30 years ago

MARQUETTE – Tuesday night Northern Michigan University President William Vandament went toe-to-toe in a “boxing match” against reigning U.S. champion Davarryl Williamson during a United States Olympic Education Center (USOEC) open house at NMU’s Hedgcock Fieldhouse here. Vandament and Williamson, wearing extremely oversized gloves, playfully competed in a “bout” that brought cheers and laughter to and enthusiastic crowd. Vandament was declared the winner when Williamson refused to answer the bell for the second round. Perhaps the fact that several members of the USOEC team entered the ring behind Vandament before the start of the round may have had something to do with Williamson’s decision. “I certainly enjoyed my victory,” said Vandament with a smile. “However, I did have the sense that perhaps Davarryl was not giving his all. Therefore, I will not even consider a rematch.” “I went away from my game plan,” said Williamson, the nation’s second-ranked heavy-weight and current U.S Golden Gloves, Olympic Festival and American Boxing Classic Champion. “I didn’t want to mix it up in the inside, but I got caught up in the excitement and forgot to use my jab to keep Dr. Vandament on the outside. I just couldn’t answer the bell.” The bout was a conclusion of activities that provided the community an opportunity to learn about the USOEC boxing program and to see the team train. Several members of the squad are currently preparing for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Oakland, Calif. slated for Tuesday through Sunday, April 7.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE – Two graduates of Northern Michigan University are authors of articles in the April issue of “The Instructor,” a national monthly educational publication. The NMU graduates are Dr. Clyde F. Kohn, a native of Palmer, and Naomi Leonard, of Iron River. An article on initiating geographic inquiry in the primary grades was written by Kohn, professor of geography at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Kohn received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern in August 1935. In her article, entitled “Oil is Many Products,” Miss Leonard describes a classroom unit on oil. The project was taught by Miss Leonard while she was a third grade teacher at Edgewood School, Muskegon heights. She will travel in Europe next month. Miss Leonard was awarded her life certificate in elementary education in 1921 by NMU and received the Bachelor of Science degree from Northern in August 1949.