close up of the chain of office medal

Investiture

Dr. Tessman standing at a podium

Investiture Ceremony

The investiture of Northern Michigan University President Dr. Brock Tessman will provide an opportunity to celebrate as a community and welcome a new era under new leadership. 

The investiture of a university president – formally investing him or her with honors or rank – is an enduring tradition in academia. An investiture ceremony typically is held during or at the conclusion of the president’s first year in office.

The Investiture Ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 29, at the Forest Roberts Theatre.

The ceremony is open to the public and no ticket is needed to attend. 

Reception immediately following (3-4:30 p.m.) – Grand Ballrooms, Northern Center 

Watch the Ceremony

Other Investiture Activities

exterior of the WellBeing Center

Thursday, September 28, 2023

9 - 10 a.m. Panel Discussion - Okanagan Charter
Northern Center

11 a.m. WellBeing Center Dedication Ceremony
WellBeing Center, Lincoln Ave. (Lot 15)

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Service Project: New Room at the U.P. Children's Museum
U.P. Children's Museum - 123 Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI

3 - 5 p.m. Campus and Community Open House
WellBeing Center, Lincoln Ave. (Lot 15)

group of people running

Saturday, September 30, 2023

President Tessman's Trail Run/Walk 
Trailhead by the Lodge - connecting to the north trails

  • 9 a.m. Registration, Music & Snacks
  • 10 a.m. Start

NMU students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to join NMU President Brock Tessman on a trail run to celebrate his Investiture!  The event will start and end at the NMU trailhead outside of The Woods Lodge.  Options include a 1 mile fun walk through campus or a 5K trail run/walk.  Join us anytime after 9 a.m. for registration, music and snacks with an official start time of 10 a.m. There is no cost to participate and the event is not timed.  

The 1 mile walk will go through campus and the 5K run/walk will connect to the Noquemanon North Trail Network. Participants may park in any of the available parking lots near the NMU trailhead.  

Brock Tessman with his wife and two daughters in front of the wildcat statue

President Tessman

Dr. Brock Tesmman began his tenure as Northern Michigan University’s 17th president on Feb. 1, 2023.

Dr. Tessman was born in Detroit and grew up in nearby Plymouth, Michigan. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Brown University and received both his master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

He and his wife, Kristin, are the parents of young daughters Frances and Leona. Dr. Tessman is an avid trail runner, enjoys board games and has been a lifelong Detroit Lions fan.

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Office of the President

Past NMU Presidents