Awards and Recognition

This annual award is designed to recognize an outstanding NMU student volunteer who has made an impact on the community through service. The winner is acknowledged by the university at the annual Leadership Recognition Banquet.  To the world, Mike Nunnally was a member of the U.S. Olympic Education Center Boxing Team at NMU and one of the nation’s top-ranked amateur boxers. To his friends and community, he was a tireless volunteer who gave much of his time working with youth. So deep was his love for children that his life’s goal was not an Olympic medal – for which he was a contender – but to be an elementary teacher and role model for inner city kids in his hometown of Jackson, Tennessee. Tragically, Mike lost his life in 1996 while swimming in Lake Superior. The Michael D. Nunnally NMU Student Volunteer Award was created by his friends to honor his life and commitment to community service. To nominate someone, please contact the Volunteer Center at volctr@nmu.edu or at (906) 227-2446.

2020-2021 Winner: Hannah Jaworski has volunteered throughout her time at NMU and primarily through her work as the president of the Student Social Work Organization, her Student Leader Fellowship Program community service internship with the NMU Food Pantry, and her field internship with Marquette Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Associates, PC.

The purpose of this award is to recognize a student organization that has demonstrated the highest degree of volunteer service contributions to Marquette and the surrounding Upper Peninsula communities during the academic year.  Factors such as quantity and quality of service are considered when placing the award in the hands of the most outstanding service organization. This year's winner was the Northern Michigan Constructors.

2020-2021 Winner: The NMU Food Pantry was founded in 2017 and has intended to provide any university-affiliated persons with resources to combat food insecurity. This year they established the first annual ‘Share Your Dining Dollars’ program in partnership with NMU Dining. The program raised over $5,400 and allowed students to donate any of their remaining dining dollars to the pantry to purchase items in bulk.