Around NMU

Northern Michigan University President Brock Tessman invited a small group of alumni and friends to meet to learn more about the university's new strategic plan, Our Compass, and its grand challenges, goals and success measurements. Several were on campus Sunday and Monday (Oct. 20-21) to tour facilities; meet with students, faculty and staff; and discuss strategic plan goals and ideas. The group included Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks and a 1975 NMU communications graduate, who hosted a “fireside chat” with selected students in Reynolds Recital Hall.

Northern's iconic, modern-era Wildcat Willy mascot was first conceived in 1984, when then-hockey coach and current athletic director Rick Comley tapped student Jay McQuillan to pioneer a design for a suited figure that would energize the environment at athletic events, increase school spirit and provide a unified look for all NMU teams. But an early incarnation of a mascot was actually a live female bobcat named … Bobby.

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees today approved a fiscal year 2024-2025 general fund operating budget that includes $2.6 million in new investments and initiatives that align with NMU's strategic priorities.

In his fall convocation ushering in a new academic year, Northern Michigan University President Brock Tessman outlined a trio of “grand challenges” that NMU will focus on moving forward, and updated the university's core values and mission/vision statements. All are included in the close-to-final version of the “Our Compass” strategic plan, and were the direct result of extensive engagement opportunities on campus and in the community last year.

Northern Michigan University is partnering with Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette to launch Wildcat Gold, a new beer created by alumni, for alumni, in celebration of NMU's 125th anniversary. The gold lager will make its debut at the next Alumni Friday event from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 23, at the Blackrocks Brewery Pub. It will also be offered at the Homecoming football game tailgate party on Saturday, Sept. 21, and at Wildcat hockey games this season, while quantities last.

Northern Michigan University's Criminal Justice Department will double the number of students working directly with the Michigan State Police (MSP) to analyze U.P. homicide or missing persons cold cases in the hope of generating new leads. The recently approved state budget includes a $200,000 funding boost for the collaboration, which launched in fall 2022. 

Northern Michigan University has selected a new alma mater titled “Northern Pride” in conjunction with its 125th anniversary year. The anthem was composed by NMU multimedia journalism professor Dwight Brady.

Northern Michigan University and Michigan Technological University are collaborating on an Entrepreneurial Fellows Program, which gives students practical experience in identifying customers, strategic partners and suppliers critical to the success of early-stage Upper Peninsula companies.

Northern Michigan University's enrollment report for the winter semester that began in January shows an increase of 330 students, or 5.3%, compared with the same time last year. The overall headcount is 6,657. Improved persistence—the percentage of students who re-enroll after the fall semester—is also encouraging, particularly among freshmen.

Three new leadership appointees at Northern Michigan University will advance NMU's core values and strategic priorities related to inclusion and belonging, sustainability and academic excellence. Shawnrece Campbell, previously at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is assistant vice president for Diversity and Inclusion. NMU professor and alumna Jessica Thompson is assistant vice president for Sustainability. Anne Dahlman, most recently at Minnesota State University Mankato, will begin as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs on April 1.