer Terence Gordon will present a free 6 p.m. showing of the movie based on Deacon's first screenplay, Intent Unknown, followed by a Q&A in Jamrich 1100. The psychological thriller stars Eric Roberts and revolves around four ambitious psychology students who embark on a risky experiment to unravel the mysteries of human behavior.

Northern Michigan University's UNITED Conference will feature workshops and presentations that revolve around a "Continue the Conversation" theme as it relates to the intersection of well-being and diversity, equity and inclusion. The main conference runs from 8:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in the Northern Center. Keynote speakers are: Patrick Yankee from Corktown Health, on affirmative healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community; and Stefanie Foo, author of "What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma," this year's selection for NMU's Diversity Common Reader Program. All events are free and open to the public.

Scottish folk-rock group Skerryvore will return to Northern Michigan University on Thursday, March 14. The band's frontman Alec Dalglish participated in a Zoom interview to preview the concert and provide some background on the group. Skerryvore is a three-time winner of Scotland's “Live Act of the Year” award and performs for audiences worldwide.

Immunizations are an essential component of public health against infectious diseases. A Northern Michigan University assistant professor co-authored a recent publication that contends the COVID-19 pandemic provides a case study for how social equity is a global issue. Dr. Jongeun You in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration examined vaccine sharing policies across nations and found a significant imbalance in the international distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to lower-income nations, leading to severe disparities in access and vaccination rates.

In conjunction with Women's History Month, the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University will open its “Extraordinary Women of the U.P.” exhibition at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23, in its Gries Hall gallery. Admission is free. The exhibition will remain on display through Saturday, July 27, and begin touring the Upper Peninsula in fall 2024.

Northern Michigan University student finalists participated in The Big Pitch, the culminating event in the College of Business' New Business Venture Competition, on Feb. 23. They presented their ideas before a panel of judges for a share of thousands of dollars in funding. The winners were announced at the close of Innovation Week, hosted by Innovate Marquette SmartZone and SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU.

James A. Strain, professor of percussion at Northern Michigan University, will present a faculty recital featuring the music of Clair Omar Musser at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Musser, considered the founder of the modern concert marimba, was instrumental in the development, design, promotion and early pedagogy for the instrument.

NMU alumna Amanda Giracca, who earned a master's degree in English, has expanded her role with Literacy Network (LitNet). She joined the LitNet team in 2020 and most recently served as the organization's Grants and Communications Coordinator. She joins the staff full-time with the additional role of New Programs Coordinator.

Distinguished pianist Jeonwong Ham will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, in Reynolds Recital Hall as part of Northern Michigan University's Siril Concert Series. In addition to her concert performance, Ham will offer a free piano technique workshop for piano teachers and practitioners, and two free piano masterclasses for NMU students and community members.

Hyeonji Noh, an international student from Seoul, South Korea, came to Northern Michigan University to study English and multimedia production, with the eventual goal of returning to her home country to teach English as a foreign language. Jumpstarting her career with online content, Noh uses her social media presence to create a community of English as a Second Language learners whose native tongue is Korean. She has amassed more than 30,000 Instagram followers with her videos and educational language content.

The College for Kids Jr. program at Northern Michigan University's Seaborg Center provides hands-on, minds-on experiences for children in grades K-6 within science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The next classes will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 23, and/or Saturday, April 20.

The Scottish folk-rock group Skerryvore will return to Northern Michigan University for another high-energy performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, in Forest Roberts Theatre. The concert is part of the annual Winter Roots Festival co-sponsored by the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center, Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival and Ore Dock Brewing Company.

Due to the inclement weather, the Northern Michigan University Orchestra Children's Concert scheduled for this evening has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in Reynolds Recital Hall.

Northern Michigan University undergraduate student Vanessa Steigauf, originally from Singen, Germany, co-authored an article in "Nature," a weekly international journal publishing the finest peer-reviewed research in all fields of science and technology. She is a neuroscience-cell and molecular biology student.

When 1983 alumnus and NMU Foundation Board member Mark Pynnonen decided to retire from his Signs Now business in Negaunee Township, he transferred ownership to another member of the Wildcat family. Keven Hagans, who attended NMU from 2007-2010 and played football for the Wildcats, is the new owner.

Northern Michigan University's College of Business will present “The Big Pitch,” the culminating event of its annual New Business Venture Competition, at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, as part of Innovation Week activities on campus. NMU students will present their proposals to a panel of judges, vying for thousands of dollars in funding to get their business ideas off the ground.

Northern Michigan University's Hospitality Leadership Department will host a themed three-course, fine-dining experience before the Saturday, Feb. 24 NMU Theatre and Dance production of Puffs. The event will take place in the newly branded restaurant North Fork, NMU's Teaching Kitchen, in the Northern Center. The space will be transformed with spellbinding decor that reminds guests of a “certain school of magic and magic.”

Northern Michigan University's Seaborg Center is scheduled to host the annual Michigan Region I tournament for the 2024 Science Olympiad from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in NMU's Science Building. About 300 Upper Peninsula students typically compete in 46 events. The top-placing middle school and high school teams at this event will go on to compete in the state tournament at Michigan State University in April.