For the week of March 29, 2004

From the 6th floor

A few rainy days can sure make a difference on snow levels. As you can see from the photo on the left, we're down to not much white and a whole lot of brown. Not all that attractive to look at. The photo on the right, taken out the window across the hall shows that there is no reportable ice in the harbor. Some areas of shoreline do still have some floating chunks of ice, but that, too, has greatly decreased over the past week. Not necessarily the prettiest time of the year in the UP but it is a sign of spring. And for that, I know I'm glad.

New president hopes to visit campus in April

Dr. Les Wong says he is moving to Marquette for warmer weather. Not too many people can say that. NMU's 13th president is coming from North Dakota, so the move to the UP is to a warmer environment.
Les Wong and his wife Phyllis have lived in North Dakota since he took the job of vice president of academic affairs at Valley City State University in 1999. Wong told the Marquette Mining Journal he’s willing to trade the frigid winter temperatures of the Great Plains for the Upper Peninsula’s snowfall and more moderate weather along Lake Superior.

“My wife and I are thoroughly excited and look forward to joining Northern Michigan University,” said Wong.
“The thing that really sold us on Northern was the spirit of the people, the university's student-centered approach, and its reputation for quality academics. I really want to thank the board, the university and the community for their confidence in offering me this opportunity. I also hope people appreciate the incredible job that Mike Roy has done as interim president. I look forward to working with him and other members of the team."

Wong was appointed NMU President last Wednesday following a unanimous vote by the NMU Board of Trustees.
Karl Weber of Marquette, vice chair of the board and member of the search advisory committee, said his favorable impression of Wong was solidified during a visit to the Valley City State campus.
“I am optimistic that he could be one of Northern’s strongest presidents ever,” Weber said. “I have that much confidence in him and his ability to lead this university.”
Northern hopes to have the new president in place by July and Wong said he’s hoping to visit Marquette again in early April.
“Northern is really a gem,” he said. “The talent and potential there is enormous, and it’s a terrific opportunity for a new president.”

Tickets to go on sale Monday, April 12th for Lions events

You'll want to make sure you're available Friday, May 21st to check out the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility with head coach Steve Mariucci '77.

Coach Mariucci is offering Wildcats a rare opportunity inside the home of the Lions in Allen Park, MI.

Details are still being worked out, but make sure you Save The Date!

Tickets will go on sale Monday, April 12th at 9:00 a.m.

Space is limited****Purchase your ticket early****No tickets will be sold at the door.

Tickets will be made available online and by phone.

To get on the list for an email invitation, drop us your email address.
If you have already sent a request, you do not need to send another.
You'll be notified as soon as ticket prices are set.

Marquette County to receive Livable Community designation

Partners for Livable Communities will announce this decade's America's Most Livable Communities at a National Press Club awards ceremony and press conference on April 20. At that press conference, Marquette County will be recognized as one of American's Most Livable Communities.
America's Most Livable Communities is a project of Partners for Livable Communities, a national non-profit organization working to restore and renew America's communities. For nearly three years, the Lake Superior Community Partnership in cooperation with the Marquette Community Foundation have worked with PLC in its Creative City program. By working with PLC staff and consultants, the Marquette County community was able to play a role in identifying priorities, learn more about branding and created a countywide marketing plan in conjunction with a PLC marketing consultant.

Look for special coverage in USA Today later this week.

Fraternity story makes national magazine

Remember the great story about Don Kromer and Lambda Chi Alpha?
The story first made headlines this past February. In 1979, Don Kromer was a Northern Michigan University junior, a history and political science major, 21 years old and a quadriplegic. His fraternity brothers at Lambda Chi Alpha promised Don they would help him graduate. They raised money to make their fraternity house accessible and they learned how to take care of Don. Twenty five years later, Lambda Chi Alpha brothers continue to assist Don. He was recently in Marquette for surgery and a new generation of Lambda Chi Alpha helped him get back on his feet.

(If you didn't read the original story, it's not too late to check it out:
Go to the Mining Journal online: http://www.miningjournal.net/
On the left hand side, click on Archive
Click on February in the News column
Scroll down to:
Frat brothers gave accident victim hope
Help from his friends (02-03)
Don Kromer moved into a fraternity house in January 1979 with a lot of help from his friends.
Click on the link and read a great story.)

The touching story is this month's cover story in Cross & Crescent, the Lambda Chi Alpha national magazine.

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