Northern Michigan University alumna Margaret Vainio ('76 BA) recalls a life-changing trip to Finland with the NMU Arts Chorale when she was a student. As the group was preparing to leave, she asked the bus driver to drop her off at the train station because she felt inspired to stay there longer. A year later, she moved to Finland permanently and eventually was exposed to Asahi, a Finnish exercise program. Now she has started a second career as an Asahi instructor and will soon bring it to NMU.

Northern Michigan University's most decorated head coach, Sten Fjeldheim, has announced his retirement after 34 years as leader of the Wildcat Nordic ski team. The NMU alumnus also served stints as the head cross country running coach during his 35 years at the university. 

Northern Michigan University's Lydia M. Olson Library is celebrating heritage and history months by inviting relevant student organizations to select books for its collection. The library team purchases the titles and creates virtual and physical displays about the selections. 

Tarra Nieman, a 2020 NMU outdoor recreation leadership and management graduate, is the 2021 Community Volunteer Ambassador at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in Colorado. CVAs spend a year in national park units across the country building relationships with communities and increasing the number of volunteers who serve at the parks.

Instead of its usual in-person "Learning to Walk Together" powwow, the Native American Student Association at Northern Michigan University will host a virtual "Powwow 101: Learning to Walk Together (While Apart)." The free event is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. EST Saturday, April 3.