For the week of March 21, 2005

From the 6th floor

Thought the blue sky today looked pretty so I made the 6th floor photo a little larger than usual. I hope you don't mind. While we received a few inches of fresh snow over the weekend, the forecast calls for a quiet week as we head into the Easter holiday. High pressure will keep away any precipitation, at least for the early part of the week. Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid to upper 30s.

Alumni turn out to cheer on the 'Cats

While their appearance at the CCHA Super Six in Detroit was short-lived, the NMU hockey Wildcats had hundreds of fans cheering them on Thursday afternoon. The 'Cats lost to the University of Alaska Fairbanks by a score of 6-3, ending their run in the tourney. NMU ends the season with a 22-11-7 slate. Michigan won the playoff title with a 4-2 victory over Ohio State Saturday evening. Michigan and Ohio State will represent the Central Collegiate Hockey Association in the NCAA Tournament.
Here are some of the folks who visited the NMU Alumni Association Wildcat Hospitality Room:

Gary Hoppe '65, his wife, Judy, and in-laws.	June "Grandma" Kowalski, Dayan Anderson, Linda Muljo, Ken Kowalski.
	Bill Lusa '60 (second from right), his sons, Bill and Robert, and friends.

Tuomas Tarkki named Hobey Baker Finalist

The Hobey Baker Foundation has announced the 10 finalist for the 2005 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, including NMU goalie Tuomas Tarkki. Tarkki is the first Wildcat Hobey Top 10 finalist since Scott Beattie in 1992 to be a finalist for the award. “Tuomas is most deserving of this award,” said NMU coach Walt Kyle. “His work ethic and determination over the past three years has carried him to become the player of today.” The finalist are selected by vote of the nation’s 58 Division I head coaches, along with the Preliminary Voting results in Vote for Hobey, the award’s on-line fan balloting. Criteria for the award, which is celebrating its 25th season of honoring college hockey’s top player, include strength of character on and off the ice, along with scholastic achievements and sportsmanship. The award’s winner will be determined from among the finalist by the Hobey Baker Selection Committee, a group of coaches, scouts, media and a representative from USA Hockey. Fans also contribute to the final decision through Vote for Hobey’s Final Voting phase (www.hobeybaker.com), which will run through Monday, March 28. Tarkki, a senior, from Rauma, Finland was honored recently as the 2005 CCHA Player of the Year and recipient of the league’s Best Goaltender Award. He led the conference with an 1.81 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage, as he led the ‘Cats to a team-best 38-point regular season. “Tuomas never quit and got most of what he has,” Kyle added. “He did not go unnoticed by his teammates. The guys love to play in front of him. Tuomas is the type of person and player we want to produce at NMU.” Tarkki was also named to the All-CCHA First Team by the conference’s coaches. He is ranked nationally in save percentage, wins, goals-against and winning percentage. The top three finalists will be announced as the Hobey Hat Trick on March 30. The 2005 Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced April 8 in Columbus, Ohio, the day before the championship game at the NCAA Frozen Four. The ceremony will take place at Nationwide Arena beginning at 2:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

President's Ball provides unique opportunity for alumni

NMU students win awards at state conference

Five Northern Michigan University members of Business Professionals of America (BPA) recently won 15 awards – including eight first-place finishes – at the state leadership conference at Northwood University in Midland.
The students participated in contests ranging from office procedures to Web design. All five students qualified to compete at the BPA national leadership conference April 22-26 in Anaheim, Calif. The students and their awards are as follows:
Chera LaForge, an economics senior from Ishpeming, took first place in administrative support concepts, economic research project – individual, integrated office applications and legal office procedures, and third place in management/marketing/human resources concepts.
Nicole Abendroth, a biology senior from Ishpeming, took first place in fundamental word processing skills and second place in prepared speech.
Kelly Larmour, an elementary education junior from Negaunee, won first place in both fundamentals of HTML and keyboarding production.
Chena Filizetti, a biology physiology junior from Negaunee, won second place in both desktop publishing and medical office procedures.
Lindsey Pepin, an accounting/computer information systems senior from Ishpeming, was awarded first place in financial math and analysis and second place in administrative support concepts, basic office systems and procedures and computerized accounting.

Marquette featured in guide book

Marquette is one of "The 100 Best Art Towns in America" according to John Villani. Villani publishes a guide to galleries, museums, festivals, lodging & dining. The 4th Ed. of Villani's book, due out in April, includes a feature on Marquette. We found this information on a Web site advertising Villani's book: Whether you're looking for a great place to buy a painting on a weekend road trip or an inspiring and beautiful community in which to start a new life, The 100 Best Art Towns in America puts you on the right track. New Mexico author John Villani details all you need to know—from a town's lifestyle to interesting places to dine and must-do art festivals—written from the perspective of the nation's top arts travel writer. The communities profiled in this fourth edition of "The 100 Best Art Towns in America" range in size from under 1,000 to nearly 100,000 in population, but all have one thing in common: a strong sense of support for the visual arts, performing arts, and music. These communities are at the vanguard of an important national trend that's leading to the revitalization of smaller communities through arts-driven economic development. Essentials of each town may include: Visual arts venues Performing arts & events Wining & dining Accommodations Population The book highlights the many art activities that take place year-round in the area and the contributions both Northern Michigan University and the Marquette Arts and Culture Center have had on the arts. The book is available from a number of online sources.

From the Email bag

"What a great way to keep alumni informed on a regular basis. I look forward to getting your updates. Keep up the excellent work!"
Roger LaBonte '61, '63
Dimondale, MI
labonteleads@aol.com

"With someone like myself, I haven't been back in years. I live in Jacksonville, FL, so I don't have a lot of time to get back and see the old stomping grounds. I have a suggestion, I'd like to see some pictures of a few other places WE called home at NMU. Inside and out!!! I think you would get some great stories to post on the site. A few suggestions....3rd Base, Vango's, Shamrock, My Place, Washington Street Pub, Wooden Nickel."
Gregory Ritz '00
West Palm Beach, FL
gregory.ritz@coors.com

Note from the Editor: We aim to please.

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