August 2025

Syncurrent, a Marquette-based artificial intelligence-driven startup whose CEO is Northern Michigan University alumnus Dhruv Patel, has been named an inaugural AI 50 Award winner by the Center for Public Sector AI for advancing artificial intelligence in public service. Syncurrent has built a platform that significantly shortens the time it takes for local and tribal governments to identify and qualify for grant funding.

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees approved promotions, tenure and contract continuations for NMU faculty. Most went into effect over the summer.

Northern Michigan University's DeVos Art Museum is hosting an exhibition titled "Murmurations" through Nov. 1, with related events throughout September. The exhibit features a diverse collection of works by 30 artists, who all participated in Nido (Italian for “nest”), an artist residency located in the small town of Monte Castello di Vibio, nestled within the central hills of Italy.

Northern Michigan University 1972 alumnus Richard P. Smith was one of two 2025 Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees honored by the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association (MOWA), and the first Upper Peninsula resident to earn the distinction. He also received the organization's Harold "Opie" Titus Award for Best Book for "Nickel & Dime Your Way To Extra Dollars While Saving The Planet" at the same meeting. 

Northern Michigan University 2011 alumnus Derek Mohr has left a creative impression on the City of Grand Rapids. The founder of OneMohrTime Design Co. collaborated with city leaders to design the official logo for Grand Rapids' 175th anniversary, celebrated throughout 2025.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will host its annual Wildcat Theatre Follies Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 4-6, in the Panowski Black Box Theatre. The event will showcase a variety of creative performances by freshmen and sophomores in the program, including songs, scenes, monologues and dance pieces.

Detroit may be home to Lions and Tigers, but Wildcats received a warm welcome there earlier this month at two events hosted by the Northern Michigan University Alumni Association. A delegation of 340 Northern graduates and friends watched the Tigers pull out a 6-5 victory over the Angels during NMU Alumni Night at Comerica Park, with two-time graduate Adam Hamari ('05 BS, '13 MAE) serving as third-base umpire. Proceeds from a portion of ticket sales generated $1,700 for NMU's Alumni Legacy Scholarship.

Editors: This has been revised to include an additional quote submitted by the co-director. Please use this version instead.Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will host its annual Wildcat Theatre Follies Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 4-6, in the Panowski Black Box Theatre. The event will showcase a variety of creative performances by freshmen and sophomores in the program, including songs, scenes, monologues and dance pieces.

Northern Michigan University will open the 2025-2026 Siril Concert Series with Deux Saisons (French for “two seasons”), a duo featuring soprano Keri Lee Pierson classical guitarist Christopher Schoelen and soprano Keri Lee Pierson, who perform a wide musical repertoire ranging from the Renaissance through the present day.

The partnership between Northern Michigan University and alumni-owned Blackrocks Brewery began last year with the launch of a new beer, Wildcat Gold, to celebrate NMU's 125th anniversary. It has since morphed into much more, supporting student access to the area's world-class recreational trails. Blackrocks has contributed $7,500 from the sales of Wildcat Gold to NMU's Outdoor Recreation Center for the purchase of mountain bikes and Nordic ski equipment made available to students for free.