Alumni

Dr. Ashley Parent, a 2012 Northern Michigan University graduate, has joined the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program as a faculty member, according to an announcement from UP Health Systems and Michigan State University. 

NMU alumni Becca Fitch and Grace Krajenka have published their research projects in peer-reviewed international scientific journals. The students each worked for more than two years in the Cumberlidge Crustacean Systematics Laboratory and Museum in NMU's Biology Department under the supervision of Professor Neil Cumberlidge.

Marquette native and former Northern Michigan University student Leah Hocking has appeared in 10 Broadway shows, including Billy Elliot, Mama Mia, The Wild Party and Hairspray. She will return to her hometown to present Out of the Window, an evening of songs and remembrances about her life and career. The show is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 28 through Friday, June 30, at NMU's Forest Roberts Theatre.

NMU 2020 alumnus Simon Berghoef is featured in a June profile in SNOWBOARD Magazine for his Midwest action photography, which focuses on snowboarding, lake surfing and skateboarding. Berghoef is from Grand Haven. He said he found his niche documenting and photographing the snowboarding runs of friends he had shredded with, and cemented his love for the medium in high school classes before pursuing a BFA with a photography concentration at NMU.

Northern Michigan Athletic Director, former Wildcat hockey head coach and 1973 MAE alumnus Rick Comley will be among the 2023 inductees into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, according to Bally Sports Detroit. 

NMU 1970 art education alumnus John Prusak, who became a legend for growing the filmmaking community in his hometown of Detroit and launching the careers of Oscar winners, is featured in a posthumous tribute article in the June issue of HOUR DETROIT magazine. His 60 film credits included camera operator for Michael Moore's Roger & Me, but most were for local, independent projects that often related to the city he loved. For a half century, Prusak also was an instrumental member of the Royal Oak-based nonprofit Digital Arts, Film & Television (DAFT), which offers related training for students and teachers.

NMU alumnus Scott Grajewski was appointed earlier this year as director of the Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety of Jackson County, Mich. The Blackman Township native has been employed with the department for more than 27 years. He returned to his hometown after graduating from Northern in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in justice studies and public relations. 

Northern Michigan University alumnus and Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt was reappointed to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. He represents the Michigan Sheriffs' Association and his term expires Dec. 31, 2026.

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. 

NMU alumnus Michael Dupont had two reasons to celebrate at the end of the academic year. He received one of Bay College's 2023 Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Awards and also retired after teaching there since 1983. He holds a master's degree in guidance and counseling from NMU and is a licensed master social worker and professional counselor, as well as a counselor in internationally certified drug addiction.