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Mary Polk

Mary Polk

'99 BS Preschool & Family Life Services alumna from Cedarville, MI

Meet Mary Polk, a 1999 BS Preschool & Family Life Services alumna from Cedarville, MI. Mary currently resides in Grand Rapids, MI where she currently is employed as a Montessori Elementary guide.

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Michael Clark Headshot

Michael Clark

Meet Michael Clark, a 2002 Land Use Planning & Management alumnus from Escanaba, MI. Michael currently serves as the Community and economic development director for Collierville, Tennessee.

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Christian Reese Photo

Christian Reese

'07 BS History alumnus from Morris, MN

Meet Christian Reese, a 2007 BS History Alumnus from Morris, MN. Christian currently resides in Rosemount, MN where he has been employed as an Army Officer, Reliability Manager, and Reliability Director. 

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Edward Vielmetti

Edward Vielmetti

ALND 81-84, from Marquette, MI.

Meet Edward Vielmetti, who attended NMU from 1981-84 before transferring to the University of Michigan to pursue engineering. Edward's grandmother is Ada B. Vielmetti, who the health center was dedicated to in 1976.

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Dead River Falls

Brett Schwenke

'89 alumnus from West Boomfield, MI

Meet Brett Schwenke, a 1989 alumnus from West Bloomfield, MI. Brett currently resides in Marquette, MI where he is employed as an environmental professional. 

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Sunset on Mount Marquette

Carolyn McDonald

'66 BA Education alumna from Athens, OH

Meet Carolyn McDonald, a 1966 BA Education alumna who transferred to NMU after two years at Ohio University in Athens, OH. Carolyn currently resides in Marquette, where she spends most of her free time volunteering after retiring from her teaching career. 

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Jodi holding an NMU sticker

Jodi Payne

2018 BS Communication Studies and Dance Minor alumna from North Branch,MI.

Meet Jodi Payne, a 2018 BS Communication Studies & Dance Minor alumna from North Branch, MI. Jodi currently resides in Gunnison, CO where she is employed as the Executive Director at the Gunnison Country Food Pantry. Jodi also teaches Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Hip-Hop for grades k-5 at the Crested Butte School of Dance.

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Girl sitting on black rocks in Marquette

McKenzie Mathewson

2018 BS Public Relations & Economics from Lewiston, MI

Meet McKenzie Mathewson, a 2018 BS Public Relations & Economics alumna from Lewiston, MI. McKenzie currently resides in Gunnison, CO, where she is employed as the Associate Director of Community Wellness at a local university. 

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Melissa graduation cap & gown photo

Melissa Santure

2024 BS Digital Cinema & Multimedia Production alunma from Midland, MI

Meet Melissa Santure, a 2024 BS Digital Cinema & Media Production alumna from Midland, MI. Melissa is currently in the process of moving from Marquette to Colorado where she accepted a position as a photographer/bus driver for Liquid Descent Rafting. 

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Headshot of Brandon

Brandon Erkkila

BS Community Health Education alumnus from Kingsford, MI.

Meet Brandon Erkkila, a BS Community Health Education alumnus from Kingsford, MI. Brandon currently resides in Appleton, WI, where he is employed as a Field Sales Trainer in Women's Health for Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals.

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Sunrise at Marquette Lower Harbor

Hailey Varney

2021 BS Medicinal Plant Chemistry alumna from Flint, MI

Meet Hailey Varney, a 2021 BS Medicinal Plant Chemistry alumna from Flint, MI. Hailey currently resides in Traverse City, MI where she is employed as a Lead LC/DAD Chemist.

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Michael Brown Headshot

Michael Brown

2005 BS Political Science alumnus and military veteran from Davisburg, MI

Meet Michael Brown, a 2005 BS Political Science alumnus and veteran from Davisburg, MI. Michael currently resides in Lafayette Hill, PA where he works with veterans who are getting out of the military and looking to use their VA Benefits to attend college at Villanova University.

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woman playing basketball

Lori Juntila Rupert

1981 BS Office Administration alumna from Ishpeming, MI.

Meet Lori Juntila Rupert, a 198 BS Office Administration alumna from  Ishpeming, MI. Lori currently resides in Del City, Oklahoma where she is employed as the Director of Academic Programs at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

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man and woman posing in front of a mountain

Mick Hoeflinger

2003 BS Physical Education alumnus from Niles, MI

Meet Mick Hoeflinger, a 2003 Physical Education alumnus from Niles, MI. Mick currently resides in Elkhart, IN, and has been employed as the Regional Director at Homeserve USA since 2021. 
 

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Girls posing for a picture in nature

Lexi Wieringa

2017 BS Marketing & 2019 MA Higher Education & Student Affairs alumna from Kentwood, MI

Meet Lexi Wieringa, a 2017 BS Marketing & 2019 MA Higher Education & Student Affairs alumna from Kentwood, MI.  Lexi currently resides in Gunnison, CO where she is employed at Western Colorado University as the Assistant Director of Residence Life, Success Advisor, and Assistant Director of the Academic Resource Center.
 

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Top of Mount Marquette

Mark Robinson

1995 BS Broadcasting Alumnus from Woodhaven, MI

Meet Mark Robinson, a 1995 BS Broadcasting alumnus form Woodhaven, MI. Mark currently resides in Woodhaven, where he is currently employed as as teacher. 

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man posing for a photo

Derek Mohr

2011 BFA Graphic Communication Alumnus from Wyoming, MI

Meet Derek Mohr, a 2011 Graphic Communication alumnus from Wyoming, MI. Derek currently resides in Grand Rapids, MI, where he works as a freelance designer & developer. 

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Woman standing in front of lake

Paige Shaw

2023 BS Elementary Education Alumna from Perry, MI

Meet Paige Shaw, a 2023 BS Elementary Education alumna from Perry, MI. Paige currently resides in Paw Paw MI, where she is employed as a second-grade teacher. 

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mand staning on top of a mountain

Brett Baum

BA Alumnus from Hampshire, IL

Meet Brett Baum, a 2017 BA alumnus from Hampshire, IL. Brett currently resides in Madsion, WI, where he is employed as a territory sales representative. 

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Man in front of waterfall holding fish

Rick Taylor

BS Business Administration Alumnus from Canton, MI

Meet Rick Taylor, a BS Business Administration alumnus from Canton, MI. Rick currently works as a Realtor in Ann Arbor, MI.

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Man and Woman standing in front of a lake

Kenneth E. Raisanen

BS 1975 and MA 1980 Alumnus, from Marquette, MI

Meet Kenneth E. Raisanen, a 1975 and 1980 alumnus (BS & MS) from Marquette, MI. Kenneth currently resides in Ontonagon, MI. Kenneth retired as an Geography / Earth Science teacher in 2018, and currently spending time volunteering as the General Manager for Ontonagon area Schools station WOAS FM 88.5, which he has been doing since 1997. ...

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Jan Levi

Jan (Sorensen) Levi

2001 BS Marketing, from Ishpeming, MI

Meet Jan (Sorensen) Levi, a 2001 alumna (BS Marketing) from Ishpeming, Mi. Jan currently lives in Puyallup, WA. Jan currently serves as a Procurement Agent for Boeing and is a Graduate Student at Michigan State University, pursuing a Master's of Arts in Strategic Communications.

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Mitchell Foster

Mitchell Foster

2011 Alumnus, from Big Rapids, Mi.

Meet Mitchell Foster, a 2011 Alumnus (BS Political Science) from Big Rapids Mi. Mitchell currently lives in and is the city manager for Ludington, Mi. Previously, Mitchell was the Village Manager of Kingsley, Mi. and Village Administrator of Winneconne, WI. 

 

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Amy Lewis

Amy (Sewick) Lewis

2005 Alumna from Downers Grove, IL

Explore all that Marquette and the Upper Peninsula have to offer. See a concert on campus. See a speaker on campus. Join an organization that you wouldn't be able to if you weren't in college. Invite your classmate that doesn't know a lot of people to come with you on a hike. Leave NMU better than you found it.

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Mary Hunt next to another woman

Mary K. Hunt

1988 BSN, from Oscoda, MI

Work hard and get that degree. You never know where it will take you. Because of my undergrad degree, I am now Dr. Mary K. Hunt, DNP, CNM, ENP-BC, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC. Thank you NMU, I never anticipated moving beyond the bedside, you made my future dreams come true.

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Wildcat Statue

Nolan Bergstrom

BS Earth, Environmental and Geographical Studies from Negaunee, MI

Meet Nolan Bergstrom, a 2018 alumnus from Negaunee, MI. Nolan is a community planner for the city of Kalamazoo, MI, where he currently resides.

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Larry Nicholson and his wife Sara

Larry Nicholson

2005 A.A.S. from Tyler, TX

Meet Larry Nicholson, a 2005 alumnus from Tyler, Texas. Larry is a former USOEC athlete and coach. Currently, Larry lives in Grand Rapids, MI and is a special education child care worker and boxing coach/mentor. 

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Jim Grahek

Jim Grahek

BS Marketing from Ely, Mn.

Meet Jim Grahek a 1981 alumnus from Ely, Mn. Jim currently lives in Plymouth, Mn and is a retired. Jim did work for 20 years as a Manufacturing Representative for Burndy which is an Electrical Connector Manufacturer and 35 years in the Electrical Industry.

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Chris Charboneau

Chris Charboneau

BS Music Education from Cheboygan, MI

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. He also taught for 26 years in four school districts. (Harrison, Birmingham, Oak Park and U of D Jesuit ...

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Abdulbari Musa Ansari

Dr. Abdulbari Musa Ansari, JD

BS Math, Sociology and Biology from Elizabeth, NJ

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.

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Steve Nystrom

Steve Nystrom

1986 Alumnus from Marquette, MI

Meet Steve Nystrom, a 1986 Alumnus from Marquette, Mi. Steve currently lives in Marquette and was honored as NMU's Distinguished Alumni award winner in 2022.

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Charlie Arnold

Charlie Arnold

BS Criminal Justice from Corpus Christi, TX

Meet Charlie Arnold, a 2020 Alumnus from Corpus Christi, Tx. Charlie currently lives in Wakefield, Mi and is a Professional ASVAB tutor. 

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Kurt VanWormer

Kurt VanWormer

BS Marketing from Marine City, MI

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

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Erica Rubick

Erica Rubick

BS Elementary Education from Gladstone, MI

Meet Erica Rubick, a 2021 Alumna from Gladstone, Mi. Erica is currently is a 6th grade teacher at Lineville Intermediate in the Howard-Suamico school district.

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Jeff Vande Zande

Jeff Vande Zande

BS English from Marquette, MI

Meet Jeff Vande Zande, a 1993 Alumnus from Marquette, Mi. Jeff is currently an English Professor at Delta College teaching film production and creative writing.

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Three kids standing in front of the wildcat statue

Michael David Brown

2005 political science Alumnus from Lafayette Hill, PA.

Meet Michael David Brown, a 2005 Alumnus from Lafayette Hill, Pa. Michael is currently the Director of the Office of Veterans and Military Service Members at Villanova University.

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Russell Kassin

Russell Kassin

2002 Alumnus from Iron Mountain, MI

Meet Russell Kassin, a 2002 Alumnus from Iron Mountain, Michigan. Russell currently serves as the President and CLO for First National Bank & Trust.

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Man in welding gear

Benjamin Griffin

Associates in Welding Technology from Marquette, MI

Meet Benjamin Griffin, a 2022 Alumnus from Marquette, Mi. Benjamin currently resides in Marquette, where he is a MIG Welder.

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Man standing in the woods

Dalton Warden

BFA Studio Painting from Ortonville, MI

Meet Dalton Warden, a 2016 alumnus from Ortonville, Mi. Dalton currently resides in Miami, Fl. where he is a painter, illustrator and professional framer.

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Selfie of a woman

Brittany Nardi

BS Marketing from Ishpeming, MI

Meet Brittany Nardi, a 2021 alumnus from Ishpeming, Michigan. Brittany currently serves as a customer success coordinator with Gratavid.

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Woman standing outside in wintertime

Alexa Alagon

BS Outdoor Recreation, Leadership and Management from Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines.

"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."

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Women holding dog

Autumn Monsma

BA Hospitality Management from Grand Haven, MI

"The advice that I would give current NMU students is to advantage of all of the opportunities that both NMU and Marquette have to offer. Make connections with those around you, because these will be the relationships that will last a lifetime."

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Three people on rocks

Valerie Smead

BA Hospitality Management from Saline, MI

"NMU provided an excellent base knowledge of hotel operations and food & beverage management. I still use skills I learned in college, especially cost control, beverage management, and supervisory skills."

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Women cooking

Alivia Shook

BA Hospitality Management from LeRoy, MI

"Trust the process, students. Create your own path, own your mistakes, remember your successes, and ALWAYS strive to be better. Keep your mind open, always. There is not a learning "end game". You will never be done learning, as cliche as that sounds."

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Women stnading in the lake

Allie Bowles

BA Hospitality Management from Chicago, IL

"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. "

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Women smiling on rock

Maija Mattson

Communication Sciences and Disorders major from Pearl City, IL

"Enjoy the adventure that is Marquette! Don’t take the beauty and accessibility of this place for granted. You can be on the trails or at the lake in 5 minutes. Enjoy your time and get outside! "

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Women cooking outside

Ashley Lance

Hospitality Management major from Taneytown, Maryland

"When I decided to pursue a Hospitality Management degree, I thought I wanted to work in events and did not think that all the cooking classes I had to take would be helpful for that objective. I am so glad they were part of the curriculum, as I learned more from those classes than i had expected and in time they ended up being what i loved most...

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Megan Persons, NMU Alumni

Megan Persons

Class of 2012 Alumna

"At NMU I learned quickly how to manage time and work in partnership with people, skills that continue to serve me well in my professional life."

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Michelle Borleske

Michelle Borleske

Class of 1994 Alumna

"I regularly give credit to the NMU staff for helping me get to where I am today. There's rarely a week that goes by in my current role where I don't reflect upon or implement a skill or idea that traces back to my NMU days."

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Jovan Dewitt

Jovan Dewitt

Class of 1999 Alumnus

"My advice for students of color is to get more involved in campus events and become a part of the university."

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Sarah Santiago

Sarah Santiago

2012 Alumni from Battle Creek, Michigan

"The support, encouragement, and inspiration that I received as a student at NMU was deeply impactful on me and I wanted to be able to provide that to students; to pay it forward."

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Morgan Waller, NMU Alumni

Morgan Waller

Public Relations and MPA Alumni from Chicago, Illinois

"NMU has taught me how to speak up, cultivate meaningful relationships, and stay involved. I would encourage students to use their voices, speak up and make those connections! You would be surprised at how far you get by just saying what most people are thinking at times."

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Charles Motley

Charles Motley

Charles Motley, B.A. Communications Alumni '94 from Detroit, Michigan

"I lead 7 manufacturing operations in North America for MillerKnoll, a collective of dynamic brands focused on design and the production of home and office furnishings." - Charles, Class of '94

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Cara with a camera on the beach

Cara Jo Knapp

Photography Alumni from Traverse City, Michigan

"NMU has helped me SO MUCH in my current role. Basically, it helped me learn how to be the best artist I can be by mastering the technical skills I need to allow myself to be creative."

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Fabiana portrait

Fabiana Sofia Perera

Alumni ('05) from Caracas, Venezuela

"NMU's remote location was an asset to me. Living in Marquette, Michigan proved to me (and others) that I can adapt quickly to new environments. It also gave me the life-long right to feel superior to people who complain about the cold."

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Keshawn and his mom with his diploma

Keshawn Howard

Criminal Justice/Political Science alumni ('21) from Rochester, New York

"To be northern means to be distinctly different. Different in the aspect that you are in a pretty remote location for a lot of students and you are presented with ample opportunities and experiences. Throughout these experiences, you are allowed to choose your 'destiny' in a sense."

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Makayla is a construction management alumni from Lake Orion, Michigan. She graduated in May of 2020 and was a teaching assistant during her time at Northern.

Makayla Kyre

Construction Management alumni from Lake Orion, Michigan

"One of my favorite events, when I was a student, was volunteering for women in construction day. I loved being able to share with middle schoolers and high schoolers around the upper peninsula the different opportunities for women in the construction industry."

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Hilde portrait

Hilde Eide

Environmental Science major from Beitostoelen, Norway

"I want to contribute to finding sustainable solutions to tackle climate change and all the problems that come with it."

Hilde is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences department. 

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Spencer headshot

Spencer Cola

Construction Management major from Highland, Michigan

"Get involved and meet as many people as you can. Networking is a huge part of any career field."

Cola is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Technology and Occupational Sciences department.

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Leah Headshot

Leah Danielson

Communications Studies major from New Brighton, Minnesota

"Passionate about educational equity, I hope to use the things I’ve learned at Northern to show all high school students that they are capable of going to college and help them get there." 

Danielson is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Communications department. 

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Kelly in cap and gown

Kelly Chandler

Master's of Public Administration student from Gaylord, Michigan

"My childhood was not perfect by any measure and I understood at a young age that what I was experiencing was, unfortunately, very common. I knew I had a responsibility and opportunity to break the cycle and work towards creating a better life for myself and the children and families in our communities."

Chandler is the May 2021 Outstand...

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Zoe portrait

Zoe Folsom

Sociology major from Kalamazoo, Michigan

"I entered college thinking I'd be an English major because I loved literary analysis, but then I realized I could analyze the human condition in the real world, rather than just in books, and I was hooked."

Folsom is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Sociology department. 

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McKenzie portrait

McKenzie Leishman

Graphic Design major from Traverse City, Michigan

"Take time to explore the amazing places around Marquette, the hiking trails here are like no other!"

Leishman is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Art & Design department. 

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Analise portrait

Analise Osgood

Psychology major from Birmingham, Michigan

"My advice to current students is to keep working hard because the hard work pays off eventually!"

Osgood is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Psychology department. 

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Mariah portrait

Mariah Goeks

Math, Physics and French triple major from Lake Forest, Illinois

"My high school counselor had given me a list of 50 potential schools to look at when I was a junior, so NMU made my initial cut by having a good physics program, a band open to non-music majors, and the beautiful surroundings of the U.P."

Goeks is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Physics department. 

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Allexus portrait

Allexus Balconi

Master's of Business Administration student from Marquette, Michigan

"I liked being close to home with friends and family, and after leaving to go to Grand Valley State University my freshman year I realized I missed the lake and that I took for granted all the nature that was in the U.P."

Balconi is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the NMU College of Business.

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Emily portrait

Emily Kendall

Technical Theatre and Criminal Justice double major from Faribault, Minnesota

"I decided on Northern because I knew I was going to get help financially through my good grades and donor-funded scholarships and because I felt comfortable here."

Kendall is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Theatre department. 

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Maggie portrait

Maggie Vaitkus

Spanish and Fisheries and Wildlife Management double major from Munster, Indiana

"NMU has the perfect landscape for me to pursue my academic and athletic goals."

Vaitkus is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Languages, Literatures and International Studies department. 

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Ryan portrait

Ryan Meister

Economics major from Walled Lake, Michigan

"One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had during my tenure at NMU is tutoring economics. I find it both challenging and fulfilling."

Meister is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Economics department. 

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Jaime portrait

Jaime VanEnkevort

Master of Arts in Education student from Bark River, Michigan

"Coming to Northern was a huge step for me as a freshly graduated young adult from the U.P. I had no idea the world I was stepping into."

VanEnkevort is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Education department. 

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Kassidee portrait

Kassidee Yon

Elementary Education/Language Arts major from Wakefield, Michigan

"I always knew I wanted to become a teacher, and my experience here (at NMU) has done nothing but reassure my decision."

Yon is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Education department. 

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Sam singing

Sam Miess

Biology major from Oregon, Wisconsin

"I vividly remember driving into Marquette from the south side and seeing the town and the bay, and I was like “I’m in love.”

Meiss is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Biology department. 

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Hannah Headshot

Hannah Holma

Master's of Social Work student from Iron River, Michigan

"'beNorthern' means family to me. Through both experiences at NMU, I have formed lasting bonds and relationships with faculty, staff and classmates that will last a lifetime."

Holma is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Social Work department. 

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Krystle and her son

Krystle Hanson

Master's of Social Work student from Fergus Falls, Minnesota

"I fell into a major and career that I absolutely love, thanks to the passion and knowledge of the NMU social work staff."

Hanson is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Social Work department. 

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Riley portrait

Riley McDonough

Political Science major from Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"The coolest and most helpful thing that I was able to do as part of my major was having the opportunity to meet with many of the local attorneys around the Marquette area."

Riley was awarded May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior. 

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Matt portrait

Matthew Alanskas

Electrical Engineering Technology major from Chesterfield, Michigan

"At first, I never thought I’d move 7 hours away from home to a town in the UP. After becoming more exposed to Marquette, I fell in love with the town and decided this was the school for me."

Alanskas is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Engineering Technology department. 

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Danielle Portrait

Danielle Holland

Educational Administration graduate student from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

"It sounds cliche, but don't give up. I once had to take a break from classes, but after the break, I came back strong and finished."  

Holland is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Education department. 

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Martha portrait

Martha Falin

Social Work graduate student from Port Huron, Michigan

"After graduation, I plan to work with individuals who have co-occurring mental health and substance use issues."

Falin is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Social Work department. 

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Katharina Springhetti

Katharina Springhetti

Sports Science major from Tramin, Italy

"To me, “be Northern” means being part of a great community, and making lifelong friends."

Springhetti is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Health and Human Performance department. 

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Sarah portrait

Sarah Kennedy

Business Management major from Faribault, Minnesota

"I cannot stress this enough: go out and join as many clubs as possible. I have created so many friendships that I wouldn’t have ever had the opportunity to make if I hadn’t joined any organizations on campus."

Kennedy is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the NMU College of Business. 

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Tess headshot

Tess Kostelec

Nursing major from Columbia, Maryland

"Being a part of the NMU Women's Lacrosse team has probably been my most rewarding experience. It has taught me so much about working hard, leadership, and teamwork."

Kostelec is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Nursing department. 

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Anna portrait

Anna Badger

Nursing major from Maple Grove, Minnesota

"Figuring out a plan to get hundreds of people vaccinated during a pandemic was not easy. I am so glad I had the opportunity to vaccinate people on campus!"

Badger is the May 2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Nursing department.