Northern Michigan University Interim President, Gavin Leech, shakes hands with Christopher MacMaster after celebrating his accomplishments with the NMU Cold Case program Friday. (Journal photo by Antonio Anderson)

MARQUETTE– The Board of Trustees at Northern Michigan University held its first meeting of the new academic year Friday and at this meeting, held a moment of silence for current students and faculty who have passed; applauded the NMU Cold Case Program; designated trustees to meet with the NMU Foundation Board; reviewed many reports; and much more.

“I think that was the first standing ovation I’ve seen at a meeting,” said Kristi Evans.

The board met with Christopher MacMaster and student Devin Montano to discuss the recent success of the NMU Cold Case Program and the solving of a kidnapping and sexually assaulted a woman in Delta County 39 years ago by using genealogical databases to trace familial connections.

“It got state wide attention,” said Chairperson Stephen E. Young. “Tremendously positive PR for Northern.”

A moment of silence was held for students Jackson Gervasio, Joel Wisuri, Trevor Forsythe and faculty member Liam O’Day, all of whom have died in the past year. There was also a report from the president of the AFSCME union, Kevin Price, who said that a deal is in the works between his local and NMU. Interim President Gavin Leach also gave a report on campus and recent events.

“There has been a lot happening on campus,” Leach said.

The board meeting also saw the approval of the NMU fiscal year 2026 general fund base budget increase of $6.6 million over the last year, bringing it to a total of $137.6 million.

The board also designated four trustees to meet with NMU Foundation Board members. In this meeting, all will discuss terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.

“Yeah, there are some tensions there. But my hope is, is that by designating four people from our board to meet with their designees, that they can sit down, kind of come up and listen to the concerns, see if they can be addressed,” Young added. “If they can, we’ll do what we can. If they can’t, you know, we’ll have to agree to disagree.”

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.