One of the "Road Map to 2015" priorities is to orient new faculty to the assets, cultures and economies of the Upper Peninsula. The goal is to connect them with teaching and research opportunities that will promote community and regional involvement. With that in mind, new faculty from several departments participated in an on-the-road event Oct. 11 at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Provost Susan Koch said the group was accompanied by Park Superintendent Jim Northrup, whom she plans to meet with at a later date to discuss forming a more comprehensive educational partnership. The new appointees also heard presentations from NMU faculty and staff about ongoing research and folklore related to Pictured Rocks.
"Dan Truckey’s (Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center) ancestors were French voyagers who explored and trapped with Jesuit missionaries along the Pictured Rocks area. He told a few stories related to that important historical time period in the Upper Peninsula. We ended our expedition at the Falling Rock Café in Munising, where we had lunch and enjoyed a reading by Beverly Matherne (English), who was having a book signing at the café.”
Despite the chilly temperatures, Koch said the participants had a “terrific time and gained a new appreciation for our unique location.” This was the second on-the-road event to introduce new faculty to the Upper Peninsula. Last year, Truckey took a group to the Copper Country. Koch said at least one more day trip is planned for this academic year. |
New Faculty Hit the Road
“With John Anderton’s (Geography) guidance (pictured left), we found several artifacts of prehistoric Native American settlements on Miner’s Beach,” Koch said. “Jill Leonard (Biology) talked about her research on coastal brook trout and how her students are involved. In fact, several students have been living in the woods, trapping and tagging fish in a river in the park.
