Sonderegger Symposium VIII

Marion Sonderegger (center) pictured with Dr. Russell Magnaghi, Director of the Center for U.P. Studies, and former director Dr. John Anderton of the NMU Geography Department at the Eighth Annual Sonderegger Symposium on October 2.

The Center for U.P. Studies once again brought a sense of history to Yooper culture during its annual Sonderegger Symposium. Sixteen presentations on Upper Peninsula topics were featured at the eighth installment of the symposium at Northern Michigan University on Thursday, Oct. 2.  To view recordings of the presentations, click here.

Presentations by NMU faculty, students, and area scholars were held throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., culminating in the evening keynote address by Robert Archibald, president of the Missouri Historical Society.  The Ishpeming native and NMU alumnus discussed the importance of creating a sense of community in order to build a stronger connection between residents and the region. Archibald presented to around 30 listeners, both NMU students and area residents, in the Ontario Room of the University Center at 7:30.

Other presentations throughout the day drew a healthy audience of around 30-40 people.  The most popular presentation was given on French-Canadian culture by Russell Magnaghi, professor and director of the Center, thanks in large part to the 75 Marquette Senior High School French students who attended. Other presentations covered "Yoopers in Alaska in the Great Depression: Matanuska Experiment," Marquette and the Spanish Flu of 1918," and "Politics in the U.P. in the late 20th Century." For a full schedule, click here.

The Sonderegger Symposium is hosted with financial support from the Sonderegger family.