Is ISIS a Threat to Central Asia?

Mar 14, 2016 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s International Affairs Forum continues its regular lecture series at 6 p.m. March 17 with “Is ISIS a Threat to Central Asia?” presented by Dr. Martha Brill Olcott, visiting professor, James Madison College, at Michigan State University.

The countries of central Asia, once part of the Soviet Union, are predominantly Muslim and have historically charted a course based on secular rather than religious principles. Do these secular traditions risk falling prey to the spread of Islamic fundamentalism? Does ISIS, now operating in nearby Afghanistan, pose a terror threat to aging autocratic regimes such as in Uzbekistan? Olcott, also a visiting professor at al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Kazakhstan, is America’s leading authority on Central Asia.

Tickets are $10 each and available at the door. Tickets are free for current students and educators.

IAF has also added an April 11 special fundraiser lecture to its spring lineup. Proceeds from tickets sales to “North Korea: The Hermit Kingdom” will support Traverse City Central High School’s Academic World Quest team’s trip to Washington D.C. for the national competition later in April. The 6 p.m. lecture at Traverse City Central High School’s auditorium will be presented by U.S. Air Force Major General (retired) Brian Bishop, former deputy chief of staff, UN Command and U.S. Forces-Korea. Bishop is a part-timeTraverse City resident and NMC flight instructor.

His wife, Linda Lindquist-Bishop, a champion sailor who was a member of the first all-women’s team to sail in the America’s Cup race, will introduce Bishop and discuss living in Korea. Tickets are $10 at the door and free for students and educators, though donations are appreciated.

Release date: March 14, 2016

For more information:

Karen Segal
International Affairs Forum co-chair
(231) 715-6064
jsegal_kpuschel@yahoo.com

Get to know GMO- a panel discussion

Mar 7, 2016 | Intercom, Student News

If you are curious about GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) and would like to be informed, please join the NMC Horticulture Club as we investigate the topic of GMO’s with panelists involved in various sectors of Agriculture. The panel will take place Monday, March 21 from 4 – 5:30 pm in the Health and Science Building, room 101.

Our panel will include small farmers, 800 acre+ farmer managers, agronomy agribusiness manager, a dietician, and more. Join us with your questions about GMO’s and hear responses from individuals from the agricultural sector. (more…)

NMC Jazz Band concerts March 10 and 17

Mar 7, 2016 | Intercom, Student News

The NMC Jazz Bands, directed by Laurie Sears, are coming to the West Bay Beach Holiday Inn, in the View, on Thursdays, March 10 and March 17, NO cover charge. The evenings are hosted by the Jeff Haas Trio with Laurie Sears, and music runs from 7:00 to 9:30 pm each Thursday. The NMC Jazz Big Band (3/10) and Jazz Lab Band (3/17) will each play an 8:00 pm set of swinging big band music during the middle of the evening. For a great combination of small group and big band jazz, please join us these coming Thursdays. On March 17, vocalist Claudia Schmidt will also be a featured guest!

Thanks much for supporting live jazz and your Northwestern Michigan College jazz groups! (more…)

Seven projects to share $41,700 in Barbecue funds

Mar 7, 2016 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — The NMC Barbecue Board has approved seven projects that will share funds from the 61st annual NMC Barbecue, set for May 22.

College employees submit project proposals for program and equipment needs. A subcommittee reviews the proposals and makes recommendations to the Barbecue Board, a group of NMC employees and community volunteers. This year, $41,720 will support:

• G1000 basic Aviation training device (BATD)
• Apartment and daycare center playground equipment
• Surgical Technology program equipment and library resources
• Dennos Museum art banner project
• NMC Scholarship Open sponsorship
• NMC Observatory telescope drive replacement and upgrade
• Shipwreck research in Northport Harbor for Nautical Archaeology students

The late Gerald W. Oleson and his wife Frances, founders of Oleson’s Food Stores in Traverse City, started the annual fund raiser picnic in 1956. Oleson’s Food Stores continues to donate all the food. Several thousand people attend every year, raising more than $1.8 million for college programs and equipment over the years.

In addition to the traditional menu of buffalo steakettes or hot dog, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and beverage and ice cream served from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on May 22, free live entertainment is provided throughout the day. Classroom displays and program exhibits offer the public a chance to see what’s going on at NMC. Children’s games and activities will also be provided. The Barbecue will once again strive toward zero-waste, with composting and recycling services available.

Tickets for the event are $6 in advance and $8 on Barbecue Day and are available online at nmc.edu/bbq or by contacting the NMC Office of Public Relations & Marketing at (231) 995-1020.

Release Date: March 7, 2016

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

NMC student is top Michigan community college scholar

Mar 3, 2016 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY —  Roxanne (Roxy) Scrivener, a computer information technology student at Northwestern Michigan College, has been named Michigan’s 2016 New Century Scholar, by achieving the state’s highest score in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition. 

Scrivener, who will graduate this spring with a 4.0 GPA, will receive a $2,000 scholarship, which she plans to use to continue her education in computer information systems at Ferris State University through NMC’s University Center. She is NMC’s second straight  New Century Scholar and the third in the last four years. Kathy Tahtinen of Traverse City won in 2015 and Jessica Abfalter won in 2013. 

Scrivener, 27, is from Great Falls, Mont. She started at NMC in 2011 and has earned more than 90 credits. Her extracurricular involvements while a student included serving as a Big Sister though Big Brothers Big Sisters, as an officer in NMC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa,  the international community college honor society, tutoring, and serving on the planning board for NMC’s first Welcome Weekend. In her spare time she enjoys disk golf, and practiced on NMC’s course for an amateur world competition in Kalamazoo.

The New Century Scholars Program, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges, and the All-USA Community College Academic Team Program share a common application and together recognize outstanding community college students.  More than 1,900 students were nominated from more than 1,000 community colleges for recognition. Judges consider grades, leadership, activities and most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. While working as a tutor Scrivener, for example, helped to program a tracking system for students using NMC’s Tutoring Center.

New Century Scholars are the highest scoring students in each state, with an additional student chosen from among one of the seven sovereign nations where Phi Theta Kappa is represented. Scholars will be recognized in Chicago, IL on April 12 during the American Association of Community Colleges Convention.

Release date: March 4, 2016

For more information:

Kari Kahler
Dean of Learning Services/PTK Adviser
kkahler@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1228  

Take Back the Night

Mar 3, 2016 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Office of Student Life will host a Take Back the Night march and rally March 16, beginning at West Hall at 5 p.m. and concluding at the Oleson Center at 6 p.m.

Take Back the Night is a movement to support and empower survivors of sexual assault and to spread awareness about this prevailing issue in communities worldwide. The event is free and open to the campus community and general public. Participants will meet at 5 p.m. outside of West Hall on NMC’s main campus to rally and march across campus.

The march will conclude at the Oleson Center around 6 p.m., where participants will gather for music, conversation, and most importantly, the speak out. The speak out gives survivors the opportunity to share their voices and experiences with sexual assault in a safe environment. Professional counselors and survivor advocates will be present and available to help maintain the safe and supportive environment. 

The NMC Student Life Office is partnering with the Women’s Resource Center of Traverse City, and NMC student groups to put on Take BAck the Night.

Release date: march 3, 2016

For more information:

Tarah Elhardan
NMC Counselor
(231) 995-1056
telhardan@nmc.edu