WNMU-TV Receives $1 Million Grant

A ceremonial check presentation at today’s NMU Board of Trustees meeting acknowledged receipt of a $1 million U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development grant that will help WNMU-TV (Public TV 13) upgrade from analog to digital. Pictured are (from left) Congressman Bart Stupak, Les Wong, Gene DeRossett of USDA Rural Development in Michigan, NMU Board Chair Karl Weber, and Eric Smith (Broadcast and A/V Services). Full Story

Board Approves State Requests

The NMU Board of Trustees today approved a 2007-08 operating budget request and a capital outlay project request. Public universities are required to submit both to the state on an annual basis.

Northern’s current operating budget is $105 million. The requested increase of $5.1 million reflects the amount necessary to maintain current operations and to counter rising costs associated with such items as state-mandated contributions to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS), additional faculty positions, long-term facilities maintenance, internationalization efforts and contracted compensation adjustments. It also factors in additional tuition revenue based on a projected 2 percent enrollment increase.

For highlights of other action taken at the meeting, go to Full Story.

Grant Supports Pictured Rocks Study

John Anderton (Geography) has received a $94,000 grant from the National Park Service for a geoarchaeological study in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The funding will be distributed over two years, with the first installment earmarked for mapping the ancient shorelines of the park. Full Story

Andreas Klein Kicks Off Performing Arts Series

German-born pianist Andreas Klein will open the 2006-07 Performing Arts Series with a solo concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in Kaufman Auditorium. Klein’s career has taken him to many of the world’s most prestigious venues – from Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center to London’s Philharmonic Hall. For his first Marquette appearance, he will treat the audience to selections from Chopin and Liszt.

“They were contemporaries and both wrote romantic music, but they had very different approaches to the piano,” said Klein in a telephone interview from his home in Houston, Texas. “Chopin was introverted and sensitive. He was a fantastic piano teacher, but he didn’t particularly enjoy playing in public. Liszt was flamboyant and extroverted, especially in his younger years. He liked to show his versatility and skill. He could be called the inventor of the piano recital. He was the first to sit down and present a whole evening of piano solo music." Full Story

Russian Volunteers Visit NMU for Hands-On Lessons in Student Involvement

Northern is hosting two Russian women who are trying to absorb as much as they can about student governance and volunteerism in the United States so they can help develop similar programs in their home country.

Natalia Sorokina (left) is a recent college graduate who serves as vice president for a student association in the Siberian town of Tomsk. Elena Golovushkina (right) is a college senior in Ekaterimburg, where she works with student organizations and runs an English theater. The women will be on campus through Nov. 18. Full Story

TCF Sponsors 'Make a Difference Day'

TCF National Bank, which recently opened a branch in the University Center, donated $2,600 to become a full financial partner in the 16th annual "Make a Difference Day."

The support will enable the NMU Volunteer Center to expand and improve the local event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21. Full Story

Free ID Replacement Deadline Nears

The last day to get a free Wildcat Express Card is Monday, Oct. 16. Anyone using an old, worn or damaged card is encouraged to get a free replacement before the deadline.

A $15 fee will apply to new cards issued after Oct. 16. The Wildcat Express Center is located in the University Center near the Bookstore.

When Judy Marra (Conference and Catering Services) graduated from NMU with a degree in physical education in 1975, she originally set out to be a teacher. Little did she know that it was her minor in food and nutrition that would actually decide her future. Full Story

University Forum Oct. 23

The first forum of the year will be held from 3-5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, in the Hedgcock atrium. President Les Wong will review an NMU delegation's trip to China and the educational opportunities explored there. Other topics include the five-year master plan capital outlay projects, factors related to the House formula and online learning.