NMU Business students create sustainable irrigation device; NMU Theatre and Dance students prepare for Senior Showcase

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - As students prepare to wrap up their semester at Northern Michigan University, some look at ways to make their lasting mark on Marquette and beyond.

On Wednesday’s episode of Upper Michigan Today, Tia Trudgeon and John Redfield get to know two students in the Business School and two in the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Adam Hop and Sergiy Blackwood are part of an interdepartmental collaboration. Their project: a sustainable irrigation system in the form of a clay pot.

Their business is called “Verdant Vessels”.

If you’ve been to a show at NMU’s Forest Roberts Theatre recently, you’ve likely seen Maya Moreau and John Thomson on the stage.

They’re both seniors in the Department of Theatre and Dance, preparing to take the stage at the FRT for the final time in a couple of weeks for their Senior Showcase.

You can support both Verdant Vessels and the Senior Showcase. More details are below, but first, Tia and John continue their getting-to-know-you games and share stories of the day.

Adam Hop and Sergiy Blackwood join the conversation to discuss their product and how Verdant Vessels came to be.

Verdant Vessels uses ancient clay pot irrigation methods.

Blackwood says it’s unlike a clay pot you’d buy at the store because it’s fired at a lower temperature and isn’t glazed, allowing the water to seep out.

Hop says you’ll save money on your water bill if you replace your sprinkler irrigation system with this one, as it’s more efficient. He adds that the typical U.P. garden will need three.

You can purchase your Verdant Vessel for $29.99 each at verdantvessels.org. All proceeds go to the NMU Food Pantry.

Maya Moreau and John Thomson join the conversation to highlight their time in NMU’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

The Senior Showcase is Friday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Forest Roberts Theatre.

Ten seniors will perform several numbers, including song, dance, and acting.

You can purchase your tickets at nmu.universitytickets.com.

The seniors are fundraising to bring their showcase before a jury on Mackinac Island in the hopes of landing a job in the industry.

You can support the students, in addition to attending the showcase, by stopping by their fundraisers on Tuesday, April 22 at Blackrocks Brewery and on Sunday, April 27 at Ore Dock Brewery.

Both performances are at 7:00 p.m.

You can watch Upper Michigan Today on weekdays at 9:00 ET on FOX UP or stream the show on your smart device with the TV6+ app.

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