Alumni

Christopher Friel, a 1987 graduate of Northern Michigan University's land use planning and management program, is the new director of client success for DATAMARK, the public safety geographic information systems (GIS) team of Michael Baker International.

Darren Ing of Haslett, who attended Northern Michigan University from 1993-96, has been appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Travel Commission. He is the director of the Michigan Manufactured Housing, Recreation Vehicle & Campground Association and the president of the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan. 

NMU alumna and former Wildcat basketball player Karla (Strand) McCutcheon was recently honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.  She has taught physical education and health at Marquette Senior High School for 21 years. 

Northern Michigan University alumnus Edward Cook ('80 BS) received a Level I award for achievement in city governance from the Kentucky League of Cities. He is a member of the Oak Grove City Council. The Level I award requires a city official to attend 30 hours of approved training with one hour of ethics training.

Northern Michigan University alumnus David Kronberg was recently appointed the first director of entrepreneurial services and outreach for Innovate Marquette SmartZone. As part of his new role, he directs the student-powered idea incubator, Invent@NMU. He is also focused on building both resources and relationships with local entrepreneurs and tech startups to foster a robust, supportive business and startup ecosystem in Marquette.

Three Northern Michigan University alumni who aim to clean up space debris through their Marquette-based startup, Kall Morris Inc., won the $10,000 grand prize in a national virtual pitch competition for research on aerospace technology. 

Northern Michigan University Alumni Relations is closing out the year with two Northern Now virtual events: a panel of alumni brewers who will discuss the craft beer business on Wednesday, Nov. 10; and a holiday cooking segment with NMU's executive chef on Wednesday, Dec. 15. Both will be held at 7 p.m. EST. 

The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association announces new leaders and four new members of its Board of Directors. Brendan Franklin (BSN '13) of Traverse City is the new president and Chris Charboneau (BME '93) of Madison Heights is the new vice president. New board members include: Nikk Glazier (BS '08) of Germantown, Md.; Anita Mattson (BS '02) of Worcester, Mass.; Kim Monteaux De Freitas (BFA '02) of Columbus, Ohio; and Andre Stringer (BS '16) of Atlanta, Ga.

NMU alumna Katherine “Kay” Mattson of Kingsford, who graduated with an elementary education degree in 1962, recently received the Delta Kappa Gamma Society Michigan State Organization's Lifetime Service Award. DKG is an honorary international organization that supports the role of women in education through scholarships and fellowship programs.

Northern Michigan University alumna Alice Lyn Jasper is committed to diversifying outdoor recreation and environmental advocacy by identifying barriers and opportunities for people of color to develop positive relationships with nature. The Grand Rapids resident produced a related documentary titled "Color Out Here" for WGVU Public Media's "Shaping Narratives" program. She screened it at the Fresh Coast Film Festival in Marquette Oct. 16 and17.