All News Releases

NMU Ensembles Perform Award-Winning Composer's Work

Oct. 6, 2022 —
Northern Michigan University's Symphony Orchestra, University Choir and Arts Chorale will perform the Midwestern premiere of THE UNARMED CHILD at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The nine-movement work was composed by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, 2021 winner of the American Prize in Choral Composition, in response to gun violence against children.

NMU Hosts Award-Winning Argentinian Filmmaker

Oct. 6, 2022 —
Argentinian filmmaker Lucila Podestá will discuss documentary topics and her award-winning short film, which she shot with a phone after an accident during COVID-19, as a guest speaker for Northern Michigan University's Department of Languages, Literatures and International Studies. Her presentation begins at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, in 109 Harden Hall. The public is invited.

Trustee Profile: Missie Holmquist

Oct. 6, 2022 —
This has been a year of milestones for Missie Holmquist of Marquette. In February, she was appointed by the governor to the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees, and recently played a role in selecting NMU's next president. This spring, she marked the 20th anniversary of both her 2002 graduation from NMU with a bachelor's degree in psychology and the launch of her longtime career with Upper Peninsula Health Plan, which she now serves as president and CEO.

Rural Health Essay Contest Open to U.P. High School Seniors

Oct. 5, 2022 —
High school seniors who attend school and reside in the Upper Peninsula and plan to pursue studies in a health care-related field at a college or university next fall are invited to participate in an essay contest. The Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health is coordinating the contest in partnership with the Michigan Center for Rural Health and the Literacy Legacy Fund of Michigan. The essay submission deadline is Sunday, Oct. 16.

Author Hovanec Gives Presentation at NMU

Oct. 4, 2022 —
Northern Michigan University's English Department will host visiting writer Caroline Hovanec, who will give a presentation on “Vermin Theory: Parasitic Life from Kafka's Metamorphosis to Rawi Hage's Cockroaches.” Hovin will explore the usage of vermin in stories and how literature uses it to think differently about hospitality, debt and the re-assigned potential of the parasite. The presentation will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in 1313 Jamrich Hall.

NMU Forensic Anthropology Center Hosts Symposium

Oct. 4, 2022 —
The Northern Michigan University Center for Forensic Anthropology will host a public symposium where representatives from the decomposition and taphonomy facilities across the country will give presentations about their facilities and programs. The event is scheduled at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, in 109 Harden Hall. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.

Distinguished Alumni Award: Steve Nystrom

Sep. 30, 2022 —
For 31 years, Marquette native Steve Nystrom successfully used the knowledge, skills and leadership qualities he acquired while earning two Northern Michigan University degrees to successfully contribute to U.S. national security. He served in the U.S. Army during the Cold War, as a senior analyst in the Defense Intelligence Agency, and as division chief and program manager with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Nystrom was selected as the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient based on his esteemed career and active involvement on behalf of the community and NMU.

Alumni Service Award: Chris Mosier

Sep. 30, 2022 —
Northern Michigan University 2003 alumnus Chris Mosier of Chicago is a trailblazing transgender athlete who has been a catalyst for policy change and a staunch advocate for inclusion in and beyond sports. Abiding by his motto, “Be who you needed when you were younger,” Mosier is a dedicated mentor to transgender and nonbinary youth, a highly regarded speaker and a leading grassroots organizer against the current wave of anti-trans legislation across the United States. For these reasons and more, he was selected as the recipient of NMU's 2022 Alumni Service Award.

Alumni Achievement Award: Jim Paquette

Sep. 30, 2022 —
Jim Paquette of Negaunee developed an interest in history and archaeology at a young age, in large part because his paternal grandfather instilled pride in the family's French Canadian-First Nation Métis ancestry and traditional lifestyle. As he grew older, Paquette wanted to learn more about his family's history in the region. He read and copied volumes of material from the library at Northern Michigan University, his alma mater, and began searching for and locating early cultural sites where various ancient stone and copper artifacts helped to reveal the story. This led to an avid passion for more discoveries and a partnership with NMU faculty, both of which continue today.

Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Stephanie Lay

Sep. 30, 2022 —
Stephanie Lay, who received her bachelor's degree in sociology from Northern Michigan in 2011, is this year's recipient of NMU's Outstanding Young Alumni Award. She provides crisis care to suicidal adolescents as a member of the behavior emergency response team at Children's Hospital Oakland in California. She also has a private therapy practice in nearby San Francisco, where she specializes in gender identity, depression, suicidal ideation and self-harm.

On the Record with NMU's New President

Sep. 29, 2022 —
Northern Michigan University's newly appointed President Brock Tessman said that his selection from among four finalists to lead the institution is exciting, but made even more meaningful because it followed a rigorous and transparent search process. The Michigan native addressed several topics during a virtual press conference after NMU trustees unanimously voted for him to become the 17th president, effective Feb. 1. He said serving as deputy commissioner of higher education for the Montana University System since 2018 will be an asset as he narrows his focus to a single entity.

NMU Board Selects Brock Tessman as Next President

Sep. 29, 2022 —
Brock Tessman, who grew up in Plymouth, Mich., will become the 17th president of Northern Michigan University, effective Feb. 1. He has served as deputy commissioner of higher education for the Montana University System since 2018, and has previous experience as a faculty member and campus leader. The NMU Board of Trustees unanimously approved his selection at a special meeting this morning.