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Three former Northern Michigan University basketball teammates—Naba Echols, Isaiah Johnson and Kenton Mack—have co-founded Athletes Igniting Action, a movement that empowers athletes to collectively use their voices and votes to battle racial and social injustices.

Tami Seavoy of Marquette will serve as chair of the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees for calendar year 2021. Steve Young of Lansing will be vice chair. The board held elections for the leadership positions at its Dec. 11 meeting.

Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson was invited to give a presentation on NMU's fall semester response to the pandemic during a statewide COVID-19 community response meeting convened Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Northern Michigan University Registrar Kim Rotundo received a personal letter from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer praising her leadership in making it easier for students to transfer credits among Michigan's higher education institutions. Whitmer also congratulated Rotundo on her impending retirement.

Northern Michigan University held its fourth NMU Day of Giving on Dec. 1. Alumni and friends from across the globe, university employees, community members and students came together and responded with Wildcat pride to help increase opportunities and expand critical access and aid at NMU.

Northern Michigan University's “Plan A” for the upcoming winter semester is to provide as much in-person learning as possible, along with on-campus living for students, according to a Monday email from President Fritz Erickson. He also outlined Northern's “Plan B” in the event the university is forced to go to fully remote instruction because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NMU Alumnus Jeff Vande Zande's ('93 BS) has published his latest collection of short stories. The Neighborhood Division travels down the shady lanes of the American neighborhood. From kids egging windows to lost joggers and insomniacs to basement prisoners and Orwellian gated communities, the stories grow ever more surreal, holding a darkened mirror up to that which we are—and may become.

In recent decades, researchers have found that most mammals' guts are surprisingly complex environments—home to a variety of microbial ecosystems that can profoundly affect an animal's well-being. A Northern Michigan University alumna and her faculty mentor are among scientists who have now learned that the American black bear appears to be an exception. Its simple gut hosts a microbial population that varies little across the intestinal tract.

NMU Northern Center staff made a surprise delivery of cookies and brownies to UP Health System-Marquette frontline staff to express gratitude for their dedicated response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association will present a free virtual program titled "Elevate Your Holiday Leftovers" as part of its Northern Now monthly digital series at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9. NMU Executive Chef Alden Griffus, CCC '10, will show viewers how to make her favorite leftover recipes, share stories from her childhood and professional experience, and answer questions live.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a radio show performance of A Christmas Carol at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10-Sunday, Dec. 13.  

Northern Michigan University Completes Entire Semester with In-Person, Face-to-Face Classes. Preparation Under Way for In Person Face-to-Face Classes for Winter Semester Starting in Mid-January 2021 Including Special Scholarships for Transfer Students.

The Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health has announced the winners of its essay contest for Upper Peninsula high school seniors who will begin college in fall 2021 and plan to pursue a healthcare career. It partnered with the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) on the contest in celebration of National Rural Health Day, which was recognized on Nov. 19.

The next film in the documentary series presented by the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University in partnership with WNMU-TV will celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Manoomin (Wild Rice): Ojibwe Spirit Food, which explores an important part of Anishinaabek culture in the U.P. and beyond, airs at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27. It can also be streamed for 30 days after the broadcast on the WNMU website or Passport App. 

The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association Board of Directors is accepting nominations for its annual alumni awards program through Dec. 31. Graduates will be honored during the 2021 Homecoming celebration in four categories: Distinguished Alumni, Alumni Achievement, Outstanding Young Alumni and Alumni Service.

Northern Michigan University will continue its annual “Lighting Up the Holidays” tradition in a revised virtual format. Beginning Dec. 1, an event website will feature DIY ornament kits and festive coloring pages, virtual letters to Santa, downloadable images for photos with Santa and Wildcat Willy, and a coupon for a free children's book redeemable at the Barnes & Noble at NMU bookstore.

Adam Little of Ironwood will be the first graduate of Northern Michigan University's bachelor of applied science in management program in December. He was able to fulfill the degree requirements entirely online while he continued working two jobs. 

Northern Michigan University English Professor Kia Jane Richmond is the student-selected faculty speaker for the Dec. 6 virtual commencement celebration honoring all 2020 graduates. She was chosen through a nomination process overseen by ASNMU, the student government organization.

Cecilia Ruiz will be the student commencement speaker for the virtual Dec. 6 graduation recognition ceremony honoring all 2020 Northern Michigan University graduates. With the COVID-19 pandemic, NMU is offering one comprehensive celebration for May, August and December graduates. The ceremony will begin at 3 p.m.  

Mariah Goeks entered Northern Michigan University as a Freshman Fellow, immersing herself in research typically reserved for juniors and seniors at other colleges. Her research alongside physics faculty mentor Rick (P.W.) Mengyan has included several trips to Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the United Kingdom as part of their work with their small international collaboration, which has resulted in two journal articles Goeks has co-authored so far. Recently, the laboratory featured one of their projects as a “science highlight” in its annual review.