Alumni

Northern Michigan University alumni and friends are invited to join fellow Wildcats at NMU Night at the Detroit Red Wings at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, in Little Caesars Arena. A free pre-game gathering with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at The Taphouse presented by Bell's Brewery.

Former Northern Michigan President, Kerri Schuiling, was inducted into the inaugural class of the Frontier Nursing University (FNU) Alumni Hall of Fame in recognition of her distinguished career as a nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner and educator. The induction ceremony was held last month at the Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Ky.

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.

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.

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.

Northern Michigan University alumnus Andy Skewis is early in his first year as superintendent of Negaunee Public Schools (NPS). He was appointed to the position after the retirement of his third cousin and fellow NMU alumnus Dan Skewis.

Northern Michigan University will host multiple alumni and community events on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, to celebrate Homecoming. The schedule includes a parade, tailgate party and sporting events, along with various alumni events and campus tours.

Northern Michigan University alumna Lindsey Locke is one of 65 Americans selected to study and work in Germany for a year as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program. About 420 U.S. applicants representing a variety of career fields and locations vied for a spot in the prestigious program, now in its 42nd year. Locke graduated last May with a double major in international studies and Spanish.

Northern Michigan University will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its 1975 NCAA Division II champion football team with several events for alumni and campus/community members Thursday, Oct. 9, through Saturday, Oct. 11. The Wildcats achieved the most remarkable turnaround in the history of NCAA or professional sports by following a winless season with a championship. They compiled a 13-1 record, including a 16-14 victory over Western Kentucky in the DII national title game.

Abby Knight, who earned a master's degree in exercise science from Northern Michigan University in 2023, was invited to join the U.S. athletic training staff at the recent FISU World University Games in Berlin, Germany. About 8,500 student-athletes and technical officials from more than 150 countries participated in 18 sports. This was her first time applying her knowledge and skills abroad.