Graduation Caps and Gowns
Congratulations, Class of 2022!
Caps and gowns are available for purchase at the NMC Campus Store or online at bookstore.nmc.edu.
Virtual Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC invites the community to attend its annual Veterans Day ceremonies virtually beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, via Zoom: https://nmc.zoom.us/j/
The schedule is as follows:
9 a.m.: Opening Remarks by Student Veterans of America President, Alex Swainston and Northwestern Michigan College President, Nick Nissley, Ed.D.
9:15: Posting the colors, playing of “Taps” and three volleys by VFW Cherryland Post 2780
9:20: Coining Ceremony for VFW Veterans
9:25: Closing remarks by POC, Military & Veteran Services/Advisor, Scott Herzberg
Serving those who have served the nation is a year-round priority at NMC, where about 5 percent of students are veterans or active duty military. This year, for the third year in a row, NMC is ranked as the No. 2 community college in the country for veterans by Military Times magazine in its annual Best for Vets list.
Release date: November 5, 2020
For more information:
Scott Herzberg
POC, Military & Veteran Services
sherzberg@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2526
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-discriminationSuccess Story: TC Central grad spending semester in Switzerland
February 23, 2022
2019 Traverse City Central High School graduate Ted Roe landed in Geneva, Switzerland last month to begin a semester studying abroad and interning at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
Roe’s dual-enrolled classes at NMC, which he took as a Central student, were an important step on that journey across the Atlantic Ocean, to one of the most prestigious centers of scientific research in the world.
At NMC, Roe took Calculus III and Differential Equations. Both were key to him being able to complete a double major in math and physics at Notre Dame University within four years.
“Getting those high level math classes was a really high priority,” said Roe, now a junior. “It was extremely beneficial to me.”
He’ll spend the spring semester studying at the University of Geneva, and working at CERN. Classes will be taught in French, and Roe expects that to be “a little rough” at first.
Later this winter, NMC Admissions staff will begin visiting regional high schools recruiting for dual enrollment this fall. Students can enroll as early as ninth grade. In-district tuition is paid by the school district, not the student or their families, saving both time and money. The newest partnerships are with the Greenspire High School and Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center.
On average, dual-enrolled students earn between 30–40 credits. Some earn enough to start college as sophomores or even higher. Read more about dual enrollment and the successes of dual-enrolled students from:
Success Story: TC Central grad spending semester in Switzerland
February 23, 2022
2019 Traverse City Central High School graduate Ted Roe landed in Geneva, Switzerland last month to begin a semester studying abroad and interning at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
Roe’s dual-enrolled classes at NMC, which he took as a Central student, were an important step on that journey across the Atlantic Ocean, to one of the most prestigious centers of scientific research in the world.
At NMC, Roe took Calculus III and Differential Equations. Both were key to him being able to complete a double major in math and physics at Notre Dame University within four years.
“Getting those high level math classes was a really high priority,” said Roe, now a junior. “It was extremely beneficial to me.”
He’ll spend the spring semester studying at the University of Geneva, and working at CERN. Classes will be taught in French, and Roe expects that to be “a little rough” at first.
Later this winter, NMC Admissions staff will begin visiting regional high schools recruiting for dual enrollment this fall. Students can enroll as early as ninth grade. In-district tuition is paid by the school district, not the student or their families, saving both time and money. The newest partnerships are with the Greenspire High School and Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center.
On average, dual-enrolled students earn between 30–40 credits. Some earn enough to start college as sophomores or even higher. Read more about dual enrollment and the successes of dual-enrolled students from:
COVID-19: Important update on masks
Good afternoon NMC community,
Starting Monday, Feb. 28, Northwestern Michigan College will move to a new phase of our COVID-19 response. Masks will be recommended, but no longer required, while inside NMC buildings. This change aligns College policy with state and local guidelines, spurred by a downward trend of cases, related hospitalizations, and an increased vaccination rate in our service area. Echoing the messages from our health departments, the College continues to promote vaccination, boosters, and high-filtration masks as proven protective measures that should be considered based on individual risk factors. Further:
- N95 and surgical masks will continue to be provided in all campus buildings.
- The College will continue its quarantine protocols, contract tracing efforts, enhanced cleaning/sanitization efforts, and rapid testing services through Health Services.
- Case reporting procedures are still in effect and will continue to be reported on NMC’s COVID-19 Dashboard.
- If you are experiencing any cold or flu-like systems, please stay home and seek campus or community testing resources to help mitigate on-campus spread.
- As an exception, the College’s Health Occupation programs and Health Services office will continue required masking based on Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommendations.
It has been almost two years since we began the COVID-19 response efforts to keep our community safe and limit the disruption to learning. We can be proud of our united approach grounded in our NMC values of integrity, collaboration and respect. As a result, while we have faced challenges, our NMC community continues to deliver on our mission everyday. As we enter this “post-surge recovery phase,” the College will continue to monitor conditions and will be prepared to adjust protocols as needed. Thank you for your support and for continuing to model the NMC values that are central to our shared success. If you have questions related to NMC’s COVID-19 response please contact us using this feedback form.
COVID-19: Important update on masks
Good afternoon NMC community,
Starting Monday, Feb. 28, Northwestern Michigan College will move to a new phase of our COVID-19 response. Masks will be recommended, but no longer required, while inside NMC buildings. This change aligns College policy with state and local guidelines, spurred by a downward trend of cases, related hospitalizations, and an increased vaccination rate in our service area. Echoing the messages from our health departments, the College continues to promote vaccination, boosters, and high-filtration masks as proven protective measures that should be considered based on individual risk factors. Further:
- N95 and surgical masks will continue to be provided in all campus buildings.
- The College will continue its quarantine protocols, contract tracing efforts, enhanced cleaning/sanitization efforts, and rapid testing services through Health Services.
- Case reporting procedures are still in effect and will continue to be reported on NMC’s COVID-19 Dashboard.
- If you are experiencing any cold or flu-like systems, please stay home and seek campus or community testing resources to help mitigate on-campus spread.
- As an exception, the College’s Health Occupation programs and Health Services office will continue required masking based on Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommendations.
It has been almost two years since we began the COVID-19 response efforts to keep our community safe and limit the disruption to learning. We can be proud of our united approach grounded in our NMC values of integrity, collaboration and respect. As a result, while we have faced challenges, our NMC community continues to deliver on our mission everyday. As we enter this “post-surge recovery phase,” the College will continue to monitor conditions and will be prepared to adjust protocols as needed. Thank you for your support and for continuing to model the NMC values that are central to our shared success.
NMC Music presents four winter concerts
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s music performance ensembles present four upcoming concerts. Details are as follows.
- Friday, February 25: NMC Concert Band , 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium
- Sunday, February 27: NMC Choral performance – featuring the NMC Chamber Singers, Grand Traverse Chorale and the NMC Children’s Choirs. 3 p.m., Lars Hockstad Auditorium
Tickets are available online or call the box office at (231) 995-1340.
- Sunday, March 6: Jazz Big Band, 3 p.m., Grand Traverse Circuit
- Sunday, March 13: NMC Jazz Lab Band, 3 p.m., Grand Traverse Circuit
A suggested donation of $20 includes complimentary food and wine. The Grand Traverse Circuit is located at 225 W. Fourteenth St.,Traverse City.
Release date: FEBRUARY 18, 2022
For more information:
Jeffrey Cobb
NMC Director of Music Programs
jecobb@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1338
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-discriminationNMC Music presents four winter concerts
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s music performance ensembles present four upcoming concerts. Details are as follows.
- Friday, February 25: NMC Concert Band , 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium
- Sunday, February 27: NMC Choral performance – featuring the NMC Chamber Singers, Grand Traverse Chorale and the NMC Children’s Choirs. 3 p.m., Lars Hockstad Auditorium
Tickets are available online or call the box office at (231) 995-1340.
- Sunday, March 6: Jazz Big Band, 3 p.m., Grand Traverse Circuit
- Sunday, March 13: NMC Jazz Lab Band, 3 p.m., Grand Traverse Circuit
A suggested donation of $20 includes complimentary food and wine. The Grand Traverse Circuit is located at 225 W. Fourteenth St.,Traverse City.
Release date: FEBRUARY 18, 2022
For more information:
Jeffrey Cobb
NMC Director of Music Programs
jecobb@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1338
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-discriminationNMC Jazz Bands at the GT Circuit
Two swinging afternoons of big band jazz are coming to the Grand Traverse Circuit! The first is with the NMC Jazz Big Band on Sunday, March 6 at 3 p.m.
The second event is with the NMC Jazz Lab Band on Sunday, March 13 at 3 p.m. A suggested donation of $20 includes complimentary food, wine and great music!
The Circuit is located at 225 W. Fourteenth St., Traverse City.
Curiosities: At the Intersection of Art & Activism
Registration is open for the next session of the library’s discussion series, Curiosities: Voyages Beyond the Stacks!
Curiosities is a ‘book club’ for those of us who are wary of a cover-to-cover commitment but still want to meet up and talk about interesting stuff with fellow lifelong learners. We welcome students, staff, faculty, and community participants!
Each session meets once a week for four consecutive weeks, discussing material ranging from podcast episodes to articles to mini-documentaries. Our next session, At the Intersection of Art & Activism, will run March 3–24, meeting on Thursdays from noon–1 p.m. via Zoom.
We are presenting this session in collaboration with NMC’s student chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. As part of their research, these honors students set out to interrogate the relationship between creative expression, political action, and social change. Based on their findings, this student-led session explores Art as Resistance, Protest, Influence, and Healer.
REGISTER HERE FOR CURIOSITIES: AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART & ACTIVISM
Tech Bytes – Connecting to NMC monitors and printing to NMC printers
Have you ever wondered how to connect to those big monitors in the rooms in West Hall? Follow these instructions and you can easily show your laptop monitor on the big screen: students.nmc.edu/
Do you want to print from your laptop/phone/tablet to one of the printers at NMC? Use this feature to print to any Email-to-Print enabled printer: students.nmc.edu/
Richard Gray Memorial Fundraiser
Great Lakes Maritime Academy alumnus Richard Gray (’14) passed away in a tragic accident this winter while working aboard a Great Lakes ship. Through the month of February, the Women on the Water student organization is leading a cans & bottles fundraising drive in his honor. All proceeds will go directly to Mr. Gray’s wife and three young children.
Donations of empty cans and bottles may be dropped off in bins located near the Hawk Owl Cafe and the NMC Bookstore on Main Campus, or in the student enclave at the Great Lakes Campus.
Contact Brittni Moore (moore669@mail.nmc.edu) if you would like to make a larger donation and need to coordinate a pickup.
Sound Bytes livestreams Feb. 16–March 16
Sound Bytes is a student-produced project put on by NMC’s Audio Technology Program. These livestreamed musical productions include professional level recordings and performances giving students, local bands and musicians the opportunity to showcase their skills.
- Wednesday, Feb. 16 – Jack Pine 7 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 24 – Avid Kain 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 2 – Drew Hale 7 p.m.
- Thursday, March 10 – Tony Manfredonia 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 16 – Skye Martin & David Chown 7 p.m.
The livestreams will be available on the Audio Technology Program’s YouTube channel and Instagram feed.
Success story: Experiential learning, diversity combined in “Voices” project
February 9, 2022
Asked to name notable Black Americans, and a few relatively contemporary figures usually come to mind: Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey.
The Voices Project, a new experiential learning project in conjunction with NMC’s Embrace the Dream Martin Luther King/Black History Month programming, aims to elevate the recognition of lesser-known individuals throughout history, like Capt. Hugh Mulzac, journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett and nurse Mary Eliza Mahoney.
Taking place in campus hallways through the end of the month, the Voices Project is part open-access history lesson, part diversity and inclusion showcase and is aligned with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion area of NMC Next, the college’s new strategic plan. The poster-size portraits of Black Americans hang in the academic buildings corresponding to their subject’s field – from the first Black registered nurse (Mahoney) to the first Black merchant marine naval officer to command an integrated crew during World War II (Mulzac) to journalist and NAACP co-founder (Wells-Barnett) who was born into slavery.
The posters were designed by Fine Arts student Gavin Bebb.
“I think there’s a strong connection between art and social issues. I felt honored to be a part of the project and helping to bring awareness to others,” said Bebb, 21, of Traverse City. “These are unsung individuals who really changed how we progress in our world today.”
Fine arts instructor Glenn Wolff (right, with Bebb, far right) approached Bebb about the experiential learning project at the end of 2021. From a faculty-curated list of potential subjects, Wolff obtained images in the public domain or permission to use them. Bebb then created the Voices Project logo and edited the images into portraits, cropping, magnifying and manipulating small original files into the 30 x 40 posters.
“All the things I learned over the fall semester I put into these posters,” he said.
Each also includes short biographical text researched by NMC faculty, and a QR code that a viewer can scan for the complete list of poster subjects.
“To me a desired outcome is that students, when they view the posters in their various areas at NMC, discover these Black contributors and are inspired to learn more about, and reflect on, the importance of their stories, and the reasons for their relative absence,” Wolff said.
Wolff was able to obtain permission for 17 images. Other portrait subjects are research chemist Percy Julian, mathematician Gladys West and artist and illustrator Aaron Douglas. Wolff’s drawing students are now working on sketches for another five subjects for whom permission could not be obtained.
“It’s morphing into student artwork,” he said.
The Voices Project posters will be on display at least through February. Wolff envisions it becoming an annual event.
NMC, MTU team up for Survey Technologies professional development series
TRAVERSE CITY — In an innovative partnership aimed at meeting crucial statewide workforce development needs, Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) and Michigan Technological University (MTU) have collaborated to launch a series of professional development courses this spring.
The course offerings, which are aimed at survey, civil engineering and infrastructure specialists, will allow busy working professionals to earn credentials and fulfill their continuing education requirements. These convenient, short-format (around two hours) courses will cover topics in the following areas:
- Survey technologies
- Marine technologies
- Data processing and management
- Geospatial applications
Registration is expected to open by the end of February. Prospective students can add themselves to the professional development series notification list online.
This is not the first partnership between NMC and MTU. The two universities have teamed up on multiple endeavors, with the most recent being a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on Great Lakes research. The Surveying Technologies series is an outgrowth of that important cooperative agreement.
Both schools are respected for their marine research. Northwestern Michigan College is home to the Marine Center, which offers comprehensive professional development solutions year-round to the marine, surveying and remote sensing industries. NMC also offers associate degree programs in surveying and engineering technology-marine as well as a bachelor’s degree in marine technology.
Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) harnesses the interdisciplinary expertise of biologists, geologists, chemists, engineers, remote-sensing specialists and others to examine crucial issues in freshwater research including modeling for better forecasts and climate predictions and assessing the spread of invasive species. Home base for the Superior Supercomputer as well as the Marine Autonomy Research (MARS) Smart Ships Coalition, the first freshwater test bed of its kind, GLRC accomplishes much of its work on, above and beneath Great Lakes waters utilizing the latest technologies, from smart buoys to its fleet of research vessels.
Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, the university offers more than 125 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. Michigan Tech’s Global Campus offers a variety of graduate degree and certificate programs.
Release date: FEBRUARY 9, 2022
For more information:
Ed Bailey
Program Director
The Marine Center at Northwestern Michigan College
ebailey@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1215
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-discriminationNMC, MTU team up for Survey Technologies professional development series
TRAVERSE CITY — In an innovative partnership aimed at meeting crucial statewide workforce development needs, Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) and Michigan Technological University (MTU) have collaborated to launch a series of professional development courses this spring.
The course offerings, which are aimed at survey, civil engineering and infrastructure specialists, will allow busy working professionals to earn credentials and fulfill their continuing education requirements. These convenient, short-format (around two hours) courses will cover topics in the following areas:
- Survey technologies
- Marine technologies
- Data processing and management
- Geospatial applications
Registration is expected to open by the end of February. Prospective students can add themselves to the professional development series notification list online.
This is not the first partnership between NMC and MTU. The two universities have teamed up on multiple endeavors, with the most recent being a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on Great Lakes research. The Surveying Technologies series is an outgrowth of that important cooperative agreement.
Both schools are respected for their marine research. Northwestern Michigan College is home to the Marine Center, which offers comprehensive professional development solutions year-round to the marine, surveying and remote sensing industries. NMC also offers associate degree programs in surveying and engineering technology-marine as well as a bachelor’s degree in marine technology.
Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) harnesses the interdisciplinary expertise of biologists, geologists, chemists, engineers, remote-sensing specialists and others to examine crucial issues in freshwater research including modeling for better forecasts and climate predictions and assessing the spread of invasive species. Home base for the Superior Supercomputer as well as the Marine Autonomy Research (MARS) Smart Ships Coalition, the first freshwater test bed of its kind, GLRC accomplishes much of its work on, above and beneath Great Lakes waters utilizing the latest technologies, from smart buoys to its fleet of research vessels.
Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, the university offers more than 125 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. Michigan Tech’s Global Campus offers a variety of graduate degree and certificate programs.
Release date: FEBRUARY 9, 2022
For more information:
Ed Bailey
Program Director
The Marine Center at Northwestern Michigan College
ebailey@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1215
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-discriminationNominate Outstanding Alumni by March 1
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is seeking nominations for the 2022 Outstanding Alumni awards. Nominations will be accepted through March 1, 2022.
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.
More information and the nomination form can be found on the NMC website at nmc.edu/alumni. Nominations may be submitted online. To have a paper nomination form mailed, those interested can call (231) 995-1834 or email alumni@nmc.edu.
The 2022 Outstanding Alumni recipients were Alex Brace, Dr. Amanda Kiessel, Dr. Cliff McClain, and Cindy Warren. A complete list of past honorees may be found online. For more information about NMC’s Alumni program, visit nmc.edu/alumni.
* * * * *
Northwestern Michigan College is a publicly funded community college that serves more than 50,000 learners annually throughout the Grand Traverse region and beyond. NMC offers associate degrees, professional certificates and bachelor’s degrees. The college is home to the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and the Great Lakes Culinary Institute as well as nationally recognized aviation and unmanned systems programs. For more information, visit Northwestern Michigan College at nmc.edu.
Release date: FEBRUARY 8, 2022
For more information:
Carly McCall
Director of Alumni Engagement
alumni@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2825
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-discriminationNominate Outstanding Alumni by March 1
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is seeking nominations for the 2022 Outstanding Alumni awards. Nominations will be accepted through March 1, 2022.
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.
More information and the nomination form can be found on the NMC website at nmc.edu/alumni. Nominations may be submitted online. To have a paper nomination form mailed, those interested can call (231) 995-1834 or email alumni@nmc.edu.
The 2022 Outstanding Alumni recipients were Alex Brace, Dr. Amanda Kiessel, Dr. Cliff McClain, and Cindy Warren. A complete list of past honorees may be found online. For more information about NMC’s Alumni program, visit nmc.edu/alumni.
* * * * *
Northwestern Michigan College is a publicly funded community college that serves more than 50,000 learners annually throughout the Grand Traverse region and beyond. NMC offers associate degrees, professional certificates and bachelor’s degrees. The college is home to the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and the Great Lakes Culinary Institute as well as nationally recognized aviation and unmanned systems programs. For more information, visit Northwestern Michigan College at nmc.edu.
Release date: FEBRUARY 8, 2022
For more information:
Carly McCall
Director of Alumni Engagement
alumni@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2825