NMU History Department

09/27/2026

A new era is beginning at Northern Michigan University! 🎓✨

We’re excited to celebrate Dr. Chris Olsen's presidential investiture as NMU's 19th president. We invite our alumni, students, faculty, and Marquette community partners to join us for a week of community, service, and celebration. 💚💛

Events include:
Saturday, Sept 26: Civil War Veteran Graves Cleaning | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Ishpeming Cemetery

Monday, Sept 28: Community Ice Cream Social | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Northern Center Lawn

Monday, Sept 28: National Parks & Climate Change Presentation | 7:00 PM | Northern Center (Peninsula II)

Thursday, Oct 1: Investiture Celebration Dinner | 5:30 PM Social / 6:30 PM Dinner | Northern Center Grand Ballrooms (Benefits the new NMU Experience Grant program)

Friday, Oct 2: Investiture Ceremony | 11:00 AM | Northern Center Grand Ballrooms (Advance RSVP required)

To register and see additional events included in the festivities, follow the link in the comments.

06/30/2026

05/03/2026

“I didn't struggle when I came to Northern,” Blake Stenberg, NMU's Spring Commencement speaker, says in his speech, “I didn't struggle with classes, I didn't struggle to make friends, and I certainly don't struggle now to call those same friends family. This place—Marquette, Northern—has a welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel like they belong. Whether you are a traditional student, or non-traditional like me. Whether you have everything figured out, or you don't even know where to start, it does not matter; this place opens its doors to all of us and says, ‘Come in, and we will figure it out together.'

Blake Stenberg, who will earn a bachelor's degree from Northern Michigan University in social studies secondary education, has been selected as the student speaker for NMU's commencement on Saturday, May 2. The Bark River native will deliver his speech not long after returning from a student teaching assignment in New Zealand.

Stenberg chose to attend Northern because of his familiarity with and love for the Upper Peninsula. His family often took weekend trips to Marquette to hike, camp and explore downtown. He said NMU was far enough away from home to give him a true sense of independence, yet close enough that he could easily return, as desired.

04/21/2026

The Departments of History and Philosophy recently held their annual Spring banquet! Many of our students were recognized for their achievements, including outstanding graduating seniors, student teachers, teaching assistants, and scholarship recipients. Congratulations to all, and especially to all our soon-to-be graduates! As our Head, Dr. Alan Willis, put it, "It's sad to see you go, but we want you to go (with degree in hand!)" We would also like to thank NMU president Dr. Chris Olson for attending the event.