2023 was a big year for NAU—a new College of Medicine, achieving an important step in a long-held research goal, welcoming the first class of A2E Lumberjacks and a couple of broken records—in both fundraising 😊 and snow 😩. Relive the highlights of the year with some of 2023’s most read stories in The NAU Review (with a few of our favorites thrown in).
1. NAU projected to receive highest level of research classification
NAU is on track to achieve R1 research status in 2025, putting it in the highest tier of research universities in the country.
2. NAU’s year of academic momentum—Highlights from the University Convocation
In the annual University Convocation, President Cruz Rivera talked about NAU’s past and ongoing efforts to improve student access to education and success.
3. A crowd-sourced list of NAU students’ favorite classes
Students reveal what their favorite classes were and what made them so good.
4. How does climate change affect you?
Several NAU researchers contributed to a congressionally mandated climate assessment designed to provide an easy-to-read overview of the current state of climate change.
5. ‘You are valued’
Allison Stenger is an NAU student and disability advocate. Her advocacy work grew out of her own lived experience with a disability.
6. Results for the Lumberjack Thanksgiving poll are in!
We asked, you answered. Lumberjacks reveal their Thanksgiving traditions, from stuffing to shopping.
7. Humans of Flagstaff: Rima Brusi
A Q&A with Rima Brusi, Honors College professor and first lady of the university.
8. Honoring President’s Prize, Gold Axe, Distinguished Senior winners of Class of 2023
NAU honored 21 Gold Axe winners, including two President’s Prize winners and nine Distinguished Seniors in the Class of 2023.
9. Costumes, puppies, distance, loss, Fortnite, Disney: Read love stories in six words
Members of the NAU community share their six-word love stories.
10. Homecoming 2023 recap (photo gallery)
A special edition of LumberSNAPS gives a photographic peek into NAU’s 2023 Homecoming.
Other notable favorites:
1. ‘Pursue what you want, believe in yourself and push as many boundaries as you can’
In honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, NAU’s women scientists share why they chose their fields and give advice to women and girls considering science careers.
2. NAU launches College of Medicine to address Arizona’s critical shortage of primary care physicians
NAU’s new College of Medicine will create accelerated pathways for prospective MDs and include incentives for practicing medicine in Arizona after graduation.
3. Super Bowl 2023: For these student reporters, it doesn’t get better than this
These sports media students got to live the dream of covering the Super Bowl.
4. How NAU is tackling the teacher shortage in Indigenous communities
An innovative NAU program now offers paraprofessionals and educational assistants the opportunity to earn education degrees while remaining in their communities.
5. The saw must go on
Adeline Jones, NAU student and Logging Sports Team captain, didn’t let an injury interfere with her success at the Choptoberfest competition at Colorado State University.
