Oct 28, 2021 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Dear NMC Students, Faculty and Staff:
I hope you are having a successful fall semester! As we head into November, I am looking forward to spending time with friends and family over a meal this Thanksgiving. To make sure we can all share in this important tradition, I am asking for your help.
Recently, instructor Kristy McDonald invited me to a business communications class to see their experiential learning project in action. These students are improving their professional communication skills, while serving the community, by organizing a project to provide 125 Thanksgiving meals to NMC students and local families who need a little extra help this year.
They believe everyone should get to experience Thanksgiving, and with our help, we can help make this come true. They are asking us – the NMC family – to join in the efforts. You can donate as an individual, or join together with your classmates or co-workers to share in the spirit of gratitude! The class is asking us to help them collect:
- Mini Marshmallows (125 bags)
- Cranberry Sauce (125 cans)
Red collection bins will be located on main campus at the Innovation Center, Osterlin Student Success Center and at Parsons-Stulen on the Aeropark Campus.
There are other ways you can help too! The class is looking to make an even greater impact by also raising money. All of the funds raised will go towards the 125 meals. Any additional funds raised will support the NMC Food pantry or be used towards next year’s project. Every donation will be matched up to $5,000! And you might even win a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge by donating. To give go to nmc.edu/give and follow these simple steps.
- Select the amount to give.
- Designate gift to “other.”
- Manually enter “Food For Thought Thanksgiving Project.”
- All contributors will receive a receipt.
- Email the receipt to Cam Walker walke299@mail.nmc.edu to be entered to win a two-night stay at Great Wolf Lodge.
Having experienced homelessness and food insecurity in my life, I know first hand what a difference your donation can make for a family in need. I admire these students’ desire to help others this Thanksgiving. Please join me in supporting this effort. For more information, or if you have any questions, please email Mahli Braak at braakm@mail.nmc.edu.
Thank you for your help. Together we can ensure all Hawk Owls have a memorable Thanksgiving!
Nick Nissley, President
—
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College
Oct 28, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — For the first time ever, Great Lakes researchers have a monitoring buoy on East Grand Traverse Bay, one of three placed this fall in an NMC-Michigan Technological University collaboration.
Purchased with a $48,804 grant NMC received from the Great Lakes Observing System, the buoys are placed near East Bay Park in East Bay, near Greilickville in West Bay, and near North Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.
“We have never had any measurements in East Grand Traverse Bay previously, and having three strategically placed allows comparative understanding of the three separate but connected water bodies.” said Hans Van Sumeren, director of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute.
Data available online include wind speed and direction, wave height and direction, and water temperature. Buoys will be removed in November and outfitted with webcams over the winter, which will offer users video feed of the lake surface updated every 30 minutes.
“These buoys and data will support a broader understanding of Great Lakes processes and will provide users with near real-time information,” Van Sumeren said.
NMC’ offers students the opportunity to gain skills, knowledge and understanding of the world’s dynamic water resources by earning a bachelor’s degree in Marine Technology. Graduates of the bachelor’s program have 100-percent employment in the marine industry. Associate degrees in Engineering Technology-Marine and Freshwater Studies are also available.
Release date: October 28, 2021
For more information:
Hans Van Sumeren
Director, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
(231) 995-1793
hvansumeren@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
Oct 28, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — For the first time ever, Great Lakes researchers have a monitoring buoy on East Grand Traverse Bay, one of three placed this fall in an NMC-Michigan Technological University collaboration.
Purchased with a $48,804 grant NMC received from the Great Lakes Observing System, the buoys are placed near East Bay Park in East Bay, near Greilickville in West Bay, and near North Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.
“We have never had any measurements in East Grand Traverse Bay previously, and having three strategically placed allows comparative understanding of the three separate but connected water bodies.” said Hans Van Sumeren, director of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute.
Data available online include wind speed and direction, wave height and direction, and water temperature. Buoys will be removed in November and outfitted with webcams over the winter, which will offer users video feed of the lake surface updated every 30 minutes.
“These buoys and data will support a broader understanding of Great Lakes processes and will provide users with near real-time information,” Van Sumeren said.
NMC’ offers students the opportunity to gain skills, knowledge and understanding of the world’s dynamic water resources by earning a bachelor’s degree in Marine Technology. Graduates of the bachelor’s program have 100-percent employment in the marine industry. Associate degrees in Engineering Technology-Marine and Freshwater Studies are also available.
Release date: October 28, 2021
For more information:
Hans Van Sumeren
Director, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
(231) 995-1793
hvansumeren@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
Oct 27, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
October 27, 2021
After helping students to incubate two viable companies, technical area instructor Keith Kelly is seeking to build on that success by making 2022 the year that startups take a giant leap forward at NMC.
Students discuss ideas for startups at a Startup Week informational session in October.He’s leading the college’s participation in Northern Michigan Startup Week in May 2022. It’s a regionwide endeavor to teach and promote entrepreneurship, showcase local talent and develop a culture of entrepreneurship, including among high school and college students.
“We want to bring more students into the startup community,” said Kelly. By doing so, students practice experiential learning, an impactful and engaging learning style that NMC is embracing collegewide.
Startup Week will also connect students with the entrepreneurial culture growing in the greater Grand Traverse area. Kelly himself is an example of that. He’s also a program manager at 20Fathoms, a support organization for regional entrepreneurs and another Startup Week presenter.
“Innovation doesn’t just happen,” said Kelly, left. To that end, he’s now recruiting students for Startup Seminar, a for-credit spring semester course that begins in January. About a dozen students attended the first information session earlier this month. A second is set for 1 p.m. Nov. 19 in Osterlin 203. Kelly’s hoping to enroll enough students to fill out five startup teams, which will each develop an idea into a marketable product or service. The course culminates with Startup Week, and a pitch competition to win a top prize of $1,500.
Startup Seminar is the next generation of a course called Design Principles that Kelly’s taught for several years. Now-thriving local robotics companies Interactive Aerial and Hybrid Robotics both started up in that course.
Students do not have to be enrolled in the course to participate in Startup Week, nor is participation in the week limited to students. Besides the pitch competition, the week’s other events include Space Night at the Hagerty Center, a “Funding Innovation” lunch, a Startup Expo at 20Fathoms and a showcase of startups from Michigan universities. The Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center will also host the final event, TechStars, which condenses the idea of Startup Seminar to a weekend.
Startup Week will be promoted at the TC New Tech Pitch Night Nov. 2. Pitch Night is a monthly competition for entrepreneurs to win seed funding and investor attention. Hybrid Robotics won it in 2018.
Whether their idea wins or loses in May, however, it’s the startup experience, from idea conception to team formation, from the build-out to overcoming obstacles, that will benefit students down the road.
“NMC is innovating around learning,” Kelly said.
Oct 27, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
October 27, 2021
After helping students to incubate two viable companies, technical area instructor Keith Kelly is seeking to build on that success by making 2022 the year that startups take a giant leap forward at NMC.
Students discuss ideas for startups at a Startup Week informational session in October.He’s leading the college’s participation in Northern Michigan Startup Week in May 2022. It’s a regionwide endeavor to teach and promote entrepreneurship, showcase local talent and develop a culture of entrepreneurship, including among high school and college students.
“We want to bring more students into the startup community,” said Kelly. By doing so, students practice experiential learning, an impactful and engaging learning style that NMC is embracing collegewide.
Startup Week will also connect students with the entrepreneurial culture growing in the greater Grand Traverse area. Kelly himself is an example of that. He’s also a program manager at 20Fathoms, a support organization for regional entrepreneurs and another Startup Week presenter.
“Innovation doesn’t just happen,” said Kelly, left. To that end, he’s now recruiting students for Startup Seminar, a for-credit spring semester course that begins in January. About a dozen students attended the first information session earlier this month. A second is set for 1 p.m. Nov. 19 in Osterlin 203. Kelly’s hoping to enroll enough students to fill out five startup teams, which will each develop an idea into a marketable product or service. The course culminates with Startup Week, and a pitch competition to win a top prize of $1,500.
Startup Seminar is the next generation of a course called Design Principles that Kelly’s taught for several years. Now-thriving local robotics companies Interactive Aerial and Hybrid Robotics both started up in that course.
Students do not have to be enrolled in the course to participate in Startup Week, nor is participation in the week limited to students. Besides the pitch competition, the week’s other events include Space Night at the Hagerty Center, a “Funding Innovation” lunch, a Startup Expo at 20Fathoms and a showcase of startups from Michigan universities. The Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center will also host the final event, TechStars, which condenses the idea of Startup Seminar to a weekend.
Startup Week will be promoted at the TC New Tech Pitch Night Nov. 2. Pitch Night is a monthly competition for entrepreneurs to win seed funding and investor attention. Hybrid Robotics won it in 2018.
Whether their idea wins or loses in May, however, it’s the startup experience, from idea conception to team formation, from the build-out to overcoming obstacles, that will benefit students down the road.
“NMC is innovating around learning,” Kelly said.
Oct 26, 2021 | Announcements & News, Intercom, Student News
The Health & Science Building’s first-floor atrium on NMC’s main campus will be used as a city polling place for Precinct 9 voters again this year, including on Tuesday, Nov. 2 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Some parking in the Cedar lot will be set aside for voters at those times.
Voters are asked but not required to wear masks at the polling place. Masks will be provided for people who don’t have them but would like one. Those not voting are asked to avoid the polling place during voting. (NMC’s Keep Safe plan requires that face masks be worn in all other NMC common areas, hallways and classrooms.)
Oct 26, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
The NMC Board of Trustees completed a performance evaluation of President Nick Nissley at the October 25, 2021, Board of Trustees meeting. The evaluation with President Nissley was held in closed session, pursuant to his request and in compliance with the Open Meetings Act.
The board rated President Nissley as very effective in initiating the strategic planning process, leading the college through a pandemic, and strengthening connections with the community and college stakeholders, and instructed the Presidential Performance and Compensation Committee (PPC) to negotiate an extension of his 2-year contract.
Read the performance evaluation here.
Oct 22, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) Professional Communications students are helping local families this Thanksgiving through the eighth annual Food for Thought Thanks-for-Giving project. Due to COVID-19, students have developed alternative methods to get the community involved and limit face-to-face contact.
The students’ goal is to improve their communication skills through experiential learning and to feed 125 families this holiday season. By raising donations, the students will provide meal boxes that include a turkey and all the sides to feed a family of six. Boxes will be distributed on Monday, November 22, to 75 families selected by the NMC Food Pantry and 50 by Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Community donors have the opportunity to get involved and win a two-night stay at The Great Wolf Lodge by donating $10 or more at nmc.edu/give. (Choose the amount, select “designate my gift to other,” and type in “Food For Thought.”) To be entered into the prize drawing, forward donation receipt to Cam Walker at walke299@mail.nmc.edu. A private donor has also agreed to match monetary donations up to $5,000.The students also welcome any other local businesses that would like to partner on this project.
Release date: OCTOBER 22, 2021
For more information:
Mahli Braak
Marketing Team Leader
(616) 540-8740
braakm@mail.nmc.edu
Kristy McDonald
Business Instructor
(231) 995-1059
kmcdonald@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
Oct 21, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) Professional Communications students are helping local families this Thanksgiving through the eighth annual Food for Thought Thanks-for-Giving project. Due to COVID-19, students have developed alternative methods to get the community involved and limit face-to-face contact.
The students’ goal is to improve their communication skills through experiential learning and to feed 125 families this holiday season. By raising donations, the students will provide meal boxes that include a turkey and all the sides to feed a family of six. Boxes will be distributed on Monday, November 22, to 75 families selected by the NMC Food Pantry and 50 by Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Community donors have the opportunity to get involved and win a two-night stay at The Great Wolf Lodge by donating $10 or more at nmc.edu/give. (Choose the amount, select “designate my gift to other,” and type in “Food For Thought.”) To be entered into the prize drawing, forward donation receipt to Cam Walker at walke299@mail.nmc.edu. A private donor has also agreed to match monetary donations up to $5,000.The students also welcome any other local businesses that would like to partner on this project.
Release date: OCTOBER 22, 2021
For more information:
Mahli Braak
Marketing Team Leader
(616) 540-8740
braakm@mail.nmc.edu
Kristy McDonald
Business Instructor
(231) 995-1059
kmcdonald@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
Oct 20, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Michael Estes has resigned from NMC’s Board of Trustees effective Oct. 17.
Estes, who was elected to the board in 2016, did not cite any reason for his resignation. During his tenure he served on the Building and Site, Barbecue, Fellows Nominating and Policy committees as well as the Foundation Board.
Michigan law requires the Board to appoint a replacement trustee within 30 days, who will fill the term until the next regular community college election. That election is in November 2022. 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. November 3, 2021. 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. Final appointment will be made by the full NMC Board of Trustees at a special meeting on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 2 p.m. at NMC’s Hagerty Center.
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: October 20, 2021
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
Oct 19, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
The NMC Bookstore will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 2, for the election. We will reopen Wednesday, Nov. 3.
Oct 19, 2021 | Student News
Did you know that over 65 instructors have saved NMC students more than $2 million since 2015 by switching to teach their courses with open and low-cost course materials?
Registration for Spring 2022 opens this Wednesday (10/20) and you can now filter the searchable course schedule for sections that use zero-cost and low-cost (<$40) textbooks.
You can find step-by-step instructions on using the Zero-Cost and Low-Cost Textbook filters here.
Please note that while every effort is made to ensure accuracy of these designations in the registration portal, they are subject to change in rare cases of schedule revisions or instructor reassignment.
Oct 19, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute has been named the 2022 Best in the Midwest culinary school by Intelligent.com, a resource for online/on-campus program rankings and higher education planning.
The site identifies 50 top programs in the nation based on flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. NMC’s GLCI was awarded Best in the Midwest on the final list. Researchers compared 126 programs from 65 universities and colleges across the United States.
Accredited by the American Culinary Federation, the Great Lakes Culinary Institute offers two associate degrees, one in culinary arts and one in culinary sales and marketing, as well as a one-year general culinary certificate and a one-year baking certificate.
GLCI was previously ranked No. 11 culinary school nationwide by bestchoiceschools.com, and No. 9 among culinary schools by bestvalueschools.com. Find out more about the program at nmc.edu/culinary or watch a video.
Release date: October 19, 2021
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
Oct 19, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute has been named the 2022 Best in the Midwest culinary school by Intelligent.com, a resource for online/on-campus program rankings and higher education planning.
The site identifies 50 top programs in the nation based on flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. NMC’s GLCI was awarded Best in the Midwest on the final list. Researchers compared 126 programs from 65 universities and colleges across the United States.
Accredited by the American Culinary Federation, the Great Lakes Culinary Institute offers two associate degrees, one in culinary arts and one in culinary sales and marketing, as well as a one-year general culinary certificate and a one-year baking certificate.
GLCI was previously ranked No. 11 culinary school nationwide by bestchoiceschools.com, and No. 9 among culinary schools by bestvalueschools.com. Find out more about the program at nmc.edu/culinary or watch a video.
Release date: October 19, 2021
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
Oct 18, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
This year’s market is the FIRST WEEKEND IN NOVEMBER!
Our Holiday Artist Market is an annual fundraiser for the Dennos Museum Center. In its 22nd year, the Market seeks to offer visitors a lively shopping experience featuring fine art and handmade goods including pottery, jewelry, wood and metal work, fiber art, print, painting, mixed media and more handmade items by juried Michigan artists. NMC employees and students get a 10% discount. Please be sure to mention it or bring your ID at checkout.
Meet our talented artists here: shop.dennosmuseum.org/2021-holiday-artist-market
Masks are required for everyone following Northwestern Michigan College’s COIVD-19 policy. If you forget your mask, one will be provided for you.
Friday, Nov. 5–Sunday, Nov. 7
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sculpture Court, Dennos Museum Center
Holiday Artist Market design created by intern Koree Bemiss, NMC ’21.
Oct 18, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College Foundation announced that it raised $40.3 million through Be What’s Possible, the Campaign for NMC. With these results, the college celebrates its most successful fundraising campaign in its history and the largest fundraising campaign undertaken by any Michigan community college to date.
Key to that success was the leadership of volunteer alumni co-chairs Susie Janis (‘67) and Bruce Byl (‘79). In recognition of their contributions, the NMC Foundation has announced the creation of the Susanne M. Janis Service Award, recognizing extraordinary contributions to the NMC Foundation through volunteer service. The award honors NMC alumna Susie Janis, whose commitment to the college has included time as chair and member of the Foundation Board and chair of many fundraising campaigns, including the most recent Be What’s Possible campaign and the campaign to build the Dennos Museum Center in 1991. Along with her husband, Bill Janis, Susie has served as a lead donor and passionate advocate for the college for decades.
The inaugural awards were presented to Janis and Bruce Byl, who served alongside Janis as co-chair of the Be What’s Possible campaign. In announcing the awards, NMC Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Teahen said, “The success of this campaign would not have been possible without an amazing leadership-level volunteer team. Susie and Bruce, leading the way, engaged the campaign team and their peers throughout the community, supporting the work of the college and the foundation every step of the way.”
At campaign close on June 30, 2021, more than 5,200 donors gave 17,800 gifts (both current gifts and planned gift commitments) over five years, totaling $40.3 million. This includes:
- $4.2 million for The Fund for NMC, meeting the greatest needs of the college and students
- $7.2 million for capital and facilities, which supported expansion and renovation of the Dennos Museum Center and construction of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
- $11.1 million in program support, which includes program development, equipment, and general budget support
- $17.8 million in scholarships for students, including $9.6 million to existing scholarship funds
- 64 new scholarship funds and 13 new program funds established
The Be What’s Possible campaign was the first comprehensive campaign for NMC, where philanthropic gifts (both current gifts and planned gift commitments) to all areas of the college were counted toward the goal. Reflecting on the achievements, Teahen said, “The results of this campaign are already having significant impact for students and will continue to have impact for decades to come. The dedication of our community and our donors has meant new and improved learning spaces and tremendous growth in program support and scholarships for students.”
She added, “Using the model of a comprehensive institution-wide campaign was unusual for a community college and indeed, Be What’s Possible is one of the largest campaigns undertaken by a community college nationally. All of us at NMC are so grateful for the incredible bond our community has with NMC that made this campaign success possible—for our students and for our region.”
The funds raised support students across all of NMC’s campuses as well as the Dennos Museum Center, WNMC, Extended Education, and the International Affairs Forum. The Foundation saw a significant increase in the volume of donations during the pandemic.
“Through the generosity of donors, we were able to provide more support to students, not only through scholarships, but also with support for housing, supplies, and food, keeping them in school through trying circumstances,” Teahen said. “We are so grateful for each and every donor who has supported the college in this campaign and throughout the years.”
Release date: October 18, 2021
For more information:
Rebecca Teahen
Associate Vice President for Resource Development & Executive Director, NMC Foundation
rteahen@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1855
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
Oct 18, 2021 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College Foundation announced that it raised $40.3 million through Be What’s Possible, the Campaign for NMC. With these results, the college celebrates its most successful fundraising campaign in its history and the largest fundraising campaign undertaken by any Michigan community college to date.
Key to that success was the leadership of volunteer alumni co-chairs Susie Janis (‘67) and Bruce Byl (‘79). In recognition of their contributions, the NMC Foundation has announced the creation of the Susanne M. Janis Service Award, recognizing extraordinary contributions to the NMC Foundation through volunteer service. The award honors NMC alumna Susie Janis, whose commitment to the college has included time as chair and member of the Foundation Board and chair of many fundraising campaigns, including the most recent Be What’s Possible campaign and the campaign to build the Dennos Museum Center in 1991. Along with her husband, Bill Janis, Susie has served as a lead donor and passionate advocate for the college for decades.
The inaugural awards were presented to Janis and Bruce Byl, who served alongside Janis as co-chair of the Be What’s Possible campaign. In announcing the awards, NMC Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Teahen said, “The success of this campaign would not have been possible without an amazing leadership-level volunteer team. Susie and Bruce, leading the way, engaged the campaign team and their peers throughout the community, supporting the work of the college and the foundation every step of the way.”
At campaign close on June 30, 2021, more than 5,200 donors gave 17,800 gifts (both current gifts and planned gift commitments) over five years, totaling $40.3 million. This includes:
- $4.2 million for The Fund for NMC, meeting the greatest needs of the college and students
- $7.2 million for capital and facilities, which supported expansion and renovation of the Dennos Museum Center and construction of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
- $11.1 million in program support, which includes program development, equipment, and general budget support
- $17.8 million in scholarships for students, including $9.6 million to existing scholarship funds
- 64 new scholarship funds and 13 new program funds established
The Be What’s Possible campaign was the first comprehensive campaign for NMC, where philanthropic gifts (both current gifts and planned gift commitments) to all areas of the college were counted toward the goal. Reflecting on the achievements, Teahen said, “The results of this campaign are already having significant impact for students and will continue to have impact for decades to come. The dedication of our community and our donors has meant new and improved learning spaces and tremendous growth in program support and scholarships for students.”
She added, “Using the model of a comprehensive institution-wide campaign was unusual for a community college and indeed, Be What’s Possible is one of the largest campaigns undertaken by a community college nationally. All of us at NMC are so grateful for the incredible bond our community has with NMC that made this campaign success possible—for our students and for our region.”
The funds raised support students across all of NMC’s campuses as well as the Dennos Museum Center, WNMC, Extended Education, and the International Affairs Forum. The Foundation saw a significant increase in the volume of donations during the pandemic.
“Through the generosity of donors, we were able to provide more support to students, not only through scholarships, but also with support for housing, supplies, and food, keeping them in school through trying circumstances,” Teahen said. “We are so grateful for each and every donor who has supported the college in this campaign and throughout the years.”
Release date: October 18, 2021
For more information:
Rebecca Teahen
Associate Vice President for Resource Development & Executive Director, NMC Foundation
rteahen@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1855
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
Oct 15, 2021 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Good afternoon Northwestern Michigan College family,
Over the past three weeks, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Maritime Administration, and the entire U.S. maritime industry has been addressing the issue of sexual assault and sexual harassment onboard U.S. merchant vessels. This work has been necessitated by the report of a serious sexual assault of a midshipman enrolled at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Due to the seriousness of this incident, I feel it’s important to address this issue with you. First, I want you to know we stand with the survivors of sexual assault and harassment and condemn the actions reported in this incident. Second, I want to share how Northwestern Michigan College and our Great Lakes Maritime Academy have been working to improve the safety of our cadets.
Safety, onshore and while underway has always been a top priority for the College and the Academy. The initiatives and best practices we have developed and adopted over the past decade, in an effort to make certain the cadet experience is positive and free of harassment, include the following:
- The Office of Student Life provides in-person Title IX/Campus SaVE Act training to all cadets prior to their first classes. This training is again provided to all cadets at the end of second semester, subsequent to sailing onboard the Training Ship State of Michigan.
- All cadets complete Social Responsibility training, as approved by the U.S. Coast Guard during their first year at the Academy.
- Every cadet meets with the GLMA Superintendent individually prior to sailing on a commercial vessel. The superintendent provides an avenue for safe reporting, including his and the Dean of Students contact information if there are any incidents. There is also an option to report anonymously.
- Great Lakes Maritime Academy Sea Project Syllabi have been amended to include contact information for reporting inappropriate behavior.
- NMC now administers a survey at the end of every sea project to allow students to anonymously describe their experience.
- The Academy staff has adopted the practice of reaching out to each cadet who is sailing onboard a commercial vessel via text message, to ensure their safety.
We are also committed to continuous improvement. After listening to alumni of the maritime program, during the last year we’ve convened a cross campus team to:
- Further collaborate with GLMA, NMC Student Life, and the staffs of the other state maritime academies to share best practices in order to prevent harassment and assault onboard training ships
- Continue to find ways to assist cadets to adequately prepare for their sea projects, and ensure their safety.
In early November, the GLMA Board of Visitors will hold its annual meeting. The topic of ensuring a safe experience for cadets will be a primary agenda item. Among the initiatives we will begin, that Board of Visitors members have committed to assisting with, include:
- Vetting ships that carry GLMA cadets using a system developed by the federal government for use by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and
- Visiting vessels while cadets are onboard.
These actions are important and critical to the success of the College, the Academy, and the cadets. I want to personally assure you that we take these concerns seriously at every level of the organization. I have been particularly impressed with the commitment of the entire faculty and staff of Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy, and their dedication to addressing this issue. We are committed to our cadet’s safety and we are continuously working to improve our learning environment. It is critically important to me that all of our students feel safe while enrolled at the College, preparing to serve the nation as officers in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
We are not alone in this important work. Attached you will find a letter from the Consortium of State Maritime Academies which was sent last night to Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley. This letter states that this recent incident, “is not a single academy incident, nor is it a single shipping company incident, nor a single shipping union incident,” and that as one of the nation’s six state maritime academies we are “deeply committed to working with the entire maritime industry to actively address sexual harassment and assault.” I am confident together we can make positive change.
Thank you,
Nick
—
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College
Release date: October 15, 2021
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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