2025: A year of transformation at CMU

A new president introduced his vision for Central Michigan University’s future, a record-sized gift helped drive plans for its medical school and a look back at the history of one of its most storied buildings were among the university’s biggest stories for 2025.

Here they are, starting with the biggest story of the year.

1. Neil MacKinnon reveals agenda for change CMU

Neil MacKinnon introduced an ambitious agenda during a campus-wide address marking his first 100 days as CMU’s president. He revisited the topic again during November’s State of the University address.

2. Strategic enrollment management plan unveiled

One of President MacKinnon’s top priorities was launching a strategic enrollment management plan to grow enrollment. Work began soon after his first 100 days address. The plan solidified as the year progressed.

3. Transformation office launches faculty, staff collaboration

Aligning CMU with its strategic priorities will change the university in big ways and require important projects. The University Transformation Office was launched in March to help make sure those projects succeed. One of the office’s big initiatives was launching the Change Champion Network, a collaboration of faculty and staff to help facilitate communication.

4. Record gifts help solidify medical school plans

Two of CMU’s healthcare partners, Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health, gave the university a combined $80 million gift to support a new medical education building in Saginaw. The same day, the Board of Trustees approved partnering with the two for a project that will unify CMU’s medical school in one place.

5. CMU recognized for driving grads’ social mobility

CMU’s commitment to providing its students with an affordable education that delivers success was recognized by a national organization. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education named the university to its list of Opportunity Colleges and University list, which includes only 16 percent of higher education institutions nationwide. Among criteria for inclusion were whether an institution can provide its students with upward social mobility through an affordable education.

6. Football team scores bowl bid in coach’s first year

Matt Drinkall led CMU’s football team to its first bowl appearance since 2021 during his first season as head coach. The team was invited to the GameAbove Sports Bowl after going 7-5 and 5-3 in the Mid-American Conference. Joining Drinkall in their first year with CMU were Arielle Wilson as head volleyball coach and Andy Bronkema as head men’s basketball coach.

7. Go Grants help spread the spirit of change

President MacKinnon announced the Go Grants initiative to help unleash the creativity and innovative spirit of faculty and staff across campus. Twenty-seven projects received funding, including one to help CMU embrace AI and one that focused on student mental wellness.

8. Committee strengthens CMU’s ties to Mount Pleasant

To bolster CMU’s ties with its most important local partners, CMU helped create a committee including representatives from campus and local governments. The Community Relations Committee’s biggest public impact made use of a Go Grant to help “ Paint the Town Maroon.”

9. Finch Fieldhouse celebrates 75th year

Finch Fieldhouse, once the center of CMU athletics, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025. The gymnasium has also been the scene of concerts and graduation ceremonies. Its history was marked with a walking trail inside the building.

10. Adam Jaksa calls game featuring CMU alumnus and Tigers All-Star

Alumnus and CMU announcer Adam Jaksa fulfilled a lifelong dream in calling play-by-play for a Detroit Tigers game in June. It was the first time that two former CMU players took to the field for the Tigers for the same game. One of them was future Tigers All-Star Zach McKinstry.

Honorable mentions

There were a few other notable things that happened across campus, including:

• Eighty staff members receive nominations for excellence awards
• Bookstore unveils vintage clothing collection
• Food pantry moves into new location