Alumni

Jim Paquette of Negaunee developed an interest in history and archaeology at a young age, in large part because his paternal grandfather instilled pride in the family's French Canadian-First Nation Métis ancestry and traditional lifestyle. As he grew older, Paquette wanted to learn more about his family's history in the region. He read and copied volumes of material from the library at Northern Michigan University, his alma mater, and began searching for and locating early cultural sites where various ancient stone and copper artifacts helped to reveal the story. This led to an avid passion for more discoveries and a partnership with NMU faculty, both of which continue today.

Stephanie Lay, who received her bachelor's degree in sociology from Northern Michigan in 2011, is this year's recipient of NMU's Outstanding Young Alumni Award. She provides crisis care to suicidal adolescents as a member of the behavior emergency response team at Children's Hospital Oakland in California. She also has a private therapy practice in nearby San Francisco, where she specializes in gender identity, depression, suicidal ideation and self-harm.

Northern Michigan University's 2022 Homecoming features several events for alumni and community members. This year's celebration is Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 and 24.

Northern Michigan University's College of Business will host NMU alumnus John Baltes as the 2022 Executive in Residence Sept. 27-29. He is the retired CEO of SVA, a multi-entity professional services company. Baltes will share insights from his 30 years of leadership and business strategy experience, as well as a strong data systems background, with the NMU and Marquette communities.

“Mending the Stress Fence,” a presentation on managing the stressors faced by farmers and agricultural professionals, will be held at Northern Michigan University on Friday, Sept. 9. The presentation begins at 3 p.m. in the Northern Center Peninsula II room. It will be about 30 minutes in length with an open discussion at the end. 

NMU alumnus Cory Gylock has been promoted to vice president and general manager of Nexstar Media's digital operations of WLAX-TV (FOX) and WEUX-TV (FOX) in La Crosse/Eau Claire, Wis., and their related digital and social media channels. The 2012 marketing graduate previously served as general sales manager for the stations.

Debra Greenacre, a 2003 NMU elementary education alumna and executive director of the Manistee Public Library, demonstrates the importance of following your dreams, no matter how long it takes for them to come into clear focus. Greenacre was featured in the Huron Daily Tribune as a part of a series on women in leadership positions.

Northern Michigan University alumna Karen Saari was commissioned to co-write a musical titled Ten Days in a Madhouse, about journalist Nellie Bly's experience infiltrating a notorious insane asylum to report on the abhorrent conditions. The show had its world premiere Aug. 19-27 through Music Theatre of Madison in Wisconsin. The Upper Peninsula native said it was research for an NMU class assignment that sparked her lifelong fascination with Bly.  

The late Michael Zuke, a 1971 NMU alumnus and former Wildcat gymnast, is featured as part of the “Sault Legends” series on the Ontario website saultonline.com for his contributions to the sport as a competitor and coach. He passed away in 2014, two years after being inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Hall of Fame.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations has announced four recipients of the 2022 Alumni Awards: Steve Nystrom ('82 BS, '86 MA) of Marquette, Distinguished Alumni; James Paquette ('74 BS) of Negaunee, Alumni Achievement; Stephanie Lay ('10 AS, '11 BS) of Oakland, Calif., Outstanding Young Alumni; and Chris Mosier ('03 MFA) of Chicago, Ill., Alumni Service - Community.