All News Releases

Five Northern Michigan University faculty members have been selected as recipients of Reassigned Time Awards for the fall 2021 semester. Each award provides up to four credit hours of release time to support scholarship activities.

Northern Michigan University is preparing to be fully operational this fall, returning to pre-pandemic levels of face-to-face instruction, services and campus activities. NMU President Fritz Erickson made the announcement during a virtual community forum March 16. He said Northern's ability to continue in-person classes and keep its residence halls open this academic year has increased his optimism for the approaching fall semester.

Dallas Seavey, who trained as a wrestler at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at NMU, won a record-tying fifth championship in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Monday morning, matching the mark of Rick Swenson. Seavey had made Iditarod history twice before: in 2005, when he became the youngest musher to run the race; and in 2012, when he became the youngest to win it.  

Mat Fraser, who trained as a weightlifter at the former U.S. Olympic Education Center at NMU, recently retired as the most decorated and dominant professional CrossFit athlete in history. He was a five-time "Fittest Man on Earth," winning the CrossFit Games title every year from 2016-2020 before announcing his retirement from competition in February. 

Based on concerns expressed by employees and students about the scarcity of local child care options, Northern Michigan University has signed a contract with WeeCare, the largest network of licensed child care providers in the United States.

Northern Michigan University ranks 24th among the nation's best bachelor's degree programs in organizational/applied workplace leadership and 30th for its bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship, according to national rankings released by Study.com.

A Northern Michigan University surgical technology student is missing the winter semester to serve alongside her dad in Washington, D.C. with Marquette's Forward Support Company, 107th Engineer Battalion of the Michigan National Guard. Spc. Carlie Mattonen and Sgt. 1st Class Carl Mattonen initially provided support during the presidential inauguration. They returned later as part of the follow-up mission helping the U.S. Capitol Police.

After making history last month as the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl, Sarah Thomas will give a virtual presentation through Northern Michigan University's Platform Personalities titled “Breaking Through: A Journey to Becoming the First Female NFL Official.” Her talk is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, and can be viewed by the public via Zoom. 

Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson will hold a virtual community forum to provide an update on several university topics. The event is scheduled at noon Tuesday, March 16. 

Northern Michigan University's Anishnaabe News is celebrating a timely milestone with a relaunch by releasing its digital 50th anniversary edition. Originally titled Nishnawbe News, it grew to a circulation of more than 8,000 worldwide, was once the second-largest Indian publication in North America and received acclaim in publications like The New York Times and Time magazine before its first hiatus in October 1983.

Northern Michigan University has been designated a "Voter Friendly Campus" through an initiative led by two national nonpartisan organizations: Fair Elections Center's Campus Vote Project (CVP); and NAPSA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Both held participating institutions accountable for planning and implementing practices that encouraged students to register and vote in 2020 elections and in the coming years. 

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University will reopen its gallery to the general public on Monday, March 8. Visitation will be limited to six people at one time. Reservations, face masks and proper social distancing are required. The center's current exhibition is titled “Conflict and Resolve: Labor in the Upper Peninsula.” 

Northern Michigan University's Invent@NMU business incubator has received a $320,000 grant to continue offering innovative support services for entrepreneurs across the Upper Peninsula. The Michigan Strategic Fund recently approved several grants to support initiatives throughout the state.

The Northern Michigan University Food Pantry received a large shipment of non-perishable food and other items Wednesday, made possible by nearly 130 meal plan students who generously shared $5,400 of their remaining Dining Dollars at the end of the fall semester.

Marquette Senior High School teacher Eric Hammerstrom said the stars aligned when one student's desire to interview someone from the National Hockey League developed into an opportunity for his entire class to connect virtually with high-profile Canadian sports legends and even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

When the pandemic pushed his main revenue sources—catered events in the Fox Cities area and meals prepared for a brewery tap room—to the back burner, NMU alumnus David Bennett (BS '17) opted to adapt rather than wait it out. He successfully accelerated the launch of a take-and-heat meal service to keep the business going.

Northern Michigan University's highest faculty honor, the Distinguished Faculty Award, has been endowed by a major gift from NMU Board Vice Chair Steve Young and his wife, Tricia Kinley, of Lansing.

The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association continues Northern Now, a monthly digital event series for alumni and friends, at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday, March 10. A panel of alumni, faculty and students from the NMU School of Education will discuss the importance of relationships and creating a strong network throughout one's educational and professional career.

Northern Michigan University has announced the winners of its 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. NMU graduate students and McNair scholars presented their original research during the competition in only three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Each candidate was limited to one static PowerPoint slide.