The Board of Trustees Building and Site Committee will meet at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17 in the Parsons-Stulen Building, Room 106, on NMC’s Aero Park campus. The official meeting notice is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to five free concerts this summer, presented by Northwestern Michigan College’s Concert Band and Jazz Band. The schedule is as follows:
NMC Summer Concert Band
Thursday, June 26 – Traverse City Senior Center, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 3 – Glen Arbor Township Park on M-22, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 18 – Milliken Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
NMC Jazz Band
Saturday, July 5 – Grand Traverse Civic Center, 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 26 – Milliken Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Band and Jazz Band are two of several performance ensembles open to both college students and community members. Find out more here.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
June 11, 2025
Selling your small family business to the next generation may just be the apex of the American dream, but even though Wayne Moody (above right) has already achieved that, the road ahead still includes ambitions for the NMC Automotive Technology coordinator.
In his 20 years leading the program, Moody’s influence already extends to almost every car repair shop in the region, where his many graduates work. With his time and focus now exclusively on the program following the November 2023 sale of D & W Automotive, the shop he opened in 1986, to daughter Lynnett Vanderwal (right, with Wayne) and her husband Ben – both NMC grads – Moody’s influence is only poised to grow.
Automotive Technology is expecting its largest enrollment ever this fall. The program now leads NMC’s participation in the Baja endurance race series, competing alongside major four-year universities. And just this month Automotive Technology was awarded $120,000 in state workforce development funds to scale up its electrical vehicle (EV) training.
“That’s a big deal for us,” Moody said.
In fact, as EVs grow in popularity, it’s crucial to the whole northern Michigan economy, since NMC is the only provider of EV-specific training in the region, said Tami Wolverton, regional director of workforce programming at Northwest Michigan Works!, which collaborated with NMC to receive the funding.
“This partnership is a critical step toward preparing our region for the future of transportation,” Wolverton said. “This investment helps ensure that Northern Michigan remains at the forefront of automotive innovation.”
NMC also recently invested in a $40,000 tool for adjusting and aligning automatic driver assistance systems (ADAS), another newer vehicle technology, Moody said.
Meanwhile, as D&W approaches its 40th anniversary, the Vanderwals also are thriving. Last year, their first full year of ownership of the shop in Blair Township, it was named a top 100 independent repair shop.
“I’m just really proud of the legacy my dad has created here,” said Lynnett, a 2010 NMC alumnus who manages the office in addition to co-ownership. D&W’s reputation, especially for transmission service, draws customers from as far as Petoskey and Grand Rapids, she said.
Lynnett estimates the shop has hired between 7 and 10 NMC automotive students, one as recently as last month.
Moody also set an example for his students by earning his own degree at NMC. He was initially hired as an adjunct in 2002 directly from industry.
“I thought it was time to practice what I preached. I enrolled in NMC and in 2015 I got my degree from NMC. I actually walked with my own students,” he said.
Now 66, Moody says he has students ready for retirement, but he’s not. Besides his work at NMC, he handles the occasional vintage car repair back at D&W, and mentors the third generation. His 13-year-old granddaughter has helped him rebuild a transmission already, Lynnett said.
“He’s really created a culture and a legacy that lives on,” she said.
NMC’s Music Department invites the community to the following summer performances. All events are free.
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is excited to announce the return of the annual Scholarship Open golf tournament following a four-year hiatus on Wednesday, August 6 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.
Presented by Bill and Susie Janis, the Scholarship Open is now open for golfer, sponsor and volunteer registration as well as raffle prize donors. It includes an 18-hole scramble on the award-winning Bear or Wolverine course at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, food and prizes. Golfers may register as a team or individual at nmc.edu/golf.
First held in 1982, the Scholarship Open has raised over $2 million for scholarships, making higher education accessible for NMC students.
Katharine Marvin
NMC Foundation
kmarvin@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1030
The NMC Board of Trustees Executive Committee will meet Thursday, June 12 at 2 p.m. in the President’s Office Conference Room in the Tanis Building on NMC’s Front Street Campus. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
TRAVERSE CITY — The Board of Trustees of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is beginning the process of replacing Trustee Chris M. Bott after he resigned from his position this week.
Citing personal reasons, Bott announced Monday/June 9 he is stepping down from the board effective immediately. In a letter to Board Chair Laura Oblinger, Bott wrote, “Serving on the board has been a privilege and I will miss it. The opportunity to give back to the college that helped me and many in my family take their first steps to higher education has been rewarding.”
Bott was appointed in May of 2015 to fill a Board of Trustee term vacancy, elected to a six-year term in 2016, and re-elected in 2022. During his tenure he served as Chair for three years, from January 2019 to January 2022, as well as a member of the Michigan Community College Association Board of Directors.
He is also a 1983 NMC graduate, earning an associate degree in accountancy. Bott’s six siblings also earned their associate degrees from NMC, as did his three children. He is a partner at Hofstra, Bott & Kraft , P.C., Certified Public Accountants.
“NMC is better because of Trustee Bott’s decade of service,” Oblinger said. “His tenure as board chair spanned both a college presidential transition and the pandemic. His capable leadership and passionate dedication as an alumnus helped NMC move forward. We thank him and wish him all the best.”
Michigan law gives the college 30 days to fill this position. Registered voters of Grand Traverse County are eligible to apply for the vacancy and online applications are encouraged. Commitments for the non-compensated trustee position include but are not limited to the following:
Applicants should submit a letter of interest and materials explaining their qualifications for the position via online submission. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. June 19, 2025. In addition to online submission, they may be 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 public meetings according to the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
At their next regularly scheduled meeting, to be held at 5:30 p.m. June 23 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center room 106/107 and via livestream, trustees will interview candidates and vote to fill the vacancy until the next NMC Board of Trustees election, set for November 2026. At that time, voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Bott, which expires December 31, 2028.
Additional materials are available upon request and questions may be directed to the President’s Office at Northwestern Michigan College at (231) 995-1010.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
Thank you for joining us for the June 3 Budget Town Hall meetings to discuss NMC’s FY 25 budget with Vice President for Finance & Administration Troy Kierczynski. Watch a video of the morning session here.
Please join E3 for a very special Juneteenth Celebration with special guest speaker Byron Brooks, guest performer Crystal Woodward-Turner and DJ Chris Stone.
The celebration will be held Thursday, June 19 from 3 to 9:30 p.m.
3–5 p.m.
“Who We Are” special screening
Dennos Milliken Auditorium
5–6 p.m.
Community gathering & youth activities
Outside Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
Local Food Trucks
Chestnut lot
5:30–6 p.m.
Children’s storytime with TADL
Outside Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
6–7:30 p.m.
Juneteenth program
Outside Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center
8–9:30 p.m.
E3 & T.C. roller derby & family freedom roller skating
Civic Center, 1213 W Civic Center Dr.
In the event of inclement weather, outdoor festivities will be held in rooms 106/107 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center. For more information, contact Marcus Bennett mbennett@nmc.edu.
Come join this award winning program! For students in 3-9, schedule a 5-minute audition by visiting nmcchildrenschoir.com/join.
For students in K-2, join Prelude (K/1) or Dolce (2nd) choir, no audition is needed. Register on our website.
For questions, email Stephanie Schall-Brazee at schallbrazee@gmail.com.
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media recently. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the NMC Library.
Scholarships awarded to future manufacturing leaders
The Daily News (Ionia and Montcalm Counties) June 9 (more…)
To the Student Success Center for offering Adult College Edge again this summer. The four-week session begins July 7 and helps prepare students to succeed in math, taught by Becca Richardson; English, taught by Rebecca Carlson; and college skills, taught by Amy Lucas, before they start or continue college at NMC this fall.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute will host and operate Cafe Lobdell’s from June 24-July 30.
Cafe Lobdell’s is the capstone course in GLCI’s one-year Baking Certificate program. Culinary students will make and serve fresh sweet and savory baked goods, quiche, yogurt parfaits, healthy breakfast bowls plus sandwiches and salads to go, as well as a wide variety of specialty coffee drinks.
No reservations are required. Counter service hours are 7:30–11 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Cafe Lobdell’s is on the second level of NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St.
Find out more about culinary programs at nmc.edu/culinary.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
choga@nmc.edu
Kudos to Danielle Quinlan. Danielle Quinlan coordinated and managed Extended Education’s first Campus Day since 2019. This event falls under “Community Engagement” in our current strategic plan. On May 9, 2025 Campus Day returned to the main Front Street Campus. Over $13K in net revenue (income minus direct expenses) was realized. The team welcomed 300+ participants, instructors, and volunteers. The day consisted of 40+ learning sessions from Extended Education offerings, plus community offerings such as Old Town Playhouse, BATA, city government, and the NMC Foundation. Thank you, Danielle, for making this event a huge success!
Kudos to our Grounds Crew. The grounds crew did an amazing job making sure that Front St. campus looked amazing for Campus Day on Friday, May 9th. They also set up picnic tables to ensure our attendees had outdoor seating at lunch time. Thank you, grounds team – we appreciate you!
Kudos to Garrett Croon & The Security Team. Garrett and his team facilitated all aspects of parking and security for Campus Day. In addition to providing assistance before the event began, they also stepped up to help secure an area for our BATA shuttle and assisted our guests who needed handicapped parking. You’re the best! Thank you for your support and collaboration.
Kudos to Kyle Morrison, Chris Hanna, and Dylan Schaub. The EdTech team assisted in all technical needs during our May 9th Campus Day event. They responded quickly to tech issues and walked instructors who were new to our campus through all technical challenges. And the best part – they did it collaboratively – it’s a pleasure working with you!
Kudos to Angie Adamick. Angie and her custodial team were instrumental in making sure campus looked great for Campus Day on May 9th. In addition to real-time sweeping and mopping of the floors in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, one of our participants wrote in his evaluation survey, “FYI, the cleanest bathrooms and classrooms I have ever seen. Your cleaning crew is excellent!”
Kudos to our Custodial, Grounds, and Maintenance departments, and Cathy Brown. The entire facilities department worked together to transform a storage closet in the Extended Education suite into an office for a new full-time hire. By utilizing the new work order system, we were able to have shelving removed, carpet replaced, walls painted, and furniture delivered and assembled in a few short weeks. The process was smooth and easy! Thank you!
Kudos to Lil Anderson, Marcus Bennett, Katy Knight, Kristi Hallett, Facilities Team, Educational Technology, Emily Crull, and more! I want to give a huge kudos to the folks who made our Pride Family Field Day with Up North Pride a success! It was a beautiful, sunny day filled with so much joy and fun, and it would not have been possible without everyone’s help!
Special thanks to Lil Anderson for jumping in and coordinating many of the moving parts, to Marcus Bennett and Campus Life for lending games and equipment, to Emily Crull and Katy Knight for their help with getting the word out to our communities, and to Kristi Hallett, the Facilities and Educational Technology teams for helping make sure we had the space set up the way we needed!
Thanks also to the folks who were there as vendors, everyone who volunteered to help during the event, and anyone who came out to enjoy a little fun in the sun with us! Your participation always helps make events like ours extra special!
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
PRMC is piloting summer editions of NMC Now, our success story e-newsletter. This week’s issue, in honor of Father’s Day, features Automotive Technology coordinator Wayne Moody and his daughter/NMC alumna Lynnett Vanderwal. Through their family business, D & W Automotive, and by training hundred of automotive technologists, the father-daughter pair has kept thousands of northern Michigan vehicles in good running condition. Subscribe to get it in your inbox Wednesday!
Northwestern Michigan College invites the community to an informal gathering and Celebration of Life for former NMC President Tim Quinn on Saturday, June 14 from 1–3 p.m. at the Hagerty Center.
Join us as we remember and honor Tim’s lasting impact on NMC and the community.
To read more about Tim’s life and legacy, visit lifestorytc.com/obituaries/timothy-quinn.149268
Aero Park Drive will be blocked to through traffic from June 9–13 due to construction on NMC’s new aviation hangar. Entrances on both Three Mile Road and Parsons Road will remain open, but drivers will need to bypass construction using North Aero Park Court. Signage will be in place. See the map below for details. Thanks for your cooperation.
Aero Park Drive closure map