Around NMU

Northern Michigan University honored the three recipients of its 2025 Alumni Awards at a luncheon during Homecoming. Dr. Peter LaPine ('76 MA) of East Lansing received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Retired NMU professor and alumna Barb Coleman ('77 BS, '81 MS) of Marquette was recognized for Alumni Achievement, and Ian Lewis ('18 BS, '22 MPA) of Laurium received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Many players and the lone surviving coach from the 1975 Wildcat football team, which achieved the most remarkable turnaround in sports history by following a winless season with a championship, reflected on their improbable journey to the NCAA Division II title during a 50th anniversary reunion last weekend. A production team planning to give “the greatest story never told” a feature-film treatment was also on campus for the event.

Former Wildcat quarterback Steve Mariucci approached the storied 1975 football season third on the position's depth chart. Injuries to the starter during a practice before the first game and later to the backup five minutes into his first quarter of action propelled the Iron Mountain native into the leading role.

Students in Northern Michigan University's advanced lighting design course will head to Blackrocks Brewery to light up the stage for a Total Head concert Saturday, Oct. 18. This hands-on project brings their classroom lessons directly into the world of live entertainment.

Northern Michigan University's College of Graduate Studies and Research will host a Graduate Programs Fair from 1-3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20 in the Northern Center Ballroom IV. 

Northern Michigan University is seeking student applications and community project proposals for the third cohort of its Rural Leadership Fellowship Program, which offers immersive project-based learning for students while also supporting Upper Peninsula economic and community development projects. The submission deadline for both is Nov. 16.

Northern Michigan University will host the 2025 Indigenous Perspectives Symposium on Food, a gathering focused on uplifting Indigenous food systems, cultural knowledge and community health, on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Northern Center. A free showing of the comedy-horror movie "Seeds" will precede the symposium at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Jamrich Hall 1100. Writer, director and star Kaniehtiio Horn (Mohawk), who has appeared in the "Letterkenny" and "Reservation Dogs" TV series, will participate in a conversation after the viewing. 

Northern Michigan University will host an opportunity to learn about and celebrate "Diwali: Festival of Light" from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, in the Northern Center Ballrooms. This event, organized by various groups on campus, will feature traditional food, music and cultural performances.

The Cliffs-Dow Oral History Project has been added to the U.P. Digital Network (UPLINK) website hosted by the Central U.P. and Northern Michigan University Archives. It is among many collections documenting the history of the Upper Peninsula that are now freely accessible and searchable.

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.