Rima and I are truly thankful to be part of this incredible community and proud to call ourselves Lumberjacks. Every day, we witness your passion for Flagstaff and the greater Northern Arizona region. Your dedication to making this a remarkable place to live and work inspires us and motivates our work at NAU. A shared vision for a better future inspired Flagstaff’s community members more than 125 years ago to establish a place for higher education. Since then, the partnership, collaboration and … [Read more...] about NAU Prioritizing Community Engagement
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Serial CEO T. Paul Thomas Offers Lessons in Leadership in New Book
In his roles as CEO or president of more than 15 publicly traded, venture-backed and technology start-ups around the world and across the United States, Paul Thomas wasn’t interested in overseeing companies that were humming along smoothly. In fact, he was the guy the board of directors would call when they couldn’t decide whether to shut the company down or continue to invest in it. With tumultuous situations as the theme of his career, one might imagine he has stories to tell. Fortunately, he … [Read more...] about Serial CEO T. Paul Thomas Offers Lessons in Leadership in New Book
NAU Celebrates One Hundred and Twenty Five Years, Marching Band Selected for Legendary Parade
This is always a time of great excitement as new and returning students have settled into the routines of the semester, pursing their studies and engaging in their home community of Flagstaff. As I noted last month, this fall is extra special for us, as we are officially celebrating our 125th year as an engine of opportunity, vehicle of upward mobility and driver of social impact. While we can’t say for sure what the next 125 years will bring, I am certain NAU and our greater Flagstaff … [Read more...] about NAU Celebrates One Hundred and Twenty Five Years, Marching Band Selected for Legendary Parade
Transformative Initiatives are Defining the New NAU
As we settle into the fall semester, I am deeply honored to have the privilege of serving as the president of Northern Arizona University during this pivotal time in our university’s history, and to be part of this wonderful community in Flagstaff. This year, we celebrate 125 years of impact and excellence at NAU. Our legacy was born out of the hearts and minds of the leaders of Flagstaff, who understood in 1899 the critical role that education would play in a thriving community and economy for … [Read more...] about Transformative Initiatives are Defining the New NAU
Blood Sport
Just as a summer day warms, Dan Bergland is explaining how Erythropoietin (EPO) works when a squad of rail-thin, ultra-fit young adults arrive at a popular coffee shop. Most wave as they make their way inside. Dressed in dolphin shorts and sports tanks, they have the unmistakable look of serious athletes – and they are. Bergland greets Nico Young, who won two NCAA championships with Northern Arizona University, holds collegiate records in the 5000m and 10,000m and is about to leave to compete … [Read more...] about Blood Sport
Supporting Businesses through the Innovate Waste Challenge
Business and entrepreneurship are generators of exceptional creativity, ingenuity and effort. Historically, many of the great advances of our society have come from a combination of entrepreneurship and government working together to address common problems. It is with this in mind that the City of Flagstaff, with multiple divisions participating, Moonshot and Northern Arizona University (NAU) are working collaboratively on the Innovate Waste Challenge. This competition provides funding from … [Read more...] about Supporting Businesses through the Innovate Waste Challenge
NAU Names Brian Wright to Lead Lumberjack Football
Northern Arizona University’s President José Luis Cruz Rivera and Intercollegiate Athletics Vice President Mike Marlow have formally introduced Brian Wright as the school’s 31st head football coach. Wright joins NAU’s program after spending four years at Division II Pittsburg State University in Kansas. There, he led the Gorillas to a 23-3 record across two seasons, winning consecutive Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) titles. He also was named the 2022 MIAA Conference … [Read more...] about NAU Names Brian Wright to Lead Lumberjack Football
NAU $2 Billion Master Plan Approved
Northern Arizona University intends to add up to 1,200 beds of on-campus housing, build three parking garages and expand the library under a 10-year plan recently approved by the Arizona Board of Regents. The Sustainable Smart Campus Master Plan is a flexible framework for NAU’s future infrastructure. It includes projects totaling more than $2 billion. The plan identifies planned renovations of 23 existing buildings. Those renovations would consume about one-third of the $2 billion in potential … [Read more...] about NAU $2 Billion Master Plan Approved
NAU Launches College of Medicine to Address State’s Physician Shortage
NAU is taking a new step in our university’s journey to educate and serve the people of this region and the entire state of Arizona with the recent launch of NAU Health. NAU Health, a forward-thinking initiative aimed at improving health outcomes for all Arizonans, particularly those in rural, Indigenous and underserved communities, will create a national model for medical education and double degrees awarded in high-demand healthcare programs. Our entire state faces a critical need for more … [Read more...] about NAU Launches College of Medicine to Address State’s Physician Shortage
Restaurant Reputations Rise Along with Operating Costs
Flagstaff’s budding restaurant scene is at a crossroads. A number of local restaurants and chefs are gaining national acclaim at the same time economic conditions — inflation, higher wages and prices — are creating headwinds for operators. “People are paying more for their food than they ever have and they’re not happy about it,” said John Conley, owner of Salsa Brava and Fat Olives. “It is the most challenging time ever,” said Conley, who started Salsa Brava 36 years ago when he left … [Read more...] about Restaurant Reputations Rise Along with Operating Costs