53 Notable alumni of Northern Michigan University
Updated: June 14, 2026 EliteDegrees
Northern Michigan University is ranked #1,921 in the world and #473 in United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 53 notable alumni from Northern Michigan University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Northern Michigan University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Jack Gingrass
1921-2010 (aged 89)
politician
Jack L. Gingrass was an American politician who was a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing a portion of the Upper Peninsula in the 1960s and 1970s.
+ show more
2. Ray Kaunisto
1987-. (aged 39)
ice hockey player
Ray Kaunisto is an American former professional ice hockey forward. He last played with the Brampton Beast of the ECHL.
3. Joe Borri
1962-. (aged 64)
writer
Joe Borri is an artist and writer. Born and raised in Detroit, Borri graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1984. He is married and has four children.
+ show more
4. Ray Pilon
1945-. (aged 81)
politician
Ray Pilon is a former Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 72nd District, which includes northern Sarasota County, from 2012 to 2016, and the 69th district from 2010 to 2012. Pilon unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for Florida Senate District 23 in 2016, placing 4th, and was his party's unsuccessful nominee for his former seat...
+ show more
5. Nick Sirota
1984-. (aged 42)
ice hockey player
Nick Sirota is a former American professional ice hockey Right winger who last played with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL.
6. Brianna Buentello
1989-. (aged 37)
politician
Brianna Buentello is an American politician and former member of the Colorado House of Representatives. A Democrat, she represented the 47th district, which includes parts of Fremont and Pueblo counties and all of Otero County, for one term. She served on the Rural Affairs and Agriculture Committee, and was the vice-chair of the Education Committee.
+ show more
7. Geoff Waugh
1983-. (aged 43)
ice hockey player
Geoff Waugh is a retired Canadian-Croatian ice hockey defenceman who last played for the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).
8. Juha Alén
1981-. (aged 45)
ice hockey player
Juha Alén is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. He played in the SM-liiga for Ilves, Espoo Blues Lukko and Lukko and also played in the American Hockey League for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan for Mora IK and the Austrian Hockey League for Hungarian side Alba Volán Székesfehérvár. He was drafted 90th overall by the Mighty...
+ show more
9. Kory Karlander
1972-. (aged 54)
ice hockey player
Kory Karlander is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who most notably played for the Kalamazoo Wings in the ECHL.
10. Dieter Kochan
1974-. (aged 52)
ice hockey player
Dieter Kochan, is a Canadian-born American former professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the United States men's national ice hockey team at the 2002 IIHF World Championship as well as 21 games for the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning and Minnesota Wild between 2000 and 2003. He was the first player to be called up directly from the UHL to...
+ show more
11. Shahzada Jamal Nazir
1973-. (aged 53)
politician
Shahzada 'Prince' Jamal Nazir is a Pakistani politician. In 2011, he was appointed by Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani as adviser with the status of Federal Minister of State for the Ministry of National Regulations and Services. In 2013, he served in the interim cabinet as the Federal Minister for four ministries that included Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry...
+ show more
12. Sheila E. Hixson
1933-2022 (aged 89)
politician
Sheila Ellis Hixson was an American politician who served as a Democrat in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1976 to 2018. She represented District 20 in Montgomery County, Maryland which includes parts of Burtonsville, Takoma Park, and Silver Spring neighborhoods of Hillandale, Woodmoor, White Oak, Indian Springs, East Silver Spring, and Colesville. Hixson was the first female chairman of...
+ show more
13. John D. Holum
1940-. (aged 86)
John D. Holum was Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security under Bill Clinton.
+ show more
14. Brad Paquette
1987-. (aged 39)
politician
Brad Paquette is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2019, currently representing the 37th district. He is a member of the Republican Party.
+ show more
15. Mark Olver
1988-. (aged 38)
ice hockey player
Mark Olver is a Canadian-German professional ice hockey centre currently playing under contract to the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. He previously played in the National Hockey League with the Colorado Avalanche. Mark is the younger brother of Darin Olver, who was his teammate in his tenure with Eisbären Berlin.
+ show more
16. Whitney Conder
1988-. (aged 38)
amateur wrestler
Whitney Conder is an American freestyle wrestler. In September 2012, she joined the U.S. Army as part of the World Class Athlete Program and serves with the military police. As a WCAP athlete, Conder has been a World Team member five times, a six-time national champion, and won a Military World silver medal. Military World Championships Silver Medal 2014. Junior...
+ show more
17. Bobby Jurasin
1964-. (aged 62)
Canadian football player
American football player
Robert Jurasin is a former defensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1986 to 1997 and the Toronto Argonauts in 1998. He was a CFL All-Star in 1987, 1988, 1992 and 1997. He was a part of the Roughriders 1989 Grey Cup winning team. He also won the Molson Cup Most Popular Player in 1987 and 1997.
+ show more
18. J. P. Vigier
1976-. (aged 50)
ice hockey player
Jean-Pierre Vigier is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Atlanta Thrashers and in Switzerland's National League A for Genève-Servette HC and SC Bern between 2000 and 2012. Vigier served as captain for SC Bern during away games.
+ show more
19. Mark Beaufait
1970-. (aged 56)
ice hockey player
Mark David Beaufait is an American former professional ice hockey player. He resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He played 5 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the San Jose Sharks during the 1992–93 season. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1992 to 2009, was spent mainly in the International Hockey League and in the Deutsche Eishockey...
+ show more
20. Darin Olver
1985-. (aged 41)
ice hockey player
Darin Olver is a Canadian-born German professional ice hockey left winger. He is currently playing for Schwenninger Wild Wings of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
+ show more
21. Richard N. Current
1912-2012 (aged 100)
historian
university teacher
Richard Nelson Current was an American historian, called "the Dean of Lincoln Scholars", best known for The Lincoln Nobody Knows (1958), and Lincoln and the First Shot (1963).
+ show more
22. Andrew Sarauer
1984-. (aged 42)
ice hockey player
Andrew Sarauer Canadian-Hungarian professional ice hockey winger (ice hockey Center) currently playing for Fehérvár AV19 of the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). He has previously played in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Lake Erie Monsters, Norfolk Admirals, Rockford IceHogs and Hershey Bears, as well as the ECHL for the Johnstown Chiefs, Reading Royals and Las Vegas Wranglers.
+ show more
23. Spenser Mango
1986-. (aged 40)
amateur wrestler
Spenser Mango is an American Greco-Roman wrestler. He has represented the United States in numerous international competitions including the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, he competed in the 55 kg weight class. He won his first match against Romanian, Virgil Munteanu, before losing the South Korean, Park Eun-chul.
+ show more
24. Caitlin Compton
1980-. (aged 46)
biathlete
cross-country skier
Caitlin Compton Gregg is an American cross-country skier who has competed since 2001.
25. Randi Miller
1983-. (aged 43)
mixed martial arts fighter
amateur wrestler
Randi Criner Miller is an American wrestler, who competed in the 63 kg weight class at the 2008 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal. She later made a transition to mixed martial arts.
+ show more
26. Justin Florek
1990-. (aged 36)
ice hockey player
Justin Jacob Florek is a former American professional ice hockey player. He most recently played with Dresdner Eislöwen in the DEL2. Florek was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 5th round (135th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
+ show more
27. Tuomas Tarkki
1980-. (aged 46)
ice hockey player
Tuomas Sakari Tarkki is a Finnish former professional ice hockey goaltender and the goaltending coach of the Finnish women's national team. He played college ice hockey in the NCAA and professionally in the Finnish Liiga, the American Hockey League (AHL), the Swedish Elitserien, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the Czech Extraliga, and the Danish Metal Ligaen.
+ show more
28. Adam Hamari
1983-. (aged 43)
athlete
Adam Curtis Hamari is an American Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire.
29. Andy Bisek
1986-. (aged 40)
amateur wrestler
Andy Bisek is an American Greco-Roman wrestler. Bisek is of Polish descent. He was a 2016 Olympian and two-time World bronze medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling, representing Team USA.
+ show more
30. Mike Santorelli
1985-. (aged 41)
ice hockey player
Michael Santorelli is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played with Genève-Servette HC of the National League A and in the National Hockey League with the Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Anaheim Ducks.
+ show more
31. Jared Coreau
1991-. (aged 35)
ice hockey player
Jared Coreau is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently a free agent.
32. Nathan Oystrick
1982-. (aged 44)
ice hockey player
Nathan Oystrick is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Oystrick has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues. He was originally drafted by the Thrashers in the seventh round, 198th overall, at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Oystrick was named head coach of the Humboldt Broncos on July...
+ show more
33. Erik Gustafsson
1988-. (aged 38)
ice hockey player
Erik Gustafsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for Luleå HF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
34. Dick Pole
1950-. (aged 76)
baseball player
Richard Henry Pole is an American former professional baseball player and a former pitching coach. A right-handed pitcher, Pole was 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall and weighed 210 pounds (95 kg) during his playing career.
+ show more
35. Don Waddell
1958-. (aged 68)
ice hockey player
ice hockey coach
Donald Douglas Waddell is an American professional ice hockey executive and former player who is currently the president of hockey operations and general manager for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He previously held similar leadership roles with the Carolina Hurricanes and Atlanta Thrashers.
+ show more
36. Norm Breyfogle
1960-2018 (aged 58)
visual artist
comics artist
illustrator
writer
Norman Keith "Norm" Breyfogle was an American artist, best known for his comic book art on DC Comics's Batman franchise from 1987 to 1995. During this time, he co-created the villains Ventriloquist and Ratcatcher with writers Alan Grant and John Wagner, and the characters Anarky, Jeremiah Arkham, Victor Zsasz, and Amygdala with Grant alone. He co-created with writers Gerard Jones...
+ show more
37. Dallas Drake
1969-. (aged 57)
ice hockey player
Dallas James Drake is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger in the National Hockey League (NHL) who began and ended his career playing for the Detroit Red Wings, the team that drafted him. In his last season, the Red Wings made it to and beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, enabling him...
+ show more
38. Shani Davis
1982-. (aged 44)
speed skater
short-track speed skater
Shani Earl Davis is an American former speed skater. At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Davis won a gold medal in an individual event at the Winter Olympic Games, winning the speedskating 1000 meter event. He also won a silver medal in the 1500 meter event. At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, he repeated...
+ show more
39. Nick Baumgartner
1981-. (aged 45)
racing automobile driver
snowboarder
Nick Baumgartner is an American snowboarder from Iron River, Michigan. He competes in snowboard cross (SBX) and qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics. He won the gold and silver medals in the 2011 and 2012 Winter X Games. Baumgartner competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics and won his first Olympic gold at the age of 40 in the 2022 Winter...
+ show more
40. Tom Laidlaw
1958-. (aged 68)
ice hockey player
reality television participant
Thomas John Laidlaw is a Canadian retired ice hockey defenceman.
41. Jerry Glanville
1941-. (aged 85)
NASCAR team owner
American football player
American football coach
Jerry Michael Glanville is an American football coach. He is the defensive coordinator for Northwestern Oklahoma State University, a position he has held since 2024. Prior to that, was most recently the head coach of the Alabama Airborne of Major League Football (MLFB). He played football at Northern Michigan University in the early 1960s, and is a former NASCAR driver...
+ show more
42. Mikaela Mayer
1990-. (aged 36)
boxer
Mikaela Joslin Mayer is an American professional boxer who has been unified world female super-welterweight champion since October 2025, holding the WBA, WBC and WBO titles. She has also held the WBO welterweight title since September 2024. Mayer is a former unified female super-featherweight world champion, having held the WBO and.IBF titles simultaneously. She has also held the interim WBC...
+ show more
43. Lloyd Carr
1945-. (aged 81)
American football coach
Lloyd Henry Carr Jr. is an American former football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Michigan from 1995 through the 2007 season, replacing Gary Moeller. Under Carr, the Michigan Wolverines compiled a record of 122–40 and won or shared five Big Ten Conference titles (1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2004). Carr's undefeated...
+ show more
44. Tom Izzo
1955-. (aged 71)
basketball player
basketball coach
Thomas Michael Izzo is an American college basketball coach who has been the head coach at Michigan State University since 1995. On April 4, 2016, Izzo was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
+ show more
45. Steve Mariucci
1955-. (aged 71)
American football coach
coach
Canadian football player
American football player
Stephen Ray Mariucci, nicknamed "Mooch", is an American sportscaster and former football coach who was the head coach of two National Football League (NFL) teams, the San Francisco 49ers (1997–2002) and the Detroit Lions (2003–2005), and for a year at the University of California, Berkeley.
+ show more
46. Howard Schultz
1953-. (aged 73)
writer
businessperson
financier
entrepreneur
Howard D. Schultz is an American businessman and author who was the chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks from 1986 to 2000, from 2008 to 2017, and interim CEO from 2022 to 2023. Schultz owned the Seattle SuperSonics basketball team from 2001 to 2006.
+ show more
47. Robert Saleh
1979-. (aged 47)
American football coach
coach
Robert Jalal Saleh is an American professional football coach who is the head coach for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025 and the head coach of the New York Jets from 2021 to 2024. Prior to joining the Jets, Saleh was the defensive...
+ show more
48. Chad Gable
1986-. (aged 40)
professional wrestler
amateur wrestler
Charles Edward Betts is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler. He has been signed to WWE since 2013 where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Chad Gable. He also portrays the masked luchador El Grande Americano.
+ show more
49. Charles H. Varnum
1933-1999 (aged 66)
politician
Charles Henry Varnum was a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing a portion of the Upper Peninsula for 26 years.
50. Robert William Davis
1932-2009 (aged 77)
politician
funeral director
Robert William Davis was an American politician from the state of Michigan. He represented the state's 11th congressional district, which at that time included the Upper Peninsula and a large portion of Northern Michigan, in the United States House of Representatives from 1979 until 1993.
+ show more
51. Jerry Dennis
1954-. (aged 72)
writer
Jerry Dennis is an American writer of nonfiction and short fiction. He is known for writing about the effect of human culture on the natural environment.
+ show more
52. Steven E. Day
military officer
Steven E. Day is a United States Coast Guard rear admiral whose final duty assignment was Director of Reserve and leadership,. In this role he commanded the United States Coast Guard Reserve. He previously served as the US deputy commander for mobilization and reserve affairs, Atlantic Area, US Coast Guard.
+ show more
53. Matt Blanchard
1989-. (aged 37)
American football player
Matthew Ryan Blanchard is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks, and signed with the Chicago Bears after going undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft. Blanchard was also a member of the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts.
+ show more