Around NMU

U.S. News & World Report recently released its Best Colleges rankings for 2025, and Northern Michigan University has moved up in three categories. Among Midwest regional universities, NMU tied for both 12th in top public schools and 49th best overall. It also tied for 22nd among best colleges for veterans. See the full rankings here.

The Northern Michigan University Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) has announced that four candidates will visit campus between Sept. 29 and Oct. 10. 

Northern Michigan University's fiscal year 2026 general fund base budget, approved today by the NMU Board of Trustees, will invest an additional $1 million in financial aid to support the university's strategic goal of removing barriers to student access.

Northern Michigan University Professor Jes Thompson and some of her students recently wrapped up a series of stops at 20 U.S. national parks and 12 wildlife refuges, where they surveyed visitors on their perceptions of climate change in these natural areas. They are partnering with the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to use the data collected to increase public awareness of climate change, foster meaningful conversations with visitors, and develop educational materials for future programs.

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University will open a new exhibition titled “Gales of November: Shipwrecks on Lake Superior” at noon on Friday, Sept. 19, in its gallery in Gries Hall.

LIVE@NMU will kick off its fifth annual LIVE Art & Word Contest as a way to help break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and suicide, engage individuals, encourage positive mental health and showcase the talents of both high school students and adults from across the Upper Peninsula. 

Northern Michigan University's Siril Concert Series will present a “Beethoven and Banjos” concert featuring classical and folk music from Iceland at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The featured artists will also present two free events earlier that day in the same location: a music appreciation presentation at 11 a.m., followed by a masterclass at 1 p.m.

Environmental Action Week at Northern Michigan University will take place starting Wednesday, Sept. 17, with the university hosting various events to highlight the role of activism and advocacy as it relates to the environment, climate and sustainability. 

Award-winning Puerto Rican poet and author Mara Pastor will visit Northern Michigan University for two free events on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 17-18. 

In honor of World Mental Health Day, Northern Michigan University Wellbeing Promotions is gearing up for its second annual Mind Over Miles 5K at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9.