Feature/Profiles

NMU Senior Helps Fellow Veterans

Selissen in an NMU production studio
Dec. 7, 2021 —
Jessie Selissen was in 10th grade when a service member from her hometown of Boyne City was killed during an insurgent attack overseas. She vividly recalls residents lining the streets in silent tribute during the funeral procession. Now Selissen is an Air Force veteran who will graduate Saturday with a degree in multimedia production. She recently put her military background and academic experience to work producing a podcast highlighting veterans and reputable nonprofits that assist them. 

Weston Hall Namesake Featured

Kathleen Shingler Weston
Mar. 21, 2019 —
Northern Michigan University's Board of Trustees recently approved the renaming of the New Science Facility to Kathleen Shingler Weston Hall. In honor of Women's History Month, we take a closer look at Weston, one of NMU's first female graduates who went on to complete a medical degree. She became part of the team that developed the Salk polio vaccine and was honored by President Lyndon B. Johnson as one of the nation's “Outstanding Medical Women.”

Hamilton's Book Appears on Notable List

Hamilton
Feb. 21, 2019 —
A Northern Michigan University professor explores literary representations of walking in a book that was included on KCET's “L.A. History to Poetry: 23 Notable Books of 2018” list. Amy Hamilton's latest scholarly work, Peregrinations: Walking in American Literature, adopts a cross-cultural perspective on walking and demonstrates how the topic allows writers to engage with a wide array of histories, stories and traditions.

Carlson Receives Award

Josh Carlson
Dec. 19, 2018 —

NMU Psychological Science Professor Josh Carlson has been selected as the sixth recipient of the Quad-L Early Career Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the field of learning, memory and cognition. The Quad-L trust was founded at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque by Professor Frank Logan and his wife, Julie. It recognizes the scholarly contributions of one scientist each year.

NMU Administrators Deliver Degree to Best Buy Employee

Johnson, Donley, Erickson and Brunswick
Dec. 14, 2018 —

Steven Donley will not be attending Northern Michigan University’s Dec. 15 commencement to receive his MBA, only so that two graduating seniors he supervises at the local Best Buy can enjoy the morning off to participate in the ceremony. Upon hearing about his generous and unselfish gesture, NMU administrators decided to bring graduation to him at the store on Thursday. They surprised Donley by setting up an NMU backdrop, outfitting him in a cap and gown, conducting a master’s hooding ceremony and presenting him with a diploma.

Turner Named Student Commencement Speaker

Turner
Dec. 14, 2018 —

Liberty Turner from Harrison Township has been selected as the student commencement speaker for the Dec. 15 graduation ceremony at Northern Michigan University. She will share her own story of transitioning through college and overcoming challenges to demonstrate how perseverance can lead to professional success.

“Due to my academic standing when I arrived at Northern, I really needed a school that wanted me to succeed just as must as I wanted to,” Turner said. “That’s why I went to Northern, but I fell in love with campus when I became engaged with the supportive community.”

Two Decades Between Two Degrees

Hytinen
Dec. 13, 2018 —

While some college students seek the fastest track to graduation, Kerry Hytinen of Ishpeming opted for the slow, deliberate route. She earned a bachelor’s degree in writing from Northern 20 years ago and soon re-enrolled to begin work on a master’s. After detours and delays—some intentional and others not—Hytinen will receive her degree on Saturday. She said it was rewarding to complete her requirements the same semester that her daughter first enrolled at Northern, but this is not the end of Hytinen’s education.