August 22, 2001
Issue2

Bailey Delivers Fall Convocation Address

NMU faculty returned to campus in full force this week for orientation, departmental meetings and preparations for the fall semester. Many also attended President Judi Bailey’s fall convocation Wednesday afternoon.

In her address, Bailey encouraged Northern faculty and staff to adopt a “pioneering spirit” as the university ventures into new territory in the coming year. She outlined three primary goals:
1. Continue efforts to increase enrollment toward the previously established goal of 11,200 by 2005;
2. Develop a more proactive approach to diversity issues, which can aid in recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff;
3. Begin campus-wide preparations for the North Central Accreditation review, which will include a campus visit in 2004.

She also praised pioneering efforts that resulted in several accomplishments over the past year:
•Incoming baccalaureate freshmen have the highest GPA (3.01) and ACT (22.3) averages in university history;
•Northern successfully implemented its notebook computer initiative, which began with a mass distribution of more than 4,000 IBM ThinkPads;
•Multi-year construction of the Seaborg Science Complex is complete, as are renovations to the Quad I dining facility;
•Northern’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign has reached 97 percent of its $30 million goal.

New Teaching Award

Northern has established an Excellence in Teaching Award that will be presented annually to up to two faculty members.

Fred Joyal (Academic Affairs) announced the new program at today's convocation. The NMU awards will replace the honors formerly presented by the Michigan Association of Governing Boards (MAGB), which recently dissolved.

Recipients will receive a $1,000 cash award and be recognized at fall convocation. For more information on criteria and nominating procedures, visit Teaching & Learning Advisory Committee or contact Academic Affairs at 2920.

Welcome Back Events

The NMU community is invited to participate in the following activities designed to kick off the fall semester in style:

Be A Part From the Start All-Student Rally: Unleash your Wildcat spirit and help students celebrate the beginning of a new school year. This 4th annual event features free pizza and refreshments and student giveaways. Stand-up comedian Kyle Cease will serve as the emcee. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, in the Berry Events Center.

Fall Fest: The tradition continues from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, on the University Center lawn. New and returning students will have a chance to meet NMU people from across campus, become involved in student organizations and volunteer opportunities, and get acquainted with local businesses. Entertainment will be provided by musicians Jim and Ray and illusionist Glen Gerald.

Will Bike for Food

NMU students Dan Powell and Jason Barnes, both 24, recently biked across the U.P. to raise money for the Central Upper Peninsula Food Bank. The pair started from Ironwood and rode to Drummond Island, a trek of about 375 miles.

Although the two say donations from pledges are still coming in, they think they will hit their goal of raising $1,000 to help local agencies purchase food.

“It’s a great cause. We wanted to do something to help,” said Barnes in an Associated Press wire story. “It basically started out as a friendly ride, but then grew into this.”

Dave Mason, director of the Central Upper Peninsula Food Bank, called the event “awesome. These two kids certainly went above and beyond to help.”

The Central Upper Peninsula Food Bank helps 88 active food pantries in six counties – Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee and Schoolcraft.

Good Works highlights the charitable efforts of NMU students, faculty and staff. If you know of a Good Works effort, please submit it to Advancement Gateway.