New Explore NMC blog posts follow maritime student to Alaska

Paige Jehnke is a student at NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy. She is completing a sea project for the fall semester of her junior year in the engine room of the M/V Taku, a ferry which travels the Alaska Marine Highway. Paige is blogging about her adventures and has graciously allowed us to share her updates. View her first blog post here!

And be sure to check out the other interesting things NMC students, staff and faculty are doing in Traverse City and beyond!

Kudos!

Kudos to Rich Wolin and the NMC Training staff for the success of “Proud to Manufacture,” a manufacturing event that included for the first time, recruitment of high school age students to meet with employers. Awards were also presented for winning recruitment videos with Grand Rapids High School taking first place.

Employee anniversaries

The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!

Fred Cook                    Custodian                                                                                   11 years

Carol Evans                 Director of Extended Educational Services                               18 years

Carol Taberski             Registrar                                                                                    32 years

Kirk Waterstripe         Laboratory Manager                                                                 15 years

Important Notice: Credit Card Convenience Fee

Effective October 31, 2013, a 2.75% convenience fee (minimum fee $3.00) will apply to all payments made by credit card for NMC tuition, fees, and other student account charges related to academic courses.

Students:  If your parents or others are authorized to pay on your account, please forward this important information to them. 

These changes are being made to provide better security of personal information, provide more efficient processing of student refunds, and lower NMC’s cost of credit card transactions.   (The high cost of credit card processing leads to higher tuition increases for all students.  The convenience fee will only be paid by those who choose to pay by credit card, rather than being included in tuition for all students. )

Credit card payments for these charges are only processed through NMC Self-Service  – www.nmc.edu/selfservice/.  Visa, MasterCard, Discover (including JCB, Diners Pay & China Union Network), and now American Express will be accepted.

Please visit the Convenience Fee Information page on the NMC website for additional information regarding these changes to credit card payments.

You can avoid paying the 2.75% convenience fee by paying on NMC Self-Service with an e-check (bank transfer from checking or savings account) or with a debit card.  Debit card payments must be entered in the debit card menu option to avoid the fee. Payments by cash, check, or money order can be made in person at Student Financial Services (Tanis Building, main level), and checks and money orders can be mailed to Northwestern Michigan College, Student Financial Services, 1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686.

These changes are only on the student account payments as described above and will NOT affect any other transactions on our campuses where credit cards are accepted.

Contact:
Student Financial Services
231-995-1035
sfs@nmc.edu

Solar education opportunities coming to NMC

Autumn days may be shorter, but they bring expanding solar energy education opportunities at NMC.

This October, NMC is bundling solar energy education classes, offering four progressive courses that provide the training participants need to obtain nationally-recognized industry credentials and enter the expanding solar workforce.

Participants with prior electrical experience will find it beneficial, but the courses aren’t only for electricians. Sales and installation are the fastest-growing niches in the solar industry.

“Come in, get the training, get out and get working,” said Bill Queen, energy programs specialist at NMC, which has offered solar training since 2006.

Programs include:

  • Midwest Renewable Energy Program Solar Site Assessment Certificate, Oct. 10-11

  • North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioner (NABCEP) Entry Level Exam Preparation, Oct. 28-Nov. 1

The Solar Site Assessment program requires one to two courses depending on prior level of experience and training.

The NABCEP entry level exam assures employers that a student has specific knowledge and skill required for entry level solar industry work. The 40-hour, one-week intensive preparation course provides a broad overview of the solar industry, markets, technical equipment, operation, site assessment, systems, and much more.  The exam is offered on the Saturday following the course.

Students who already have entry level knowledge and experience may be interested in new Solar Design and Installation training, Oct. 14-18. Participants will gain system design installation experience while working on battery charging and grid connected systems in the lab.

This course utilizes NMC’s newest 3.8 KW grid connected solar array, which will be dismantled and reassembled as part of the course.  Upon completion students will receive 32 hours of credit toward the advance training requirements for NABCEP installer certification exam.

For more information and to register, visit www.nmc.edu/energy  or call the NMC Extended Education office at 231- 995-1701.

Joe Sanok, NMC counselor announces the paperback release of his new book

Joseph R. Sanok’s new book, Mental Wellness Parenting: A Remarkably Simple Approach to Making Parenting Easier is now available in paperback. Here are some of the comments about the book:

 

“Joseph’s book is invaluable! The book covers common parenting concerns without bogging you down with lengthy case examples and it delivers simple techniques parents can use, it gets to the point and gives parents quick summaries that they can return to as they practice the skills!!”

MERCEDES STANLEY, MSW, Family Therapist/Coach, Founder, The Parenting Skill

 

“Joe has taken the complicated task of navigating through parenthood and simplified it with practical ideas and simple approaches. It’s a great quick read and easy enough for anyone to follow. As an added bonus, you will also get some great articles that he has written on other topics.”

JENNA FLEMING, School Counselor, Mom, and Founder of LiveWell North Austin


“No one teaches us how to be parents. As a counselor and a parent, I’ve read tons of parenting books. This one is by far, the simplest, and easiest to understand and implement. Mental Wellness Parenting just makes sense.  It’s like having Joe as your own personal parenting coach.  I really felt like I could take this information and apply it right away in my own home and with all my clients who are in search of parenting help.”

JANEEN HERSKOVITZ, Counselor, Mom, and Founder Puzzle Peace Counseling


To order this valuable book go to CLICK HERE.
For bulk order discounts of 6 or more, email joe@mentalwellnesscounseling.com

Welcome to NMC Allie!

Allie Bayster joined NMC as Materials Clerk in the Bookstore on September 16, 2013. She can be reached at 995-1289 or abayster@nmc.edu.

Allie grew up and graduated from high school in East Jordan. She has a son who is four years old. Previously Allie worked at LexaMar Corporation working in the quality department. In her free time she enjoys reading, hiking, watching movies and spending time with her son. A fun fact about Allie: she’s a Harry Potter fanatic!

The Golden Dragon Acrobats from China return to the Dennos Museum this October

The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will present the return of The Golden Dragon Acrobats from China on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 8 PM in Milliken Auditorium. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 at the door, $22 for Museum Members plus a $2 processing fee. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Museum Box office at 231-995-1553 or on line at www.dennosmuseum.org. Also at www.MyNorthTickets.com or 1-800-836-0717.

The ancient art of Chinese acrobatics has developed as one of the most popular art forms among the Chinese people, one that has evolved into many forms of performance – including dance, opera, martial arts and sports. The impact of Chinese acrobatics, however, goes far beyond the boundaries of performance, and serves an important role in the cultural exchange between China and Western nations.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of a time honored tradition that began more than 25 centuries ago, and are recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premier Chinese acrobatic touring company of today.

The reputation of The Golden Dragon Acrobats is solidly rooted in their attention to artistic details that are unparalleled in the art form. By combining award-winning acrobatics, theatrical techniques and traditional dance with spectacular costumes, the Golden Dragon Acrobats present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty.

“We are very excited to have the Golden Dragon Acrobats return” says Gene Jenneman, Museum Director. ”There are still foot prints on the acoustical ceiling panels of Milliken Auditorium from their first performance here and last year’s show had everyone’s heart stopped over the amazing “tower of chairs” act.  I have seen numerous Chinese acrobatic acts at the Performing Arts Fair in Guangzhou, China. This group matches the quality and performing capacity of any acrobatic group I saw there.”

This concert season is made possible at the Dennos Museum Center with support from the Begonia Foundation, the Robert T and Ruth Haidt Trust, and the Osterlin Performance Endowment with media support from WNMC 90.7 and TV 29&8. Housing for the performers is provided by the Cambria Suites and Country Inn.

The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday’s until 8 PM and Sundays 1-5 PM. For more information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055.

 

Golden Dragon Acrobats

 

Golden Dragon Acrobats

Kudos!

A HUGE THANK YOU to the team that set up and took down the tables/chairs, infrastructure and equipment for the 80 volunteers/participants who served our students during the 2013 Pine Palooza event (in almost 90 degree heat). The team includes Ed Blough, Brian VanSipe, Tony Hansen, Tony MacGirr, Jerry Cook, Dave Sexton, Todd Haines, Steve Dix, Robert Scott, Patrick Tesner, Jim White, and Paul Perry. We served over 700 students with free food and student services information/resources during Pine Palooza. We want to thank all involved who made this event possible (we know we’ve missed some names along the way). Thank you again!!!

Dennos Museum announces 2013-2014 Community Cinema series lineup

The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College presents the 2013-2014 Community Cinema series of films in partnership with WCMU. All films will be shown at 7:00 pm in Milliken Auditorium free of charge, and include light refreshments and a panel discussion led by area leaders and scholars. More info can be found at: http://www.dennosmuseum.org/events/community-cinema.html

Community Cinema is a community outreach project of CMU Public Television and the Dennos Museum Center.  These screening events are part of the ITVS (Independent Television Service) Community Cinema program. Free screenings of Independent Lens films will be held the first Thursday of most months October 2013 through May 2014. For more on the Independent Cinema series, including upcoming dates and films, visit WCMU.org/TV.html.

Films are screened with captions. Milliken Auditorium now features a hearing loop for those with hearing impairments. Additional arrangements for a sign language interpreter can be made by contacting Linda Dielman at dielm1lk@cmich.edu or 989-774-3562. Interested in being a panel member for a discussion? Contact Jason Dake, Curator of Education, at jdake@nmc.edu.

 

Thursday, October 3, 2013 – 7pm

The Graduates/Los Graduados (2013) – The Graduates/Los Graduados, a new documentary from filmmaker Bernardo Ruiz, explores the many roots of the Latino dropout crisis through the eyes of six inspiring young students from across the United States who are part of an on-going effort to increase graduation rates for a growing Latino population. Much more than a survey of contemporary policy debates, the student profiles in The Graduates offer a first-hand perspective on the challenges facing many Latino high school students, including over-crowded schools, crime-ridden neighborhoods, , teen pregnancy, and pressure to contribute to the family finances. The Graduates/Los Graduados is an eye-opening introduction to many of the determined and resilient young people who will shape America’s future.

 

Thursday, November 7, 2013 – 7pm

The State of Arizona (2013) – This vérité documentary captures the explosive emotions and complex realities behind Arizona’s headline-grabbing struggle with illegal immigration. Tracking the year after Arizona passes SB1070, its controversial “papers please” law, the film tells the stories of Arizonans on all sides of this divisive issue and depicts a state and its people testing the edges of our democratic values.

 

Thursday, December 5, 2013 – 7pm

TBD

 

Thursday, February 6, 2014 – 7pm

Las Marthas (2014) – Las Marthas is a documentary about an extraordinary rite of passage in Laredo, Texas where Mexican-American debutantes are presented at a grand Colonial ball dressed as American revolutionaries – a border tradition that’s 114 years old.

 

Thursday, March 6, 2014 – 7pm

The Trials of Muhammed Ali (2013) – The Trials of Muhammad Ali is a feature-length documentary film covering Ali’s toughest bout, his battle to overturn the five-year prison sentence he received for refusing U.S. military service. This is not a boxing film. It is a fight film tracing a formative period in Ali’s life, one that is remarkably unknown to young people today and tragically neglected by those who remember him as a boxer, but overlook how controversial he was when he first took center stage.

 

Thursday, April 3, 2014 – 7pm

Medora (2013) – Medora follows the down-but-not-out Medora Hornets varsity basketball team over the course of the 2011 season, capturing the players’ stories both on and off the court. The Hornets were riding a brutal losing streak when we arrived, and the team’s struggle to compete bears eerie resonances with the town’s fight for survival.

 

Thursday, May 1, 2014 – 7pm

The New Black (2013) – The New Black is a documentary that tells the story of how the African-American community is grappling with the gay rights issue in light of the recent gay marriage movement and the fight over civil rights. The film documents activists, families and clergy on both sides of the campaign to legalize gay marriage and examines homophobia in the black community’s institutional pillar—the black church and reveals the Christian right wing’s strategy of exploiting this phenomenon in order to pursue an anti-gay political agenda.

 

 

The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursdays until 8 PM, and Sundays 1-5 PM. Admission is $6.00 adults, $4.00 for children and free to museum members. For more information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.

Benefits corner- Automobile accident exclusion from NMC’s medical plans

If you are currently covered by one of NMC’s medical plans, remember that our insurance does not cover accidents involving a motor vehicle.  Language about this exclusion is listed on the Benefit Summary for both Core and HDHP plans, located on the HR Intranet page at https://intranet.nmc.edu/depts/human-resources/salaries-benefits/index.html.  This change took place on 7/1/09, when we had several meetings to explain it.  If you would like to read the communication which was sent out at that time, you can find it at S:\Human Resources\Public.

What does this mean for you?  This exclusion means that you need to be sure that your automobile insurance is indicated as primary for injuries due to an accident.  If you have any questions regarding this or other benefits, feel free to contact HR at 995-1362 or 995-1025.

Tech tips-Toner, paper and org 2332

If you are you responsible for ordering toner (HP, KM and other) and copy paper (white and colored)  for your department, read on…

  • There is a special FOAPAL Organization to charge for toner and paper purchases: Org 2332. Use your Fund, Account, and Program, but substitute 2332 for the Org.
  • Requisitions for toner (all except KM) or special colored paper need be completed in Banner under the Purchase Order form FPAREQN.
  • To order HP toner, there is a new link to find pricing from Laser Printer Technologies. Find the list here.
  • Requests for KM toner or white or colored paper need to be made internally. For KM toner model numbers, contact Ernie Dunham at 5-1128 or edunham@nmc.edu. Refer to the Stores Catalog for paper options. To order, complete a Stores Requisition.
  • If you do not have Banner Finance Access to Org 2332, you just need to enter a Help Desk ticket. Create your Technology Help Desk ticket using Request Type: Security Access – 2. Finance

Questions?  Contact Alison @ 5-1044 or athornton@nmc.edu

Former NMC student now executive director of the new ‘Midwest Space Fest’- Event will come to Traverse City in October

The stars have aligned! This October 4-5 the inaugural Midwest Space Fest will be hosted in Traverse City, in conjunction with World Astronomy Week. Carolyn McKellar, executive director of the new festival, attended NMC and enjoyed countless visits to Rogers Observatory. She later went on to attend Michigan State University.

From a free solar viewing at Open Space Park hosted by the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS), to free indoor exhibits, activities and more, the event is sure to spark the interest of space novices and experts alike. The Fest will culminate with Alex Filippenko’s presentation on “Dark Energy and the Runaway Universe.”  A member of the National Academy of Sciences, Filippenko is best known for his many appearances in the popular History Channel series, “The Universe,” and in the History Channel documentary, “STAR TREK: Secrets of The Universe.”

The festival concludes Saturday evening at the Open Space with a public “Star Party” that offers participants multiple telescope viewings of the night sky.

We hope you’ll come out to support this exciting new star-crossed event!

For information about tickets and to learn more about the event, read this article from CBS.

Employee anniversaries

The following employees are celebrating anniversaries soon. Please join us in congratulating them!

Jerry Achenbach         Superintendent of Maritime Academy                                        3 years

Aaron Beach               Director of Human Resources                                                                 3 years

Laura Carmickle         Senior Programmer/Analyst & Solution Architect                    25 years

Margaret Fox             Office Manager – Health Occupations Academic Area            16 years

Julie Hansen               Veteran Affairs & Records/Registration Assistant                     14 years

Jim Nelson                  Science/Math Instructor                                                            11 years

Jan Neumann              Office Manager – Resource Development                               16 years

Cari Noga                   Writer – Public Relations Specialist                                            7 years

Donna Palmer            Executive Assistant – University Center                                    15 years

Jean Rokos                              Health Occupations Instructor                                                   32 years

Joseph Sanok              Counselor                                                                                      3 years

Krissy Steinebach        Bookkeeper – Accounts Payable                                                   5 years

Position vacancies

Are you looking for career opportunities or a job on campus? Find it here!   https://jobs.nmc.edu/

Final week for National Geographic Society, ‘Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution’ exhibition

This is the final week to take the journey to New Guinea and the exotic world of birds-of-paradise with “Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution,” a National Geographic Traveling Exhibition now at the Dennos Museum Center of Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan.

This spectacular exhibition that reveals all 39 species of these elusive birds for the first time showcasing the groundbreaking research of photographer Tim Laman and Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientist Edwin Scholes, featuring the extravagant plumage, crazy courtship dances and bizarre behaviors of these extraordinary birds closes Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 5 PM.

Admission to the Dennos Museum Center during the run of this special exhibition is $10 for adults and $5 for children and museum members.

The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday’s until 8 PM and Sundays 1-5 PM. For more information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.