Cybersecurity pop-up’s are complete for Fall 2024! The winners of the prizes are Ava Plamondon and Neil Streeter! Kudos to Neil for being a cybersecurity expert and still being willing to test his knowledge.
Thanks to everyone who played a game. Good Cybersecurity choices are core to NMC’s well-being!
The Hawk Owl Café will have special operating hours during the week of Thanksgiving and will only be serving daily specials on Monday and Tuesday.
Italian Pasta Bake with meatballs
served with garlic crostini and green beans
Italian Pasta Bake with roasted vegetables (V)
served with garlic crostini and green beans
The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Beef Tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese and chipotle ranch
served with tortilla chips, queso blanco and refried beans
Tofu Tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and chipotle ranch (V)
served with tortilla chips, queso blanco and refried beans
The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Thanksgiving Break – No Special
Northwest Grind will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the café will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed – Happy Thanksgiving!
Closed – Happy Thanksgiving!
Closed – Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Break – No Special
Northwest Grind will be open from 2–6 p.m.
Spring textbooks will be available on Dec. 1. Stop by the NMC Campus Bookstore or check them out online at bookstore.nmc.edu. Looking to use financial aid for your books? Spring financial aid will be available Dec. 9–Jan. 30.
Fall textbook rentals are due back by Tuesday, December 17. All rentals should be returned to the NMC Campus Bookstore located in the Health & Science Building on NMC’s Front Street Campus.
Books that have been purchased can be sold back during December 9-13.
Whether you’re hosting a “Friendsgiving”, snowed in, home for the holidays, or just plain bored over break—the NMC Library has plenty of options to make this winter amazing, including many exciting NEW arrivals to the collection!
Play a board game to get the holiday party started with some friendly competition! We’ve added over 20 new games to the collection this semester, from classics like Battleship, Scrabble, and Trouble, to new favorites like Wavelength, Azul, and Monikers. We’ve even added some RPGs like Mausritter and The Quiet Year for those looking for a more immersive experience!
Learn an instrument, because nothing beats cabin fever like picking up a new hobby! This semester, we’ve added bongo drums for percussion and a headphone amplifier for quieter practice sessions!
Piece together a puzzle and relax while also boosting your mental agility! We recommend the Women in Art puzzle, featuring a diverse array of fifteen accomplished artists, from well-known figures such as Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keefe to lesser-known trailblazers including nineteenth-century African American sculptor Mary Edmonia Lewis and Hopi-Tewa ceramic artist Nampeyo!
Try your hand at crafting and create a truly unique, handmade gift for your loved one! This semester, we’ve added an art projector, calligraphy set AND weaving loom to the collection!
Browse our full collection of Library of Things in the online catalog.
NMC is hosting a mobile food pantry in partnership with Feeding America from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25 in the Maple Lot of the Front Street campus.
The tentative list of menu items includes carrots, apples, cheese, potatoes, squash, rice, peppers, grapes and juice. College caffeine fiends rejoice: we anticipate we will also have a donation of 1000 bottles of mountain dew.
Walk or drive-thru options exist. Come over and drive-thru OR bring a backpack or reusable bag and take what you and your household can use in the next 7-10 days.
This program is specifically designed to support NMC students [and their households] by supplementing their diets with fresh, healthy produce while helping to free up financial resources to cover other household expenses. Everyone is welcome. Take as little or as much as you need for your household.
One additional distribution will be offered this later semester on Monday, December 2. Seven additional pantries will be held during the spring semester.
Mike Morefield, a maintenance apprentice at LearUpdated for the modern economy, apprenticeships are flourishing at NMC in traditional as well as new fields, helping create a workforce equipped for the 21st century.
“There are so many wins,” said Zoe Lilly, manager at Lear Corp. in Traverse City, which has had 16 apprenticeships with NMC, for tool and die and maintenance positions. From her employer perspective, the chief win is a reliable pipeline of staff in an era when it’s difficult to hire externally.
“It’s easier to train from within. The partnership with NMC has been great,” Lilly said.
Apprenticeships, which are being recognized this week as National Apprenticeship Week, have spread beyond traditional trade and manufacturing fields, too.
“There’s a national shortage in surgical technologists. We were struggling with getting applicants, period,” said Amy Verburg, director of surgical services at Munson Medical Center. That has started to shift since the hospital started a surgical technologist apprenticeship with NMC in 2023.
“It looks like it’s gaining momentum,” Verburg said.
From the student/ employee perspective, it’s a way to cover their educational costs — flipping the historical script. Apprenticeships originated in the Middle Ages as unpaid labor exchanged for the opportunity to learn from a skilled trades or craftsman.
“As soon as an opening came up, I went for it,” said Mike Morefield, who started as an assembly worker at Lear in 2020, entered the manufacturing apprenticeship program in 2021 and earned his certificate in 2023. Lear paid for his tuition, books, and basic tools. Other companies reimburse for tuition.
As an apprentice Morefield started at 74% of the journey worker wage of $33 per hour. Within four years he reached the full journey worker wage.
“All of the teachers were very supportive,” said Morefield, 36, who had last been in a classroom in 2006.
Surgical Technology student Danielle Ellis, 30, is enthusiastic about her career path, which includes an apprenticeship at Munson.
“I’m getting paid to learn,” said Ellis. Her tuition is paid through Michigan Reconnect. She has the added incentive of a $10,000 signing bonus after she completes her one-year program.
“I’m already guaranteed a job,” she said. “I totally think I made the right move.”
Surgical Technology coordinator Breana Goodell said the attraction of the apprenticeship has boosted enrollment, too.
“This is really helping get more students to come in. Our numbers have gone up significantly,” she said.
Derek Councilor
(high resolution image)TRAVERSE CITY — NMC has named Derek Councilor, an apprentice at Sara Lee Frozen Bakery as its 2024 Apprentice of the Year for his exceptional work ethic.
Councilor, 38, of Traverse City, has been completing his apprenticeship since 2022. He works full-time in the maintenance department on second shift at Sara Lee Frozen Bakery while taking courses toward four different certificates. The first three are from NMC.
Councilor’s colleagues praised his abilities at a ceremony held Wednesday at NMC’s Parsons-Stulen Building in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week. He was commended for his high-quality on-time work, friendliness, knowledgeability and leadership among his peers, and attendance and early arrival.
“He is a multi-team player,” said Dan Wallington, maintenance department manager, adding that Councilor works with the operations team as well as maintenance and helps train more junior employees. “Derek helps continue the confidence we have in the apprenticeships.”
Sara Lee currently has three active apprentices and two who have graduated from NMC’s program. Senior Human Resources generalist Caitlin Zielinski said apprentices accelerate through the company’s skill grid at a doubled pace.
“It’s twice the speed of anyone doing on the job training,” Zielinski said. “It is so beneficial and I hope it continues to grow.”
Councilor said he likes the opportunity to advance quickly, too, which he’s seen modeled with previous apprentices.
“I like the classes. It’s all stuff I’m interested in,” he said. “Our last apprentice is now our lead electrician.”
Find out more at nmc.edu/apprenticeships
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
NMC Esports‘ Rocket League team comprised of Luke Bobrowski, Maddox Cullimore, Kaden Novath and Grant Shivley won their first Divisional Championship last night! Make sure to congratulate them for representing us on a regional stage. Stay tuned as our Overwatch team is on the cusp of winning an additional championship.
Go Hawk Owls!!!
Mark your calendars! Registration for College for Kids 2025 will open on Monday, February 3 at nmc.edu/kids. Classes will run Monday through Thursday, from June 16 through July 31. Perfect for kids and teens ages 3-17 this summer.
NMC has added new software that displays emergency alerts on all NMC computers on campus. This system will be integrated into the monthly emergency text, phone and email tests run on the first Monday of each month. Expect to see the first one Monday, Dec. 2. Learn more about NMC’s emergency alert system and commitment to a safe campus.
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:40–6 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Lamb Gyros with pita bread
served with lemon rice and Greek orzo salad
Falafel Gyros with pita bread (V)
served with lemon rice and Greek orzo salad
Sesame Chicken Stir Fry
served with basmati rice and egg rolls
Sesame Tofu Stir Fry (V)
served with basmati rice and egg rolls
Thanksgiving Meal Special ($9.99 per meal)
Sun-Dried Tomato Rigatoni with Italian sausage
served with garlic bread and broccoli
Sun-Dried Tomato Rigatoni with roasted vegetables (V)
served with garlic bread and broccoli
Hawk Owl Café smashburger with bacon and onion straws
served with garlic aioli, sweet potato fries and asparagus
Impossible Burger with cheese & onion straws on brioche (V)
served with garlic aioli, sweet potato fries and asparagus
Traverse City — The NMC Board of Trustees Audit Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19 in room 14 (lower level) of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s Front Street campus, 1701 E. Front Street, Traverse City. The meeting notice is available here.
The Board of Trustees will host a study session at 3 p.m. the same day, also in room 14 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center. The meeting notice and agenda are available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials daily on Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:40–6 p.m. The protein option is $9.99 and the vegetarian option is $7.99.
Slow-roasted pot roast with gravy. Served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Roasted sweet potato (V) with kale. Served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Indigenous People’s Dinner with Chef Sam Anglin (served from 4:30 PM – 6:00 p.m.)
$7.00 for students and $14.00 for community members.
Orange popeye chicken bowl with mandarin oranges. Served with rice and bosco sticks.
Baked Tofu Bowl (V) with mandarin oranges. Served with rice and bosco sticks.
Breakfast for Dinner!
Beer-battered cod sandwich with tartar sauce. Served with creamy coleslaw and French fries
BBQ jackfruit (V) with brioche bun. Served with creamy coleslaw and french fries.
TRAVERSE CITY — The Policy Committee of Northwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees will meet at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12 in the President’s Conference Room of the Tanis Building on NMC’s Front Street campus, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City. The official meeting notice is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Stop by the campus bookstore for new student-made products!
2025 calendars and holiday greeting cards are available until the end of the year—don’t wait! Limited quantities are available.
Have fun meeting new people while learning to swing dance with the NMC Swing Dance Club.
The club meets every Saturday from 7-9 pm in room 120 of the Rajkovich Physical Education Center on NMC’s Front Street Campus. All are welcome.
At Northwestern Michigan College, we’re proud to be a partner in building a stronger, more vibrant community. In a new publication arriving in Grand Traverse County mailboxes next week – our inaugural Community Report – we demonstrate how NMC is improving lives right here, from offering high-quality education and workforce training to supporting local innovation and leadership.
This report shares real stories of student success and community impact, showing how NMC is dedicated to making Grand Traverse County a better place to live, work, and grow. Whether you’re a local resident, business owner, partner or student, you’ll see how NMC is helping shape a brighter future for all of us. For example:
The report will be mailed to Grand Traverse County residents and businesses mid-November. Read the online version here. Request a copy here.
TRAVERSE CITY — Following a national search, interim Great Lakes Water Studies Institute Director and NMC alumnus John Lutchko has been named the permanent GLWSI director, charged with leading the distinctive program forward at a critical juncture.
GLWSI houses NMC’s bachelor of science degree in Marine Technology, the only such degree in the world, along with the new Water Quality & Environmental Technology associate degree and the Freshwater Studies transfer pathway.
“GLWSI and the Great Lakes Maritime Academy represent the college’s commitment to water-based education and workforce development,” said Jason Slade, NMC vice president for strategic initiatives. “John made it clear during a robust national search and interview process that he had the passion, expertise, and vision to drive the Institute forward. I’m excited for what lies ahead under John’s leadership.”
Succeeding GLWSI’s first director Hans Van Sumeren, who left the college in July, Lutchko will lead efforts to enhance GLWSI’s sustainability and efficiency. His work will also include:
“I am thrilled to lead the next chapter of the GLWSI and to build upon our strong foundation. I’m fortunate to work alongside such a fantastic team at NMC and in the broader community as we aim to elevate the institute to new heights,” Lutchko said.
Lutchko has been part of the NMC community for almost 15 years, first as a student in the Freshwater Studies program, graduating in 2013. He served as GLWSI lab coordinator and manager, and has clocked more than 1,000 hours piloting and maintaining ROVs, captaining the R/V Northwestern, and presenting at national conferences on workforce training.
In that previous role, he co-taught many of Marine Tech’s key technical classes and delivered workforce and professional training. He has served on national organizations and at conferences, including the esteemed Marine Technology Society and Oceans 2025.
He has played a key part in the evolution of the Marine Technology program as its focus broadened from ROVs to include hydrographic surveying, remote sensing, and data analysis, resulting in outstanding job placement rates.
Lutchko has also supported numerous research projects, working with NOAA, the National Park Service, and the United States Geological Survey throughout the Great Lakes.
Demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning, earlier this year Lutchko completed a master of science degree in Geospatial Technology from Michigan Technological University.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
