Governor Stresses Accountability

College readiness, as measured by average ACT score, and higher education degree completion rates are among the online performance benchmarks that comprise the new Michigan Dashboard unveiled by Gov. Rick Snyder in last night’s State of the State address. Snyder also participated in an hour-long conversation last week with Michigan’s public university presidents, which Les Wong described as a “positive, candid” meeting. Full Story

EduCat Replaces WebCT

The winter semester ushered in a major milestone in the move to the new Moodle-powered NMU EduCat™ course management system. Almost all courses in session that use a CMS have been migrated from WebCT, according to Matt Smock (Instructional Design and Technology, pictured). The only exceptions are a few taught by soon-to-be retiring faculty members who weren't required to convert to EduCat for their final semester. WebCT remains only for reference in the event isolated files were lost in translation. It will disappear completely after the academic year. Full Story

Merger Creates Instructional Design and Technology

Instructional Media Services and Instructional Technology have merged to form a single unit called Instructional Design and Technology. They have also combined locations in room 112 of the Learning Resources Center, near Micro Repair. Full Story

Thank Your Mentor Day Jan. 25

A highlight of National Mentoring Month is Jan. 25, when individuals are encouraged to thank or honor role models who have offered guidance and positively impacted their lives. Mentoring is a major component of NMU’s Student Leader Fellowship Program, which will celebrate 20 years with a reunion June 23-25. Lindsey Butorac (Human Resources, right) has seen the SLFP from both sides. She completed the program as a student and now serves as a mentor. She is pictured with student fellow Sabrina Wheeler. Full Story

NMU Gnome Gains Facebook Following

Three student employees in Communications and Marketing suggested it would be cool if Northern had its own traveling gnome. With supervisor support, they purchased a garden-variety resin figure, customized it with green and gold attire and named him Norman. The bearded fellow is featured exclusively on Facebook, where more than 600 fans follow his exploits on campus and beyond. Humorous photos show Norman crowd-surfing at a Homecoming concert, donning a wig and dress for the drag show, touring China (left), attending numerous NMU events and enjoying outdoor recreation. Full Story

Dala Joins Performance Lineup

The International Performing Arts Series’ remaining schedule has been revised, with one cancellation and one addition. The lineup for the remainder of the academic year includes Argentine folk groove band Los Pinguos at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12; the Canadian singer-songwriting duo Dala (pictured), which won the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for best vocal group, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12; and the Quebec “folk ‘n roll” band Mauvais Sort at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31. Trumpeter Ingrid Jensen had to cancel her April 14 performance. For detailed information on the groups, concert locations and tickets, visit Series.

‘Be the Match’ Events Planned

Ken Godfrey (Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports), who was diagnosed with leukemia and recently received word of a potential bone marrow match, is hoping to help others facing a similar health crisis. Godfrey is lending his name to a donor registry drive and fundraiser that will be held at three campus events: from 5-8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4-5 in Vandament Arena, to coincide with the NMU-Lake Superior State hockey series; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the Superior Room of the University Center during the Wildcat Wellness Fair. Full Story

Wildcat Wellness Fair Feb. 8

The Wildcat Wellness Health Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the University Center Great Lakes Rooms. This free event is open to all NMU employees and students. It offers healthy food samples, refreshments, prizes, take-home items and information on a variety of topics. The fair is a project of the Health Promotion Society, an organization devoted to promoting health and wellness in the campus and surrounding community.

As a sociologist and educator, Alan McEvoy focuses on problems related to violence and injustice. These include rape, child abuse, domestic violence, gangs, bullying and youth suicide. He is especially concerned with helping victims heal and supporting schools and community organizations in their violence prevention efforts.

It is important work, to be sure, but dealing regularly with people who’ve been traumatized can be emotionally draining. He achieves a positive balance in his life through teaching and photography.

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