Oklahoma City Police are searching for a missing Northwood Elementary student last seen early Monday morning was initially reported missing by his family Authorities now believe he may have wandered into a wooded area south of Piedmont near Northwest Expressway and North Piedmont Road officers combed the area in search of the boy and was last seen wearing a green Minecraft outfit and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox SUPERIOR — Northwood Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Superior are gearing up to recognize the class of 2025 with commencement ceremonies Northwood Tech holds its ceremony and reception at Superior Middle School The program will include remarks from college leadership and student speakers along with the conferring of diplomas and certificates A reception follows the ceremony in the Superior Middle School gymnasium About 750 students will be eligible to receive diplomas when UW-Superior conducts its commencement on Saturday Chancellor Renée Wachter will preside over the ceremony and present diplomas to students who have earned associate a 1985 graduate who founded the Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Center Her work led to the first in-human positron emission tomography imaging study in patients with sickle cell disease and was editor of the college's literary magazine She is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing and English The Chancellor’s Leadership Award will be presented to Tasneem (Nemo) Aidabi The award is given to graduates who were leaders in student government and made other positive contributions to their campus and community and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox A dynamic group of individuals who have demonstrated remarkable accomplishments in business and their communities comprises the Northwood University 2025 Class of Outstanding Business Leaders This year’s distinguished honorees include: Northwood University has recognized visionary business leaders whose accomplishments reflect the values of The Northwood Idea — including the importance free enterprise and ethical leadership This year’s honorees exemplify these principles through their professional success Fischer (Ret.) served as the United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco where he played a key role in the historic Abraham Accords reestablishing full diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel one of the largest automotive dealership groups in the U.S he continues his leadership in business and philanthropy through Suburban Collection Holdings and numerous civic and charitable endeavors has been a driving force in the construction industry for over four decades he has led the company to prominence in Michigan’s infrastructure sector His leadership extends to numerous industry associations and community organizations underscoring his dedication to professional excellence and civic engagement MAAP is a recognized leader in the automotive aftermarket industry As CEO & President of the Auto Care Association including Right to Repair legislation and workforce development programs Hanvey’s impact on the industry has been profound earning him numerous accolades for his leadership and advocacy John Hennessey turned his passion for speed into a world-renowned brand modifying high-performance vehicles and engineering some of the fastest cars on the planet Hennessey has built more than 14,000 specialty vehicles producing the 300+ mph-capable Venom F5 hypercar he continues to push the boundaries of automotive innovation and performance Ben Marsh and Jacob Spence transformed their passion for coffee into a thriving business with the founding of Creation Coffee What began as a garage-based roasting operation has grown into a nationally recognized brand Marsh and Spence embody the entrepreneurial spirit that defines the university’s mission Northwood University formally recognized these extraordinary individuals for their contributions to business and society during the 2025 Outstanding Business Leader Awards Gala on Saturday For more information, visit the Northwood University Outstanding Business Leader webpage, www.northwood.edu/advancement/signature-events/outstanding-business-leader-awards/ Northwood University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Northwood University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Age, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, National Origin, Marital Status, Height, Weight, Disability, Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 20183 min readIntoxicating Bones: Northwood Golf ClubA visit to the Alister MacKenzie designed Northwood G.C One of the myths in golf is that great courses are expensive or unattainable, if not both. Most golfers never get the opportunity to play a Raynor, Macdonald or MacKenzie Set within an awe-inspiring redwood forest in Northern California lies a rare exception: a $23 Alister Mackenzie course A visit to Northwood Golf Club in Monte Rio this MacKenzie design has seen better days and old bunkers are now dips in the fairway Northwood is a pilgrimage every golfer should make Located in West Sonoma County two hours north of San Francisco Northwood falls into the over-used “hidden gem” category a part of the country where many go to escape society’s norms Northwood’s most distinctive feature is its massive redwoods They are almost unfathomable with their size shrinking everything around them They make golf holes narrower than a bowling alley semi trucks look like matchbox cars and golf bags like handbags for ants These mythical trees give Northwood a visual identity and an unmistakable fresh aroma It had MacKenzie and Hunter’s impactful and artistic bunkering and vexing green complexes The pair was commissioned for the project shortly after completion of Cypress Point Some of Northwood’s mystique is in its standout holes Some of it comes from holes like the short par-4 6th which has evidence of once being a world-class hole It shows a shell of MacKenzie and Hunter’s work is better than most public course architects’ best Before my jaunt through the Bay Area with Zac Blair It was the course we were both most excited to see it’s still the course we talk about the most “For the golfer looking to escape the world, Northwood is an ideal location, a self-contained respite from the racing rats.” – Anthony Pioppi, The Finest Nines Read more about Northwood’s 2nd in this On the Skillet a deep dive into the world’s greatest golf holes The Fried Egg Newsletter is the best way to stay up to date on all things golf In looking at an entire golf course holistically Fried Egg Golf brings another dimension to the game and fills a gap in golf coverage Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet 24ReplyCancelSUBMIT COMMENTSUBMIT COMMENTThank you! Your submission has been received!Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.Author NameJan 13, 2025DeleteLorem ipsum dolor sit amet FooterA deeper level of golfSign up to our newsletter for fresh takes Mondays Fried Egg Course RatingWe rate golf courses using a three-"Egg" scale a course must be very good; to receive three Most courses will not get any Eggs at all — and this is not meant as an insult Click here to learn more about our rating system and our criteria of Land ⎯ Northwood Technical College invites members of the media and community to attend the annual open house for the Construction and Cabinetmaking student house project in Rice Lake this hands-on project has been a key part of Northwood Tech’s Construction and Cabinetmaking programs and a valued tradition in the Rice Lake community students gain real-world experience by building a home from the ground up—learning every phase of the process finishing and even crafting the cabinetry inside the home It is a project commissioned by a Northwood Tech alumnus who chose to partner with the same program he once graduated from to complete a build for his own business It’s a full-circle moment that reflects the lasting impact of technical education and its continued benefit to the local workforce Guests are invited to tour the student-built home and connect with the students and instructors behind the project Join us in celebrating more than two decades of skilled trades training and community collaboration Northwood Technical College is a nationally top-ranked college and a Silver 2025–26 Military Friendly® School that puts Students First Serving approximately 13,000 residents annually across northwestern Wisconsin Northwood Tech offers career-focused associate degrees A member of the Wisconsin Technical College System Northwood Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org) Learn more at NorthwoodTech.edu or call 800.243.9482 To support student success through the Northwood Tech Foundation Northwood Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race pregnancy-related conditions or status in any group protected by state or local law in employment The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s nondiscrimination policies: Amanda Gohde AA/EEO Officer/Title IX Coordinator/Associate Vice President of Talent and Culture; 1900 College Drive WI 54868; 715.645.7042; Wisconsin Relay System TTY:711; Amanda.Gohde@NorthwoodTech.edu Submit A Story or Press Release: DrydenWire@gmail.com Advertising QuestionsGeneral QuestionsDrydenWire Insider Questions it’s pretty tough to beat sitting by a campfire on a nice spring evening when the natural world is coming back to life after a long winter when I met up with a friend at “The Shack,” the headquarters of his family’s deer camp in Koochiching County not far from the Big Fork River other than “bombing around” the woods a bit to see what we could see (and hear what we could hear) and hanging out at the firepit surrounded by spruce and poplar trees I hadn’t used the app to that point but hoped to use it as soon as later that evening as the weekend was shaping up as a good one for spring bird activity a five-star sunset had dipped below the wall of trees and darkness was descending when the show started Some say the call is like the high-pitched sound of a saw being sharpened — or “whetted,” as they might have said in the old days — a repetitive “to-to-to” kind of sound then a third and then — somewhere in the distance on the other side of the road — a fourth The saw-whets definitely were chatty and putting on a show A better serenade to a spring evening by the campfire would have been hard to imagine when a different-sounding owl joined the show which revealed the new bird was a barred owl a common Minnesota owl with a hooting call the Department of Natural Resources describes as “who cooks for you We couldn’t decide whether the barred owl was moving around or whether there was more than one because the sound would come from different places in the forest only to hear a call in a different part of the woods a few minutes later it sounded like a real ruckus was going on as the barred owl’s call changed from hooting to more of an eerie wail We could only imagine what was going on somewhere back there in the trees we’d been sitting at the same firepit surrounded by the same dark woods when we heard a creepy sound we never were able to identify “It wasn’t a ‘whoop’ or a ‘yelp,’ and it definitely wasn’t a screech,” I wrote an animal or some kind of creature that goes “bump” in the night but I sure wish the Merlin app had been a thing back in those days I wish I’d have recorded the call to play it back for someone more knowledgeable than me after spending the afternoon bombing around the woods and hearing several ruffed grouse drumming we took a hike to a swampy area on the other side of the road just before dark Chorus frogs — which make a sound like plucking the teeth of a comb — and leopard frogs (at least I think they were leopard frogs) were in full voice in a small wetland other than occasional ripples on the surface of the water the sound — “joyous” is the only word I can use to describe it — was almost deafening the weekend served up a Northwoods symphony at its finest Distinguished community members joined students and alumni for a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new multi-purpose athletic field on Tuesday This transformative project will redevelop the existing soccer pitch on Naegele Drive — formerly known as Dean Field — into a state-of-the-art multi-use facility that will accommodate Northwood University Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse The project will include a new press box and field lighting which will enhance the game-day and training experience Northwood University President Kent MacDonald stated the project transcends athletics representing an investment in student success “This project reinforces how much Northwood really cares about being a strong community partner – and that’s incredibly important to us,” she said Northwood Athletics Director Jeff Curtis noted the project will support Northwood’s growing lacrosse programs and soccer teams while also creating opportunities for more intramural and recreational activities that benefit the entire student body The new multi-use field will be located within the Gerstacker Athletic Complex The new project offers multiple naming opportunities Interested donors may contact Athletics Development Officer Leonard Haynes at document.write('\u0068\u0061\u0079\u006e\u0065\u0073\u0040\u006e\u006f\u0072\u0074\u0068\u0077\u006f\u006f\u0064\u002e\u0065\u0064\u0075'); Northwood University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S Northwood University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of Race or any other characteristic protected by federal Event Features Nearly 250 Legal Professionals Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh delivered a keynote to nearly 250 guests today in the Hach Student Life Center at Northwood University as part of a Law Day Luncheon presented by the Midland Bar Association The event celebrated the longstanding American tradition of Law Day first established in 1958 to honor the role of law in the foundation of the country and to recognize its importance in American society “Northwood University is privileged to host Law Day an annual event dedicated to the rule of law and the foundational legal principles that sustain a free and just society,” stated President Kent MacDonald “Hosting Law Day at Northwood affirms our commitment to the rule of law and advancing justice and equality under the law. These are all cornerstones of our belief system The event also complements our award-winning Mock Trial program which cultivates critical thinking and civic engagement and prepares many students for successful careers in the legal field.” Chief Justice Cavanagh stressed that justice is not limited to the courthouse — “it is first and foremost a public service.” “Our justice system must engage the people and the communities we serve or supporting legal aid and access to justice issues And that is why we are working hard to encourage judges all across Michigan to invite local residents to come and visit their court for an open house or town hall and we also urge judges to sponsor court events in their community so students can learn about legal careers.” Chief Justice Cavanagh was introduced by Midland County Probate Court Judge Angela Cole Other presenters included Midland Circuit Court Judge Stephen Carras and Dr who coaches Northwood’s highly-ranked Mock Trial team which earned a Top 5 finish at last month’s American Mock Trial Association National Championship Tournament “Law Day was an incredible opportunity for students to network with respected judges and civic leaders — which helps students hone their skills and prepare for successful futures in law and beyond,” stated Professor Leapheart “Working with Northwood University to host this year’s Law Day Luncheon has been a fantastic experience,” stated Patrick Czerwinski of the Midland Bar Association “It was very encouraging to see so many students in attendance including some who are in high school and others who are well into their collegiate careers through Northwood Mock Trial.” The Midland Noon Rotary Club also supported the event presenting a Paul Harris Fellow Award to U.S who provided a memorable Law Day keynote during a Rotary luncheon last year “Rotary was honored to be one of the sponsors of today’s luncheon and to recognize Judge Ludington for his outstanding contributions to the legal community,” said Midland Noon Rotary Club President Christian Velasquez “Law Day reminds us of the importance of service and leadership — values that both Rotary and Northwood champion.” Other event sponsors included Warner Norcross + Judd LLP The event — attended by more than 120 members and guests of the Midland Bar Association and over 30 high school guests — also included a presentation of the Liberty Bell Award to Leland A executive director of undergraduate enrollment and financial aid at Northwood University noted the luncheon’s speakers and honorees inspired not just Northwood students but the many high schoolers from across the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond who came to explore Northwood’s pathways for students interested in attending law school “Northwood is an ideal undergraduate destination for these students because our rigorous economics and finance degree programs cultivate analytical skills prized by law schools,” McDonald explained is truly an exhilarating intercollegiate activity that is as fun for students as it is beneficial — which is more evidence that Northwood is an exceptional choice for students planning to pursue legal careers.” For more information about Northwood’s Mock Trial program, visit: https://www.northwood.edu/student-life/organizations/mock-trial/ A timeless gift that supports future students Northwood University and Shinola have united in a commitment to excellence Your purchase of a limited-edition artisanal timepiece built in the Motor City and featuring Northwood University’s branding celebrates entrepreneurship and supports an endowed scholarship for young scholars and business leaders from Detroit All proceeds fund an endowed scholarship for students from Detroit empowering them to pursue leadership opportunities at Northwood University Only 300 of the limited-edition watches are available The retail price for the watch is $595.00 USD Michigan Sales Tax will be added at checkout The video showcasing the production of a Shinola watch for Northwood University offers a fascinating glimpse into the meticulous craftsmanship behind each timepiece From the careful assembly of intricate parts to the final polishing touch every step highlights the dedication and skill of the artisans specially designed to reflect both the university’s legacy and Shinola’s commitment to quality serves as a timeless symbol of tradition and precision a graduate from Northwood University who received the Liberty Fund Scholarship to help offset the cost of his education The scholarship allowed DeLorean to worry less about finances Michigan and graduated in 2023 with a BBA in Marketing Communications We currently have 300 watches available for purchase Northwood University will be adding stock depending on demand and manufacturing Please scroll to look at the specific details of our special-edition Northwood Shinola watch Case Material: Stainless SteelCase Plating: Polished Stainless SteelCase Size: 41mmCase Thickness: 10.1mmCase Back: Signature Iconic Caseback Plat with Laser-Etched Serial Number Crown Construction: Screw-DownBand Material: Leather StrapStrap Color: Navy and WhiteStrap Length: 115mm x 75mmStrap Width: 20mm Crystal: Double Curve SapphireDepth Rating: 5 ATM This behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lab reveals the meticulous process of designing and assembling each limited-edition watches From the careful selection of materials to the final touches every detail is crafted with the utmost care reflecting Shinola’s commitment to quality and innovation document.write('\u0073\u0071\u0075\u0061\u006e\u0064\u0061\u006b\u0040\u006e\u006f\u0072\u0074\u0068\u0077\u006f\u006f\u0064\u002e\u0065\u0064\u0075'); (989) 837-4356 document.write('\u0061\u0064\u0076\u0061\u006e\u0063\u0065\u006d\u0065\u006e\u0074\u0040\u006e\u006f\u0072\u0074\u0068\u0077\u006f\u006f\u0064\u002e\u0065\u0064\u0075'); (989) 837-4110 Northwood University announces the appointment of Dr a rising star in the field of Austrian economics and history of economic thought Benzecry currently serves as an Assistant Professor and Bretzlaff Scholar at Northwood University the namesake of this prestigious professorship Benzecry comes into this role early in his career with an impressive record of academic achievement and a deep commitment to advancing the principles of a free market economy Benzecry embodies the next generation of thought leadership inspired by our distinctive philosophy The Northwood Idea,” said Northwood University President Kent MacDonald “His appointment draws a powerful parallel to our history — when a young Dr Fry was chosen to lead Northwood into a bold new era of innovation Gabriel steps into that same tradition as a rising scholar whose enthusiasm and vision position him to expand the University’s academic influence and philosophical depth We are confident he will honor and advance the legacy of excellence this highly regarded professorship represents Fry was an exemplary leader who guided Northwood for nearly 25 years I believe he would wholeheartedly support the selection of Dr Benzecry holds a doctorate and master’s degree in economics from Middle Tennessee State University and an undergraduate degree in economics from Wake Forest University where he also minored in philosophy and entrepreneurship Buchanan Dissertation Award from the Political Economy Research Institute at Middle Tennessee State University Benzecry’s appointment reflects our continued commitment to academic excellence and intellectual freedom,” stated Academic Vice President and Provost Dr “He brings a rare combination of scholarly rigor deep respect for the classical liberal tradition and an ability to inspire students to think critically about the world around them Fry Professor of Free Market Economics speaks to Northwood’s leadership in advancing free-market thought.” Benzecry’s scholarship explores the intellectual contributions of thinkers such as F.A His work has appeared in numerous respected journals including History of Political Economy and Journal of the History of Economic Thought “Gabriel is not only a scholar with an outstanding publication record but also a gifted communicator and professor,” said Academic Dean Dr “His appointment ensures that Northwood will continue to be a beacon for students who seek to understand and defend the principles of liberty and free enterprise.” Benzecry has participated in high-profile academic events around the world His dedication to scholarship and education is matched by his passion for mentoring and cultivating an appreciation for economics among his students “I am devoted to Northwood’s unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional business education focusing on smaller class sizes and personalized student mentorship,” Benzecry explained “It is a privilege to be part of an institution that cultivates in students a profound understanding of the significance of personal responsibility within the framework of a free enterprise system In an era when academic freedom is gradually diminishing Northwood stands out as a haven for scholars who value independent inquiry and the exploration of subjects that might not coincide with current trends in academia I can freely pursue the truth and fulfill my responsibilities as a scholar and educator.” Fry Professor of Free Market Economics since 2022 the first scholar to hold this endowed professorship Matcheck will continue teaching and mentoring at Northwood “It has been an honor to serve in this role and I could not be more enthusiastic about Gabriel’s appointment,” said Dr and respect for the power of ideas embody what this professorship was created to uphold He will not only preserve the ideals of free market economics but will propel them to new audiences in exciting and innovative ways.” The City of Irvine invites the community to share input on Northwood Community Park playground improvements at an outreach meeting Wednesday The Northwood Community Park Improvement Project is designed to enhance park amenities and incorporate accessibility improvements ensuring the space meets the needs of local residents The project will focus on replacing outdated equipment and preserving the park’s unique castle-themed charm Attendees will have an opportunity to share ideas and help shape the future design of the playground Participants will also be able to review initial design concepts and offer feedback on potential upgrades If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to provide input on improvements that are important to you, please email the Project Manager, Raquel Garcia, at ragarcia@cityofirvine.org before April 25 Learn more about Northwood Community Park Get daily insights on the most important news impacting the space economy Northwood Space closed a $30M Series A that will help the startup build its ground station enterprise.   Alpine Space Ventures and a16z led the round which also included participation from Also Capital The money will enable the startup to expand its factory and establish the first operational network of its ground sites.  “The space segment is no longer an accessory—it is core infrastructure. It powers everything from GPS and remote asset monitoring to missile warning and global communications,” CEO and cofounder Bridgit Mendler posted on X “Yet today’s ground infrastructure can’t keep up At Northwood we are vertically integrating to build a reliable global ground network at scale.” Origin story: While much of the space industry is looking up, Northwood, which was founded in 2023, is focused on the terrestrial tech that allows space assets to work. The El Segundo, CA-based startup is working to build “a data highway between Earth and space,” the company shared on X in February 2024 when it emerged from stealth with a $6.3M seed round The company aims to do that by becoming a vertically integrated ground station manufacturer ensuring that the ground stations on Earth that play a critical role in pulling data down from orbit are as high-tech and up-to-date as the assets in space with which they communicate What’s next: The new factory will allow Northwood to stand up two ground sites per month at a much lower price point than traditional efforts The goal is to have sites covering six continents by the end of next year.  While the company has only sent three of its Jackal satellites to LEO so far its goal is to take on higher and higher orbits with Jackal missions to GEO and cislunar space as soon as next year “Demand has increased more than production capacity has,” CEO Ian Cinnamon told Payload “This allows us to vertically integrate faster and buy more parts ahead of time and stock inventory.” Farcast’s technology aims to increase the US military’s satcom connectivity may lie in its high-quality user terminals produced at low cost Index Ventures and Interlagos led the round which also included participation from Breakthrough Energy Ventures a motley crew of CEOs joined President Trump at the White House to announce the beginning of a new “Golden Age” in America: Larry Ellison “by far the leading expert” on artificial intelligence in Trump’s view a privately funded joint venture between Oracle these companies have promised to invest half a trillion dollars into building new AI data centers on American soil over the next five years Their goal is simple: win the AI race for the United States and achieve artificial super-intelligence or “AGI”—short for “artificial general intelligence,” or “systems that are generally smarter than humans,” as defined by OpenAI But this modern-day “New Deal,” to quote Altman remains beset by two existential questions Can it find the revenue to pay its investors And where will it find the energy required to power five-hundred-billion-dollars’ worth of data centers and other Silicon Valley robber barons—is that answering one of these questions will help answer the other; that in the same way much of the Intercontinental Railroad was brought into existence through unbridled speculation and the dramatic scaling up of oil production the future of AI will be made possible by a mix of speculation and an energy industry that has a vested interest in the discovery of AGI The extent to which different industries across the economy have been swept up in the financialization of AI’s infrastructure may come as a surprise These vested interests—these speculators—take many forms They include real estate investors hoping to make it big off of development in the towns surrounding new U.S.-based chip-manufacturing plants or off of the data centers themselves (like private equity giants Blackstone and KKR); investors in massive semiconductor-manufacturers like Nvidia (such as asset management firms BlackRock and Vanguard); investors in privately traded model-building companies like OpenAI (including SoftBank and Microsoft); and speculators hoping to cash in on the seemingly endless power that the hunt for AGI will require who remain bullish in spite of DeepSeek’s supposed efficiencies There is also the resurgent nuclear power industry it stands to grow exponentially from all the speculation surrounding AI But whether the uptick in investment will actually produce functioning reactors is another question.  It’s backed by $375 million of Altman’s own money—making it his largest personal investment by far—as well as by billions from other famous Silicon Valley investors and investment firms and Facebook cofounder Dustin Moskovitz’s Good Ventures Foundation The twelve-year-old startup has not one lofty goal to produce commercially viable fusion energy a feat that’s nearly been a century in the making; second Helion claims to have a prototype “fusion machine” named Polaris up and running as of late 2024 needs to understand how the technology is progressing which should not be entirely left to the promotional efforts of startup companies.” On its face, Helion’s timeline appears ridiculous. A Bloomberg investigation over the summer reiterated that this was also felt internally: one employee wrote to colleagues that the promise to get Polaris functional by year’s end didn’t sound “feasible,” and another insinuated that “in private conversations even [Helion CEO David] Kirtley didn’t sound certain.” To meet that deadline Helion offered all of its employees a $50,000 bonus as well as $50,000 in stock The accelerated timeline has also worked to deflect criticism away from its lack of peer review and ideally on how do we move as fast as possible to get Polaris up and running,” Kirtley told Bloomberg The company’s timeline was even used by a press representative to turn down my request for an interview; they’re simply too busy was thwarted in part by the presence of a government-protected species of bee Stargate LLC’s first data centers are being built at Abilene Christian University in West Texas and are due to be completed next year What was once meant to be a renewable-powered Bitcoin-mining operation will now become at least ten The first development is registered under the name “Project Ludicrous.” Earlier this year it was reported that Project Ludicrous alone would require about 200 megawatts of power capacity and that the plan would be to eventually scale that up to more than a gigawatt The maelstrom looks to consume more than just Abilene data centers consumed 4.4 percent of total U.S electricity in 2023—but will consume anywhere between 6.7 and 12 percent of total electricity by 2028 the tech industry isn’t just relying on infrastructure that is yet to be built: it needs to leverage our existing electrical grid the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected a request from Houston-based Talen Energy to increase its nuclear power supply to the aforementioned AWS data center campus near Talen’s Susquehanna plant in Pennsylvania The request had been challenged by American Electric Power and Exelon who argued that diverting any more power to AWS’s data centers would affect both the grid’s reliability and would increase the power bills of its customers (The two companies also stand to lose a bunch of money if energy-hungry tech were to try to bypass the grid.) FERC agreed with the utility companies: its commissioner Mark Christie wrote in the decision that data centers being “co-located” next to power plants which collectively could have huge ramifications for both grid reliability and consumer costs.” The chairman of the committee dissented writing that blocking the deal put up “unnecessary roadblocks to an industry that is necessary for our national security.” Scientists and engineers will need years to meaningfully scale up nuclear energy production—by which point investors may have soured on AI seem happy to look the other way: during their latest funding round But it’s not obvious that more capital is the answer Some have remained steadfast in their stance that “AI scaling laws will continue”—that diminishing returns on AI infrastructure are neither here nor right around the corner—yet as made clear by Nvidia’s record drop in valuation in January there are at least concerns about diminishing returns on investment More institutional players in the field have started to hedge Microsoft cancelled some leases with data center providers lightly suggesting that perhaps the company had realized that it had overextended itself—maybe it wasn’t really going to need all that computing power The slightest hint of there being an oversupply of data centers has deflated some of the hype around AI infrastructure: share prices for Constellation Energy immediately sank nearly 6 percent and other nuclear companies’ stock soon followed Microsoft followed up by walking away from 2 gigawatts worth of data centers sending Constellation stock price down again Whether this trend will pick up steam remains uncertain the nuclear sector seems to be a ticking time bomb scientists and engineers will need years to meaningfully scale up nuclear energy production—by which point investors may have soured on AI and that’s excluding stock-based compensation Trump plans to power AI the old-fashioned way drill,” he cooed during the Stargate press conference despite the fact that many American fossil fuel companies have made it clear they don’t want to drill more and that production is already high enough to maximize shareholder value Trump also signed an executive order removing barriers to coal leasing and mining—with an eye toward using unreliable and expensive coal-fired electricity to help power new AI data centers be powered by pretty much whatever is available—save for the offshore wind industry which Trump has taken particular pains to go after It appears that what matters is the fantasy that the source of energy conjures up not its practical applications—be it hyper futuristic nuclear fusion technology or reindustrialized coal towns both of which couldn’t be further from our collapsing present In a media environment that tolerates tail-chasing The Baffler is a rare publication willing to shake the pundit class free of their own worst impulses But running a charitable organization of this magnitude requires serious dough and subscriptions only cover a fraction of our costs we rely on the good will of generous readers like you So if you like the article you just read—or hate it so you can ridicule us online for years to come—please consider making a one-time donation to The Baffler Francis Northwood is a writer who lives in New York Bucket Hat / $30 six Northwood Esports teams have qualified to compete at the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup This marks the largest CECC showing for Northwood as players from six different teams — Overwatch and League of Legends — will represent America’s Free Enterprise University on the national stage “Having six teams qualify to compete at CECC illustrates just how deep our talent pool is,” said Northwood Esports Coach Jacob R “This many teams qualifying for CECC is a massive achievement — but what makes us even prouder is how our players compete with heart They don’t just play the game — they represent our university at the highest level every step of the way.” CECC 2025 will host over 1,500 of the nation’s top collegiate esports athletes from 300 teams representing 185 schools Northwood’s contingent will include approximately 40 students making it the largest group the program has ever sent to a single tournament “Only the most elite schools have the numbers that Northwood Esports has qualifying for CECC 2025 and a big part of that is because our players have consistently risen to the occasion,” explained Assistant Coach Aden Frosch they’ve grown individually and as teams — and we’re not done yet.” Northwood’s momentum heading into CECC comes off the back of a dominant spring playoff season during which Northwood Esports earned the following new championships: • Rocket League — Spring 25 Playfly Champion Spring 25 NECC Division 1 Champion• Valorant — Spring 25 Playfly Champion Spring 25 NECC Division 1 Champion• Overwatch — Spring 25 Playfly Champion Spring 25 NECC Division 1 Champion• Smash Bros — Spring 25 NECC Great Lakes Region championship Additional playoff competitions remain in progress for Call of Duty with those titles wrapping up in May and early June Professional Spotlight: League of Legends Coach Signs with Pro Team Northwood’s success has consistently translated to professional opportunities head coach of Northwood’s League of Legends team signed a contract to become Assistant Coach for Disguised McCormick will continue pursuing his master’s degree at Northwood while coaching professionally “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities Northwood has given me,” McCormick said “Coaching at the collegiate level has prepared me well for this next step and I’m excited to continue working with our team while embracing this new challenge.” McCormick joins a growing list of Northwood Esports players and staff who have made the leap to the pros Christopher “Cjay” Smith signed with Spacestation Gaming’s professional Overwatch team helping them qualify for the Overwatch Championship Series (OWCS) Major in Hangzhou Four other Overwatch players — Landon “Landon” McGee and Julian “Rokit” Pizana — have also signed pro contracts since Northwood Esports’ inception in 2019 Northwood Esports will send six teams to compete in the National Esports Collegiate Conferences (NECC) Nationals in San Antonio “The San Antonio tournament is the capstone for the 2024-25 school year with the four finalists from each semester (No 2 in each season) going head-to-head to see who is the best team of the entire year,” Frosch explained Northwood teams that qualified for the NECC Nationals include Overwatch Northwood will also compete in the College Call of Duty (CCL) Final Four that same weekend “CECC is a huge milestone — but it’s only one part of our championship season,” Jacob said “We’re aiming for hardware in both Texas tournaments.” For more information about Northwood Esports or to connect with the coaching staff, visit https://esports.northwood.edu/ or use this inquiry form The Free Market Road Show delivered powerful insights from renowned economic thought leaders during its April 14 stop at Northwood University Originating from the Austrian Economics Center the Free Market Road Show typically visits the world’s largest cities Its stop in Midland underscores Northwood University’s reputation as a leading destination for free-market discourse director of the Austrian Economics Center and president of the Hayek Institute who explored the European Union’s policy landscape in the context of U.S Additional speakers included Michael Van Beek and Jarrett Skorup of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy; Don Gottwald and corporate board member; and Northwood economics professor Dr “The Free Market Road Show connects students and the community to influential thinkers about pressing economic issues,” said Dr who was instrumental in bringing the Road Show to Midland “The insights shared by these experts provide a more profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities within today’s global economy.” The full lineup of presentations included: This prestigious stop served as a prelude to Northwood’s 2025–26 Freedom Seminar series which will revolve around the theme “The Road to Freedom,” inspired by Friedrich Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom The Freedom Seminar — one of Northwood’s longest-standing academic traditions — will feature a slate of fall speakers focused on economic liberty and limited government The April 14 Road Show event was made possible by the McNair Center for Free Enterprise at Northwood University and its director who also serves as vice president emeritus of the university For more information about Northwood’s Freedom Seminar series and upcoming programming, visit www.northwood.edu/freedom-seminar announces that registration is now open for Aftermarket Data Standards a course developed for aftermarket catalog managers and product information professionals who want to sharpen their knowledge and management of the industry data standards – ACES® and PIES® Dr. Thomas Litzinger, executive director of the University of the Aftermarket and aftermarket education industry chair at Northwood University explained this program will help learners become familiar with Auto Care data standards and how to effectively use them in their day-to-day work two-day training program is designed for anyone who works with ACES and PIES or who wants to build upon their foundational understanding of them Participants will advance their practical knowledge of these data standards through hands-on experience using the associated databases to create ACES and PIES files The course is facilitated by Northwood faculty and senior aftermarket leaders “This learning experience includes a blend of industry research and market analysis,” stated Dr “We will have engaging conversations and thought-provoking debates on the key challenges facing the industry related to how the efficiency of our data contributes to our competitive advantage.” “The Aftermarket Data Standards are critical to implementing your strategic competitive advantage and driving increased sales through all distribution channels,” noted James O’Dell assistant director of aftermarket education at Northwood University “Learning to use your data effectively will unlock efficiency and linear growth.” “Master the language of aftermarket data — gain the skills to transform raw content into powerful, standards-driven product information using ACES and PIES,” added Jonathan Larsen, vice president of digital products and standards for the Auto Care Association which is the voice of the over $500 billion auto care industry To take this class, attendees must have already taken Introduction to ACES and PIES. The program is scheduled for June 17-18 in Detroit, Michigan. To sign up for the course, click here The community is invited to experience the Free Market Road Show a prestigious international lecture series that travels to the world’s largest cities it will bring global economic experts to Midland for a morning of engaging discussions on free-market principles and policy reforms at Northwood University The Free Market Road Show, a project of the Austrian Economics Center is a traveling economic conference that is considered a prominent event within the sphere of free market advocacy The April 14 lineup in Midland will feature keynote speaker Barbara Kolm and one of the foremost thought leaders in Austrian economics “Hosting the Free Market Road Show is a tremendous honor for Northwood University and a testament to our commitment to fostering rigorous economic thought leadership,” stated Academic Dean Dr “This event provides a meaningful opportunity for our students and the wider community to engage directly with great minds in free-market economics.” The April 14 event will feature the following presentations: “The Free Market Road Show connects students and the community to influential thinkers about pressing economic issues,” stated Dr “The insights shared by these experts will provide a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within today’s global economy.” The Free Market Road Show stop in Midland serves as a special lead-up to the 2025-26 Northwood University Freedom Seminar which will explore the theme “The Road to Freedom,” inspired by Friedrich Hayek’s seminal work The Road to Serfdom Northwood’s Freedom Seminar will feature distinguished speakers addressing topics related to economic liberty and limited government The Free Market Road Show stop in Midland is possible thanks to the generous support of the McNair Center for Free Enterprise at Northwood University and Dr director of the McNair Center and Northwood University vice president emeritus There is no cost to attend the April 14 Free Market Road Show, though attendees are asked to register in advance here for those who are unable to attend in person The livestream link, as well as more information about the April 14 Free Market Road Show stop in Midland, will be posted in advance of the event on the Northwood University Freedom Seminar webpage (www.northwood.edu/freedom-seminar) we believe in more than just education — we believe in cultivating the principles of free enterprise that drive global economic and social progress Our students don’t just learn about entrepreneurship you have an opportunity to support this mission in a way that is both meaningful and timeless The 2025 Limited Edition Northwood University Shinola Watch is more than just a keepsake — it’s a statement this exclusive timepiece represents the enduring values of individual initiative and economic freedom that define Northwood’s philosophy Because each watch sold directly supports student scholarship ensuring that future generations of students can continue to develop into leaders who champion the free market and drive economic growth worldwide By securing one of these limited-edition watches you’re not just celebrating Northwood’s legacy — you’re actively investing in its future This exclusive timepiece is available now for purchase Don’t miss your chance to own a symbol of Northwood’s commitment to free enterprise while directly contributing to the success of future leaders Order your watch today: https://www.northwood.edu/advancement/shinola-watch/ The winning Spring 2025 Project 100 initiative will revitalize the Kathryn Turner del Mastro Chapel into a more welcoming Project 100 is a unique development initiative that brings together 100 alumni and friends of the university each semester to evaluate student-led proposals aimed at improving campus life and the collective funds are awarded to the winning project with three finalists selected to present their ideas virtually to Project 100 members each offering a compelling vision for enhancing the Northwood experience Alumni ultimately selected a heartfelt proposal by Kelly Laux to transform the chapel into a safe haven for spiritual reflection and worship for students of all religions as well as the preservation of poems and photos that honor Kathryn Turner’s legacy “The Kathryn Turner del Mastro Chapel has not been kept up or managed in a way that makes it an open space for students and we would like for it to be a safe haven once again,” Laux shared in her pitch we have incorporated all religions in order to ensure that it can be a beneficial space for all.” churches can hold services in the chapel for students and Standing in the Gap — a Christian student organization — would have a more practical place to worship,” Laux added “Spirituality is important to students and the administration of Northwood as it is a part of our FRESH AIR code of ethics Creating a space for students to rest and regenerate in the peace of their savior is our priority.” described the project as “a meaningful opportunity to restore something foundational rather than start from scratch.” “Kelly articulated a clear and heartfelt vision to revitalize the chapel into a more welcoming and reflective space — one that could foster community and honor Kathryn Turner’s legacy,” Maki added Senior Alumni and Engagement Officer Julie Adamczyk praised the student proposals and the alumni engagement this semester “Project 100 is a testament to what makes Northwood so special — our students’ leadership and innovation and our alumni’s continued investment in the university’s future,” Adamczyk said “This semester’s projects were the strongest yet and Kelly’s vision touched the hearts of our alumni in a truly meaningful way.” “This experience has been greater than I imagined,” stated Laux “The encouragement I received from my fellow student presenters who were also my competitors was amazing and the support of the project 100 donors is so motivating I can’t wait to finish this project and make our students Spring Project 100 Pitches Are ‘Best Projects and Presentations’ To Date One alumnus said the presentations were the best projects pitched so far for Project 100 “They made me proud to be a Northwood guy,” added Bill Hoth were proud to cast their vote to help renovate the Kathryn Turner del Mastro Chapel “If you’re a Northwood alum and haven’t yet explored Project 100 I can’t recommend it enough,” Maki stated in a LinkedIn post “It’s a direct way to make an impact and stay connected to the heart of what makes Northwood special; our students and their leadership.” Project 100 always welcomes new members. Membership is just $50 per quarter, and meetings are held virtually twice a year. To learn more or to join the initiative, visit northwood.edu/alumni/project-100 (Feature photo: Northwood School on Facebook) The Northwood Knights were in Kimberley at the Absa Wildeklawer tournament which meant there would be no showdown with the Kearsney’s ascending One-Stripe That left the Northwood 2nd XV and Kearsney 2nd XV to headline Saturday’s slate on Reece-Edwards Field in the eyes of many the top team in the country in 2025 they had the big Gim pack in reverse in the set scrums at times (Highlights courtesy of SuperSport Schools Plus on YouTube) They scored a hard-fought 19-12 win over HTS Drostdy in their second outing with Northwood claiming eight wins and Kearsney five Kearsney fared slightly better in the open and u16 age groups while Northwood had the better of the u15 and u16 matches The visitors picked up the u16A and u14A wins with the home side cruising to victory in the 15A clash Kearsney and Northwood shared a 1-1 draw in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights 1st XI match The visitors shaded the open age group matches They also enjoyed the better of the u14 results shone at the SA National Junior Swimming Championships where he picked up five podium finishes He also finished third in the 100m breaststroke Pinnacle Schools is the go-to website for all school news in South Africa From entrepreneurs to professionals in the automotive industry and professional sports organizations the 2025 Class of 20 Under 40 honorees is a diverse group of alumni who have made outstanding professional and personal achievements since their time at Northwood University “This year’s 20 Under 40 class features a distinguished community of leaders who are driving economic and social progress in their local communities and around the U.S the 20 Under 40 program honors Northwood alumni who exemplify excellence in their careers This year’s selection process was highly competitive showcasing the remarkable contributions of NU graduates across diverse industries “Our 20 Under 40 program has been a phenomenal success in terms of alumni engagement and participation in recognizing the impact NU alumni are making at their alma mater,” Adamczyk noted The following honorees are in the 2025 Class of 20 Under 40 (all hometowns are in Michigan unless stated otherwise): The honorees will be celebrated during a special reception at 7 p.m. April 25, 2025, at The Henry, Autograph Collection in Dearborn For event registration, hotel reservation codes, and sponsorship opportunities, visit the Northwood University 20 Under 40 webpage Following the American Mock Trial Association’s Regional play in Dayton Northwood University Mock Trial has secured a spot to compete in the Opening Round Series Championships (ORCS) “I could not be more proud of our students, as they have shown tremendous growth since the beginning of the season,” stated Northwood Mock Trial Director DeLois Leapheart “Our newer members continue to increase their skills and contributions to NU’s success in competitions.” Northwood Mock Trial students will head to Cincinnati Ohio on March 14-15 to compete in the ORCS The following Northwood students competed at the Dayton Regional Tournament: Northwood University’s Barrett Tefft won an Outstanding Regional Attorney Award The regional competition in Dayton came after Northwood Mock Trial took home first-place honors in January during an online tournament that was sponsored by the University of Toronto Northwood Mock Trial earned fourth place at the Michigan State University Mock Trial invitational tournament Riley Hayer and Barrett Tefft won Outstanding Attorney Awards and Julian Lee won an Outstanding Witness Award at this event Professor Leapheart is grateful to Northwood alumni for their efforts to help foster a successful Mock Trial season including Assistant Coaches Stephen Dunn and Jacob Walters we are becoming more successful in every tournament we compete in,” she added About the President’s & Dean’s Lists Northwood University recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of students at the end of each semester through the following honors a student may earn: Please fill out this form if you are interested in having a press release sent to your hometown paper MI         Finn Buschmaas             MI        OH         Austria        IL         Jules Fiers             GA        KY        Yuliia Khmara             VA         Alex Lenthar             TX         Slovania        Sweden       Malachi Payne             Greece         IN         Lee Taylor             Temple       Vardell             Vaz             MI          New partnership offers 24/7 access to counselors and well-being resources Northwood University is expanding students’ access to mental health and well-being services “Mental health challenges have become increasingly prevalent on college campuses nationwide,” said Director of Counseling Andy Sovis “That’s because while college is a time for tremendous growth it also brings unique stressors that can impact students’ well-being.” “Students need access to mental health and well-being support services beyond typical business hours,” Sovis noted Northwood is investing in a partnership with a leader in higher education to now provide Northwood students 24/7 access to support services.” Northwood University is working with TimelyCare the most trusted virtual health and well-being resource provider in higher education TimelyCare offers students access to 24/7/365 care at no cost and without the barrier of traditional insurance Students can access on-demand mental health and emotional support with TalkNow ensuring students are connected to help within five minutes All sessions are online to ensure that everyone who needs access can get the help they need “Half of the mental care visits through TimelyCare occur after regular business hours or on weekends which underscores the need for 24/7 support,” Sovis added According to a TimelyCare survey 64% of students say they are more likely to graduate if they have access to mental health resources “At the forefront of our commitment to student well-being is prioritizing health and safety,” said Dean of Student Affairs Andy Cripe “This partnership with TimleyCare will make it easier than ever for students to access help TimelyCare helps reduce the stigma of mental health issues and grants peace of mind to students and families knowing that they have around-the-clock access to crucial mental health and well-being resources.” TimelyCare reports that 75% of college students who accessed virtual mental health and well-being interventions through these services reported their mental health improving – including 100% of students who presented as a potential suicide risk For more information, email Andy Sovis at document.write('\u0073\u006f\u0076\u0069\u0073\u0061\u006e\u0040\u006e\u006f\u0072\u0074\u0068\u0077\u006f\u006f\u0064\u002e\u0065\u0064\u0075'); or visit the Student Health webpage Northwood University’s DECA chapter secured multiple Top 10 finishes at the 2025 International Career Development Conference (ICDC) Competing among the best collegiate DECA students from around the world four of the five Northwood competitors advanced beyond the initial round of competition Three went on to finish among the Top 10 in their respective categories The following students placed in the Top 10 worldwide in the following categories: “I’m extremely proud of how our students have once again represented Northwood on the international business stage in San Francisco,” said Northwood DECA Advisor Patrick McElgunn “Going 4-for-5 in the first round of DECA’s International Career Development Conference and then turning around the next day to secure three Top 10 finishes speaks to the hard work and dedication of our team It also further solidifies Northwood’s standing as a global leader in business education.” DECA is a nonprofit organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing McElgunn noted Northwood’s DECA chapter’s success was made possible by support from Northwood University’s Project 100 — a unique initiative in which 100 alumni and friends contribute funds to support student-led projects and activities each semester Northwood DECA was able to expand its annual DECA Day event in October into its largest fundraiser yet Proceeds from the event were put toward travel costs for ICDC significantly reducing expenses for students “Project 100 funds were instrumental in helping Northwood DECA compete in San Francisco,” McElgunn added “We never want travel expenses to be the reason a student can’t compete and represent Northwood on an international stage The alumni support through Project 100 made it possible for our students to shine — and the best part is that the impact of those funds will continue for years to come as we benchmark that money to help grow our DECA Day fundraiser moving forward.” Click here to read the April 2025 edition of DRIVEN A new economic impact study a testament to Northwood University’s significant contributions the institution added a staggering $879.3 million to Michigan’s economy with $211.8 million benefiting the Great Lakes Bay Region This substantial economic boost supports over 10,000 jobs statewide and strengthens various sectors The study’s unique approach evaluates the University’s economic impact focusing on direct spending and the enhanced productivity of its alumni across Michigan This distinctive perspective underscores Northwood’s value to taxpayers and society a value that is achieved without relying on government funding “This study confirms Northwood University’s profound impact on the Great Lakes Bay Region and the entire state,” states President Kent MacDonald with a sense of pride “We are proud that our efforts to champion free enterprise and develop skilled graduates are yielding tremendous returns benefiting local communities and Michigan taxpayers alike.” Northwood University contributed to Michigan’s economy in several key areas: “This analysis underscores Northwood University is an anchor of the Midland community and highlights that our commitment extends well beyond the classroom,” said Justin Marshall “We’re honored to be an important part of the City of Midland and remain committed to educating the future workforce, being recognized as one of America’s Great Colleges to work for and contributing to a thriving future for Michigan.” The study also highlighted the long-term return on investment for students “As Northwood University continues our mission to develop free-enterprise leaders who drive global economic and social progress further solidifying its role as an economic driver in Michigan,” stated Vice President of Advancement Murray Kyte and the importance of free enterprise to support our mission and Northwood’s role as America’s Free Enterprise University.” The economic impact study was done by Lightcast a global leader in labor market analytics that specializes in providing objective third-party data that demonstrates a higher education institution’s economic and social benefits To read the full economic impact study, visit Northwood’s Community webpage Discover Northwood University like never before through a new interactive campus map and virtual tour that enhances how prospective students and other visitors explore our picturesque campus “The investment in this new technology reflects our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for all who connect with Northwood University.” The virtual tour complements the campus map with: “These features allow students to explore our campus in innovative ways, whether they’re halfway around the world or right here in Michigan,” stated Dr. Christie McDonald, executive director, traditional undergraduate enrollment and financial aid “The virtual tour makes it easier than ever for prospective students to envision themselves at Northwood It also demonstrates Northwood’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.” To explore Northwood University’s interactive campus map and virtual tour Northwood University is announcing registration is open for many upcoming professional development opportunities “These courses help employers retain and engage employees because attendees leave our programming with new-found knowledge of how to achieve better results and create a competitive edge,” stated Dr executive director of the University of the Aftermarket and the aftermarket education industry chair at Northwood University University of the Aftermarket coursework introduces newer employees to the motor vehicle aftermarket industry while facilitating employee tactical leadership development and transforming executives from tactical leaders to strategic visionaries along with aftermarket industry executives and thought leaders deliver our coursework,” Litzinger stated “Our sessions also incorporate team projects to foster mutual collaboration and innovation and robust debate is an integral feature of our courses.” “Our programs are designed around our shared mission to advance the automotive aftermarket by equipping professionals with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to navigate today’s rapidly evolving landscape,” added James O’Dell The following University of the Aftermarket programming is scheduled for 2025: Leadership 2.0 provides high potential leaders robust discussion and learning related to tactical leadership and the challenges and opportunities confronting the motor vehicle aftermarket industry Experience a blend of industry research and market analysis and debate on the challenges confronting the light vehicle and heavy-duty aftermarket is only open to participants have previously completed Leadership 2.0 Session 1 Aftermarket 101 is an introduction to the motor vehicle aftermarket Attendees will develop a firm knowledge of the breadth They will also learn about sales development skills and opportunities a brief introduction to the heavy-duty segment and the opportunities and challenges facing our service dealers This two-day course will be held May 19-20 in Detroit students will develop a solid understanding of the scope of the HD/CV motor vehicle aftermarket Students will be able to diagram and illustrate the channels of retail and traditional distribution; differentiate and interpret how key industry players contribute to the industry; discuss key initiatives and market strategies within the heavy-duty market; examine challenges and opportunities facing the professional service dealer; demonstrate an understanding the benefits associated with developing a professional sales network; and learn to distinguish themselves from the competition and dominate the marketplace This two-day course is scheduled for May 21-22 in Detroit INFUSION is a high-level executive development series designed to transform leaders into strategic visionaries by formulating strategies to make them more efficient and proficient at leading their organizations Participants will discuss how to demonstrate knowledge in creating innovative tactics to achieve better results for their organization The course is constructed to analyze varying approaches to critical topics develop ground-breaking strategic visionary skills measure the adverse impacts of organizational isolation diagram state-of-the-art cyber-security stratagems compare best practices in supply chain management express knowledge in mergers and acquisitions and differentiate their competitive advantage from their competition This five-day global session will be held from June 8-12 in South Korea This program was developed for aftermarket catalog managers and product information professionals who want to sharpen their knowledge and management of the industry data standards – ACES and PIES Learners will become familiar with the Auto Care databases and how to effectively use them in their day-to-day work attendees must have already taken Introduction to ACES and PIES This two-day class will be held June 17-18 in Detroit This five-day course is a cornerstone of the industry’s efforts to foster the development of a new generation of tactical leaders who will help drive the HD/CV aftermarket to new heights of excellence in leadership and performance HD/CV Leadership 2.0 is an intense and intellectually stimulating leadership development program for heavy-duty motor vehicle aftermarket professionals and Northwood University faculty will facilitate the course This unique collaboration allows for an intensive course that is specifically focused on advancing tactical leaders who are motivated to purposely perform at achieving key organizational outcomes and objectives across all levels of the HD/CV motor vehicle aftermarket Heavy Duty Leadership 2.0 is scheduled for July 13-17 in Detroit Leadership 2.0 is comprised of two five-day sessions Session I will be facilitated at Northwood University in Midland The course provides high potential leaders robust discussion and learning related to tactical leadership and the challenges and opportunities confronting the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket The Leadership 2.0 experience includes a blend of industry research and market analysis lively discussion and debate on the challenges confronting the light vehicle and heavy-duty aftermarket and other challenging and evolving industry topics and trends in a location to be announced in the future The North American session of INFUSION 2025 is tentatively planned for Sept The next session will be held at a global destination from June 7-11 Registration links and complete descriptions of all University of the Aftermarket courses are online at https://nusites.northwood.edu/apps/uofa/course-calendar.aspx WalletHub’s “Ask the Experts” now features new expertise from Dr Dr. Burkhardt leads Northwood’s Insurance Risk Management Program and is a certified Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). On WalletHub, Dr. Burkhardt discusses why insurance rates (and even providers) vary so much from state to state He weighs in on whether it’s riskier to drive in some cities and states than others and what state and local governments can do to promote cheap car insurance rates for their constituents He also answers why credit history impacts car insurance rates in some states he addresses whether inexpensive car insurance is bad insurance Dr. Holloway is an adjunct faculty member from the DeVos Graduate School at Northwood University. On WalletHub, Dr. Holloway discusses whether car insurance companies really can save drivers as much as they advertise and the most important things to look for when shopping for car insurance He also weighs in on the best way to save on car insurance and shares advice for someone shopping for car insurance for the first time CAMS announcement among highlights of 61st Northwood University International Auto Show The 61st Northwood University International Auto Show was one for the history books and industry professionals officially celebrated the launch of the Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies (CAMS) “The formation of CAMS is a natural extension of Northwood University’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in the automotive retail and mobility industries,” stated President Kent MacDonald “Through industry-focused academic programs and communities to drive meaningful change in these dynamic sectors “We are proud to be America’s leading university serving the automotive and aftermarket industries,” MacDonald added “CAMS is the next phase in Northwood’s long-standing reputation as a leader in automotive education.”   Attendees at a sold-out Auto Show Gala on Friday celebrated CAMS’s mission to become the preeminent institution for automotive education and thought leadership worldwide “Northwood University has a rich tradition of serving as a bridge between academia and the automotive retail and automotive aftermarket industries,” stated Dr Vice President of Strategic Alliances and CAMS “The creation of CAMS is an evolution in automotive education for Northwood University and the entire automotive and mobility industries.” CAMS will encompass undergraduate and graduate education non-credit and professional training for industry-focused organizations and innovative research by renowned faculty “Thursday’s summit provided an invaluable platform for industry insights and emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia and industry,” Oventhal noted where students turn their passion for the vehicle mobility industry into career opportunities CAMS will operate from multiple locations on Northwood University’s campus in Midland, Michigan, including the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies and a new hotel and conference center that will replace the current NADA Hotel and Conference Center During the June 6 President’s Freedom Celebration at Northwood University, alumnus Dr. Alan Jay Wildstein of the Alan Jay Automotive Network and leaders from Reynolds and Reynolds announced two respective $5 million gifts for the new facility The facility will feature state-of-the-art academic classrooms The CAMS guidance structure will include an advisory council comprised of automotive industry leaders ensuring it remains at the forefront of automotive education This council will provide strategic guidance and support for the Center’s initiatives “Its all-encompassing nature makes CAMS bigger than just one building or program,” noted Elgie Bright who chairs Northwood’s Automotive Marketing and Management degree program “It positions Northwood to foster new and existing relationships bringing today’s leaders in automotive to campus to meet current students and future leaders who will drive global economic and social progress.” Northwood has launched a CAMS website featuring a video premiered at Friday’s gala highlighting how Northwood University has fueled innovation while creating generations of graduates who have become successful ethical leaders in the automotive and automotive aftermarket sectors “CAMS is committed to incorporating The Northwood Idea to instill a sense of personal responsibility and the importance of free enterprise in all graduates,” Bennett noted “As America’s Free Enterprise University Northwood believes these are the foundations that drive success Our alumni are proof that The Northwood Idea is alive with over one-third owning their own businesses It is a testament to the efficacy of our values-based education.” Northwood’s goal is to have CAMS fully operational by 2026. For more information, visit https://www.northwood.edu/cams/ marking a major expansion of its ANR pipeline system aimed at meeting rising demand from natural gas-fired power generation and data centers in the U.S The Calgary-based company revealed the project during its first quarter 2025 earnings report, highlighting it as a cornerstone of its near-term growth strategy alongside advancing its Southeast Gateway pipeline The Northwoods project will add 0.4 Bcf/d of capacity through pipeline looping The $900 million project is backed by a 20-year take-or-pay contract with a creditworthy customer TC Energy expects the expansion to be in service by late 2029 “As natural gas and electricity are forecasted to drive the majority of growth in final energy consumption through 2035 we are pleased to announce the Northwoods project on our ANR system designed to serve electric generation demand in the U.S including data centers and overall economic growth,” said François Poirier The project is targeting a build multiple of five to seven times in line with TC Energy’s strategic focus on pursuing high-value in-corridor opportunities supported by long-term contracts “Northwoods exemplifies our disciplined strategy and our ability to capture high-value low-risk opportunities across our portfolio,” Poirier added While Northwoods will serve future Midwest demand, TC Energy also reported significant progress on the Southeast Gateway pipeline in Mexico Construction is complete on the 715-km pipeline which will deliver 1.3 Bcf/d of natural gas under a fully contracted arrangement with Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) TC Energy said CFE has accepted all requirements for service and final regulatory approval is expected by the end of May Southeast Gateway was built approximately 13% under budget and will enter service soon after receiving rate approval from Mexico’s Comisión Nacional de Energía (CNE) One of our administrators will review your comment before posting it onto the website Northwood University bested seven other universities — including NCAA Division 1 Creighton University — to win the 2025 Politics and Economics (PPE) League Competition on April 11 in Kansas City “Hosted by Ottawa University, the 2025 PPE League Competition is an intense, multi-round intellectual showdown that tested students on everything from economic strategy to political theory and philosophical reasoning,” explained Dr. Alex Tokarev, an economics professor who advised Northwood’s first-place team “This remarkable victory marks a dramatic turnaround for Northwood which finished in last place just one year ago.” claiming first place in four of five events and a group phase that focused on President Donald Trump’s idea to create a faster path to citizenship for high-net worth foreigners Northwood students tied for second in the fifth category “Our students truly made America’s Free Enterprise University proud,” Dr “They returned to Kansas City with sharpened intellects and an unrelenting commitment to excellence — and they came home champions.” Northwood defeated Creighton University in the final one-on-one presentation on immigration Other schools that were at the PPE League competition included Pittsburgh State University “What stood out to me most was that despite the different perspectives on the topic of immigration we kept the competition heated yet civil,” noted Noel Tokarev “Many of the students and professors from the other schools were immigrants themselves — coming from Africa We listened to each other’s points of view without arguments Barrett Tefft, an accounting major from Davison, Michigan, and a decorated member of Northwood’s Mock Trial team “PPE was a very rewarding experience with lots of fun along the way,” Tefft said “There was a mix of intense competition and strategy games and we had the opportunity to hear from many excellent speakers I’d recommend this to anyone considering it — it’s an exciting opportunity.” Anthony Storer, a double major in finance and economics from Midland, Michigan, and a student research scholar with Northwood’s McNair Center for Free Enterprise described the event as “exhilarating and intellectually enriching.” “The highlight was being selected for the final round where we presented to all the schools and professors Preparing for each event deepened my understanding of the intersection of philosophy and strengthened my ability to work as part of a team while tackling complex ideas,” Storer added Tokarev noted this victory shows what’s possible when sharp minds  “The Northwood Idea — Northwood’s guiding philosophy that values liberty and free enterprise — was on full display,” Tokarev added “And our students showed they are prepared to lead.” For more information about Northwood’s 2025 PPE League championship, email Dr. Alex Tokarev at document.write('\u0074\u006f\u006b\u0061\u0072\u0065\u0076\u0061\u0040\u006e\u006f\u0072\u0074\u0068\u0077\u006f\u006f\u0064\u002e\u0065\u0064\u0075'); The two newest Northwood Board of Trustee members are distinguished alumni who bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to liberty “We are thrilled to welcome Joe Cauley and Chris Clements to our Board of Trustees,” said Northwood University President Kent MacDonald “Their remarkable professional accomplishments and unwavering commitment to Northwood’s mission will infuse our work with fresh insights and renewed vigor we will continue advancing our dedication to providing exceptional education that champions personal responsibility and the transformative power of capitalism—the only economic system to have lifted billions out of poverty.” Joe Cauley graduated in 2009 with an automotive marketing and management degree Cauley was a member of Phi Delta Theta and the International Fraternity Council He also served on the Northwood University International Auto Show Executive Board He went on to excel in the automotive field through his deep involvement in his family’s prestigious Cauley Ferrari business where he employs a customer-focused approach and a passion for automotive excellence “My Northwood experience shaped not only my career path but also my values in business,” Cauley shared “Joining the Northwood University Board of Trustees is a privilege and I look forward to supporting my alma mater in its pursuit of nurturing future leaders and innovators.” currently serves as senior vice president and chief financial officer for the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium including his role in leading the Dolphins Cancer Challenge charity Clements’ business achievements and his commitment to community impact demonstrate the character and drive Northwood aims to inspire in its students “Northwood’s emphasis on ethics and free enterprise has been foundational in my professional journey,” said Clements I am excited to contribute to Northwood’s growth and ensure that our students continue to receive a world-class education.” Board of Trustees President Jennifer Panning noted Cauley and Clements exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and principled leadership defined in The Northwood Idea and we look forward to the invaluable contributions they will make to our strategic vision,” Panning added Northwood University’s Board of Trustees works with President MacDonald and his executive team to guide the university’s philosophy and provide oversight on financial performance Cauley and Clements will play essential roles in helping shape Northwood’s future For more information about the Northwood University Board of Trustees, visit https://www.northwood.edu/about/board-of-trustees/ Company led by former Disney child star raises more cash California-based satellite data startup Northwood Space has secured $30 million in funding to fuel its operations Led by former Disney Channel starlet Bridgit Mendler who is serving as CEO and employs husband Griffin Cleverly as CTO Northwood intends to mass-produce large ground antennas for satellites “We’re really emphasising increased manufacturing capacity and lower cost,” Mandler told Bloomberg Live “That comes from being a vertically-integrated company … In our last demonstration with Planet Labs we managed to hit a 10x cost reduction relative to existing phased array technology and a 5x reduction in time to actually field the technology.” Financing was led by Alpine Space Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz and StepStone Group joining as major investors Northwood aims to build satellite ground stations that are designed with "fast production and deployment flexibility first in mind." The company secured $6.3 million in seed funding last year from Founders Fund and Andreessen Horowitz Northwood intends to manufacture out of Torrence with a 35,000 square foot (3,252 sqm) facility ready to begin production later this year in a bid to build locally to steer clear of tariff-influenced supply chain vulnerability we see capital-intensive pressures,” Bridget said answering a question about how quickly the company might exhaust $30m on California-based brick-and-mortar manufacturing “[The company] is designed to be efficient with capital with a mind to produce in the near-term It’s really important for us to get into the field quickly.” With some of the highest land and labour costs in the world California will be a challenging state to carve out cost advantages While Mendler was comfortable speaking to the realities of Northwood’s manufacturing challenges and the location of its operations she avoided painting an economically nationalist vision “A lot of our parts have intentional optionality to them to give us the benefit of choice and largely we do choose domestic companies in our supply chain but we plan to be a company with international deployments friendly to other nations which has proven positive so far,” she said “We have our sights set on building the largest shared network in throughput and link capacity,” Mendler said in a statement on the funding “Our sites will be outfitted with the ability to scale up to 100 gbps backhaul and we are aiming to deploy multilink sites covering six continents by the end of 2026 We’re building a global ground network — engineered to scale as fast as the missions it supports.” Norwood Space was inspired during the downtime of the COVID-19 lockdown “While everybody else was making their sourdough starters we were building antennas out of random crap we could find at Home Depot,” Mendler said of the period "The one-lane rickety road for space data needs to adapt to a ten-lane highway routing continuous traffic across the globe," Mendler explained in 2024 Mendler earned her PhD from MIT's Center for Constructive Communications and Social Machines group has previously held roles at Lockheed Martin Data Centre Dynamics Ltd (DCD), 32-38 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH Email. [email protected]DCD is a subsidiary of InfraXmedia Northwood University American Marketing Association (AMA) students recently planned and executed a Perfect Pitch Competition at the Midland Community Tennis Center “This exciting event brought together 30 students from four universities and Northwood,” explained Northwood AMA Advisor Dr 7 event provided a valuable networking experience and the chance to showcase their communication and personal branding skills in a high-pressure “This is an important competition as it prepares students for professional engagement with employers at career fairs and beyond,” said Dr. Anderson, who teaches marketing and sales at Northwood University “Students must clearly and persuasively communicate their strengths in just 90 seconds simulating the kind of interactions they’ll have with recruiters in the job market,” added Anderson “The competition hones their skills and rewards top performers with cash prizes.” The Perfect Pitch Competition challenges participants to: Industry professionals fromCRC Equipment and Sherwin-Williams served as judges offering competitors invaluable feedback and networking opportunities Northwood students clinched four of the five top spots in the 2025 Perfect Pitch Competition 3rd Place: Benji Zorn (Grand Rapids/Ferris State) 4th Place: Christopher Escalante (Auburn Hills) “The NU AMA Perfect Pitch Competition is an annual event for students aiming to refine their personal branding and job-seeking strategies,” Anderson noted “By delivering concise and compelling messages participants leave the competition better prepared to make a strong impression on potential employers.” For information, visit the Northwood University AMA Chapter webpage