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
NMU 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
Media’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
Thai 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
NMU 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
Baja 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
CEEE 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 |
In 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 |