All News Releases

Art Entries Invited for 'North of the 45th' Show

Jan. 26, 2024 —
Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota artists who reside north of the 45th parallel are invited to submit works for the annual “North of the 45th” juried exhibition at Northern Michigan University's DeVos Art Museum. Artists 18 and older may enter up to five images of their work across all media created within the past three years to be considered for the summer 2024 show. The submission deadline is Wednesday, March 13.

NMU Dance Company Presents Child-Friendly Ballet, Original Choreography

CO/LAB rehearsal photo
Jan. 25, 2024 —
Northern Michigan University's CO/LAB Dance Company will present “Carnival of the Animals: A Short Ballet” for the young and young at heart, set to the renowned musical score by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The ballet will be followed by a choreographic showcase by NMU students and faculty. The production begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1 through Saturday, Feb. 3, in Forest Roberts Theatre. A sensory-friendly Theatre for All matinee will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Superior Dome Highlighted as 'World's Largest'

NMU Superior Dome
Jan. 24, 2024 —
Northern Michigan University's Superior Dome is featured in a story in Connected World, a specialty digital publisher on sustainability and other topics. The article states that domes—whether made of brick and mortar, wood or contemporary materials—have been a staple of architecture for thousands of years, particularly as a cover for churches and stadiums. It then focuses on Northern's, which was completed in 1991. 

NMU Seeks Alma Mater Submissions

NMU academic logo
Jan. 23, 2024 —
Northern Michigan University invites students, faculty, staff, alumni and Upper Peninsula residents to submit original alma mater compositions in recognition of its 125th anniversary celebration in 2024. An alma mater is traditionally a short-form musical piece with lyrics pertaining to the university's distinctive elements, and is used at official events such as commencement. Selected creations will be eligible for monetary awards of $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second and $500 for third.

Parkhurst Promoted at SRCTec

Geoff Parkhurst
Jan. 19, 2024 —
Northern Michigan University alumnus Geoff Parkhurst, who earned a master's in administrative service in 1995, was promoted to director of life cycle management at SRCTec. The not-for-profit research and development company “combines information, science, technology and ingenuity to solve ‘impossible' problems in the areas of defense, environment and intelligence."

NMU Carbon Neutrality Plan Finalized

Jes Thompson (right) and a student by the solar array installed on campus.
Jan. 18, 2024 —
Northern Michigan University's “Path to Carbon Neutrality by 2050” plan is now finalized, outlining the strategies for achieving that goal and targeted reductions in carbon emissions for each decade along the way. The completed plan aligns with NMU's core values and strategic priorities, which include a focus on building a culture of sustainability. 

Innovation Week Feb. 21-23 at NMU

Innovation Week promo graphic
Jan. 15, 2024 —
Innovate Marquette SmartZone (Innovate Marquette) and SISU: The Innovation Institute at Northern Michigan University (NMU) have announced dates and programming for the second annual Innovation Week. The professional development conference brings together thought leaders, creatives and entrepreneurs to inspire, enlighten and spark curiosity.

Alumnus Directs Advancing Macomb

Phil Gilchrist
Jan. 12, 2024 —
Northern Michigan University alumnus Phil Gilchrist is the new executive director of Advancing Macomb, a nonprofit organization that convenes resources to solve community challenges and enrich the lives of Macomb County residents. His role involves program oversight, financial administration, strategic planning and execution, marketing and public relations.

Alumna Teacher of the Year Honored at College Football Championship

Nanette Hanson cheering on Michigan at the game (Facebook photo)
Jan. 11, 2024 —
NMU alumna Nanette Hanson, the 2023 Michigan State Teacher of the Year, was honored on the field before the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 8, and stayed to watch the Michigan Wolverines win the trophy. She is a first-grade teacher at Lemmer Elementary School in Escanaba. The recognition was part of the College Football Playoff Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers program.

UP Focus Art Exhibit Opens Jan. 18 at NMU

(From left): Catherine Benda, "Interior Concepts," 2023, acrylic; and Carrie Flaspohler VanderVeen, "Profusion," 2023, gouache on paper
Jan. 10, 2024 —
Northern Michigan University's DeVos Art Museum will soon unveil the 2024 installment of its UP Focus exhibition, which highlights artists living and working in, or inspired by, the Upper Peninsula. This year's featured artists are connected to the Copper Country: Catherine Benda and Carrie Flaspohler VanderVeen. An opening reception with artist talks is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. The event is free and open to the public.

Contois Assistant Coach for Chipotle All-American Game

Andy Contois (Indy Fuel photo)
Jan. 9, 2024 —
Andy Contois, a 2006 NMU financial management alumnus and former Wildcat hockey player, will serve as an assistant coach for Team White when it faces Team Blue in the 2024 Chipotle All-American Game on Jan. 15 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. The game features 45 top prospects from the United States Hockey League (USHL)—the nation's only Tier 1 junior hockey league—who are eligible for the 2024 NHL draft.

NMU Appointments Advance Core Values, Strategic Vision

From left: Campbell, Thompson and Dahlman
Jan. 8, 2024 —
Three new leadership appointees at Northern Michigan University will advance NMU's core values and strategic priorities related to inclusion and belonging, sustainability and academic excellence. Shawnrece Campbell, previously at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is assistant vice president for Diversity and Inclusion. NMU professor and alumna Jessica Thompson is assistant vice president for Sustainability. Anne Dahlman, most recently at Minnesota State University Mankato, will begin as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs on April 1.

Dahlman Named NMU's New Provost and VP

Anne Dahlman
Jan. 5, 2024 —
Anne Dahlman, whose higher education experience spans 27 years as a teacher, faculty scholar and administrator, will become Northern Michigan University's next provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, effective April 1. The Finland native most recently served as interim associate provost at Minnesota State University Mankato, where she advanced through the faculty ranks and various leadership positions over the past 17 years.