For the week of December, 20, 2004

From the 6th floor

Ok. Enough already. It seems like we have had lousy weather every day for a week straight. And the forecast for the remainder of this week is certainly not promising for anything but more snow. And cold. And blowing.
Definitely not good traveling weather for anyone who may be headed over the river and through the woods.
By Christmas Eve, we're looking at significant lake effect with highs near zero.
Yes, a high of zero.
I sure hope Santa bundles up.



NMU board supports public radio, holds off on television decision

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to continue providing annual general fund support of $50,000 to keep the public radio station on the air.

Trustees will not take action on the public television station until they receive additional information about the university's liability in obtaining grants, financing alternatives for federally-mandated digital upgrades, and marketing strategies aimed at students pursuing broadcast-related careers.

Trustee Scott Holman presented the motion. He said the issue is not the worthiness of public broadcasting on campus and in the region, but the fiscal commitment required – especially in the case of WNMU-TV – to continue operating in the midst of a challenging budgetary climate.

"I support public broadcasting and want to see it work here," he said. "It has value in terms of the potential for involving students and other disciplines. The U.P. community needs it and it is a form of outreach for Northern. There are many champions for these stations, which is necessary to move forward. Any project with that level of passion, and with the technical expertise on campus to support it, has a formula for success. But it's about the money, folks. What still concerns me is the capital required for the digital upgrades. We need time to understand this better."
Full story.

USOEC receives federal funding

The U.S. Olympic Education Center at NMU will receive nearly $990,000 in support for B.J. Stupak Scholarships and $400,000 in operational funding through the legislative spending package signed Wednesday by President George W. Bush.
"We are very grateful to Congressman Bart Stupak and the entire Michigan delegation for their efforts in support of student athletes at the USOEC," said NMU President Les Wong. "Through this legislation, Northern will continue its work with the center to provide a benefit to the campus, community and Upper Peninsula."
The USOEC is the first and only center in the nation that allows athletes with Olympic aspirations to train for world-class competition while pursuing an education. Jeff Kleinschmidt (USOEC) said the funds will serve the athletic and academic needs of the nearly 100 men and women training at NMU.
"The student athletes will be able to continue their education while training to represent all Americans at the Olympic Games in the sports of boxing, luge, short-track speedskating, men's Greco-Roman wrestling, women's freestyle wrestling and weightlifting," he added. "The athletes and staff sincerely appreciate Congressman Stupak's support."

Don't forget.....Minneapolis party this Wednesday

Wildcat fans will be getting together in Minneapolis this Wednesday, December 22nd.

NMU hockey is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Mariucci Arena.
The 'Cats take on Harvard in the Dodge Holiday Classic.

Wildcat fans will be getting together immediately following the game at Ridder Arena, right next door.

The reception is free and open to all.
Snacks and beverages will be provided.

Game tickets may still be available.
You do not need a game ticket to attend the reception.

Questions?

Win a cabin in Upper Michigan

How many times have you said you'd like to spend your summers in Marquette? Or retire here?

Here's your chance.
Once again this year, the Lake Superior Community Partnership is raffling off a cabin in the woods of Marquette County.
You could win a cabin and 10 wooded acres located in Forsyth Township located just 20 minutes South of the city of Marquette. With year round access to recreational trails you can enjoy our four season playground from the comfort of your own cabin.

Tickets are $10 and available online.

Click here for details.

Flint- Fenton area now on board for Wildcat Night Across the Country

Alumni in several areas are busy 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:

Flint-Fenton Joe & Lewie's Penalty Box Greg Feamster
Battle Creek Miller's Time Out Troy Huggett
Mount Pleasant Buffalo Wild Wings Grill Annie Van Dyke
Ann Arbor Damons Kris Day
Chicago Glascott's Jen Giangrasse
Marquette Vango's Juliet Hoffman
Iron Mountain Pine Mountain Janette Ward
Madison Pooley's Robin Nickel

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.

30 years ago

Found this article in the Mining Journal over the weekend and thought you might get a kick out of it.
(The cup is from a private collection.)

"Superiorland Yesterdays"
30 years ago in Marquette--Offering more than the usual bar atmosphere, the Alibi Rock Theatre was opened Friday at 516 Wright Street on the site formerly occupied by the Brat House. A lighted dance floor, wall movies, six pool tables, 15 arcade pieces and two foosball tables are among the attractions arranged by Rick Hohl, manager."

Now if that doesn't prompt some Email bag feedback, I don't know what will :-)

Thanks for stopping by....

.....Tim '73 and Bonnie Briggs of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Tim had not been on campus in more than 20 years! Why the visit now, you ask? Tim has been a life-long Packers fan and Bonnie surprised him with tickets to the Packers home game yesterday in Green Bay. I hope Tim enjoyed Lambeau even though it was way cold and the Packers lost.

From the Email bag

"Thank you so much for the weekly newsletters! I only graduated and left NMU in 2003, but I live in Los Angeles now and though it is lovely here, I do miss Michigan. It is always nice to hear news about NMU and the pictures bring back great memories. They always put a smile on my face. Thanks again, and keep up the good work."
Cheryl Frei '03
Los Angeles, CA
cherylfreiday@hotmail.com

"Dear Deanna,
After living the the South for 16 years....the pictures of snow this week brought back memories for me...
1. The smell of wet wool...unique...smell YOU never forget...
2. Bundling up in layers...and being thin enough to do it..
3. Walking over chucks of snow...the size of boulders.
4. Wind chill so low that your NOSE hairs freeze...
5. losing my 76' Gremlin in the parking lot, after the snow plows went through, finding it in APRIL>>>>
Yes, I sure miss it...NOT...I just miss the beauty of it...the white drifts...how they look on a early morning walk around campus, walking up that hill from the dorms..I took it in stride...Now I would have to have a dog sled pulling me up that hill..HAHAHAH"
Melinda Ashton Semer '80
Cornelius, NC
smsemer@charter.net

"Looks like quite a bit of snow at NMU. Little bit different as I sit here and it is 60 degrees outside. Looking at those pictures bring back memories of the many cold days of walking to classes. Enjoy the news each week and I am enjoying the warmer weather of the south. It is good to get news each week from Northern. Your paper is really enjoyed Thanks."
Ron Ullman '70
Columbus, GA
radj48@mchsi.com

"Holy Wah! You got snow. I like the 6th floor cam shots."
Anita Dionne Gray '66
Charlotte, NC
ehyooper@bellsouth.net

"Now that's how most of us remember Marquette...two feet of snow on the ground. Nice place for it."
Leonard Sokolowski '73
leonard.j.sokolowski@us.army.mil

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

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