Governor’s Budget Holds Line on Higher Ed, Revises Promise

Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s fiscal year 2011 executive budget proposal holds state support for university operations at the current level and restructures the Michigan Promise Scholarship program, which had been eliminated from this year’s state budget. The Promise previously awarded up to $4,000 to students who scored well on the high school Merit Exam and/or completed two years of postsecondary education with a minimum grade-point average. The revised version features a $4,000 refundable tax credit for new college graduates who work in Michigan for at least a year after earning a degree. The governor’s recommended budget and related materials are available at www.michigan.gov/budget.

NMU Announces New Transfer Scholarships

Northern has established four new scholarships for transfer students that will be awarded beginning with the fall semester. The amounts range from $500 to $2,000, based on grade-point average, which is similar to the approach used with freshman scholarships. The new awards are part of a broader commitment to make Northern more “transfer-friendly” with the goal of attracting additional students. Full Story

WiMAX Expands to Negaunee

Northern’s WiMAX network is operational in Negaunee. The expanded coverage brings broadband wireless Internet access to even more off-campus students. It also allows NMU to partner with Negaunee government and education officials to develop programs and services that take advantage of the wireless network. University employees are completing the final adjustments and testing this week, but the system is up and running. The transmitter is located near the catwalk on the city's water tower. Full Story

Grant Funds WiMAX Generator

NMU recently installed a stand-by generator at one of its WiMAX transmitter sites as a backup during power outages. Because the Marquette fire and police departments also use WiMAX for public safety communications, NMU worked with county administrators to secure nearly $10,000 in emergency services funds from the Department of Homeland Security. Full Story

Ferrarini Receives NAEE Technology Award

Tawni Ferrarini (Economics) is the inaugural recipient of the National Association of Economic Educator's Abbejean Kehler Award. Kehler was chair of the NAEE technology committee for several years and continued to serve on the committee until her death in 2009. The award honors an NAEE member who is instrumental in promoting the use of technology to improve the delivery of economic education programs and build a stronger network for educators. Full Story

NMU Sponsors Entrepreneurship Academy

Northern will host an Entrepreneurship Academy in an effort to expand business development in the Upper Peninsula. The format will consist of six modules leading to a certificate of completion, with classes offered from 6-9 p.m. Thursdays from March 11-April 15. Topics include business plan development, marketing and market analysis, financial activities, accounting, legal requirements and resources. The cost is$100 for community members and free for students (with a scholarship application). Rob Lion and Ray Amtmann (Business) are coordinating the academy. They received a Wildcat Innovation Fund award to support the project. To see the most recent fund recipients, visit Achievements.