Friday, April 29, 2011

Largest Gift in NMU History Announced

NMU alumnus John Berry and his wife, Shirley, have committed $5 million to the NMU Foundation. Their gift is the largest in Northern’s history and intended to enhance the university’s ability to recruit high-achieving students.

The couple has pledged $1 million in cash to endow a scholarship and provide immediate support for students and $4 million in estate gifts that will establish a legacy of financial aid for the future. The Berry Scholarship will be awarded to incoming freshmen who have demonstrated academic ability and achievement. Preference will be given to students who enroll in the NMU Honors Program and plan to pursue a major in the College of Business, followed by those who major in the STEM areas of science, technology, engineering or math. Full Story

Board Sets Housing, Dining Rates

The NMU Board of Trustees today approved 2011-12 housing and dining rates. The annual cost of a standard double-occupancy room and the “constant meal pass” option will be $7970, an increase of $148, or 1.9 percent. Trustees also authorized continuation general fund and designated fund budgets until new versions are approved when state higher education appropriations are finalized and renewed President Les Wong's contract for one year. Full Story

Lovell Named Commencement Speaker

Dr. Mark Lovell, a leader in neuropsychology and sports-concussion research, will deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary doctor of science degree Saturday at NMU’s spring commencement. A 1977 NMU graduate, Lovell recently retired from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School as director of the sports medicine concussion program and professor of orthopaedic and neurological surgery. His work has also addressed head injuries among soldiers returning from the war in Iraq.

Lovell consults with many professional sports organizations on the neurocognitive effects and management of concussions. He co-developed a software program called ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) that is used by more than 3,000 universities and high schools, including NMU, for baseline testing of athletes to determine when it is safe for them to return to the game after a concussion. Lovell also attended the Vancouver Winter Games to assist the U.S. ski, snowboard, hockey, biathlon and bobsled teams with ImPACT testing.

Lovell earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northern and was previously honored by his alma mater with the 2003 NMU Distinguished Alumni Award.

Solar, Wind Will Power Some Laptops

NMU students in the Jacobetti Center will soon be able to recharge their laptops with electricity produced by solar panels and a wind turbine. Michael Martin (Engineering Technology) received two recent grants to support the project: $1,000 from the Wisconsin Energy Foundation and nearly $5,000 from the NMU Wildcat Innovation Fund administered by the provost’s office.

“The solar panels and wind turbine have been on the Jacobetti roof for several years (pictured), but they have only been connected to monitoring equipment.  We lacked the infrastructure to make use of the electricity,” said Martin. Full Story

Student Designs in Milan Magnifico!

Milan is Italy's cosmopolitan hub and a design mecca perhaps more often associated with high-end fashion than home/office furnishings. But the latter was the focus April 12-17 as the city celebrated the 50th year of Salone Internazionale del Mobile, also known as the Milan International Furniture Fair. It is regarded as the world's most important design show and has transcended furniture to include other products.

There is also a venue at the event for student and emerging designers called SaloneSatellite. NMU was among the few U.S. institutions invited to this highly selective, juried show. Seventeen human-centered design students produced exhibition-quality prototypes (such as the bookcase pictured), built crates to ship them overseas, created brochures and business cards, designed the layout of the space and traveled to Milan to participate in the show. Full Story

Employees Honored at Luncheon

NMU faculty and staff were recognized at an April 19 luncheon for reaching retirement or various years-of-service milestones. Awards were also presented for excellence in service, distinguished team service, and effective use of technology by staff. For details on the award recipients, read the Full Story.

Students Analyze Real, Unsolved Cases A special topics course this semester introduced students to the methodology of investigating unsolved crimes. But instead of reviewing hypothetical or textbook scenarios, the students interacted with investigators from the Marquette Police Department, reviewed reports from two local cases that remain open and were asked to develop and support their conclusions as to which direction the investigations should take.   It helped that their instructor has a direct connection to both cases. Steve Snowaert took a leave of absence from his detective/sergeant duties with the MPD to accept a one-year, full-time teaching assignment in Criminal Justice. He has served as an adjunct instructor in the department since 2007. Full Story

During his 35-year career at NMU, Dave Bonsall (Center for Student Enrichment) has played an integral role in promoting extracurricular and co-curricular programs on campus. He is the director of the Center for Student Enrichment, previously known as Student Activities and Leadership Programs, and prior to that, the Student Activities Office. Bonsall works with programs such as student organizations student activities, the Superior Edge, the Student Leader Fellowship Program, academic service learning, the NMU Volunteer Center and Health Promotions. Full Story