Awards and Recognition - Center for Student Enrichment

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.

2024-2025 Winner: Ahna Larson has logged 1,452 hours of service while maintaining a 3.82 grade point average as a student athlete! Some of Ahna's community service projects include:

• Volunteered over the past four years with the Area 36 Michigan Special Olympics where she served as the track and field coach, and for the past two years, taken athletes down to the state summer games
• Been a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the Student Athlete Wellbeing Committee, and the Athletic Council
• Completed a community service internship with Camp STAR, a bereavement camp for kids and teens who have lost a loved one, through the Student Leader Fellowship Program
• Participated in Superior Edge and completed all four edges: Citizenship, Diversity, Leadership, and Real World
• Volunteered with her local Pathways (helping with events such as Walk A Mile in My Shoes, which "disables" a participant by blindfolding them, putting them in a wheelchair, etc., and having them walk a mile; the Pathways Prom, an event for those with intellectual disabilities and provides them with an event that makes them feel included, confident, and special

Ahna's achievements reflect her passion for making a difference and building a sense of belonging on our campus and in the community.

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. 

2024-2025 Winner: Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

• Conducted a teddy bear toss at a hockey game as well as a toy and can drive for the Salvation Army where over 300 toys and bears were collected for less fortunate children in the Upper Peninsula who don't experience a typical Christmas
• Organized a wish week for their Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraising effort, which included miracle minutes at several sporting events to collect money, an auction, and a dine-to-donate fundraiser. Raised over $7,200 to provide a child and their family who are going through a difficult battle with a wish
• Money raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation ranks NMU third amongst all NCAA Division II schools in the nation
• Volunteered at the Beacon House to comfort patients undergoing treatment
• Volunteered over 3,119 hours during the academic year