February 2025

NMU Well-Represented in U.P. Moose Study

NMU Bands Launch Okanagan Charter Concert Series

Feb. 19, 2025 —
Northern Michigan University's Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will launch a new Okanagan Charter Concert Series, which highlights musical themes that support NMU's strategic commitment to well-being, at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Both groups will perform pieces that advance the dialogue of mental health awareness. New Director of Bands Steven Riley will also mark his first NMU concert by incorporating a multi-movement suite by a Michigan composer that features the melodies of numerous folk tunes to honor the agricultural, maritime and lumbering history of the state.

'Soul Food Sunday' Feast Offered at NMU

Feb. 13, 2025 —
One of the remaining Black History Month activities planned at NMU this month is a “Soul Food Sunday” buffet-style feast prepared by Yusuf Bin-Rella. The celebrated chef, farmer and advocate for cultural foodways has worked alongside Michael Twitty, culinary historian and author of The Cooking Gene. Bin-Rella is a chef at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Dejope Residence Hall, and at the TradeRoots Culinary Collective he co-founded, which is a group of Afro-culinary genealogists exploring lineage through food.

Alumni Worked on Oscar-Nominated Films

Feb. 13, 2025 —
Northern Michigan University alumni played important roles in two of the 2025 Academy Award nominees for Best Animated Feature Film. Three were involved in Disney and Pixar's "Inside Out 2," the highest-grossing animated film in history: Kelsey Mann ('98), director; Dan Scanlon ('87), executive producer; and Neil Helm ('05), lead supervising crowds animator. Northern graduate Joshua Brock ('09) served as modeling lead for "The Wild Robot," DreamWorks Animation's nominee in the same category. The Oscars will be presented Sunday, March 2.

NMU Dining Launches New Concept

Feb. 13, 2025 —
Northern Michigan University Dining has launched Noba, a new concept on campus that revolves around a variety of bubble tea drink options including milk teas, refreshers and freezes. They come in a variety of flavors and can be infused with traditional boba—tapioca pearls—or popping boba, which are juice-filled pearls. Noba is located in Temaki on Presque Isle Avenue.

Grad Makes U.S. Team for Nordic World Championships

Feb. 12, 2025 —
Northern Michigan University 2020 economics alumnus and former Wildcat skier Zak Ketterson is one of eight members of the men's team that will represent the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team at the 2025 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway from Feb. 27-March 9. Athletes from more than 60 countries will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals across six events: four individual races—20k skiathlon, 10k classic, 50k skate and a skate sprint; and two team events—the the team sprint and 4x7.5k relay.

'Northern Now' Focuses on 125th Anniversary

Feb. 10, 2025 —
Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations invites alumni and friends to virtually join President Brock Tessman for a special 125th-anniversary edition of the Northern Now digital event series. He will explore NMU's rich history alongside esteemed guests with deep ties to the university at 7 p.m. EST Tuesday, Feb. 18. It will be an opportunity for alumni to reflect on their time at NMU, reconnect with fellow Wildcats, and celebrate the legacy of their alma mater.