Notable Alumni of Northern Michigan University

Jay W. Johnson 1943–2009

36th director of the U.S. Mint and former congressman

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1965

Also attended: Gogebic Community College, Michigan State University

Michael Lahti 1945–2025

Michigan state representative

Attended until 1967

Brad Paquette 1987–

Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives

Mary Valentine 1946–

Former Michigan state representative

Also attended: Central Michigan University

Howard Schultz 1953–

Former chairman and CEO of Starbucks

Richard N. Current 1912–2012

Historian called the Dean of Lincoln Scholars

Also attended: Tufts University, Oberlin College, University of Wisconsin-Madison

John Lautner 1911–1994

Architect and Taliesin Fellowship apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright

Also attended: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Jackie Swanson 1963–

Actress known for Cheers as Kelly Gaines

Kelsey Mann 1974–

Director of Pixar's Inside Out 2

Norm Breyfogle 1960–2018

Comics artist known for DC's Batman

Steven Wiig 1972–

Actor, record producer and songwriter

Jason Cameron 1969–

Television presenter and actor

Shani Davis 1982–

Speed skater, 2006 Olympic 1000m gold medalist

Chas Betts 1986–

WWE professional wrestler Chad Gable

Erik Gustafsson 1988–

Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman

Cathy Turner 1962–

Short track speed skater and Olympic gold medalist

Also attended: Monroe Community College

Nick Baumgartner 1981–

Snowboard cross athlete

Randi Miller 1983–

Olympic wrestling bronze medalist

Timothy Bradley 1983–

Former professional boxer

Vernon Forrest 1971–2009

Professional boxer and multiple-time world champion

Caitlin Compton 1980–

Cross-country skier

Kimberly Derrick 1985–

Short track speed skater

Eric LeMarque 1969–

Ice hockey player at the 1994 Winter Olympics

Jerry Glanville 1941–

American football coach and former player