Bill Donberg
(download high-resolution photo)TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s highest honor, the NMC Fellow award, has been bestowed for 2024 on Bill Donberg, Timothy Nelson and Nancy Johnson, and Jack Segal and Karen Puschel Segal.
Donberg served as an aviation instructor for more than 23 years. Nelson served as NMC’s longest-serving president while his wife, Johnson, served as a tireless college advocate in her own right. Segal and Puschel Segal were co-chairs of the International Affairs Forum for seven years.
Donberg, of Elk Rapids, spent more than 23 years in NMC’s Aviation Division, including serving as lead flight instructor. In that capacity he taught hundreds of new instructors who would go on to serve as the foundation of the NMC flight program. He also served as the program’s interim director and as a founding member of the Aviation Advisory committee. A board member of the NMC Foundation since 2015, Donberg and his wife Phyllis also have supported aviation, the Commitment Scholarship, the Big Little Hero Race, and made a planned gift to the college. Donberg has founded multiple manned and unmanned aviation-related startups.
Timothy Nelson and Nancy Johnson
(download high-resolution photo)Nelson, of Traverse City, retired as president in 2019 after nearly 20 years of leading the college. During his tenure, NMC evolved and established many statewide, national and international competencies and accomplishments. Among the most notable were the community college baccalaureate in Michigan, service to student veterans, and new degree pathways in remotely-operated underwater and aerial vehicles. He chaired the Michigan Community College Association board and fulfilled four gubernatorial appointments by two former governors. In his retirement Nelson continues to serve the region as a board officer forMunson Healthcare, the largest healthcare organization in northern Michigan.
Johnson, a counselor by profession, took an active role in both NMC and the Grand Traverse region during Nelson’s presidential years. In 2019 the NMC Board of Trustees awarded her a Resolution of Appreciation for her advocacy and dedication to the college. At the state level, she provided leadership in the Michigan Community College Association Spouse and Significant Other Network. Her community commitments include the Zonta Club of Traverse City.
Together the couple have supported the college financially in multiple ways, including a planned gift. To mark Nelson’s 10-year anniversary as president, in 2011 they established the Global Opportunities Fund, which has made study abroad possible for hundreds of students.
Jack Segal and Karen Puschel Segal
(download high-resolution photo)Jack Segal and Karen Puschel Segal are both retired diplomats in the U.S. Department of State now living in Traverse City. Under their energetic leadership in the 2010s, the International Affairs Forum (IAF) expanded its programming significantly, growing into a major educational asset for northern Michigan and boosting the reputation and stature of NMC. They have been donors to the NMC Foundation for more than 15 years, supporting IAF, the Dennos Museum and other programs. Segal is also a popular instructor in NMC’s Extended Educational Services, offering multiple classes on world affairs. Puschel Segal is a tireless advocate for the immigrant community in the Grand Traverse area and serves as coordinator for the Afghan Migrant Ministry Project.
The Fellow is Northwestern Michigan College’s highest honor, awarded annually since 1964. Fellows may be nominated because they have demonstrated influential networking on behalf of the College, have demonstrated a pattern of outstanding financial or personal time contributions to NMC, or as a retiree of the College continue to contribute back to their academic or professional fields as volunteers, mentors or advisors. Exceptional contributions in one or more of these areas may justify nomination. See a list of past recipients.
Cari Noga
Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu
NMC Culinary program student Mikaella Orlando
A new sports nutrition certificate positions NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute among a select few schools offering students a specialty career path with a growing job market.
Starting this fall, the two-year certificate will train students to work as chefs for collegiate and professional sports teams. Its origin also connects to a Traverse City tradition: the Detroit Red Wings prospect and training camp held at Centre ICE Arena in the fall. GLCI has catered the camp for more than 10 years, and earned rave reviews.
“I’ve seen many training tables around the nation, as I am responsible for being a superfood hunter on the road. Some of the finest hotels in NYC, Chicago, LA, etc. cannot hold a candle to your team,” Red Wings performance dietitian Lisa McDowell said following the 2022 camp.
GLCI instructor Julia Sheerin (right) was part of that team. Since 2018 she’s taught Nutrition for Culinary Arts, an introductory class. She’s created and will teach the new Sports Nutrition course for the certificate.
“There’s a need in the sports world for chefs that can cook in this manner,” said Sheerin, who’s also a clinical dietitian. Athletes have high calorie requirements and also specific macro and micronutrient needs.
“We would love to meet this need for chefs. It’s a more lucrative career option,” Sheerin said, adding that her interest in developing the certificate goes back to expanding choices for students. “I feel a dedication to try and make sure we meet the needs of our students.”
Past students have already inquired about returning for the certificate, Sheerin said, and interest is high among current students. McDowell agreed certificate graduates will see a strong job market.
“The demand for performance chefs is growing as more athletes are willing to invest in prolonging their careers by honing in on specific ingredients that help with recovery, performance and injury healing. I have worked with other sports chef programs and can confirm this leads to stellar recruits and future star chefs.
The certificate includes a one-semester internship. Its creation also satisfies part of NMC’s strategic plan for the Great Lakes Culinary Institute.
TRAVERSE CITY — Throw on your capes and lace up your running shoes for the ninth annual Big Little Hero Race. This family-friendly event supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan and Northwestern Michigan College’s (NMC) College for Kids Program, and is scheduled for Saturday, April 20. Proceeds from the race will go towards scholarships for children to attend NMC’s College for Kids summer programming.
The Big Little Hero Race will start and end at NMC’s Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center and will have three race options — a one-mile fun run/walk with free entry and a free cape for all children, a 5K run/walk, and a 10K run/walk. All are welcome and encouraged to dress up as their favorite superheroes.
Hosted by NMC’s Professional Communication students, the Big Little Hero Race is an experiential learning project that allows students to practice real-world business skills by communicating with community members while promoting the importance of mentorship. Each year, the class recognizes a person or group that exemplifies the importance of mentorship in our community. The 2024 Big Hero Award will honor 95 local high school students who have donated their time as “Bigs” and mentored “Littles” across Northern Michigan.
The festivities start at 9:30 a.m. with a one-mile fun run, followed by the officially timed 5K and 10K races, beginning at 10 a.m. The race route travels through NMC’s main campus and continues onto the scenic Old Mission Peninsula. After the race, medals will be awarded for the top three times in each age category in the 5K and 10K races. Prizes will be given for top overall male and female finishers for both the 5K and 10K races. Awards will be presented for the best adult, child, and dog costumes.
Important Dates:
For more information or to register for the race, visit biglittleherorace.com.
The NMC Jazz Bands, led by trumpeter and educator Joshua Wagner, will join the Jeff Haas Trio for two upcoming shows at The Alluvion this month as part of the “Jazz For All” series.
These groups contain NMC students, community members, and area professionals with a mission of promoting the American art form of Jazz! Audience members will be treated to a variety of styles including blues, latin, swing, fusion, and contemporary.
The Alluvion is located on the 2nd floor of the Commongrounds Cooperative at 414 East 8th St. $1-20 honor cover at the door (no presale). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The shows run from 6–8 p.m. both nights.
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.
Entrée: Rigatoni pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and sausage or broccolini
Sides: Broccoli and garlic crostini
Entrée: Tacos (pulled pork asada or tofu) with cheese, lettuce, sour cream and salsa
Sides: Mexican street corn and rice
Entrée: Potato gnocchi with Alfredo sauce and Italian sausage or roasted vegetables
Sides: Garlic bread and green beans
Breakfast for lunch (or dinner!)
Biscuits with sausage gravy or crumbled black bean burger and mushroom gravy, scrambled eggs & fresh fruit
Entrée: Beer-battered cod sandwich with tartar sauce
Sides: Coleslaw with french fries
Looking for fall courses to take? Consider taking Experiential Learning Designated Courses (ELDCs). ELDCs provide students with real world experiences and hands-on opportunities so they can use critical problem solving and reflective practices. To find ELDCs in NMC’s searchable schedule, choose a semester, select Expand / Contract Search Options, select Experiential Learning under Special Search Criteria, and hit the return key.
For more information on experiential learning visit nmc.edu/experiential-learning.
If you have questions, please email elinstitute@nmc.edu.
Faculty Excellence Award nominations are due by Friday, April 5.
Award criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.
Nominate your favorite instructor!
Stop by the NMC Bookstore on Leap Day (Thursday, February 29) and receive 29% off all regularly priced apparel and hats! One day only!
TRAVERSE CITY — Current students, alumni, and the community are invited to attend Northwestern Michigan College’s 18th annual Career Fair on Thursday, March 7 at the Hagerty Center on the Great Lakes Campus.
Held in partnership with Northwest Michigan Works and Networks Northwest, the Career Fair runs from 3–6 p.m. (Veterans and active military families are invited to arrive at 2 p.m.) More than 70 participating employers will be recruiting for career-track, seasonal and entry-level positions as well as internships and service learning. See the list at nmc.edu/career-fair.
Katie Sommer-Ford
NMC Advising Center
ksommer@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1040
Three projects currently surging forward at NMC are propelling a blue economy built upon the Grand Traverse area’s most valuable resource — fresh water — from vision to reality.
“This would encourage businesses to relocate and encourage collaboration for testing and development of new products,” Jason Slade, NMC vice president for strategic initiatives, said of the zone.
Products like the sensor that put Traverse City startup Wave Lumina into the AquaHacking finals. The company’s portable field sensor detects ultra-low levels of PFAS and other chemicals, also known as forever chemicals and linked to a long list of health hazards.
“This competition has been a wonderful opportunity for early-stage entrepreneurs in the blue economy space to develop their ideas,” said Vernon Lalone, managing director for Wave Lumina and an Elk Rapids High School graduate. “All this energy aligns incredibly well with research NMC is doing now, the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center, and the local innovation and entrepreneurial support systems like NMC, 20Fathoms, and Traverse Connect.”
The AquaHacking challenge and the FRIC are new facets to the freshwater expertise that NMC has honed over the past two decades, since the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute was founded. WSI coordinator Matt Hirsch is one of the water issue leaders for the challenge, which will convene the 10 finalist teams – three from Michigan, one from Philadelphia and six from Canada – March 8-10 for a water leadership expedition.
“It really represents the collective expertise that we house that is considered the benchmark in the nation,” said Van Sumeren. The training he’ll deliver in New Jersey grew out of curriculum originally written for NMC’s bachelor’s degree in Marine Technology.
“We’re the only school that really does this, that focuses on these applied technical skills for the blue economy workforce,” Van Sumeren said.
His audience in New Jersey — two groups of 15 in March and April — will be commercial divers working in the East Coast’s growing offshore wind energy market.
“These installations require significant amounts of inspection,” Van Sumeren said. “The ROV represents a new way for these divers to engage in the industry appropriately.”
Van Sumeren and Lutchko have conducted ROV training with students as far as away as China, where they’ll return in person next year. Due to China’s COVID restrictions, training was last run in 2022 and done virtually. The partnership with Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute will resume virtually this fall with 60 students, the largest class to date, and continue in person in spring 2025.
Caps and gowns are now available! Stop by the NMC Bookstore (located in the Health & Science building) or shop online at bookstore.nmc.edu.
A significant road construction project is expected to begin in March that will affect access to NMC campuses and may cause delays for commuters. While construction will be closest to the Front Street campus and the Great Lakes campus, planners expect traffic throughout the region to be impacted.
MDOT is embarking on a significant reconstruction of a 2-mile section of US-31/M-37/M-72 (Grandview Parkway/Front Street) in Traverse City, spanning from the US-31/M-37/M-72 west junction (Division Street) to just east of Garfield Road.
The project will be divided into two segments:
Construction will begin on the eastern segment in March, with completion scheduled before the National Cherry Festival. Work on the western segment will begin after the festival.
This construction will impact businesses, drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and anyone traveling along that section of road during the construction phase, as well as those along the proposed detour route.
During the eastern segment construction starting in March 2024, westbound traffic will be detoured on Railroad Avenue and Eighth Street, while eastbound traffic will be detoured on Peninsula Drive, Eastern Avenue, and Milliken Drive. Northbound and southbound M-37/Garfield Avenue traffic will be detoured on Eastern Avenue, Milliken Drive, Fair Street, and Eighth Street.
During the western segment construction starting in July, there will be lane closures and traffic shifts for both directions of traffic.
MDOT aims to implement operational enhancements at the intersections of Division Street, Hall Street, Front Street, and Peninsula Drive, as well as drainage improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, repairs to the Murchie Bridge over the Boardman River, and installation of new signs and pavement markings. Additionally, MDOT plans to add pedestrian crossings at Peninsula Drive and Front Street, improve the pedestrian crossing at Division Street, and collaborate with TART and the city to extend the trail to the east and widen where possible.
If you have additional questions about this project please visit these resource pages:
We apologize for any inconvenience this construction may cause and encourage everyone to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel, and utilize alternative routes if possible. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as we work through this important infrastructure improvement.
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.
Entrée: meat or vegetable lasagna
Side: broccoli and garlic crostini
Entrée: beef or tofu tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese and chipotle ranch
Sides: Spanish rice and refried beans
Entrée: chicken or tofu coconut curry with jasmine rice
Side: naan bread
Food for the Soul buffet ($14.00; available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. only)
Entrées: fried catfish, rib tips, black bean burgers or blackened tofu
Sides: fried okra, collard greens (with or without ham), cornbread, banana pudding, peach cobbler
Entrée: GLCI smashburger with cheese, bacon, & onion straws on brioche
Side: sweet potato fries and asparagus
The Motorsports Club at Northern Michigan College is one of many student-led groups on campus that aim to support and engage students. NMC Motorsports has a large-scale goal to design and build a vehicle that will rival others within the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
As a multifaceted group, the members have gained experience in everything from marketing to hands-on mechanics and CAD software design. Having just placed a favorable 14th out of 38 vehicles at the MTU BAJA race in January, the group is preparing for another sizable competition at the University of Wisconsin next October.
“NMC Motorsports is not just a club; it’s a catalyst for diverse student growth, providing a nurturing environment for hands-on learning, skill development, and a sense of community beyond traditional academic experiences at NMC.” – Jaron Larson, NMC Motorsports President
Members have actively worked on collaborating with other student groups and are encouraging students to consider joining the Motorsports Club, regardless of mechanical interest. Roles like Event Planner, Social Media Strategist and Logistics Coordinator are just a few the group is looking to recruit. If you are interested in learning more, email Jaron Larson at larso167@mail.nmc.edu
Do you want to see a specific student group featured? Fill out the nomination form. Questions? Email cknight@nmc.edu
The Health & Science Building atrium on NMC’s Front Street campus will be used as a polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27 for Precinct 9 voters to cast their ballots. Some parking in the Cedar lot will be set aside for voters at those times.
The NMC Bookstore will be closed that day as well, and will reopen with normal hours on Wednesday, February 28.
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is seeking nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Alumni awards. Nominations will be accepted through March 8.
Since 1988, Northwestern Michigan College’s Outstanding Alumni award has recognized graduates and past students for significant professional achievements and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. Nominees for this award should have demonstrated accomplishments that also reflect the NMC values of dedication to life-long learning, innovation and integrity, and respect for and collaboration with others. Recognition is not solely contingent on having received a degree or cerificate from NMC, but on the achievements of the nominee and positve perspective about the role that NMC played in their lives.
More information and the nomination form can be found at nmc.edu/alumni. Nominations may be submitted online. To have a paper nomination form mailed, call (231) 995-1834 or email alumni@nmc.edu.
The 2023 Outstanding Alumni recipients were Dr. Jerry Dobek and Tiffany McQueer. A complete list of past honorees may be found online. For more information about NMC’s Alumni program, visit nmc.edu/alumni.
Carly McCall
Director of Alumni Engagement
alumni@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2825
TRAVERSE CITY — Tickets are now on sale for A Taste of Success, the premier annual fundraiser for students at NMC’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute, which returns to its in-person format on April 26, for the first time since 2019.
At the strolling tasting event, guests will enjoy international cuisine prepared and served by culinary students along with curated wines and beverages. First held at the Park Place Hotel in 1994, the 2023 to-go event raised more than $145,000 for student scholarships and the greatest needs of the GLCI program.
The Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College offers both degree and certificates. It is accredited by the American Culinary Federation, one of fewer than 200 U.S. colleges to receive that distinction. Students are eligible to become ACF Certified Culinarians upon graduation.
Tickets are $150 each. Sponsorships are also available. Call (231) 995-1021 or buy online at nmc.edu/taste-of-success.
Chef Les Eckert
Director, Great Lakes Culinary Institute
(231) 995-1197
leckert@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
TRAVERSE CITY — High school students and families can learn more about NMC’s new, lower dual enrollment tuition rate for students from outside Grand Traverse County at several upcoming information sessions.
The new rate of $160 per contact hour will allow hundreds more students to access a fast track to an affordable college degree by dual-enrolling at NMC while still in high school, usually as a junior or senior.
School districts pay for dual enrollment, using a portion of their state funding to cover the tuition. Since a student’s residency factors into their NMC tuition rate, however, the state dollars haven’t always covered the total bill. Until now, families could be billed for the difference.
The new rate, unanimously approved by NMC’s Board of Trustees in January, is expected to cover the tuition and fee bill for three- and four-credit classes. This would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for most dual-enrolled students regardless of where they live, with the potential exception of books and course fees, where applicable, such as lab courses.
Five upcoming sessions give students and parents in-person and virtual options to learn more about dual enrollment, the application process and choosing courses aligned with their future goals. In-person sessions are held in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s Front Street campus.
The first two sessions focus more on what classes to take based on individual interests and goals, while the last three are focused on applying and admission. However, families can attend any session that fits their schedule.
Kaitlyn Watson, a 2020 graduate of Grand Traverse Academy, earned 42 credits through dual enrollment at NMC. With that head start, Watson graduated from Michigan State University with her bachelor’s degree in December 2022, just two and a half years after her high school commencement.
“Dual enrollment allowed me to complete college quickly, debt-free, and begin to pursue my true passions,” said Watson, who majored in statistics and now works for MSU. “It truly changed my life.”
Visit nmc.edu/dual-enroll for more information.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu