Northern Michigan University art and design student Alayna Storey was awarded a $500 scholarship from the Ukrainian American Veterans as part of their annual essay competition.

The national defense bill awaiting the president's signature includes funding to protect a federal program that helps American broadband operators remove and replace any telecommunications equipment that was produced by the Chinese-owned Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation. According to a release from Sen. Gary Peters, the equipment poses a threat to national security. Of the $35 million allotted for Michigan under the “Rip and Replace” program, NMU would receive $27 million for equipment upgrades and broadband network expansion.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced two appointments to the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees, effective Jan. 1. Venus Joy Brown of Detroit serves as vice president of human resources, organizational effectiveness and employee experience for Assembly Global. Lisa Fittante of Kingsford, whose term as an NMU trustee was set to expire at the end of the year, will continue to serve on the board. The NMU alumna is owner of Fittante and Colenso, CPA, P.C. Both appointments expire Dec. 31, 2032.

Northern Michigan University is planning a week of service activities around the theme, “Empowering Community through Action,” beginning with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 20. The overarching goal will be to assemble and donate winter care kits to Room at the Inn to support those in need during the cold-weather months, but additional daily programming is scheduled as well.

Northern Michigan University Assistant Professor Jongeun You has been awarded one of nine Future Shocks Challenge Grants for his case study on the integration of land use and water planning in Colorado. The Future Shocks initiative, led by the IBM Center for The Business of Government and the National Academy of Public Administration, is designed to help governments identify and develop core capabilities critical to building resilience.

Lucas Quinteros, who graduated Dec. 14 with a degree in graphic design, earned the Best in Show Award for the work he created for NMU's Senior Art Exhibition.

NMU international studies alumnus Chris Wellens was promoted to assistant executive director at Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center in Laconia, N.H. The nonprofit offers year-round programs for all ages designed to "preserve and pass down knowledge and skills that encourage an understanding of the natural systems that sustain us all and respect for the environment."

NMU environmental studies and sustainability alumna Emma Dillman's recent hire as a waste reduction educator for the Kent County (Michigan) Department of Public Works is featured in a Waste Today publication story. The 2021 graduate will help area residents and businesses learn how to reduce and repurpose waste.

Lucille Contois, former NMU professor and alumna, was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Marquette County Evergreen Award, which honors an individual who makes the county a better place for women and girls. The Upper Peninsula native has demonstrated her dedication to educating students at NMU, helping programs gain accreditation, and advocating for women with Marquette's Zonta Club.

The Northern Michigan University women's lacrosse team, led by head coach Lindsey (LeMay) Majkrzak, volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in Marquette at 9 a.m. on a recent snowy Saturday to help sort and package can-a-thon donations. 

With Northern Michigan University housing at full capacity and continued enrollment growth increasing student demand to live on campus, the NMU Board of Trustees today agreed to invest $3.5 million in design, development and construction management services for two new apartment complexes, capable of accommodating 384 students. The two buildings will be located on university property along both sides of Presque Isle Avenue—one between Fair Avenue and Subway on the east, and the other from Cohodas Hall to Waldo Street on the west.

Through gifts from private donors, Northern Michigan University's School of Nursing has acquired more advanced equipment that enhances student learning and safety while providing better career preparation for the equipment they will work with after graduation. The $50,000 in purchases include new long-term beds similar to those used in extended care facilities, new medical/surgical beds seen in hospital settings, tables that allow more flexible classroom configurations, and IV and urinary catheter models to practice on before dealing with actual patients in a clinical setting. 

Northern Michigan University successfully applied to host a member of the MI Healthy Climate Corps, a service program dedicated to developing an enduring, capable network of climate professionals committed to serving communities and building a more sustainable future for the state. NMU 2015 alumna and Negaunee native Anna Solberg has returned to campus to serve as MHC Corps climate action coordinator through October 2025. She will work with Assistant Vice President for Sustainability Jes Thompson to keep NMU aligned with its “Our Compass” strategic plan and carbon neutrality plan action items, as well as broader Michigan climate targets.

Northern Michigan University and InvestUP will launch a new program in January that will empower participating students through professional internships and mentoring, while also focusing on their leadership development and academic success. By creating a clear pipeline from education to employment, “The Wildcat Collective: Leaders of Honor and Ambition” program is designed to address critical, shared goals such as local talent retention and population growth to benefit NMU and Upper Peninsula communities.

Two Northern Michigan University alumni who co-founded Kall Morris Inc. (KMI), a Marquette-based company focused on keeping space clear of orbital debris, were selected from more than 10,000 nominees to join the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 in the category of Transportation & Mobility. An innovative technology prototype developed by KMI arrived at the International Space Station for testing in early November, and the company is a two-time winner of a Michigan Best Small Business Award. 

Northern Michigan University biology alumna Niyomi House was part of the Limelight Rainforest team awarded the $5 million grand prize in the XPRIZE Rainforest competition. The winners were announced at the G20 Social Summit Nov. 18 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. XPRIZE is “the world's leader in designing and operating large-scale incentive competitions to solve humanity's grand challenges.” House ran the genetics subteam for Limelight.

Matthew Jennings, associate professor in the School of Clinical Sciences, is the students' choice to serve as faculty keynote speaker at Northern Michigan University's Dec. 14 commencement. He was selected through a nomination process overseen by ASNMU, the student government organization.

Northern Michigan University alumna Frida Waara, a Marquette businesswoman, adventurer, storyteller and “U.P. ambassador,” will receive an honorary Doctor of Business degree at NMU's mid-year commencement this month. She graduated in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in French.