#nmuwildcats

1. Going to the third floor of Jamrich gives you nightmares

2. You use the Superior Dome as a landmark for giving directions

3. You can’t say “Wildcat Goal” without speaking in the announcer’s voice

4. Precipitation, aka mostly snow, doesn’t phase you anymore

5. You cheered on the doggos at the U.P. 200 

6. You spend all your money at Fieras, Cat Trax, Melted or Smoothie King, because food 

7. You had to explain at least once where the U.P. is, and no, it is not part of Canada

8. You get pumped to watch a lake freighter at the ore dock on Presque Isle 

9. Your shorts resurface once the temperature rises above 32 degrees

10: You rep the Green & Gold on breaks, because even though you might want a break from homework, you don't want a break from home

1. You remember when Wildcat Willy had sideburns/ear tufts/mutton chops 

2. Starbucks was in the LRC

3. You don’t know where anything is on campus anymore 

4. “The Woods” is where you went camping, not the dorm you lived in

5. You count down the days until you get to visit Marquette again

6. You get pumped when Northern Magazine shows up in your mailbox

7. You don’t know where anything is on campus anymore

8. You support your child exploring other colleges, but you know the right decision is Northern 

9. When you run into other alumni wearing Wildcat gear, you can’t help but yell “Go Cats!!!”

Meet Mariah Goeks, a physics student from Lake Forest, Illinois. We asked Mariah a few questions about her NMU experience: 

Why did you decide to come to NMU? 

Mariah: I loved the physics department when I visited, I love the small, friendly campus, I enjoy being surrounded by so many nature parks and trails (I have been exploring several of these by bike), and NMU has great financial aid! Also, I loved the idea of jumping right into research with the Freshman Fellow program.

What do you like about your major at NMU? 

Mariah: Physics is a smaller department, but mighty! I love being actively involved in solid-state research, and my peers are all wonderful people.

What’s an example of a cool, interesting or helpful thing that you have done as a part of your major? 

Mariah: I love Spooky Science Night at the Children's Museum. The Physics Club takes some cool demos and gets to watch children take an active interest in what makes the world tick, and I think that's one of the best things to be able to see.

What are you involved with on campus? 

Mariah: Solid-state physics research with Dr. Mengyan in the physics department; Physics Club (president); French Table.

Of your activities on- or off-campus, what has been the most rewarding and why?

Mariah: Another student and I have been doing solid-state physics research with Dr. Mengyan, which has been very enjoyable and a great opportunity. We study the role and effects of hydrogen on the electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of semiconducting materials with technological applications (e.g. for use in solar cells, sensors, batteries, electronic devices, etc.). 

I began working with Dr. Mengyan through the Freshman Fellows program, which was a wonderful introduction to this research. I came in not knowing what solid-state physics was, and have been exposed to many interesting facets of this type of research for several different projects. I have been to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL; Didcot, UK) for several experiments, joining other members of our small international collaboration to participate in sample preparation, experimental setup and operation, and real-time analysis. 

Being able to help conduct experiments at a national laboratory has been a wonderful opportunity, and has helped me connect the data analysis and modeling work with what might be physically happening in our samples to cause the spectra we see. I love being able to directly work with the hands-on aspects of the data collection because it really brings all the aspects of what we do together. 

My plans for the future are to go to graduate school in solid-state physics, with a career goal of continuing with this sub-field of physics as a research scientist. My experience with solid-state physics research at Northern has helped me determine that this is something that I would like to pursue long-term. 

What’s your favorite memory during your time as a student?

Meet Mikayla Kewley, an elementary education student from Menominee, Michigan. We asked Mikayla a few questions about her Northern experience so far: 

Why did you decide to come to NMU?

Mikayla: When I visited the campus as a senior, the students were super friendly and outgoing and willing to help you find your way around. I knew a lot of people attending Northern from high school sports and my hometown and they all talked highly of the school. I also chose NMU because the School of Education is very good here and would allow me to have the knowledge to become a successful educator. 

What do you like about your major at NMU? 

Mikayla: I love how all the students in the education program are so outgoing and friendly. I made friends in my freshman orientation class that I still am friends with now in my program. I love how all the professors will go out of their way to make sure you will be successful. The professors get to know you on a personal level in class and will call you by name by the 2nd-3rd week of class, which I personally appreciate. 

What's an example of a cool, interesting or helpful thing that you have done as a part of your major?

Mikayla: My favorite thing that we have done in our program so far is taking a trip to Danz Elementary School in Green Bay, Wisc., which is a bilingual school. I want to teach in a diverse school setting and this opportunity allowed me to see this in person and interact with the students. 

Another helpful thing was being able to go into the public schools here in Marquette to get a better understanding of what grade I potentially want to teach. My observation teacher was super helpful, allowed me to interact with her class, and showed me a lot of behind the scene things teachers do that most people do not realize they do. 

What are you involved with on campus?

Mikayla: I am involved in multiple intramural sports. I have done dodgeball, broomball, volleyball, and bowling. I volunteered for Welcome Crew when I was living in the dorms along with helping my resident advisor (RA) make door decorations for residents in our house. I was also involved in house government, which allowed me to get closer to my neighbors and others living in my building. I also work off-campus at Michael’s, which has been a great experience getting to know the community more.

Of your activities on- or off-campus, what has been the most rewarding and why? 

Mikayla: I think the most rewarding activity is intramurals. I played sports year-round in high school and these sports allow you to get to know other students on campus that you probably would not get to know if they were not in one of your classes. It allows you to get out of your dorm and away from homework and help with the overall stress of college. I also got to know a lot of people in my house from doing intramurals when I was living in the dorms. What's your favorite memory during your time as a student?

Meet Madyson Hague, a management of health and fitness student from Gaylord, Michigan. We asked Madyson a few questions about her Wildcat experience so far:

Why did you choose NMU?

Madyson: I chose NMU because I fell in love with Marquette and how it was so beautiful. Also, NMU has a small campus and I liked that.

What do you like about your major at NMU?

Madyson: I chose my major because health and fitness is the only thing I am actually passionate about, so I figured why not major in it.

What are you involved with on campus?

Madyson: I work on campus at the Physical Education Instructional Facility (PEIF), at the information center. It’s a super fun job. Everyone is very friendly and fun to work with. I really enjoy getting to know the regular patrons that come in! 

Of your activities on- or off-campus, what has been the most rewarding and why?  

Madyson: The most rewarding thing I’ve done on campus would probably be when someone in a wheelchair was stuck in the parking lot this winter. I pushed them all the way to their dorm because there was so much slush it was hard for them to get through it.

What's your favorite memory during your time as a student?

Madyson: My favorite memory at NMU so far would have to be going for a sunrise hike up Hogback! Such an amazing and beautiful sight. I think every NMU student should do it at least once.

Further comments? 

Meet Mara Klein, an elementary education student from Channing, Michigan. We asked Mara a few questions about her Northern experience so far: 

Why did you decide to come to NMU? 

Mara: I decided to come to NMU because it was close enough to home to visit my family, yet far enough away that I could experience living on my own. 

What do you like about your major at NMU? 

Mara: I love my professors in the education program, and the fact that we get to work directly with elementary students and get classroom experience.

What's an example of a cool, interesting or helpful thing that you have done as a part of your major?

Mara: An interesting thing I have done as part of my major is taking a trip to a bilingual elementary school in Green Bay, Wisconsin. We had the chance to interact with the students there for the day and I had third graders teaching me their native language, Spanish.

What are you involved with on campus? 

Mara: I am involved with His House Christian Fellowship (HHCF) on campus, which has been a great place for me to grow in my faith and meet new friends. I lived at the women’s house last year, which was a great way to meet new people and make friends. I even met my now-husband at HHCF. Of your activities on- or off-campus, what has been the most rewarding and why? 

Mara: His House Christian Fellowship has been the most rewarding thing for me because it has given me opportunities to reach out and talk to people I normally wouldn’t. We hand out hot chocolate in the Academic Mall and it is a great way to meet people and brighten up their day. I also have been on three mission trips to Mexico with HHCF where we have built homes for families. None of these opportunities would have been presented to me if it were not for NMU and HHCF. What's your favorite memory during your time as a student?

Mara: My favorite memory was at the end of my first year when a group of my friends from His House and I decided to pull an all-nighter to celebrate finals being finished. We explored Marquette, played games and had good clean fun. It was a great way to end my first year at NMU and left me feeling excited for year two. Further comments about your NMU experience?

Meet Gracie Harrington, a secondary special education major from Marquette, Michigan. We asked Gracie a few questions about her Northern experience so far:

Why did you decide to come to NMU? 

Gracie: I knew Northern had a spectacular education program and it was the most affordable for me. I also wanted to stay close to my family. My sister Kaity is autistic and quite frankly, my best friend. We’ve been a dynamic duo since the beginning. I didn’t even want to imagine the pain of being so far apart for so long. 

What do you like about your major at NMU? 

Gracie: I am so appreciative of the professors and faculty in the education department. Not only are they extremely impressive and amazing at what they do, but they genuinely want the best with the students in their program. I can honestly say that pursuing this degree would have been so much harder had I not had the advisors I’ve been so fortunate to work with.

What's an example of a cool, interesting or helpful thing that you have done as a part of your major?

Gracie: My freshman year, in my education seminar class, we got to take a field trip to Bothwell Middle School and sit in on a class that corresponded with our major. We were only freshmen and we were already getting hands-on experience with our future careers. It was especially neat because it was my own middle school. I had been a student at Bothwell not even five years prior, and there I was sitting in on a special education class learning more about my future in one of the places I started. 

Of your activities on- or off-campus, what has been the most rewarding and why? 

Gracie: For the past year, I have been working at a group home called Sundara, for adults with special needs. It gets my foot in the door and provides me with the work experience that will help me further my career. Working at a group home and tailoring to the needs of 16 different people with all different personalities, ages, and disabilities has not only taught me patience but has also furthered my understanding of different disabilities. 

What's your favorite memory during your time as a student?