Achievements

Lenovo recently presented NMU with the 2009 ThinkTank Campus Innovation Award. Pictured with the plaque are (from left) Leach, Dave Maki (AdIT) and Wong. The award is given to the institution that has implemented the most innovative technology program during the last 12 months. Elementary, secondary and higher education instutions from 23 countries complete for the award each year. A committee of education experts chooses the recipient institution based on innovation, service to constituent users and quality of implementation.

"Lenovo is proud to present the ThinkTank Campus Innovation Award to Northern Michigan University for their WiMAX implementation on the ThinkPad R Series platform as part of the ThinkPad University program," said Michael Schmedle, director of worldwide education at Lenovo. "Northern Michigan has again proven that they are one of the most innovative campuses in the world, delivering high-bandwith wireless connectivity throughout their campus using the new WiMAX standard.  Building on their award-winning notebook initiative, Northern has added incredible value to students, faculty and staff with the new 802.16 network."

G.I. Jobs magazine has named NMU a military-friendly school for 2010. According to the publisher, the honor ranks NMU in the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide. The distinction means Northern will be included with a basic listing in the magazine's Guide to Military Friendly Schools, which goes to press in September.

Tawni Ferrarini (Economics) has received the 2009 Economics Educator of the Year Award from the Michigan Council on Economic Education. The MCEE praised Ferrarini for her service as a professor and director of the NMU Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship, for going "above the call" to provide teacher education and professional development opportunities and for her role in advocating technology and online programs. She will be honored at the Oct. 6 MCEE economic summit dinner at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago-Detroit Branch.

Harvey Wallace (HPER) is among four new appointees to the board of directors for the Public Health Accreditation Board. They will help guide PHAB in developing a successful national public health accreditation program. Wallace also serves as an elected official on the Marquette County Board of Health and the National Association of Local Boards of Health Board of Directors. He has been instrumental on PHAB's Standards Development Workgroup and Exploring Accreditation Steering Committee. “American citizens expect their state and local health departments to deliver quality health promoting services,” said Wallace in a PHAB news release. “As a member of the PHAB board of directors, my goal is to help public health agencies meet and exceed those expectations.” For more information about PHAB, its work and board, visit www.phaboard.org.