All News Releases

Northern Michigan University's Blizzard Response Team of 2022-2023 is awarded a Distinguished Team Award. The response team displayed effort and dedication to keep the campus open and safe during one of the worst winter storms in recent history.

The Educational Success Platform (ESP) development team at Northern Michigan University won a Team Innovation Award. Their efforts were designed to pull together services from across campus into a platform that would allow multi-unit communication and support strategies for NMU students.

Sean Penglase, equipment and stockroom manager for Northern Michigan University's Physics Department, received an Innovation Award. He uses practical knowledge and a deep understanding of electrical, mechanical, acoustic and other apparati to bring improvements to many labs.

Kylie Bunting, director of Alumni and Foundation communications, received an Innovation Award. She joined NMU prior to the pandemic in a new position focused on creating a strategic approach to digital engagement and communication with more than 70,000 alumni nationwide. Bunting identified the opportunity to showcase NMU faculty, staff, students and alumni by utilizing Zoom.

Janet Koski, Northern Michigan University's executive director for Equal Opportunity and Title IX and Equal Opportunity officer, is an Excellence in Service Award recipient. Her long title is indicative of the critical role she plays on campus. She has led this function for the last several years and was a department of one for much of that time.

Northern Michigan University Director of Institutional Accreditation and Assessment Dan Cullen received an Excellence in Service Award. When former President Kerri Schuiling contacted the Institutional Effectiveness Office to guide the development of an interim strategic plan, Cullen was called to see the plan to a successful conclusion.

An Excellence in Service Award was presented to WNMU-FM News Director Nicole Walton. She has had multiple news stories in print and audio formats shared and aired through the Michigan Public Radio Network. The network includes 10 stations serving over 900,000 people throughout the state. Because her work is featured statewide, it has been an important resource and promotional tool for NMU.

Theresa "T" Hamari, manager of employment operations and training for NMU Dining Servies, received an Excellence in Service Award. She is described as a knowledgeable individual students can turn to for employment-related questions. She also expands or improves programs while creating strong connections and communities.

Jeff Roo, customer service representative in Northern Michigan University's Printing Services, is an Excellence in Service Award recipient. He works to meet the immediate needs of NMU's faculty and the departments that rely on Printing Services. His high level of detailed proofing and printing work ensures customer receives exactly what they ordered.

Northern Michigan University's School of Clinical Sciences executive secretary Sherida Riipi received an Excellence in Services Award. She is credited for being organized and volunteering to assist with initiatives while maintaining a cheery attitude in the department. She works closely with three programs, the speech clinic and with students attending practicums.

Northern Michigan University Dining Services member Jean Shaw received an Excellence in Service Award for her attendance, punctuality and dedication to NMU. She proves these qualities through her willingness to come in early or stay late, covering extra shifts and overtime hours. Shaw maintains a consistently helpful and positive attitude and cares about her coworkers, student team members, supervisors and the students she serves.

Andy Buckmaster is one of eight individuals who won the 2023 Excellence in Service Award. He is a mechanic for Northern Michigan University's facilities. He exemplifies NMU's core values when servicing a department vehicle, plowing during some of the heaviest snow storms, working on a special project to help either an academic or athletic program, or helping train NMU's workforce.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present “Grease,” a rollicking musical comedy reuniting the audience with familiar characters from the classic 1978 film. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 14-15 and 19-22 in Forest Roberts Theatre. A sensory-friendly Theatre for All matinee will be held at 1 p.m. April 15.

Northern Michigan University's DeVos Art Museum will hold a family night from 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 20. The event is free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to participate in an all-ages activity, using surprising materials to reveal magical winter landscapes inspired by the artwork on view and create a mixed-media artwork to take home. Guided tours with the curators will be offered at 5 and 6 p.m.

Over the more than four decades that Marquette has had a Sister City relationship with Higashiomi, Japan, Northern Michigan University's president has sponsored one student from there to attend NMU each year. Now, for the first time, a Northern student is a reciprocal Sister City scholar. 

Eight Northern Michigan University faculty members selected to receive 2022-23 awards of excellence for teaching, scholarship and leadership were honored at an April 6 celebration on campus. In comments before the presentations, NMU President Brock Tessman said he highly anticipated attending his first such event in his new role. He was a faculty member before ascending through the administrative ranks.

Sarah Carlson, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program director and assistant department head, is a proud graduate of Northern's BSW program and received her MSW from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013. She maintains a license in clinical social work in Michigan, and has focused her social work practice on mental health with children and families. She has practiced in wilderness therapy, residential care and community mental health.

Jason Doney, BSN RN, has been a part-time clinical instructor for the School of Nursing since fall 2016. He brings a wealth of clinical knowledge to his position as an instructor in adult-health I nursing. As a registered nurse since 2002, he has worked in the following areas: surgical, pediatrics, emergency room and intensive care, with long stints as a clinical manager and trauma program manager. 

Vincent Jeevar has served as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Science since 2019. He earned a doctorate in psychology from Grand Canyon University. Jeevar has taught courses in the general psychology curriculum and developed a new course on positive psychology, which has become highly popular. He is known for being an engaging and innovative instructor, particularly through his use of multimedia technology for both in-person and online instruction.

Bill Digneit is the Director of SISU: The Innovation Institute at Northern Michigan University, as well as the founding head of the Theatre & Dance Department at NMU. He holds a master of fine arts degree in technical direction and production management from Florida State University.