Alumni

Michigan is on the cusp of explosive growth in the cannabis marketplace, with the first recreational dispensaries scheduled to open in early 2020. Northern Michigan University alumnus Brandon Frisk is in the thick of this fast-paced and highly competitive industry. 

Gabriel Thorburn credits his bachelor's degree in art and design from Northern Michigan University with helping to launch his career in animation post-production. He works for DreamWorks Animation as an online editor, collaborating on projects such as the Netflix series' Dragons: Race to the Edge and the Tales of Arcadia trilogy, which includes Trollhunters, 3Below and Wizards.

Passion doesn't require a back-up plan or have an expiration date, and it is especially powerful when used in the service of making a difference. Internationally recognized sculpture artist Kristine Poole shared those insights upon receiving her NMU Distinguished Alumni Award, and also contributed a piece of work to the DeVos Art Museum's permanent collection.

Joseph Evans of Marquette described how he made the journey from “undistinguished freshman” to a successful 34-year career in the domestic and international defense markets when he recently accepted his Distinguished Alumni Award from Northern Michigan University. He has worked with industry and government officials throughout Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.

Water, sanitation and hygiene may not be captivating topics for conversation around the dinner table, but they are serious concerns in many parts of the world, including the United States. NMU alumna Nicole “Niki” Weber of Washington, D.C. has committed her career to addressing these issues through humanitarian service and education. 

Tom Fish said a realtor once told him “there's a buyer for every house.” Those words resonated with the 1969 Northern Michigan University graduate throughout his personal life and lengthy career working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Northern Michigan University alumnus Jon Mommaerts of Marquette said “it was outside of the classroom where I learned everything that made me who I am today.” It seems an appropriate sentiment from someone who has enhanced the area's outdoor silent sports culture by helping to establish a renowned trail network and world-class skiing and biking events. 

NMU alumna Tara Laase-McKinney ('10 BS) will compete in this weekend's Marji Gesick 100, a grueling bike challenge that covers 100+ miles of relentless, rocky U.P. terrain and involves 12,000 feet of climbing. She gained insights on how to optimize her training and performance from students in an NMU advanced mechanical kinesiology class.

When the new season of Survivor: the Island of Idols begins on CBS Wednesday, Sept. 25, it will feature a former NMU hockey player among its cast members.

NMU alumnus Barry West ('85 BS) recently joined the board of directors of Route1, an advanced North American provider of industrial-grade data intelligence, user authentication and ultra-secure mobile workforce solutions.