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Two Northern Michigan University alumni who co-founded Kall Morris Inc. (KMI), a Marquette-based company focused on keeping space clear of orbital debris, were selected from more than 10,000 nominees to join the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 in the category of Transportation & Mobility. An innovative technology prototype developed by KMI arrived at the International Space Station for testing in early November, and the company is a two-time winner of a Michigan Best Small Business Award. 

Northern Michigan University biology alumna Niyomi House was part of the Limelight Rainforest team awarded the $5 million grand prize in the XPRIZE Rainforest competition. The winners were announced at the G20 Social Summit Nov. 18 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. XPRIZE is “the world's leader in designing and operating large-scale incentive competitions to solve humanity's grand challenges.” House ran the genetics subteam for Limelight.

Matthew Jennings, associate professor in the School of Clinical Sciences, is the students' choice to serve as faculty keynote speaker at Northern Michigan University's Dec. 14 commencement. He was selected through a nomination process overseen by ASNMU, the student government organization.

Northern Michigan University alumna Frida Waara, a Marquette businesswoman, adventurer, storyteller and “U.P. ambassador,” will receive an honorary Doctor of Business degree at NMU's mid-year commencement this month. She graduated in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in French.

Steve Tramp, a 1988 Northern Michigan University accounting alumnus, recently joined National Exchange Bank & Trust as a senior vice president of commercial lending at the downtown Fond du Lac, Wis. office. The Marquette native has more than 25 years of experience in the lending industry.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present its Holiday Soirée celebration and fundraiser for student scholarships on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The festive event kicks off with a holiday buffet and live auction from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Panowski Black Box Theatre, followed by student and guest-star performances from 7:30-9. There will also be a special visit from Santa Claus.

An inaugural NMU Black alumni reunion held earlier this fall was billed by organizers as “a success beyond our wildest expectations, and an amazing weekend for all.” According to 1984 graduate Darryl Thompson, it had been years since many of the attendees were in Marquette. They gathered over an October weekend and checked out some of the changes on campus, attended a Wildcat football game, socialized at local restaurants, and explored longtime favorite sites such as Sugarloaf Mountain.

Northern Michigan University 2018 marketing alumna Senja Spelman presented at Top 500 Live, the home improvement industry's leading sales and lead-generation conference. The event features CEOs and experts focused on today's best practices in sales and marketing, along with home improvement business owners and entrepreneurs. Spelman currently works as the marketing director at BathWorks.

Northern Michigan University Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Shawnrece Butler is among six humanities leaders elected to the Board of the Federation of State Humanities Councils at the Federation's annual business meeting Nov. 16.

Bear baiting—a harvest practice authorized in 12 states, two territories and eight provinces in North America—poses several potential risks, and associated mitigation measures have been inadequate, according to a study published in the PLOS One peer-reviewed scientific journal. The article focuses on Alaska, where more than 70% of National Park Service-managed lands and preserves are open to some form of hunting. The authors' goal is to use expert opinion to inform decision-making in that state and other areas where bear baiting is allowed.

The Northern Michigan University jazz ensembles will present their second concert of the fall season at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. The concert will feature both the NMU Jazz Band and the NMU Jazz Combo.

Three Northern Michigan University Quiz Bowl squads traveled to Houghton Nov. 16 to compete with three Michigan Tech teams for the right to claim the Superior Cup, a traveling trophy that has been presented to the winner at each meeting of the two schools since 2015. NMU's A squad finished in first place with a 7-0 record, so the Superior Cup will remain in its trophy case in The Science Building.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a festive new production titled “Home for the Holidays” Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 in Forest Roberts Theatre. The show is about a group of NMU students who convene to share tales of their diverse family traditions before they journey home for the holidays. It features musical singing and dance numbers—many familiar—with bits of dialogue to tie it all together.

The Northern Michigan University student organization LIVE@NMU will kick off the 4th Annual LIVE Art & Word Contest as a way to help break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and suicide, engage individuals, encourage positive mental health and showcase the talents of both high school students and adults from across the Upper Peninsula. 

SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU and Innovate Marquette announce the Peak25 conference, taking place Feb. 20-21 at Northern Michigan University. Programming  provides a dynamic platform to celebrate research and scholarship, promote entrepreneurial ventures in outdoor innovation, creative technology, and sustainable solutions, as well as encourage collaboration. Peak25 is free and open to the public. Registration information is coming soon at peakconference.org.

Inspired by his recent visit to Northern Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications in 1975, Starbucks chairman emeritus and former CEO Howard Schultz and his wife, Sheri Kersch-Schultz, have announced a $1 million gift to NMU through their Schultz Family Foundation. The funding will support scholarships for first-generation students and Wildcat Athletics initiatives to promote student-athlete success.

“Cancer taught me that tomorrow isn't promised, and that we can't control everything, but we can choose how we respond,” said Northern Michigan University student Caleb Bell, reflecting on his T-cell lymphoma diagnosis at age 12. The Marquette native endured chemo, open-heart surgery and other challenges over two years, but achieved survivor status and even played club hockey his freshman year at NMU. He continues to support the “Stick It to Cancer” hockey fundraiser first organized on his behalf, and he is exploring opportunities to share his story in the hope of inspiring children currently coping with the disease.

Well-being, which is embedded in Northern's “Our Compass” strategic plan and core values, has become an increasing focus in higher education. NMU alumna McKenzie Mathewson can attest to its importance. She serves as associate director of community wellness at Western Colorado University, and said her Northern experience helped to launch her career.