Around NMU

Northern Michigan University's DeVos Art Museum will host its annual children's art exhibition from May 5-26. A reception is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, to celebrate talented elementary student artists and the educators who make the exhibition possible. It is free and open to the public.

Some of the elementary students participating in the recent Marquette Alger Young Authors Conference stopped by to read their books to NMU President Brock Tessman and First Lady Kristin Tessman. Pictured left to right are: Logan Alba, 3rd grade, Lakeview; Evie Parent, Kindergarten, Graveraet; President Tessman; Ady Akerley, 1st grade, Graveraet; Brensen Westman, 4th grade, Gilbert; Kristin Tessman; and Ansley Sundberg, 5th grade, Aspen Ridge.

Northern Michigan University students assisted the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in achieving Certified B Corp status, which is based on using business as a powerful force for good and building credibility and trust with consumers. 

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees' Student Achievement Awards were presented to five recipients for their contributions to the quality of life at NMU. Gwendolyn Feamster from Linden, Mich., and Katarina Rothhorn of Lansing are the 2024 outstanding graduating seniors. Recipients of the remaining outstanding awards in their respective categories are: Erika Laitinen-Odbert of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Global Campus Student; Phoebe Martin, San Jose, Calif., Nontraditional Student; Mackenzie Baranski, Caro, Mich., Graduate Student; and Mary Kelly of Plymouth, Mich., Student of Any Class.

Students from Northern Michigan University's Biology and Psychological Science Departments dominated the award categories at the 28th annual Celebration of Student Scholarship held April 18. Students shared their work with the NMU and Marquette communities by presenting research posters and oral presentations. 

Northern Michigan University's spring commencement carries added significance for Kristie Peterson of Marenisco. The mother of three has achieved her deferred dream of earning a bachelor's degree by completing the online applied workplace leadership program through NMU Global Campus. And in a case of serendipitous timing—about a week before Mother's Day—she will march in the ceremony alongside her daughter and elementary education graduate, Nadia Rosemurgy.

Northern Michigan University's Public Relations Students Society of America (PRSSA) hosted its 6th annual Coffee Crawl in downtown Marquette. This event is held yearly in April to coincide with Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Proceeds go directly to the Women's Center of Marquette. This year's event raised more than $6,000.

By the late 19th century, the Upper Peninsula flourished with immigrants who had come to work in the copper and iron mining and logging industries. Their children needed an education, but 75% of teachers in the area had no formal training and were likely fresh out of secondary school. Notable Marquette residents including Peter White lobbied for the establishment of what was then called a normal school—a translation of the French term école normale—to train and certify teachers in the region. The state legislature refused the first few proposals, but on April 28, 1899, Gov. Hazen Pingree signed a bill authorizing Northern State Normal School in Marquette. The pen he used on that fateful day is stored at the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center on campus.

Northern Michigan University's School of Art and Design has opened its annual exhibition featuring the works of graduating seniors at the DeVos Art Museum. A series of related events is planned on Friday, May 3: a screening of student digital art from 6-7 p.m.; a closing reception beginning at 7; and the announcement of gold, silver and bronze award winners at 8. The exhibition runs through May 4. 

Eleven Northern Michigan University faculty members selected to receive awards of excellence for teaching, scholarship, leadership and technology innovation were honored at an April 22 celebration on campus.