What is your NMU connection?
I graduated from NMU in 1976 with a BS degree. I also worked as a student assistant in the NMU News Bureau while attending college. I was one of six children who graduated from NMU and my parents, Henry and Dorothy Feldhusen (who never went to college) were very proud of our achievements. My siblings are: Tom (graduated 1966 with a BS degree); Mike (graduated 1965 with a BS degree), Hank (graduated 1971 with a BS degree), Dave (graduated 1981 with a BS degree), and Barb (graduated 1974 with a BS degree). Each of us paid our way through college with scholarships, grants, loans and by working part-time during the school year and full-time in the summer months. Four of us siblings went on to become teachers (Mike, Hank, Dave, Barb).
Your favorite NMU memory or story
My favorite memory is visiting my siblings on campus when they were attending NMU. I especially enjoyed touring the ice castles on campus when NMU still held Winter Carnivals.
Who is the most influential person you met during your time at NMU and why were they so influential?
I met many influential people in the News Bureau when I was privileged to work there (including Matt Surrell, Jim Carter, John Fairman, Don Pavloski, and Chyrl Hemmila), but Gil Heard probably made the biggest impression. His distinctive voice alone was very impressive (I loved being able to listen to him making his regular sports reports by phone to the local media), but he was a true professional and gave his all to be the best Sports Information Director for 20+ years (all the while managing his personal health issues which eventually resulted in the establishment of the Gil Heard Courageous Athlete Award). He was tireless in covering and promoting NMU's sports programs. I was proud to be a small part of his department while at NMU, working as a statistician for basketball, football, and occasional wrestling games.
Tell us about the significance of any teams, clubs, or organizations you were part of during your time at NMU
Being a part of study clubs for some of my English classes (my major at NMU) was very beneficial to helping me absorb the material, but it was also a great way to meet other students and establish friendships.
What is/was your favorite thing to do in Marquette?
If I had to narrow it down to just one thing, I'd say drive around Presque Isle. However, there were lots of favorite haunts that I and my siblings shared: the Blue Link on Presque Isle Avenue, Andy's Bar on Front Street and Peanut Night, the old Wildcat Den with its wooden tables and benches etched with names of hundreds of students past; Sandy's Restaurant and its 10-cent hamburgers, special events in the old Hedgcock Fieldhouse, winter carnivals, watching skaters and hockey games at the Palestra on Fair Avenue, and so much more.
Talk about any significant/memorable sporting events, weather occurrences or other on-campus activities
That would have to be the 1975 football season when the Wildcats turned around an 0-10 season to finish 13-1 and win a national title.
Streaking was all the rage when my sister Barb and I were in college.
Commuting from Munising to Marquette in the winter could be a challenge. Tom told us that during his college days, classes were cancelled at NMU for the first time ever due to bad weather.
Share any dorm/Roommate stories you have
My first roommate was dating a guy who was in military service. I remember her recording audio tapes of what she was busy with at college to send him. I never got to listen, though, to the tapes she received from him.
I remember it as always being a challenge to be able to snag a washing machine to do one's laundry.
In January 1973, I, my sister, and a couple of our friends gathered together in one of the dorm rooms to watch Elvis Presley's concert from Hawaii on TV.
I remember playing many a game of Euchre in the dorms.
It was my first experience of being able to have food delivered to me. Togo's deliveries were a regular, and welcome, occurrence at the dorms.
What is your current or former profession?
I am retired but work part-time as a contributing editor for WriteUP Editorial Services, LLC.
I retired in 2023 as General Manager of Hiawatha Chef Supply, Inc., in Escanaba, MI. I also worked for a time as a writer and business editor for "The Daily Press" in Escanaba.
How did NMU help you get to where you are today?
NMU helped me to focus my efforts to achieve my goals. My English studies were especially helpful in developing my writing skills.
Mary at her NMU graduation in 1976 with then-President John X. Jamrich. The photo was taken by NMU News Bureau Photographer Don Pavloski.