Home - NMU Blog

Christine Lang Byrne, '96 highlights her favorite memories as a Gries Hall resident and member of the Women's Swim & Dive Team.

Debbie Gibson Brown, '87 shares her favorite memories of on-campus events.

John Kramer, '96 shares his appreciation for the annual UP 200 sled dog race.

Katie Buhrmann names the influential people who shaped her time at NMU.

Michael Matter, '72 tells of his time on the NMU Swim and Dive team.

Allison Hayes, '23 tells of a very unfortunate camping trip that turned out to be a notable NMU experience.

Beverly Johnson, '11 shares about her experience as part of the first cohort to graduate with a minor in Native American Studies.

Gary Lundgren, '76 reminisces on his time as an athlete on the NMU intercollegiate hockey team just before Rick Comley and the rollout of the hockey program in 1976.

Joel Kaskinen, '16 fondly details how the people at NMU created a lasting impact.

Nancy Daley, '70 found her life's work through experiences at NMU. 

When asked, “What’s your favorite thing about NMU?” a lot of students answered, “the dome,” “the lake,” and more. What some students said, though, surprised me. If you’re considering attending NMU, or want to know more about campus, here’s a sneak peek at student favorites!

With the new year comes the pressure to change your life and habits, which can feel like a huge weight and add stress rather than cage it. Along with the new year also comes a new semester, a fresh set of classes, and for most, a fresh schedule. Read on for tips from some experienced students.

One of the most significant choices students face when entering college is deciding their living situation. Whether that be choosing to live on campus and deciding what hall suits you best or making the choice to commute from home. I can honestly say that this was a very difficult decision for me to make.

NMU Alumnus Dennis Ormsbee graduated from Northern in 1972, and would never have imagined that 50 years later his granddaughter would be completing the same accomplishment from the same university. 

It’s often said that you are required to be a “winter person” in order to live in the Upper Peninsula, but as someone who is a self-proclaimed warm-weather person I’ve found ways of surviving the freeze. Here are some helpful tips to help you get through NMU’s winter months:

Whether you are a first year student, a fourth year student or someone in between, there is always room for some advice from those around us. We have compiled a list of advice from several places around campus and put them in one place for you to reference and take from regardless of if it is your first semester or your last.

I was uncertain of my major while attending Northern Michigan University. As a freshman I knew I was interested in sports and enrolled in the Entertainment & Sports Promotion program in the Communications Department. This opened my eyes to working sports games and learning skills that eventually lead me to work for organizations like the Chi...

“One of us is not free until all of us are free.” – Fannie Lou Hamer

I’ve been reflecting on this meditation quite a bit lately. To take this a step further, if we want to love others, each of us must have the courage to be our fullest, most authentic selves and intentionally create spaces where others can feel safe enough to do the same...

I realized my ideas about my future had shifted, and as my dreams changed, I decided that I needed to find a school that would best help me achieve that vision. So, I enrolled at Northern Michigan University and began my business degree.

Alexa Alagon ’17 Outdoor Recreation, Leadership and Management, shares how cultivating intentional spaces in outdoor experiences allows everyone to find joy and connection. Read what being a modern-day Asian American Pacific Islander Woman means to her.

"Many of the interesting things that we do in nursing school, revolve a lot around the clinical setting. each semester is a little bit different, but during my second semester of nursing school, I was able to spend a day in different specialty locations. For example, one day I was in the OR, which was an amazing experience getting to be alongsid...

"Being a Wildcat to me means making the best of whatever life throws your way. There’s no right way to live a life, so it’s finding people that you enjoy being around and going out and doing whatever makes you happy and a better person."

"An interesting part of my major was that I created and managed a small sticker business with a group of students as part of one of my classes. To promote the product, I was interviewed on TV6. Another helpful thing was applying to the Rural Leadership Development Fellowship. With this, I can gain real-life experience in community development an...

"Growing up in the Northern Michigan region, I had already felt at home. Surrounded by nature and having Lake Superior nearby there are plenty of activities to do. I have met a lot of people here who have made major impacts on my life and I have made forever connections."

"Northern changes you for the better. Since coming here, I have redefined my life aspirations and feel confident about the next stages of my life, especially when it comes to graduate school. Having a stronger belief in my future has allowed me to open up and learn more about myself as an individual."

Meet Kurt VanWormer, a 1977 alumnus from Marine City, Mi. Kurt currently lives in Houston, Tx and serves on NMU's alumni board.

"Meet and network with as many people as you can and don't be afraid to apply for jobs that you think you may not necessarily qualify for! Firms hire people, not robots, and your personality and how it fits in company culture is just as important as skills."

Meet Chris Charboneau a 1993 Alumnus from Cheboygan, Mi. Chris currently lives in Madison Heights, Mi. and is a retired band director (1993-2019) and current antique dealer, musician, clinician, guest conductor and music festival adjudicator.

"Seek out a mentor in a department that interests you to learn about their journey to help inspire your own. There are so many incredible folks working at NMU with valuable lessons and resources to tap into. Don’t be afraid to say hello and start those conversations."

Meet Dr. Abdulbari Musa Ansari, JD a 1964 Alumnus from Elizabeth, NJ. Abdulbari currently lives in Buckingham, Va. and was inducted into the NMU Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.