All News Releases

Alumna's 'To Be Marquette' Novel Published

Jan. 27, 2025
Northern Michigan University factors prominently in the third novel by 1981 English and French alumna Sharon Dilworth. "To Be Marquette" weaves in some factual elements from her time as a student—namely the controversial government-funded Project ELF and associated protests about its potential adverse effects on the environment. It also references familiar community landmarks and pays homage to the area's natural beauty. Dilworth said her growing concerns about climate change made her reflect on her NMU experience and reminisce with fellow alumni in recent years, which inspired her to write the book.
"To Be Marquette" book cover and author Sharon Dilworth (photo by George Lane)

Keith Third at IRONMAN World Championship

Jan. 27, 2025
Sharon (Frifeldt) Keith, a 1977 Northern Michigan University nursing graduate, competed in the Half-IRONMAN World Championship in New Zealand last month. She placed third among women in her 70-74 age group, swimming 1.2 miles in open water, biking 56 miles, then running 13.1 miles with no breaks in between. Keith's extended involvement in endurance events inspires younger athletes she trains with in Honolulu. It also enables her to make up for some lost time, as she was a relatively late bloomer in the sporting arena.    
Keith at the New Zealand competition

NMU Sustainability Summit Feb. 18

Jan. 24, 2025
Northern Michigan University will host a campus Sustainability Summit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18. The event will kick off in Forest Roberts Theatre with keynote speakers Chef Bryan Flower and Courtney Gallaher from Northern Illinois University discussing their Edible Campus. Other activities are scheduled throughout the day in Jamrich Hall and the Hedgcock Atrium.
SHINE (NMU Sustainability Hub for Innovation & Environment) graphic

NMU Alumni Events Planned in Green Bay

Jan. 22, 2025
Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations is hosting two Green Bay-area events for alumni and friends: a free gathering featuring immersive game experiences, appetizers and a cash bar from 6-8 p.m. CST Friday, Jan. 31, at The Turn Restaurant Lounge; and NMU night at the Green Bay Gamblers hockey game at 6:05 p.m. CST Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Resch Center. President Brock Tessman will attend both events.
Green Bay Gamblers logo

Alumnus Joins Public Health Advisory Council

Jan. 20, 2025
Northern Michigan University 2013 MPA graduate Nicholas Derusha of Newberry has been reappointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Public Health Advisory Council. He serves as the director and health officer of the Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department. He is also a member of the Michigan Center for Rural Health Board of Directors, a member of the Northern Health Foundation Board of Directors, and treasurer for the Helen Newberry Joy Hospital. 
Nicholas Derusha

Campus Cinema Presents 'We Live in Time'

Jan. 17, 2025
Northern Michigan University's Campus Cinema student organization will present the film “We Live in Time,” a 2024 rom-com starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, on Saturday, Jan. 18. The movie is being shown in John X. Jamrich Hall on Northern's campus, room 1100. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie begins at 7 p.m. The showing is free to NMU students or $1 for the public, and concessions will be available for purchase. 
Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh in a scene from "We Live in Time."

Hetrick Promoted at B&W Enterprises

Jan. 17, 2025
NMU alumna Gillianne Hetrick began 2025 with a new role as senior vice president of corporate operations at Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc. in Akron, Ohio.  She leads B&W's Human Resources, Environmental Health, Safety & Security, Information Technology, Communications & Marketing, Facility Services, and Global Travel organizations. Hetrick earned a bachelor's from NMU in public relations, advertising and applied communication in 2002. She has more than 20 years' experience in the energy and communications industries, with both public and private companies. 
Hetrick (standing) meets with business students from Kent State University (B&W Enterprises LinkedIn photo)

Ugandan Scholar Researches Jackfruit at NMU

Jan. 15, 2025
Visiting scholar Justine Nakintu seeks to discover ways to extend the shelf life of nutrient-rich jackfruit, which is available year-round in her home country of Uganda, but spoils within five days of being harvested. “In Africa, people are hungry because food is wasted,” she said. “We need to preserve it so it can be eaten later.” Mapping the best locations for cultivating jackfruit, based on soil suitability and climate, is another goal toward making it a value-added commodity. She has engaged 10 NMU students in lab and GIS analysis for this ambitious, international project.
Ugandan visiting scholar Justine Nakintu on campus last semester exploring the fall leaves.

NMU Engineering Tech Builds Nordic Sit-Skis for Adaptive Athletes

Jan. 13, 2025
Nine-year-old Oskar Alan of Marquette had a strong desire to pursue Nordic skiing, but his balance, coordination and strength are compromised by cerebral palsy, preventing him from engaging in the activity from a standing position. Undeterred, and with support from the Superiorland Ski Club (SSC), he tested a borrowed commercial sit-ski last winter and was hooked after his first run. Now more children with disabilities have an opportunity to participate in the sport, thanks to the efforts of Northern Michigan University Engineering Technology faculty. They built four sit-skis for the SSC, saving the nonprofit money and advancing its initiative to promote inclusion and belonging among youth skiers.
Oskar on a borrowed sit-ski at the Noque (Melissa Alan photo); and the four new sit-skis built at NMU for the SSC (Kevin Carr photo).

NMU Presents Immersive 'Alice in Wonderland'

Jan. 13, 2025
Northern Michigan University's CO/LAB Dance Company will present Alice in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience, described as a “mesmerizing whirlwind of color and movement that weaves through the audience like a living, breathing dreamscape.” The performance is unique in that it will take place in an intimate downtown Marquette space that allows the audience to be more actively engaged, interacting with the dancers and scenery elements.
"Alice in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience" graphic

NMU’s Colwitz to Conduct Michigan High School Honors Choir

Jan. 10, 2025
Northern Michigan University Director of Choirs Erin Colwitz has been selected to conduct the SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass) High School Honors Choir at the 20th annual Michigan Music Conference Jan. 23-25 in Grand Rapids.  She will guide some of the best singers in the state through a rigorous 2.5 days of rehearsal in preparation for their performance at the closing concert of the event, which is hosted by the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA).
NMU Director of Choirs Erin Colwitz

Cumberlidge Part of Largest Global Study of Freshwater Species' Extinction Risk

Jan. 10, 2025
Northern Michigan University Biology Professor Emeritus Neil Cumberlidge is a coauthor of a global study published in Nature and covered by hundreds of news outlets worldwide that asserts one of every four freshwater animal species is at risk of extinction. Led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is the largest study of its kind and represents 20 years of research by experts in relevant animal groups.
Some of Cumberlidge's crab specimens that he shipped to London before transitioning from full-time faculty to research associate. The specimens have joined the crustacean research collection at the National History Museum's Darwin Center.