Alumni

Northern Michigan University Alumni Happy Hours will be held this summer at three Marquette alumni-owned establishments. The events are open to alumni and friends who want to network with fellow Wildcats and strengthen their ties to the NMU community in a casual environment. NMU Alumni Relations requests that attendees interested in qualifying to win NMU-themed prizes pre-register for each happy hour at nmu.edu/alumniassociation/alumnihappyhour. The schedule follows (all run from 4:30-6:30 p.m.):

Northern Michigan University 2004  alumnus Jonathan Hare has been recognized as one of the “Best 5 Photographers to Watch in 2025” by TQS Magazine, in a feature story also shared on MSN.com. Hare earned his bachelor's degree in English/secondary education, but he has spent the past 18 years building a reputation as “one of the most sought-after wedding photographers” in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla.

Northern Michigan University 1996 alumna Skye Patrick, CEO of the massive Los Angeles County Public Library system, is one of seven recipients of the 2025 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards, which recognize individuals whose “innovative solutions to critical state challenges improve people's lives, create opportunity and contribute to a better California.” The honor also included a $350,000 grant and other resources for her organization. Patrick previously earned a national award when Library Journal named her 2019 Librarian of the Year. She is also a past NMU Alumni Achievement Award recipient.

Northern Michigan University closed out its 125th anniversary celebration with the second annual NMU Giving Day on April 17, exceeding the $125,000 goal by raising nearly $169,000 for student experiences, research, departments and programs. The “Give to What You Love” event theme encouraged Wildcats and friends to show the power of collective generosity and champion the causes they are particularly passionate about.

Former Northern Michigan University theater student and Broadway veteran Leah Hocking will be the keynote speaker for NMU's May 3 commencement. The Marquette native will also receive an honorary Doctor of Theater Studies degree. Hocking has appeared in 10 Broadway musicals. Her roles included Mum in "Billy Elliot," Donna Sheridan in "Mama Mia," Sarah Brown in "Guys and Dolls," Velma Von Tussle in "Hairspray," Lucy in "Jekyll and Hyde" and Marty in "Grease." She was also nominated for a Helen Hayes award for her performance as Mrs. Wilkinson in the national tour of "Billy Elliot" at The Kennedy Center.  

Northern Michigan University 2017 outdoor recreation leadership and management graduate Samantha LaLonde was named Rookie of the Year at the 2025 Iditarod race in Alaska. She recorded the best time by a first-time musher, completing the longest route in Iditarod history—1,128 miles—in 15th place. 

Lexi Hagan, a 2024 Northern Michigan University business management alumna and one of the first NMU Rural Leadership Fellowship Program participants, is the new executive director of the Menominee Business Development Corporation. Her role is to attract new businesses to the area, retain existing businesses, and help them identify available grant opportunities.

Northern Michigan University students at Radio X (WUPX-FM) will broadcast an all-day NMU 125th Anniversary Alumni Show from 6 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 22. Radio X alumni are scheduled to guest-DJ radio shows, and there will be interviews with other alumni. Radio X announcements from the past will air, and students will present NMU history moments that they have researched in the NMU Archives. 

A trio of talented Northern Michigan University alumni collaborated on a short film shot in Marquette County about family members who have a falling out over addiction. “My Sister” will premiere at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Marquette Regional History Center. It was written, produced and directed by Negaunee native Dan Aho, who has worked as an actor in Chicago and Los Angeles. His credits include “Contagion” and “Man of Steel.” Local thespians Jessica “Red” Bays and Han Numinen star as the sisters at odds with each other. All will participate in a discussion after the premiere screening.

Northern Michigan University alumna Anna Dravland's efforts to develop and expand Spread Goodness Day, an annual event that celebrates the “explosive and empowering” impacts of simple acts of goodness, inspired fellow NMU alumna and retired elementary teacher Sue Meier to coauthor a related children's book, The Goodness Garden. With support from generous donors, hundreds of free copies have been distributed to pre-kindergarten through second-grade classrooms in Michigan, Illinois and beyond in advance of this year's Spread Goodness Day celebration on March 14.