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.

four students with the wildcat statue

Upcoming Events

 

  • September 14 - October 31 Hayes Corn Maze honors NMU's 125th

  • November 8 Sonderegger Symposium, hosted by Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center
     
  • December 14 Mid-year Commencement 

More events and details to come!
 

An autumn photo of Northern Michigan University's outdoor Wildcat statue

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:  incoming student - Sophia Haraison; undergraduate student, Tay Linder; and graduate student TJ Jasinski.

Tell Your Story NMU Graphic

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. 

1980's black and white NMU marching band photo

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 make its official debut at the 2024 Homecoming football game on Sept. 21.


 

 

The seal for Northern State Normal School, which was the name of NMU from 1899-1927

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

Image
Brian Dufort Thumbnail

Brian Dufort

'93

Image
Dorothy Elaine Paad Thumbnail

Dorothy Elaine Paad

'20 BA

Image
Kenneth Longfield Thumbnail

Kenneth Longfield

'60s

Image
Taryn Francis

Taryn Francis

'93 BA, '97 & '2010 MAE

Image
Steve Shaughnessy Thumbnail

Steve Shaughnessy

BS '72, MS '79

Image
Christine Lange Byrne Thumbnail

Christine Lane Byrne

BS

Image
Debbie Gibson Brown Thumbnail

Debbie Gibson Brown

BS

Image
John Kramer Tumbnail

John Kramer

BS '96

Image
Katie Buhrmann Thumbnail

Katie Buhrmann

BS

Image
Michael Matter thumbnail

Michael Matter

'72 BS

Image
decorative image

Allison Hayes

'23 BS

Image
decorative image

Beverly Johnson

'11 BSW

Image
decorative image

Gary Lundgren

'76 BS

Image
decorative image

Joel Kaskinen

'16 BS

Image
decorative image

Nancy Daley

'70 BS

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!

*All vintage photos on this website are courtesy of UPLink's extensive archival yearbook collection as well as the Northern at 100 publication