Former Hardees Renovation Under Way

The former Hardees restaurant on Presque Isle Avenue, which Northern purchased about two years ago, is being renovated to house both Temaki and Tea and a Smoothie King franchise. The work is scheduled to be completed by mid-February, but the university will continue operating the Temaki location in C.B. Hedgcock at least through the end of the academic year while Auxiliary Services plans a replacement. Full Story

Mazzuchi Named Commencement Speaker

Dr. Daniel Mazzuchi, a distinguished physician and Marquette community leader, will deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Northern Michigan University’s mid-year commencement on Saturday, Dec. 11. Mazzuchi retired in 2001 as CEO of the Upper Peninsula Health Education Corporation (UPHEC), a not-for-profit corporation created in 1974 to train physicians to work in medically underserved communities within the Upper Peninsula.

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Students Market Honduran Product

NMU students are gaining practical experience this semester marketing Honduran coffee beans for a community fundraiser to help develop the Yojoa International Medical Center in the Central American country. They named the product—YoJoe—produced a marketing brochure and poster, determined pricing options and created a logo to be used for promotion and packaging.

“The students have also been doing taste tests and sales events at locations throughout the community,” said Bruce Sherony (Business), who teaches the marketing for entrepreneurship class that took on the project. Full Story

Campus Trekkers Promotes Workplace Walking

Campus Trekkers is a new NMU wellness program that allows employees to make productive use of their break time without leaving their respective buildings. Participants meet weekly with a wellness representative for indoor stretches and walks on designated routes, useful health information and camaraderie.

“I think it’s awesome that NMU offers this and I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want to take advantage of it,” said Muriel Kangas (Education), pictured second from left with other members of the Whitman Walkers. Full Story

Gingerbread House Fundraiser Benefits Habitat

NMU student-athletes and Phyllis Wong teamed with children from Big Brothers Big Sisters and Marquette County Habitat for Humanity this week to build and decorate gingerbread houses. These holiday decorations will be displayed at upcoming events and online as a silent auction to benefit Marquette County Habitat for Humanity. Full Story

Alumni Nursing Panel a Success

A nursing panel designed to assist NMU students in their career choices was held this week at the University Center. The event allowed NMU alumni working in the profession to interact with students pursuing a related degree. NMU graduate Faith Edwards (Nursing) was the moderator. The NMU Alumni Association and Student Alumni Association (SAA) sponsored the event, which was the first of its kind. Full Story

Plan Now for Summer Reunion

The NMU Advancement Office (Foundation and Alumni) will host an All-Alumni Summer Reunion Weekend Thursday, June 23-Saturday, June 25.

Deanna Hemmila (Alumni Relations) said departments are encouraged to make it a campus-wide event by planning special programming or small-group reunions that will give alumni added incentive to attend.

For more information, contact Hemmila or tap into resources available at the Reunion Planning Guide.

Four paintings of Marine drummers from different eras grace a wall in Jim Strain’s (Music) office. On the opposite side, atop a bookshelf, sits a trio of vintage, handcrafted snare drums dating back to 1870. All serve as a visible testament to his avid interest in historical research. Strain explores the evolution of his musical niche—percussion—and also delves deep into his family’s heritage. The two paths converged when he discovered that an ancestor, Richard Wells, was a drummer in the Revolutionary War. Full Story