Godwin Jabangwe says life’s put him in the right place at the right time, taking him from his native Zimbabwe to an NMC classroom to another in Grand Rapids to Los Angeles.
Now the former visual communications student-turned-screenwriter will bring that serendipity full circle, taking Netflix audiences back to Zimbabwe after closing a “monster” sale for his first feature film, Tunga, inspired by the mythology of the Shona culture in that African country.
“Even now, it doesn’t feel real. It’s so crazy and unexpected,” said Jabangwe, 35, who attended NMC from 2007-2010 and discovered screenwriting while working in the Beckett Building computer lab.
“That’s actually how I started writing. I would have eight-hour shifts,” he said. “You reached the end of the Internet.”
Jabangwe’s deal is the first to come out of Imagine Impact, a talent incubator founded by Hollywood heavyweights Ron Howard and Brian Grazer (below, right) and headed by Tyler Mitchell (below, left) in 2018.
“They bring in talented writers who are seeking a breakthrough,” Jabangwe said. He’d been working on the Tunga idea but joining the Impact class, which paired writers with mentors, allowed him to focus. The experience ended in February with a pitch day to potential buyers, which Jabangwe called both “very exciting” and “terrifying.” Netflix won Tunga in a four-way bidding war. (Watch video of Jabangwe celebrating his deal.)
Though he’s a long way from NMC, where he followed his older brother, Succeed, Jabangwe’s path from Traverse City is one of steady progress. He lived in the NMC apartments and took his first film class here. The college was small enough that he could adapt to the U.S., but big enough to allow him to dream.
“I’d always wanted to be in film somehow,” he said. “NMC allowed me to settle into life in the United States without getting too much of a culture shock.”
(Spring international student enrollment stands at 48 students. International students help achieve NMC’s strategic direction of ensuring learners are prepared for success in a global society and economy.)
Following NMC, Jabangwe earned a bachelor’s degree in film from Grand Valley State University. He aspired to UCLA’s prestigious screenwriting program, but didn’t think he could get in. Instead, he enrolled in a master’s degree program in computer science. He got his acceptance from UCLA during class one day.
“I just got up and packed my bags and walked out,” he said. “I packed up my little car and drove to LA.”
Jabangwe will now continue development of the Tunga script. There is no announced release date yet.
Support the Next Generation of skilled workers in the Grand Traverse Area. TBAISD Career Tech construction students v. NMC Construction students in a “shed” sized out-building for auction — 5 tickets for $100 or $20 each.
Tickets are available at the HBAGTA Office. 3040 Sunset Lane, (231) 946-2305, now until the TBAISD Career Tech Spring Expo, which will be held May 1, 4–7:30 p.m. Drawing will be held at 7:15 p.m.
Bringing suicide awareness closer to home, one empty shoe at a time.
Suicide affects nearly every individual, though the signs are not always clear. A panel of local community experts will come together to provide support, resources, and information on this pressing issue. Join us in bringing together a broken community and learn how to help those in need.
Wednesday April 17 at 6 p.m.
Northwestern Michigan College: Scholars Hall (SH) Room 109
Panel Participants:
Dr. Benjamin Kennert | Ph.D., BCBA, LLP
Mickie Jannazzo | Child and Family Services
Jackie Jorgensen | NMC Student Life LPC
Lori Nolf | Kingsley Area Public Schools
And more!!
For more information contact Lisa Blackford at lblackford@nmc.edu or call 231-995-1294
The Long Night Against Procrastination returns to Osterlin Library on Thursday, April 25 from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Advisors, tutors, WRC staff and librarians will be joining forces and burning the midnight oil to help students tackle the end of the semester in festive style. Waves of free pizza will arrive at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. with other free snacks, treats, coffee and soft drinks throughout the night. Come get the fuel, motivation and help you need to crush those final papers and exams!
iDance spring Opera House Dance
6 p.m.-midnight
City Opera House
106 E Front Street, Traverse City
Come enjoy a night of slow, waltz, salsa, tango, swing and other Latin dancing hosted by NMC’s iDance student group. Costumes encouraged but not required.
The theme is ‘The Greatest Showman’. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. we will feature a Mykl Werth Movement (MWM) basics workshop taught by Mykl Werth and dips and tricks workshop taught by Ashley Urbanus and Jon Vanhoose. Open dance then begins at 8 p.m., ending at midnight.
The Office of Residence Life is looking for student leaders to serve in the role of Resident Assistant for Summer 2019, Fall 2019/Spring 2020 academic year. To learn more about the position please attend an information night on either of the following dates and locations:
April 1, 9 p.m. (North Hall, 2nd Floor Enclave)
April 2, 8 p.m. (East Hall, East Hall basement)
April 3, 7 p.m. (Health Science, room 114)
Informational Nights are not mandatory. Please visit the Human Resources website for further details about the position.
The Passport Student Lecture Series is a chance to explore other cultures through the experiences of NMC students. Join us Wednesday, April 17, 12:15-1 p.m., in Founders Hall Room 110. Bring your lunch and hear Jose Acosta speak about his home country of Venezuela. If you are a Global Endorsement student, please bring your GE passport so that it can be stamped and earn your GE event points!
TRAVERSE CITY — On April 2, 2019, the NMC Presidential Search Firm Consultant will hold a public forum to gather input from community members. Marsi Liddell from Pauly Group will explain the search process and ask for comments regarding expectations, visions, and qualities for the next president of NMC. The forum will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Hagerty Center.
Current NMC President Timothy J. Nelson plans to retire at the end of 2019. As NMC’s longest-serving president, he has led the college since 2001. The Board of Trustees selected Pauly Group Inc, as their search consultant in January 2019.
Release Date: March 22, 2019
For More Information:
Holly Gorton Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees hgorton@nmc.edu (231) 995-1010
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
NMC Audio Tech students are collaborating to bring the Concert for Community Awareness to our campus. The mission is to bring awareness to substance abuse, suicide prevention, mental health and homelessness in our community. Featuring: Seth Bernard, Little Graves, Joy Decision, Hail Your Highness, Deadlight Holiday and Lofteez.
This is a free event that allows you to come and enjoy at any time throughout the evening. Join us April 6 at Milliken Auditorium from 3-10 p.m.
TRAVERSE CITY — Student and community audiences have separate opportunities to hear from former NASA administrator and astronaut Gen. Charles Bolden and two other astronauts with northern Michigan ties on April 3 in Traverse City, where a niche aerospace industry is gaining momentum.
Event details:
Wednesday, April 3, 10:10 a.m. Traverse City Central High School
Free to all area students, an opportunity to hear three astronauts discuss space, robotics and technology. Former NASA administrator Bolden commanded four space shuttle flight, including deploying the Hubble Space Telescope. He will be joined by former astronauts Jerry Linenger, of Suttons Bay, and Greg Johnson in a presentation on space, robotics and technology.
Linenger spent nearly five months aboard the Russian space station Mir, surviving the most severe fire ever aboard an orbiting spacecraft. He is the author of the bestselling book, Off the Planet, and is featured in National Geographic’s hit series One Strange Rock, now on Netflix.
Johnson, a longtime summer resident, piloted two space shuttle missions to the International Space Station. He is a former colonel and pilot of the U.S. Air Force, aerospace engineer, MBA, and fighter/test pilot. He now leads the Traverse City-based nonprofit Newton’s Road, which works to advance STEM education and local workforce opportunities.
Teachers interested in bringing students should contact John Failor, Failorjo@tcaps.net or 231/933-6592 by April 1 with an approximate number of students attending.
Wednesday, April 3, 6 p.m., Milliken Auditorium
Bolden will present “NASA’s Journey of Discovery: The Future of Space Exploration” in an International Affairs Forum lecture open to the public. Tickets are $15 and available at the door. Bolden logged more than 680 hours in space. His missions included deploying the Hubble Space telescope, launching the first SPACELAB mission, and inaugurating the first joint U.S.-Russian shuttle mission.
The appearances come as local economic development leaders strive to make aerospace employment a niche industry. Event sponsors include Newton’s Road, Traverse City-based Atlas Space Operations and Traverse City Space Accelerator LLC.
Release date: march 20, 2019
For more information:
Karen Segal International Affairs Forum co-chair (231) 715-6064 karenpsegal@gmail.com
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
Communication is key in all relationships. Mike Domitrz, founder of The Date Safe Project, presents a powerful free program through honest discussion and humor that teaches you how to ask for what you want — without having to play any of the games.
Wednesday April 10, 6:30 p.m.,
Milliken Auditorium
For more information, contact NMC Student Life at (231) 995-1118.
Sponsored by the Michigan DHHS Campus Sexual Assault Grant Program.
TRAVERSE CITY — As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, NMC’s Office of Student Life will host four on-campus events the week of April 8–11.
The events aim to educate students how to prevent sexual violence and advocate for those who have been impacted by providing connections to resources, dialogue and information. These events will also offer an opportunity for students to learn about topics such as consent, healthy relationships and dating.
“Our fourth annual Take Back the Night event, along with some exciting new events this year, will make for a powerful week of education and advocacy,” said Lisa Thomas, NMC Dean of Students. “Please join us in standing against sexual assault and empowering our students and community alike in being a safe and respectful place for all.”
Monday, April 8: Nacho Macho Man. East Hall Basement, 6 p.m. Nachos and a discussion about men’s perspectives in the #MeToo movement. NMC staff Marcus Bennett, Paul Kolak, Steve Dixon and Scott Herzberg will lead this conversation with students.
Tuesday, April 9: Take Back The Night march and rally. Hagerty Center, 5 p.m. Open to the community, NMC’s fourth Take Back the Night event focuses on ending sexual, relationship, and domestic violence in all forms. Participants will march through downtown Traverse City, followed by a speak-out designed to empower survivors and advocates, and provide connections to community resources.
Wednesday, April 10: Can I Kiss You? Milliken Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. Communication is key in all relationships. Speaker Mike Domitrz presents a powerful program through honest discussion and humor that teaches how to ask for what you want — without playing any of the games. Free and open to the community and to high school students ages 16 and up. This event is sponsored through the Michigan DHHS Campus Sexual Assault Grant Program.
Thursday, April 11: Solace & Solidarity: Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence. Milliken Auditorium, 6 p.m. Emily Sioma, Miss Michigan 2018 – A courageous and outspoken survivor of campus sexual assault will share her story and journey to healing. A short Q&A Panel discussion will follow. The ticketed event is a benefit for the Women’s Resource Center for the Grand Traverse Area. The first 50 tickets for NMC students are free. Tickets available at mynorthtickets.com.
Release date: March 18, 2019
For more information:
Shannon Friedgen NMC Office of Student Life sfriedgen@nmc.edu (231) 995-1118
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
Charles F. Bolden Jr, 12th Administrator of NASA – Join us to hear his personal story and his vision of the exciting future of space that will speak to future generations. Also featuring special music by RAGS to RICHES on stage prior to the event. $15.00 tickets at the door; FREE TO STUDENTS
Postage stamps are barely a single square inch, but designing one that will be available next week ranks among the biggest moments in the career of NMC alumnus Aaron Draplin.
Draplin, a 1993 visual communications graduate who now runs Draplin Design Studio in Portland, Ore., is the designer of the Star Ribbon, a commemorative stamp the U.S. Postal Service will officially release on March 22.
Draplin said in a February Instagram post that “tears (were) rolling down my cheeks” when he was notified of his patriotically-themed design’s selection. It is one of five first-class stamps to be released next week and will get the largest print run, “in the millions” according to Postal Service spokesman Roy Betts. It will be available in sheets of 20 and coils of 10,000.
Draplin said the universal availability of stamps is what appeals to him.
“Everyone needs a stamp. Everyone gets to enjoy the art on them. Too many times, art and design is only for those who can afford it. Stamps? They are a democratization of design. And that? That’s my favorite kind of graphic design,” he posted on Instagram.
Betts said the office receives 30,000–40,000 suggestions for stamp subjects each year. Suggestions are vetted to be sure they meet criteria — for instance, living subjects cannot be featured on stamps. The vetted list is then reviewed by the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, appointed by the U.S. Postmaster General.
“They see stamps as a way to tell America’s story, not only here in the United States but throughout the world,” Betts said.
The Postmaster General then makes the final selection. About 5,000 subjects have been featured on stamps since the U.S. Postal Service was founded in 1847.
“It’s one of the nation’s highest honors.” Betts said. “The postal service is proud to tell America’s story from a historical perspective.”
Draplin’s design firm has worked with clients ranging from Ford Motor Co. to the Obama administration. He grew up in Michigan and last returned to NMC in 2015, in conjunction with an exhibition at the Dennos Museum Center. He said the VisComm program offered him a taste of everything in the design world. “I learned how to take a photo, draw naked bodies, paint, build a portfolio, sculpt, draw in rigid perspective, write a paper, get lost in Roman architecture, and, design a logo in this new stuff called ‘design software,’” Draplin said in an NMC newsletter. “I packed in so much. It took me a couple years to realize how much they unlocked in me. Everyone escapes their hometown. I did as soon as I could, but did it armed. Armed with a great foundation. And I’m thankful to NMC for that privilege.”
Postage stamps are barely a single square inch, but designing one that will be available next week ranks among the biggest moments in the career of NMC alumnus Aaron Draplin.
Draplin, a 1993 visual communications graduate who now runs Draplin Design Studio in Portland, Ore., is the designer of the Star Ribbon, a commemorative stamp the U.S. Postal Service will officially release on March 22.
Draplin said in a February Instagram post that “tears (were) rolling down my cheeks” when he was notified of his patriotically-themed design’s selection. It is one of five first-class stamps to be released next week and will get the largest print run, “in the millions” according to Postal Service spokesman Roy Betts. It will be available in sheets of 20 and coils of 10,000.
Draplin said the universal availability of stamps is what appeals to him.
“Everyone needs a stamp. Everyone gets to enjoy the art on them. Too many times, art and design is only for those who can afford it. Stamps? They are a democratization of design. And that? That’s my favorite kind of graphic design,” he posted on Instagram.
Betts said the office receives 30,000–40,000 suggestions for stamp subjects each year. Suggestions are vetted to be sure they meet criteria — for instance, living subjects cannot be featured on stamps. The vetted list is then reviewed by the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, appointed by the U.S. Postmaster General.
“They see stamps as a way to tell America’s story, not only here in the United States but throughout the world,” Betts said.
The Postmaster General then makes the final selection. About 5,000 subjects have been featured on stamps since the U.S. Postal Service was founded in 1847.
“It’s one of the nation’s highest honors.” Betts said. “The postal service is proud to tell America’s story from a historical perspective.”
Draplin’s design firm has worked with clients ranging from Ford Motor Co. to the Obama administration. He grew up in Michigan and last returned to NMC in 2015, in conjunction with an exhibition at the Dennos Museum Center. He said the VisComm program offered him a taste of everything in the design world. “I learned how to take a photo, draw naked bodies, paint, build a portfolio, sculpt, draw in rigid perspective, write a paper, get lost in Roman architecture, and, design a logo in this new stuff called ‘design software,’” Draplin said in an NMC newsletter. “I packed in so much. It took me a couple years to realize how much they unlocked in me. Everyone escapes their hometown. I did as soon as I could, but did it armed. Armed with a great foundation. And I’m thankful to NMC for that privilege.”
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and film will begin at 6 p.m. (33 mins long). There will be community discussion and refreshments will also be provided.
Hoping to raise awareness about the excessive plastic pollution within our Great Lakes and how even the smallest of changes can have a huge impact. Plastic takes over 500 years to decompose! And plastic waste is now becoming one of the greatest threats to our lakes.
Students taking an online class at NMC for the first time and students who have not completed an online course at NMC with a 2.0 grade or better will be required to complete an Online Learning Orientation (OLO) course. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a badge and will gain access to currently enrolled online course(s). Students who have successfully completed an online course at NMC in the past will not be required to earn the badge.
The Online Learning Orientation is completed in Moodle, NMC’s learning management system, and can be completed in approximately 60 minutes. Contact the Moodle help desk at 231-995-1070 if assistance is needed.
Godwin Jabangwe says life’s put him in the right place at the right time, taking him from his native Zimbabwe to an NMC classroom to another in Grand Rapids to Los Angeles.
“They bring in talented writers who are seeking a breakthrough,” Jabangwe said. He’d been working on the Tunga idea but joining the Impact class, which paired writers with mentors, allowed him to focus. The experience ended in February with a pitch day to potential buyers, which Jabangwe called both “very exciting” and “terrifying.” Netflix won Tunga in a four-way bidding war. (Watch video of Jabangwe celebrating his deal.)
iDance spring Opera House Dance
Postage stamps are barely a single square inch, but designing one that will be available next week ranks among the biggest moments in the career of NMC alumnus Aaron Draplin.
Draplin said in a February Instagram post that “tears (were) rolling down my cheeks” when he was notified of his patriotically-themed design’s selection. It is one of five first-class stamps to be released next week and will get the largest print run, “in the millions” according to Postal Service spokesman Roy Betts. It will be available in sheets of 20 and coils of 10,000.
Postage stamps are barely a single square inch, but designing one that will be available next week ranks among the biggest moments in the career of NMC alumnus Aaron Draplin.
Draplin said in a February Instagram post that “tears (were) rolling down my cheeks” when he was notified of his patriotically-themed design’s selection. It is one of five first-class stamps to be released next week and will get the largest print run, “in the millions” according to Postal Service spokesman Roy Betts. It will be available in sheets of 20 and coils of 10,000.
When: Wednesday, March 20