All News Releases

While Mark Shevy has been a professor of mass communication and media production at NMU since 2007, people still don't agree on his name. Students in his classes usually call him “Dr. Shevy" or "Professor Shevy.” But he has been told that more people may know him as “Zumba Mark” because he enthusiastically instructs the trademark fitness classes that combine cardio with Latin-inspired dance. Students in Radio X and Marquette Ending Hunger—two organizations he advises—just call him “Mark.” Now Shevy has added a new title before his name: department head. 

Northern Michigan University's Yoga Club will present a public event titled “Yoga and Meditation in Busy Life,” featuring Swami Omkarananda from India. The event will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at Unity Yoga Co-op at 147 W. Washington St. in Marquette. Swami Omkarananda grew up around the great lady saint of India, Ma Anandamayi. He studied and lived with six world-renowned Hindu and Buddhist masters, and has been traveling throughout the world as a peace and wellness messenger.

NMU alumna Lina Blair recently embarked on a new professional role as dean of Student Life at Ferris State University. She previously worked at Grand Rapids Community College as director of Student Life, and at NMU in various capacities, including assistant dean of students.

NMU alumna Allison Watkins is profiled in a feature story on the benefits of a Michigan Municipal League training initiative that helps women advance their skills and leadership abilities to become strong local government managers. Watkins has served as Newberry village manager since 2019. Despite her extensive experience as HR and community relations director for Newberry, and working with AmeriCorps NCCC, she recalled having imposter syndrome, a feeling she was not where she should be.

Northern Michigan University has recently been granted Workplace Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding for eligible adults seeking to be part of NMU's bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. The funding was granted by Michigan Works!, an association that provides services and support to Michigan's workforce development system.

Northern Michigan University alumnus and retired Emmet County Circuit Judge Charles Johnson of Petoskey recently donned his robe again to preside over a July jury trial at the Marquette County Courthouse. He is one of two grant-funded visiting judges helping to clear the county's backlog of criminal cases. As Johnson sat behind the bench in the historic courtroom, which also served as a pivotal location in the book and film “Anatomy of a Murder,” he developed a sense of déjà vu.

Northern Michigan University Theater & Dance has released the lineup of eight productions that will be featured during the 2023-2024 season. The kick-off event is the "Wildcat Theatre Follies," a showcase of students performing scenes, songs, monologues and dance pieces.

Northern Michigan University is hosting the North Coast Dance Festival, an annual event where dancers from across the country come to the Forest Roberts Theatre to perform a professional ballet routine alongside NMU's CO/LAB company. The performances take place at 7:30 p.m. July 27-28.

Northern  Michigan University biology student Maddy Saddler will address freshwater acidification and its implications for the Great Lakes ecosystem during a Thursday, July 27 presentation in her hometown of Alpena. She will give details about her role as a research intern working on the ongoing freshwater acidification monitoring project with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, and Michigan Sea Grant. 

NMU alumna Kami Harvey will begin her newly appointed role of Southern Door (Wis.) Middle School principal on Aug. 1. She began her career as a 1st-grade teacher in Michigan, and has accumulated more than 24 years of experience in education.

NMU 1995 criminal justice alumnus John Gudwer is Escanaba's new director of Public Safety. He was recently promoted from his previous role as detective/lieutenant after the former director retired.

The world-famous Mackinac Island attracts visitors from far and wide, but August 18-20 will have a more Upper Peninsula flair as Northern Michigan University hits the docks for an Arts and Athletics Showcase.

The Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives, located on the campus of NMU, recently received the Historical Society of Michigan's Superior Award. It was recognized for its leadership and service related to UPLINK, an effort to digitize and preserve Upper Peninsula historical records.

Northern Michigan University President Brock Tessman and his family will participate in a meet and greet at the NMU-sponsored tent at Lower Harbor Park after the 2 p.m. July 4th parade through downtown Marquette. There will be giveaways of bottled water, NMU swag and patriotic and Wildcat cookies provided by Northern Lights Dining. 

NMU BIology Professor Neil Cumberlidge recently attended a week-long freshwater crab workshop at the Museum für Naturkunde (Natural History Museum) in Berlin, Germany. He joined international colleagues working on new collections of freshwater crabs resulting from the group's biological surveys of three central and West African biodiversity hotspots in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone.

Northern Michigan University 1987 financial management alumnus Joe Havican has been promoted to senior loan officer with First Bank, Upper Michigan. He joined the organization in 2022 as vice president, commercial loan officer in the Marquette office.  

The Northern Michigan University student-dominated crew that produces video coverage of Wildcat hockey games surpassed seven larger institutions nationwide in its division to win the outstanding live game production award in the Sports Video Group (SVG) 2023 College Sports Media Awards. The five-minute video clip they submitted for the competition showed the conclusion of a Wildcat hockey game in which NMU beat rival Michigan Tech in overtime on a breakaway goal.

Northern Michigan University President Brock Tessman will meet with NMU alumni and friends at a reception-style event from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, at the Houghton venue Bonfire at The Continental Fire Company. He will provide a university update and chat with attendees over complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages. 

Marcus Tucker, a 2016 Northern Michigan University criminal justice alumnus and former Wildcat football star, is the new head coach of Westwood High School's varsity football team. He played professionally over six years with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers and the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats.