December graduation is right around the corner and the NMU Alumni Association has teamed up with Ore Dock Brewing Company and Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill to celebrate with their senior sendoff, Pizza and a Pint.

The event, which is open to graduating seniors each semester, runs from 9 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Ore Dock Brewing Company.

“We want to make a connection and let you know what alumni events are like for next year and the future years,” said Marina Dupler, assistant director of NMU alumni relations. “That way you know what to expect when you get future alumni event invites in the mail.”

Everyone over the age of 21 is welcome to attend and will receive free pizza from Aubree’s, which was recently voted best pizza in the greater Marquette area for the second consecutive year at the Hometown Taste-Off event. Additionally, the first 100 graduate attendees will receive a ticket for a free drink, beer or pop, to be used during the event, according to Dupler.

“I won’t be able to pull the ‘poor college kid’ card to get free beer after graduation,” said Steve Kelly, senior marketing major and December 2014 graduate. “So I’ll gladly have one of my last free beers with my fellow graduates.”

NMU faculty and staff will also be a part of the alumni foundation’s celebration.

“We recognize that they [faculty and staff] play a really crucial instrumental role in creating and making alumni so they want to celebrate with you and we want to bring it all together,” said Dupler.

The NMU Alumni association reached out to the Ore Dock Brewing Company for assistance in a location for the event.

“Usually for something like this we would charge a nominal reservation fee, but to work with NMU we donated it in exchange for a sponsorship deal,” Anjila Holland, associate general manager of Ore Dock Brewing Company said.

The event will take place in the front of the top floor of the brewery and The Scott Pellegrom Trio will be playing from 9 to 12 p.m.

“The events are fun,” Dupler said. “People are getting together to celebrate NMU and being Wildcats, so hopefully this is our way of doing that and being more meaningful than something to just take home such as an NMU water bottle or trinket.”

The Alumni Association will also be giving away an iPad at the event, but recent graduates do not have to be present to win. To register for the drawing visit www.nmu.edu/newgrad.