July 2021

Former Wildcat swimmer and NMU alumnus Arnoldo Herrera departed Sunday for Tokyo, where he will represent his home country of Costa Rica in the Olympics. The December 2019 electrical engineering graduate will compete in the 200-meter breaststroke.

The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association has announced the four recipients of 2021 Alumni Awards who will be honored during Homecoming this fall. They are: Mary Jo Mulligan-Kehoe, Ph.D. ('68 BS) of Huntington Beach, Calif., Distinguished Alumni; Susan Meier ('87 BS) of Riverdale, Mich., Alumni Achievement; T.J. Weber, ('11 BS) of San Luis Obispo, Calif., Outstanding Young Alumni; and Lina Blair ('05 BS, '08 MS) of Grand Rapids, Mich., Alumni Service.

Kimberly Hongisto, benefits and onboarding specialist in Human Resources at Northern Michigan University, is one of the 2021 Excellence in Service Award recipients. 

Kyle Hawn, a building and grounds attendant at Northern Michigan University, is one of the 2021 Excellence in Service Award recipients. 

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees today approved a new five-year contract ratified by the Technical and Office Professionals union (UAW 1950). The agreement is effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026.

When Melaina Mrozek Stypulkowska ('16 BA) was an NMU freshman, she and her mother made a pact to bike the scenic route from their home state of Minnesota to Marquette. They planned to tackle it her senior year, but the dream was deferred by injury and a study-abroad program that led to an extended stay overseas. The women finally achieved their goal at the height of a heat wave in June, traveling 411 miles over seven eventful days.

Protocols for diagnosing and treating concussions have improved significantly through enhanced education and training, expanded academic research, and more sophisticated technology tools. Maggy Moore of NMU's School of Health and Human Performance is dedicating more time to all of the above as the first five-year recipient of the Mark. R. and Eileen Lovell Endowed Professorship. 

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance has released its schedule of 2021-22 productions, which will be performed for live audiences again after the pandemic required a pivot to virtual shows last season.

Lee Gould, NMU safety/fire marshall, is a 2021 Excellence in Service Award recipient. He was asked to co-chair the Safety and Risk Enforcement Logistics team, composed of individuals from different areas across campus and charged with developing a plan to promote the health and safety of the university. The group met at least weekly, and often multiple times a week, to work through safety plans.