If an alien were to drop down from the sky and ask an NMU student to bring it to its leader, the student would be stumped. 

Since this summer NMU has not had a president. While the university is searching for its next president, many students, like us at the North Wind, have probably pondered what our next one will look like.

Something Dr. Brock Tessman was great at was being an approachable family man. He would host events where you could eat pancakes with him at the dining hall, you’d see him walking around at hockey games, and at events in Jamrich Hall. 

Everyone’s dream president looks a little different. At the North Wind, we dreamed of a president like no other. Here are five qualities the North Wind is looking for in our next president. 

• Honest 

We want a president who will be honest with us and not beat around the bush. As students, we put in a lot of money to go here. Be honest with what you’re doing with our money. If changes are being made to the school, tell us. We want someone who feels comfortable enough to tell us the hard things. We’re all adults right?  Keeping things quiet only makes us suspicious of you. 

• Someone Reachable 

Students loved Tessman because he wasn’t a president who only came out of his cave once a year. You could spot Tessman in the daylight and speak to him like a normal human being. He listened to you when you spoke, and remembered you when you’d meet again. We want another president who we can reach out to. If the candidates pay any mind to Tessman’s time in office, they should note this. 

• Equal Interest 

Everyone on campus should get the same attention. From hockey to the harmonica club, every student organization, major and sports team should receive equal interest from the president. NMU is a trough of people, and we’re all different and unique, that’s what makes Northern, Northern. 

• One Step

Something we discussed heavily was the fact we don’t want our new president to use us as a stepping stone for a better job down the line. Northern has blown through three presidents during most of the staff’s time on campus. This school needs some stability. Someone shouldn’t be coming to this school just so they can put it on their resume and dip in a few years to a bigger, better paying school. As a collective, someone should come here because they want to be here and settle. Our future Wildcats need someone to lead them the Northern way.

• Fixer

We love Northern, but we can all admit she’s a little flawed. We need a president to take these tasks head on. This won’t be easy, but if even one of the flaws are fixed it would be a huge win for campus and student life.