Northern Michigan University, located in the Upper Peninsula’s centrally located city of Marquette, has a strong commitment to preserving the history of the U.P., strengthening the region’s present economic base and playing a role in developing the peninsula’s future.  Because of that commitment, the university has many programs and departments that have distinct U.P. focuses as part of their mission; the Center for U.P. Studies is just one of these.  These centers, academic programs and service departments work jointly in many cases and serve as resources for each other and the whole of the Upper Peninsula, as well as those who live outside the area but have an interest in the U.P.