All News Releases

Cinelli is NMU's Peter White Scholar

Maris Cinelli, assistant professor of chemistry at Northern Michigan University, is leading important research to identify new plant-derived compounds that could combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. She received NMU's Peter White Scholar Award for the current academic year to support the effort. Cinelli describes the award as a great honor, but is quick to credit the talent and dedication of the student researchers in her lab.
Maris Cinelli, standing left, with her team of "alkaloid hunters" (clockwise from Cinelli's right): Ian Grochowski, Joey Diviny, Ishani Sharma, Tyler Watson and Sabrina Mata.

NMU Jazz Fest Features The Westerlies

The Westerlies, a Grammy-nominated, New York-based brass quartet, will be the featured performer at the NMU Jazz Festival. The group will present the festival's opening concert, which also serves as a Siril Concert Series event, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The quartet will also join NMU's Jazz Band and Jazz Combo for the closing concert on Friday, March 20, at the same time and location.
The Westerlies (Kevin Condon photo)

Study Offers Insight on Evolution of Gut Microbiomes

Rylee Jensen, a 2024 master's graduate of Northern Michigan University, and NMU Professor Diana Lafferty recently coauthored a journal article on a study of wild African herbivores. Collaborating with other researchers, they determined that environmental conditions, beyond strictly diet and anatomy, can influence the evolution of gut microbes that play a critical role in animal health and well-being.
Photo by James C. Beasley

Alumna Coauthors Publication

Taylor Galaszewski, a recent Northern Michigan University biology alumna, coauthored a recent publication titled “On the taxonomic status of two large species of East African freshwater crabs” with NMU Biology Professor Emeritus Neil Cumberlidge and other collaborators.

Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Award Winners Announced

Northern Michigan University's Northern Shores Storywork Writing Project has announced 46 regional award winners, from among 130 Upper Peninsula submissions, of the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Presented by the nonprofit organization the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the country's longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative students in grades 7–12.
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers Scholastic Art & Writing Awards logo

Two Former Wildcats Compete in Olympics

Former Northern Michigan University student and Wildcat football player Nick Baumgartner is competing in his fifth straight Olympics at age 44 as part of the USA snowboard cross (SBX) team, following his gold-medal win at the last Winter Games. Former Wildcat Nordic skier and 2020 economics alumnus Zak Ketterson is appearing in his first Olympics as a member of the U.S. cross-country ski team.
Baumgartner (left) celebrating gold in 2022; and Ketterson representing Team USA during the 10 k Classic in Toblach, Italy, as part of the 2026 Tour de Ski Photo: Vanzetta/NordicFocus)

Thorburn's Poetry Features Cultural Legends in Imaginative Scenarios

“Letters Jim Harrison May Never Read.” “Walt Whitman and His Lake Superior Baptism.” “John Lennon at the Old Marquette Inn.” “Chagall Taught Me How to Drive.” These are some of the titles featured in Northern Michigan University English Professor Russell Thorburn's latest collection of poetry, And the Heart Will Not Quicken. The book is populated by imaginative scenarios featuring pop culture, artistic and literary legends who move freely across various decades and countries.
Russell Thorburn

NMU Trustee Profile: Venus Joy Brown

Venus Joy Brown describes herself as “a connector who helps people be better, do better and perform better.” This quality contributed to her recognition as one of nine “Sisters with Superpowers” by rollingout.com two years ago. It is also a guiding mantra for her career in organizational effectiveness and leadership development, her community service, and her role as a Northern Michigan University trustee.
Brown visited the United Nations with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

NMU Board Special Meeting Friday

A special meeting of the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees will be held remotely via Zoom at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6. The agenda includes three items: amended February 2026 meeting; board committee appointments for calendar year 2026; and construction authorization. The meeting will be live-streamed at the following link:https://nmuwildcast.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=d16a6e8f-2f64-48d6-a7c2-b3e800ea55ac

NMU Jazz Concert Feb. 11

Northern Michigan University's Music Department will host a free jazz concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The event will feature the NMU Jazz Band, composed of nearly 20 players representing various academic majors and directed by Mark Flaherty, along with two smaller ensembles coached by Patrick Booth.
NMU Department of Music logo