Feb 14, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY – Northwestern Michigan College’s performance ensembles will hold three upcoming concerts:
Friday, February 23: NMC Chamber Singers and Canticum Novum choral performance. 7:30 p.m., at the Alluvion, 414 E. 8th St. Directed by Jeff Cobb, the concert will include choral works from around the world and will feature several classic and contemporary spirituals in celebration of Black History Month. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and available online.
Wednesday, February 28: NMC Chamber Singers host the Eastern Michigan University Choir. 7:30 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium at the Dennos Museum Center on NMC’s Front Street campus. Free and open to the public.
Saturday, March 2: NMC Concert Band and Grand Traverse Chorale present “Coming of Light.” 7:30 p.m., Corson Auditorium, Interlochen Center for the Arts. Performance features John Rutter’s “Magnificat” and C.M. von Weber’s “Clarinet Concerto.” Tickets are $8 students/seniors or $13 adults pre-order, and $10 students/seniors or $15/adults at the door. Contact the NMC box office at (231) 995-1340 for questions or assistance in purchasing tickets.
Release date: February 14, 2024
For more information:
Jeff Cobb
NMC Music Programs Director
(231) 995-1338
jecobb@nmc.edu
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Feb 12, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Monday, Feb. 12
Entrée: lamb gyros or falafel with pita
Side: lemon rice
Tuesday, Feb. 13
Entrée: chicken & cheese or roasted poblano & bean quesadilla
Sides: Spanish rice and Mexican street corn
Wednesday, Feb. 14
Entrée: sesame chicken or tofu stir fry with basmati rice
Side: egg roll
Thursday, Feb. 15
Food for the soul menu (protein option $6.00; vegetarian option is $5.00)
Entrée: country fried steak or red beans and rice (vegetarian)
Sides: mashed potatoes, gravy and yellow pound cake
Friday, Feb. 16
Entrée: crispy chicken with mac & cheese with buffalo sauce or roasted cauliflower steak with chimichurri sauce
Side: asparagus
Feb 12, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
This semester, NMC Magazine wants your colorific creations. The theme is color and we want you to explore warm and cool, polychromatic versus monochromatic, saturated or muted shades.
Color symbolism, vivacious imagery, grayscale, rainbow, and even CMYK all qualify; as long as it’s colorful, we want to see your submissions shine.
Pick one color, three, seven—as many colors as you like!
Accepted mediums include:
-
- Fiction/nonfiction (1,500 word limit)
- Poetry/lyrics (30 line limit)
- Comics (30 panels/4 page limit)
- Video/audio (4 minutes)
Visit nmc.edu/nmcmagazine to submit your entry. The deadline to enter is Friday, March 15, 2024.
Feb 12, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
(more…)
Feb 7, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
February 7, 2024
If a typical 2020 high school graduate stayed on track for a bachelor’s degree, they’re now a college senior, expecting to graduate in a few months.
Thanks to dual enrollment at NMC, however, Kaitlyn Watson (right) graduated in December 2022 from Michigan State. On top of her two and a half year dash to a degree, the 2020 Grand Traverse Academy valedictorian reached the finish line without any debt.
Now, a newly-established dual enrollment tuition rate for students outside Grand Traverse County will allow hundreds more students to access that fast track to an affordable degree.
“Dual enrollment allowed me to complete college quickly, debt-free, and begin to pursue my true passions,” said Watson, whose degree in statistics landed her a job at MSU that allowed her to move back to Traverse City and work remotely. “It truly changed my life.”
Watson is one of NMC’s many dual enrollment success stories. Most have been from Grand Traverse County because of what, until now, have been higher costs to residents outside the county.
There’s 2019 Kingsley High School graduate Jacie King, (left) who says her NMC dual enrollment credits kept her on track after she transferred from Albion College to Grand Valley State University. She found out many of the Albion credits didn’t transfer to Grand Valley, but her dual enrolled NMC credits did.
“I am very thankful that I was able to dual enroll, otherwise I would have been starting all over,” said King, one of four siblings who all dual-enrolled at NMC.
King graduated from GVSU in December and is now employed by Allendale Public Schools in her chosen field of health and physical education. Besides saving her tuition money – dual enrollment is paid for by a student’s home school district – King found a second financial advantage.
“Because I had so many credits early I was able to start substitute teaching earlier in my program, and got paid experience through that,” she said.
School districts use a portion of their state funding to cover dual enrollment tuition. Since a student’s residency factors into their NMC tuition rate, however, the state dollars haven’t always covered the total bill. Districts could bill families for the difference.
The new rate ($160/contact hour), unanimously approved by NMC’s Board of Trustees in January, is expected to cover the bill, eliminating out-of-pocket tuition costs for most dual-enrolled students, regardless of where they live.
To find out more, attend a family information session in person or virtually later this month. Students can also contact their high school guidance counselor to find out more about the new rate and how to apply to be a dual enrolled student starting this fall.
Feb 7, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Six candidates are eligible to fill the Board of Trustees seat vacated by former trustee Rachel Johnson last month.
The applicants, who must reside in Grand Traverse County, are:
- Jordan Ascione-Broad, Traverse City
- Jamie Gallagher, Williamsburg
- Pamela Horne, Interlochen
- Mark Keely, Traverse City
- Bill Marsh, Traverse City
- Merek Roman, Traverse City
Johnson resigned from NMC’s Board of Trustees effective Jan. 22. The new trustee will serve until the next regular community college election in November 2024. At that time voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Johnson, which expires December 31, 2026.
In accordance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act, interviews and the final appointment will be conducted by the full NMC Board of Trustees at a special meeting set for 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, rooms 106–107, on NMC’s Front Street campus.
Release date: February 7, 2024
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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
Feb 6, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
Do you have an idea or project that needs resources to reach its full potential? If so, the Office of Possibilities wants to hear from you! OOPS seeks to provide resources for education-related projects as well as projects related to community partnerships with NMC.
The next pitch event will be held on March 15, 2024 from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 104/105.
Those interested in pitching an idea should submit an application in order to be connected with an OOPs team member who can assist in planning your pitch.
Feb 6, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
Considering submitting an honors project? Students who have completed at least 12 credits and have a 3.0 GPA or higher qualify to complete an honors project. Honors projects allow students to dive deeper into a topic of interest and work with their instructors to develop content for any course. Honors projects can include research papers, art projects, 3-d models and many other unique ideas! Those who successfully complete their project and finish class with at least a 3.5 grade will qualify as an honors graduate and potentially receive scholarship money.
Contracts are due by February 16 for the spring 2024 semester. More info is available at nmc.edu/honors.
Feb 6, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Monday, Feb. 5
Entrée: italian pasta bake with meatballs
Sides: roasted brussel sprouts and crostini
Tuesday, Feb. 6
Food for the soul menu (protein option $6.00; vegetarian option is $5.00)
Entrée: shrimp or blackened tofu and cheesy grits
Sides: collard greens, cornbread and cherry cheesecake
Wednesday, Feb. 7
Entrée: tandoori grilled chicken thighs with rice
Sides: broccoli and naan bread
Thursday, Feb. 8
Entrée: baked chicken or roasted cauliflower steak with chimichurri
Sides: potatoes and green beans
Friday, Feb. 9
Entrée: beer battered cod sandwich with tarter sauce
Sides: french fries and cole slaw
Feb 6, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute will host a Swiss-inspired dinner Friday, Feb. 23 as a fundraiser for a culinary student study abroad trip to Switzerland later this semester.
The four-course menu will feature local Leelanau raclette cheese, soup, entree and a limoncello style tiramisu for dessert. Tickets are $95 per person, including tax and gratuity, with all proceeds going to scholarships for the trip scheduled for May. A wine pairing package ($25)or non-alcoholic beverage package ($20) are also available for purchase at time of booking.
Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 in Lobdell’s Teaching Restaurant. Tickets are available online at nmc.edu/lobdells.
Release date: February 6, 2024
For more information:
Chef Mike Skarupinski
Great Lakes Culinary Institute
(231) 995-1194
mskarupinski@nmc.edu
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Feb 5, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
NMC’s Engineering department, in conjunction with the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, will be hosting the Northern Michigan Chapter of the annual MATHCOUNTS competition on Friday, February 9, 2024. The event will begin at noon on the main floor of the Beckett building and the first round of competition begins at 1 p.m. The event is expected to wrap up around 5 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, scoring, and/or clean-up. Anyone interested in helping with setup and/or scoring can contact Jay Smith at jsmith@nmc.edu.
About MATHCOUNTS: MATHCOUNTS offers fun and engaging programs that get middle school students excited about math. These programs include the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series. The Competition Series has 4 levels of competition—school, chapter, state and national. Each level of competition is comprised of 4 rounds—Sprint, Target, Team and Countdown Round. Altogether, the rounds are designed to take about 3 hours to complete. (OUR STORY | MATHCOUNTS Foundation)
Jan 31, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
The Rajkovich Physical Education Building is open to all NMC students, staff and faculty members on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-10 p.m.
The gym has equipment for a variety of activities such as :
-
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Soccer
- Dodgeball
- Badminton
- Pickleball
- Corn hole
- Ping pong
Bring your fellow friends and colleagues!
For questions, please contact Marcus Bennett at mbennett@nmc.edu, C.J. Schneider at cschneider@nmc.edu or Isaac Dedenbach at idedebanch@nmc.edu.
Jan 30, 2024 | Student News
Share the love by exchanging valentines! All are welcome to participate though a valentine must be provided for everyone else who is participating.
Sign up by Feb. 1. Valentines must be ready to drop off by 5 p.m. on Feb 12.
Jan 29, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Monday, Jan. 29
Entrée: fettuccine with chicken and pesto cream sauce or fettuccine with roasted vegetable and pesto cream sauce
Sides: broccoli and crostini
Tuesday, Jan. 30
Entrée: chicken enchilada with peppers and onions or roasted vegetable enchilada with peppers and onions
Sides: spanish rice and beans
Wednesday, Jan. 31
Entrée: sweet & sour pork stir fry w/ jasmine rice
Sides: egg roll
Thursday, Feb. 1
Entrée: potato gnocchi with Italian sausage and alfredo sauce or potato gnocchi with alfredo sauce
Sides: roasted vegetables and garlic bread
Friday, Feb. 2
Entrée: BBQ pulled pork on brioche or BBQ pulled jackfruit on brioche
Sides: baked beans and cole slaw
Jan 25, 2024 | Student News
Join Student Life and Student Government Association for the annual Winterfest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on February 6–7 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center.
Grab some delicious hot chocolate while gaining some information about different student groups, their activities, and how you can get involved in making a difference on campus. Don’t miss out on giveaways and door prizes!
ALL STUDENTS WELCOME!
Jan 25, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
January 25, 2024
Dental Assistant Program Director Beckie Wooters and student Cassidy GrayNMC’s Dental Assistant program has plenty to smile about in 2024.
From its best performance on the state Registered Dental Assistant exam in five years to renewed program accreditation to an award for director Beckie Wooters (right), the program that trains key patient care providers is looking at a bright future.
“Results like these demonstrate what we as faculty and staff already know — our students are outstanding,” Wooters said. “Dental patients all over northern Michigan can feel great about the care our graduates are providing.”
RDA pass rates
All 13 of the NMC program’s 2023 graduates passed both the written and clinical portions of Michigan’s Registered Dental Assistant examination. That easily topped the statewide pass rate (83% passed written, 93% passed clinical).
In fact, for the last five years, NMC dental assistant graduates have performed above the state average. 2023’s 100-percent pass rate exceeded their past best performance (93% written, 95% clinical) in 2020.
One of those graduates is Judy O’Donnell (right). The Kalkaska resident, 39, completed the program in just a year while working and raising her kids. Her new career offers a family-friendly schedule and the hands-on work she enjoys.
“I would recommend the program to anyone,” said O’Donnell, who also paid for her education through Michigan Reconnect, a scholarship offering free tuition to adults over 21 who don’t already have a college degree. NMC’s friendly, helpful instructors and being close and convenient to her home were the best parts of the program.
“The instructors were really, really good. They really helped us with everything and if we were struggling with something, they made time to help us,” she said.
Accreditation
O’Donnell isn’t the only one who thinks highly of the program. Following a December site visit by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, NMC’s program accreditation for the next seven years is expected to be finalized in February. The site team’s verdict of “no recommendations” means NMC is performing at the highest level.
MDA award
In addition, earlier this month Wooters was selected as the 2024 Allied Dental Professional Educator by the Michigan Dental Association. She was selected for NMC’s partnership with Bay Mills Community College, which seeks to enroll students from the tribal college in the U.P. at NMC in order to increase access to dental care.
Ability to earn RDA licensure is a key advantage of NMC’s program, the furthest north among six accredited dental assistant programs in Michigan.
“With a registered dental assistant, a dentist can see about 60 percent more patients. They can do more clinical procedures under the dentist’s supervision,” said Dr. Jessica Rickert, a now-retired Traverse City area dentist who hired NMC graduates in her practice.
Rickert is also the first female Native American dentist in the United States, and remains the only one in Michigan. She now consults with insurer Delta Dental of Michigan and leads Anishinaabe Dental Outreach, whose goal is to improve dental health in Native communities. She saw an opportunity to connect NMC and Bay Mills to better serve the Upper Peninsula, where the shortage of dental professionals is especially acute.
“The scarcity of timely dental care is causing serious hardship,” Rickert said of the U.P. “They have a wonderful program at NMC.”
Find out more about the program at nmc.edu/dental.
Jan 23, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The Board of Trustees of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is beginning the process of replacing Vice-Chair Rachel Johnson after she resigned from her position this week.
Johnson announced Monday she is stepping down from the board, citing personal reasons, but added she remains dedicated to the college.
In a letter to Board Chair Laura Oblinger, Johnson said, “I am hopeful that one day I will serve the college community again in some capacity. But in the meantime, I will forever remain in awe of NMC, its inspiring students, devoted faculty, committed staff and administration, fellow board members and donors alike- each of whom dedicate so much time, treasure and talent to the betterment of our community.”
Johnson had been a trustee since November 2016. During her tenure she served as Chair and Vice Chair, as well as a member of the Presidential Search Committee, Presidential Performance & Compensation Committee, Executive Committee, Strategic Planning Steering Committee and Foundation Board.
Trustee Oblinger said, “NMC benefited greatly from Rachel’s leadership during her time as a trustee. Her strategic thinking and collaborative approach helped guide the college to continued success during an important period of transition. Our college and community are stronger thanks to her. We wish her all the best.”
Michigan law gives the college 30 days to fill this position. Registered voters of Grand Traverse County are eligible to apply for the vacancy. Commitments for the non-compensated trustee position include but are not limited to the following:
- Regular board meeting, typically the fourth Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
- Board study sessions and committee meetings scheduled as required
- Annual Board retreat—sometimes overnight
- Participation in other college functions including commencement, receptions, ceremonies, events
- Travel periodically for purposes of professional development and representing the college at various state and national association meetings. Trustee travel is paid by NMC
Applicants should submit a letter of interest and materials explaining their qualifications for the position. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. February 6, 2024. They may be submitted online, emailed to lmoritz@nmc.edu or sent or delivered to:
Trustee Search
Office of the President
Northwestern Michigan College
1701 East Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
Application materials are subject to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Interviews will be conducted in special public meetings according to the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
Trustees will hold a special meeting on Monday, February 19, 2024, at 3 p.m. to fill the vacancy until the next NMC Board of Trustees election, set for November 2024. At that time, voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Johnson, which expires December 31, 2026.
Additional materials are available upon request and questions may be directed to the President’s Office at Northwestern Michigan College at (231) 995-1010.
Release date: January 23, 2024
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
Media on deadline, call or text (231) 392-6082
Non-deadline inquiries: (231) 995-1020
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Jan 22, 2024 | Intercom, Student News
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Monday, Jan. 22
Entrée: lasagna or vegetable lasagna
Sides: broccoli and garlic crostini
Tuesday, Jan. 23
Entrée: beef or tofu tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese and chipotle ranch
Sides: Spanish rice and refried beans
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Entrée: Chicken or tofu coconut curry
Sides: Jasmine rice and naan bread
Thursday, Jan. 25
Entrée: Spaghetti and meatballs with parmesan and marinara
Sides: green beans and garlic bread
Friday, Jan. 26
Entrée: GLCI smashburger with cheese, bacon and onion straws on a brioche bun
Sides: sweet potato fries and asparagus
