Erin Moriarity Travis Moscinski Clare Mullen Megan Munyan Emily Murray Stephanie Murray Cindy Mytty David Narhi Leon Nash LeeAnne Nawrot Theresa Nease Andrea Nelson Grant Nelson Nathan Nelson Katie Nettleton Angela Neumann Jennifer Nicholas Sarah Nichols Andrew Niemann Amber Nolde Amanda Norgren Leah Normand Lukas Nowinsky Catrina Nyberg Marjorie O'Brien Derek O'Connell Kyle O'Donnell Nolan Oleski Jalina Olgren Ashley Olson Tracy Ordiway Ashley Ormson Jennifer Osterman Ryan Overby Benusha Pandey Sherry Papak Steven Pariseau Jessica Parker Jacob Parr Sheri Passamani Melissa Paul Erik Paveglio Kathryn Peck Trevor Pellerite Elizabeth Peppin Raechel Percy Kylynn Perdue-Bronson Megan Pernicano Megan Persons Bradley Petersen Faren Peterson Rachel Pierce Joshua Pikka Justine Pinskey Melissa Pinskey Natasha Piper Leanne Plath Benjamin Plaza Anthony Plemmons Jeffrey Poirier Megan Porter Clayton Powell Ariel Powers-Schaub Jessica Price Robert Price William Provost Steven Puroll Leanne Pylkas Olivia Rasmusson Bethany Ray Brittany Ray Ellary Renier Jason Richards Amanda Riddle Kellie Rietveld Jessica Roell Mercedes Rosado Mary Rotter Gayla Rovelsky Randall Rovelsky Austin Rowe Michelle Russell Oliver Ryan Charles Rye Dennis Sabo Alexander Sackmann Staci Salo Jessie Sandberg Stephanie Savoie Erin Schafer Benjamin Scheelk Kyle Schimek Sean Schoenherr Bradley Schoenrock Courtney Schofield Zachary Schomp Lindsay Schrader Joseph Schuck Christopher Schuldt Kristen Schulz Daniel Schwartz Anne Scott Sarah Scott Melissa Seelye Jocelyn Selmser Molly Semo Leah Servoss Stephen Sewell Heidi Shatz Teresa Sherman-Jones Amelia Shirtz Jessica Shoemaker Amber Shumard Jenny Sides Andrew Sikkema Erin Sikkema Richard Simmon Jacob Simmons Jaclyn Simonet Justin Singleton Daniel Skog Andrew Smith Erica Smith Jereme Smith Kristina Smith Natalie Smith Stephen Smith Kylie Snowaert Halley Sodergren Marie-Helen Soderman Karen Solomon Ben Sondgerath Elizabeth Souther Kayleigh Spears Anne Speers Heidi Spiessl Sandra Spigarelli Benjamin St. Aubin Breanna St. Onge Brian St. Amour Jasmine Stader Amanda Staley Christopher Steele Katherine Stelmaszek Katherine Stenlund Emily Stenson Cayla Stewart Douglas Straka Samantha Strauss Emily Strazzinski Esther Su Daniel Swaim Courtney Swanson Jessica Swanson Molly Tabbert Pui-Yin Tang Alexandra Tarsi Benjamin Tarsi Samantha Tarsi Jodi Tervo Teresa Tester Allison Testolin Danielle Teter Aaron Timonen Carolyn Tobin Karissa Toupin Beau Trapp Michael Treacy Jessica Trotochaud Jeremy Truitt Katie Twardzik Daniel Uhl Erin Ulrey Caleb Underwood Jennifer Unmuth Francois Vachon Ivy Vachon Jacob Vander Laan Heather Varble Robin Vaughan Kasie Veen Robert Vest Jessica Vitale Brigham Voigt Keith Voorheis Kyle Vrtis Paul Walters Matthew Walther Nicholas Ward Angela Wascher Angela Webb Nicole Weber Thomas Weber Genevieve Wellner Courtney Whitfield Christina Widder Darren Widder Cally Willette Diara Williams Erica Wilson Christopher Windy Dominika Winiarski Bethany Winn Craig Wiseman Cameron Witbeck Ryan Woods Erica Wozniak Jacqueline Wright Katelynn Wright Emma Wuepper Andrea Wuorenmaa Mindelei Wuori Callie Youngman Trista Zdroik Jessica Zerbel Brenda Zickus Christine Zidlicky Zachary Ziegler Matthew Ziniel Felicia Zwier Honors Students, continued
Biology: PAUL KUSNIERZPaul came to NMU from the University of Maine in 2006 to workwith coaster brook trout in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Histhesis focused on developing age structure data for the PicturedRocks brook trout populations. His work has allowed the programto gain an understanding of the age-dependent growth patterns ofresident and coaster brook trout, which is integral to the develop-ing management program for coasters. He presented his researchfindings at several national scientific meetings and it has beenaccepted for publication in the Journal of Great Lakes Research. Inaddition, Paul completed an academically rigorous program ofcourse work with flying colors while serving as an excellent teach-ing assistant. After graduating in August 2008, Paul moved to theMontana Department of Environmental Quality, where he works asa multibasin monitoring coordinator.
English/MA: ADAM COCCOAdam has a consummate dedication to scholarship and teaching.He is completing his MA in English literature and pedagogy; healso holds a BA in secondary education english with a minor inhistory. His literary interests include fiction and nonfiction of the1920s to 1940s, focusing on the alienation and exploitation of theworking class in modern/postmodern society. His pedagogicalinterests center on the promotion of literacy for struggling readersand writers. Adam and his wife, Walinda, have two sons, Parkerand Jackson.
English/MFA: BRIAN MCMILLANBrian came to NMU three years ago from a reporter’s job at asmall local newspaper in Bradenton, Fla. Already Brian had a the-sis in mind—a work of reportage on a homeless man in his fifties.His brief residence with us has been immensely productive.Besides the nonfiction, Brian has written fiction and poetry, someof it good enough to be published. He’s begun a novel. Mostimportant, though, is that thesis he had in mind. It is finished now,and along the way, his work of reportage became, also, a memoirand a meditation on homelessness. Thank you, Brian, for all ofyour good work, and especially for your superb thesis, which yourcommittee believes will someday be a published book, On CortezRoad: My Search for One Homeless Man.
The faculty and staff of Northern Michigan University are pleased to recognize and commend thesestudents who have achieved distinguished academic success—expanding their intellectual and creativepotentials to the highest possible level. Congratulations!
Tonight’s program, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
6:30 p.m. Meet the students, visit the achievement posters
7 p.m. Welcome address from NMU President Les Wong and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan Koch
Recognition of students with superior academic achievement from Interim Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Cynthia Prosen
Before and after the presentations, please enjoy the hors d’oeuvres and talking with our accomplished students
Academic eligibility criteria
Honors Reception Program
• Freshmen and first semester transfer stu-dents for the fall semester completing aminimum of 12 hours with a cumulativeNMU grade point average (GPA) of 3.90or higher.
• S o p h o m o res through seniors for the fa l lsemester completing a minimum of 12 hourswith a cumulative NMU GPA of 3.75 or higher.
• Re-entry students satisfying one of thepreceding criteria.
• August 2008, December 2008 and May2009 degree recipients who were enrolledfor sufficient credits to graduate and havea cumulative NMU GPA of 3.75 or higher.
• Students who begin a second bachelor’sdegree initially must meet the criteriaestablished for freshmen.
English: COLE SCHMIDTCole has been a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English HonorSociety since 2007 and vice president of the organization since2008. He also currently serves as vice president of the MortarBoard Senior Honor Society. He is the recipient of numerousawards and honors, including: Michigan Merit Award (2005),Northern Michigan University Merit Award (2005), MichiganCompetitive Scholarship (2006), Starr Foundation Scholarship(2006). More recently, he was selected to present some of hisinnovative scholarship at the Sigma Tau Delta national conference(2009), where he presented a paper entitled, “The Sky Is Falling:Cultural Reflections of 9/11 through Comics.”
Economics: RICK SIMMONRick to date has maintained a cumulative 3.95 GPA. He earned afour-year Army ROTC scholarship and has completed the leader-ship development assessment course, U.S. Army Airborne School,United States Military Academy’s cadet field training, and is aDistinguished Military Graduate. After graduating in May, he willcommission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army as anarmor/military intelligence officer. After the Army, Rick hopes topursue graduate school in economics and eventually work for alibertarian policy institute. His areas of interest include Austrianeconomics, comparative economic systems, Constitutional eco-nomics, and public policy.
Geography: COLLEEN MIKELSONThe abundant snow, great lakes and peaceful woods drew Colleento Northern. Science has been a lifelong passion for her and youcould not find a person more excited about her major;Environmental Science was the right choice from the start. Whennot engrossed in her studies, Colleen is a student leader oncampus. She is the current vice president of the EnvironmentalScience Organization, a member of the GTU geography honorssociety, former captain of the NMU crew team and the founderand president of the Northern Nordic Club ski team. She will grad-uate in May with a 3.87 GPA and will start graduate school thisfall at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, pursuing a degreein environmental toxicology.
History: JOHANNA BOYLEJohanna, a Marquette resident, is a history and French major whograduated in August 2008. Her two extra-curricular activitiesincluded marching band and working for several years helpingstudents in the Writing Center. Her love of European history senther to France, where she studied at the University of Rennes inBrittany for nine months. She considers this experience a highpoint of her years at Northern and was able to polish her Frenchlanguage skills along with learning about the history and economyof this French province. Most recently, she updated the HistoryDepartment Web page much to everyone’s delight and satisfac-tion. Presently she is a journalist for the Mining Journal.
International Studies: KARL MERCERKarl’s double majors in International Studies and French representjust the beginning of his passion for and commitment to thingsinternational. At NMU he has worked continuously in ModelUnited Nations, has represented the Philippines, Sudan, Denmark,Costa Rica and Saint Lucia at their conferences, and has garneredawards for his participation. He co-founded Tongue Tide andchampioned the cause of expanding language study options atNMU. He has worked with Bridging Boundaries International tohelp relieve tensions in the former Yugoslavia. In 2007-2008 hestudied Vietnamese culture and language in Viet Nam. He plans topursue graduate work in southeast Asian studies and a careerwith the U.S. State Department.
Mathematics and Computer Science: JASON GREGERSENJason’s dedication to academics is evident not only in his high GPAbut also in his extracurricular activities. He has presented twice atthe Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual teach-ers conference and also several times at NMU regarding the use oftechnology in the classroom. In 2008, Jason was the recipientof NMU’s Teaching, Learning and Communication award and theMichigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ Miriam SchaeferAward for excellence in education. He has also demonstrated hisdedication to the student community through his volunteer tutor-ing in the math lab and by tutoring individuals privately. Jason willgraduate in May 2009, summa cum laude, with a bachelor’sdegree in secondary education mathematics. He will continuestudying mathematics in graduate school and will pursue a doc-torate in either pure or applied mathematics.
Modern Languages: KASIE VEENKasie majored in French (and art history), minored in Spanish, andstudied Chinese as well while at NMU. She had three significantexperiences abroad. The first was as a student in a faculty-ledstudy in Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris. For the second, she spentan academic year in France teaching English in a public school,while also doing directed studies in French with an NMU profes-sor. For the third, she studied Spanish in Madrid. She has been apioneer in the French mentoring program and has been heavilyinvolved in the French Club and in volunteer work. Her languageskills in French and Spanish are outstanding.
Music: RANDY MONROERandy graduated magna cum laude in December 2008 with abachelor’s degree in music education. Pursuing music at the uni-versity level has been a rewarding experience that has includedmeeting life-changing teachers who encouraged him to grow andguided him to achieve. Before Northern, he attended Grand ValleyState University and was a multiple Dean's List recipient. He alsoattended Grand Rapids Community College and received anOutstanding Leadership in Music award.
Philosophy: DEREK O’CONNELLDerek has become a student leader in the Philosophy Club as wellas a tutor to other students. He has a gift for intellectual work, isdiligent and thorough, analytically sharp, writes excellent pene-trating papers and always gets his work in on time. He was also awinner in the Cohodas Essay contest. No wonder he is a 4.0 GPAstudent. Derek has just received a full ride to the University ofIllinois-Carbondale Ph.D. program in philosophy. Full tuition andan assistantship should keep him out of debt while he studies tobecome a university professor. The NMU Philosophy Departmentis confident that he will become an excellent teacher and publishhis share of original work.
Political Science and Public Administration: LAUREN MATTIOLILauren is graduating summa cum laude, with a major in pre-lawpolitical science and philosophy and minor in general politicalscience. In addition to working on campus, Lauren was presidentof Model United Nations for three years, served as chair of theStudent Faculty Judiciary and All Student Judiciary, edited andcontributed to the NMU Political Review, captained the NMU mocktrial team, contributed to the College Democrats debate team, andwas a member of the Student Finance Committee. This fall, Laurenwas a teaching assistant for the freshman seminar, tutored politi-cal science and philosophy for Student Support Services andworked as an intern for Bloomberg News at the DemocraticNational Convention in Denver, Colo.
Psychology: JILLIAN BROWN-BURLEYJillian will graduate in May with a psychology/graduate preparationmajor. She has achieved a 3.73 GPA while being active in researchand in community work. She has worked in the research laborato-ries of Maya Sen and Bradley Olson. She has been a teachingapprentice for the junior seminar and introductory psychology. Shehas volunteer experience in both hospital and community mentalhealth agencies and participated in mental health screeningprograms and peer education. Jillian is a member of the AmericanPsychological Association, PsiChi (Psychology Honor Society),Mortar Board, the Student Psychological Association, and AlphaLambda Delta (Freshman Honor Society).
College of Business
Business: SARA BLOMQUISTSara has done it all at NMU, with academics, student organizationsand internships. She graduated in December 2008 with a cumula-tive GPA of 3.90 as an accounting/corporate finance major andearned a Michigan Accountancy Foundation Scholarship instatewide competition. Remarkably, Sara has been active in manystudent organizations and committees including serving asPresident of Beta Alpha Psi and chair of the Dean’s StudentAdvisory Council. Sara has held internships with the vice presidentof finance at NMU and with the “Big Four” accounting firm ofKPMG in Minneapolis. On the personal side, she is always cheerfulwith a very positive attitude. Sara has a full-time position withKPMG in Minneapolis.
College of Professional Studies
Clinical Laboratory Sciences: HEATHER VARBLEHeather graduated in summer 2008. She did two, six-monthinternships at Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette, Wis., andMarquette General Hospital. Heather won both the CLSOutstanding Student Practitioner Award as well as the CLSOutstanding Associate Degree Graduate Award in 2006. Heather’sfile is filled with positive comments from hospital trainers andprofessors. Last summer Heather was asked to interview at clinicallaboratories in Wisconsin, Washington and Colorado and wasgiven job offers at each place. She currently works at St. Mary’sHospital in Grand Junction, Colo.
Criminal Justice: JENNY SIDESJenny will graduate summa cum laude in May. She was awardedthe Outstanding Non-Traditional Student of the Year award in 2007,and has been the recipient of numerous scholarships. Jen is a dedi-cated student who brings enthusiasm and a love of learning to theclassroom. In addition to her academic achievements, Jen is a won-derful human being and is very well liked by her fellow studentsand the faculty. These qualities are even more astonishing becauseshe has overcome a difficult upbringing, pulled herself up by herown “bootstraps,” and has done all this while being a devoted wifeand mother of three. We believe Jen Sides is an example of what ispossible with hard work and dedication, and that she serves as anexample to all.
Education: ANDREW DOUTREEAndrew is a December 2008 elementary education graduate. Hehas exhibited exemplary performance throughout every phase ofthe student teaching program. As noted by his cooperating teachersCarolyn Northey and Shirley Menhennick, he has made a greatimpact on children during his student teaching: “Andrew Doutreehas been an amazing spirit in the classroom. His commitment tostudents and the teaching profession are inspiring. He not only had
a great knowledge of the science subject matter, but he is able toteach and share this knowledge with care and concern. He consis-tently utilizes varied techniques to motivate students to learn.”
Engineering Technology: DAVID HEDBERGThe exceptional academic performance displayed by David hasearned him several scholarships, including Marquette RangeEngineers, Outstanding Achievement, Michigan Merit, MichiganCompetitive, and more. David has been named to the Dean’s Listseven times, with a 3.92 GPA. He began his career at NMU in theFreshman Fellows program and has remained active acrosscampus. David has contributed to countless NMU organizations,including the Hybrid Car (5 semesters), Student Leader Fellowship,Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Lake Effect Show Choir (6 semes-ters), and University Choir (1 semester). Additionally, local highschool students benefit from David’s work as an Upward Boundmath and science tutor. He also facilitates the district solo/ensemble and is actively involved with his church.
Health, Physical Education and Recreation: SHINYA ABEShinya has an overall GPA of 3.85. As one of his professors writes:“Shinya walked into my office a few years ago, fresh from Japan.He already had a definite focus to study the sport and exercisesciences. I suggested that he take English 111 his first semester, butShinya replied, ‘No English. Math … no problem. Chemistry … noproblem. Physics … no problem … but, no English.’ He wanted asemester to become more comfortable with English, which wasnew to him. He was correct. For Shinya, math, chemistry, physicswere ‘no problem.’ In addition to the stringent required courses forsports science, he has also completed MET 211 – Mechanics-Statics, PH 393 Experimental Instrumentation and Analysis, anddirected studies in research. Shinya presented one of his under-graduate research papers at the International Society forBiomechanics in Sports conference in Seoul, Korea, this pastsummer. He has also presented his joint research on rock climbingand is currently working on two additional research projects.Shinya plans to pursue a graduate degree in biomechanics upongraduation from NMU.
Nursing: SAMANTHA LAGERMANSamantha has exemplified merit throughout her career at NMU.She began as a Freshman Fellow and has continued with mentoredresearch each year—research that has culminated in posterpresentations and acceptance at national, regional and localconferences. Samantha has further distinguished herself byreceiving four clinical excellence awards in the baccalaureatenursing curriculum and will graduate summa cum laude in Maywith a GPA of 3.89. As a junior, Samantha was invited and induct-ed into Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nurs-ing. She volunteers in the community with the Medical Care AccessCoalition and Room at the Inn. Upon graduation, Samantha plansto begin her career working in a critical-care setting.
Sociology and Social Work: FRANCOIS VACHONFrancois was born and raised in Quebec City, Canada. He moved tothe United States in 2005 and enrolled at NMU in 2006. This washis first experience in an English-speaking academic setting. Hemaintained an overall GPA of 3.91 while completing a double major.Francois has tutored three different courses, served as a counselorat Bay Cliff Health Camp, and as a research assistant on the“Homelessness in the Upper Peninsula” project, on which he willbe giving a conference presentation. He intends to earn a Ph.D. andbecome a professor of sociology.
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences: GAYLA ROVELSKYGayla has lived in the Upper Peninsula her entire life and is agraduate of Westwood High School in Ishpeming. She has earnedan overall GPA of 3.92 and 4.0 in the major. Gayla’s high GPAreflects her ability to incorporate theory into application, whichwill be key in her graduate studies in speech-language pathologyand in future clinical practice. She earned this excellent academicrecord while pursuing extracurricular activities during her under-graduate career. Currently, she is treasurer of the National StudentSpeech-Language-and-Hearing Association (NSSLHA), co-captainand competitive member of the NMU Figure Skating Team andcoaches group and private lessons in figure skating.
Technology and Occupational Sciences: ELIZABETH MILLERElizabeth completed her degree in hospitality management insummer 2008. She earned a 3.6 GPA. During her tenure at NMU,she had a successful academic career beginning as a student in thebusiness computer information systems program and moving intothe position of culinary laboratory assistant in the hospitality man-agement program. Her willingness to learn and desire to servehelped her to quickly become a “go-to” student. She spent hoursworking with both students and professors to complete food ordersfor multiple food units, and volunteered to help during manyevents. She was an active participant in many successful CulinaryStudents of NMU events, as well as other NMU, Marquette andstate culinary events. A month before graduation, she was offereda full-time internship with Levy Restaurants, the food managementcompany at Lambeau Field. During her internship she took overthe position of the non-profit organization coordinator, managingover 1,000 volunteers working throughout Lambeau Field beforeand during events.
Students graduating with 4.0scholastic grade point average
International Studies: AMY HICKEY Amy majored in international studies and minored in history.Clearly she excelled in her class work, but her excellence hasextended beyond classroom walls and curriculum. For starters, shestudied Russian in Moscow, and Russian is not a patsy of alanguage. Basic Hungarian and German round out her languageresume. She has mentored in the Rotary Youth Exchange program,tutored English as a Second Language, and co-founded TongueTide, an NMU student language advocacy group. She has beeninvolved in the Honors Program and Honors Student Organization,NMU student government, OUTlook, NMU's sexual and genderexpression group, two progressive student publications, Telos andthe NMU Political Review, and has even found time to disc jockey forRadio X.
Business: MATTHEW FRANTIMatt graduated in December 2008 with a 4.0 while majoring inaccounting with a minor in economics. Matt exemplified the idealstudent by always being prepared for class and being ready toparticipate. Even-tempered and poised, he willingly volunteered toanswer the more difficult questions while fitting in well with hisfellow students. A native of Bruce Crossing, Mich., Matt was therecipient of five different scholarships: NMU Merit Excellence,Michigan Robert C. Byrd, NMU Keith Forsberg Accounting, ThriventFinancial, and U. P. Sports Hall of Fame. Matt worked as an intra-mural official for NMU and as a teller with Wells Fargo whileattending NMU. Matt is currently a staff auditor with theMarquette CPA firm Makela, Toutant, Hill, and Nardi, P.C.
Technology and Occupational Sciences: MARIA KRAWC Z A KMaria chose construction management as her career path afterworking in building material sales during high school. She firstattended Alpena Community College then continued on to NMU in2006, where she earned her bachelor’s in construction manage-ment with a minor in business administration. During her timehere, Maria contributed to the annual U.P. Construction SkillsChallenge planning committee helping to make the first challenge asuccess in 2007. She was also heavily involved with the NorthernMichigan Constructors, Superior Edge, and Associated Students ofNMU (ASNMU). In summer 2007 she completed an internship withthe Whiting-Turner Contracting Company in Baltimore, Md., and insummer 2008 she completed a second internship with McCarthyBuilding Companies in Grand Junction, Colo. She credits hersuccess to her family, the NMU faculty, and the many mentorsalong the way who continually showed their love and support forher aspirations.
Chemistry: TORI LAFLEURTori was also chosen as the outstanding graduate in chemistry. Seeher biography in that department’s section.
Philosophy: DEREK O’CONNELLDerek was also chosen as the outstanding graduate in philosophy.See his biography in that department’s section.
Honors Students
Psychology: ROBIN MACKIERobin is truly outstanding. She will graduate from her training,development and performance improvement master’s program witha 4.00 GPA in May 2009 with a plethora of both research and prac-tical experience. Robin received her bachelor’s degree from NMU in2005. She returned as a graduate and has earned two trainingcertificates and her master’s degree. She also earned, in 2007,certification from the Michigan State Court Administrative Office asa community mediator. She is currently employed in the Dean ofStudent’s Office. She has co-authored and presented multipleworkshops on training and development and has co-authored apaper, “Dr. John Perkins (1698-1781),” for the Dictionary of EarlyAmerican Philosophers, with publication expected in April 2009.
Mathematics and Computer Science: ANGEL INGLESEAngel is a mathematics teacher and the technology coordinator atNorth Dickinson High School in Felch, Mich. In 2008, she receivedrecognition as an “Educator of Distinction” from the NationalSociety of High School Scholars, and was nominated for the 2008Michigan Teacher of the Year award. She is a member of theNational Council of Teachers of Mathematics and a teacher-leaderin the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District. She conducts in-service training on technology uses for classroom teachers, mostrecently on the use of “clickers” in the classroom, which was alsothe subject of her master’s project. Angel graduated from KingsfordHigh School and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1998 and mas-ter’s in mathematics education in December 2008 from NMU. Sheis married and the mother of three young children.
Political Science: KATY MORRISONKaty, originally from Peotone, Ill., received her bachelor’s degree inentertainment and sports promotion with a business administrationminor from NMU in 2006. While pursuing her master’s in publicadministration, she was a graduate assistant in the Center forStudent Enrichment, working with NMU’s academic service learn-ing program. Katy also gained practical experience by taking partin a student service internship with the Admissions, CareerServices, Dean of Students, and Financial Aid offices at NMU. Shehopes to continue her career in higher education student services.Katy is a member of One Book, One Community, an organizationthat selects a yearly community read. During her free time, sheenjoys hiking with her dogs and playing softball. Katy is very grate-ful for her time at NMU and the unique opportunities it has offeredher.
College of Professional Studies
Education: RONDA MANNINENRonda is a health occupations teacher at Marquette Senior HighSchool. She received her master’s degree in science education inDecember 2008. She completed original research and wrote athesis titled, “Effects of Problem Solving on Confidence andUnderstanding in the High School Health Occupations Classroom.”Ronda is an expert in integrating science content material withimplementing collaborative learning, problem-based learning, andscience inquiry in her high school science and health courses. Sheis active in community service and has been a positive influence inthe lives of many Upper Peninsula youth and School of Educationstudents and faculty.
Health, Physical Education and Recreation: JAMES LACHAPELLEJim is a non-traditional student even for a graduate student. He hasbeen intensively involved in academics, research, and peripheralexercise-related work through his undergraduate program in sportsscience and his graduate work in exercise science. Jim has alsoserved the HPER Department well as a graduate assistant. In
addition, he has been a prolific volunteer assistant for research,GETFIT testing, and as a tutor for other students. He has presentedhis research on cycling at NMU and has a paper currently underreview for publication in Measurement in Physical Education andExercise Science. He is also working on a manuscript to submit toSports Biomechanics and is conducting two research projects withPhil Watts. Following graduation, Jim hopes to work with an eliteathlete sports science program and/or begin further graduate studyat the Ph.D. level.
Outstanding Graduating Seniors
College of Arts and Sciences
Art and Design: CLARE MULLENClare came to Northern as a transfer student from JudsonUniversity, where she was a major in architecture. With this back-ground, she developed the skill of hand-rendering her designsusing traditional ideas of perspective. As a painting major atNorthern, Clare continued her concerns for precision and a defini-tion of the forms she portrays in a unique blend of drawing andpainting materials. She currently pursues a pure painting approachthat depicts the human form with subtle social concerns. With aminor in psychology, it was only logical that she would develop anacademic and artistic approach to the creative process, which willserve her well in future studies at the graduate level in art therapy.It has been a rewarding experience as her professor to work withsomeone as dedicated and talented as Clare. The culmination ofher efforts can be seen in the AD 403 Senior Exhibit held in theDeVos Museum at the end of the semester.
Biology: JULIAN DUPUISThe sages of old once fo re told a young scholar would join our ra n ks A mandolin-playing, tro u t - s l aying, reflecting soul to Gichigumee’s banksAn honor student, diligent, prudent, for all a joy to be ‘ro u n dMorphing facial hair (few can compare), always laughing, never a frow nZambia to Superior, quality never inferior in writing, genetics or bugsBoth far and near, he speaks brilliantly clear, embraces all intellectual tugsA future insured of success pro c u red through rigor, talent and gleeOne of the best we ’ ve had, Biology’s outs tanding grad, Julian Rowe Dupuis
Chemistry: TORI LAFLEURTori came to NMU as a transfer student from Western MichiganUniversity, but originally hails from Escanaba, Mich. We chose Toribecause she has a stellar 4.0 GPA and has demonstrated a trueinterest in becoming a scientist. She independently sought outinvolvement in undergraduate research and currently works withDr. Suzanne Williams on gene expression in algae and with Dr.Katherine Teeter on studies in population and evolutionary genet-ics. Tori also won the departmental award in analytical chemistrylast year by earning top grades in two courses. She plans to attendgraduate school to pursue studies in genetics.
Communication and Performance Studies: TRAVIS MOSCINSKIOver the past four years, Travis has led the way for the NMUtheatre program. He has been a tireless worker, putting in literallythousands of hours devoted to theatrical production at the ForestRoberts Theatre. Since coming to NMU, Travis has performed leadroles in 11 mainstage productions and 10 roles in Black Box studioproductions. He has also served as a construction technician fornearly every show produced during that time. On top of all this,Travis has maintained a 3.78 GPA and remained an excellentexample for aspiring theatre students.
