Jan 5, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — The Northwestern Michigan College Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2017 Outstanding Alumni award through Feb. 20.
Created in 1988, the Outstanding Alumni award recognizes alumni for significant professional achievements and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. The award(s) will be presented at NMC’s annual Commencement ceremony May 6.
The nomination form is available online. Nominations may also be e-mailed to Director of Alumni Relations Betsy Coffia at alumni@nmc.edu or mailed to the NMC Foundation, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49686.
The 2016 Outstanding Alumni recipients were Korvyn Hansen, Therese Renis, Michelle Witkop and Capt. Dean Hobbs, posthumously. See all recipients here »
Release date: january 5, 2017
For more information:
Betsy Coffia
Director of Alumni Relations
bcoffia@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-discrimination
Jan 4, 2017 | Intercom
Dear NMC colleagues,
Last night Kari Kahler and her family suffered a chimney fire and lost their entire home. Kari and her family (Chad and Casey) are safe and are staying at a neighbor’s home for the time being. In the coming days, weeks and months, Kari, who has been such a caring support for many NMC staff, faculty, and students, will now need our support and encouragement.
Many of you have already asked what you can do to help. If you would like to offer your words of support and encouragement in the form of a card or note, please feel free to drop these off in the Advising Center for delivery to the Kahler family. The Advising Center and Student Life Office will also be collecting funds to purchase gift cards to Meijer, Target, local restaurants, etc. for Kari and her family to utilize.
If you would like to drop off either money or gift cards to support Kari and her family, please put them to the attention of either Lindsey Dickinson – Advising Center or Lisa Thomas – Student Life Office. We will be collecting donations for at least the next 2-3 weeks.
Please feel free to pass this information on to any NMC staff that you know would want to be aware of this situation. The family can certainly use our thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement at this time.
Thank you,
Lisa Thomas
Jan 3, 2017 | Intercom
There are more than 1,000 students who were registered at NMC in Fall semester who are not yet registered for Spring! The Advising Center is here to help!
Walk In Advising sessions will be available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. January 10, 12, 13, and 16 through 20th. These walk-in sessions are offered on a first-come-first-served basis in the Advising Center (Osterlin). Call (231) 995-1040 or advising@nmc.edu with questions.
Jan 3, 2017 | Intercom, Student News
A representative from Grand Valley State University located at NMC’s University Center will be present in the Health & Science building Monday, January 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn how you can finish your Bachelor’s or Master’s at GVSU’s Traverse City location or get answers to your questions if you are considering transferring to GVSU’s main campus.
Jan 3, 2017 | Intercom
Congratulations to the NMC Aviation Department, which won the 2016 Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest and the coveted contest trophy with a minute-and-a-half-long “Mannequin Challenge” video to the tune of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
The winner was announced at the NMC Holiday Party December 16. Thanks to all the groups that took part and the other finalists — Student Life and the NMC Foundation. Start shopping for your ugly sweaters now; we’re looking forward to next year’s contest!
Dec 29, 2016 | Intercom
Extended Ed Fitness Classes begin the 2nd week of January. Find Total Barre, Yoga, Interval Training, Aerial Fit, Meditation, Fitness Center Memberships and more at nmc.edu/fitness. Employee tuition waivers apply. Call EES at 995-1700 to enroll.
Dec 29, 2016 | Intercom
- If you have a balance in your Flexible Spending Account, you must spend that down to $0 before the IRS allows you to contribute to a Health Savings Account. Please notify Hollie in HR immediately if you will have a balance in your Flexible Spending Account and are moving to the High Deductible Plan for 2017.
- If you are actively enrolled in any parts of Medicare, you are not eligible to contribute to a Health Savings Account. If you are enrolled in Medicare, and the High Deductible NMC plan please contact Hollie in HR immediately.
- Cigna will contact you directly to complete a medical questionnaire if you did not do so during open enrollment. This may be needed for additional life insurance, long-term disability buy-up, or critical illness insurance.
- Expect a new Blue Cross card for 2017 if you elected dental. We will have separate cards for medical and dental this year. If you have medical only and made no changes to who is covered, you will not receive a new card.
- Your current Eye Med card will be the same for 2017. If you added vision for 2017, please watch for a new card to come in the mail.
Dec 29, 2016 | Intercom
In a continued effort to offer interested employees an opportunity to learn and experience all the new and exciting things happening around campus we are opening the Spring 2017 bus tour to current employees.
The day will consist of a bus tour of each of NMC’s campuses, where you’ll hear from program directors and department heads about the latest things happening at NMC. We’ll end the day with a reception, and you’ll be able to share feedback and suggestions for improvement. Benefits of participating include the opportunity to accomplish a learning plan goal connected to NMC culture, and to network with your peers. This tour will be combined with new employees too, so you will have a chance to meet the newest members of our community!
Here are the details:
- Thursday, January 5, 2017, 10 am to 5 pm
- Hagerty Center, Great Lakes Campus (Please meet inside the main entrance)
- Lunch and an afternoon snack will be provided
Please wear comfortable shoes! You’ll do a lot of walking.
There is limited space on the bus, so we’ll accept the first 20 employees who respond to this invitation. Click here to RSVP.
Come and learn everything you didn’t know about NMC!
Dec 29, 2016 | Intercom
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find them here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
- Digital Media Systems Technician
- Visual Communications – Web Design Adjunct Instructor
- Culinary Arts Nutrition Adjunct Instructor
- Great Lakes Maritime Engineering Adjunct Instructor
Dec 29, 2016 | Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
(more…)
Dec 28, 2016 | Intercom
The IRS mileage rate for business use of vehicle changed from 54 cents to 53.5 cents per mile beginning January 1, 2017. Read more about the change here »
Dec 28, 2016 | Intercom, President Updates
T’was the week before Christmas and across NMC
You can hear students shout, “No more classes for me!
They are loading their cars and returning their books
Dreaming of presents that will fill up a few empty nooks.
The faculty have graded final papers with speed
For those giving essays an impressive deed.
A night of support in the library found
You really can work in a building with sound.
We all find ourselves here on the shores of the Bay
Eating and drinking the evening away
Our colleagues and friends a team one and all
Worked tirelessly to find student success this past fall. (more…)
Dec 28, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
Robert F. Rudd of Traverse City, MI passed away on December 17, 2016 at the age of 83.
A graduate of Michigan State University and the University of South Dakota, Bob taught chemistry at NMC for 35 years. He was a constant presence in his volunteer work for the college, including the NMC Barbecue, and many other community organizations, including the Dennos Museum. During his time at NMC, Bob received the Imogene Wise Award and the NMC Fellows Award.
Many knew Bob for his creation of handmade Shaker boxes. Bob also built many of the benches along the North Country Trail and was a longtime trail steward. He was a regular volunteer on Isle Royale, first visiting the island along with a group of three friends when he was 17.
Bob met his wife of 62 years, Grace Ann Wood, in high school trigonometry class. Together they had three children, Cheryl Phelps of Holland, MI, Michele Rudd (Roger Putman) of Traverse City, and Rob Rudd of Philadelphia, PA, and four grandchildren, Christine, Patrick, Tyler, and Elliot.
A memorial service will be held April 1, 2017 at NMC in Traverse City, MI. Memorial contributions can be made to the Dennos Museum, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, or to the charity of your choice.
Bob lived his life in tune with Loren Eiseley’s philosophy that “we love the earth but cannot stay.”
Dec 21, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
December 21, 2016
After a couple years as a ski bum out west, Jackson Pierce felt the tug of home.
The former NMC automotive technology student’s timing was perfect for his skills. Pierce traded ski groomers for cars, and has spent the last two years working at Bill Marsh Automotive, one of several regional repair shops to which Automotive Technology program director Wayne Moody has built an employment pipeline.
“Everyone needs their car fixed,” said Pierce, of Northport, who attended NMC’s automotive program in 2007-08.
But not everyone can fix them. Moody said an aging auto repair workforce combined with increasingly complex, computerized cars has created an opportunity gap that he has worked to fill with NMC students like Pierce.
“The last three years (demand) has gone north by leaps and bounds,” Moody said, who fields calls daily from shops locally, downstate as well as in the U.P. “They are vying for the technicians. I could put two jobs on every student if they want them.”
The Grand Traverse area’s population growth also fuels the local hiring demand. At least six former NMC students work at Bill Marsh’s Garfield Road locations. Fox Grand Traverse employs another eight, including its first female technician since 1992, KT Rafferty. As it has traditionally, the job attracts students who like hands-on work. But it’s more than turning a wrench nowadays.
“It’s not rudimentary. There’s an immense amount of problem-solving,” Pierce said.
That variety attracts students, too. “Anything can happen here,” said Rachel Smith of Elk Rapids, who started NMC’s program in 2013 and has worked at Bill Marsh for about a year and a half. “I like learning new things.”
With cars loaded with dozens of on-board computers, electronics is another important skill set.
“What’s the Ohm’s law? I can’t tell you what it is, but our very best electronics technicians do and it helps them in their job every day,” said Rich King, fixed operations director at Bill Marsh. “They’re learning it in Wayne’s program.”
Pierce added that he appreciated the real-world instruction he got at NMC. “I liked that all the teachers actually owned shops.”
Technicians are financially rewarded for that greater knowledge and as they gain experience. While an entry-level technician might make $12-$14 per hour, Moody said a graduate of the two-year program could be earning between $50,000 and $70,000 after five years. Six-figure salaries are not out of the question for the most experienced technicians.
King said it’s also rewarding at the end of the day. “There’s a huge sense of accomplishment when you fix that car that’s a tough one.”
Registration for spring semester programs, including automotive, is going on now. Find out more about the program here.
Above: From left, former NMC automotive students working at Bill Marsh’s GM store are Mike Bouchey, technician; Tom Garrity, parts; Rachel Smith, Dave Panek, Jackson Pierce and Zach Schaub, technicians.
Dec 21, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
December 21, 2016
After a couple years as a ski bum out west, Jackson Pierce felt the tug of home.
The former NMC automotive technology student’s timing was perfect for his skills. Pierce traded ski groomers for cars, and has spent the last two years working at Bill Marsh Automotive, one of several regional repair shops to which Automotive Technology program director Wayne Moody has built an employment pipeline.
“Everyone needs their car fixed,” said Pierce, of Northport, who attended NMC’s automotive program in 2007-08.
But not everyone can fix them. Moody said an aging auto repair workforce combined with increasingly complex, computerized cars has created an opportunity gap that he has worked to fill with NMC students like Pierce.
“The last three years (demand) has gone north by leaps and bounds,” Moody said, who fields calls daily from shops locally, downstate as well as in the U.P. “They are vying for the technicians. I could put two jobs on every student if they want them.”
The Grand Traverse area’s population growth also fuels the local hiring demand. At least six former NMC students work at Bill Marsh’s Garfield Road locations. Fox Grand Traverse employs another eight, including its first female technician since 1992, KT Rafferty. As it has traditionally, the job attracts students who like hands-on work. But it’s more than turning a wrench nowadays.
“It’s not rudimentary. There’s an immense amount of problem-solving,” Pierce said.
That variety attracts students, too. “Anything can happen here,” said Rachel Smith of Elk Rapids, who started NMC’s program in 2013 and has worked at Bill Marsh for about a year and a half. “I like learning new things.”
With cars loaded with dozens of on-board computers, electronics is another important skill set.
“What’s the Ohm’s law? I can’t tell you what it is, but our very best electronics technicians do and it helps them in their job every day,” said Rich King, fixed operations director at Bill Marsh. “They’re learning it in Wayne’s program.”
Pierce added that he appreciated the real-world instruction he got at NMC. “I liked that all the teachers actually owned shops.”
Technicians are financially rewarded for that greater knowledge and as they gain experience. While an entry-level technician might make $12-$14 per hour, Moody said a graduate of the two-year program could be earning between $50,000 and $70,000 after five years. Six-figure salaries are not out of the question for the most experienced technicians.
King said it’s also rewarding at the end of the day. “There’s a huge sense of accomplishment when you fix that car that’s a tough one.”
Registration for spring semester programs, including automotive, is going on now. Find out more about the program here.
Above: From left, former NMC automotive students working at Bill Marsh’s GM store are Mike Bouchey, technician; Tom Garrity, parts; Rachel Smith, Dave Panek, Jackson Pierce and Zach Schaub, technicians.
Dec 19, 2016 | Intercom, President Updates
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Notable Accomplishments provided by Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Directions (SD) and Institutional Effectiveness Criteria (IE) are provided where possible. (more…)
Dec 15, 2016 | Intercom, Student News
Health Services will be closed at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16 until 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. If you need refills, please contact our office as soon as possible at 995-1255, or stop by the office in the Les Biederman building, room 106.
Dec 12, 2016 | Intercom, President Updates
NMC President Tim Nelson has been appointed to Michigan’s Building the 21st Century Economy Commission by Gov. Rick Snyder.
Nelson is one of three educators on the 23-member commission, which serves as an advisory body within the Executive Office of the Governor. Members are charged with identifying priorities over the next 20 years along with short-term and long-term action items to achieve the vision of Michigan’s economic future. The commission will issue a final report to the governor by June 30, 2017.
