For the week of December 13, 2004

From the 6th floor

The sun is out now, but on Monday it was a different story. Winds gusting 30-40 miles per hour with snow caused NMU's first snow day of the year. Nearly two feet of snow fell in higher elevations and 15-20 foot waves on Lake Superior closed Lakeshore Boulevard. Final exams scheduled for Monday will take place on Friday. I am sure some students are relieved to have additional studying time, but now they also have to find time to dig out their cars before heading home for the holidays.

Semester concludes

It is finals week on campus, with commencement activities scheduled for Saturday, December 18th at 10:30 a.m. Commencement speaker is Dr. Jane Piirto, a 1963 alumna of NMU and native of Ishpeming. Dr. Piirto is one of only five Trustees' Professors in the history of Ashland University. She has written several books, including A Location in the Upper Peninsula: Collected Essays, Stories, Poems. She has taught in Michigan, South Dakota, Ohio and New York. She also was an instructor at NMU in the English department from 1966-71.

Voice of the Wildcats passes away

Joe Blake, who broadcast Wildcat hockey for 20 years, died Wednesday evening at his home in Marquette. Blake, seen here at Lakeview Arena with former Wildcat head hockey coach Rick Comley, was owner and president of WMQT-Q107, home of the hockey and volleyball Wildcats until 1996. Joe broadcast three Northern Michigan NCAA National Championships (hockey 91, volleyball '93, '94). He brought enthusiasm and focus to women's athletics as the play-by-play voice of Northern volleyball 1992-96. He helped create the excitement that brought an NCAA record 6,825 fans to Hedgcock Fieldhouse for Northern's first ever NCAA Volleyball Championship. For two decades, Joe was host of the Blueline Club Luncheons at Northern. Those luncheons were some of the largest attended in all of college hockey. In addition, he has been a member of the Golden Wildcat Club, the Blueline Club, and the NMU Athletic Council. And if that wasn't enough involvement with Northern, all nine children of Joe and Pat Blake received college degrees from Northern Michigan University.

Pat and Joe Blake and their family, celebrating the graduation of the ninth of their children from Northern. We'll miss you, Joe.

Professor receives grant

Psychology professor Maya Sen has received a two-year, $100,000 grant from the National Institute of Health to develop and pilot-test measures to analyze gender development in 6- to 30-month-old children. “We will try to measure children's understanding of what sex they are; their knowledge of gender stereotypes; and gender salience, or the attention and importance they attach to gender. The main focus is determining whether the measures themselves are feasible, but hopefully we will also obtain some results for this age group in the process," said Dr. Sen. She will receive help executing the study from four undergraduate students. "The psychology department makes a conscious effort to involve students as much as possible in our research. They can read or talk about designing a study, but to actually see and experience the process is much more valuable and really boosts their resumes. Working with them also helps me write them solid recommendations for graduate school."

Wildcat Night Across the Country taking shape

Alumni in several areas are jumping onboard and planning their Wildcat Night Across the Country parties.
In case you don't know how it works: the NMU vs. Michigan hockey game, Friday, January 28th, will be shown live on Fox Sports.
(This game is available on cable throughout Michigan, Wisconsin and Eastern Ohio. It is available on satellite across the country.)
Wildcat fans locate a bar or restaurant willing to put the game on the big screen tvs and green and gold fans show up to cheer on the 'Cats, meet fellow Wildcats and even win some prizes.
It is so easy to do.
Plan a party in your area NOW!

Here are the locations we know about and who to contact:

There are several other locations that are in the works.

If you want to know more about putting together a party in your area, get in touch with us.

Don't forget Northern at the end of the year

Many people make the bulk of their charitable contributions at the end of the year to make sure they can count donations on their list of tax deductions for the year.

If you find yourself faced with decisions about charitable giving, don't forget Northern and the wonderful work your donation can do on the campus of Northern Michigan University.

The Development Fund office in 603 Cohodas will be closed, along with the rest of the University, during the December holiday break, from Friday, December 24th through Sunday, January 2nd.
If you would like to make a contribution for the calendar year ending December 31, 2004, please take advantage of one of the following opportunities:

Up until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, December 23rd, you can contact us at regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

After December 23rd,

Mail a check or money order to the NMU Development Fund, 1401 Presque Isle, Marquette, MI 49855
Visit the Development Fund web site.

For gifts of stock or if you need other assistance, please call 906-227-2627 and leave your name, phone number and a brief message. Our Development Fund staff will contact you as soon as possible.
All gifts postmarked prior to December 31st will be processed as contributions in 2004.

From the Email bag

"Deanna, viewing the picture of Carey Hall had me thinking of the years that I spent so many hours between classes at WBKX Radio Free Marquette. Interesting how life comes full circle. Currently, I'm teaching radio production classes and have a station of my own on the net. Right about now I could sure use "Tinker Toys" (Jeff's) help. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday."
John S. Ashley '77
Orlando, FL
ashleyj@ocps.k12.fl.us

"Deanna,I have been reading "What's New NMU" for quite some time now. Although you have provided tons of information - I have not been shocked by any of the information until to this latest column. I have read as you provided descriptions of how NMU is growing and renovating, and how so many things have changed. But this column listed a Wildcat win in women's basketball over Northland. I was curious to know which Northland, and was surprised to see it was Northland College, in Ashland WI. I have attended both Northland College (DIV III) and NMU (DIV II) and watched both schools volleyball teams win National Championships. But now these two great schools are playing against each other! As a graduate of NMU, I will continue to cheer for the Wildcats but it sure shows how time changes so many things affecting NMU even other colleges changes. Thanks for all of the great updates. Go Cats!"
Craig Cugini '93
craig.h.cugini@us.army.mil

Deanna, Thanks for the updates!
Did you know you can get free score updates on your ALLTEL phone?
Go to www.alltel.net and sign up for the free alerts sent to your cell phone. I get the NMU hockey updates every week! The scores arrive on my phone as a text message after each period, almost as soon as the period ends! When I can not be at the game I can still keep up on the team.
(if you do not subscribe to a text msg package from ALLTEL the alert will be just $.02 each)"
Stephen Skauge '85
Kingsford, MI
sjsace@up.net

"Deanna,
Enjoy the newsletter tremendously along with your photos chronologizing significant changes in NMU's physical plant as well as its accademic changes and achievements. While nostalgicly contemplating the changes that are being considered for the upgrading of Lee and Carey Hall's, I am reminded that prior to the advent of Lee Hall in the late 40's, the only place one could get a cup of coffee or a coke between classes was in an old renovated ex-government building behind the J. D. Pearce Training School across the street from Vetville! The Vets that enrolled in NMU following WWII were the nexus that changed the school forever and became the foundation of what it is today."
Jack Miller '51
San Antonio, TX
elhonchos@aol.com

"It is great being in the middle of nowhere in Nevada and get the news from the greatest university in the nation! Thanks again for bringing a little bit of home to me here in Nevada."
Pat Mulkerns '02
Nevada
pmulkerns@nye.k12.nv.us

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

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