Feb 1, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to the NMC staff who worked through the weekend to bring NMC’s systems and websites back online after what Systems & LAN Management Director Dan Wasson called “the worst outage at NMC that I’ve ever had to deal with.” Technical issues following bad information from a tech support provider knocked multiple systems offline Friday afternoon, including the NMC, WNMC and Dennos Museum Center websites, employee and student intranet sites, Banner, Moodle and the phone system.
Database Administrator Neil Streeter and Network Analysts Paul Martin and Bryce Turner worked through the night Friday and on Saturday to bring most systems back online by Saturday afternoon, Wasson said. Administrative Systems Director Dan Gentry and his team, and Educational Media Technologies Director Terri Gustafson and her team, then had to test the systems to make sure everything worked properly. “We were very fortunate that we had no data loss and no corruption,” Wasson said. Throughout the process, Technology Support Services Coordinator Ali Thornton, who called the outages “unprecedented,” kept the campus informed as individual systems returned to service.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Jan 25, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to the staff of the Grand Traverse County Health Department, who began administering vaccinations at the Hagerty Center last week. NMC is proud to host the first mass vaccination site in the county, which will be open through at least April.
“COVID-19 is a community-wide challenge that will require a community-wide response,” NMC President Nick Nissley said. “We at NMC feel it is both our responsibility and our privilege to support this effort and keep our residents safe. Read more about the site here.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Jan 18, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congratulations to social sciences instructor Sarah Montgomery-Richards, who was awarded a $2,000 grant from Boston University’s African Studies Center, Pardee School of Global Studies. The grant supports her work to revise “Comparative Religion” at Northwestern Michigan College to increase its coverage of Africa-focused materials. This will enrich the depth of material offered at NMC, and furthers the college’s commitment to promoting respect for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Jan 11, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to the Aero Park Professional Testing Center, which provided professional testing to more than 66 individuals during a very short December testing window due to COVID-19 orders. Alana Peters, Testing Center lead, optimized the offerings of all six test houses while complying with the state requirements for limited occupancy.
She prioritized testing while still providing much-needed assessments and credentials to numerous individuals including FAA exams to future pilots (manned and unmanned aircrafts), IT and computer related industry certifications, auto mechanics seeking recertification and adult learners seeking their GED.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Jan 4, 2021 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to the more than 250 NMC employees who logged in to Monday morning’s Virtual NMC January Conference for two hours of information and inspiration, as we join together again to help our students succeed this Spring.
Attendees were introduced (virtually) to 16 new employees and heard enrollment, budget, strategic priority and planning updates, among others, and had a chance to share their department’s own recent successes during an open mic session. View a recording of the conference here.
Here’s wishing everyone a great Spring semester!
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Dec 21, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congratulations to Leanne Baumeler, who was recognized by the Michigan unit of United Cerebral Palsy with the 2020 Closing the Divide Advocacy Award. (Baumeler is shown accepting the award during a virtual presentation October 16.)
Baumeler has been NMC’S Disability Support Coordinator since 2010, serving between 90-120 students each semester. She’s also a member of NMC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, Accessibility team and Title IX team, and a past president of the Michigan chapter of the Association on Higher Education and Disability.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Dec 14, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
A heartfelt thank you to the record number of Giving Tuesday donors who raised a total of $26,760 to support the greatest needs of NMC students and the college, including wifi hotspots and laptops.
The total surpassed the NMC Foundation’s original goal by more than $11,000!
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Dec 8, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
As of fall 2020, NMC instructors have saved students an estimated $2 million by switching to open educational resources — free, open and low-cost textbooks beginning in 2015. The amount saved and number of courses taught by these textbook heroes has risen each fall and spring semester. And now, more than 50 NMC classes have no accompanying textbook costs.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Nov 30, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, NMC’s Educational Technologies team has been increasing its knowledgebase of online teaching tips and tools. New statistics show just how heavily their expertise is recognized and utilized. Between July 1 and Nov. 15, 2019, the teaching@nmc.edu page had 3,000 users. The same period this year saw 266,000 users — an 8,792% increase.
Page views rose from just over 17,000 in the 2019 period to more than 1 million in 2020. The top three pages visited were changing your name in a Zoom meeting (NMC’s explainer even ranks near the top in Google searches), downloading and setting up the Moodle mobile app and the teaching.nmc.edu homepage.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Nov 23, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Kudos to Dean of Students Lisa Thomas and Marcus Bennett, Associate Dean of Campus & Residence Life, and other college staff at NMC who work to ease the transition for students coming out of the foster care system. As detailed in a recent Traverse City Record-Eagle story, their efforts — from waiving fees to providing emotional support — help assure that the students find success in their college careers.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Nov 16, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Great Lakes Culinary Institute staff and students reimagined a fall fundraiser that complied with COVID-19 restrictions and created Charcuterie to Go, providing a final practical exam for garde manger students while promoting the culinary program to the community.
The charcuterie boxes created for the inaugural event quickly sold out, and orders were picked up last week. And all proceeds from the event go to support scholarships for culinary students.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Nov 9, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
For the third year in a row, Military & Veterans Services POC Scott Herzberg has led NMC to its rank as the No. 2 community college in the country for veterans by Military Times magazine in its annual Best for Vets list.
Serving those who have served the nation is a year-round priority at NMC, where about 5 percent of students are veterans or active duty military. NMC will hold virtual Veterans Day ceremonies from 9-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. Attend via Zoom here.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Nov 2, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
A sincere thank you to:
- The poll workers who are ensuring the fundamental American right to vote at polling places all around the country Tuesday, including in the Health & Science Building atrium on NMC’s main campus (reminder: NMC Bookstore will be closed for the day).
- The League of Women Voters-Grand Traverse chapter, which held a voter registration drive on main campus and also hosted a virtual forum for NMC Board of Trustees candidates.
- Faculty, staff and students who have stepped up to serve their communities through government service, whether to elected or appointed office, as candidates or incumbents. Your time, energy and commitment make northern Michigan a better place.
- The voters! If you haven’t voted already, polls are open tomorrow between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Learn more at michigan.gov/vote.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Oct 26, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congratulations to NMC’s Academic & Career Advising Center for successfully reimagining the college’s annual transfer fair as a week-long virtual event. Students were able to choose from over 50 interactive sessions between October 12 and 15, including 25 major-specific sessions focused on specialty transfer areas like Business, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Nursing and Pre-Med.
The event also cross-promoted High School College Night, retooled as two nights of virtual sessions, for students unable to attend the virtual transfer fair. And new transfer sessions hosted by other colleges and universities continue to be added to the virtual event page, which also promotes weekly Virtual Transfer Tuesday sessions featuring NMC University Center partners.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Oct 19, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to Boy Scout Troop 34, led by Scoutmaster and NMC biology instructor Nick Roster (left), which tackled an invasive patch of phragmites near the Cherry parking lot on main campus earlier this month.
It’s part of what Roster, whose two sons are in the troop, expects to be a three-year conservation and service project eradicating invasive species on college property.
Invasive phragmites “creates tall, dense stands which degrade wetlands and coastal areas by crowding out native plants and animals, blocking shoreline views, reducing access for swimming, fishing, and hunting and can create fire hazards from dry plant material,” according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Oct 5, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Culinary student Elyce Newcomb (right, on the right) found many helpers and heroes in her first month at NMC, from Chef Les Eckert at the Great Lakes Culinary Institute to the Office of Student Life.
Newcomb, 19, needed short-term temporary housing in September. After an arrangement with a friend fell through, she feared she might have to leave her classes or live in her vehicle until her apartment was available. Eckert and and the Student Life office got her gas cards to go home to Sault Ste Marie for Labor Day weekend. When Newcomb returned, they had found a room at the Sierra Motel, a stone’s throw from main campus. Tom’s gift cards helped with groceries.
Newcomb stayed there for 18 days. As a thank-you, she brought lunch from her classes to the motel owners. (Motel co-owner Conie Duimstra, with Elyce in the photo, asked if she could come to Elyce’s graduation.) Now settled in her apartment, Newcomb is focused on her goal of graduating and working as a cook aboard a ship.
“I’m really thankful for NMC and my chefs, and the Student Life Center; they’ve literally changed my life,” Newcomb said.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Sep 28, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congratulations to NMC’s J.H. Rogers Observatory and the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society for hosting a wildly successful virtual astronomical viewing session Friday, Sept. 25, in celebration of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s 50th anniversary.
NMC science and math instructor Jerry Dobek, who hosted the viewing session, reports that 348 people and families logged into the Zoom event over its two hours, with some from as far as Bethel, Alaska and Nashville, Tennessee, as well as Canada. Dobek and eight panelists including Astronomical Society members and National Park Service staff fielded questions from the audience while viewing live images of the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars through the observatory’s telescope, and images of deep space objects that Dobek had captured in the weeks leading up to the event. One retired couple unable to attend similar events in person due to physical limitations emailed Dobek after the event in gratitude for the virtual presentation.
The response has been so positive that Dobek is now looking into reopening the observatory’s public viewing nights, albeit in a virtual format like Friday’s event rather than in person. A close approach of Mars in mid-October may provide a good opportunity, he said, depending on the weather.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Sep 21, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to NMC’s Admissions team for fielding a series of open Q&A sessions via Zoom about the state’s new Futures for Frontliners program to provide tuition assistance to Michigan’s front-line workers. Admissions Director Cathryn Claerhout reports that the program has generated “tons of emails” from interested students, many of whom have applied for the program. Over 100 sessions are available through December for people to get their questions about the program answered.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
