The Marquette Police Department ended the official search for Northern Michigan University construction management student Trenton Massey at 4 p.m. Wednesday. NMU had held an information session for the campus community earlier that day to address the university's involvement in the effort, advice related to self-care during stressful situations, and an overview of available well-being resources.
“There's no other word than humbling to describe the number of people who have come out to help with this situation,” said NMU President Chris Olsen, who spent much of the search period at the base of operations. “There have been hundreds of people—especially students, but also faculty, staff and community members. It's hard not to be overwhelmed by the amount of support that people have given and the care they've shown. And we've had mountains of food and supplies delivered. We didn't ask anyone; they just showed up.”
Olsen said the university had worked closely with Massey's family, helping to coordinate lodging and meals while trying to give them space and preserve their privacy.
Jeff Korpi said it was impressive to see the amount and variety of agency resources available to help this type of operation. He echoed Olsen's gratitude to those who braved the winter elements to assist.
“On Monday, given the snow day at Northern, we think we had about 350 students that we were able to deploy into different areas of Marquette while law enforcement did their work along the shoreline,” he added. “Those students showed up not knowing what they would be asked to do. They just got out there and helped out, and that's been huge. But what I ask, not only today but beyond, is to stay away from the lakeshore. The ice isn't as safe as it might look.”
NMU Police Chief Mike Bath reinforced that warning, describing rapidly changing ice conditions on Lake Superior.
“Where they were at yesterday, they had safe ice that they were able to work on. That ice is not there anymore, or it's degraded. There's a lot of moving. Yesterday they were chain-sawing a hole 20 inches deep, and today, that ice is gone. So please be careful. But for those of you who came out and helped, thank you very much. You helped take care of some of those areas that we [law enforcement] just don't have the personnel to get to in a timely fashion. Trenton's parents and extended family have been amazed at the outpouring of community support.”
As the focus shifts from active search efforts to healing, Angie Stebbins of Counseling and Consultation Services, who will become the university's assistant vice president for holistic well-being on March 2, addressed the emotional toll.
“Right now, you may find that it's difficult to concentrate,” Stebbins said. “You may feel on edge. You may feel irritable. You may experience changes in appetite and sleep. Some of us might want to isolate, and some of us may not want to be alone. Those are all common responses to a stressful situation. Sometimes we have thoughts of ‘I should've' or ‘If only.' That's your brain's way of trying to make sense of something that feels senseless.”
Stebbins also offered practical advice for those at the session: check in with one another, hydrate, rest, keep a sleep schedule, and spend time with loved ones and pets. She also encouraged students to limit social media and to move their bodies when they can.
“Be gentle with yourself. Be compassionate. There's no right way to respond to this,” she added.
The Counseling Center will remain open over spring break, offering teletherapy and crisis support services. For more on NMU's resources, visit nmu.edu/wellbeing.