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Northern Michigan University Athletics and NMU Theatre & Dance will team up once again for the seventh annual Arts and Athletics Golf Outing on Thursday, June 19, at the Marquette Golf Club. The event supports both departments' students and programs. Four-person teams can play either the Heritage course for $150 per person, or Greywalls for $250 per person. Tickets include 18 holes with a cart, dinner, refreshments on the course and a thank-you gift.

Gavin Leach, a Northern Michigan University alumnus who has worked at NMU for 36 years—the last 18 as vice president for Finance and Administration–has been appointed NMU's interim president while a nationwide search is conducted for the next leader to fill the role. His appointment was announced at the May 2 NMU Board of Trustees meeting.

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees recognized its annual Student Achievement Award recipients, all of whom hail from Michigan. Tessa Standerford of Negaunee and Landon Strzelewicz of Caro are the 2025 Outstanding Graduating Seniors. Recipients of the remaining outstanding awards in their respective categories are: Amy Holmes of Waterford Township, Global Campus Student; Jennifer Kreger, Pontiac, Nontraditional Student; Andie Belanger, Gladstone, Graduate Student; and Bryson Krieger, Portland, Student of Any Class. 

Northern Michigan University closed out its 125th anniversary celebration with the second annual NMU Giving Day on April 17, exceeding the $125,000 goal by raising nearly $169,000 for student experiences, research, departments and programs. The “Give to What You Love” event theme encouraged Wildcats and friends to show the power of collective generosity and champion the causes they are particularly passionate about.

Students entering grades 9-11 in the fall are invited to apply for a free, weeklong residential Cyber Defenders Summer Camp hosted by the Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute at Northern Michigan University, with support from the Central U.P. MiSTEM Network and Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center. The camp will take place July 13-18 at NMU. It is designed to introduce students to the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity through a blend of virtual and in-person experiences. The application deadline is May 16.

Northern Michigan University's Glenn T. Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center will host a series of summer programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. These programs are designed to foster curiosity, creativity and career exploration through immersive, hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Two Northern Michigan University students and two alumni joined President Brock Tessman in testifying on behalf of NMU before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges in Lansing April 23. Those sharing the impact of their academic journeys were: Emma Gariepy, a senior forensic biochemistry major from Mattawan, Mich.; Ben Klossner, a junior mechanical engineering technology major from Iron Mountain; Troy Morris, a 2016 psychology/behavior analysis graduate and co-founder/CEO of the aerospace and space logistics company Kall Morris Inc. of Marquette; and Lexi Hagan, a 2024 business management graduate and new executive director of the Menominee Business Development Corporation.

Area school children who will participate in the 2025 Marquette-Alger Young Authors' Conference May 5-8 at Northern Michigan University visited NMU President Brock Tessman and his wife, Kristin, to read from their books. The students pictured with the Tessmans (from left) are: Callie Sundberg, Aspen Ridge, 5th grade; Brock Verville, Aspen Ridge, Kindergarten; Henry Dellangelo, Graveraet, Kindergarten; and Nora Morrison, Graveraet, 1st grade. 

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees has retained the services of Parker Executive Search to lead a national search for Northern's next president, after Brock Tessman announced his impending departure for the post at Montana State University. Parker was also contracted by NMU for the same process in 2022 that resulted in Tessman's appointment.

The Northern Michigan Constructors, a student organization dedicated to community service projects throughout the Marquette area, built an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant little free library and installed it last week next to the Kids Cove all-inclusive playground at Lower Harbor Park. The group's effort earned the "Project of the Year" award at NMU's Leadership Recognition Banquet held earlier this month.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will highlight and celebrate the talents of the department's graduating students with its inaugural Senior Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25. A second performance will be held on Mackinac Island for industry professionals from New York and major regional theaters on Tuesday, May 20.

High school students currently in grades 10-12 are invited to attend Northern Michigan University's week-long Environmental Science Camp, where they will explore the natural resources and scenic landscapes of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The camp will be held July 20-26.

A student crew from the Northern Michigan University construction management program recently built a new pavilion over the NMU Center for Native American Studies (CNAS) fire site. The CNAS describes the pavilion as “a legacy project” that they are excited to share with the campus and community.

Northern Michigan University has received a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to install a rooftop solar array at the campus WellBeing Center. The project will provide reliable renewable energy and reduce utility costs for the university, said NMU Assistant Vice President for Sustainability Jes Thompson. NMU was one of 21 statewide recipients of MDARD grants to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities.

Northern Michigan University's Center for Native American Studies will host Marquette's first "Water is Life Festival" on Friday, April 25. The event will bring together Indigenous teachers, local and regional musicians, performance artists, visual and material artists, and grassroots environmental advocates from throughout the Upper Peninsula. Admission to all activities is free.

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.