BRIEFS
Student dies in winter break accident
An NMU student died in a two-car accident in Negaunee Township on Christmas Eve. Amber N. Kulju, 18, was a passenger in a 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that was broadsided at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Midway Drive. The accident occurred around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24. Kulju was pronounced dead that evening at Marquette General Hospital. According to a police report of the incident, the car Kulju was riding in was driven by Ryan M. Finley, 24, of Negaunee. Finley was attempting to cross the westbound traffic lane from the median in the center of U.S. 41 to reach Midway Drive. Adam A. Gray, 26, was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Impala westbound on U.S. 41. According to police, Gray was unable to stop in time to avoid a collision. Gray’s car struck the passenger side of Finley’s car. Kulju was extracted from the vehicle by emergency workers and was taken to Marquette General Hospital. Finley suffered minor injuries in the accident.
– Carson LeMahieu
Seven professors receive accolades
On Dec. 6, seven NMU professors were honored at the Celebration of Scholars ceremony for their creative activities, teaching and innovative use of technology in the classroom and beyond. “I am truly ecstatic I won the award because I am committed to community outreach and excellence in online learning,” said Judith Puncochar. Three kinds of awards were given at the ceremony, the Excellence in Scholarship Award, the TLC Award for exemplary use of notebook computers, and the Excellence in Teaching award. Louise Bourgault and Michael Loukinen won the Excellence in Scholarship Award for their research. Bourgault specializes in African media and popular culture responses to the AIDS epidemic. She has also written two books and produced two documentaries. Loukinen works with documentaries focusing on ethnic groups such as Finnish Americans and Native American tribes. Robert Goodrich, Judith Puncochar and the late Susan Goodrich won the TLC Award for their incorporation of the laptop computers in the classroom and beyond. Susan Goodrich was able to bring the culture of Brazil to her classes by using the Internet. Robert Goodrich created a Web site for the Vienna summer study-abroad program and Puncochar used the Internet to help bring the UNITED conference to any person through three NMU courses. Charles Ganzert and Joseph Lubig won the Excellence in Teaching Award. Ganzert is the academic adviser for WUPX-FM. Lubig has been a leader in the School of Education accreditation efforts and has created relationships with Northern and the community.
– Brice Burge
Professor given leadership award
Mary Jane Tremethick, an assistant professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department, was recently awarded the College and University Leader of the Year Award. This award is given during the annual Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance conference to one professor in Michigan who shows exemplary leadership ability in his or her field. Tremethick showed leadership ability on the state, district and national level of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department by currently being chair of the scholarship committee on the state level, member of the awards committee on the national level and member of the health counsel on a district level where members provide direction for the health section of the organization. Tremethick said that she feels honored by this award. “I believe that it helps me to feel validated that the work that I have done and continue to do is valued,” said Tremethick.
– Lucy Hough
