Three Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance students earned awards at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival's (KCACTF) Region 3 conference in Madison. Mark Simons from Cadillac became the second NMU student ever to advance to nationals at the Kennedy Center with a win in the Musical Theater Intensive. Maya Moreau of Dearborn, who made history last year as the first from NMU to advance to nationals, won the Classical Acting Award. Liam Fisher of Grand Rapids received a scholarship to attend the Open Jar Institute, New York City's premiere Broadway actor training program, this summer.

The Northern Michigan University Foundation's Giving Tuesday event in December raised more than $81,000 from 143 donors. The gifts will elevate the student experience by helping to increase the number of available scholarships, enhance programming related to the university's strategic priority of well-being, support the NMU Food Pantry, and assist students struggling with financial hardship.

Northern Michigan University students are invited to participate in the NMU Money Games from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. in the McClintock Building room 106. This interactive team-based game puts students in control of a budget as they aim for the highest net worth, credit score and quality of life. 

Former Wildcat football player and Northern Michigan University alumnus Robert Saleh has returned to the San Francisco 49ers as defensive coordinator. Saleh had previously worked with the 49ers from 2017-2020, then served as head coach of the New York Jets for three seasons. The Dearborn native attended Northern Michigan University, where he started at tight end for four years and earned all-conference honors before graduating with a bachelor's degree in financial management in 2001. 

The book selected for this year's Diversity Common Reader Program (DCRP) at Northern Michigan University is As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson. Held annually since 2013, the DCRP revolves around a nonfiction book of interdisciplinary interest that advances discussions of diversity, inclusion and social justice.