All News Releases

Northern Michigan University was recently awarded $114,553 from the U.S. Forest Service's Wood Innovation Grant program to identify facility and process improvements for the combined heat and power plant at the Ripley Plant on campus. This is an essential step in working toward NMU's Carbon Neutrality Plan and the potential transition from natural gas to using local woodchips. 

Northern Michigan University has announced that initial steps toward construction of two new student apartment complexes will begin Monday, Aug. 4. The 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. The general contractor, Stevens Construction Corp. of Bloomington, Minn., along with local subcontractors, will begin fencing the construction area and moving equipment onsite Monday. Preparation for the removal of the former Invent@NMU building on the corner of Fair Avenue and Presque Isle and the former Temaki building next door will also begin next week.

Northern Michigan University's wildlife conservation law and policing minor is featured in a recent story by Bridge Magazine, the state's "largest nonprofit news service." The article highlights adjunct instructor Jeremy Sergey's scenario-based training that helps prepare students to become DNR officers who enforce fish, game and natural resource laws; alumnus Joseph Budnick, who graduated from the DNR's 23-week conservation officer training academy in early July and will work in Mackinac County after field training with a veteran officer; and professor Greg Warchol's research on illegal wildlife trading and poaching in Africa, which also has relevance domestically. 

Northern Michigan University's partnership with Central Michigan University's Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) program is celebrating 10 years in 2025. What began as an idea from a cohort of students who were hired at NMU after completing the CMU Ed.D. has now evolved into a successful collaboration to motivate advanced learners seeking a terminal degree.

A Northern Michigan University master's student in athletic training and a graduate of the program recently connected in the Dominican Republic, where both are applying their skills on behalf of different Major League Baseball franchises. Dillon Makela is completing a summer internship with the Chicago Cubs Academy before his final academic year, and 2005 alumnus Alex Mena is working full time with the Pittsburgh Pirates Academy next door. 

Northern Michigan University will host its first BIPOC Outdoors Summit & Rest Retreat Aug. 4-8. While the events are centered on promoting joyful and inclusive nature-based experiences for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) through outdoor activities, skills workshops, keynote speakers and conversations, all are welcome to participate. 

Dieter Kochan, a former Wildcat hockey goalie (1993-1997) who went on to play in the NHL, is the handler of a new K9 named Roy at the Michigan State Police Calumet Post. Kochan joined the MSP in 2008. 

Northern Michigan University alumna Mollie Trewartha has been appointed the new principal of Hancock Middle and High Schools, effective July 21. She earned two degrees in educational administration/supervision from NMU: a master's in 2006 and an education specialist in 2012.

Anishinaabe Radio News, a program co-produced by Northern Michigan University's Center for Native American Studies and Public Radio 90, will soon mark its 200th episode. Since the first broadcast in 2016, host April Lindala has explored Native American history and culture and shared updates on Indigenous events planned across the Great Lakes region. 

Alexa Christensen, a Marquette native who holds two degrees from Northern, has returned to her alma mater to serve as the new director of Dining Services. She previously worked as the dietary manager at Houghton County Medical Care Facility. Christensen arrived on campus in early June and hit the ground running to help ensure that students and families in town for orientation had a positive experience sampling food from NMU Dining locations.

Satellites orbiting Earth facilitate every GPS ping, global communication, weather prediction and live stream. But when they drift off course or end their missions, there has been no way to safely move, repair or retire them until now. Kall Morris Inc. (KMI), an alumni-owned company based in Marquette, recently completed the first commercial demonstrations of its REACCH robotic system, which features mechanical tentacles that can safely grab and move objects in space, aboard the International Space Station.

William “Bill” Hart, who has been a decades-long fixture at WNMU-FM, Public Radio 90 in Marquette, will be the 2025 recipient of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters' 2025 Public Media Impact Award for Professionals. This statewide award is presented to professionals—including volunteers—working in public broadcasting to honor their contributions to the industry.

Two Northern Michigan University alumni were selected as recipients of 2025 Outstanding Faculty Awards from Bay College in Escanaba for exemplifying a deep commitment to student success and professional excellence. Tammra Houseman, who earned her NMU bachelor's degree in elementary education with a special education endorsement in 1994, was honored with the Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Award. Cassie Callahan, a 2019 BSN grad, was one of two recipients of the Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award.  

In an effort to preserve the Anishinaabe language for future generations, Northern Michigan University and Bay Mills Community College recently signed an articulation agreement that will allow students to complete a two-year associate of arts degree in Anishinaabe language instruction at BMCC, then seamlessly transfer to NMU for the final two years to complete a bachelor of science degree in Native American studies, with potential for a Michigan Anishinaabemowin K-12 teaching certificate. This creates the state's first pathway for teachers to earn such an endorsement, according to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University has brought back two of its most popular exhibitions for the months of July and August, “Remnants: Ghost Towns of the Upper Peninsula” and “The Polar Bears: U.P. Soldiers in the Northern Russian Expeditionary Force 1918-1919” are on display in the center's gallery in Gries Hall from noon to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday through Aug. 30. Admission is free.

Northern Michigan University will permanently close two dirt roads on campus—Neidhart and Norwood—located east and south of the Woodland Park Apartments, effective Wednesday, July 9. The area will eventually be restored to a natural state with interpretive trails and outdoor lab space as part of the university's Wildcat Way/Landscape Maintenance Plan. Initial work to develop a portion of the Woodland Park Garden concept will begin this week.

Northern Michigan University's new dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies (CHSPS) is Liz Wuorinen, who had served in the same role on an interim basis since July 2024.

Northern Michigan University English Professor Kel Sassi has been elected vice president of the Michigan Council of Teachers of English (MCTE). She is only the second person from the Upper Peninsula to serve in the presidential cycle in the organization's 103-year history. Her term began July 1 and will continue for the next four years as she progresses from vice president to president-elect, president and then past-president for MCTE.