May 10, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
May 10, 2017
Samantha Oleson at the NMC Barbecue in 2007For many northern Michigan residents, the annual NMC Barbecue is a spring tradition. For Samantha Oleson, it goes back a lifetime.
The 22-year-old is part of the fourth generation of the Oleson family to carry on the fundraising picnic under the pines started in 1956 by her great-grandparents, Jerry and Frances Oleson.
This year she formally joined the Barbecue Board, the volunteer committee that spends several months planning the Barbecue, set for May 21 on NMC’s main campus. But the Sunday before Memorial weekend has long been a dedicated date on her calendar.
“I’ve been volunteering since I was seven years old,” Oleson said. She’s never missed a single Barbecue, even during her college years at Western Michigan University. “I would bring my friends and volunteer. It wasn’t something that I felt obligated to do, but I wanted to do.”
Mark, Frankie, Don and D.J. Oleson: Four generations enjoy the 2015 BarbecueA former dual-enrolled NMC student, Oleson is among a group of four cousins in the fourth generation of the family who now work in the Oleson’s stores. They continue to donate all the food for the Barbecue, which drew 7,678 people in 2016. On May 21, they’ll fan out for different day-of duties. Even fifth-generation Frankie Oleson, age 2 and a half, gets a job.
“He carried buckets,” said dad Mark Oleson, Samantha’s cousin. “He’s excited.”
They’ll still squeeze in time to enjoy the meal themselves.
“We eat on the steps, right past the serving lines,” Samantha Oleson said. “It’s great to see people come, year and year again, and see how dedicated they are to the college and the Barbecue.”
Besides the meal, the Barbecue includes classroom and program displays, free live music, a veteran’s tent and an alumni tent. Separate ticketed activities include children’s games and a cake walk.
Tickets are $6 in advance ($8 on Barbecue Day) and on sale now online and at Oleson’s Food Stores. Visit nmc.edu/bbq for more information.
May 8, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Stephanie is the International Services and Service Learning Assistant and has been recognized for her exceptional degree of connectivity with students and her dedication to keeping learning at the center. NMC sends more students to study abroad than any other community college in Michigan, and Stephanie’s work is instrumental in making that happen.
May 4, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Note that dining services are open over the summer in the Hawk Owl Café only, Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
The new hours start Monday, May 8.
May 1, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Commencement ceremonies for Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2017 will be held Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. at the Traverse City Central High School gymnasium. First-time highlights of this year’s event include three student veteran graduates walking with their service dogs, and the awarding of NMC’s first bachelor’s degree in marine technology.
Ceremonies will be streamed live starting at 2 p.m. online at nmc.edu/video and NMC’s YouTube channel.
About 260 graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony. More than 700 students earned degrees this academic year including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies, Certificate of Practical Nursing, Certificate of Achievement and the Bachelor of Science in Maritime Technology. NMC will also award a Bachelor of Science in Marine Technology and eight associate degrees in surgical technology, the two newest degrees, for the first time.
Also for the first time, three service dogs will walk in the ceremony.
- Associate of Science and Arts graduate and U.S. Army retiree Andrew Banks, 37, of Traverse City, and his dog Mouse
- ASA graduate and Army veteran Lucas Clark, 27, of Rapid City, and his dog, Bailee Mae
- Associate of Applied Science (visual communications – creative management) graduate and U.S. Air Force veteran Nichole Hartley, 29, of Traverse City, and her dog, Zaia
All three students and dogs’ names will be read aloud, and all three dogs will receive special certificates in addition to the students’ diplomas.
This year’s student speaker is Connor Bebb, president of the NMC Student Government Association. Jim Bensley, adjunct humanities instructor and director of the office of International Services and Service Learning, will give the Commencement address as the 2016 Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award recipient.
The 2017 Outstanding Alumni award recipients will be named during the ceremony, as will the 2017 winners of the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award and Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award.
NMC University Center partner Ferris State University will award degrees to about 30 students as well.
A reception will follow the ceremony in the small gym.
Release Date: May 1, 2017
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
FOR VETERANS/SERVICE DOGS:
Scott Herzberg
POC, Military & Veteran Services/Advisor
sherzberg@nmc.edu
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Apr 28, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Student Health Services closes Friday, May 5 for the summer, and reopens Monday, August 14.
If you need refills or an appointment, please call 995-1255 as soon as possible to schedule.
Apr 27, 2017 | Student News
Spring rentals are due at the bookstore by Friday, May 5, 2017.
Don’t know if your book was rented from the bookstore? Email bookstore@nmc.edu to confirm.
Apr 26, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
April 26, 2017
Before Paige Harrigan experienced her first study abroad trip in 2015, she had traveled fairly extensively, to Hawaii, Mexico and Caribbean islands.
But that Costa Rica experience, including a home stay with two non-English speaking families and visit to a banana plantation, opened her eyes to a whole different world than the tourist-oriented resorts she’d visited before.
“I absolutely loved the whole experience,” Harrigan said. “I got hooked, for sure.”
Ranked 12th among community colleges nationwide for short-term study abroad, NMC hooks lots of students like Harrigan — 45 will depart for four destinations next month. NMC also helps make study abroad more affordable with the Global Opportunities scholarship, which awards up to $1,000 per student. Nearly all participants (42) received it this year.
Harrigan is bound for her second study abroad destination May 8: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Biology instructor Greg LaCross, who led a group to South Africa last year, will lead Harrigan’s group to do service work at a school in the capital city of Quito, and then field work in the islands.
“I’ve always wanted to go to the Galapagos. It’s always been a bucket list thing,” Harrigan, 22, said of the place where Charles Darwin refined his theory of evolution. Students will stay at Darwin’s research station, working with Ecuadorian national park personnel to perform ecological research, monitor sea turtles and catalog migratory patterns of indigenous species.
“I’m really excited about the animals, all the different species,” said Harrigan, who graduates this spring from the collaborative NMC-Western Michigan program in Freshwater Science and Sustainability. This fall, she plans to — wait for it — travel, and look for a job on the West Coast.
Other 2017 study abroad destinations include:
Sicily – Culinary students will participate in traditional Sicilian cooking classes, shop in local outdoor food markets, visit a cheese research center, make Sicilian chocolate, visit Mt. Etna, and participate in a local culinary competition. First-time destination
Morocco – Humanities students will enhance their understanding of world cultures via home stays with Moroccan families, interaction with Moroccan college students, development of a more in-depth understanding of Islam and visiting historic sites. They’ll also venture into the Sahara Desert via camel to learn more about traditional Berber customs. First-time destination
Ecuador (Yunguilla) – Business, culinary and education students will visit an eco-tourism cooperative, lending their skill sets to village families hoping to improve the economic welfare of the region by marketing and producing local products for visitors to the cloud forest. Home stay included
Apr 26, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
April 26, 2017
Before Paige Harrigan experienced her first study abroad trip in 2015, she had traveled fairly extensively, to Hawaii, Mexico and Caribbean islands.
But that Costa Rica experience, including a home stay with two non-English speaking families and visit to a banana plantation, opened her eyes to a whole different world than the tourist-oriented resorts she’d visited before.
“I absolutely loved the whole experience,” Harrigan said. “I got hooked, for sure.”
Ranked 12th among community colleges nationwide for short-term study abroad, NMC hooks lots of students like Harrigan — 45 will depart for four destinations next month. NMC also helps make study abroad more affordable with the Global Opportunities scholarship, which awards up to $1,000 per student. Nearly all participants (42) received it this year.
Harrigan is bound for her second study abroad destination May 8: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Biology instructor Greg LaCross, who led a group to South Africa last year, will lead Harrigan’s group to do service work at a school in the capital city of Quito, and then field work in the islands.
“I’ve always wanted to go to the Galapagos. It’s always been a bucket list thing,” Harrigan, 22, said of the place where Charles Darwin refined his theory of evolution. Students will stay at Darwin’s research station, working with Ecuadorian national park personnel to perform ecological research, monitor sea turtles and catalog migratory patterns of indigenous species.
“I’m really excited about the animals, all the different species,” said Harrigan, who graduates this spring from the collaborative NMC-Western Michigan program in Freshwater Science and Sustainability. This fall, she plans to — wait for it — travel, and look for a job on the West Coast.
Other 2017 study abroad destinations include:
Sicily – Culinary students will participate in traditional Sicilian cooking classes, shop in local outdoor food markets, visit a cheese research center, make Sicilian chocolate, visit Mt. Etna, and participate in a local culinary competition. First-time destination
Morocco – Humanities students will enhance their understanding of world cultures via home stays with Moroccan families, interaction with Moroccan college students, development of a more in-depth understanding of Islam and visiting historic sites. They’ll also venture into the Sahara Desert via camel to learn more about traditional Berber customs. First-time destination
Ecuador (Yunguilla) – Business, culinary and education students will visit an eco-tourism cooperative, lending their skill sets to village families hoping to improve the economic welfare of the region by marketing and producing local products for visitors to the cloud forest. Home stay included
Apr 24, 2017 | Student News
- Tuesday, April 25: Ice Cream Bar
- Wednesday, April 26: Pizza
- Thursday, April 27: Cupcake Bar (Decorate your own!)
All events FREE from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Cafeteria in West Hall
Apr 24, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
April 24-28
Monday:
Lunch: Roasted Portobello Cobb Salad
Dinner: Hot Pastrami sandwich with potato salad
Tuesday: Mac and Cheese Bar
Wednesday : Oodles
Thursday: Local Dish
Friday: Spicy Shrimp Vegetable Stir fry
Apr 24, 2017 | Student News
The Advising Center wishes you great success on your final exams in the coming weeks!
Remember that we are open all summer to help with career and academic planning.
Make sure you have are registered for Fall semester before this semester is over!
Apr 24, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Save the dates!
Be sure to mark your calendars to attend these two important events recognizing our outstanding students and graduates!
Honors Convocation will take place Friday, May 5 with the reception starting at the Dennos Museum’s Sculpture Court at 4:45 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at the Milliken Auditorium at 5:30 p.m.
Commencement will be held Saturday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the gymnasium at Traverse City Central High School. The public is invited to attend, or can watch the ceremony streamed online here.
If you have any need for a new cap/robe/hood, please contact Lisa Krupp-Wilmeth at 5-1048.
Hope to see you there!
Apr 19, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is now the exclusive provider of underwater ROV pilot training credentialed by the Association of Diving Contractors International, a Houston-based association of more than 600 diving companies.
The 10-week program results in an ADCI Pilot Technician Certificate that students obtain as a stand-alone credential. Classes, expected to begin this fall, will be limited to 10-12 students, ensuring highly focused instruction and training scenarios.
Hans VanSumeren, director of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, said training was built to industry needs. Students will get hands-on training in multiple underwater scenarios including open water, deep water, under ice and around structures. Hydraulics, electronics, pumping systems, troubleshooting, deployment scenarios and other fundamentals are also covered.
“ROV training at NMC has evolved to support all marine sectors and applications. Our people, facilities, and location allow us to train for numerous scenarios and environments,” VanSumeren said. “The curriculum is based directly on feedback from employers and by reviewing other training programs.”
ADCI once certified ROV pilots itself, but lacked a way to vet or assess applicants’ training and experience, according to executive director Phil Newsum, who stopped the practice in 2006. That created a problem.
“Now more than at any time in the underwater industry have we seen such a reliance on ROV operations, especially in tandem with commercial diving,” Newsum said. “(Thus) we have a huge void in the underwater industry, especially here in the United States, where we do not have formal training programs for ROV pilots.”
Last year, however, an industry contact tipped Newsum off to the marine technology programs at NMC. He visited the campus in September, and realized that NMC’s curriculum could fill that void.
“I get to see different training programs globally. By far, this is one of the most impressive,” said Newsum.
When fully deployed, 24-36 people are expected to enroll annually. The first class is anticipated to be offered in fall of 2017.
VanSumeren added the program is structured to be dynamic, evolving with industry.
“The entire training program must be agile for responding to the changes in competencies required by industry whether that is next year, in five years or beyond. “
Release date: April 19, 2017
For more information:
Hans VanSumeren
NMC Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
hvansumeren@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1793
Phil Newsum
Association of Diving Contractors International
pnewsum@adc-int.org
(281) 893-8388
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Apr 17, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Tuesday, April 18:
Global Flavor Day
- Taste international cuisine from Turkey brought to you by Sodexo.
- 11 a.m.–1 p.m, Hawk Owl Café, West Hall
International Club
- International Dinner featuring fine cuisine from many regions and cultures as well as international talents and entertainment. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available through MyNorthTickets.com
- 6–8 p.m., Hagerty Center
Wednesday, April 19:
Global Flavor Day
- Taste international cuisine from Thailand brought to you by Sodexo.
- 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Hawk Owl Café, West Hall
Study Abroad/Global Endorsement Fair
- Interested in understanding the world? Have dreams of exploring further than the U.S. but not quite sure how? International Services and Service Learning will have information on how to make this possible. Students will also be available to answer questions and share their experiences with the Global Endorsement and NMC study abroad.
- 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Hawk Owl Café, West Hall
“Africa Beyond”
- Features the music of the African diaspora with special emphasis on West and Central Africa and the West Indies.
- 7–9 p.m., WNMC 90.7
Thursday, April 20:
Passport Lecture Series Brown Bag Lunch—Ukriane
- Explore other cultures through the experiences of NMC students. Bring your lunch and hear international student Olga Narolska speak about Ukraine.
- 12:15–1 p.m., Founders Hall, Room 110
International Affairs Forum, “Turkey at the Crossroads”
- Turkey is a key member of NATO and America’s most important Muslim ally. It plays a crucial role both in the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq, and in Europe’s struggle to deal with the flood of refugees and migrants. Lawrence Mandel, fresh from service as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey brings an authoritative view of recent events and how they might impact the foreign policy of the new administration in Washington.
- 6–7 p.m., Milliken Auditorium
Friday, April 21:
Sounds From Afar Live
- WNMC brings you Sounds from Afar Live, a program of popular music from around the world. The featured countries include Cuba, Senegal, Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, India, Japan, Sweden and more.
- 11 a.m.–2 p.m., WNMC 90.7, West Hall, Student Lounge, lower level
Global Literature Reading Group, “My Son’s Story”
- A group discussion for students, faculty and staff of Nadine Gordimer’s My Son’s Story. This novel s set in apartheid-era South Africa in the 1980s and tells the story of a black activist and his family. Gordimer won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991 and was active in the anti-apartheid movement.
- Noon-1:30 p.m., Scholars Hall Room 104
Sponsored by the NMC Office of International Services & Service Learning, International Club, the International Affairs Forum, WNMC and Sodexo.
Apr 17, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
The Hawk Owl Cafe will close May 5, 2017 at 2 p.m. and will re-open:
May 8, 2017, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Monday-Thursday only
All other locations will be closed for the summer.
All Meal Plans will expire on May 5, 2017 at 2 p.m.
Please make sure you use all funds. They will not be refunded or transferred to another semester.
Apr 17, 2017 | Student News
Preordered graduation caps and gowns are now available at the bookstore. Stop by to pick yours up today! Still need to buy your cap and gown? Extra are available for purchase in the bookstore.
Apr 17, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Take a break from all the stress and come hang out with some sweet puppies! They will be in the library lobby during finals week:
- Monday, May 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Apr 17, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
Discover your leadership potential–earn your degree locally.
May 11 from 4-6 p.m. in University Center Room 218, learn more about the opportunity to become a leader in education. Join us for an interactive discussion on Grand Valley State University’s Educational Leadership and Specialist degree programs. Learn more at gvsu.edu/traverse
Door prizes and snacks will be available.
