Articles

$2 Million DeVos Gift Supports NMU Art Museum Endowment and Arts District Development

Daniel and Pamella DeVos have continued their philanthropic support of Northern Michigan University through a recent $2 million gift from the Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation. Half of this donation will be added to the permanent endowment of the DeVos Art Museum, ensuring its continued excellence. The remaining $1 million will be directed toward a fund aimed at advancing programs and facilities related to the development of an NMU arts district that will benefit the university and Marquette communities.
Pamella and Dan DeVos

Albert Hits Career, Community Service Milestones

NMU principal secretary Grace Albert is on the verge of retirement, after 45 years of service at the university, all in the Department of Psychological Science. She will be honored by colleagues for the milestone later this month, but she has also received public recognition for her community service milestone as a blood donor. Inspired by photos of past donors on a wall at the U.P. Regional Blood Center (UPRBC), Albert set a personal goal to join the legacy and just reached 100 donations. Albert received a special cake to mark the achievement and social media praise on April 7 from both the UPRBC and UP Health System – Marquette.
Grace Albert with the cake marking her 100th blood donation (U.P. Regional Blood Center photo)

NMU Presents Faculty Awards

Northern Michigan University hosted an April 2 celebration on campus to honor 2025 Stephen Young & Tricia Kinney Distinguished Faculty Award recipient Paul Truckey, as well as 10 NMU faculty members who received 2024 awards of excellence for teaching, scholarship, technology innovation and leadership. 
Attending award winners and administrators at the recognition event included (front from left): Michael Crum, Adam Naito, Paul Truckey and Liz Wuorinen. (Back from left): Steve VandenAvond, the mother of recipient Shaun Shepard (accepting on her behalf), Lin Fang, Zhuang-Zhong “Z.Z.” Lehmberg, Rob Winn, Anne Dahlman, Diana Lafferty, Carol Johnson and Cindy Basse.

Truckey Earns 2025 Stephen Young and Tricia Kinley Distinguished Faculty Award

Northern Michigan University theater professor Paul Truckey is the recipient of the 2025 Stephen Young and Tricia Kinley Distinguished Faculty Award. He joined the faculty in 2003, and has been instrumental developing and implementing the Bachelors of Fine Arts programs in musical theater and acting, as well as the Bachelor of Arts degree in theater performance.
Truckey wearing his award medal and surrounded by his family

Excellence in Scholarship: Greg Warchol

Distinguished Professor of Criminal Justice Greg Warchol began his field research on the illegal trade in endangered and protected species—with a focus on wildlife trafficking—in 2001. His other past and current research interests include: the impact of The Troubles in Northern Ireland on its legal system; civil forfeiture law; and urban crime in the United States.  
Professor Greg Warchol on a past field research trip to Africa.

Excellence in Teaching: Zhuang-Zhong “Z.Z.” Lehmberg

English Professor Zhuang-Zhong “Z.Z.” Lehmberg was born and raised in Guangzhou, China, but says she “grew up” in the United States. She came to this country as a transfer student when she was 20 years old. Lehmberg received a B.A. in business and an M.A. in English from NMU before completing her graduate studies at Wayne State University, where she received her Ph.D. in English. She then returned to Marquette to teach at NMU and to raise a family with her husband, Paul.
Lehmberg (center) with Rob Winn, dean of Arts and Sciences, and Provost Anne Dahlman