Longtime NMC faculty member Mary Pierce passed away on October 16, 2021.
Mary served as a faculty member in the English departments of several colleges and universities, but she spent most of her career at NMC. In 1999, she won NMC’s Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award after being nominated by her students.
A celebration of Mary’s life will take place at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. A memorial luncheon will follow. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan or TART Trails, Inc.
The Health & Science Building’s first-floor atrium on NMC’s main campus will be used as a city polling place for Precinct 9 voters again this year, including on Tuesday, Nov. 2 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Some parking in the Cedar lot will be set aside for voters at those times.
Voters are asked but not required to wear masks at the polling place. Masks will be provided for people who don’t have them but would like one. Those not voting are asked to avoid the polling place during voting. (NMC’s Keep Safe plan requires that face masks be worn in all other NMC common areas, hallways and classrooms.)
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin issuing warnings at NMC Monday, Aug. 29 and start issuing citations for parking violations on Sunday, Sept. 5. All NMC students and employees must have their 2021-2022 permits displayed then. If you haven’t received your permit, they’re available at the Campus Safety & Security office in the West Hall Innovation Center (#9 on the Main Campus Map) and the Enrollment Services office on the main level of the Tanis Building (#5 on the Main Campus Map).
The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:
If you do get a ticket, payment can be made at the red drop-off payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science Building on main campus. You can also mail the fine in to the city, or pay at the parking services office in the public parking garage at 303 E. State St. Payment information is also on each ticket.
If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus, please call Campus Safety & Security at (231) 995-1111.
NMC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international community college honor society, finished as the seventh-most distinguished chapter out of more than 1,200 chapters at the organization’s annual conference held in April. It is the highest the chapter has ever finished.
Rank is determined by combining scores for two projects, Honors in Action and College Project. NMC’s projects were both in the top 50 nationwide. Previously, the Honors in Action project was judged the top project in Michigan, while the college project was second runner-up.
NMC’s Honors in Action project goals were to demonstrate undergraduate fundamentals, critical thinking and reflective skills in a research project. Their project, Deconstructing the Binary Complex in Racism, will also be published in Civic Scholar, PTK’s undergraduate research journal, this summer. For the project, which was also awarded a $1,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, chapter officers and advisor participated in Title Track’s Understanding Racial Justice course, hosted “An Evening for Social Justice” with opening music from Crystal Turner and Seth Bernard, a free community screening of John Lewis: Good Trouble documentary and a panel discussion following with facilitators from Title Track, Northern Michigan E3, adjunct faculty Diane Emling, students from Phi Theta Kappa’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion panel and PTK chapter officers.
As a follow-up to the event, PTK hosted a Songwriting for Collective Liberation Workshop with musician and Title Track facilitator, Seth Bernard. Chapter members created a music video with lyrics and submitted it as media accompanying the Honors in Action project submission.
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin issuing citations for parking violations at NMC on Monday, January 18. All NMC students and employees must have their 2020-2021 permits displayed by that date. If you haven’t received your permit, they’re available at the Campus Safety & Security office in the West Hall Innovation Center (#9 on the Main Campus Map).
The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:
If you do get a ticket, payment can be made at the red drop-off payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science Building on main campus. You can also mail the fine in to the city, or pay at the parking services office in the public parking garage at 303 E. State St. Payment information is also on each ticket.
If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus, please call Campus Safety & Security at (231) 995-1111.
Longtime NMC instructor and Art Department head Stephen Ballance passed away on October 21, 2020.
Steve joined the NMC faculty in 1971 as a part-time instructor of photography, taught Photography and Art Appreciation from 1981 through 2000 and served as the head of the Art Department from 1986 through 2000, according to his obituary. He also headed the Physical Education Department from 1981 through 1986 and taught sailing to Great Lakes Maritime Academy students. He considered his work with his students as his most important accomplishment.
At Steve’s request, a private memorial service will be held in the spring. Recognitions of Steve’s contribution to the community should be directed to the Paul & Delphine Welch Art Department Scholarship at Northwestern Michigan College, 1701 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686. Read more and share your memories here.
The Health & Science Building’s first-floor atrium on NMC’s main campus will be used as a city polling place for Precinct 9 voters again this year, including on Tuesday, Nov. 3 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Some parking in the Cedar lot will be set aside for voters at those times.
Voters are asked but not required to wear masks at the polling place. Masks will be provided for people who don’t have them but would like one, sneeze guards will be in place within the polling place where voters and election workers most interact, items will be sanitized and social distancing signs will be in place. Those not voting are asked to avoid the polling place during voting. (NMC’s Keep Safe plan requires that face masks be worn and social distancing practiced – staying at least six feet apart – in all other NMC common areas, hallways and classrooms.)
The NMC Bookstore will be closed Nov. 3 as well, and will reopen with normal hours Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Longtime NMC instructor John Pahl passed away on September 20, 2020.
Pahl was hired to teach in NMC’s Communications department in 1966 and remained an instructor at the college for 48 years, while also coaching NMC’s cross country and tennis teams and taking part in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, where he spent a year Germany and had sabbaticals at Cambridge University and Oxford University. He also wrote stories, articles and poems and served on the board of Michigan Writers.
One former NMC student, regional historian and author Kathleen Firestone, established the John Pahl Literary Prize at NMC in honor of her teacher and mentor, and to inspire and reward NMC students for good writing.
Visitation and a Celebration of Live will be held Oct. 3. Read more here.
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin issuing citations for parking violations at NMC on Monday, September 21. All NMC students and employees must have their 2020-2021 permits displayed by that date. If you haven’t received your permit, they’re available at the Campus Safety & Security office in the West Hall Innovation Center (#9 on the Main Campus Map).
The Traverse City Police Department has provided the following information on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by properly displaying your parking permit:
If you do get a ticket, payment can be made at the red drop-off payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science Building on main campus. You can also mail the fine in to the city, or pay at the parking services office in the public parking garage at 303 E. State St. Payment information is also on each ticket.
If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus, please call Campus Safety & Security at (231) 995-1111.
NMC continues its commitment to making meaningful change in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion at our College and providing you with updates on that work.
This summer the College created a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. The committee is proud to announce the following chairs and advisors of the subcommittees:
These chairs and advisors will be seeking applicants for those students and employees who want to help advance this important work by serving on the subcommittees. Please watch your email for more information on how to apply for these opportunities to serve.
The NMC DEI Committee will continue to update you on progress and action related to efforts of making our College and community a more diverse, inclusive and equitable place to learn, work and live. If you have any questions please email dei@nmc.edu. Thank you for your continued support.
Dear Colleagues:
The college is seeking nominations for the following open seats on NMC’s Governance Councils:
Policy Council (Responsibilities)
Planning & Budget Council (Responsibilities)
The term of office is three years, with a limit of two consecutive terms. Terms end August 31 of the third year in office. Further criteria for service and responsibilities for each council are attached.
Your active participation in our shared governance system is greatly encouraged. You may also nominate a colleague other than yourself for council membership, but must have the nominee’s permission before submitting their name.
Please send your interest and/or nominations to the President’s Office by responding to nmcpresident@nmc.edu by Tuesday, September 8.
Thank you,
President’s Office
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI
Phone: (231) 995-1010
Dear Colleagues:
We look forward to seeing you Monday at our annual August Opening Conference — virtually this year! A calendar appointment was sent to you previously, and recently updated with the appropriate Zoom link. Below is the agenda for the morning, which will include a short break midway through the conference. (more…)
Good afternoon NMC community,
We have some important news to share with you about one of our college’s oldest traditions. After 65 years and nearly $2 million of projects funded, Northwestern Michigan College and the Oleson Foundation have made the decision that 2020 will be the final year of the NMC BBQ event. Despite the change, the Oleson Foundation remains dedicated to supporting our students and the College will continue the strong community connection established through the event’s proud history.
Throughout the decades, many of you have given countless hours of your time, in all kinds of weather (including snow, occasionally) to make the BBQ a success. For years, it served as an “open house” where we could invite our neighbors, friends and family to come to our college and see the amazing people, programs and places that make us all so proud. Thank you for that work. It is because of you that the connection to our community, and the support of our College and students remains strong today.
“We’ve come a long way in 65 years since the Oleson family and the community first joined together to help build our community’s college. We have accomplished much and our college and region have grown and changed considerably over the years,” said Brad Oleson, NMC BBQ committee member. “As we reflect on that success, we feel now is a great opportunity to look toward the future for new ways to support the college as our students’ needs, and our community, continue to grow and change. We celebrate what we have done together and are excited to extend that path into the future to benefit our students, our college and our community for years to come.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the Oleson family’s commitment to Northwestern Michigan College. Our college might not be here today if it wasn’t for their vision and dedication,” said Dr. Nick Nissley, president of NMC. “The Olesons and the BBQ not only rallied support and resources over the years, but allowed us to open our campus to the community to celebrate all that we’ve done together for our students. I am confident we will continue the spirit of the BBQ and Oleson family for many years to come and I look forward to it.”
While the traditional BBQ event will not be returning, the College would like to host a celebration for volunteers, supporters and community members when it is safe to do so in the future.
Since the BBQ first began, there are now a wide variety of ways for the community to learn about, engage with and support the college including through the NMC Foundation, advisory boards, volunteer positions and more.
The Oleson Foundation has pledged to continue their support for the college and its students, just as they have for nearly thirty years. Most recently the Oleson Foundation made a gift of $100,000 to NMC’s new West Hall Innovation Center. Marty Oleson will also continue to serve on the NMC Foundation Board.
The NMC BBQ Committee established an endowed scholarship in 2015 that will provide scholarship support in perpetuity for local students with financial need.
Since the BBQ began, you have developed new ways to connect with our community and to support our students and we are excited to continue that important work together as a college and celebrate with you along the way.
With sincere gratitude,
Diana Fairbanks
The Health & Science Building atrium on NMC’s main campus will be used as a city polling place for Precinct 9 voters again this year, including on Tuesday, August 4. Some parking in the Cedar lot will be set aside for voters at those times.
Masks will be provided for people who don’t have them but would like one, sneeze guards will be in place within the polling place where voters and election workers most interact, items will be sanitized and social distancing signs will be in place.
The NMC Bookstore will be closed that day as well, and will reopen with normal hours Wednesday, August 5.
Administrative Coordinator Lynne Moritz and her husband Chris welcomed Evelyn Rita Moritz to the world April 14, while Assistant Jeff Linsell and his wife Dessa welcomed Taylor Rey and Jackson Dean on May 7.
“A big congratulations to Jeff and Lynne,” NMC President Nick Nissley said. “Amidst this time of darkness, to invite such light into the world; it’s extra joyful and beautiful to share this part of your journeys with you. Appreciative of your possibilitarian attitude!”
Please consider nominating employees from your areas for this year’s 40 Under 40, Traverse City Business News’ annual list of the 40 most influential regional leaders under age 40. The nomination deadline is June 19.
More details and the nomination form are available here.
You can read about the 2019 class here and find a list of frequently asked questions here.
Dear employees:
As our state continues efforts to mitigate the health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended the Stay Home, Stay Safe order through May 15. To support this effort, and comply with the order, Northwestern Michigan College will extend the closure of all five of its campuses in Traverse City through May 15.
College employees are already categorized into essential and non-reporting/on call classifications. If you must come to campus, please wear a face mask, as specified in the governor’s order. For more information and resources for working while campuses are closed, including instructions on mail pickup and delivery, please visit the “keep working” section of nmc.edu/coronavirus.
The governor’s order also allows landscaping and lawn care work to resume. At NMC, that work will include landscape work for the new West Hall Innovation Center and annual spring lawn care and landscaping work with our grounds crews.
For those who do not need to report to campus at this time, please follow these stay at home safety guidelines:
Summer semester will be delivered virtually, as announced on April 8. You can see a list of canceled events here. The College is currently planning several possible scenarios for fall delivery of instruction and will communicate with you when those plans are finalized.
This is an unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation. We will continue to communicate with you to keep you safe and limit the disruption to learning as much as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your supervisor.
As we get updates and changes, we post them first on nmc.edu/coronavirus. Please continue to check here for the latest information.
NMC Public Relations
The Health & Science Building atrium on NMC’s main campus will be used as a city polling place for Precinct 9 voters again this year, including on Tuesday, March 10. Some parking in the Cedar lot will be set aside for voters at those times.
(The NMC Bookstore will be closed that day as well, and will reopen with normal hours Wednesday, March 11.)