Alumni

The late Michael Zuke, a 1971 NMU alumnus and former Wildcat gymnast, is featured as part of the “Sault Legends” series on the Ontario website saultonline.com for his contributions to the sport as a competitor and coach. He passed away in 2014, two years after being inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Hall of Fame.

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations has announced four recipients of the 2022 Alumni Awards: Steve Nystrom ('82 BS, '86 MA) of Marquette, Distinguished Alumni; James Paquette ('74 BS) of Negaunee, Alumni Achievement; Stephanie Lay ('10 AS, '11 BS) of Oakland, Calif., Outstanding Young Alumni; and Chris Mosier ('03 MFA) of Chicago, Ill., Alumni Service - Community.

Northern Michigan University alumnus Jim Hiller ('95 BS) has joined the National Hockey League's LA Kings as an assistant coach. He will primarily work with the forwards and focus on the power play, according to a Kings press release. He most recently served in the same capacity for the New York Islanders, helping the club reach two Eastern Conference Finals.

Alberto Alexander, who earned a master of arts in education (MAE) degree from Northern in 1974, is managing director of the international consulting and training firm Eficiencia Gerencial y Productividad, located in Lima, Peru. He wrote an Aug. 3 online column on the major components of an effective cyber risk management process. Alexander addressed threat categories facing organizations, cyber risk management frameworks and challenges, and best practices related to assessment.

Northern Michigan University alumna Tara Laase-McKinney is the new executive director of the Marquette Downtown Development Authority. The 2010 NMU graduate earned a bachelor's degree in outdoor recreation leadership and management. She has worked for MDDA for nearly eight years, most recently as business development and promotions director.

In a historic selection, Northern Michigan University alumnus Eric Frederick has been chosen as the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office's (MIHI) first chief connectivity officer. He graduated from NMU in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in planning and a minor in geographic information systems. 

NMU 2011 marketing alumna Victoria Leonhardt has been appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to represent Upper Peninsula residents on the Rural Development Fund Board. The board is charged with advising the department on how to distribute tax revenue collected from mines to improve and strengthen local communities. 

Northern Michigan University alumnus DJ Hoffman was appointed chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians during a special board of directors meeting on June 27. He served as vice chair from 2016-22 and also two years as secretary. Hoffman earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from NMU. 

William Bausano, a 1973 music education alumnus, has embarked on a well-earned retirement after 41 years with Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The Upper Peninsula native conducted two choirs—the Chamber Singers and Choraliers—and taught choral conducting and techniques courses. One of his colleagues called him “an institution” and “the cornerstone” of the voice department.

NMU alumna Liz Conway recently assumed the role of president and CEO of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce. She holds two degrees from Northern: a bachelor's in management earned in 2002; and an MBA earned in 2005.