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Northern Michigan University Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Shawnrece Butler is among six humanities leaders elected to the Board of the Federation of State Humanities Councils at the Federation's annual business meeting Nov. 16.

Bear baiting—a harvest practice authorized in 12 states, two territories and eight provinces in North America—poses several potential risks, and associated mitigation measures have been inadequate, according to a study published in the PLOS One peer-reviewed scientific journal. The article focuses on Alaska, where more than 70% of National Park Service-managed lands and preserves are open to some form of hunting. The authors' goal is to use expert opinion to inform decision-making in that state and other areas where bear baiting is allowed.

The Northern Michigan University jazz ensembles will present their second concert of the fall season at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. The concert will feature both the NMU Jazz Band and the NMU Jazz Combo.

Three Northern Michigan University Quiz Bowl squads traveled to Houghton Nov. 16 to compete with three Michigan Tech teams for the right to claim the Superior Cup, a traveling trophy that has been presented to the winner at each meeting of the two schools since 2015. NMU's A squad finished in first place with a 7-0 record, so the Superior Cup will remain in its trophy case in The Science Building.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a festive new production titled “Home for the Holidays” Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 in Forest Roberts Theatre. The show is about a group of NMU students who convene to share tales of their diverse family traditions before they journey home for the holidays. It features musical singing and dance numbers—many familiar—with bits of dialogue to tie it all together.

The Northern Michigan University student organization LIVE@NMU will kick off the 4th Annual LIVE Art & Word Contest as a way to help break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and suicide, engage individuals, encourage positive mental health and showcase the talents of both high school students and adults from across the Upper Peninsula. 

SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU and Innovate Marquette announce the Peak25 conference, taking place Feb. 20-21 at Northern Michigan University. Programming  provides a dynamic platform to celebrate research and scholarship, promote entrepreneurial ventures in outdoor innovation, creative technology, and sustainable solutions, as well as encourage collaboration. Peak25 is free and open to the public. Registration information is coming soon at peakconference.org.

Inspired by his recent visit to Northern Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications in 1975, Starbucks chairman emeritus and former CEO Howard Schultz and his wife, Sheri Kersch-Schultz, have announced a $1 million gift to NMU through their Schultz Family Foundation. The funding will support scholarships for first-generation students and Wildcat Athletics initiatives to promote student-athlete success.

“Cancer taught me that tomorrow isn't promised, and that we can't control everything, but we can choose how we respond,” said Northern Michigan University student Caleb Bell, reflecting on his T-cell lymphoma diagnosis at age 12. The Marquette native endured chemo, open-heart surgery and other challenges over two years, but achieved survivor status and even played club hockey his freshman year at NMU. He continues to support the “Stick It to Cancer” hockey fundraiser first organized on his behalf, and he is exploring opportunities to share his story in the hope of inspiring children currently coping with the disease.

Well-being, which is embedded in Northern's “Our Compass” strategic plan and core values, has become an increasing focus in higher education. NMU alumna McKenzie Mathewson can attest to its importance. She serves as associate director of community wellness at Western Colorado University, and said her Northern experience helped to launch her career.

Northern Michigan University offers the top accredited RN to BSN program in Michigan, based on annual rankings compiled by NursingProcess.org, and its nurse practitioner program is No. 3 in the state, according to RegisteredNursing.org.

The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team won its second-consecutive GLIAC Regular Season Championship and defeated Michigan Tech 5-0 in Tuesday's opening round of the postseason tournament. NMU will host the remainder of the playoffs this weekend, with the goal of earning back-to-back GLIAC Championships as well. After the Wildcats achieved both titles last year, Head Coach Jon Sandoval recognized that elevating the team's facilities would be essential to continuing the program's success. A $10,000 locker room renovation was completed prior to the start of this season through the generous support of more than 85 private donors who collectively surpassed the fundraising goal.

Northern Michigan University alumnus John Scheibe was selected as 2024 Photographer of the Year in the event category of the Exposure One Awards, the premier competition for black and white imagery. The 2015 theater graduate was honored for a series of ballet rehearsal photos he took during this past summer's North Coast Dance Festival at NMU.

Northern Michigan University has received an Innovation Investment Award of nearly $906,000 from the Michigan Center for Adult College Success to develop competency-based education options that will help adults—regardless of age or career status—obtain postsecondary credentials to secure jobs or advance professionally in a knowledge-based economy.

Northern Michigan University alumna Mary Stolze of Kingsford recently told fellow members of the U.P. Nurses Honor Guard about her experience serving as a field nurse in Vietnam. She recalled working 16- to 18-hour shifts, caring for injured U.S. soldiers as well as the Vietnamese, children and prisoners of war. Shortly after becoming a registered nurse, Stolze joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1968 with a direct commission to go to Vietnam. She later earned her BSN degree from NMU in 1990. Read an Iron Mountain Daily News feature story on Stolze here.

Northern Michigan University 2019 alumnus Ian Altobello is the owner of The Boreal Collective, which was nominated for a MarTech award for the “most innovative creative marketing company” of 2024 within the state of Michigan by Innovation In Business. Altobello earned his bachelor's degree in communication studies, with a minor in marketing.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation's longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative teens, are accepting entries from teenagers across the country in grades 7–12 through Dec. 3. The Northern Shores Storywork Writing Project site at Northern Michigan University is serving as the Upper Peninsula affiliate of the awards.

The three executive sponsors of the Our Compass strategic plan grand challenges—supporting our people, partnering with our place, and realizing the potential of all students—outlined initial strategies to address each at Wednesday's university forum. The event also provided updates on facilities projects and the Wildcat Way pedestrian/bike path through campus, along with innovation funding opportunities. In his opening remarks, President Brock Tessman announced an upcoming organizational change.