Three of the alumni award winners honored over Homecoming weekend recently shared how their NMU experiences positively impacted their lives and careers. Pictured with President Fritz Erickson are the four honorees after the awards brunch. From left: John Gremmer, Alumni Civic Leadership Award; Lynnae Ruttledge, Distinguished Alumni; Luke Steinke, Alumni Achievement; and Jana Simmons, Distinguished Alumni. 

Gremmer, who holds an NMU bachelor’s degree in biology (1966) and a master’s in education, leadership and public service (1974), wrote: “My wife Sue (Folstad ’66) and I look back at the time we had at Northern as some of the best of our lives. Northern provided us with an education that allowed us to have long and successful careers in education. The professors and staff reinforced our love for the environment that still exists today. Northern is a great place to learn and grow.” 

Ruttledge, a 1971 elementary education graduate, wrote, “My academic experience at Northern Michigan University provided an exceptional foundation for my public service career. The work I do is helping to promote and protect the rights of youth and adults with disabilities so that they can go to school, develop their skills, contribute to their communities and pursue their dreams. Thanks, NMU.”

Simmons graduated from NMU in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and pre-law. She wrote, “NMU was the land of golden opportunity for a college kid like me with big dreams. Starting a rifle team, being charter member of a sorority that is still on campus, being a Mortar Board Honorary, being an NMU student ambassador … and 20-something years later, the fact that one of my professors would be sitting at my table to recognize and congratulate me at the awards banquet. It says a whole lot about the university and the deep devotion they have to caring for their students, welcoming their fresh ideas and walking with them into the future.”

To see the previous story about the award winners and their career achievements, click here.