Alumni

When Melaina Mrozek Stypulkowska ('16 BA) was an NMU freshman, she and her mother made a pact to bike the scenic route from their home state of Minnesota to Marquette. They planned to tackle it her senior year, but the dream was deferred by injury and a study-abroad program that led to an extended stay overseas. The women finally achieved their goal at the height of a heat wave in June, traveling 411 miles over seven eventful days.

Protocols for diagnosing and treating concussions have improved significantly through enhanced education and training, expanded academic research, and more sophisticated technology tools. Maggy Moore of NMU's School of Health and Human Performance is dedicating more time to all of the above as the first five-year recipient of the Mark. R. and Eileen Lovell Endowed Professorship. 

David Lindbeck, a 2001 NMU alumnus, will assume his new role as principal at Kingsford High School on July 1. The Iron River native taught four years in residential treatment for students with emotional/behavioral disorders in Illinois and Wisconsin. He also taught high school special education for a combined 15 years in Waterford and Wausaukee, Wis.

NMU Art & Design alumnus Josh McKenzie (BFA '13) is profiled by the VoyageLA publication as one of Los Angeles' “rising stars.” McKenzie is a storyboard artist at Nickelodeon, and in the process of shopping around his first young adult-focused graphic novel.

NMU psychology alumnus Todd Hillhouse ('09 BS, '11 MS) is already making his mark as an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. He joined the faculty last August and opened a new Pain and Addiction Neuropharmacology (PANE) lab in November. Hillhouse works with a half-dozen student researchers to develop novel treatments for pain management, addiction and associated depression.

NMU alumnus Dale Moilanen ('91 BS) recently ran a distance to match his age: a 60K, which equates to 37 miles. His goal was to raise $600 to support construction of a new facility named after another NMU grad: the Steve Mariucci Family Beacon House. Moilanen ended up raising 10 times that amount—nearly $6,000—when he asked friends to donate $60 each to the cause. 

Northern Michigan University Executive Chef and alumna Alden Griffus ('10) will share her favorite summer recipes during a virtual cooking segment for the next Northern Now event hosted by NMU Alumni Relations. She will be joined by Scott Bousson ('11), operations manager of Dining Services, at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, June 9.

NMU alumnus Mike Angeli ('87) has retired after 45 years of service to the City of Marquette, most recently as city manager since 2015. He began his career as a police officer, applying his bachelor's degree in criminal justice. After a brief stint as detective captain, he was promoted to police chief in 2008.

NMU management alumnus Brent Madalinski ('91 BS) was recently named a recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award from Bay College in Escanaba, where he serves as a full-time business instructor. The award recognizes commitment to education and excellence in service to others. Recipients are nominated by colleagues, students or community members.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations is hosting Fireside with Fritz: A Conversation with President Erickson at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, May 12. Alumni are invited to join President Erickson for a fireside chat as he shares campus updates, answers questions, and virtually connects with the Wildcat community.