Northern Michigan University will close out its 125th anniversary celebration with NMU Giving Day on Thursday, April 17. This year's theme, “Give to What You Love,” encourages Wildcats and friends to show the power of collective generosity and champion the causes they are particularly passionate about, such as student experiences, research, departments and programs, or athletics.
“More than 560 donors participated in the first NMU Giving Day last spring, and we're aiming to exceed that number this year,” said Andrew Hill, director of annual giving in the NMU Foundation. “The ‘Give to What You Love' theme celebrates the personal connections and deep pride that make NMU a place like no other. When people give, they're not just donating—they're investing in the future of NMU and its students. Every gift, no matter the size, helps create a stronger, more vibrant university.”
Andrew Gorton, a fisheries and wildlife management major, said gifts raised during the 2024 NMU Giving Day allowed him to “explore and describe the diversity of parasites and centipedes in the Upper Peninsula.” Biology graduate student Isabelle Oldani said she was able to “conduct research on parasites present in bobcats in the U.P.”
“NMU Giving Day donations can help our students travel to conferences to give professional presentations, and they really help support research at both the undergraduate and graduate level in a wide variety of biology topics,” added Biology Department Head Jill Leonard.
Students in the College of Business have also attended conferences through gifts, according to Business Dean Carol Johnson. Some have also been able to present their innovative ideas for prizes in a business pitch competition.
“Last year, because of donor support, I was able to gain valuable work experience that helped me get into law school, engage in projects with faculty at the NMU College of Business, and have an opportunity to participate in a master class that will help me enhance my presentation skills,” said Sami Brown, a graduate assistant in the college who is pursuing her MBA.
Theater technology and design major Brayden Smith said he was able to secure valuable internships, engage in related professional work, and create art in Marquette using technology obtained through donor support.
“NMU Giving Day has provided new technology that we can bring into our theaters and enhance our productions,” added Department Head Bill Digneit. “We've also been able to send students to conferences and trade shows and get them out to auditions so they have real-world experience to be more prepared for tomorrow's entertainment field. We truly appreciate that and can't do it without our generous donors.”
These are just a few examples of how students and faculty benefit from gifts made on NMU Giving Day. The financial support opens doors for students all across campus to continue pursuing what they love—whether that's conducting groundbreaking research, performing on stage, competing in athletics, or engaging in hands-on learning experiences that shape their future. Learn more about NMU Giving Day here.