All News Releases

SISU: The Innovation Institute at Northern Michigan University is seeking campus proposals for its new funding program, “Illuminating Ideas.” The deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Dec 19.

The Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health has announced the winners of its annual essay competition for U.P. high school seniors to coincide with National Rural Health Day. This year's contest was sponsored by the Literacy Legacy Fund of Michigan and the Michigan Center for Rural Health. The top three prizes in each U.P. region—east, central and west—were $500, $250 and $100.

Taking care of crops and animals is hard on farmers and agribusiness professionals, who contend with stressors ranging from low commodity prices and other financial issues to extreme weather events and injuries. NMU alumnus Remington Rice is applying his psychology degrees to his career as a community behavioral health educator with Michigan State University Extension, helping farmers better manage stress and enhance their own health and wellness.  

Northern Michigan University will hold its sixth consecutive Day of Giving on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The NMU Foundation encourages faculty, staff, alumni and friends to show their support for students through a variety of giving options.

Northern Michigan University was among 18 higher education institutions nationwide featured in an Outside Magazine article titled “These Schools Can Help You Break into the Outdoor Industry.” The story addressed a growing number of U.S. colleges offering programs for future adventure-industry workers in response to the booming outdoor recreation industry. NMU was referenced for its outdoor recreation leadership and management program.

NMU 1968 alumna Jeannie Thoren was recently inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Museum Hall of Fame for her internationally recognized role in revolutionizing women's ski equipment. The U.P. native was an avid racer and earned a spot on the Junior National Ski Team. When coaches critiqued her stance, she customized her gear to perfect her technique. The Thoren Theory, based on the motto that “women aren't small men,” evolved through decades of research as a way to help women skiers improve performance through equipment modification.

Northern Michigan University senior Chloe Holt received a Student Honor Award from the Society for Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) Michigan at its annual conference in November in Traverse City.

NMU alumnus Cody Mayer became Marquette's youngest mayor, at 25, when he was elected by fellow commissioners and sworn in at Monday night's meeting. He is also the first tribal member to serve on the City Commission. The former ASNMU president earned a bachelor's degree in public administration from Northern in August 2020.

A visual arts exhibit revolving around the themes of identity, power and social justice will be on display Nov. 30-Dec. 15 in the Olson Library Atrium at Northern Michigan University. It is a collaboration involving two NMU entities: the School of Art and Design and the French program. A catered opening reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present A Holiday Double Feature: A Charlie Brown Christmas and The Nutcracker Dec. 9-10 and 14-17. The evening opens with a feel-good, 30-minute musical based on the beloved classic animated television special and closes with excerpts from the timeless ballet. Show times are at 7:30 p.m., with an additional 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance is bringing back its “Letters to Santa” program starting Monday, Nov. 14. These letters can be found at either Forest Roberts Theatre or the Northern Center. Anyone who fills it out and sends the letter will get a signed postcard from Wildcat Willy in a holiday suit with a promo code for a buy-one-get-one coupon to use for a future show.

Northern Michigan University will continue its Science on Tap series at Ore Dock Brewing Company with a presentation by NMU Biology Professor Kurt Galbreath titled “Where the Wild Things Are: Discovering Mongolia's Hidden Diversity." The event begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10. 

Northern Michigan Univerity's Siril Concert Series hosts soprano Mimmi Fulmer and pianist Craig Randal Johnson at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in Reynolds Recital Hall.

For the first time, all Upper Peninsula universities and colleges will participate in the annual "Fight the Flu" competition hosted by the Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health. Now in its third year, the contest determines which school can get the highest percentage of students, staff and faculty vaccinated against the flu.

Northern Michigan University 2004 alumna Aidan McKindles was recently appointed as Marquette County's new register of deeds. She will be the official recorder of land records in the county. McKindles earned a bacehlor's degree in political science with a minor in English.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations will kick off the holiday season with a cooking segment featuring nostalgic recipes and a look inside the hospitality management program's new state-of-the-art kitchen in the Northern Center. NMU Dining Executive Chef Alden MacDonald CCC '10 BS will be joined by student Trixie Maguran Jacobson for this digital presentation at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, Nov. 16. They will showcase recipes that hold significance for their love of food and provide a behind-the-scenes view of the new facility and equipment.

Documentation prepared and signed by Northern Michigan University history alumnus Logan Hartz during a “career-changing” internship for law school will end up on the desk of the president of the United States. While working for a nonprofit public interest law organization, he completed clemency applications for four clients—including one from Michigan—serving up to 60-year federal prison terms for nonviolent cannabis crimes.

NMU Trustee Greg Seppanen has a penchant for planning and for preserving the environment—two elements that he said should frequently intersect. The NMU alumnus and retired teacher has served more than 40 years on planning commissions, and as a member of the Marquette County Climate Adaptation Task Force and other environmental organizations, to achieve his long-term goal of leaving the community in a better position than it is now. Seppanen said there is an opportunity for his alma mater to play a critical role in addressing climate change at the local level.

Former NMU student Richard “Duke” Mayo of Cheboygan will spend Veterans Day marking the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial—also known as The Wall—in Washington, D.C. He is making the trip with the Michigan State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Mayo was a member of the student Vets Club at Northern after his own service in Vietnam. His continued involvement in veterans' organizations and causes earned him a Hometown Hero of the Month award from the Cheboygan County Veterans Subcommittee earlier this year.

Northern Michigan University alumnus Stephen Shepherd has published a new collection of spiritual essays titled Losing the Sound of Your Own Stride. He is also a singer-songwriter whose two most recent albums rose to #1 on the U.S. Roots Music Chart, according to his website. Shepherd is a former voting member of the Recording Academy, which presents the GRAMMY Awards, based on six CDs consisting of 68 original songs.