Students from Northern Michigan University's School of Education recently traveled to Wisconsin to observe a variety of educational settings as part of a course-related field experience. The group was divided among three schools that represent a broad spectrum of student populations, offering NMU teacher candidates the opportunity to engage with diverse educational environments. They visited Danz Elementary School and Preble High School in Green Bay, and Syble Hopp School in nearby De Pere. 

Northern Michigan University will host Career Day for about 1,000 students from more than 20 high schools across the Upper Peninsula on Wednesday, April 23. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northern Center. Students will have an opportunity to chat about career and educational opportunities with representatives of 45 participating employers and many of NMU's academic departments. 

Northern Michigan University honored several individuals and teams during its 2025 Faculty and Staff Recognition Celebration, held April 9. The event recognized individual and team award winners, along with employees reaching years of service milestones and recent retirees.

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.

Former Northern Michigan University theater student and Broadway veteran Leah Hocking will be the keynote speaker for NMU's May 3 commencement. The Marquette native will also receive an honorary Doctor of Theater Studies degree. Hocking has appeared in 10 Broadway musicals. Her roles included Mum in "Billy Elliot," Donna Sheridan in "Mama Mia," Sarah Brown in "Guys and Dolls," Velma Von Tussle in "Hairspray," Lucy in "Jekyll and Hyde" and Marty in "Grease." She was also nominated for a Helen Hayes award for her performance as Mrs. Wilkinson in the national tour of "Billy Elliot" at The Kennedy Center.  

Rosalva Brito, a criminal justice major and Spanish minor from Chicago, will be the student speaker at Northern Michigan University's May 3 commencement. The first-generation student said she chose to attend NMU primarily because of scholarships she qualified for as the dependent of a veteran that made the cost more affordable, and because of its safe, friendly and beautiful environment.

Grand Ethiopian Resonance Dam (GERD), the largest hydropower dam in Africa, has caused intense energy and water conflicts between Nile River countries. Scientists from around the world have conducted research and proposed solutions to help mitigate these conflicts. Dr. Jongeun You, assistant professor from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Northern Michigan University, contributed to these scholarly efforts and co-authored a publication in Communications Earth & Environment, a Nature journal. It was recently selected as one of the Top 25 papers of 2024 by the journal. 

Ari Koontz, a third-year graduate student in Northern Michigan University's MFA program, has finalized a book deal with Macmillan Publishing for their debut young adult novel, "Just Ask Elsie."

Campus canine celebrity Welles, who is the loyal service dog for NMU Veteran Services Coordinator Mike Rutledge, received the 2025 Silver Tag Award from UPAWS at its annual gala on April 5. He was recognized for his longtime service, and for his “comforting and supportive presence” on campus and in the community.

Northern Michigan University sophomore Henry Moore, who shares the same name as one of the most influential modernist sculptors of the 20th century, is making his mark at NMU in a different artistic pursuit: theater. He plays Peter in the current production of "Jesus Christ Superstar." 

Northern Michigan University's master's degree program in Administration of Outdoor Recreation and Nature-Based Tourism has invited three related business-oriented innovators to campus for a public presentation: keynote speaker Bob Jacquart, owner of Stormy Kromer and Copper Peak; Joe Thiel from Innovate Marquette; and Phil Britton from the Outdoor Recreation Innovation Action Network (ORIAN). The free event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, April 18, in Northern Center Peninsula II.

Daniel and Pamella DeVos have continued their philanthropic support of Northern Michigan University through a recent $2 million gift from the Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation. Half of this donation will be added to the permanent endowment of the DeVos Art Museum, ensuring its continued excellence. The remaining $1 million will be directed toward a fund aimed at advancing programs and facilities related to the development of an NMU arts district that will benefit the university and Marquette communities.

Northern Michigan University's Theatre and Dance program will host its Alumni Awards from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Forest Roberts Theatre. The event will honor exceptional achievements in theatre, dance and entertainment arts. 

NMU principal secretary Grace Albert is on the verge of retirement, after 45 years of service at the university, all in the Department of Psychological Science. She will be honored by colleagues for the milestone later this month, but she has also received public recognition for her community service milestone as a blood donor. Inspired by photos of past donors on a wall at the U.P. Regional Blood Center (UPRBC), Albert set a personal goal to join the legacy and just reached 100 donations. Albert received a special cake to mark the achievement and social media praise on April 7 from both the UPRBC and UP Health System – Marquette.

Brock Tessman is stepping down as president of Northern Michigan University, effective July 1, to become president at Montana State University, it was announced today.

Northern Michigan University's 11th annual Anderton's Earth Week April 20-27 will be the biggest yet, with a variety of activities scheduled for the campus and Marquette-area communities and free parking during Earth Week events.

Northern Michigan University theater professor Paul Truckey is the recipient of the 2025 Stephen Young and Tricia Kinley Distinguished Faculty Award. He joined the faculty in 2003, and has been instrumental developing and implementing the Bachelors of Fine Arts programs in musical theater and acting, as well as the Bachelor of Arts degree in theater performance.

Associate Professor of Biology Diana Lafferty joined the NMU faculty in 2017 and established the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science Lab (WECOS Lab). In collaboration with myriad state, federal and international partners, she has led diverse research initiatives across the United States and around the world to advance wildlife ecology and conservation.