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.