Brendan Sommer

I spent two summers as a stewardship trail technician at Little Traverse Conservancy out of Harbor Springs, conducting recreation and trail-based infrastructure. I also assisted with LTC during the aftermath of the 2025 Ice Storm, where I also assisted the region through the Michigan Army National Guard.

While obtaining my Master's in Forestry, I was an adjunct instructor at Gogebic Community College, teaching Forest Ecology to students wanting to pursue forestry and transfer to larger universities.

I am now the Tribal Forester at Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), where I conduct forest inventories and comment on Forest Service projects with the intent to keep Tribal ideals in mind. I also now serve as a sergeant in the 1431st CEC-I out of Calumet, where I assist in operations and teach the next generation of soldiers how to be great engineers. On top of those commitments, I serve in the Hurontown Fire search and rescue team.

NMU gave me the perspective of looking at things differently. They also gave me a firm foundation and understanding of natural resource management that I took with me into graduate school.

NMU also gave me the GIS skills and the interest in continuing to learn more and develop my skills into map-making, presenting for contractors, other agencies, and the council.

Don't just stay in your dorm, go out and explore the outdoors, ask questions, take photos, you never know when you reflect on your time at NMU for guidance.

NMU gave me the tools and the courses to set me up for success. I loved the atmosphere of learning and exploring at the same time. I made many lifelong friends while at NMU, and the opportunities were there to become the best I can be.

 

Dive deeper, ask questions, don't be afraid to knock on a professor's door (during office hours) or send an email asking for clarification. Also, don't take the few years at NMU for granted.
 

Dr. Ryan Stock, former instructor, and advisor. I often catch myself telling my interns, soldiers, and students stories from his classes and try to carry myself in a positive, welcoming attitude that they are here to learn and "not here to suffer."

Hiking with my best friend along the Dead River and looking over the river from a high rock, and just feeling free, then proceeding to almost fall off when we remembered that we had an evening class. Many stories follow the same format, but with classes or hockey, "Brendan, let's go on an adventure... But puck drop is at 6, so let's get going."

A Wildcat means that you are calculated, even in high-pressure situations, you know your goal, and you pounce at the right opportunity to succeed.