THE WILDCAT WAY
Image
At the top of his game
Once a Wildcat tight end, now head coach of the New York Jets, Robert Saleh is “All Gas, No Break.”
Former Wildcat football player Robert Saleh was hired by the New York Jets for his first NFL head coaching job early this year, making history as the first Muslim American to achieve that rank. It is significant that Saleh reached the pinnacle of his profession near the epicenter of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His journey to the NFL essentially began with that tragedy 20 years ago, after his older brother narrowly escaped the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
Issue Index
Northern Magazine, Fall 2021, Vol. 111, No. 1
Catching up
Features:
- Field of His Dreams
- The Olympics of Joy
- The King of the Hill
- The Making of a Coach
- The Drake Effect
- The Magic of Wrigley Field
- The Gallery of Gaines
- Howl
- Saving the Last Dance
University Updates:
Keeping Track
Image
NMU Undergoing a Presidential Transition
On October 1, Kerri Schuiling ’73 BSN became the interim president of Northern Michigan University. The NMU alumna previously served as the university’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Her appointment was unanimously approved by the NMU Board of Trustees.
“We are confident that Dr. Schuiling will demonstrate the high level of professionalism, vision and sound leadership required to keep the university moving forward through this important transition process,” said NMU Board of Trustees Chair Tami Seavoy.
Schuiling was appointed provost and vice president in 2014. In that capacity, she was lead developer of the Forensic Research Outdoor Station (FROST), the NMU Center for Rural Health, and SISU: The Innovation Institute. She also supported the creation of the medicinal plant chemistry baccalaureate program launched in 2017.
Earlier roles included dean of NMU’s College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies, dean of Oakland University’s School of Nursing and associate dean and director of NMU’s School of Nursing. In addition to her nursing degree from NMU, she holds a master’s from Wayne State University and a doctorate from the University of Michigan. She is certified as both a women’s health nurse practitioner and nurse-midwife.
In a message to the campus, Schuiling stated:
“I will start by saying I am truly humbled that the NMU Board of Trustees asked me to serve Northern as interim president. Taking on this new assignment means that I will have had the chance to experience Northern Michigan University as an alumna, faculty member, department head, dean, provost, and now as interim president. I am very proud of my alma mater and all of the great things that are happening at Northern. I will do all that I can to ensure that the university continues to move forward in innovative, progressive and safe ways during my tenure in this position.”
On September 24, the NMU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to terminate Dr. Fritz Erickson’s appointment as president of the university. “While we recognize and thank Dr. Erickson for some outstanding work, particularly as he maintained a level of calm and stability during the pandemic, we expected more thoughtful and critical action from him on many issues. For these reasons, we have lost confidence in his ability to effectively lead the university,” said Seavoy in a prepared statement.
A search for the next president is underway.
