CAMPUS

News for NMU Employees

 

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012

Governor Appoints New NMU Trustees

Steve Mitchell of West Bloomfield and Thomas Zurbuchen of Ann Arbor were appointed to the NMU Board of Trustees today by Gov. Rick Snyder. Full Story

 

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012NMU Pilot Site for MI-VetSuccess Program

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding with Northern Michigan University, establishing the university as the host site for a new campus-based outreach service, MI-VetSuccess, a pilot program supporting student veterans. The initial program will reach out to almost 800 students who have recently served in the military and are now enrolled at higher educational institutions in the Upper Peninsula. Signing the MOU at the podium are Jason Allen, senior deputy director, DMVA, and NMU President David Haynes. Full Story

 

Haynes Offers Six-Month Review

 

David Haynes is halfway through his inaugural year as Northern Michigan University’s president. He offers a review of the activities and achievements that have marked his first six months at the helm of his alma mater. Full Story

 

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012Media’s Role in Politics Explored

 

With the recent election, students in this semester’s “Politics and the Press” class have had plenty of opportunities to examine how the media covers the political process. They became well-acquainted with political fact-checking sites and studied related material in their textbook, Unspun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation. They have also reviewed research on the strengths and weaknesses of the process from non-partisan sources including the Pew Research Center, Annenberg Public Policy Center and Kaiser Foundation. Full Story

 

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012Thai Professor Reflects on U.S. Election

 

A Thai public administration professor who is on campus to observe NMU faculty and learn about comparative politics and government enjoyed being on U.S. soil to witness the recent election unfolding, both at a local polling place and in American media coverage. Kittipong Keatwatcharachai said “everything is different” compared with the election process in Thailand. He teaches at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, which has a memorandum of understanding with NMU and where Bill Ball (Political Science and Public Administration) has given guest lectures. Full Story

 

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012NMU Expands International Reach

 

NMU has extended its global outreach efforts. NMU President David Haynes recently traveled to Seoul, South Korea, where he signed memoranda of understanding with two institutions: Seoul National University of Science and Technology and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. This builds upon the previously signed agreement with Myongji University.

 

Haynes was accompanied by Paul Lang (Academic Affairs, left) and Sook Wilkinson (second from right), an NMU trustee who was born in Seoul (her mother still lives there), graduated magna cum laude from the city’s Ewha Womans University and speaks fluent Korean. Full Story

 

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012Baja Team Records Best Finish Ever

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Baja team opened its racing season with a second-place finish at the recent UW-Stout Backwoods Baja Endurance Race. It marks the best finish of all time for NMU’s SAE team. A field of 19 cars from universities nationwide competed in the four-hour, off-road race, which takes place on a motocross track and demands a fast, reliable car, skilled driving and great teamwork. Full Story

 

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012CEEE Receives National Award

 

Northern’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship (CEEE) is the 2012 recipient of the Albert Beekhuis Award. The national Council for Economic Education presents the award annually to one of its 205 network-affiliated centers to recognize “outstanding performance in working with teachers and exhibiting excellence in practice, delivery of high-quality programs and outreach to its community.” Tawni Ferrarini (Economics) is pictured left receiving the award from the national Council for Economic Education president. Full Story

   

Administrators Hit the Road to Strengthen U.P. Relationships

 

As part of his “Rethink, Renew, Reconnect” initiative, NMU President David Haynes led a group of about 30 administrators, staff and faculty to events in Iron Mountain and Escanaba in October as part of his 2012-13 U.P. Bus Tour.

“We have been road— r-o-a-d —scholars this fall,” said Haynes. “Our goal with these trips was to reconnect with business, community and alumni leaders across the Upper Peninsula to find out what their economic development, training, technology and educational needs are now and looking into the future, and to see what role NMU can play in meeting those needs.” Full Story

                     Campus Closeup

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012In sports, mental focus is a critical complement to athletic ability. The great golfer Bobby Jones recognized this, saying, “Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course…the space between your ears.” Harry Whitaker (Psychology) does not play the game—he caddied as a kid—but he is using his expertise in neuropsychology to help others improve their swings and lower their scores. Whitaker is the coauthor of Playing with Your Mind: Manage Your Brain, Change Your Game. Full Story