NMU alumnus Lt. Col. Kip Taylor was paid special tribute during a ceremony honoring those killed during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Taylor died after terrorists hijacked American Airlines Flgiht 77 and flew it into the Pentagon.

The Northern Michigan University Foundation Board of Directors has welcomed three new members: Elizabeth L. Beck '03 BS of Columbia City, Ind.; John G. Gauthier '03 AB, ‘07 BS of Wixon, Mich.; and William (Bill) H. Hawker '95 BS of Green Bay, Wis. The three new board members bring expertise in corporate leadership, technology, cybersecurity, business development, professional sports and community engagement, along with strong connections to Northern Michigan University.

NMU alumna Arwen Hamel traveled the world as a student, and will continue that trend after graduation, with a two-year placement in the Peace Corps in Fiji.

James Lasak, a May outdoor recreation and leadership management graduate, developed an interest in sea kayaking after attending a presentation by a Munising outfitter in one of his NMU classes. He made it a year-round passion, whether assisting with tours along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore during summer breaks, or—inspired by local legend Surfer Dan—paddling more impressive waves in a wetsuit during the winter. His post-graduation job is also on Lake Superior, managing an adventure tourism company that offers sea-kayaking tours of the Apostle Islands.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations has announced three recipients of the 2025 Alumni Awards, all of whom reside in Michigan: Dr. Peter LaPine ('76 MA) of East Lansing, Distinguished Alumni; Barbara Coleman ('77 BS, '81 MS) of Marquette, Alumni Achievement; and Ian Lewis ('18 BS, '22 MPA) of Laurium, Outstanding Young Alumni.

Northern Michigan University alumnus John Berry Jr. has continued the philanthropic legacy passed down by his grandfather and father, whose entrepreneurial success heading the largest Yellow Pages advertising agency in the United States inspired them to give back to future generations in ways that reflected their core values, including education. John and Shirley Berry have become the leaders in lifetime giving to NMU, surpassing $10 million. Their most recent gifts of $3.5 million include $2 million to endow in perpetuity the College of Business Deanship in their names, and $1 million as an expendable fund to support the Northern Enterprise Center, the future home of the College of Business.

Northern Michigan University is partnering with Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette to launch Wildcat Gold, a new beer created by alumni, for alumni, in celebration of NMU's 125th anniversary. The gold lager will make its debut at the next Alumni Friday event from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 23, at the Blackrocks Brewery Pub. It will also be offered at the Homecoming football game tailgate party on Saturday, Sept. 21, and at Wildcat hockey games this season, while quantities last.

A small group hiked into a wooded area in Marquette County early this week, straining their necks to gaze upward in search of the desired nest perched near the top of a towering white pine. Within it were two larger-than expected bald eaglets, about nine weeks old and on the verge of flying. It was a small window of opportunity to band the birds and collect data that sheds light on their population changes related to climate change, chemicals, disease and other factors. 

Three Northern Michigan University alumni, all of whom reside in the Upper Peninsula, have been appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the NMU Board of Trustees. They are: Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham of Baraga; Steve Lindberg of Marquette; and Greg Toutant of Negaunee.