Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday appointed a U.P. resident to the NMU Board of Trustees (BOT) to fill a seat vacant since
February.

Bridget Summers, of Baraga, serves as Vice President of the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Village of L’Anse Downtown Development Association. She will succeed Travis Weber, who died unexpectedly after being appointed in October by former Gov. Rick Snyder to replace former Trustee Scott Holman, whose term expired in December.

“We are pleased to welcome Bridget Summers to the NMU Board of Trustees,” NMU President Fritz Erickson said in a university press release. “She brings a valuable set of viewpoints to the board through her past and present work in the financial and economic development fields, her experiences living in urban Chicago and rural Baraga and through her participation in local K-12 educational activities and community endeavors. We look forward to her bringing the energy and passion she’s known for to help Northern accomplish its progressive goals.”

Summers earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from National-Louis University and previously served as Director of Settlements and Global Operation at Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.

“Education is empowering because it can be the canvas for meaningful debates surrounding a myriad of topics, critical thinking that leads to innovative and creativity solutions, or civic dialogue that influences policies, decisions and humanity,” Summers said in a university press release.

“I am looking forward to working with my fellow colleagues as we further Northern Michigan University’s mission to provide a high-quality education to people from all walks of life.”

Summers also worked with the Baraga County Economic Development Corporation and the Sacred Heart School Council. Her husband, NMU alumnus Ken Summers, lost an election bid in 2018 to represent District 110 in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Summers will serve the remainder of Weber’s eight-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.

“We’re delighted to welcome Ms. Summers to the NMU Board of Trustees,” BOT Chairman Robert Mahaney said in a university press release. “We look forward to utilizing her talents and perspectives to advance the mission of Northern Michigan throughout the Upper Peninsula and the region.”