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Northern Michigan University alumnus and Marquette native Gabe Thorburn served as associate editor on “KPop Demon Hunters,” which won the Academy Award for best animated feature. He got to hold an Oscar at a celebratory toast hosted after the ceremony at Sony Pictures Animation, which produced the film. He also joined Sony colleagues on stage in February to accept the award for best editorial-feature at the 2026 Annie Awards, which recognize the greatest achievements in animation. 

Dr. Jongeun You, assistant professor in Northern Michigan University's Department of Political Science and Public Administration and a member of NMU's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workgroup, has published a case study examining how Michigan uses AI to compete in the national race for talent. The study focuses on the AI-powered Michigan Career Portal and a statewide workforce plan with a unified brand and messaging strategy to attract talent.

NMU Giving Day on Thursday exceeded expectations and goals. The event raised $140,000 for NMU students through gifts from more than 550 donors. It also generated $30,000 in additional support through participation challenges, the “Power Hour” from noon-1 p.m., and match gifts.

Northern Michigan University will host a staged reading of “Find a TV,” a play about regional residents' memories of the 9/11 attacks, based on dozens of oral interviews. Three readings are scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, March 26-27, and 2 p.m Saturday, March 28, in Jamrich 1100. They are free and open to the public, though donations are appreciated. Each performance will be followed by a discussion with the cast. crew and writers. 

Sharon Carlson, an NMU alumna from Marquette, has been appointed to the Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators. She is the senior director of nursing at Eastwood Nursing Center in western Marquette County, and previously served as an administrator at Medilodge of Munising and an RN at Bayside Village.

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.