All News Releases

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. 

In response to the community spread of the COVID-19 virus, as reflected by an increased number of positive cases among off-campus students, NMU will pause recreational sports activities at the PEIF and Wildcat Fit Zone. The two facilities will tentatively reopen Monday, Nov. 16. President Fritz Erickson said the goal is to further mitigate congregating of students, faculty and staff.

NMU alumna Mallory Fischer ('15 BS) is the new communications and membership specialist for Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, a nonprofit based in her hometown of Woodstock, Ill. According to its website, Defenders' teams and committees address issues facing natural areas, water resources and open spaces, as well as decisions being made by county and city officials that could impact the environment.

Kristin Johnson, a marketing professional born and raised in Gladstone, has joined Innovate Marquette SmartZone as marketing coordinator. She is responsible for mentoring the Invent@NMU student marketing team and overseeing all of its client work. Invent@NMU's mission is to spark economic development by providing Upper Peninsula residents with resources to take their product or business ideas to market.

Northern Michigan University will host a virtual Climate@Noon presentation titled “The Color of Bunny” from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Assistant Biology Professor Diana Lafferty will present about how a mismatch in seasonal coat color provides a visual metaphor for how climate change may affect Earth's biodiversity. 

They toiled in Upper Peninsula mines and mills. But on weekends, the muscles forged by the sweat of their labor would be on display against some of the NFL's finest football teams. This rich deposit of U.P. football history is being unearthed in a new television documentary titled "Linked to Legends: The U.P. Teams that Played the Packers." The film by Northern Michigan University Professor Dwight Brady will debut later this month on WNMU-TV.

NMU alumnus William Provost ('20 BS, '13 MA, '10 BS) recently became the first to complete a course and certification offered through NMU's Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute (UPCI), which opened on campus in May 2019. The UPCI offers non-degree and industry credentials relevant to emerging careers, augments NMU's existing cyber defense bachelor's degree and provides career exploration and training opportunities for K-12 school districts.

Northern's annual Diversity Common Reader Program (DCRP) revolves around a nonfiction book of interdisciplinary interest that advances discussions of diversity, inclusion and justice. This year's selection, Ta-Nehisi Coates' "Between the World and Me," is available free to NMU students, starting today. Two related virtual events are planned Nov. 13.

The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association will continue its Northern Now monthly digital event series with a presentation by permafrost expert and alumnus Fritz Nelson ('73 BS). His talk is titled "Hell of a Highway: Permafrost and the Development of the Alcan Project." It will begin at 7 p.m. (EST) Wednesday, Nov. 11.