Alumni

Grads Receieve Nat Geo Grant for St. John Study

Image of a red-eyed coquí on a leaf
Jul. 10, 2018 —
Two recent NMU alumni—Collin Richter ('17 BS) and Samantha DiGiulio ('16 BS)—received a National Geographic Society Early Careers Grant for a joint study on how last year’s hurricanes impacted reptiles and amphibians on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their June project was a follow-up to independent research they completed as NMU students at the same location during an advanced field marine biology course led by Professor Jill Leonard.

Athletic Training Grad Working in Tennessee

Image of Elizabeth Endelman
Jul. 9, 2018 —
Elizabeth Endelman ('16 BS) will work the sideline of high school athletic events in Tennessee this fall for Starr Regional Medical Center in Athens, which took over the sports medicine services for the McMinn County School System earlier this year. In an SRMC feature story, Endelman said completing her athletic training degree at NMU gave her opportunities most students in the field do not get to experience: "While I was there, I was lucky enough to work with Olympic athletes in weightlifting and Greco-Roman wrestling."

Duling Named President of BWXT Subsidiary

Image of Joel W. Duling
Jun. 29, 2018 —
Joel W. Duling (’85 BS) is the new president of BWX Technologies' Nuclear Operations Group subsidiary in Lynchburg, Va. According to a news release, BWXTis a leading supplier of nuclear components and fuel to the U.S. government. Duling has nearly 30 years of leadership and management experience in the manufacturing and nuclear industries, including reactor operations, nuclear facility operations, armor and steel manufacturing, safety, environmental compliance and remediation.

Grad Recognized for Public Housing Development

Image of Zac Fosler accepting his honorable mention
Jun. 27, 2018 —
Zac Fosler (BS 2006) was recognized by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell on Capitol Hill, where he accepted honorable mention in the public housing category of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition's annual Edson Awards. The AHTCC is a national trade organization of housing professionals who advocate for affordable rental housing financed using the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Fosler is executive director/CEO of the Ypsilanti Housing Commission, which opened its New Parkridge affordable housing redevelopment project in January. Located at a former segregated housing site, New Parkridge was one of only three public housing projects nationwide honored through the awards program.

Alumna Named East Grand Rapids Superintendent

Image of Heidi Kattula
Jun. 25, 2018 —
Heidi Kattula ('98 MA) was a unanimous choice to become the new superintendent of East Grand Rapids Public Schools, effective Aug. 1. The board announced that it selected Kattula for "her strength in collaboration, her ability to increase student achievement through inclusion and accountability, and her experience in instructional leadership across all grade levels." She has 26 years of experience in public education, according to an EGRPS news release.

Alumna's Nursing Experience Informs Role as Judge

Image of Judge Kathryn Davis Messerich
Jun. 14, 2018 —

NMU alumna Kathryn Davis Messerich (BS ‘79) made a successful transition from nursing to a legal career. As chief judge of Minnesota's first judicial district, she has used her dual training presiding in juvenile court and previously in two drug courts. “The nursing background was incredibly helpful in understanding the scientific and medical issues associated with addiction and mental health,” said Messerich in a "Minnesota Lawyer" feature.

Grad Appointed to School Safety Task Force

Image of Paul Lauria
Jun. 14, 2018 —
NMU alumnus Paul Lauria ('95 BS) is among Gov. Rick Snyder's initial appointees to the School Safety Task Force. Lauria will represent law enforcement. He is chief of police for the Mt. Pleasant Department of Public Safety. The task force will identify structural and policy recommendations for collaboration, planning and assessment of school infrastructure and safety policies. It also will analyze top-performing states to determine best practices for law enforcement and preventative policies before submitting a final report to the governor no later than Nov. 30.

Alumnus Honors Parents with World Records

Image of Ron Sarchian
Jun. 13, 2018 —

Fueled by a desire to honor his parents, NMU alumnus Ron Sarchian (BS '87) has set seven Guinness World Records and plans to pursue more this summer. The former Wildcat football player punched a heavy bag for 50 hours, nine minutes. He also split 42 watermelons with a karate chop in one minute on the "Today" show.  The industrial technology grad worked seven years for Boeing in Seattle before moving to Southern California to be an actor, stuntman and personal trainer to the stars.