All News Releases

New Wildcat Statue Unveiled

Sep. 21, 2018
Northern’s new bronze wildcat statue, a much-anticipated addition to the campus landscape, was unveiled and dedicated Sept. 21. The statue was made possible through a gift from the estate of former NMU Board of Trustees chair and longtime NMU supporter Gil Ziegler (’60 BS).
Wildcat statue

NMU Board Invests in Strategic Plan

Sep. 21, 2018
The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees today approved a 2018-19 general fund operating budget of nearly $113.8 million. The budget is $3.7 million, or 3.4 percent, higher than last year. The university is advancing its strategic plan with investments in student scholarships, new academic programs, a student success center and athletics. The increase also covers contractual obligations and inflationary cost increases related to utilities, supplies and other expenses.
Image of a board meeting

NMU Reports Increase in New Students, Undergrads

Sep. 20, 2018
Northern Michigan University’s new student enrollment has increased 9.9 percent this fall, thanks to a second consecutive year of growth in first-time freshmen and a significant boost in transfer students. New freshmen numbers are up by 107, or 7.1 percent. Transfers have increased by 81, or nearly 20 percent, according to the university’s 10th day enrollment report. NMU's total undergraduate population also increased for the first time in eight years. It is up by 71 students, or 1 percent, over last fall.
Students in the NMU academic mall

Teachable Moment: Alumna Rescues Student at Black Rocks

Sep. 19, 2018

“Reach or throw; don’t go.” NMU alumna and former Wildcat swimmer Shawn Robinson-Sobczak (’98 BS) routinely recites that phrase when she leads swim lessons or serves as a lifeguard instructor. When someone is in distress and it’s not possible to extend a hand to pull the swimmer to safety or throw something that floats, bystanders should not risk their own lives by entering the water. But Robinson-Sobczak has also been a certified lifeguard for 34 years.

Blackrocks

NMU Holds Community-Wide Ice Cream Social

Sep. 19, 2018

Northern Michigan University held a community-wide ice cream social as part of Homecoming week on Sept. 18. There was a good turnout of students, faculty, staff and Marquette-area residents, despite the drop in temperature from previous days. Fritz and Jan Erickson assisted Dining Services staff in serving up waffle cones and bowls with scoops of vanilla or mint Mackinac Island fudge. The event also featured Double Trouble DJs music, large lawn games and bounce houses.

Ice cream social

'Lost Boy of Sudan' Speaks at NMU

Sep. 18, 2018
John Dau will present “God Grew Tired of Us: The Lost Boys of Sudan” at Northern Michigan University. He was one of 27,000 boys in the war-torn country forced to flee their villages when the northern government began attacking the south. His talk is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, in the University Center Great Lakes Rooms. Admission is free for NMU students and $2 for the general public.
Image of John Dau

Teachable Moment: Alumna Rescues Student at Black Rocks

Sep. 17, 2018
“Reach or throw; don’t go.” NMU alumna and former Wildcat swimmer Shawn Robinson-Sobczak (’98 BS) routinely recites that phrase when she leads swim lessons or serves as a lifeguard instructor. When someone is in distress and it’s not possible to extend a hand to pull the swimmer to safety or throw something that floats, bystanders should not risk their own lives by entering the water. But Robinson-Sobczak has also been a certified lifeguard for 34 years. So when an NMU student took too long to surface after jumping off Black Rocks and a friend struggled to assist him, her rescue instinct took over and she leaped in to help.
Image of Shawn Robinson-Sobczak jumping off Black Rocks to save someone

NMU Prof Analyzes k9 Attack for TV Report

Sep. 14, 2018

 

An Atlanta TV station featured NMU Criminal Justice Professor Charlie Mesloh in an investigative report on a K9 attack in Roswell. The dog refused to let go of a teen suspect despite more than 20 commands from his handler. Mesloh, a former police officer and K9 handler, analyzed the dashcam video of the incident frame by frame and says the dog should have been removed from service for remedial training. See the full report here.

Image of Charlie Mesloh

Walk Promotes IDD Inclusion

Sep. 14, 2018
The NMU Best Buddies student organization will host a walk to promote inclusion of and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities on campus. The Best Buddies Friendship walk at NMU will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 29. Participants will meet near the “heart of Northern” on the academic mall outside Jamrich Hall.

NMU Woodworkers Inspired at Art Center

Sep. 12, 2018
NMU Senior Tim Kruger has long been interested in woodworking, particularly furniture design. But “an epiphany” during a woodturning class led by Professor Jason Schneider convinced him to hone in on his true passion: teaching. Kruger was inspired to apply for a summer workshop at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, Colo., and received a scholarship to attend. Schneider also returned to “the Ranch,” where he had worked for a decade before joining NMU’s faculty, to teach two summer workshops.
Image of the Ranch Furniture

NMU Expands Homecoming Activities

Sep. 12, 2018
Northern Michigan University's 2018 Homecoming celebration will feature a full slate of activities for alumni and community members Sept. 18-22. Special additions this year include a community-wide ice cream social, the unveiling and dedication of a new Wildcat statue on campus, the premiere of a documentary on the 1975 national champion football team and a dedication of The Woods student housing complex. The following events are free, unless otherwise indicated.
Image of Poster for Homecoming