What's New, NMU?

For the week of August 23, 2010

From the Academic Mall

Yes, it's that time; back to classes. Monday, Aug. 23 marked the first day of classes at Northern Michigan University. That means Fall Fest in the Academic Mall. More than 200 clubs, organizations and businesses participated in the annual event. It gives participants a chance to introduce themselves and their services to the student community. And students get hooked up with free pizza, ice cream, candy and more. It was a gorgeous day for the outdoor event as temperatures soared in the mid 80s. The weather for the first week of classes looks like more of the same.

Wong delivers seventh convocation

In his seventh fall convocation, Northern Michigan University President Les Wong continued to stress the need for change at the university, despite swirling uncertainty at the state level regarding the economy and the implications of a new governor and overhauled legislature.

Wong reported that the first phase of the two-step plan he announced last April has been completed. Seven proposals for restructuring units, increasing efficiency and reducing costs were implemented by the target date of June 30.

Step two of his plan, to be completed by January, has a dual purpose: position the university to be ready for any number of scenarios when the new government is sworn in; and compel the university to conduct a bold review of its academic and athletic portfolios.

Watch Wong's address here.

Read the complete speech here.

NMU Homecoming, Sept. 24-25--Mark your calendars, plan your trip

Friday, Sept. 24
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.	NMU Alumni Association Board of Directors Annual Meeting
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.	Beaumier Heritage Center Open House Cohodas Hall
3 p .m.	Political Science Symposium Reynolds Recital Hall
5:30 p.m.	Homecoming Parade Traditional Third St. route
5:30 p.m.	Alumni Reception Landmark Inn
5:30 p.m.	Political Science and Public Administration Alumni Reception Landmark Inn
6:30 p.m.	College of Professional Studies Alumni Reception Landmark Inn
6:30 p.m.	College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Reception Landmark Inn
6:30 p.m.	College of Business Alumni Reception
7 p.m.	*1975 Football Championship Reunion Team and Friends Social Superior Dome (must pre-register. Contact Athletics at 906-227-2519)
Saturday, Sept. 25
10:30 a.m.	NMU Foundation Scholarship Brunch and Alumni Awards Great Lakes Rooms, UC Reservations required
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.	Beaumier Heritage Center Open House Cohodas Hall
12:15 p.m.	Barracks Boys Historical Marker Dedication UC Lawn
2 p.m.	Tailgating Superior Dome, designated lot
4 p.m.	NMU Football vs. Ashland Superior Dome
7 p.m.	Fifth Quarter Reception Holiday Inn

Get involved in Wildcat Make A Difference Day

Make a Difference Day is the single most encompassing national day of helping others--
a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. NMU alumni across the country are encouraged to line up projects and participate.

Wildcat Make A Difference Day is Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010.

Each year in the Marquette community, more than 1,000 NMU students volunteer for Make A Difference Day.

In 2009, the NMU Alumni Association joined in on Wildcat Make A Difference Day and took the project statewide.

This year we hope to double the number of locations where NMU alumni are making a difference in their community.
It's very easy to get involved.
Get in touch with us and we'll help you.

Activities can include food drives, clean-up projects, raking for the elderly or other service-oriented projects. Anything that can make a difference in your community is a great project!

Wildcat sports update

Heidi Voigt, has been named the head swimming and diving coach at Northern Michigan University, according to NMU Athletic Director Ken Godfrey.  She spent the past two seasons (2008-10) as an assistant coach at New Mexico State working with the distance freestyle group, arranging team travel and handling administration duties.

Voigt looks forward to the challenge of turning the NMU program around.  “I am very excited about taking the helm of the NMU swimming and diving program,” said Voigt.  “I believe we can turn this program around and look for great accomplishments from them in the next few years.  We have some rebuilding and recruiting to do, but I am ready and motivated.”

The Wildcat swim team will host its annual Green and Gold meet on Oct. 16.

The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announces the 2010 GLIAC Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll.  This season the GLIAC welcomes two new members in Ohio Dominican University and Lake Erie College.  Northern Michigan University was selected seventh in the poll with 101 points.  Grand Valley State was tabbed as the favorite to take the league title as the Lakers garnered 169 overall points and 13 first-place votes.  Hillsdale picked up the other first-place vote and tied with Saginaw Valley State for second with 148 points.

The ‘Cats open the 2010 campaign at MSU-Mankato Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.  Findlay will be the opponent for the home opener the following week (Sept. 11 at 2 p.m.).

Thanks for stopping by...

...Alumni Association members Jennifer and Jerry '01 Lombardo of Midland, Mich.

...Alumni Association members Patricia and Fred '69 Fitch of Almont, Mich.

...Robin Vance  '98 and her daughter, Morgan, of Hale, Mich.

...Alumni Association members Bob '67 and Gail Oust of McCormick, S.C. and Raynold '64 and Joan Heikkila of East Leroy, Mich.

...Stephen "Lee" '74 and Gina Thorne of Brighton, Mich.

...Rolly '70 and Merry '70 Babcock of Dumfries, Va.

All visitors to the 6th floor this summer were entered into a drawing for our summer prize basket. Tune in next week to see who was the lucky winner.

Thanks to all our visitors. Don't forget, if you're in town, stop by and say hello. We're located in 603 Cohodas Hall.

From the e-mail bag

"Jim '61, '64, and Charlotte Brainerd '60, Mansfield of Spokane, Washington celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 20, with a family celebration at the Coeur d'Alene Resort in Idaho to be followed by a cruise through the Panama Canal in January. They were married August 20, 1960 at St. Peter's Cathedral in Marquette and have four children and seven grandchildren. Jim was a four-year member of the NMU football team and Charlotte was named the NMU Outstanding Female Citizen during her senior year. Both were president of their respective Greek organizations while at NMU." Jim Mansfield '61, '64 mansfield@gonzaga.edu

Have something you would like to share?

Feedback should be directed to dhemmila@nmu.edu

What's New, NMU? is a service of the NMU Alumni Association.

Not a member? Join today.