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Four student finalists recently presented their entrepreneurial ideas at the NMU College of Business' Big Pitch event, the culminating activity in the annual new business venture competition. Donald McKaba earned $3,000 for winning the Big Pitch with Wasteless, his plan for an “innovative shopping experience” that aims to reduce one-use containers that end up in landfills. Grace DeNoya won $5,000 for best business plan for You'd Never Know, a 100% gluten-free bakery, and $1,500 each for best trade fair display and crowd favorite.

Of the 1,120 students eligible to participate in Northern Michigan University's commencement on Saturday, April 30 (1,011 for the current semester and 109 for summer), more than 850 plan to march in the ceremony.  

Northern Michigan University honored several individuals and teams during its 2022 Faculty and Staff Recognition Celebration. The individual and team award winners are featured in more detailed individual stories with photos at the highlighted links below. 

NMU Wildpups has been selected as Northern Michigan University's 2022 Team Innovation Award recipient. The Wildpups team included chair Michelle Andriacchi and team members Michelle and Dominic Andriacchi with Fonzie, Casey Hopper with Boris, Katie Taylor with Sadie, Rachel Nye with Maggie, and Anne Stein with Ramsey.

Madison Ngafeeson, associate professor of Business, is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Individual Innovation Award recipients for the development of business analytics courses, as well as his scholarship, professional development, service, dedication and the elite partnerships he has formed. 

Kurt Hauswirth, producer, host and announcer for WNMU-FM, is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Individual Innovation Award recipients for his passion and determination to embrace new technologies and improve existing technologies to create new opportunities.

Ruth Abbott, senior library assistant at Lydia M. Olson Library, is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Individual Innovation Award recipients for her persistence and passion regarding Open Educational Resources (OER).

The Superior Dome Consolidation/Realignment is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Distinguished Team Award recipients.

Experience Northern is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Distinguished Team Award recipients.

The 2021 Homecoming Awards Show Team is one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Distinguished Team Award recipients.

The I Share NMU campaign team, whose goal was "to help students who need food to get a hot meal or the ability to make one" was one of Northern Michigan University's 2022 Distinguished Team Award recipients.

Northern Michigan University Athletics Head Athletic Trainer and alumnus Jason Laxo is one of nine NMU 2022 Excellence in Service Award recipients for his perseverance and dedication to helping the Wildcat sports teams remain healthy, safe and on the field of competition during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Northern Michigan University Executive Director of Global Campus Operations Brad Hamel is one of nine recipients of NMU's 2022 Excellence in Service awards. Hamel has taken all the skills he has acquired and all of his institutional knowledge from previous positions and applied them to help grow Northern's online offerings from a decentralized smattering of courses and programs into a highly organized and fast-growing Global Campus. 

Northern Michigan University Occupational and Environmental Health Specialist Kim Hegmegee is one of nine recipients of NMU's 2022 Excellence in Service awards. She has demonstrated her hard work by developing and managing the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) research, procurement and distribution. 

Northern Michigan University Health Center Pharmacy Technician Kristin Demboski is one of nine recipients of NMU's 2022 Excellence in Service awards. In order to help keep campus open and students on campus during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Demboski reached outside of her job description and acquired a certificate to immunize. 

Northern Michigan University Executive Secretary Luanne Thurston is one of nine recipients of NMU's 2022 Excellence in Service awards. She was a member of the School of Nursing (SON) administrative team during the last academic year and helped to design a "virtual resource room" and created a PDF with easy-to-navigate links for the site visitors.

Northern Michigan University executive secretary Claudia Mankee is one of nine recipients of NMU's 2022 Excellence in Service awards. Her contributions have positively impacted the university through her 28 years of employment. She started in Admissions and progressed to International Affairs, the NMU Bookstore, and the Financial Aid Office, before returning full circle to her current position in Admissions. 

Northern Michigan University preventive maintenance technician Chele Sproull is one of nine recipients of NMU's 2022 Excellence in Service awards. Sproull has been employed at the University since 2012, and has been with the Facilities Department as a preventive maintenance technician (PMT) since 2019. 

Northern Michigan University building and grounds attendant Glenda Ross is one of nine recipients of NMU's 2022 Excellence in Service awards. Ross has had to coordinate logistics for many room swaps and relocations throughout the year.