Alumni

NMU alumna Nanette Hanson, the 2023 Michigan State Teacher of the Year, was honored on the field before the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 8, and stayed to watch the Michigan Wolverines win the trophy. She is a first-grade teacher at Lemmer Elementary School in Escanaba. The recognition was part of the College Football Playoff Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers program.

Andy Contois, a 2006 NMU financial management alumnus and former Wildcat hockey player, will serve as an assistant coach for Team White when it faces Team Blue in the 2024 Chipotle All-American Game on Jan. 15 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. The game features 45 top prospects from the United States Hockey League (USHL)—the nation's only Tier 1 junior hockey league—who are eligible for the 2024 NHL draft.

Two Northern Michigan University alumni who maintained longtime connections with their alma mater through service or occupation will receive honorary degrees at NMU's commencement: Scott Holman, a 1965 alumnus and NMU Trustee Emeritus; and Thomas Holmstrom, a 1959 graduate and Professor Emeritus of Economics.

Al Gray of Marquette, who holds two degrees from Northern Michigan University, was recently appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the first statewide LGBTQ+ commission. Gray earned a bachelor's in philosophy and sociology in 2018 and a Master of Social Work in 2023. They serve as an LLMSW at Suunta Integrative Health, program coordinator for Trace Holistic Inc., and volunteer co-facilitator with the Upper Peninsula's Stand with Trans Teen support group, according to a press release.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations will host two virtual events as part of its Northern Now series for NMU alumni and friends: a holiday cooking segment on Wednesday, Dec. 13; and a chat with President Brock Tessman on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Both begin at 7 p.m. EST. 

Nathan Gauss, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who earned an MPA from Northern in 2015 en route to a post-military career, is the subject of a Veterans Spotlight in the News-Times in York, Neb. The Ann Arbor native now works for the Department of Veterans Affairs, where both his mother and stepfather were previously employed.

Northern Michigan University alumnus, filmmaker and author Jeff Vande Zande will hold a screening of his short films at the Peter White Public Library. The event is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the library's Community Room. It is free and open to the public. 

Cooper Graves, a 2017 NMU hospitality management graduate, is the executive chef at Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar in Grand Rapids. He appeared on television Tuesday morning to promote the dining establishment as part of Grand Rapids' Restaurant Week.  

Northern Michigan University 2006 alumna Jenna Nelson will begin her role as Marquette County's first female prosecuting attorney on Monday, Nov. 27. She currently serves as Marquette County's chief assistant prosecuting attorney. She will assume office upon the resignation of current Prosecuting Attorney and NMU alumnus Matt Wiese, who was recently appointed 25th Circuit Court Judge. 

Northern Michigan University's Theatre and Dance Department marked its 60th anniversary by hosting an inaugural alumni awards celebration in late October to honor exceptional achievements in the entertainment arts.