Proposed
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Formal Session
of
A formal session of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University was held on Friday, May 2, 2025, in Peninsula II Conference Room, Northern Center, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan. The meeting was convened at 9:34 a.m. by Chair Stephen E. Young.
Trustees present included:
|
Mr. Stephen E. Young, Chair |
Mr. Steven W. Lindberg |
|
Ms. Venus Joy Brown |
Mr. Gregory J. Seppanen |
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Ms. Melissa A. Holmquist, Vice Chair |
Mr. Greg M. Toutant |
|
Ms. Brigitte R. LaPointe-Dunham |
Dr. Brock F. Tessman, ex officio |
Trustee absent included:
|
Ms. Lisa I. Fittante |
Senior Staff and Counsel present included:
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Ms. Cathy A. Andrew, Secretary of the Board of Trustees |
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Mr. Michael J. Bath, Chief of Police / Safety Director |
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Dr. Shawnrece D. Butler, Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion |
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Mr. Brad Canale, Chief Executive Officer – NMU Foundation |
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Dr. Anne Dahlman, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success |
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Ms. Rhea E. Dever, Vice President – People, Culture, and Wellbeing |
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Ms. Laura J. Glover, Sr. Executive Assistant to the President |
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Dr. Derek J. Hall, Chief Marketing Officer |
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Ms. Deanna K. Hemmila, Executive Director – Board/Government Relations |
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Mr. Jeff Korpi, Associate Vice President – Northern Student Experience |
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Mr. R. Gavin Leach, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees |
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Mr. David M. Nyberg, Executive Director – Business Engagement and Economic Development |
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Ms. Cindy L. Paavola, Assistant to the President – Strategic Initiatives |
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Dr. Jessica L. Thompson, Assistant Vice President for Sustainability |
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Dr. Abigail K. Wyche, Assistant Vice President – Wellbeing |
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Mr. Carrick Craig, Legal Counsel |
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Ms. Ashley Higginson, Legal Counsel |
The meeting was live-streamed at: https://nmuwildcast.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=059069a8-021d-4a8b-8aa5-b2c600e56e6d
ROLL CALL
Secretary Andrew took roll call and noted a quorum was met with seven Trustees present.
MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Toutant, seconded by Trustee LaPointe-Dunham, and supported unanimously by a vote of 7 – 0, to approve the agenda as presented.
INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Ms. Michelle Jarvis, NMU student, addressed the Board regarding issues related to her financial aid when her TIP award (which was awarded in June 2024) was rescinded by the State in February 2025, leaving her with a very large balance owed the university, through no fault of her own. She requested assistance to help with this error so she can continue her education.
Ms. Carol Johnson, Dean – College of Business regarding the upcoming reaccreditation of the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and the promotion denial for Dr. James Marquardson, who is the sole faculty member responsible for this designation and program.
Chair Young thanked them for their comments.
INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
President Tessman introduced Ms. Leah Hocking, former NMU student and acclaimed Broadway performer, who will be the Spring 2025 Commencement Speaker. Ms. Hocking will also receive an honorary Doctorate of Theatre Studies degree.
INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATING SENIOR SPEAKING AT SPRING COMMENCEMENT
Associate Vice President Jeff Korpi introduced Ms. Rosalva Brito, Criminal Justice major, from Naperville, IL, who will represent the graduating class of spring 2025 at the commencement ceremonies, Saturday, May 3, 2025. On behalf of the Board, Chair Young congratulated Ms. Brito and presented her with a plaque. A photo was taken.
MOMENT IN NMU HISTORY
Dr. Russell Magnaghi, NMU historian, provided a report on “Plant Education at Northern.” (Addendum #1)
ASNMU UPDATE
Ms. Dana Hinckley, President – ASNMU, and Ms. Cassidy Gibson, ASNMU President-elect, provided a report on the semester accomplishments. (Addendum #2)
Chair Young thanked Ms. Hinckley for her work during the past year and presented her with a gift on behalf of the Board of Trustees. A photo was taken.
STAFF REPORT
Mr. David Wiegand, President – Administrative Professional Union, UAW 2178, representing the Staff Labor Council, provided an update on university staff. (Addendum #3)
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Tessman reported on university accomplishments since the last meeting and some personal notes regarding his tenure as NMU’s 17th President. His report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #4)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Academic Affairs
Trustee Lindberg, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting held earlier today, May 2, 2025. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #5)
Finance Committee
Vice Chair Holmquist, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on a meeting held Thursday, May 1, 2025. A copy of the report is appended to these minutes. (Addendum #6)
INTERIM PRESIDENT APPOINTMENT
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Holmquist and seconded by Trustee Brown that Vice President R. Gavin Leach be appointed to serve as Interim President of Northern Michigan University, effective July 1, 2025, until the Board selects a successor president or as otherwise determined by the Board; and to authorize the Board Chair and Vice Chair to negotiate an employment agreement with the interim president to present to the Board for review and approval.
Discussion followed.
Vice Chair Holmquist said she is honored to express her very strong support of Mr. Leach for this appointment noting he brings an unparalleled depth of experience having served NMU with distinction for 36 years, including the past 17 years as vice president for finance and administration; he has led numerous critical initiatives that have shaped the university’s growth, financial stability, and operational excellence; more than his impressive resume, he is fully committed to the success of the students, faculty, and staff; he understands NMU – it’s strengths, challenges, and values because he’s dedicated nearly his entire professional life to this institution; his leadership is steady, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in the desire to see this university thrive. She is confident that under Mr. Leach’s leadership the university will continue to move forward with little to no disruption, continuing open lines of communication across stakeholder groups all guided by the priorities and goals set forth in NMU’s strategic plan. Mr. Leach’s appointment ensures continuity, stability, and a clear commitment to keep NMU on a strong path as a national search is conducted for NMU’s next long-term president.
Being no further discussion, Chair Young called the question:
On a roll-call vote, the Board voted as follows:
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Aye |
Nay |
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Stephen E. Young |
|
|
Venus J. Brown |
|
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Melissa A. Holmquist |
|
|
Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham |
|
|
Steven W. Lindberg |
|
|
Gregory J. Seppanen |
|
|
Greg M. Toutant |
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Motion carried.
Vice President Leach thanked the Trustees and touched on the following: he is truly honored and humbled by the board’s confidence in him to lead Northern in the coming months until a new president is selected; he has been tied to Northern for 40 years either as a student or an administrator; he received a great education at Northern, had some great faculty that prepared him well for beginning his career and creating a solid foundation. His career at Northern started in 1989, he has worked eight presidents – starting with President Vandament – and more than 30 board members – learning something from each of them and believes that will benefit him during the coming months. He thanked President Tessman for his leadership at Northern and promised to keep Our Compass, NMU’s strategic plan, pointing in the right direction. He is dedicated to seeing the major projects underway are funded and completed, that NMU continues to navigate successfully through today’s political climate, and that the visioning we’ve started to address – the enrollment and demographic challenges – continues at a high level so that NMU does not lose ground as the search for the new president takes place. Most importantly, he stressed he will continue to work for the success and wellbeing of Northern’s students, faculty and staff, which has always been his goal, but a goal that takes on even more significance for him as NMU’s interim president.
ACTION ON FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The following action was taken:
It was moved by Trustee Toutant, seconded by Trustee Holmquist, and supported by a vote of 7 – 0, to approve the Formal Recommendations. (Addendum #7)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFORMAL CLOSED SESSIONS TO BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE JULY 10 – 11 AND SEPTEMBER 18 – 19, 2025 SESSIONS OF THE BOARD
President Tessman made this announcement for the public record.
Chair Young opened the floor to the Trustees for Good of the Order.
Trustee Brown made the following comments:
· Thanked the trustees for their support in her role on the board;
· Thanked President Tessman for his support, guidance, and opportunities they’ve had to work together;
· Wished President Tessman the best.
Trustee Toutant touched on the following:
· Energizing to hear from the students;
· Amazed at the quality of the presentations, engagement day – listening to the DMORT piece and understanding all the amazing things that are done at Northern;
· Happy about the amount of cooperation between departments, programs, community – great opportunity to see how it all interconnects;
· Thanked President Tessman for what he’s done while serving NMU as its president – noting he brought his talents, his gifts, his dedication – but more importantly, his humanity to the role and the university – all of which helped shape the future at NMU;
· Wished President Tessman and his family all the best.
Trustee Lindberg touched on the following:
· NMU is going so much in the right direction during that last couple of years;
· Thanked President Tessman for his service to NMU noting he would be leaving a large hole as some people are harder to replace than others – he has given the board, faculty, staff, the community a huge job to replace him;
· He welcomed Mr. Leach as the interim and is looking forward to working with him;
· NMU will continue being the number one university in the State of Michigan.
Trustee LaPointe-Dunham said the following:
· Congratulated Mr. Leach and is looking forward to working with him;
· Thanked President Tessman for his service to NMU;
· Excited about the recruitment and retention efforts and creative energy around it;
· Excited about the advancement of articulation agreements with the local community colleges – the ease of transfer and the ease of people’s minds on their next step which is so important;
· Forensic degrees/studies – opened her eyes to a whole different profession being offered to our students;
· Aspire Program – hopes this program is something NMU can sustain – another important piece of getting students here and keeping them here.
Trustee Holmquist made the following comments:
· Thanked President Tessman, faculty, staff, and students who come together to provide information and presentations on programming and activities during the meetings as she learns so much each time;
· Thanked the faculty and students involved in the cold weather deployment exercise which took a year to put together and was so impactful;
· Impressed with how NMU continues to move forward with the strategic plan – talking about enrollment, addressing the grand challenges, etc.;
· Highlighted that NMU has additional opportunities to expand the work-based learning experiences with regional employers and organizations;
· Heard from Dr. Lubig about the early education program and from ASNMU – students are looking for some of the post graduate opportunities;
· Thanked President Tessman – she has appreciated and valued working with him, he is an amazing leader, his commitment and dedication to faculty, staff, and students is profound; he has put NMU on a great path for success;
· Excited to work with Mr. Leach noting she’s confident he will take the baton and move forward continuing to focus on the strategic plan and the continuing lines of communication as NMU searches for a new president.
Trustee Seppanen touched on the following:
· Direction of the University – charge President Tessman was given when he arrived was to get NMU firmed up and pointed in the right direction and develop the strategic plan – he accomplished that; his innovative way of approaching the strategic plan, getting the university community to buy into it; happy to hear Gavin will be continuing that process;
· Thanked President Tessman noting that replacing him will be a tough job;
· Congratulated all the students on campus.
Chair Young made the following comment:
· Thanked President Tessman noting he and First Lady Kristen Tessman will be missed;
· Noted President Tessman is leaving the university in a better position than he found it, with a lot being accomplished in a short amount of time under his active leadership working with the board and other stakeholders;
· Time to start turning the page and start a new chapter – the Board has been working towards that – we’ve hired a search firm, hired an interim, next step is naming a search committee;
· Time to move the ball down the field – hopefully all stakeholders will work together to find the right replacement that can keep things going;
· Focus should be on the long game to NMU’s continued success.
Chair Young adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/signed/Cathy A. Andrew
Secretary of the Board of Trustees