Around NMU

Olsen Appointed NMU's 19th President

Oct. 16, 2025
Chris Olsen, who has more than 20 years of higher education leadership experience, will become the 19th president of Northern Michigan University, effective Jan. 1. He has served Indiana State University as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs since 2021, and previously as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Department of History. The NMU Board of Trustees unanimously approved his appointment at a special meeting this afternoon.
Graphic welcoming NMU's next president, Chris Olsen

NMU Alumni Awards Presented

Oct. 14, 2025
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.
Award recipients (from left): Ian Lewis ('18 BS, '22 MPA) of Laurium, Outstanding Young Alumni; Dr. Peter LaPine ('76 MA) of East Lansing, Distinguished Alumni; and Barb Coleman ('77 BS, '81 MS) of Marquette, Alumni Achievement.

NMU’s 1975 Football Team Celebrates National Championship Anniversary

Oct. 14, 2025
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.
The 1975 team members hold up four fingers as a tribute to the late coach Buck Nystrom's fourth-quarter program when they were honored during halftime of the Wildcats Oct. 11 game in the Superior Dome.

Mariucci's NMU Jersey Retired

Oct. 14, 2025
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.
Steve and Gayle Mariucci, with his symbolic jersey suspended from the Superior Dome rafters in the background.

Rural Leadership Fellowship Program Seeks Student Applicants, U.P. Community Project Proposals

Oct. 13, 2025
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.
Rural Leadership Fellowship logo