LIKE MANY OTHER FORMER trolls, I came to Marquette x-number of years ago to attend Northern Michigan University. I figured I’d do my time… up here in God Knows What Country, get out, and head back to civilization to begin my career.
Well… I’m still here, and frankly, my experience at that university, and its undeniable influence on this community, is surely why I never left.
As we celebrate Northern’s 125th Anniversary, from its modest beginnings as Northern State Normal School, it’s a good time to reflect on what the school’s history has meant to all of us. Even if you didn’t attend, if you live here, you get to take advantage of everything NMU has to offer.
Large institutions, like the city, or our public school system, or the hospital… and certainly NMU, lend themselves to a spectrum of criticism. It’s occasionally fair, but just as often, unwarranted. Can someone offer a legitimate complaint about something Northern did, or is currently doing? Sure… but we’re not doing that today. Today is a day to acknowledge what most would agree… we’re darn lucky to have a university here, and we should never take it for granted.
My personal story is not unusual. I knew no one when I arrived on campus, but soon enough I was meeting people who would end up being lifelong friends. And many of them still live here too! Though my family was hundreds of miles away, I made connections that quickly turned Hunt Hall into my new home. And with that, I never looked back.
Learning and Legacy
The purpose of a university is, of course, to provide an education and prepare its students for the real world. That starts in the classroom, but in addition to that, so much personal development comes from university life itself. It’s where a teenager becomes an adult.
Many of those adults have written pretty impressive success stories.
Who among us hasn’t bragged about the accomplishments of alumni like Tom Izzo and Steve Mariucci? Or pointed out that former Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz matriculated here. How about Lloyd Carr? Before he coached the Michigan Wolverines to a National Championship, he quarterbacked the Wildcats at Memorial Field.
How about John Voelker? You might know him by his pen name… Robert Traver. He wrote “Anatomy of a Murder,” the novel that inspired the Academy Award nominated film of the same name. Or Mark Lovell? Parden me… Dr. Mark Lovell. He developed the ImPACT test, a concussion evaluation tool, used by athletic organizations including the NFL and NHL. (I guess after he survived a couple years at our apartment on West Ohio, concussion testing was a piece of cake.)
All universities can come up with an impressive list of notable alumni. But I like ours. And I’ve only mentioned the ones I’m familiar with. There are many more, making a difference every day in their chosen fields. But individual accomplishments by NMU graduates only tell part of the story.
A Campus without Borders
The relationship between Northern and Marquette is special. Yes, NMU belongs to the entire Upper Peninsula, but the fact that it’s here and a part of our daily lives makes it special… to us.
If you’re not taking advantage of all NMU has to offer, that’s on you. Have you been to a performance at the Forest Roberts Theater lately? Have you checked out the university’s musical talent at the Reynolds Recital Hall, or an exhibit at the De Vos Art Museum?
The cosmetology and culinary programs are in new digs up campus, while the Jacobetti skill center is remodeled and ready for whatever’s next.
What about sports? Northern has a multitude of Division II sports programs, and… Division I hockey!
Always a Happening
There’s no way I can cover everything going on over there. Next time you visit the Northern Center, take a look at one of the bulletin boards. You’ll see posters promoting events and programs taking place on campus that illustrate a diversity of ideas and interests that can only be found at an institution of higher learning.
And speaking of the Northern Center, (previously known as the University Center) that beautiful facility hosts events relevant to the entire Marquette community… not just the university. Weddings, non-profit receptions, and other important gatherings dot the center’s calendar. Heck, Senator Bernie Sanders will be speaking there Sunday. Bernie Sanders!
Which brings me to another event taking place Sunday. The aforementioned Tom Izzo is bringing his Michigan State Spartans basketball team to the Superior Dome to take on the Wildcats in a pre-season exhibition game being called the Superior Dome Showdown. The last time the Spartans played in Marquette, Tom Izzo was wearing the Green & Gold for the Wildcats.
I’m not here to promote the event… because it’s sold out! 12,000 tickets were gone in a hurry, which tells me there’s excitement in this town for Wildcat basketball, Tom Izzo and his Spartans, and a big-time event taking place in the Superior Dome.
Yes… the Superior Dome. In addition to the Berry Events Center, the Superior Dome is a facility that wouldn’t exist without NMU. And that dome is used for a multitude of different community events, way too many to list here.
A Two Way Street
It’s important to acknowledged there’s always been a bit of a disconnect between the college and the city. But there’s a movement afoot on campus to bridge any gap that still exists. Northern President Dr. Brock Tessman addressed that when recently presenting the university’s “Grand Challenge.” One element of that is called “Partnering in Place,” where the university works to expand civic engagement and address critical issues in order to contribute to the community and public good.
At every turn, those of us who live here and appreciate what the university brings to the table should welcome that effort and work with campus representatives to help foster positive outcomes.
Okay, I probably haven’t told you much you don’t already know. But I hope I’ve reminded you of the value Northern Michigan University adds to Marquette. The economic impact alone is undeniable. But the social element… thousands of young people and all the attendant faculty and staff who make up the NMU community, undoubtedly contribute a vibe that helps make Marquette a dynamic place to live.
Yup… I’m glad I stuck around.