All News Releases

The construction management program at Northern Michigan University will host virtual presentations Friday morning on senior projects completed on campus and on behalf of community organizations. The online format was necessitated by safety protocols associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

NMU will hold a virtual celebration honoring all 2020 graduates at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. The event will include messages from President Fritz Erickson, Board Chair Steve Mitchell, May 2020 graduate Cecilia Ruiz and student-selected faculty speaker Kia Jane Richmond of the English Department.  

NMU's Educational Access Network (EAN) has a firmly entrenched mission of providing broadband internet service through the university's high-speed LTE wireless network to learners of all ages across the Upper Peninsula. But with COVID-19, the EAN's existing technology also helped to prevent an Iron River call center from losing valuable employees whose home internet speeds couldn't handle the demands of working remotely.

The Northern Michigan University College of Business will host virtual presentations by Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate candidates at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Four graduating students will showcase a portfolio of five to six major projects that demonstrate their achievement of learning objectives. 

Northern Michigan University public relations professor and alumna Jes Thompson ('01 BS) has been named the 2020 recipient of the Western National Parks Association Steward L. Udall Award for her leadership on putting together the book America's Largest Classroom: What We Learn From Our National Parks.  

Northern Michigan University will adhere to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' executive order regarding higher education by switching to remote learning effective Wednesday, Nov. 18. Employees who can work remotely must begin to do so by the same date.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance is presenting its newly branded and re-imagined Fringe Festival titled “North x North Coast.” The virtual arts and culture festival will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 22. In addition to theater and dance performances, it will feature vocal and instrumental music, short films, 3D animation and art.

Northern Michigan University senior Emma Drever and her father Peter Drever ('93 BS) have both served as presidents of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University (ASNMU), the student government organization on campus. Emma is president now and Peter was 29 years ago. The father-daughter duo hails from Cook County, Ill.  

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University has received a Michigan Humanities Council grant of $13,226 for its upcoming exhibition titled “The Decolonization.” The project will tell the story of the Anishinaabeg Native American people of the Upper Peninsula through their personal experiences and perspectives. 

Northern Michigan University alumnus Mike Settles has "found his way home," returning to the Upper Peninsula and WNMU Public Media after a 24-year absence. He is the new producer and host of Media Meet, the Ask the... series featuring experts in such areas as law and medicine, and other local content. 

Jesse Sherman is Northern Michigan University's 2020 Student Veteran of the Year. He received a ceremonial coin at a small campus event held on Veterans Day and attended by his family, along with Michigan Rep. Sara Cambensy and Sen. Ed McBroom. Sherman is scheduled to graduate in late November with a master of business administration (MBA) degree.

The DeVos Art Museum at Northern Michigan University is hosting the Senior Art Exhibition for graduating seniors of the art and design program through Friday, Nov. 20. The museum is currently open exclusively to NMU students, faculty and staff. The general public can explore the exhibition online at art.nmu.edu/museum.

NMU alumna Shelley O'Dowd ('70 MAE) was recently surprised with 80th birthday treats and balloons from her colleagues at Pennfield High School in Battle Creek, where she continues to have a meaningful impact on students as a special education teacher. Neither the COVID-19 virus nor the increased emphasis on technology for remote instruction could deter the lung cancer survivor from returning for her 36th year at the school.

The NMU Department of Music and the Siril Endowment for the Musical Arts are presenting a digital streaming event featuring the world-renowned voices of the British ensemble Voces8. The concert will be available from Wednesday, Nov. 11, until Friday, Nov. 13, at midnight. 

Northern Michigan University will hold its fourth consecutive Day of Giving to coincide with the global charitable event, Giving Tuesday, on Dec. 1.

Northern Michigan University's Department of Music will livestream its “Brass Night” performance from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9.

Three NMU students have been selected to receive the first scholarships awarded by the Caregiver Incentive Project (CIP), a nonprofit organization focused on improving the lives of the cared for by supporting caregivers. The recipients—all from Michigan—are Stephanie Enrietti of Ishpeming, Emily Hawkins of Clarkston and Rachel Mitchell of Davison. Each will be awarded $2,000 to help further their education and encourage their future or continued caregiver roles.

Northern Michigan University alumnus and former ASNMU President Jason Morgan ('11 BA) has been re-elected to represent District 8 on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, receiving nearly 87.5% of the vote. He was first elected to the post in 2016.

Five Northern Michigan University students selected for Anna and Rich Lundin Honors Summer Research Fellowships will give presentations on their projects during a virtual symposium from 5-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9. Through donor support, the NMU Honors Program is able to award fellows $5,000 to conduct research alongside a faculty member, focusing on a particular area of their respective major or minor.