For the week of March 21, 2004
From the 6th floor
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Slowly,
but surely, the snow is melting. That doesn't mean we don't occasionally
get hit with a fresh batch, but there's a noticeable difference in the height
of the snowbanks in just the last two weeks. A pleasant noticeable difference,
I might add. Temperatures this week are predicted near 50 degrees with some rain possible, so that's likely to help reduce the snowbanks, also. We're headed into that ugly, messy pre-spring season. You know what I'm talking about if you've ever lived here; that time when the melting snow leads to potholes, mud puddles and just general messiness everywhere. So we've got that to look forward to, which is nice. |
New president could be named Wednesday
The Northern Michigan University
Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 24.
The brief session is scheduled to include a roll-call vote on the presidential
search.
Northern Michigan
University’s presidential search had narrowed to two finalists earlier
this month. The two candidates, John Byrd, executive vice president, University
of Evansville in Evansville, Ind., and Leslie Wong, vice president for Academic
Affairs, Valley City State University, Valley City, N.D. had individual meetings
with the board after visiting campus.
Click here for more on the
two finalists.
A special edition of "What's New, NMU?" will be released Wednesday
following the vote. That edition is likely to contain the name of the new president
of Northern Michigan University. Don't forget to check your email Wednesday
afternoon!
Hockey 'Cats beat State, fall to Michigan
The Northern Michigan University
hockey team ended the 2003-04 season by playing Miami in the third place game
at the CCHA Super Six in Detroit on Saturday afternoon (March 20).
NMU finished the season with a 21-16-4 overall record.
In CCHA action Thursday afternoon, the Wildcats knocked the Michigan State Spartans
out of the tournament, 2-1. This is the second year in a row Walt Kyle's squad
got by Rick Comley's skaters.
Friday's game saw the Wildcats facing the Michigan Wolverines. The game was
close through two periods, but Michigan came out in the third period and exploded
for four goals. The final score was NMU 1, Michigan 5.
In consolation play Saturday, the 'Cats fell to Miami 4-0.
In the championship game, Ohio State got by Michigan 4-2.
A supportive contingent of Wildcat fans were on hand for the weekend's games. The NMU Alumni Association sponsored a Wildcat Hospitality Room all three days and fans were able to mix and mingle and enjoy some free snacks.
Meanwhile, a record five CCHA teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Miami, Michigan, Michigan State and Notre Dame have been selected by the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee to join newly-crowed CCHA Playoff champion Ohio State in the 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championship. Games start this coming weekend with the Frozen Four scheduled for Boston, April 8-10.
Kowalski sets school record
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When the puck hit
the ice in the third place game Saturday, at Joe Louis Arena, Wildcat
goaltender Craig Kowalski was in net. |
Steve Mariucci to host
Wildcats in the Lions Den
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Steve Mariucci '77,
head coach of the Detroit Lions, will host NMU Alumni and Friends at the Detroit
Lions Headquarters and Training Facility, Friday May 21.
Mark this date on your calendar. This is an event you don't want to miss!
This facility is not open to the public. This is an exclusive evening planned
for NMU Alumni and Friends.
A silent auction and great prizes will also be included.
What you need to know:
When: Friday, May 21, 2004 in the evening
Where: Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park,
MI
Who: This event is open to all NMU Alumni and Friends
What: A chance to meet the coach, tour the training facility, eat in
the Lions cafeteria, check out the Lions broadcast studio.
Why: Because this is a great opportunity to check out the home of the
Lions and meet NMU alumni in your area!
Ticket prices have not yet
been set. Tickets will include a tour and food/beverages.
YOU MUST PURCHASE A TICKET IN ADVANCE! NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR.
If you would like to get on a list to receive an email invitation, send
me your contact information.
Visit the NMU Alumni Association home page for details as they become available.
A note from the Editor regarding Tourist Park
I have received
countless inquiries into the status of Marquette's Tourist Park following last
May's flood. Just about every NMU grad has memories of Tourist Park, whether
it was softball games at the field, tenting in the campground, fishing in the
river, hanging out at the beach or something that's not fit to print. The Tourist
Park is touchstone for most alumni and many want to know what the plans are
for restoring the area. While I do not have any exact answers to pass along,
because this is a long process, I can inform you of what went on at a recent
meeting with property owners and concerned residents.
Recently, those groups
involved in the recovery and restoration plans met with the public.
The meeting featured presentations by the Upper Peninsula Power Company, which
owns the Silver Lake, Hoist and McClure basins and dams, the Michigan Department
of Environmental Quality which is responsible for determining responsibility
for the flood, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Last May, the Silver Lake
Basin’s fuse plug, an emergency water release system installed the previous
year, failed after several days of heavy rainfall, releasing 8 billion gallons
of water from the Champion Township impoundment into the Dead River.
The resulting flood did $100 million in damage to businesses, roadways, bridges
and private property all the way to the river mouth at Lake Superior in Marquette.
UPPCO environmental services director Ed Newman said the company is cooperating
with the DNR and DEQ and wants to keep the public informed throughout the continuing
environmental assessment period. Newman said UPPCO and the state are in the
process of developing a “recovery” plan for the river, but that it
will never be completely restored to its pre-flood state.
“There is no way we can restore that river exactly to its previous state,
that’s impossible,”
Newman said. “If there was a pretty little spot you liked to go to, it’s
likely that pretty little spot will never be restored.”
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Todd Helms of Marquette practices his casting on the Dead River during a snowstorm. Officials with the Michigan DNR and DEQ, along with the Upper Peninsula Power Company said comprehensive restoration of the river will likely not take place until summer of 2005 or early 2006. 
This photo, taken
during the flooding, shows the area of destruction at the hydro dam. The
Marquette Board of Light and Power will likely rebuild the dam and generating
facility but it will be at least this summer before any construction work
begins. If you would like to read more on the Dead River Flood and restoration issues, you can visit the City of Marquette's web page. Click on the link for the Dead River Update Newsletter.
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Global Issues Week at NMU
Northern Michigan University
will host its fourth annual Global Issues Week Monday, March 22 – Saturday,
March 27 at the Don H. Bottum University Center in Marquette (unless otherwise
noted). The week's events will include presentations, workshops, discussions
and films dealing with various issues of global importance, culminating in Saturday's
benefit concert.
Global Issues Week began 4 years ago by NMU's United Students and is still organized
by US today.
You can check out the complete
schedule here.
From the Email bag
"Deanna, Just wanted
to say you can meet NMU alumni anywhere. I am currently working for Ambassador
Bremer at the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad Iraq. I had the opportunity
the other day to meet with alum Jerry Glanville. Working
here is a great opportunity. Being a part of this critical time is amazing.
Being here for the signing of the Transitional Constitution was groundbreaking,
and quite incredible. It was really like Philadelphia, all the members of the
Iraqi governing council coming up one by one after their name was called and
signing.
The weather
has been pretty nice daytime temps in the 80's. I can't say that I miss the
snow and cold of MQT, but living here has its own adversities. We stay in an
area less than 9 sq miles, I live in a trailer, and then there are the safety
concerns. But in general things aren't too bad, except the cooking which is
on par with the Cafe.
Best Regards"
Timothy
Bennett '99
Baghdad, Iraq
"I have enjoyed
my weekly visits back to Yooper country via the 6th floor for quite some time
and we have gotten back to Marquette on a couple of occasions since leaving
in 72 and rooting back down in the Detroit area with GM. I also do some fishing
in the UP each fall. Marquette came up today around the water cooler as all
the buzz was about Bob Seger being inducted to the Hall of fame last night.
I like everyone else who grew up in the Detroit area in the 60's have their
Seger stories (mine is I used to see him all the time because bass player Chris
Campbell and I graduated together-Plymouth High School 66). I mentioned another
all time favorite band of mine-the Excels who were just terrific back in the
late 60's, early 70's. While they never made the "big time" they were
just a great band and I hold many great memories of the many dances they appeared
at over at The Armory, the Great Lakes Room and down at the Clifton. I can't
find any info on them on the web or anywhere and was wondering if someone could
give me a lead-I would sure love to get my hands on a record, tape or cd if
there are any around or just how to contact any of the band members. Thanks
for your assistance, keep up your great work with the newsletters, and GO CATS!
I'll be at the "Joe" this weekend!
Jerry Norquist '71
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