Northern Michigan University's choral ensembles will perform a demanding piece—both musically and emotionally—that pays homage to a Wyoming college student whose violent death in 1998 made national headlines and played a key role in the later expansion of federal hate-crime legislation. Most of the NMU singers were not born when Matthew Shepard was lured from a bar by two men, tied to a split-rail fence and beaten unconscious because of his sexual orientation. But they are fully invested in doing justice to his story and its broader messages.

Northern Michigan University senior Anthony Gonzalez offered his professors a rare excuse for missing the first two weeks of the semester. He was in Nepal, successfully completing the iconic trek to Mount Everest Base Camp. By traveling during the off season—his only option before graduating in May and starting his career—Gonzalez encountered very little traffic on the route and was treated to “blue skies and crystal-clear views every day.” But consistent sub-zero overnight temperatures and the high altitude took a physical toll that required extra recovery time upon his return.

Northern Michigan University students, faculty and staff are invited to provide feedback on broadband barriers impacting internet access across the state during a community listening session hosted on campus by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and the Michigan High Speed Internet Office (MIHI).

Beginning this year, the sled dog race that starts and finishes in Marquette and serves as an Iditarod qualifier is officially known as the “UP200 Powered by NMU.” As a Gold Sled Sponsor, Northern Michigan University is planning more activities around the event, which will be held on Friday, Feb. 17. Its partnership with the U.P. Sled Dog Association also enhances volunteer and service-learning opportunities for students, faculty and staff, and elevates the race's branding and marketing efforts.

Colin Clancy wrote the first draft of his debut novel “Ski Bum” while attending Northern Michigan University. The book is about a college dropout named Jimmy who moves to Colorado to chase the ski bum lifestyle, often working at resorts and doing menial labor to devote as much time as possible to his favorite activity. Jimmy tries to chase the Rocky Mountain high by shredding down Silver Mountain, while engaging in a “spontaneous party life of hot-tub poaching, illicit sledding, and living scrappy and poor in a place where rich people vacation.”