TRAVERSE CITY — Tickets are now on sale for the 64th annual NMC Barbecue, set for May 19 on main campus. The traditional spring “Picnic Under the Pines” will raise money for student scholarships and the new West Hall Innovation Center.
The Barbecue Board, a group of community volunteers and NMC employees, has pledged $9,000 this year into its existing endowed BBQ scholarship fund of $25,000 for NMC’s Commitment Scholars Program. With that program, NMC promises a college education with a scholarship that covers 60 credit hours to selected northern Michigan ninth graders who are first-generation students, show academic promise and potential, and have financial need.
The BBQ Board has also pledged an investment of $30,000 over the next 5 years to The West Hall Innovation Center, currently under construction. The multi-million dollar project will renovate and modernize the 50-year-old building to create a 54,000-square-foot, multi-story library and flexible learning space. It will incorporate innovative and transformative learning environments and multiple academic and simulation spaces.
“The NMC BBQ has a long and proud history of investing in the future of our region, whether it’s through the students themselves, or by creating the learning spaces they need to succeed,” said BBQ Board President Heather Jewell. “It’s exciting to know a $6 picnic meal can have such an incredible impact when we all join together to support our college.”
Advance tickets are $6 and available online now through My North Tickets at mynorthtickets.com/events/nmc-bbq-2019 with a $1.25 processing fee. Pre-sale tickets will also be available for $6 at all Oleson’s Food Stores, the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, the NMC Foundation, and many financial institutions. Tickets are $8 on Barbecue Day.
The late Gerald W. Oleson and his wife Frances, founders of Oleson’s Food Stores in Traverse City, started the annual fundraiser picnic in 1956. Oleson’s Food Stores continues to donate all the food. Several thousand people attend every year, raising more than $1.8 million for college scholarships, programs and equipment over the years.
The NMC BBQ is also a proud “friendraiser” for the college with nearly 500 community volunteers giving back to their community college. To help with the event sign up online or go to nmc.edu/bbq and click “Volunteer at the BBQ.”
In addition to the traditional menu of buffalo steakettes or hot dog, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and beverage and ice cream served from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on May 19 , free live entertainment is provided throughout the day. Classroom displays and program exhibits offer the public a chance to see what’s going on at NMC. Children’s games and activities will also be provided. The Barbecue will once again strive toward zero-waste, with composting and recycling services available.
Release date: April 16, 2019
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing & 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
Tuesday, April 16, 12:15-1 p.m.,
Dennos Museum Lobby
Come enjoy a guided tour of Orna Ben-Ami’s exhibit, Entire Life Package, and the Inuit art that we have on display at the Dennos Museum. Entire Life in a Package is the story of millions of refugees with millions of packages, suitcases, sacks — “Life packages” that hold the desire to survive. In it, they pack both hopes and pains. Behind every package there is someone looking for a place. The objects that people take, in one package, represent their identity and sense of belonging, their memories and hopes for the future.
Join us for a free screening of Line 5, Barton Bund’s three-part series, followed by free refreshments and an informal community discussion in Scholars Hall room 217. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments following the film.
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past week. 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 Osterlin Library.
Kudos to Dr. Kari Kahler, Associate Dean of Learning Services: Kari was elected Secretary of the national Phi Theta Kappa Association of Chapter Advisors (ACA) during the April 2019 PTK Catalyst Convention in Orlando, FL. The ACA Board serves as a liaison between Phi Theta Kappa advisors and headquarters staff. Kari has been an incredibly dedicated Phi Theta Kappa advisor since 1997 and, under her leadership, our NMC chapter has received multiple national and international awards including Most Distinguished Chapter and Distinguished Officer Team. Kari’s contributions to Phi Theta Kappa on a national level have elevated the importance of providing access and support to promote student success, persistence and completion.
The library has purchased many new books so far this year. You can view a handful here along with descriptions or go here to see the full listing. These books are on display in the library’s lobby.
Tickets for the annual NMC Barbecue, set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19 on main campus, are now on sale online and at the NMC Foundation office on main campus and at the Extended Education offices on the University Center campus.
Volunteers are also being sought to help put on the picnic under the pines, a spring tradition marking its 64th year. Sign up to volunteer here; most shifts are just two or three hours long and every volunteer gets a free commemorative t-shirt!
Presented by the Student Green Team and NMC Green Team
Show some Hawk Owl pride on Earth Day by doing your part to clean up our beautiful campus! Volunteers will be on hand in the Health & Science Atrium and Osterlin Library to assist you with everything you need to lend a hand with on-campus trash clean up! Many hands make light work!
Post a photo on Instagram of your clean up efforts and use the hashtag #NMCEarthDay to be entered into a prize drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card!
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past week. 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 Osterlin Library.
Congratulations to NMC’s Staff Excellence Award winner, Jan Root, Office Manager-Communications Academic Area
Jan is dedicated to helping both students and instructors daily, managing a near-constant flow of other people’s needs. With her Academic Chair on sabbatical, Jan has provided additional consistency and support for the interim chair and the new manager who transitioning of the Reading Writing Center. She is also behind the scenes, helping to streamline processes, scheduling and paperwork for one of the largest academic departments. She is efficient, trustworthy and a pleasure to work with.
Congratulations to NMC’s Team Excellence Award winners, Open Educational Resources (OER) Team
Tina Ulrich, Director of Library Services
Ryan Bernstein, Instructional Designer
Mark DeLonge, Instructional Technology Specialist
Kristen Salathiel, Communications Instructor / Director of the Center for Instructional Excellence
TRAVERSE CITY — The community is invited to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s open “ship” showcasing the training ship State of Michigan from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13. The day will include:
Guided tours of the T/S State of Michigan
Interaction with current Maritime cadets
An opportunity to learn more about the Maritime Academy and the maritime industry
Tours will begin at the pier security gate entrance on the north side of NMC’s Great Lakes campus, 715 E. Front St. Low-heel, closed-toe, soft-soled shoes are highly recommended. The event will occur rain or shine.
Release date: April 5, 2019
For more information:
Scott Fairbank Great Lakes Maritime Academy sfairbank@nmc.edu (231) 995-1213
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
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College announced today it will launch a new institute devoted to experiential learning and community engagement.
Experiential learning provides learners real world and hands-on opportunities preparing them for an ever-changing and diverse world. The purpose of experiential learning is to actively engage the learner through relevant and ongoing experience, critical problem solving and reflective practices. Learners who engage in experiential learning are more likely to persist through their college experience, graduate, and become lifelong, self-directed learners.
The Experiential Learning Institute is the next step in more formal college efforts to expand experiential learning college-wide, which began in 2016. It will collaborate with both on-campus and community stakeholders to engage students and the community, locally, nationally and globally. The Institute will connect the community and NMC by seeking creative partnerships, serving ongoing community needs, and preparing learners for future employment.
Kristy McDonald, director, said, “Experiential learning is important because students grow not only in their intellectual capacity but also personally, professionally, and civically. They have a greater capacity for empathy and compassion in the way they see themselves and the world.”
McDonald and several other faculty and staff have earned certification from the Experiential Education Academy, part of the New Jersey-based National Society for Experiential Education.
Sharing his enthusiastic support for this new initiative, NMC President Timothy J. Nelson said, “I’m excited about the outcomes we will see as our students combine doing with learning. The institute formalizes what many of our faculty and staff have done and embeds it through the college.”
Release date: April 4, 2019
For more information:
Kristy McDonald Director, Experiential Learning Institute and Business Instructor kmcdonald@nmc.edu (231) 995-1059
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
TRAVERSE CITY — Tickets are now on sale for the 64th annual NMC Barbecue, set for May 19 on main campus. The traditional spring “Picnic Under the Pines” will raise money for student scholarships and the new West Hall Innovation Center.
Tuesday, April 16, 12:15-1 p.m.,
Please join us in welcoming these new additions to our NMC staff!
Tickets for the annual NMC Barbecue, set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19 on main campus, are now 
Jan is dedicated to helping both students and instructors daily, managing a near-constant flow of other people’s needs. With her Academic Chair on sabbatical, Jan has provided additional consistency and support for the interim chair and the new manager who transitioning of the Reading Writing Center. She is also behind the scenes, helping to streamline processes, scheduling and paperwork for one of the largest academic departments. She is efficient, trustworthy and a pleasure to work with.
Tina Ulrich, Director of Library Services
Ryan Bernstein, Instructional Designer
Mark DeLonge, Instructional Technology Specialist
Kristen Salathiel, Communications Instructor / Director of the Center for Instructional Excellence
Sarah Wangler, Communications Instructor
Joelle Hannert, Library Technical Services Coordinator
Nicco Pandolfi, Librarian
NMC Jazz Groups will be in concert Saturday, April 20 starting at 7:30 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium.