Family and friends of Michael J. Noll remain hopeful, but continue to search for the junior who disappeared on his 22nd birthday in November.

“We want [the family] to know we’re still here and praying and hoping,” said senior Kim Lucas, a friend of Noll’s. “It’s hard because we’re just waiting.”

Although the search for Noll has thus far focused largely on the Chippewa River, Michael’s father, Jeff Noll, said that the cold weather would not halt the investigation.

“We’re continuing to try to find him,” Jeff Noll said. “We are looking at every possible avenue.”

Jeff Noll said the holiday season was difficult for the Noll family, which remains in regular contact with Eau Claire Police.

“We’re kind of going through uncharted water here,” he said. “We tried to spend as much time as we could with family. It was a very emotional time for us. It still is, but it was especially emotional during the holidays.”

The Nolls will be in Eau Claire Monday to meet with university officials and touch base with investigators, Jeff Noll said.

In addition, Noll’s art instructor wants to give the family a project he had been working on, Jeff Noll said.

“Mike is your typical UW-Eau Claire student,” Jeff Noll said. “He’s a good student and a great kid and he has great friends.”

Support from Noll’s friends, other students, the university and the Eau Claire community has been “phenomenal,” Jeff Noll said.

“It’s very heartwarming to see people react the way they have,” he said.

Noll’s family was in Eau Claire for a few days after Christmas to aid in the search.