February 22, 11a.m.–1 p.m. in the Health & Science Building Atrium$1 donation for 3 samples
$1 for a bottle of water
Come vote for your favorite chili or enter to win!
All proceeds benefit NMC student veterans
For more information contact Scott Herzberg at sherzberg@nmc.edu
Interested in attending Grand Valley State University? Learn more about scholarships and financial aid opportunities at our hands-on workshops at NMC’s University Center that could give you thousands of dollars in college funding.
Visit www.gvsu.edu/events to RSVP.
January 23 / West Hall / 1–4 p.m.
Lavender Workshop & Stress Management
January 24 / West Hall / 1–4 p.m.
“Take What You Need” Workshop
January 25 / Osterlin / 1–4 p.m.
Stress Ball Workshop and 777 Challenge
January 26 / Osterlin / 1–4 p.m.
Art Therapy Workshop
For more information, contact Jessi at jmcgraw@nmc.edu or call (231) 995-1118.
Have you considered advancing your career? Earn a masters degree in Social Work or Public Health and make a difference in your community today.
Join us in NMC University Center Room 13 on February 6 from noon to 1 p.m. or on February 21 at 8 a.m. to learn more.
Visit www.gvsu.edu/traverse/events to RSVP for either event.
Did you know a 10 minute mindfulness practice can help to:
Come unplug for 20 minutes with NMC’s new mindfulness learning community. Students, faculty, staff and the public are welcome to join!
For more information or a private mindfulness session, contact Kristy McDonald at 995-1059 or kmcdonald@nmc.edu
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s International Affairs Forum continues its regular lecture series at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 with “The Fractured Middle East: Connecting to the Next Generation,” presented by Humaira Wakili, Executive Director of the Gen Next Foundation.
During his first weeks in office, President Donald Trump will face a critical issue that commanded the attention of Barack Obama as he closed out his presidency: how to counter the vicious and violent use of the Internet by extremist groups like ISIS. Social media, so widely used in the free world, has also become a weapon of terrorists to manipulate public opinion, spread propaganda, recruit foreign fighters and plot acts of terror on five continents.
Humaira Wakili, executive director of the Gen Next Foundation, is at the center of developing projects to counter the extremist narrative and brings to the International Affairs Forum an authoritative knowledge of what the new president might do to prevent social media from becoming the norm of extremist groups around the world.
The Gen Next Foundation is a dynamic, high-tech foundation that funds projects aimed at breaking the cycle of radicalization. Wakili’s venture philanthropy draws funds from the private sector and non-profit business partners to seed such projects as:
Karen Segal
International Affairs Forum co-chair
(231) 715-6064
jsegal_kpuschel@yahoo.com
Need to make a change to your schedule? Add a class? Please do so as soon as possible! Not all classes can be added after they have begun. Check with an advisor in the Advising Center or visit the Records & Registration Office for assistance with dropping or adding classes this week. The final day to drop regular 15-week classes without academic record and for 100% refund is Monday, January 23!
TRAVERSE CITY — Employers are invited to register for NMC’s annual Career Fair, set for 4–5:30 p.m. March 2 at the Hagerty Center on NMC’s Great Lakes Campus.
This event affords employers the opportunity to recruit job-seekers for career-track positions, seasonal and entry-level opportunities, as well as internships and service learning. The Career Fair is open to students, NMC alumni and community members. New this year is an alumni reception following the event.
Wendy Walter, Human Development Manager at Oryana Natural Foods Market, has recruited at the fair for four years in a row.
“I know many employers, including Oryana, who have hired applicants that they first met at the Career Fair,” she said. “It’s a chance to meet others, learn about opportunities and industries, and determine your next steps.”
Employer registration is first-come, first serve and begins January 20. To register and for the most up to date information, visit nmc.edu/career-fair.
NMC’s Alumni Relations program will host a professional networking reception for NMC alumni (former students who have taken for-credit classes) Thursday, March 2. Current students also welcome.
The reception is 5:30–7 p.m. at Lobdell’s Teaching Restaurant, Great Lakes campus, and will include:
Recommended dress is business casual. You need not be a career fair attendee to attend the networking reception.
RSVP at (231) 995-2825 or alumni@nmc.edu.
Other career fairs are also scheduled later in the spring:
Irina Grougan
NMC Advising Center
igrougan@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1040
TRAVERSE CITY — A 2011 Northwestern Michigan College aviation alumnus has been named the youngest chief pilot in company history by Envoy Air and now leads the airline’s operations at a major air traffic hub.
In late December Ryan Ferris, 26, was named chief pilot of Envoy’s New York base at LaGuardia Airport, the nation’s twentieth busiest airport. He will supervise the 150 Envoy captains and first officers based at LaGuardia as well as coordinate with multiple other departments, including ground handling, passenger service, Transportation Security Administration and air traffic control to ensure a safe and reliable operation for the passengers.
Alex Bloye, director of NMC’s Aviation division, said Ferris’ accomplishment at his age is significant. In addition to becoming Envoy’s youngest chief pilot, he is one of the few to ascend to that role without first being a captain.
“Usually chief pilot positions with airlines are reserved for folks with decades of experience. They are the base leader, and are ultimately responsible for the safety and regulatory compliance of thousands of passenger flights, and hundreds of pilots and crew members,” Bloye said.
Prior to his new role, Ferris spent three years flying as a first officer for Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines. He was also a flight instructor at NMC for two and a half years.
“Northwestern Michigan College did an outstanding job preparing me for the responsibilities of this position,” said Ferris, originally from Portage, Mich. “The flight school provided me with the knowledge and skills to handle the stresses of being an airline pilot, while NMC’s critical-thinking based curriculum helped me develop into a well-rounded manager.”
Envoy Air Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group and operates nearly 180 aircraft on about 900 daily flights to more than 150 destinations. Headquartered in Texas, Envoy was formerly known as American Eagle.
As American Eagle, NMC in 2014 signed a pipeline agreement with the company that gives aviation students early access to interviews, employment and a signing bonus.
Ryan Ferris
Envoy Air
ryan.ferris@aa.com
(269) 598-4615
Alex Bloye
NMC Aviation
abloye@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2929
The Traverse City Parking Patrol will begin enforcing parking at NMC on Monday, January 23. All faculty, staff and students must have their 2016-2017 permits displayed by that date.
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 dropoff payment box at the east end of the Cedar lot in front of the Health & Science building. 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 (231) 995-1111.
TRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2017 Outstanding Alumni award through Feb. 20.
Created in 1988, the Outstanding Alumni award recognizes alumni for significant professional achievements and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. The award(s) will be presented at NMC’s annual Commencement ceremony May 6.
The nomination form is available online. Nominations may also be e-mailed to Director of Alumni Relations Betsy Coffia at alumni@nmc.edu or mailed to the NMC Foundation, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49686.
The 2016 Outstanding Alumni recipients were Korvyn Hansen, Therese Renis, Michelle Witkop and Capt. Dean Hobbs, posthumously. See all recipients here »
Betsy Coffia
Director of Alumni Relations
bcoffia@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2825
Classes start January 13 and you still need help with your Spring semester schedule?! We can help!
Stop by the Advising Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. January 10, 12, 13, and 16 through 20th for Walk In Advising. Sessions are on a first-come-first-served basis. Call (231) 995-1040 with questions.
A representative from Grand Valley State University located at NMC’s University Center will be present in the Health & Science building Monday, January 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn how you can finish your Bachelor’s or Master’s at GVSU’s Traverse City location or get answers to your questions if you are considering transferring to GVSU’s main campus.
Extended Ed Fitness Classes begin the 2nd week of January. Find Total Barre, Yoga, Interval Training, Aerial Fit, Meditation, Fitness Center Memberships and more at nmc.edu/fitness. Call EES at 995-1700 to enroll.
Robert F. Rudd of Traverse City, MI passed away on December 17, 2016 at the age of 83.
A graduate of Michigan State University and the University of South Dakota, Bob taught chemistry at NMC for 35 years. He was a constant presence in his volunteer work for the college, including the NMC Barbecue, and many other community organizations, including the Dennos Museum. During his time at NMC, Bob received the Imogene Wise Award and the NMC Fellows Award.
Many knew Bob for his creation of handmade Shaker boxes. Bob also built many of the benches along the North Country Trail and was a longtime trail steward. He was a regular volunteer on Isle Royale, first visiting the island along with a group of three friends when he was 17.
Bob met his wife of 62 years, Grace Ann Wood, in high school trigonometry class. Together they had three children, Cheryl Phelps of Holland, MI, Michele Rudd (Roger Putman) of Traverse City, and Rob Rudd of Philadelphia, PA, and four grandchildren, Christine, Patrick, Tyler, and Elliot.
A memorial service will be held April 1, 2017 at NMC in Traverse City, MI. Memorial contributions can be made to the Dennos Museum, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, or to the charity of your choice.
Bob lived his life in tune with Loren Eiseley’s philosophy that “we love the earth but cannot stay.”
After a couple years as a ski bum out west, Jackson Pierce felt the tug of home.
The former NMC automotive technology student’s timing was perfect for his skills. Pierce traded ski groomers for cars, and has spent the last two years working at Bill Marsh Automotive, one of several regional repair shops to which Automotive Technology program director Wayne Moody has built an employment pipeline.
“Everyone needs their car fixed,” said Pierce, of Northport, who attended NMC’s automotive program in 2007-08.
But not everyone can fix them. Moody said an aging auto repair workforce combined with increasingly complex, computerized cars has created an opportunity gap that he has worked to fill with NMC students like Pierce.
“The last three years (demand) has gone north by leaps and bounds,” Moody said, who fields calls daily from shops locally, downstate as well as in the U.P. “They are vying for the technicians. I could put two jobs on every student if they want them.”
The Grand Traverse area’s population growth also fuels the local hiring demand. At least six former NMC students work at Bill Marsh’s Garfield Road locations. Fox Grand Traverse employs another eight, including its first female technician since 1992, KT Rafferty. As it has traditionally, the job attracts students who like hands-on work. But it’s more than turning a wrench nowadays.
“It’s not rudimentary. There’s an immense amount of problem-solving,” Pierce said.
That variety attracts students, too. “Anything can happen here,” said Rachel Smith of Elk Rapids, who started NMC’s program in 2013 and has worked at Bill Marsh for about a year and a half. “I like learning new things.”
With cars loaded with dozens of on-board computers, electronics is another important skill set.
“What’s the Ohm’s law? I can’t tell you what it is, but our very best electronics technicians do and it helps them in their job every day,” said Rich King, fixed operations director at Bill Marsh. “They’re learning it in Wayne’s program.”
Pierce added that he appreciated the real-world instruction he got at NMC. “I liked that all the teachers actually owned shops.”
Technicians are financially rewarded for that greater knowledge and as they gain experience. While an entry-level technician might make $12-$14 per hour, Moody said a graduate of the two-year program could be earning between $50,000 and $70,000 after five years. Six-figure salaries are not out of the question for the most experienced technicians.
King said it’s also rewarding at the end of the day. “There’s a huge sense of accomplishment when you fix that car that’s a tough one.”
Registration for spring semester programs, including automotive, is going on now. Find out more about the program here.
Above: From left, former NMC automotive students working at Bill Marsh’s GM store are Mike Bouchey, technician; Tom Garrity, parts; Rachel Smith, Dave Panek, Jackson Pierce and Zach Schaub, technicians.
After a couple years as a ski bum out west, Jackson Pierce felt the tug of home.
The former NMC automotive technology student’s timing was perfect for his skills. Pierce traded ski groomers for cars, and has spent the last two years working at Bill Marsh Automotive, one of several regional repair shops to which Automotive Technology program director Wayne Moody has built an employment pipeline.
“Everyone needs their car fixed,” said Pierce, of Northport, who attended NMC’s automotive program in 2007-08.
But not everyone can fix them. Moody said an aging auto repair workforce combined with increasingly complex, computerized cars has created an opportunity gap that he has worked to fill with NMC students like Pierce.
“The last three years (demand) has gone north by leaps and bounds,” Moody said, who fields calls daily from shops locally, downstate as well as in the U.P. “They are vying for the technicians. I could put two jobs on every student if they want them.”
The Grand Traverse area’s population growth also fuels the local hiring demand. At least six former NMC students work at Bill Marsh’s Garfield Road locations. Fox Grand Traverse employs another eight, including its first female technician since 1992, KT Rafferty. As it has traditionally, the job attracts students who like hands-on work. But it’s more than turning a wrench nowadays.
“It’s not rudimentary. There’s an immense amount of problem-solving,” Pierce said.
That variety attracts students, too. “Anything can happen here,” said Rachel Smith of Elk Rapids, who started NMC’s program in 2013 and has worked at Bill Marsh for about a year and a half. “I like learning new things.”
With cars loaded with dozens of on-board computers, electronics is another important skill set.
“What’s the Ohm’s law? I can’t tell you what it is, but our very best electronics technicians do and it helps them in their job every day,” said Rich King, fixed operations director at Bill Marsh. “They’re learning it in Wayne’s program.”
Pierce added that he appreciated the real-world instruction he got at NMC. “I liked that all the teachers actually owned shops.”
Technicians are financially rewarded for that greater knowledge and as they gain experience. While an entry-level technician might make $12-$14 per hour, Moody said a graduate of the two-year program could be earning between $50,000 and $70,000 after five years. Six-figure salaries are not out of the question for the most experienced technicians.
King said it’s also rewarding at the end of the day. “There’s a huge sense of accomplishment when you fix that car that’s a tough one.”
Registration for spring semester programs, including automotive, is going on now. Find out more about the program here.
Above: From left, former NMC automotive students working at Bill Marsh’s GM store are Mike Bouchey, technician; Tom Garrity, parts; Rachel Smith, Dave Panek, Jackson Pierce and Zach Schaub, technicians.
Health Services will be closed at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16 until 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. If you need refills, please contact our office as soon as possible at 995-1255, or stop by the office in the Les Biederman building, room 106.