Alumni

Alumna to Screen Movie, Discuss Book March 13

Mar. 7, 2024 —
Northern Michigan University alumna and Ironwood native Beth Rondeau Deacon will return to campus on Wednesday, March 13, for a series of events related to her work as a screenwriter, book author and mathematics teacher. She and director/producer Terence Gordon will present a free 6 p.m. showing of the movie based on Deacon's first screenplay, Intent Unknown, followed by a Q&A in Jamrich 1100. The psychological thriller stars Eric Roberts and revolves around four ambitious psychology students who embark on a risky experiment to unravel the mysteries of human behavior.

Alumna Expands Role at LitNet

Feb. 23, 2024 —
NMU alumna Amanda Giracca, who earned a master's degree in English, has expanded her role with Literacy Network (LitNet). She joined the LitNet team in 2020 and most recently served as the organization's Grants and Communications Coordinator. She joins the staff full-time with the additional role of New Programs Coordinator.

Cinelli Publishes Book on Typography

Feb. 8, 2024 —
NMU alumna Mia Cinelli recently published her first book, "Giving Type Meaning: Context and Craft in Typography." As an associate professor in the School of Art and Visual Studies at the University of Kentucky, she engages with textbooks and resources surrounding the subjects of type and design. But she could not find a book that focused on the layers of meaning behind typography and answered her own question: “When we look at typefaces— when we look at words in the world and what they look like—how do we understand what they mean?” So she wrote her own.

Oswald Named CEO at Hill & Wilkinson

Feb. 1, 2024 —
Mike Oswald, a 2003 Northern Michigan University construction management alumnus and former Wildcat football player, has been promoted to CEO of Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors in Richardson, Texas. He joined the firm as a project engineer shortly after earning his NMU degree. His solid performance fueled rapid promotions through various leadership roles over the past 20 years. Prior to being elevated to CEO, Oswald served as chief operating officer, managing field operations for all divisions.

Marshallese Alumnus Returns to Campus

Jan. 26, 2024 —
Wilbert Alik, a 2021 Northern Michigan University anthropology alumnus from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, recently donated a flag from the island nation in the northwest Pacific to the collection of world flags hanging in the Whitman Hall Commons on campus. After earning his NMU degree, Alik returned to his home country and became director of its Historic Preservation Office and the national historic preservation officer.

Parkhurst Promoted at SRCTec

Jan. 19, 2024 —
Northern Michigan University alumnus Geoff Parkhurst, who earned a master's in administrative service in 1995, was promoted to director of life cycle management at SRCTec. The not-for-profit research and development company “combines information, science, technology and ingenuity to solve ‘impossible' problems in the areas of defense, environment and intelligence."

Alumnus Directs Advancing Macomb

Jan. 12, 2024 —
Northern Michigan University alumnus Phil Gilchrist is the new executive director of Advancing Macomb, a nonprofit organization that convenes resources to solve community challenges and enrich the lives of Macomb County residents. His role involves program oversight, financial administration, strategic planning and execution, marketing and public relations.