125 Years
Join Northern Michigan University in celebrating 125 years of academic excellence, unmatched community spirit, and Wildcat pride.
Join us in celebrating 125 years
Since 1899, Wildcats have triumphed, building a communal strength that expands beyond campus into the Marquette community and Upper Peninsula region. Never faltering or staying in one place; always forward, always onward, with an iron will and an uncommon warmth.
It's hard to put 125 years of history into one video, so instead, we present to you some of the institutional highlights.
Northern Magazine: 125th Anniversary Edition
The fall 2024 issue of Northern Magazine is a special celebration, anniversary edition. Follow along NMU's history through the decades and maybe see some familiar faces along the way. The digital version is live now; look for a hard copy landing in your mailbox!
Upcoming Events
- March 18 Looking Back: "Jazz at Northern Michigan" | 7 p.m., JXJ 1318
- April 4 30 Years Later: Remembering Haywire | 7:30 p.m., JXJ 1100
More events and details to come!
Spring 2025 Commencement
The ceremony officially closes NMU’s yearlong celebration of its 125th anniversary. Spring commencement will be held on Saturday, May 3, at 10:30 a.m. at the Superior Dome. The public is welcome; no tickets are required.
Students Receive 125th Celebration Scholarships
Northern kicked off its 125th Anniversary Celebration by awarding three students scholarships at the start of its Charter Week on Monday, April 29.
Each student received an award of $1,250 that can be used toward their NMU costs for the Fall 2024 semester.
The recipients were: First year studebt - Sophia Haraison; undergraduate student, Tay Linder; and graduate student TJ Jasinski.
Tell Your Story
As part of its 125th anniversary celebration this year, Northern Michigan University is collecting stories and reflections from alumni, faculty, staff, and community members to share throughout 2024 across various NMU platforms. Photos and recordings up to a minute in length are also welcome. Audio recordings will be played on NMU's RadioX during the 125th anniversary celebration.
NMU's Alma Mater
The Alma Mater Work Group selected Communication and Media Studies Professor Dwight Brady’s "Northern Pride" as the top submission and recommended it as the alma mater to President Brock Tessman and the Executive Council, where it was approved.
Northern Pride will made itss official debut at the 2024 Homecoming football game on Sept. 21.
Give us a school, a Normal School!
By the late 19th century, the Upper Peninsula flourished with immigrants who had come to work in the copper and iron mining and logging industries. Their children needed an education, but 75% of teachers in the area had no formal training and were likely fresh out of secondary school. Notable Marquette residents including Peter White lobbied for the establishment of what was then called a normal school—a translation of the French term école normale—to train and certify teachers in the region. The state legislature refused the first few proposals, but on April 28, 1899, Gov. Hazen Pingree signed a bill authorizing Northern State Normal School in Marquette. The pen he used on that fateful day is stored at the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center on campus.
Stories
Members of the first graduating class of Northern State Normal School, 1902
Northern State Normal School graduating class, 1911
A dorm room circa 1911
Northern State Normal School orchestra, 1920
A collage from 1937's 'Kawbawgam' yearbook
Athletics collage from the Polaris yearbook, 1942
Northern News Staff, 1942
Lydia M. Olson library entrance, 1955
Ski club, 1955
Members of the 1955 cheerleading squad
NMU marching band on the field, 1960's
Dedication of Edgar L. Harden Resource Center, 1973
John X. Jamrich Hall in the 1970's
NMU hockey in the 1970's
NMU Football NCAA Championship Team 1975
First staff of the Nishnawbe News, 1971
Glenn T. Seaborg, the namesake of NMU's Seaborg Center and Ishpeming native, was the only living person to have an element named after him. He passed away in 1999.
NMU homecoming parade, 1980's
Students on campus circa 1988
In 1991, the NMU Men's Hockey Team won the NCAA Championship under the leadership of now athletic director Rick Comley
The beginning of the Teaching, Learning, and Communication (TLC) program, NMU's award-winning, campus-wide technology program, 2000
Wildcat Willy has been through several glow ups over the years...
Generations of Wildcats at homecoming 2015
NMU's Medicinal Plant Chemistry program is the first 4-year degree of its kind and has been featured in USA Today, The Washington Post, Detroit Free Press, CNBC, and NBC Nightly News, 2017
Willy and friends at NMU's 120th Birthday Party, 2019
NMU's Women's Volleyball Team plays the first-ever collegiate volleyball game on Mackinac Island against Central Michigan University, 2021
In 2023, Dr. Brock Tessman officially became the 17th president of Northern Michigan University
A shot of Northern State Normal School campus, 1910
We want you to share your story!
If you are interested in sharing your NMU stories and experiences, please fill out the form linked below!
