MARQUETTE, Mich.—Six years after launching the quiet phase of a comprehensive fundraising campaign for the students of NMU, the NMU Foundation has announced a one-year public phase to complete the effort. The campaign’s financial goal and progress toward achieving it will be revealed during Homecoming weekend in September.

“The Campaign for the Students of Northern Michigan University” is designed to address excellence and opportunity by expanding assistance, supporting scholarships, funding the development of innovative academic programming and enhancing NMU’s ability to attract students and faculty.

Martha Haynes, vice president for advancement, said, “We believe that students deserve the opportunity to concentrate fully on their studies and to graduate in a timely manner, with minimal debt, so they are in the best possible position to find a job and prosper. One key to reaching these goals is to increase private financial support.”

More than 80 percent of NMU students rely on some type of financial aid, including loans.

“But it is not enough to simply put more money in pockets,” Haynes added. “We have a responsibility to our students and their families to keep raising the level and value of an NMU education and enrich the student experience.  To do this, we must continue to build a dynamic, competitive portfolio of financial resources. During the public phase we will celebrate all gifts to the university and hopefully inspire alumni, retirees, faculty, staff and other friends of NMU to participate at all levels to help reach the campaign goal.”

The campaign will end on June 30, 2014.