Alumni Achievements
Biology Grad Wins X Prize
Niyomi House ’15 BS, ’17 MS was part of the Limelight Rainforest team awarded the $5 million grand prize in the XPRIZE Rainforest competition—"the world's leader in designing and operating large-scale incentive competitions to solve humanity's grand challenges.”
The competition started with 300 teams across 70 countries. Six advanced to the final stage, which took
place in July 2024 in the Brazilian Amazon. The teams had 24 hours to deploy their technologies, remotely
survey a 100-hectare test plot of tropical rainforest without physically entering the area, and produce a biodiversity analysis report within 48 hours. House, a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow, ran the genetic subteam. “We collected mainly environmental samples—water, air, surface DNA from the rainforest canopy—within the first 24 hours,” said House. “We collaborated with the drone group, Outreach Robotics.”
The technology significantly condenses the amount of time needed to capture DNA from the environment and specimens for identification using a portable molecular lab kit. Limelight identified more than 250 different species and 700 unique taxa across both the animal and plant kingdoms from observations recorded during their 24-hour deployment.
NMU THEATRE CONTINUES TO EXPAND AND INNOVATE
The NMU Theatre and Dance Department continues to grow and expand their reach. It is expecting the largest freshman class, with more than 160 students coming from across the country, including three students from Alaska, after recruitment events in 15 states. This year also marked the inaugural class of BFA graduates in acting, musical theatre and theatre technology and design.
An inaugural Senior Showcase highlighted and celebrated the talents of all of the department's graduating students with performances on campus and on Mackinac Island in May for industry professionals from New York and major regional theaters. The showcase featured short scenes and songs in a variety-show format, just over an hour in length to fit the busy schedules of the agents, casting directors and artistic directors who attended.
“Our faculty has deep ties to the industry, so we're very excited to capitalize on that and begin the showcase tradition at Northern,” said Director Jimmy Ludwig.
A generous gift from NMU Board Chair Steve Young and his wife, Tricia Kinley, made it possible for the department to provide significant support to students for this experience, helping to ease the financial burden as they prepare to launch their professional careers. The 12 featured students (now alumni) are Michael Ahlstrom, Gianna Daprai, John Fuller, Lia Hielkema, Emma Houston, Maisie James, Rhiannyn McCauley, DaShawn Mitchell, Maya Moreau, Amaraé Robinson, Wyatt Schmitt and John Thomson.
But the semester’s end does not mean a quiet stage. The Wildcat Performing Arts Academy (WPAA) summer camp hosts middle and high school students from around the country for intensive workshops and performances not only in Marquette but bringing the arts to school districts across the U.P., including a two-room schoolhouse in Skanee. The Superior Arts Youth Theatre, which has been part of the Marquette community for more than 20 years, hasalso merged with the WPAA, which expands opportunities for youth to get involved in theatre whether they see it as a career path or a way to express themselves and build valuable lifeskills.
The Arts and Athletics Golf Outing fundraising event will be held for the seventh year on June 20 at Marquette Golf Club. To register, visit nmu.edu/tickets.
Astronomical Alumni Make Forbes' 30 Under 30
Two Northern Michigan University alumni who co-founded Kall Morris Inc. (KMI), a Marquette-based company focused on keeping space clear of orbital debris, were selected from more than 10,000 nominees to join the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 in the category of Transportation & Mobility. Their innovative technology prototype is currently being tested aboard the International Space Station.
The two named to the Forbes list are Adam Kall, KMI director of science and 2018 NMU math and computer science graduate with a master's in data science; and Austin Morris, director of engineering and 2018 mechanical engineering technology alumnus. They co-founded the company along with Troy Morris, director of operations and a 2016 psychology/behavior analysis graduate. Established in 2019, KMI has emerged as a pioneer in space logistics and sustainable orbital operations, securing more than $5 million in funding and partnering with leading space organizations worldwide.
Black Alumni Reunion
An inaugural NMU Black alumni reunion held last fall was billed by organizers as “a success beyond our wildest expectations, and an amazing weekend for all.” According to Darryl Thompson ’84 BS, it had been years since many of the attendees were in Marquette. They saw some of the changes on campus, attended a Wildcat football game, socialized at local restaurants, and explored longtime favorite sites such as Sugarloaf Mountain.