125th Stories

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Brian Dufort Thumbnail

Brian Dufort

Brian Dufort, '93, shares his favorite memory of the 1991 NCAA College Hockey Championship run.

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Dorothy Elaine Paad Thumbnail

Dorothy Elaine Paad

Dorothy Elaine Paad, '20 BA. highlights he experience as the first student with a disability to take dance at NMU

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Kenneth Longfield Thumbnail

Kenneth Longfield

Kenneth Longfield, a '60s alumnus shares his memory of the coldest winter he has ever experienced 

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Taryn Francis Thumbnail

Taryn Francis

Taryn Francis, '93 BA, '97 & '2010 MAE, shares memories including listening to former astronaut Jerry Lineger speak at the Winter 2023 Graduation

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Steve Shaughnessy

Steve Shaughnessy, BS '72 & MS '79 highlights his experiences on the NMU football team

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Christine Lang Byrne

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

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Debbie Gibson Brown

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

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John Kramer

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

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Jamrich with pink flowers, text overlay reads "Katie Buhrmann"

Katie Buhrmann

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

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Sunset over the lake and a rocky shoreline. Text overlay reads "Michael Matter"

Michael Matter

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

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A rocky inlet of a lake with rocks and trees lining the water,  text overlay reads "Allison Hayes"

Allison Hayes

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

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Students sitting on a rock at sunset overlooking the lake. Text overlay says "Beverly Johnson"

Beverly Johnson

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

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The Dome at sunset with text overlay that reads "Gary Lundgren"

Gary Lundgren

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.

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Scenic Dome drone photo, fall trees surround. Text overlay reads "Joel Kaskinen"

Joel Kaskinen

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

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Jamrich with text overlay saying "Nancy Daley"

Nancy Daley

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

There are many more 125th stories to read from Former and Current Wildcats!

Short Articles Written by Wildcats

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Carly and her research group

Cracking the Research Code: A Student's Guide to Research at NMU

"Since completing our Business Research class, NMU has given our group the amazing opportunity to submit our paper to the Student Marketing Association Conference, which is being held in Tampa, Florida this November. As our paper is being reviewed, we hope our research will be selected to be presented at this upcoming conference to sha...

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A few of our favorite things

A Few of Our Favorite Things

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!

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Beginning the Semester with Your Best Paw Forward

Beginning the Semester with Your Best Paw Forward

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.

 

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How to get the "College Experience" While Living Off Campus with photo of campus with a woman

How to get the "College Experience" While Living Off Campus

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.

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The Tradition Continues: Granddaughter Graduates 50 Years After Grandfather

The Tradition Continues: Granddaughter Graduates 50 Years After Grandfather

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. 

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Your Guide to NMU Winters: From a Warm Weather Friend

Your Guide to NMU Winters: From a Warm Weather Friend

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:

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Advice for Students From all over campus

Advice for Students from All Over Campus

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.

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Breaking into the Sports Industry: From NMU to the NHL, NBA, MLB and Beyond

Breaking into the Sports Industry: From NMU to the NHL, NBA, MLB and Beyond

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...

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Woman Fishing

Calling Others In

“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...

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Two men in front of wildcat statue

A School to Best Help Me Achieve My Vision

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.

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Man and woman on bicycle on mountain

Cultivating Intentional Community

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.

There are many more articles to read from Wildcats!

Stories and Testimonials from Current Wildcats

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girl standing on bridge during the fall

Abby Woytko

Nursing Major From Crystal Lake, IL

"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...

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Mitchell sitting on mountain

Mitchell Grahek

Biochemistry / Pre-Med Major from Sartell, MN

"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."

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girl sitting on boat

Alexandra (Lexi) Hagan

Management Major and Computer Science Minor from Iron Mountain, MI

"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...

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Cory Strong headshot

Cory Strong

Cyber Security & Information Assurance Major from Kingsford, MI.

"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."

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Person standing on the beach in front of the Northern Lights

Kay Hintze

Psychology and Crimial Justice Major, from Macomb, MI

"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."

More stories and testimonials from current Wildcats

Stories and Testimonials from Former Wildcats

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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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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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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.

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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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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.

More Stories and Testimonials from Former Wildcats!

Videos produced by Wildcats

People of NMU | Alan Alvarez

Meet Alan Alvarez, an NMU student who shares what it is like being a Wildcat!

Wildcat Den MUKBANG 🌮🍟 NMU Students Answer Frequently Asked Questions

Current Northern Michigan University students Brianna Sartin and Megan Van Camp answer frequently asked questions while enjoying some of the most popular foods from NMU's on-campus Wildcat Den restaurant.

People of NMU | Mandy Bonesteel

Meet Mandy Bonesteel, an NMU alumna and Masters student, and listen to her story of traversing college as a non-traditional student!

Hard to Pronounce U.P. Words

2022 graduate Brianna Sartin asks some future Wildcats and Wildcat parents that are visiting campus for the first time to try their luck with the hardest U.P. words to pronounce. Play along and see how many you pronounce correctly.

Top 10 Places To Visit In Marquette, Michigan 😼

How many have you visited? This video was produced by current NMU student Kenzy Platt of Stillwater, Minnesota. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for new videos uploaded weekly!

Things To Do In Marquette That Are ✨ Not ✨ Outside

Sure, we LOVE our great outdoors... But did you know about all there is to explore inside at Northern? This video was produced by current NMU sophomore Kenzy Platt of Stillwater, Minnesota.

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