Achievements

Last month, NMU Dining Services staff participated in four days of extensive training delivered by a visiting chef from the Culinary Institute of America.

Each day's itinerary included a "demonstration lunch" featuring a variety of dishes representing a particular theme (pictured). After an introduction from the Culinary Institute of America chef, invited guests were able to sample the fare that was prepared that morning.

Senior Chef Nathan Mileski (Dining Services) achieved "Executive Chef" status by completing a rigorous personal training and testing program. He is now one of three certified Executive Chefs in the Upper Peninsula.

Upper Peninsula Medical Center donated its Coulter Max-M Cell Counter (left) to the clinical laboratory sciences program. The instrument is worth about $15,000. It counts red and white blood cells and platelets. U.P. Medical Center made the donation after obtaining an updated model.

The Midwest Skills Development Center (MSDC) and the electrical line technician diploma program, which NMU offers collaboratively with the Lake Superior Community Partnership and the U.P. power industry, received a first-place award from the Mid-America Economic Development Council in the new category of workforce development.

The program fit the criteria of having the capacity to attract a new workforce to an area, strengthen the skills of an existing workforce or encourage retention of youth in an area.

The awards presentation took place on Dec. 8 during the 2008 Mid-America Competitiveness Conference in Chicago. Site Selection magazine has recognized all of the award winners in its January issue.