Presidents
- Leslie E. Wong
- David S. Haynes (Interim)
- Fritz J. Erickson
Campus
- New Jamrich Hall
- Northern Center
- Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center
- BEAR Center
- The Woods (1,229 bed residence hall replaces Quad I)
- Northern Lights Dining cafeteria
- Forensic Research Outdoor Station (FROST) and Laboratory
Events and speakers: President Barack Obama; Authors Aleksandar Hemon, Karen Thompson Walker, Robin Sloan, Daniel Handler, Max Brooks, Ta-Nehisi Coates; Journalist Dina Temple Raston; Actors Giancarlo Esposito, Craig Robinson, Adrian Grenier, Jeffrey Tambor, Kal Penn, Sean Astin, Angela Kinsey, Kristian Nairn; Musicians Mustard Plug, Echosmith, Flatfoot 56, Mayday Parade, Doomtree, Frontier Ruckus, Young Dubliners, The Holmes Brothers, GRiZ, Dervish, Beach Fossils, VARSITY, PUP, Charmer, Beau Soleil, All American Rejects
Northern is selected as the site for President Barack Obama to announce his Wireless Innovation and Infrastructure Initiative, which is intended to give at least 98 percent of Americans access to high-speed wireless services. Speaking to a full house in Vandament Arena on Feb. 10, 2011, Obama holds up Northern’s WiMAX program as a leading example of broadband’s capabilities.
Sept. 11 terrorist leader Osama bin Laden is killed by American forces. President Obama is reelected. America emerges from The Great Recession. Untold horror is ushered in with the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Climate change alarms ring. Same-sex marriage becomes legal in all 50 states and marijuana legality gains traction. The #MeToo movement has sweeping effects. Trump is elected and impeached.
Northern shuts down on Feb. 2, 2011 after NMU Public Safety receives a phone tip about a blog post threatening to harm students, faculty and staff. The FBI is involved and authorities mobilize the university’s emergency plan. Buildings are evacuated and residence halls are put on lockdown with additional security. An area “person of interest” is questioned, released and cleared by the FBI after discovering similarly worded blog posts are directed at other U.S. universities as well. NMU reopens and classes resume the next day.
NMU is the host campus for a new campus-based outreach service, MI-VetSuccess, a pilot program supporting student veterans. The initial program reaches out to almost 800 students in the Upper Peninsula.
Northern launches its innovative Educational Access Network in 2017, which is available to anyone taking NMU courses—whether on campus seeking a degree, at a partner high school offering dual enrollment or at home taking a class for continuing education, professional development or personal fulfillment.
NMU’s first doctorate degree, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, sees its first three graduates in 2017. It remains the university’s only doctorate program.
Northern’s new bronze Wildcat statue is unveiled and dedicated Sept. 21, 2018.
An unofficial mascot, Norman the Gnome is introduced by three student employees in NMU Communications and Marketing. The customized garden gnome is featured exclusively on Facebook, where fans follow his exploits on campus and beyond.
NBC’s Today Show broadcasts live from the Superior Dome on March 28, 2017 as part of “Rokerthon,”where weatherman Al Roker helps students break world records and puts the spotlight on their campuses.
A March for Science on NMU's campus
The Psychology Department establishes an Applied Behavior Analysis Center (BEAR Center), 2016, which addresses the regional shortage of assessment and therapeutic services for young children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities and other behavioral concerns
The Woods residence halls open, with revamped dining and study spots.
The all new Jamrich Hall opens for students in 2014.
NMU’s new Forensic Research Outdoor Station (FROST),established in 2017, is the world’s first facility to study human decomposition in a cold, deep snow region.