For the week of October 10, 2004

From the 6th floor

Yes, it is late this year, but fall colors are finally starting to make their appearance. Blue skies this past weekend, combined with gorgeous fall colors, made for some great photographic opportunities. (See below.) Peak color is probably just around the corner. Those of you who plan on making the trip to Marquette for Homecoming this upcoming weekend will be treated to some beautiful color. Hopefully we will have some beautiful weather to go with those colors. Ok, so the forecast for next weekend doesn't look that great right now. But you know what they say about the weather in Upper Michigan.

It's Homecoming Week!
Presidential Investiture featured attraction

Homecoming Week 2004 kicks off today, Monday, October 11th across the campus of Northern Michigan University.
Among the activities scheduled for today, the annual Scavenger Hunt.
Alumni activities get under way Thursday with a special guest speaker, NMU Distinguished Alumnus Steve Mitchell '67.

Among the many activities planned: the traditional Homecoming parade on Third Street Friday evening; NMU Sports Hall of Fame Induction; Alumni Awards Brunch; Investiture Ceremony for NMU President Les Wong; NMU's largest tailgate party and NMU vs. Ferris State football.

Click here for a complete Homecoming schedule.
It's not too late to make plans to visit Marquette.

 

Homecoming to feature Investiture


The formal investiture of Dr. Les Wong as NMU's 13th president will take place during Homecoming 2004.
This is a great opportunity for alumni to take part in a history-making event on campus.

The ceremony is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16th in Vandament Arena.

The public is invited to take part in the installation ceremony. Admission is free. Those attending the investiture ceremony will receive a general admission pass to the football game.

Don't forget this Thursday....

Ask our political expert your election questions

Political expert Steve Mitchell '67 and the NMU Alumni Association are teaming up to bring you Northern's newest technology.

Mitchell is chairman of Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc., based in East Lansing and West Bloomfield, Michigan. His political consulting, public relations counseling and marketing research career spans more than 25 years and reaches across more than 40 states.
Mitchell will be on campus during Homecoming to receive an Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award.

As part of the week's activities, Mitchell will offer a special political presentation on Thursday, October 14 at noon.
Mitchell provides political expertise, polling and on-air analysis to a host of television stations throughout the country and is a regular political analyst for NBC affiliate WDIV-TV 4 in Detroit. He is also the pollster for the Detroit News.

Mitchell's presentation will be available live through Northern Michigan University's new Media Site Live.
You can take part from wherever you are.

Join us at lunch (12:00 eastern) Thursday, October 14 for a Wildcat take on today's political climate.

Steve will take questions live during the presentation. Have a question for Steve?
Email him ahead of time or during the presentation at asksteve@alumni.nmu.edu

(Check out this new technology at Media Site Live right now. You can view a current presentation and make sure Media Site works on your computer. Then join us on Thursday, October 14th at noon. If you have problems watching the video or have questions, get in touch with us.

NMU Board of Trustees appoints new chair, delays public television decision

The NMU Board of Trustees met in regular session Oct. 7-8 on the campus of Northern Michigan University.

Karl Weber of Marquette was selected chair of the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees for 2005.
Since being appointed to NMU’s Board of Trustees in 2001, Weber has served on the academic affairs and finance committees. He is currently the board’s vice chair and a member of the executive committee.
“To be named chair of the NMU Board of Trustees is a great honor for me and I look forward to working closely with President Wong and Northern faculty, staff and students,” said Weber. “So many positive things are taking place at NMU. Under Dr. Wong’s extraordinary vision, I have no doubt that Northern can excel to an even higher level of achievement. I am excited at the prospect of playing a role in making that happen.”
Weber is a partner at Plunkett & Cooney, a full-service law firm with offices in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In other action, no final decision was made on the NMU public broadcasting stations. Trustees asked for more information about their educational missions and value, particularly relating to Public TV 13. They also asked station managers and administrators to investigate potential sources of permanent, external funding that would equal the university’s current support level of $250,000. The issue will be discussed further at the next meeting in December.

6 of 8 band directors at Band Day NMU alumni

Saturday, October 9 was Band Day at the NMU vs. Ashland Football game. This was the 50th anniversary of Band Day.
Eight area high school bands joined the NMU Marching Band, Pride of the North.
At half-time, more than 600 band members occupied the field.

Of the 8 high school bands taking part in Band Day, six of them were led by NMU alumni.
They included:
Katy Essex '02, Tahquamenon Area H.S.
Jeremiah Clark '02, Engadine H.S.
Ben Mayer '04, Ontonagon H.S.
Gordon Erickson '04, Westwood H.S.
Greg Hunt '85, Norway H.S.
Benjamin Sherk '85, Kingsford H.S.
They are pictured with Dr. Steve Grugin (far right) Director, NMU Marching Band.

Alumni employers take part in Career Awareness Day

The NMU JobSearch Center held the annual Career Awareness Day for students on Wednesday, Oct. 6.

More than 60 employers took part in this year's fair.
Of those businesses, more than 25 were represented by NMU alumni.

Shown at left is Amy Gibbs '02, Michigan Works, discussing employment opportunities with a current NMU student.

One of my favorite places to check out fall colors...the steel bridge on County Rd. 510

From the Email bag

"Deanna, just wanted to say I always enjoy your weekly email!!! They are nice to get because I really miss Marquette...especially this time of the year."

Alicia Chenhalls '93
Rochester, MI
achenhalls@mpholcomb

As always, feedback/suggestions/questions can be directed to yours truly.

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