Northern Michigan University Explained

Northern Michigan University
Image Upright:0.8
Former Names:Northern State Normal (1899–1927)
Northern State Teachers College (1927–1942)
Northern Michigan College of Education (1942–1955)
Northern Michigan College (1955–1963)
Type:Public university
Endowment:$65.9 million (2023)[1]
President:Brock Tessman
Students:7,197
Undergrad:6,584 (Fall 2023)
Postgrad:613 (Fall 2023)
City:Marquette
State:Michigan
Country:United States
Campus:Small city, 350acres
Nickname:Wildcats
Mascot:Wildcat Willy
Sporting Affiliations:NCAA Division II
NCAA Division I, men's hockey
Faculty:457
Coor:46.559°N -87.4053°W
Colors:Green and Gold
 

Northern Michigan University (Northern Michigan, Northern or NMU) is a public university in Marquette, Michigan. It was established in 1899 by the Michigan Legislature as Northern State Normal School. In 1963, the state designated the school a university and gave it the current name.

The university comprises five academic divisions, offering some 180 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.[2] Accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies.

NMU's athletic teams are nicknamed the Wildcats and compete primarily in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The hockey team competes in NCAA Division I Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Nordic ski team competes in the NCAA Central Collegiate Ski Association.

History

Northern Michigan University was established in 1899 by the Michigan Legislature as Northern State Normal School to offer teacher preparation programs in Michigan's then-wild and sparsely populated Upper Peninsula. When it opened in 1899, NMU enrolled thirty-two students who were taught by six faculty members in rented rooms in Marquette city hall.[3] The original 20acres campus site at the corner of Presque Isle and Kaye Avenues was on land donated by local businessman and philanthropist John M. Longyear, whose namesake academic building, Longyear Hall, opened in 1900.[4]

Throughout the school's first half-century, education and teacher training was the school's primary focus. During this time, the school built the native sandstone buildings Kaye and Peter White Halls, as well as a manual training school next to the campus buildings, J.D. Pierce School. Modest enrollment increases led to several name changes:

In 1963, through the adoption of a new state constitution in Michigan, Northern Michigan was designated a comprehensive university serving the diverse educational needs of Upper Michigan. During this time, enrollment grew, due in large part to the 1957 opening of the Mackinac Bridge that links the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies.

Graduate education began in March 1935 when courses at the master's degree level were offered in cooperation with the University of Michigan.[7]

Academics

Admissions

Fall First-Time Freshman Statistics[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] ! ! 2021 !! 2020 !! 2019 !! 2018 !! 2017 !! 2016
Applicants6,553 6,233 7,677 7,607 6,173 5,345
Admits4,670 4,169 5,035 5,001 4,591 4,056
Admit rate71.3 66.9 65.6 65.7 74.4 75.9
Enrolled1,496 1,360 1,610 1,608 1,501 1,355
Yield rate32.0 32.6 32.0 32.2 32.7 33.4
ACT composite*
(out of 36)
13-20 20-26 20-26 20-26 19-25
SAT composite*
(out of 1600)
960-1180 980-1180 970-1180 940-1150
  • middle 50% range

NMU is considered "selective" by U.S. News & World Report.[14] For the Class of 2025 (enrolling Fall 2021), NMU received 6,553 applications and accepted 4,670 (71.3%), with 1,496 enrolling.

The enrolled first-year class of 2023 had the following standardized test scores: the middle 50% range (25th percentile-75th percentile) of SAT scores was 980-1180, while the middle 50% range of ACT scores was 20-26.

Academic divisions

180 Undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered at NMU.[15]

NMU has five academic divisions:

Northern's most popular undergraduate majors, by 2021 graduates, were:[16]

Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (105)

Biology/Biological Sciences (95)

Art/Art Studies (67)

Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (55)

Psychology (49)

Elementary Education and Teaching (44)

Accreditation

Northern Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

All education programs are accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). Other accreditations include the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology; American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; American Chemical Society; American Society of Cytology; Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Professionals (Surgical Technology); Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; Council on Social Work Education; Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Certification; International Association of Counseling Services, Inc.; Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology; Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation, State Board of Nursing; National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences; and the National Association of Schools of Music.

In addition, the nursing programs (practical nursing, baccalaureate, and master's degrees) are fully approved by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation, State Board of Nursing and the baccalaureate and master's degrees are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).[17]

The baccalaureate degree programs of the Walker L. Cisler College of Business are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.[18]

Campus

NMU is a tobacco-free campus.[19]

Instructional Spaces

Ten buildings where classes are held having at least 210 instructional spaces. There are 3 distance learning facilities, the largest of which is Mead Auditorium which seats 100.

Art and Design

Berry Events Center

Cohodas Hall

Forest Roberts Theatre

Gries Hall

CB Hedgcock Building

Jamrich Hall

Lydia M. Olson Library

McClintock Hall

Physical Education Instructional Facility

Seaborg Science Complex

Superior Dome

The Jacobetti Center

Whitman Hall

Governance

Northern Michigan University's eight-member governing board, the Board of Trustees, is appointed by the Governor of Michigan and confirmed by the Michigan Senate for an eight-year term. The Board of Trustees has general supervision of the institution, the control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds, and such other powers and duties as prescribed by law. It also has the authority to hire and evaluate the university president, who reports directly to the board. Members of the Board of Trustees serve without compensation, but are reimbursed by the University for expenses related to Board duties.[34]

Athletics

See main article: Northern Michigan Wildcats.

See also: Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey.

NMU's Wildcats compete in the NCAA's Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in basketball, football, golf, cross country, soccer, volleyball, track & field, and swimming/diving. The hockey program competes in Division I as a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Nordic ski team competes in the Central Collegiate Ski Association. The Division II football team plays in the world's largest wooden dome, the Superior Dome.[35] Lloyd Carr, former head coach at the University of Michigan, former NFL coach Jerry Glanville, and Steve Mariucci, former head coach of the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers and Robert Saleh, current head coach of the New York Jets, played football for NMU, and current Michigan State coach Tom Izzo played basketball at NMU. Northern Michigan's rivals in sports action are the two other major schools in the Upper Peninsula: Michigan Technological University, and Lake Superior State University.[36]

The winner of the annual football game between NMU and Michigan Tech is awarded the Miner's Cup.

Olympic Training Site

The United States Olympic Training Site on the campus of Northern Michigan University is one of 16 Olympic training sites in the country. The NMU-OTS provides secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities for athletes while offering world-class training.

With more than 70 resident athletes and coaches, the NMU-OTS is the second-largest Olympic training center in the United States, in terms of residents, behind Colorado Springs. The USOEC has more residential athletes than the Lake Placid and Chula Vista sites combined. Over the years, it has grown into a major contributor to the U.S. Olympic movement.

Current resident training programs include Greco-Roman wrestling and weightlifting. Athletes must be approved by the NMU-OTS, their national governing body and NMU to be admitted into the program.

NMU-OTS athletes attend NMU while training in their respective sports, and are officially recognized as NMU varsity athletes. The student athletes receive free or reduced room and board, access to training facilities as well as sports medicine and sports science services, academic tutoring, and a waiver of out-of-state tuition fees by NMU. Although athletes are responsible for tuition at the in-state rate, they may receive the B.J. Stupak Scholarship to help cover expenses.[37]

On-campus NMU-OTS athletes live in NMU's Meyland Hall, eat in campus dining halls, and train at the university's Superior Dome.

The NMU-OTS also offers a variety of short-term training camps; regional, national, and international competitions; coaches and officials education clinics; and an educational program for retired Olympians.[38]

Student life

Residential life

The on campus residence halls include:[39]

In addition to the residence halls, NMU operates and maintains four apartment buildings on campus.

The apartments are [40]

Groups and activities

Student organizations

NMU hosts a large number of student organizations which are governmental, academic, programming, social, religious, and athletic, as well as residence hall-related, in nature. There are over 300 registered student organizations that provide programs and activities for the campus community.

Army ROTC

NMU hosts the United States Army Cadet Command's "Wildcat Battalion".[41] Roughly 70 Cadets train to earn their commissions as United States Army Officers in both the Active Duty and Reserve components.

Greek life

Fraternities
Sororities

The North Wind

The North Wind began in 1972 as Northern Michigan University's second independent, student newspaper. The university's first newspaper was The Northern News, which was shut down due to published articles throughout the 1960s that painted the school in an unflattering manner. In 2015, a controversy arose between the school's administration and members of the North Wind staff, which reached federal court on claims of first amendment violations before the case was dismissed. The weekly paper covers news from the university and community alike and prints on most Wednesdays during the school year.[42]

WUPX

WUPX is Northern Michigan University's non-commercial, student run, radio station broadcasting at 91.5 FM. WUPX provides NMU Students and the Marquette area with a wide variety of music, event announcements, and activities.[43]

Notable alumni

Charter schools

NMU operates seven charter schools throughout Michigan.[52]

As of July 1, 2014, NMU added three more charter schools: Frances Reh Academy in Saginaw, George Crockett Academy in Detroit and East Shore Leadership Academy in Port Huron.

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. As of August 30, 2023. Book: NMU Financial Report 2022–2023 . . October 18, 2023. Northern Michigan University . 24. May 15, 2024.
  2. News: First Students in Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Graduated. Leigh. Harri. Upper Michigan's Source. Negaunee, Michigan. WLUC-TV. en. June 18, 2019. June 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170619233453/http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/First-students-in-Doctor-of-Nursing-Practice-program-graduated-429504713.html. live .
  3. Book: Hilton, Miriam . Northern Michigan University: The First 75 Years . Northern Michigan University Press . 1975 . Marquette . 8.
  4. Web site: Northern's History . Northern Michigan University . en . March 30, 2018 . March 30, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180330212702/https://www.nmu.edu/nmuhistory . live .
  5. Web site: Historical Spotlight: Evolution and Name Updates of NMU . September 11, 2017 . Northern Michigan University . September 29, 2018 . January 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116192337/https://northerntradition.wordpress.com/2017/09/11/historical-spotlight-evolution-and-name-updates-of-nmu/ . live .
  6. Web site: Northern Michigan University – Michigan History . michiganhistory.leadr.msu.edu . September 29, 2018 . January 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116192341/https://www.leadr.studio/ . live .
  7. Web site: History . Northern Michigan University College of Graduate Studies . September 29, 2018 . September 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180929160020/https://www.nmu.edu/graduatestudies/history . live .
  8. Web site: NMU Common Data Set 2021-2022 . NMU INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS . 2022-11-04.
  9. Web site: NMU Common Data Set 2020-2021 . NMU INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS . 2022-11-04 . January 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116192335/https://nmu.edu/institutionaleffectiveness/sites/institutionaleffectiveness/files/d7files/IR_Web_Reporting/CDS/CDS_2020-2021.pdf . live .
  10. Web site: NMU Common Data Set 2019-2020 . NMU INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS . 2022-11-04 . November 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221104222231/https://nmu.edu/institutionaleffectiveness/sites/institutionaleffectiveness/files/d7files/IR_Web_Reporting/CDS/CDS_2019-2020.pdf . live .
  11. Web site: NMU Common Data Set 2018-2019 . NMU INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS . 2022-11-04 . November 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221104222234/https://nmu.edu/institutionaleffectiveness/sites/institutionaleffectiveness/files/d7files/IR_Web_Reporting/CDS/CDS_2018-2019_1.pdf . live .
  12. Web site: NMU Common Data Set 2017-2018 . NMU INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS . 2022-11-04.
  13. Web site: NMU Common Data Set 2016-2017 . NMU INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS . 2022-11-04 . November 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221104222235/https://nmu.edu/institutionaleffectiveness/sites/institutionaleffectiveness/files/d7files/IR_Web_Reporting/CDS/new_CDS_2016-2017.pdf . live .
  14. Web site: Northern Michigan University . U.S. News & World Report . November 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221103234551/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/northern-michigan-university-2301 . November 3, 2022 . live .
  15. Web site: About Us: Northern Michigan University . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . August 28, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828140517/http://www.nmu.edu/about . live .
  16. Web site: Northern Michigan University . nces.ed.gov . U.S. Dept of Education . January 22, 2023.
  17. Web site: Accreditation. 2021-01-28. NMU School of Nursing. en. October 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201020123134/https://www.nmu.edu/nursing/accreditation. live.
  18. Web site: AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business . Aacsb.edu . July 1, 2010 . December 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204145609/https://aacsb.edu/ . live .
  19. Web site: Home: Tobacco-Free . Northern Michigan University . March 22, 2016 . March 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032204/http://www.nmu.edu/tobaccofree/node/1 . live .
  20. Web site: NMU Art & Design Information . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100702074632/http://art.nmu.edu/department/ad_information.html . July 2, 2010 . dead .
  21. Web site: Cohodas: NMU College of Arts and Sciences . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . December 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101229200450/http://webb.nmu.edu/Colleges/ArtsAndSciences/SiteSections/Resources/Facilities/FacilitiesCohodas.shtml . live .
  22. Web site: Theatre Season 2019-20 . Northern Michigan University Forest Roberts Theatre . en . June 18, 2019 . June 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180616222401/https://www.nmu.edu/forestrobertstheatre/schedule . live .
  23. Web site: Gries Hall: NMU College of Arts and Sciences . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . December 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101229200747/http://webb.nmu.edu/Colleges/ArtsAndSciences/SiteSections/Resources/Facilities/FacilitiesGris.shtml . live .
  24. Web site: About Us: NMU Ada B. Vielmetti Health Center . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . June 6, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100606192602/http://webb.nmu.edu/HealthCenter/SiteSections/AboutUs/AboutUs.shtml . live .
  25. Web site: Jamrich Hall: NMU College of Arts and Sciences . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . December 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101229200832/http://webb.nmu.edu/Colleges/ArtsAndSciences/SiteSections/Resources/Facilities/FacilitiesJamrich.shtml . live .
  26. Web site: Jamrich Hall . Northern Michigan University . en . December 13, 2018 . December 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222855/https://events.nmu.edu/jamrich_hall#.XBHodmhKjnE . live .
  27. Web site: Library Home : Olson Library . Northern Michigan University Olson Library . May 14, 2010 . July 1, 2010 . July 30, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100730034828/http://library.nmu.edu/ . live .
  28. http://www.petersons.com/ugchannel/code/InstVC.asp?inunid=7834&sponsor=1
  29. Web site: McClintock Building: NMU College of Arts and Sciences . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . December 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101229184657/http://webb.nmu.edu/Colleges/ArtsAndSciences/SiteSections/Resources/Facilities/FacilitiesMcClintock.shtml . live .
  30. Web site: Physical Education Instructional Facility: NMU Athletics . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . June 12, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100612094427/http://webb.nmu.edu/SportsAthletics/SiteSections/Facilities/PEIF.shtml . live .
  31. Web site: Glenn T. Seaborg – Biography . Nobelprize.org . July 1, 2010 . June 20, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100620133526/http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1951/seaborg-bio.html . live .
  32. Web site: Superior Dome . Northern Michigan University Athletic Department . en . June 18, 2019 . June 5, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190605121611/http://www.nmuwildcats.com/information/superior_dome . live .
  33. Web site: Jacobetti Center: NMU Continuing Education . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . June 12, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100612054245/http://webb.nmu.edu/ContinuingEducation/SiteSections/Resources/Facilities/Jacobetti.shtml . live .
  34. Web site: Home: NMU Board of Trustees . Northern Michigan University . en . March 29, 2018 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329140151/http://www.nmu.edu/boardoftrustees/ . live .
  35. http://hunts-upguide.com/marquette_superior_dome_upper_peninsula_heritage_center.html
  36. Web site: Football Coaches . University of Michigan Athletics . July 1, 2010 . August 4, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110804045658/http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/coaches/lcarr.htm . live .
  37. Web site: NMU-OTS - Marquette, Michigan . https://web.archive.org/web/20150501085458/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Team-USA/Olympic-Training-Facilities/NMU-OTS-in-Marquette-MI . dead . May 1, 2015 .
  38. Web site: Home: United States Olympic Education Center . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . July 11, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100711032751/http://webb.nmu.edu/SportsUSOEC/ . live .
  39. Web site: Residence Halls: NMU Housing and Residence Life . Northern Michigan University . March 3, 2017 . March 24, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170324055934/http://www.nmu.edu/housing/residencehalls . live .
  40. Web site: Apartments: NMU Housing and Residence Life . Northern Michigan University . August 16, 2008 . July 1, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120817060442/http://www.nmu.edu/housing/apartments . August 17, 2012 . dead .
  41. Web site: About Us: NMU Department of Military Science . Northern Michigan University . August 2, 2013 . March 6, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120306090829/http://webb.nmu.edu/Departments/MilitaryScience/SiteSections/About/AboutUs.shtml . live .
  42. Web site: About Us . https://web.archive.org/web/20100414005335/http://www.thenorthwindonline.com/?page_id=4 . dead . April 14, 2010 . The North Wind . Box . WP .
  43. Web site: WUPX 91.5 FM Radio X Marquette . Marquette, Michigan . WUPX-FM . February 12, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002026/http://www.wupx.com/about.php . March 4, 2016 . dead .
  44. http://www.nmu.edu/alumni/shof.htm
  45. Web site: JOHN D. HOLUM . uic.edu . February 4, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194917/http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/acda/aboutacd/holum.htm . March 3, 2016 . dead .
  46. Web site: Coach Izzo Biography . Coach Izzo . January 29, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150130131637/http://www.coachizzo.com/biography/ . January 30, 2015 . dead .
  47. Web site: News_Release.Aspx . NFLPlayers.com . July 1, 2010 . September 29, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092720/http://www.nflplayers.com/news/news_release.aspx?id=599 . live .
  48. Web site: Jason T. Morgan . November 10, 2022 . November 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221110224913/https://nmu.edu/boardoftrustees/jason-t-morgan . live .
  49. Web site: Howard Schultz Biography Activist (1953–) . Biography.com . March 19, 2015 . March 15, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150315020804/http://www.biography.com/people/howard-schultz-21166227 . live .
  50. News: From bantam to junior in single bound. Turchansky. Ray. September 20, 1996. Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 26. August 23, 2021. August 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809193505/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83118179/siciliano-1996/. live.
  51. Web site: James Worth . 2023-12-21 . Ballotpedia . en.
  52. Web site: Home: NMU Charter Schools . Northern Michigan University . July 1, 2010 . September 27, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184312/http://www.nmu.edu/charterschools/ . live .