MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – On July 1st, Northern Michigan University President Brock Tessman will be leaving Marquette for Bozeman, Montana, where he will be the president of Montana State University. WZMQ’s John Truitt sat down with Dr. Tessman for a look back on his time here and the future of NMU.
President Tessman arrived on the sixth floor of Cohodas Hall in 2023, having been the Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education for the Montana State University system.
“All the pieces came together, I threw my hat in the ring, and it was a big deal for us to leave Montana, but it’s been a wonderful stretch here, especially for our family,” said Tessman.
He became the 17th president of NMU during a time of transition when enrollment was declining and tensions existed between administration and the faculty.
“But, I do think there’s positive momentum, and I think the framework of our new strategic plan is in place, the kind of the vibe on campus, the culture on campus feels, I think, positive and headed in the right direction. Enrollment is increasing, the budget is stable, so I feel real good,” exclaimed Tessman.
Tessman’s legacy at NMU includes improved relationships with faculty and staff, as well as a commitment to students overall well-being, including the most vulnerable.
“It happens on lots of campuses, but no campus wraps its arms around students and helps them out during tougher times. Better than NMU, said Tessman.
It’s no secret that Dr Tessman loves the UP, and in a candid moment, he made that clear.
“I’m nervous about this move professionally, the job. I mean, there’s some nerves there. The biggest point of anxiety I have is about what we’re losing as members of the community,” explained Tessman.
So what are some of the things he is most proud of?
“The thing that I will remember the most, I think it’s sort of a visible type thing, is the 125th anniversary,” said Tessman.
Tessman strongly believes that Northern will continue to be the UP’S University.
“We are Upper Michigan’s flagship. I mean, we are the comprehensive university for the Upper Peninsula, and I really think for the upper lower,” said Tessman.
And What advice does he have for his successor?
“So the advice is to take whoever you are when you put the suit on and be the same person when you leave, you leave campus, and I think you’ll find a kind of overall happiness,” advised Tessman.
Dr Tessman made it clear that this isn’t goodbye.
“Our girls, both of them, To this day, say, we may be moving, but, we’re gonna be Wildcats. We’re coming back to Northern for college. So, I mean, I think we will not be strangers here, that’s for sure,” promised Tessman.
