Hagerty Center vaccination site a success

Hawk Owl Helper logoCongratulations to the partnership between NMC, the Grand Traverse County Health Department, volunteers and others to turn the NMC Hagerty Center into a mass COVID-19 vaccination site. The site opened in January and will close this week after having vaccinated more than 22,000 residents. Grand Traverse County continues to exceed the state average of vaccination rates, with 65.8% of those eligible receiving the initial dose and 59.2% for completed doses.

“Utilizing NMC’s Hagerty Center for a mass vaccination site was critical to increasing the pace of delivery of these life-saving vaccines to our community,” said Health Officer Wendy Hirschenberger. “Due to the public’s willingness to protect themselves and each other, after an extremely challenging 15 months, we now stand on the verge of returning to more normalcy.”


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Maritime academy’s annual spring cruise departs May 18

Hawk Owl Helper logoThank you to everyone who worked for a safe departure of the T/S State of Michigan on its annual spring cruise Tuesday. Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadets and crew must either be vaccinated or quarantine and test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure. The ship will be at sea for five months, until Oct. 25, providing an opportunity for 140–160 cadets to earn required sea time. Read more here and see a map of the cruise here.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

NMC University Center celebrates 25 years

Hawk Owl Helper logoThank you to the foresighted community members who envisioned and collaborated to bring the NMC University Center to northern Michigan, and to the students who have earned more than 9,000 post-bachelor’s degrees and certificates since it opened in 1995. These professionals are educators, entrepreneurs, health care providers and more. Read more at nmc.edu/uc25, and share your UC story on social media: #nmcuc25.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Thank You Commencement Volunteers!

Hawk Owl Helper logoThank you to the volunteers who will welcome both the Class of 2020 and 2021 to Milliken Auditorium Saturday for a walk-through Commencement ceremony. The event will adhere to COVID-19 precautions yet still allow graduates to celebrate their achievement in person. For graduates and invited guests only — others may watch at youtube.com/NorthwesternMichiganCollege.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Earth Day campus cleanup

Hawk Owl Helper logoThank you to the organizers of the main campus cleanup happening from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. this Thursday, April 22 in recognition of Earth Day. This spring tradition dates back many years. Volunteers are welcome; check in at the Student Success table on the West Hall lawn the day of the event. Cleanup options are available all over campus, allowing room to spread out and something for everyone. NMC’s Audio Tech program will provide live music, and a book swap and on-site e-waste recycling will also be available. Read more here.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

NMC 2021 Employee Recognition Celebration

Hawk Owl Helper logoCongratulations to the 13 NMC employees who are retiring as well as those who have achieved excellence and career service milestones this year, who will be honored at Wednesday’s annual Retirement & Recognition ceremony. Yes, it’s a busy time of year, and yes, another Zoom meeting probably doesn’t make your Top 10 list for the week, but as we wrap up this COVID semester, the ceremony a great way to recognize and celebrate our colleagues. Join the celebration here from 4–5:30 p.m. Wednesday.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Light Up the Night organizers create a space for hope and healing

Hawk Owl Helper logoLight up the Night illustrationThank you to the organizers of the Light Up the Night rally scheduled for 7:30-8:30 p.m. this Thursday, April 8, between West Hall and East Hall.

This evening of hope and healing is is sponsored by NMC’s Student Life Office and held in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Activities will include flag and chalk decorating, food, a candlelight vigil, and connection with the campus community.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

GLCI reimagines Taste of Success To Go

Hawk Owl Helper logoTaste of Success logoThank you to the Great Lakes Culinary Institute students and instructors who are offering the popular Taste of Success event in a to-go format this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Tickets are $200 for a box that generously serves two. Order online now and pickup April 16 between 4–6 p.m., followed by an online Zoom program at 7 p.m. Taste of Success is the largest annual culinary scholarship fundraiser.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Nursing faculty organize Pediatric Simulation Day

Hawk Owl Helper logoPediatric Simulation Day photoThank you to the nursing faculty led by Kim Anderson who showed courageous creativity by organizing a Pediatric Simulation Day for nursing students last week, recruiting five children to act out patient scenarios. This exercise allowed students to gain experience treating real “patients” despite hospital and community settings being off-limits due to COVID-19.

Third semester Advanced Maternal-Child students Nathan Lorenz and Sara Hienz (right) are shown assessing Lucille Morrissey, who “fell off her scooter” and has a head bruise, abrasions on her arm, and painful arm. They are following care provider orders by elevating, placing ice and wrapping the hurt arm.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

NMC nursing students giving COVID-19 vaccinations

Hawk Owl Helper logoThank you to the NMC nursing students who are administering COVID-19 vaccinations every Tuesday this month at the Grand Traverse County Health Department clinic hosted at NMC’s Hagerty Center.

Instructor Amy Truslot worked with the county to allow students to gain this experience while also contributing to the community-wide immunization effort.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Thank you to Advising for reimagining NMC’s Career Fair!

Hawk Owl Helper logoThank you to NMC’s Academic & Career Advising Center and Northwest Michigan Works for reimagining the 2021 Career & Employment Fair as a virtual event. The three-day career fair, which starts tomorrow, includes over 70 employers and each day is dedicated to specific industries:

  • March 2: Retail, Food Service & Hospitality
  • March 3: Business, Healthcare & Other
  • March 4: Automotive, Transportation, Manufacturing, Technical & Construction

The event follows three days of student prep workshops hosted by Employment Readiness specialist Lisa Baldyga, and students are also invited to join alumni and community members in networking events between 6–7 p.m. after each day’s sessions.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!

Congrats to NMC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter!

Hawk Owl Helper logoCongratulations to Alpha Rho Pi, NMC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international community college honor society, and adviser Kari Kahler. Alpha Rho Pi was named a PTK Reach chapter for excelling in membership development in 2020.

Benefits of PTK membership include scholarships and increased opportunities for engagement with peers and faculty on campus, which leads to higher rates of completion. More than 90 percent of PTK members graduate or transfer from their community college.


Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!