Alumni

NMU alumnus Richard Anderson (‘78 MA) has used his Thompsonville business, Iron Fish Distillery, as a force for good by producing much-needed sanitizer during the spread of COVID-19. Consumer demand has fueled a shortage impacting critical health and human service organizations.

Northern Michigan University has launched a #WildcatsMeanBusiness campaign to encourage the NMU and Marquette communities to support businesses that sponsor NMU events and programming, as well as local businesses owned by alumni.

NMU alumna Amanda Monthei wrote an article that was featured in a recent Patagonia catalog. Monthei wrote about the intersection of her two passions: firefighting and fly-fishing. Her article specifically addresses how high-intensity wildfires are affecting native and non-native fish populations, such as cutthroat and rainbow trout in the Southwest.

Northern Michigan University alumnus Brandon Williams is answering the call to action during the COVID-19 pandemic. He's having his Traverse City-based company manufacture 3D-printed antimicrobial face masks, charging only for material costs, for distribution to customers.

Northern Michigan University alumna and U.P. native Kaci Murringer celebrated her 30th birthday by running her first Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska. She was the 34th and final musher to complete the trip to Nome, in a field that began with 57. She won the Red Lantern award as the last across the finish line at the 48th Iditarod. 

The stock market response to COVID-19 has fueled extensive media coverage and some consternation among investors. But on a related positive note, former Wildcat hockey defenseman, NHL player and "Survivor" contestant Tom Laidlaw helped to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange in February, before the pandemic escalated in the U.S.

NMU alumna Melissa (Missie) Holmquist, president and CEO of Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) in Marquette, has been appointed secretary of the Medicaid Health Plans Board of Directors. She is also one of Crain's Detroit Business' 2020 Notable Women in Health.

A couple who wishes to remain anonymous has established a $600,000 endowment at Northern Michigan University to help Kalamazoo Promise students from Kalamazoo Central High School pay for books, room and board. 

Alumnus Stephen Dupuie is putting his NMU education to use renovating an old Kalamazoo church building into a new venue for his sketch comedy group, The Dormouse Troupe. The facility will also host music shows and other performances that are “off the beaten path” of traditional theater.

Northern Michigan University alumnus Kevin Beauchamp will serve as the next president of Galloway Company, a specialty dairy product manufacturer based in Neenah, Wis.