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.
Nominated and selected by fellow alumni, the recipients are honored for significant achievements in their fields, substantial contributions to society, and exceptional leadership and civic qualities.
LaPine, a professor emeritus in Communicative Sciences & Disorders at Michigan State University for over 40 years, earned a master of arts degree from NMU in 1976. He worked during the day at a Cleveland-Cliffs mine to cover living expenses and attended courses on campus in the evening. When later assigned to a graduate assistantship, he discovered he enjoyed teaching and could do it well, and credits NMU for taking a chance on him and changing his life.
Recognized for his international leadership in communicative sciences and disorders, LaPine pioneered study-abroad programs in his field and advanced clinical care through groundbreaking work in pediatric and adult voice disorders and voice restoration.
When pregnancy complications made for a precarious delivery for both his wife and their unborn daughter, LaPine made a final-hour pledge in the hospital to “do something in my lifetime to help children” if everything went well. It did, and his commitment to humanitarian efforts include leading 62 service missions to the Yucatán Peninsula, providing life-changing care to over 10,500 children with cleft palates, and training the next generation of global health professionals.
“My first work was in Camargo, Mexico, in the Chihuahuan desert, where it rains less than 10 inches a year,” he said. “I'd never seen such abject poverty in my life. I was simply distraught by what I saw. People had no safety net, no resources, no health care providers, no social health network—no support system whatsoever—and so many arcane myths and superstitions. There was so much more that could be done and should be done.
"Somehow, Northern Michigan University gave me my chance to keep my promise. When I finally stopped after 17 years and over 60 projects, I realized that regardless of who we are, where we live, or how we live, we're all just people impacted primarily by where we were born.”
Coleman, a retired professor at NMU, earned a bachelor of science degree in 1977 from NMU and was the first graduate of NMU's exercise science master's program in 1981. Recognized for her outstanding contributions to health, wellness and community service and a pioneer in exercise science, Coleman co-founded NMU's GETFIT Adult Fitness Program and played a key role in developing teaching labs that served both students and the public. She has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to education, equity and well-being on campus and in the community.
Coleman was a driving force behind numerous public health initiatives and community projects. One was the creation of Marquette's first fully inclusive playground, a passion ignited by her “phenomenal” late husband Bob Chapman's career helping people with disabilities.
“I invite you all to go down to Mattson Park and sit there and look around and see what's different,” Coleman told awards luncheon attendees. “The first thing you'll see missing are the wood chips. Think about navigating through wood chips using a wheelchair or a walker or on crutches or any number of things. You'll see that the children and their caregivers are not only able to access things, but they are able to be welcomed to everything. It is truly an inclusive playground.
"I taught science and health and advocated for the environment throughout my career and afterwards. This is a very difficult time for people like me right now, and I sincerely hope that with the help of the people that I have surrounded myself with and their expertise, that we can continue to make a difference, because a difference definitely needs to be made.”
Lewis serves as the village manager, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer of Laurium. Recognized for his outstanding leadership in public administration and community development, he has led major financial and infrastructure improvements, growing the village's general fund from $16,000 to over $500,000 and securing more than $1.5 million in grants. His dedication to civic service, regional leadership and mentoring future NMU students exemplifies the impact of young professionals in rural communities.
Lewis earned a bachelor of science degree from NMU in 2018 and a master's of public administration degree from NMU in 2022. He also holds an associate degree from Gogebic Community College and a law degree from Michigan State University.
“NMU holds a special place in my heart,” he said. “It's not only where I met my amazing wife, but NMU really taught me some very important life lessons. Today we live in a world where if you think or believe differently than someone else, then that other person must be wrong and you must be right. However, every single Northern professor I had challenged me as an individual, and they taught me that is okay to be different, as long as what you do and believe is based upon sound judgment.
"It is okay to challenge someone else's beliefs without being mean or hateful. It's okay to be friends with others that do not believe in the same ideologies. Many of my professors taught me the importance of compromise and, more importantly, the impact of collaboration. I think this concept is what has allowed me to become successful in my young career.”
In closing comments, NMU Interim President Gavin Leach praised the award recipients' professional and personal achievements.
“You're great representatives of the university, and your accomplishments are truly outstanding,” he said. “They remind us that we should be proud of the work many Northern alumni are doing locally and around the globe to address today's challenging issues and promote innovative change in the world. One thing I hear over and over, as Peter stated, is that Northern gives our students a chance. So many have come through the university that maybe couldn't have gone anywhere else, and they were able to be successful at Northern and go on be successful in their lives. Thanks to the three of you for what you've done and continue to do. It's a great day to be a Wildcat!”
For more information on the NMU Alumni Awards criteria and to nominate a fellow alumnus/a, visit nmu.edu/alumni/awards. NMU Alumni Relations can be contacted at alumni@nmu.edu.