Jesse Sherman, who is set to graduate this semester with a master’s degree in business administration from Northern MIchigan University, is this year’s NMU Student Veteran of the Year. Sherman was honored on Veterans Day at the Northern Center. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

MARQUETTE — Jesse Sherman, who is expected to graduate from Northern Michigan University this semester with a master’s degree in business administration, is NMU’s Student Veteran of the Year.

He received a special challenge coin for the honor during a Veterans Day ceremony held on campus at the Northern Center on Wednesday.

“I’m deeply honored to receive this award,” Sherman said. “NMU’s been very, very great to me — a lot of opportunities, expanded my network, my associates, my friends — and really helped me broaden my education.”

State Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, was among the dignitaries attending the ceremony.

“Everything that’s available to you is out there for whatever you want to do next. And the skills that you have, stepping up to serve your country, so many of us don’t know what that commitment is like. But I can tell you that those of us that want to respect that and honor that, we look for your leadership, and people like you have done that,” Cambensy said. “Especially at a time when our country is so divided, we need leadership like yours.”

State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, also attended the ceremony.

“It is with true gratefulness that I and so many others — who say ‘thank you for your service’ — should be thinking on how much in life is special because of what you gave and what others gave,” McBroom said.

NMU President Fritz Erickson had a few words for Sherman as well.

“The fact that you chose Northern and that you’re here and part of the Northern community is something that’s really, really important to all of us,” Erickson said.

Sherman was born in downstate Alpena and raised on an apple farm in Hubbard Lake. A 2002 graduate of Rapid River High School, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as an infantryman that year. He then took part in two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2005-06.

Sherman earned the Purple Heart Award in 2004. He was discharged with the rank of sergeant in 2006. In 2012, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in English-practical writing from Western Michigan University and obtained a certificate in advanced brewing theory in 2015 from the Siebel Institute of Technology.

Sherman has been married to his wife, Liz, for 10 years. They have three children: Jackson, Mallory and Oliver.

Previous NMU student veterans of the year include Cody Mayer, who just won a seat on the Marquette City Commission, in 2019; Traci Dietz, 2018; and Connor Loftus, 2017.