March 2026

Andrew “Andy” Wasilewski, a Northern Michigan University alumnus who retired from NMU as associate vice president for auxiliary services, recently self-published a book about his hometown titled “Old Cantrall: A History of a Small Village Carved Out of the Illinois Wilderness.” including the earliest settlers' business relationships with Abraham Lincoln and Charles Lindbergh's emergency landing in the village the year before his famous transatlantic flight.

Comedian Sal Vulcano of "Impractical Jokers" fame will make a stop at Northern Michigan University on his "Everything's Fine" tour Thursday, April 23. Doors to Vandament Arena open at 6:15 p.m. and the show begins at 7.

Northern Michigan University Professors Matt Van Grinsven and James DeDecker will present the next Climate @ Noon presentation, titled “Soil Samples and Sustainable Agriculture.” The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, March 20, in 1300 Jamrich Hall.

Northern Michigan University's longstanding UNITED Conference has been transformed for 2026 into a three-day event March 25-27. It weaves together NMU initiatives— Campus Sustainability Summit, Common Reader Program, Poetry Without Borders and Wildcat WellBeing Fair—and a partnership with the PEAK26 professional development conference into one cohesive experience. 

The Northern Michigan University community, including alumni and friends, will come together Thursday, March 19, for NMU Giving Day. The theme of this year's fundraising event is “Give to what you love, and rally your fellow Wildcats to do the same.” Participants are encouraged to support the causes that shaped their time at NMU, from academic departments and athletic teams to student organizations and campus programs.

Northern Michigan University's Music Department has announced that the scheduled 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15 concert featuring the NMU Choirs and the NMU Wind Ensemble is canceled because of the major winter storm predicted for the region. This concert has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. next Sunday, March 22, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Admission is free. 

The NMU Center for Native American Studies (CNAS) is hosting its Fire Site Storytelling Series on select Thursdays in March and April. These events are free and open to the public.

Northern Michigan University Police Det./Lt. Jon Kovar has been selected as the 2025 Officer of the Year by the Marquette County Law Enforcement Administrators Association (MCLEAA). The award presentation took place March 12 at the organization's monthly meeting. Kovar is also an NMU alumnus. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 2010 and an MPA in 2021.

As part of its America 250 speaker series, the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University will host a presentation titled  “Armed and Disguised: The Revolutionary Life of Deborah Sampson.” NMU History Associate Professor Emily Romeo will share the intriguing story of Sampson, who fought for the U.S. Continental Army under the male alias of Robert Shurtliff. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in the Lydia Olson Library Atrium in Harden Hall. It is free and open to the public.

Upper Peninsula winners of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for grades 7-12 will be honored at a reception and awards presentation from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in room 165 of the Art & Design Building. The event coincides with the final day of an exhibition of students' works at NMU's DeVos Art Museum.