Articles

Two Northern Michigan University alumni who co-founded Kall Morris Inc. (KMI), a Marquette-based company focused on keeping space clear of orbital debris, were selected from more than 10,000 nominees to join the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 in the category of Transportation & Mobility. An innovative technology prototype developed by KMI arrived at the International Space Station for testing in early November, and the company is a two-time winner of a Michigan Best Small Business Award. 

Northern Michigan University biology alumna Niyomi House was part of the Limelight Rainforest team awarded the $5 million grand prize in the XPRIZE Rainforest competition. The winners were announced at the G20 Social Summit Nov. 18 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. XPRIZE is “the world's leader in designing and operating large-scale incentive competitions to solve humanity's grand challenges.” House ran the genetics subteam for Limelight.

Matthew Jennings, associate professor in the School of Clinical Sciences, is the students' choice to serve as faculty keynote speaker at Northern Michigan University's Dec. 14 commencement. He was selected through a nomination process overseen by ASNMU, the student government organization.

Northern Michigan University alumna Frida Waara, a Marquette businesswoman, adventurer, storyteller and “U.P. ambassador,” will receive an honorary Doctor of Business degree at NMU's mid-year commencement this month. She graduated in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in French.

Steve Tramp, a 1988 Northern Michigan University accounting alumnus, recently joined National Exchange Bank & Trust as a senior vice president of commercial lending at the downtown Fond du Lac, Wis. office. The Marquette native has more than 25 years of experience in the lending industry.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present its Holiday Soirée celebration and fundraiser for student scholarships on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The festive event kicks off with a holiday buffet and live auction from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Panowski Black Box Theatre, followed by student and guest-star performances from 7:30-9. There will also be a special visit from Santa Claus.

An inaugural NMU Black alumni reunion held earlier this fall was billed by organizers as “a success beyond our wildest expectations, and an amazing weekend for all.” According to 1984 graduate Darryl Thompson, it had been years since many of the attendees were in Marquette. They gathered over an October weekend and checked out some of the changes on campus, attended a Wildcat football game, socialized at local restaurants, and explored longtime favorite sites such as Sugarloaf Mountain.

Northern Michigan University 2018 marketing alumna Senja Spelman presented at Top 500 Live, the home improvement industry's leading sales and lead-generation conference. The event features CEOs and experts focused on today's best practices in sales and marketing, along with home improvement business owners and entrepreneurs. Spelman currently works as the marketing director at BathWorks.

Northern Michigan University Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Shawnrece Butler is among six humanities leaders elected to the Board of the Federation of State Humanities Councils at the Federation's annual business meeting Nov. 16.