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The Center for Forensic Anthropology (CFA) at Northern Michigan University, which includes the Forensic Research Outdoor Station (FROST), recently received a $30,000 National Institute of Justice subaward from Colorado State University to help validate a novel method for estimating human time since death, or postmortem interval. NMU students will be involved in the research.

When the spring thaw begins at Marquette's Presque Isle Park and there are a couple of rainy nights with temperatures in the 30s and 40s, blue-spotted salamanders suddenly emerge from their underground winter burrows. They migrate across remaining snow and the park's road to lay their eggs in a wetlands area behind the Moosewood Nature Center, then return to the other side. 

Two members of Northern Michigan University's mail services and warehouse department have won a Distinguished Team Award. Eric Marcott and Michelle Lane work to move “Public Surplus” items out of NMU's warehouse. With several renovations campus-wide, they have safely stored many items and posted them to the Public Surplus website.

Northern Michigan University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) has won a Distinguished Team Award for its commitment as the backbone of animal research at NMU. The IACUC reviews research protocols that involve animals to ensure the study's correct animal treatment, scientific merit and proper ethical perspective.

The members of Northern Michigan University's Berry Events Center conversion team and their student employees earned a Distinguished Team Award for ensuring NMU's hockey and basketball games are played on schedule.

Northern Michigan University's Blizzard Response Team of 2022-2023 is awarded a Distinguished Team Award. The response team displayed effort and dedication to keep the campus open and safe during one of the worst winter storms in recent history.

The Educational Success Platform (ESP) development team at Northern Michigan University won a Team Innovation Award. Their efforts were designed to pull together services from across campus into a platform that would allow multi-unit communication and support strategies for NMU students.

Sean Penglase, equipment and stockroom manager for Northern Michigan University's Physics Department, received an Innovation Award. He uses practical knowledge and a deep understanding of electrical, mechanical, acoustic and other apparati to bring improvements to many labs.

Kylie Bunting, director of Alumni and Foundation communications, received an Innovation Award. She joined NMU prior to the pandemic in a new position focused on creating a strategic approach to digital engagement and communication with more than 70,000 alumni nationwide. Bunting identified the opportunity to showcase NMU faculty, staff, students and alumni by utilizing Zoom.

Janet Koski, Northern Michigan University's executive director for Equal Opportunity and Title IX and Equal Opportunity officer, is an Excellence in Service Award recipient. Her long title is indicative of the critical role she plays on campus. She has led this function for the last several years and was a department of one for much of that time.

Northern Michigan University Director of Institutional Accreditation and Assessment Dan Cullen received an Excellence in Service Award. When former President Kerri Schuiling contacted the Institutional Effectiveness Office to guide the development of an interim strategic plan, Cullen was called to see the plan to a successful conclusion.

An Excellence in Service Award was presented to WNMU-FM News Director Nicole Walton. She has had multiple news stories in print and audio formats shared and aired through the Michigan Public Radio Network. The network includes 10 stations serving over 900,000 people throughout the state. Because her work is featured statewide, it has been an important resource and promotional tool for NMU.

Theresa "T" Hamari, manager of employment operations and training for NMU Dining Servies, received an Excellence in Service Award. She is described as a knowledgeable individual students can turn to for employment-related questions. She also expands or improves programs while creating strong connections and communities.

Jeff Roo, customer service representative in Northern Michigan University's Printing Services, is an Excellence in Service Award recipient. He works to meet the immediate needs of NMU's faculty and the departments that rely on Printing Services. His high level of detailed proofing and printing work ensures customer receives exactly what they ordered.

Northern Michigan University's School of Clinical Sciences executive secretary Sherida Riipi received an Excellence in Services Award. She is credited for being organized and volunteering to assist with initiatives while maintaining a cheery attitude in the department. She works closely with three programs, the speech clinic and with students attending practicums.

Northern Michigan University Dining Services member Jean Shaw received an Excellence in Service Award for her attendance, punctuality and dedication to NMU. She proves these qualities through her willingness to come in early or stay late, covering extra shifts and overtime hours. Shaw maintains a consistently helpful and positive attitude and cares about her coworkers, student team members, supervisors and the students she serves.

Andy Buckmaster is one of eight individuals who won the 2023 Excellence in Service Award. He is a mechanic for Northern Michigan University's facilities. He exemplifies NMU's core values when servicing a department vehicle, plowing during some of the heaviest snow storms, working on a special project to help either an academic or athletic program, or helping train NMU's workforce.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present “Grease,” a rollicking musical comedy reuniting the audience with familiar characters from the classic 1978 film. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 14-15 and 19-22 in Forest Roberts Theatre. A sensory-friendly Theatre for All matinee will be held at 1 p.m. April 15.

Northern Michigan University's DeVos Art Museum will hold a family night from 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 20. The event is free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to participate in an all-ages activity, using surprising materials to reveal magical winter landscapes inspired by the artwork on view and create a mixed-media artwork to take home. Guided tours with the curators will be offered at 5 and 6 p.m.

Over the more than four decades that Marquette has had a Sister City relationship with Higashiomi, Japan, Northern Michigan University's president has sponsored one student from there to attend NMU each year. Now, for the first time, a Northern student is a reciprocal Sister City scholar.