Dawn Clifford looking over a student's shoulder as the student points to something on a laptop

Bringing weight-inclusive care to the classroom

Patti Pastor at a U.S. womens soccer game in Phoenix

Humans of NAU: Patti Pastor

Patti Pastor recently returned to NAU with a host of potential future Lumberjacks as part of Flagstaff Unified School District’s FUSD Day at NAU. It’s a particularly fun day in the life of Pastor, an NAU alum who now is the career exploration coordinator at the local school district. Learn more about the connection she creates between K-12 students and NAU.

Picture of piano keys

Keyed up for summer

High notes and cool vibes abound at the annual Flagstaff Piano Festival! This year’s weeklong experience will bring together celebrated artists, young pianists, educators and music lovers between June 21-28.

Hand placing a ballot inside a box

Research & Academics

Behind the ballot

The election process in the United States is a fundamental part of its democracy. A new election administration certificate program will show students what takes place behind the ballot and prepare them for a career safeguarding the integrity of the voting process in Arizona and beyond.

Research & Academics

Professor Bridget Barker and 13 members of her lab pose for a photograph.

NAU laboratory works to develop new Valley fever treatment

Treatments for Valley fever, a fungal infection frighteningly common in Arizona and California, often come with a wave of unpleasant side effects ranging from nausea to kidney damage to hair loss. One NAU lab is fighting to put an end to these side effects and improve the quality of life for those with severe infections. By the end of the study, the group hopes to have designed an antifungal drug that can kill the fungus Coccidioides and quell the fever's pneumonia-like symptoms without further harming the patient.

Dawn Clifford looking over a student's shoulder as the student points to something on a laptop

Bringing weight-inclusive care to the classroom

In light of new evidence that thinness isn’t the only key to health, a handful of faculty members in NAU’s Department of Health Sciences is integrating weight-inclusive philosophies into their teaching. They hope that by equipping the next generation with the tools they need to take a more compassionate approach to health care, Arizonans will live longer, happier lives.

Hand placing a ballot inside a box

Behind the ballot

The election process in the United States is a fundamental part of its democracy. A new election administration certificate program will show students what takes place behind the ballot and prepare them for a career safeguarding the integrity of the voting process in Arizona and beyond.

Campus & Community

Instructor showing a journal to a young student

Creative minds come together at the Young Authors Camp

Building new worlds, creating mini-zines and sharing ideas is part of what’s to come at this year’s Young Authors Camp. Young minds will discover the power of words using poetry, fiction and creative writing while meeting friends and playing games. This camp, open to incoming sixth- to 12th-graders, will be led in collaboration with NAU’s English education graduate students, who will gain hands-on experience in the classroom while shaping the minds of tomorrow.

People throwing LJs on Giving Day

Giving Day 2025 sets another record, raising more than $1M

For the third year in a row, Lumberjacks came together to break the NAU Giving Day record, this time topping $1 million in donations. The fundraising event will strengthen support for NAU students, academic initiatives, clubs and more.

Bobby Stuckey pouring wine for customers at Frasca in Boulder, Colorado

Turning accolades into access

Acclaimed restaurateur and NAU alumnus Bobby Stuckey was announced as the 2025 recipient of the coveted Julia Child Award, recognizing his distinguished career in hospitality— and the generous Jack is giving the $50,000 grant to NAU’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, bolstering an existing endowed scholarship that supports first-generation students in HRM.

Lumberjack Features

Patti Pastor at a U.S. womens soccer game in Phoenix

Humans of NAU: Patti Pastor

Patti Pastor recently returned to NAU with a host of potential future Lumberjacks as part of Flagstaff Unified School District’s FUSD Day at NAU. It’s a particularly fun day in the life of Pastor, an NAU alum who now is the career exploration coordinator at the local school district. Learn more about the connection she creates between K-12 students and NAU.

Fit it in a Minute with David Van Ness

David Van Ness shares his thoughts on the use of AI in art and design.

Trevor Ritland taking a picture in Costa Rica

Humans of NAU: Trevor Ritland

A childhood obsession kindled by his father's stories took Trevor Ritland, assistant director of communications for student affairs, and his twin brother on an epic journey through the cloud forests of Costa Rica in search of an elusive toad that was discovered in 1964 and vanished more than 30 years ago. Their discoveries and experiences are now part of “The Golden Toad: An Ecological Mystery and the Search for a Lost Species.”  Find out more about Ritland’s book and how he balances writing with his job at NAU.