For the week of Sept. 3, 2007

From the 6th floor

Finally, some much-needed rain has fallen. A storm system moved across Upper Michigan Monday evening and brought with it heavy rains, thunder and lightning. The entire Upper Peninsula has been experiencing either extreme or severe drought conditions, according to the National Weather Service. In the local woodlands, leaves have already shriveled to brown and fallen from the trees in some places where drought is particularly pronounced. As you can see from our 6th floor photo today, some color change is evident. While forecasters predict sunshine mid-week, a cold front will bring with it another chance of showers for the upcoming weekend.

NMU Alumni Association Homecoming Award Winners announced

The NMU Alumni Association Board of Directors will present four awards at the annual Alumni Association Homecoming Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 6. We're proud to announce this year's winners are:
	Alumni Service Award: Mel Vaara '55 Mel is retired assistant superintendent of Clarkston Community Schools in Clarkston, Mich. Mel has been actively involved with the university for many years. Throughout his career, Mel remained committed to Northern Michigan University. As one of the first Northern alumni hired in the Clarkston district, Mel made it a priority to recruit future teachers from NMU. His commitment to Northern is well known among the Clarkston community. He never hesitates to take the opportunity to introduce potential students to the Northern experience, speaking to many groups of young people. Mel is an active member of the Detroit area alumni club and is a regular at alumni events and Homecoming. He served seven years on the NMU Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association.
	Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Nicole Meloche '94 A mother of five, Marquette native Nicole Meloche is a highly successful entrepreneur and community activist. Through merging and purchasing local companies, she created one of the strongest Internet development companies in the San Clemente, Calif., area.  She grew the business to several million in annual sales and sold that business in 2000. Presently, she is the president of a successful real estate company that focuses primarily on investment opportunities for clients, growing the company to $50 million in sales since 2004.In 2006, she was honored by California’s first lady Maria Shriver for her volunteer work in the pioneering program Samantha's Pride.
	Alumni Achievement Award: Peggy Sue Barber '89 Peggy Sue Barber is a professor of Health and Wellness at Delta College and the lifelong wellness discipline coordinator.  She is in her second year as Michigan’s National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) state director.  Peggy is an International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness (IFBB) fitness professional and holds Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certifications.  She is the 2002 Amateur Team Universe national fitness champion.
	Distinguished Alumni Award: Dr. Frederick Nelson ‘73 A nationally-known geographer, Dr. Frederick “Rick” Nelson graduated from Northern in 1973 and began a remarkable career. He serves as a professor of geography, specializing in permafrost science at the University of Delaware. His highly regarded research has been published in the world's foremost scientific publications and has taken him to Alaska, Siberia, Mongolia and Tibet.In 2006, Dr. Nelson served as president of the U.S. Permafrost Association and in 2004 was elected as a national fellow of the Explorers Club of New York City, a status reserved for individuals "who have made significant contributions to exploration and science." He has engaged in a great deal of service work on behalf of the geographical and scientific professions.
The NMU Alumni Association Awards are presented annually at Homecoming. These awards recognize alumni who have received an associate's, bachelor's, master's or educational special degree from NMU, and who have been a positive influence on their professions, or on their communities through public service, or who have distinguished themselves through their outstanding achievements that place them above the norm. The awards are determined by the NMU Alumni Association Board of Directors. Learn more about the NMU Alumni Association Awards and how you can nominate someone.

Homecoming is one month away.
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 5-6.

A variety of new activities are planned and several groups are hosting reunions.

Check out the complete 2007 Homecoming schedule here.

A unique way to get involved as alumni

Seven to be inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

Seven new members will be inducted into the NMU Sports Hall of Fame in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend 2007, Oct. 5-6.
The induction dinner and ceremony will take place Friday, Oct. 5 in the Great Lakes Rooms of the Don H. Bottum University Center. Social hour begins at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. and the induction program at 8:15 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for children. Reservations are required.
Contact the NMU Ticket Office at 907-227-1032 or EZ Tickets.

Tom Bertoldi '83 Football Bill Pye '95 Hockey	Jim Hiller '95 Hockey Kendall Shorkey '77 Swimming	Anne Goodman James Coach	Jun Liu '98 Volleyball	Dennis Porter '70 Football

Injury Evaluation and Care Clinic now available to alumni

Alumni of Northern Michigan University are now able to take advantage of NMU's Injury Evaluation and Care Clinic. The primary purpose of the clinic is to provide the university community with a health care option that specializes in the evaluation and primary treatment of sport and physical activity related injuries. They offer injury evaluation, on site and home rehabilitation programs, referrals, taping and bracing (limited) and primary injury treatment. The clinic is free to students, faculty and staff. Alumni can utilize the service for $10. The clinic is located in PEIF 239. Fall hours: Monday 3-6 p.m. Tuesday 4-6 p.m. Wednesday 2-5 p.m. Thursday 4-6 p.m. Other times are available by appointment. 227-2130 or jrochest@nmu.edu

Fall Job Fairs

The NMU JOBSearch Center has scheduled two of its popular events for the first week of October. Fall Job Fair and Career Expo (formerly Career Awareness Day) Wednesday, Oct. 3 1 - 4 p.m. Great Lakes Rooms, UC More than 60 companies will be on-hand to recruit for full and part-time employment positions and internships. Employers representing business, government, social services, healthcare, law enforcement and other areas will be attending. To find out more, click here. Construction and Technology Job Fair Thursday, Oct. 4 1 - 3:30 p.m. Commons Area, Jacobetti Center This event is designed for construction, technology, electrical, industrial maintenance and HVAC/climate control majors in one-, two- and four-year programs. The fair provides an opportunity for students and employers to discuss employment possibilities in a variety of service and technical area. To find out more, click here.

Wildcat sports update

Thanks for stopping by...

...Kim DeMark Slade '98 and Daniel, of Colorado.

From the Email bag

"Dan Duncan, Vice President of fraternity operations, gave me your address and thought you might be able to help me locate someone or at least gain some information. I am looking for a man who is a mystery to a small town at the NE gate of Yellowstone Park. In the mid 1960's to mid 1970's he was a regular summer visitor and was known only as "Wildcat". My family converged there each summer at my Grandmother's cabin. She died last year. On a recent trip I learned that there is little anyone knew about him and only one person alive who could give me any information. I only know: his real name was Al Wall. He was a cook or house Pop at a fraternity in Michigan. I am supposing it was Northern and that is where he got the nickname Wildcat. He  had scars on his neck and face from a burn. It looked pretty severe. He maybe took troubled youth up to the town, Cooke, Montana, each summer. I don't even know where to begin my search since I have such a small amount of useful information. I just remember him from childhood and would like to at least know something more about him. I hope you can help me or give me some direction to go in."
Sincerely,
Kelly Patterson
tpau29@aol.com

"Hi. I had a real nice visit with Mike Nelson of the Advancement Office, last month. He was here in California and stopped by the house. It was nice to have a personal update of the activities at NMU. Thanks, Mike for bringing me up to date. As for 'Horizons' and 'What's New, NMU' they're great. Keep up the good work."
Hank Jason '71
Valencia, Ca. 91355
hankjason@ca.rr.com

"Hi. My name is Julie Brouillette and my father, Stan Albeck, coached the Wildcats in basketball from 1957-68. I was born at Marquette General Hospital in January, 1962. After many years away, I traveled back to the UP for a visit one summer about ten years ago. Now my husband and I come go back every year. Our two daughters are very familiar with Marquette and Three Lakes. We even flew up for a long weekend this past February to show the girls what real snow looks like. We stopped at The Yoopers Tourist Trap last year and I bought a 'I Yoosta be a Yooper' bumper sticker which I proudly put on my car. People stop me and ask either, 'What is a yooper?' or 'Where in the UP are you from?' I am more surprised at the latter question as I live outside Nashville, Tenn., and I'm not sure many Tennesseans even know that there is a U.P. Hi to Bob and Anne Pecotte, Fritz and Marvyl Wilson (my godfather) and all our other 'family members' in Wildcat Country!"
Julie Brouillette
Franklin, Tenn.
jabrouillette@comcast.net

"Hi. Your weekly updates are a great way to stay in touch with what's happening at our Alma Mater. Keep it up!"
Rosemary Sandefer '75
East Lansing, Mich.
myshopping14@comcast.net

Have something you'd like to share? Feedback should be directed to dhemmila@nmu.edu

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