Investiture Ceremony
The presidential investiture of Dr. Chris Olsen as the 19th president of Northern Michigan University will provide an opportunity to celebrate as a community and welcome a new era under new leadership.
At the Investiture ceremony, the NMU Board of Trustees will officially bestow the Chain of Command on Dr. Olsen. The chain, which highlights the tenures of past NMU presidents, is worn at official ceremonies such as commencement. The ceremony, which traditionally takes place within the first year of a president's tenure, allows the new leader to share their vision for the university.
The Investiture Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, in the Grand Ballrooms of the Northern Center.
Advance RSVP is required to attend the Investiture Ceremony.
Investiture Celebration Dinner
Grand Ballrooms, Northern Center
Social Hour 5:30–6:30 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m., program to follow dinner.
Join Northern Michigan University and President Olsen in kicking off NMU's new Experience Grant initiative, which will provide financial support to NMU students involved in undergraduate research, internships and work-based learning opportunities, study abroad and more.
Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased through the same registration process as the Investiture Ceremony RSVP. RSVPs and ticket purchases are available at nmu.edu/investiture-celebration.
If you are attending, thank you for your support of this new and exciting program.
To explore sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to Denise Elizondo at delizond@nmu.edu.
Investiture Week Activities
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Service Event: Cleaning Civil War Veteran Graves
9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ishpeming Cemetery
Monday, September 28, 2026
Community Ice Cream Social
5-6:30 p.m., Northern Center Lawn
Rain site: First Floor, Northern Center (by the bookstore)
Bring the family!
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Campus Blood Drive
10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Jamrich Hall
Sponsored by NMU Student Nursing Association
Study Abroad Celebration
10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Jamrich Hall
Sponsored by NMU International Programs and Academic Affairs and Student Success
Poster displays of NMU students' study abroad experiences and study abroad information presentations throughout the day.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
NMU Kickoff – U.P. Folk Festival
Rhythm Bones Music Workshop
7 p.m., Site to be announced.
Sponsored by the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center
Presenter: Randy Seppala, aka “Da Bones Man”
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Faculty Scholar Buzz Session
Time and Site to be Announced
Sponsored by Research Development & Sponsored Programs and the College of Graduate Studies & Research
Investiture Celebration Dinner
Grand Ballrooms, Northern Center
Social Hour 5:30–6:30 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m., program to follow dinner.
Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased through the same registration process as the Investiture Ceremony RSVP. RSVPs and ticket purchases are available at nmu.edu/investiture-celebration.
This event benefits NMU's new Experience Grant program.
To explore sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to Denise Elizondo at delizond@nmu.edu.
Friday, October 2, 2026
Investiture Ceremony
11 a.m., Grand Ballrooms, Northern Center.
Advance RSVP is required to attend the Investiture Ceremony and may be completed through the same registration process as ticket purchases for the Investiture Celebration Dinner. RSVPs and ticket purchases are available at nmu.edu/investiture-celebration.
Plan Your Visit for Investiture
President Olsen
Dr. Chris Olsen began his tenure as Northern Michigan University's 19th president on January 1, 2026. With nearly 30 years of higher education leadership experience, Dr. Olsen came to NMU from Indiana State University, where he served in many leadership roles, most recently as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. A native of Fargo, North Dakota, his academic area of expertise is history.
Read more about President Olsen here.