Northern Michigan University alumnus John Ziemba, who earned a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in educational administration/supervision in 2004, has received the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award from Bay College in Escanaba. He has been teaching in Manistique for 24 years, and is most well-known for being an MHSAA official for baseball, softball and volleyball. 

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present Rock of Ages, a gritty and glamorous jukebox musical about the tail end of the classic ‘80s rock & roll era in Hollywood. The production is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. June 14-17 and 21-24 in Forest Roberts Theatre. It marks the directorial debut of NMU adjunct assistant professor Kristen Beth Williams, who is also choreographing the show. Beyond her educator role, she is a professional actor/singer/dancer with an extensive career spanning Broadway, national tours and regional theaters across the country. 

Northern Michigan University alumni and friends are invited to meet with NMU President Brock Tessman and connect with other Wildcats at a reception-style event in Gladstone on Wednesday, June 14. The event, which includes a university update from Tessman and complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages, will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. EST at the Terrace Bay Hotel.

The Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health, in partnership with Everyday Life Consulting, will offer a Community Health Worker (CHW) certification training program in Houghton starting in mid-June. The training consists of 12 days of in-person instruction on the nationally aligned competencies, and includes one day of mental health first aid instruction.

Former Wildcat hockey player Andy Contois is associate head coach of the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms, which recently claimed its first Clark Cup title by sweeping the Fargo Force in the best-of-five series with a 1-0 victory in the third matchup. The Marquette native graduated from NMU in 2006 with a degree in finance.