Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015
NMU Presidential Investitures: Present and Past
The investiture of a university president is one of the most enduring traditions in academia. It is defined as a “formal ceremony of conferring the authority and symbols of high office.” The investiture of NMU's 15th president, Fritz Erickson, is scheduled at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, in 1100 Jamrich Hall. It will include an academic procession with faculty and administrators in colorful academic regalia, remarks from university and community members, the presentation of the presidential medallion—also known as the “chain of office"—and an address from Erickson. The campus community and general public are invited. A reception will follow in the lobby.
Investiture has symbolized the pursuit of knowledge since the Middle Ages, but modern universities view it as an opportunity to celebrate as a community and welcome a new era under new leadership while preserving academic tradition. The ceremony typically is held during or at the conclusion of the president’s first year in office. Whether labeled an inauguration, installation or investiture, the practice began at Northern with President Edgar Harden in 1956. Full Story
Marquette Mountain NMU Day Precedes Investiture
The investiture celebration will kick off Sunday, Feb. 8, with NMU Day at Marquette Mountain from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Take advantage of discounted day passes. Enjoy a cookout on the hill hosted by the NMU (Snow) Board and Ski Club. Raise your cup for a hot chocolate toast to President Fritz Erickson in the chalet, then watch or join him as he skis down Snowfield in academic regalia. Photos and video from this event will be shown at the investiture ceremony on Monday, Feb. 9. Full Story
Career and Technical Education Highlighted
The local effort to promote technical training opportunities, which the governor referenced in his State of the State address (see story below), will culminate during National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in February. Several NMU programs will be featured in a special publication inserted in the Feb. 5 Mining Journal. The focus is on how CTE can prepare youth and adults for a wide range of high-demand, high-skill and relatively high-wage occupations. It emphasizes hands-on learning to develop practical skills and creative thinking that can serve as a pathway to college education or an apprenticeship en route to gainful employment. CTE produces a skilled workforce for employers, which yields returns for regional and state economies. Full Story
Jacobetti Complex Open House Feb. 11
NMU will showcase many of its Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas—from automotive service and aviation maintenance to mechanical engineering and welding—at a Center for Innovation and Industrial Technologies open house on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The event is scheduled from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Jacobetti Complex. Prospective students can tour the facility/labs, register for a $500 NMU scholarship, sample food prepared by culinary students, and talk with faculty and current students. For more information, call ext. 2103.
Governor Gives ‘Shout Out’ to Middle College
Gov. Rick Snyder singled out the Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College (MATMC) in his State of the State address last week. He thanked those involved in the program for their “innovative work” and said it demonstrates “the kind of creativity that makes Michigan great.” Snyder also introduced NMU President Fritz Erickson and other representatives of the collaborative effort, who received a standing ovation from the legislature. Pictured are (from left) Erickson, Middle College student Cody Revord of Marquette, Chantae Lessard of Eagle Mine and Stu Bradley, chair of a committee promoting regional career and technical education opportunities. Full Story
Scholarship Window Closes Feb. 13
The application window for donor-funded student scholarships closes Friday, Feb. 13. Faculty and staff are urged to encourage students to apply. There are more than 375 scholarships available, representing a variety of majors, programs and areas. An electronic search and submission process makes it easy to apply. Students simply need to log onto their MyNMU accounts. For more information, visit Scholarships.
Forum Scheduled on NMU Press Future
A task force charged with making a recommendation on the future of the NMU Press will hold a forum to gather feedback from the campus community. The forum is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, in the Huron/Erie Rooms of the University Center.
“There are a number of questions that need to factor into the discussion,” said Kerri Schuiling(College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies), who co-chairs the task force with Dan Truckey (Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center). “Is it worth starting up the NMU Press again? If so, should it be themed—for example, focusing on Upper Peninsula topics? Should it be in a digital format, print or both? What are the funding sources? A lot of university presses still running are funded by donors. And would there be value in having a press for our students? We’re checking all of that out. Because many on campus may not be aware we’re doing this, we wanted an open forum so faculty and staff can be part of the discussion.” Full Story
Academic Service Learning Subject of TV Spotlights
NMU academic service learning (ASL) activities are being featured in weekly segments on TV6/FOX UP. The one-minute "Learning by Serving" spotlights air Thursdays during the TV6 Morning Show and again the same evening during the 10 p.m. FOX newscast. They are also posted on the stations' website. Northern's ASL advisory board has come up with a slate of projects to fill the production schedule over the next several weeks. The weekly segments will continue through May 7. The first one, about an NMU Constructors volunteer project, can be viewed here.
Campus Closeup: Vet Resources Rep Mike Rutledge
A new veterans resource representative is stationed at NMU to help individuals on campus and in the community take advantage of all benefits available to them due to their military service.
Mike Rutledge spent 22 years as a field artillery noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army. After retirement, he taught at a high school and community college. Now he is combining his veteran’s perspective and educational background in a position funded equally by NMU and a grant administered by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. He is one of twelve resource representatives based at institutions of higher learning throughout the state.
“When I got out of the Army, I had no idea what benefits I was eligible for until I met with a counselor,” Rutledge said. “I want area vets to know I’m here and ready to help. The benefits can range from education to health care to home loans. I can help people complete the required paperwork and point them to other resources, as needed. Even if a vet just wants to sit in my office and swap stories, that’s fine, too.” Full Story