Alumni

Northern Michigan University 1967 alumnus and Marquette native Robert Finkbeiner was recently featured in an article on the United States War Dog Association website that highlights his experience as a scout dog handler during the Vietnam War, and his unit's work to save military K-9s.

Carter Rahn, a 2025 NMU information assurance/cyber defense grad with a concentration in computer science, secured a position as a virtualization systems engineer with Fortune 500 company Ally in Detroit. In his position, he oversees extensive virtual environments, designs and maintains systems that support critical business functions, and ensures that systems run smoothly.

Northern Michigan University alumna Randi Schmeltzer '11 MA, '14 MPA was recently promoted to vice president of sales enablement at Marksman Titan Security Group. She joined the company in 2019 and has earned multiple employee awards, including Rookie of the Year, Rising Star and MVP.

Northern Michigan University 2017 construction management graduate Matt VanDenAvond has returned to his alma mater in a professional capacity to work on two major facilities projects that will serve future generations of Wildcats: the recently completed Phase I Harden Hall renovation; and two new apartment complexes being built on Presque Isle Avenue.

Northern Michigan University alumna Diane Husic was recently recognized at the 2026 NCAA convention for her longstanding leadership and contributions to Division II, including national leadership development programming for faculty athletics representatives (FARs) and efforts to strengthen the student-athlete experience in higher education.

Northern Michigan University Alumni John and Mary Henry have been inducted into the Michigan Construction Hall of Fame at Ferris State University. Selection is based on nominees' technical, managerial and leadership achievements within construction and related industries, as well as service to the profession and community. 

Taylor Galaszewski, a recent Northern Michigan University biology alumna, coauthored a recent publication titled “On the taxonomic status of two large species of East African freshwater crabs” with NMU Biology Professor Emeritus Neil Cumberlidge and other collaborators.

Former Northern Michigan University student and Wildcat football player Nick Baumgartner is competing in his fifth straight Olympics at age 44 as part of the USA snowboard cross (SBX) team, following his gold-medal win at the last Winter Games. Former Wildcat Nordic skier and 2020 economics alumnus Zak Ketterson is appearing in his first Olympics as a member of the U.S. cross-country ski team.

Emily Lanctot, a Northern Michigan University alumna who serves as director and curator of NMU's DeVos Art Museum, will showcase her own paintings in a Hancock exhibition titled “Salaiset Ruokaohjeet: Secret Recipes.” An opening reception will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, and the exhibition will remain on display through March 5 at Finlandia Art Gallery in the Finnish American Heritage Center.

Northern Michigan University 2020 economics alumnus and former Wildcat Nordic skier Zak Ketterson will compete in his first Olympics next month as a member of the U.S. cross-country ski team. The Minneapolis native was one of the best collegiate skiers in the nation as a member of NMU's team from 2016/2017 through 2020/2021. He earned multiple All-American and All-Conference honors, regional victories and a CCSA Skier of the Year award.