Great Lakes Culinary Institute named among best culinary schools

TRAVERSE CITY — The Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) has been named among the 30 best culinary schools for 2018 by Best Value Schools.

This ranking was created using the National Center for Education Statistics’ College Navigator database to identify the 30 best culinary schools in the United States based on the following methodology:

  • Variety of Degree Programs
  • Program Length
  • Methods of Preparedness
  • Facilities
  • Reputation
  • Cost

The Great Lakes Culinary Institute’s facility is located on NMC’s Great Lakes Campus. It is comprised of four culinary labs including a bakery, introductory and food skills kitchen, an advanced cooking kitchen, a garde manger kitchen, a beverage management outlet and Lobdell’s, a 90-seat training restaurant.

“NMC is proud to have grown the Great Lakes Culinary Institute from its beginning to the impressive program it is today, producing incredible chefs and culinary entrepreneurs practicing throughout our region and around the world,” says Timothy J. Nelson, NMC President. “We are also excited to be a leader in the future of this field, developing new ways to engage with and educate the culinary leaders of tomorrow.”

The Great Lakes Culinary Institute at NMC offers both an associate’s degree in culinary arts and various certificate programs. Regardless of the program, students get hands-on training in state-of-the-art kitchens, as well as an internship opportunity for professional networking. Read more about the program at nmc.edu/culinary.

Best Value Schools researches and provides objective, accurate, and up-to-date facts about colleges and universities that deliver the best overall value for the educational dollar. The site addresses relevant and important topics, including financial aid and assistance, support and service for the student, and return on investment (ROI). Best Value Schools answers frequently asked questions and offers tips and information related to college savings and more. Read the full article at the following link: www.bestvalueschools.com/rankings/culinary-schools/

RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2018

For More Information:

Fred Laughlin
Great Lakes Culinary Institute Director
flaughlin@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1197

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

NMC Wellness Activities

Are you looking for a way to get in a quick 15-minute cardio charge?

Join Chris Barr on Monday, August 27 at your campus for a 15-minute full-body resistance band workout on the lawn.

Chris will have the bands — just bring yourself!

  • 10-10:15 a.m.- University Center- meet in front of outside entrance to EES
  • Noon-12:15 p.m.- Main Campus- meet in front of the Phys Ed Building
  • 1:30-1:45 p.m.- Great Lakes Campus- meet in front of the main entrance
  • 2:30-2:45 p.m.- Parsons Stulen- meet in front of the main entrance

Walk In Advising

Have students who need fall schedule help?! Walk-In Advising sessions will be available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 13-29. These 15-minute 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.

NMC Dining Services – New locations and hours!

NMC Dining Services’ Fall 2018 locations and hours will be as follows. The new hours begin August 24:

Hawk Owl Café

Open 7 Days a week
10:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
Located in the Oleson Center – NEW LOCATION!

Hawks Nest

Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Located in East Hall  – Cashless location

Northwest Grind – Starbucks

Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–5:15 p.m.
Located in the Osterlin Building

For details, contact Dining Services at (231) 995-1688.
For more information, visit nmcdining.sodexomyway.com.

Kudos!

KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

Submit a Kudos here.

Kudos to Jason Dake-  Jason took the alumni from NMC’s first class on a tour of the Dennos Museum Center to highlight the recent improvements to the space. Jason did a wonderful job engaging all of the guests and sharing concrete examples of what the expansion makes possible for visiting student groups and our whole community. Thank you, Jason!

August 20 Events – RSVPs needed!

If you have not already done so, please complete this Google Form to indicate which Experiential Learning Session you plan to attend. There are two sessions being offered on the morning of Monday, August 20, and four additional sessions will be held in September for staff and adjunct faculty who cannot attend August 20 activities. (more…)

NMC to use renewable energy source for new Innovation Center

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College will install a geothermal system to support its new West Hall Innovation Center, currently under construction.

The Board of Trustees Building and Site Committee voted unanimously to support the recommendation from the construction project manager, citing research into the long-term cost savings to the college and the positive environmental impact.

The geothermal system is estimated to cost an additional $400,000 initially, with an expected payback period of 14.5 years and continued savings to the college for up to at least 30 years.

Committee members felt the renewable energy option was the right thing for the college to do environmentally with the cost data supporting that decision.

Vice President of Finance and Administration Vicki Cook said, “This project is another example of how the college works to strengthen our long-term commitment to our community by seeking out additional opportunities to build systems that are responsible both financially and environmentally.”

Geothermal systems use heat from the earth to provide a clean renewable source of power.

The multi-million-dollar 21st century West Hall Innovation Center is in its early stages of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony planned for September 2018.

RELEASE DATE: August 9, 2018

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Vicki Cook
Vice President of Finance and Administration
vcook@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1144

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

NMC receives $1 million gift to advance college initiatives

TRAVERSE CITY – Northwestern Michigan College announced today it has received a $1 million gift from Casey and Dana Cowell.

This gift will provide financial assistance to advance the college’s current work in several key areas. These include:

  • considering the community’s economic future in decision making throughout the organization;
  • improving regional healthfulness through providing wellness opportunities and education specifically for NMC students, faculty and staff as well as for our greater community at large;
  • expanding career training, leading to higher paying jobs and increased skill levels of workers in our region;
  • attracting high-paying companies to our region by leveraging NMC programs and faculty expertise;
  • extending our reach to new and broader audiences through technology; and
  • strengthening our region as a destination for experiential and professional learning.

This gift comes from long-time NMC supporter and local philanthropist Casey Cowell and his wife, Dana Cowell. “I am always struck by how education is often at the core of any solution in the community,” said Casey Cowell. “That’s why we have committed $1 million to advance a few key initiatives that I’m most excited about at NMC.”

In recent years, Cowell has supported other NMC offerings including the International Affairs Forum, the Dennos Museum Center, and NMC’s Annual Fund.

“For more than 67 years, NMC has been creating opportunities to grow social and economic wealth for people in this area. The Cowells’ support of NMC will provide transformational opportunities to our students and our whole community,” said NMC President Timothy J. Nelson. “NMC continues to expand as a destination for experiential learning and this gift will enable more of these opportunities to be possible here.”

The Cowells’ gift supports NMC’s vision to be the resource of choice for higher education, lifelong learning and cultural experiences. NMC strives to be an essential contributor to quality of life and a vibrant economy, demonstrating collaborative and inventive approaches and training for liberal studies, careers, interests, and emerging learner markets.

“Casey and Dana Cowell truly represent lifelong learners—always ready to ask tough questions and dig deep into any topic,” said Executive Director for the NMC Foundation Rebecca Teahen. “It has been an honor to work with them to realize this gift for the college, which will impact all of the students and learners who come through our doors and those who benefit from all that NMC offers to the community.”

RELEASE DATE: August 8, 2018

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Rebecca Teahen
Executive Director of Resource Development and the NMC Foundation
rteahen@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1855

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

Global Literature Reading Group

The Global Literature Reading Group meets twice a year to discuss a book about another culture. This year’s books are Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah (Nov. 15, 2018), and Tears of Salt: A Doctor’s Story, by Pietro Bartolo & Lidia Tilotta (Apr. 11, 2019).

The cost of the books is subsidized by the Center for Instructional Excellence and the Helen Osterlin Library Endowment. Faculty and staff can purchase a copy of the book for $5 from Tina Ulrich in the library (tulrich@nmc.edu, 995-1063.)

This fall’s book, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, is a memoir by Daily Show host Trevor Noah about growing up the child of a Swiss white man and an African woman whose very relationship was a crime punishable by five years in prison. (New York Times Book Review, 11/28/16.) The discussion will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, in Scholars Hall 103. Save the date on your calendar, order your copy of the book, and plan to join us for a brown bag lunch and a great discussion!

NMC Aviation reaches international milestone

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College has welcomed a record number of international students for its 2018 summer aviation program.

The group includes 32 students from 17 different countries including Malaysia, Nigeria, China, India, Lithuania, Thailand, Bangladesh, Portugal, Italy, Kenya, United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Ecuador and Uganda.

The students are studying Aerospace Engineering at three main NMC partner universities in the United Kingdom: University of Hertfordshire, University of the West of England and University of Manchester.

This partnership began in 2009 with an Innovation Grant from the NMC Foundation as a way to boost enrollment to the aviation program during the often slower summer season. Since its beginning, the international partnership has brought in an additional $2.5 million and increased the financial viability of the aviation program.

According to NMC’s International Aviation Program Coordinator, Steve Ursell, the greatest benefits are to the students: “This fantastic diverse group really contributes to the atmosphere and training of all of our students and instructors whether they’re from Traverse City or Thailand. They bring a new perspective, experience and cultural understanding to our flight school that helps prepare our students for careers that may take them around the world.”

This partnership is another example of NMC leveraging its unique assets to provide mutual benefit, says NMC Director of Aviation Alex Bloye: “NMC has been a trusted partner with these universities. We’ve worked with them to design specific flight training and flight test courses that add valuable practical flying experience to the aerospace theory courses offered in the United Kingdom.”

International aviation students must go through a TSA and Visa approval process, overseen by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to be able to train at NMC. This process starts almost nine months before students arrive at NMC..

Release date: August 2, 2018

For more information:

Alex Bloye
NMC Director of Aviation
abloye@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2929

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

TIAA is offering a Financial Essentials Webinar

Members of the Optional Retirement Plan:
Market-proof your retirement

You’ve likely heard repeatedly throughout your career how important it is to save for retirement. However, as the day approaches, there are additional questions you’ll have to ask yourself. Am I overexposed to market losses? Will I outlive my money? Am I confident that I can retire on my terms?

In retirement—and the years leading up to it—protecting your savings becomes just as important as growing it. Join us to learn how to create your own personal pension* with TIAA Traditional, offered by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA).

Register today for our August 8 live webinar (Noon to 1 p.m. ET).

Schedule Online