News

Northland College Seeks $12 million to Avoid Closure, Reimagine its Future

[Ashland, WI, March 11, 2024] – The Northland College Board of Trustees has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to raise $12 million by April 3, 2024 to save the nation’s first environmentally-focused liberal arts institution and support its evolution. If the funding goals are not met, the College will be forced to begin the closure…

Northland College Yearbooks on a shelf

Carrying Northland With You

Oral history project volunteer editor finds a beautiful similarity to all our stories.

When Jackie Moore ’05, executive director of institutional advancement, asked me to help read and edit the stories collected for Northland’s oral history book, I had no idea how many great memories they would trigger. So many of us have similar stories of finding “home” at Northland, a purpose in life, and lifelong friends. As…

Humanities Quotient Magazine Spread

The Humanities Quotient

In climate science courses, students learn how climate change and global warming impact ecosystems, as well as how to advance local and global climate solutions. In forestry classes, they study the science and practice of sustainable resource management. Geology, natural resources, fisheries, and wildlife ecology – all of these degree paths at Northland have a…

Burke center staff on boat place buoys into Lake Namakagen.

Listening to the Lake

On a bright August day, Lake Namekagon is alive with sound. Standing on the shores in the early morning, three Northland student scientists and I hear the call of a loon, the splash of a fish, and the buzz of dawn insects. As we prepare our research equipment at the Forest Lodge Boathouse, these murmurs…

Two students take a selfie with a nice scenic view behind them.

Bushwhacking for Science

It was day two in Isle Royale National Park, and the GPS wouldn’t cooperate, leaving us disoriented in the wilderness. Just keep truckin’ quickly became our motto as we tripped over logs and got whipped by twigs, hoping the coordinates in the GPS brought us back to the Greenstone Ridge Trail after our visit to…

Magazine story spread of people in canoes

Dr. Andre’s Wild Ride

After a day on the river, my students and I hold an evening debrief. Discussion and reflection help us solidify learning and distill insights for the future. A canoe isn’t just a means of transportation—it’s a teacher, too. Whitewater rivers are dangerous, and learning whitewater paddling is intimidating. Before the first day of May Term,…

Fall 2023 magazine story photo

Shared Values, Kindred Spirits

Several years ago, I stepped onto the Northland College campus to interview Dr. Alan Brew about Superior Connections for the Star Tribune. I paused in a scent of pine and the clarity of northern sun and tumbled back fifty years to my days at another college in the North Country, St. Lawrence University, not far…

Becky Rom in a canoe on water.

A Legacy of Conservation

Once in a generation, someone comes along and makes a mark so significant, it reverberates through many lifetimes. Some are calling conservationist Becky Rom “our generation’s Sigurd Olson,” which is high praise, especially for someone who grew up admiring Olson for his commitment to the environment. “Sig was a family friend,” says Rom, “and I…

Amanda Petty receives large check in classroom surrounded by students.

Robots for the Win!

Not many teachers come home from school knowing their classroom received $60,000 for curriculum enhancement, but thanks to her passion for providing new learning opportunities and her stellar, on-the-fly videography skills, this Northland alum sure did. Seventh grade science teacher Amanda Petty ’14 remembers the day her boss told her to “wear something nice to…

Camp Brother Bear artwork by Rachel Fine ’24

The Evolution of Camp Brother Bear

Camp Brother Bear is the natural evolution of Brett Norgaard’s commitment to Northland College. Finding joy from grief after the unexpected passing of his son, Bjorn Norgaard ’10, Brett and his family established the Brother Bear Fund to support adventurous student experiences at Northland College. Over the years, the scope of that support has evolved…