1,066 named to NMC spring 2026 Dean’s List

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY— Northwestern Michigan College congratulates the 1,066 students who made the spring semester Dean’s List, earning a grade point average of 3.5 or above out of a possible 4.0 while taking five or more credits.

The full list is available here.

Release date: May 18, 2026

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
Media on deadline, call or text (231) 392-6082
Non-deadline inquiries: (231) 995-1020

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IAF launches Giles Press Freedom Lecture with NPR’s Deborah Amos

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — The International Affairs Forum (IAF) at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) announces the launch of the Giles Press Freedom Lecture, a new annual program championing integrity in journalism and the essential role of a free press in democratic society. The lecture is made possible through a generous legacy gift from the late Robert “Bob” Giles and Nancy Giles, whose lives and work reflected a deep commitment to rigorous, ethical journalism and a compassionate worldview steeped in curiosity.

“Our parents always had a wide-angle lens of the world,” shared Megan Giles Cooney, daughter of Bob and Nancy. “Each of us still carries that sense of curiosity and respect for other cultures that our parents embedded in us. When our father led the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, that same expansive worldview found its fullest expression. He invested in expanding opportunities for international fellows, recognizing that a truly global program required a diversity of voices. Our mother embraced that mission with characteristic warmth, helping trailing spouses and children settle into their year in Cambridge. Growing that international dimension of the Nieman Program brought them both tremendous joy — and kept their eyes, and ours, wide open to the world.”

The inaugural IAF event on May 28, 2026, generally timed to commemorate United Nations World Press Freedom Day, will feature acclaimed journalist Deborah Amos and serve as a tribute to the Giles’ enduring impact on journalism and public life.

“Bob and Nancy Giles believed deeply in the power of education to enlighten, connect, and strengthen communities,” said Alexander Tank, Director of the International Affairs Forum at NMC. “This annual lecture honors their legacy through thoughtful, fact-based dialogue at a time when journalism practice and democratic integrity are being challenged.”

Bob Giles, who served on the IAF Advisory Board and the Editorial Board of the Traverse City Record-Eagle, was an impactful figure in American journalism. As curator of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University for 15 years, he helped shape generations of journalists and championed the highest standards of reporting and press freedom. His earlier leadership as editor and publisher of the Detroit News earned national recognition for journalistic excellence via his 2nd Pulitzer Prize. Giles’ first Pulitzer was awarded for his team coverage of the Kent State University shootings in 1970.

Nancy Giles, a psychologist and advocate for mental health and education, was an equally vital partner in this work, known for her intellectual engagement, compassion, and steadfast support of journalism’s public mission. Together, their legacy reflects a shared belief in truth, accountability, and an informed civic life.

About the event & speaker

Veteran international correspondent Deborah Amos brings decades of reporting from global conflict zones to northern Michigan for this inaugural lecture. A longtime voice on National Public Radio, Amos has covered the Middle East, migration, and the human consequences of war with depth and clarity. Amos’ work exemplifies the courage, rigor, and integrity at the heart of the Giles Press Freedom Lecture. In conversation, Amos will explore the evolving challenges facing journalists today—from disinformation and declining trust to increasing threats against press freedom worldwide.

Amos will be in conversation with Elizabeth Jensen, Knight-Wallace Great Lakes News Fellow 2025-’26. Jensen is the co-chair of Press Forward Northern Michigan, an organization working to support local journalism in the region. A longtime media beat reporter, Jensen is an expert on U.S. public media and served as NPR’s fifth public editor/ombudsman. In that role, she represented the interests of the public in the newsroom, and created a series of live events where NPR journalists discussed their newsgathering processes and ethical decisions.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. reception | 7 p.m. hybrid event
Location: Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City
Format: In person with online livestream available.

Tickets: $15 advance, $20 at the door, $10 livestream. Open to the public. Free for students and educators. Tickets & details at tciaf.com

Sponsors & Support

International Affairs Forum programming at Northwestern Michigan College is supported by gifts from community members and sponsors. The Giles Press Freedom Lecture is made possible through the generosity of the Giles family and supporters who believe in the vital role of journalism in sustaining democracy. IAF thanks the following for their support of its 32nd season:

Central Michigan University | IAF Gold Sponsor
Grand Traverse Pie Company | IAF Gold Sponsor
Thompson Retractor | IAF Gold Sponsor
IAF Members | Across northern Michigan & across the country

Learn more about event sponsorship and opportunities to support here: tciaf.com/support

Release date: May 7. 2026

For more information:

Alexander Tank
Director, International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
atank@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1844

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Passing of Jack Segal

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

I am writing today to share the news of the passing of Jack Segal, a deeply respected member of the NMC community whose influence extended well beyond our campus and into the life of our region. 

Jack was a retired senior U.S. diplomat who served his country at the White House and in challenging overseas posts including Russia, Israel, Palestine, and Afghanistan. Of his many accomplishments, he took particular pride in being the primary author of the US-USSR Agreement on Nuclear Risk Reduction, and in his work as a negotiator of the START nuclear arms control treaty. With his wife Karen, they opened the first western diplomatic mission to the 40 million people of Central Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

For more than 15 years, Jack brought this experience as a senior U.S. diplomat and foreign service officer into our NMC classrooms and community learning spaces, teaching courses and leading conversations on world affairs through Extended Education & Training and the International Affairs Forum. Through his teaching, Jack helped students and community members alike understand global issues not as abstractions, but as human, complex, and consequential realities.

Jack was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War. His military experience was life altering, both in terms of combat experience and in deciding to pursue a career in foreign diplomacy. He was a voice of calm reason through his 35 years as a diplomat, in part because he witnessed the ravages of war.

Jack and Karen co-led the International Affairs Forum through a period of significant growth. Under their leadership, IAF expanded its programming, partnerships and reach, strengthening civic dialogue across the region and elevating NMC’s role as a trusted convener of thoughtful conversation on national and global issues.

What defined Jack was not the prominence of the roles he held, but the humility and curiosity he brought to every interaction. Over a distinguished career, he served at the highest levels of the U.S. Department of State, the National Security Council, and NATO. Yet he was always more interested in listening than in being recognized.

That commitment was evident earlier this month when Jack met with the International Affairs Forum Student Leadership Team. Rather than speaking at the students, he took time to speak with each of them individually, listening carefully and engaging with genuine interest. It was a simple moment that reflected a belief Jack carried throughout his life: that real understanding comes from listening to those closest to the work.

In 2024, Jack and Karen were named NMC Fellows, the college’s highest honor, in recognition of their extraordinary service, leadership and generosity. They have also been devoted supporters of the NMC Foundation for more than 15 years, investing in programs that strengthen learning, dialogue, and civic engagement.

Jack Segal believed deeply in education, public service, and the power of informed conversation. Northwestern Michigan College and the broader community it serves are better because of his presence, his leadership and his example.

On behalf of Northwestern Michigan College, I extend my deepest condolences to Karen, their family and all who were fortunate to learn from Jack, work alongside him or know him as a friend.

Jack’s full obituary, including service arrangements can be found here.

With appreciation,

Nick

Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College

For more information:

President’s Office
(231) 995-1010

Class of 2026 Commencement is May 2

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Commencement ceremonies for Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2026 will be held Saturday, May 2 in Milliken Auditorium on NMC’s Front Street campus. Three ceremonies will be held, with graduates grouped by degree or credential earned.

• 11 a.m.: Associate of Science and Arts (ASA) and Associate of General Studies (AGS) degrees
• 12:30 p.m.: Non-health Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE) degrees, Water Studies Institute degrees, and certificates
• 2 p.m.: Aviation, Health Occupations (Nursing and Dental Assistant) and Maritime degrees

Each ceremony will feature faculty and student speakers. Ceremonies will be streamed live at nmc.edu/video and NMC’s YouTube channel.

NMC’s Class of 2026 has earned 632 degrees and certificates, including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies and Certificate of Practical Nursing. Bachelor of Science degrees in Maritime Technology and Marine Technology will also be awarded.

More than a third of the graduates are recipients of the Community College Guarantee or Michigan Reconnect, statewide scholarship programs. The CCG offers free tuition to recent high school graduates, while Reconnect is for adults 25 and older who don’t already have a degree or certificate.

Commencement ceremonies will also honor NMC’s 75th anniversary. Each graduate will wear special green cords with their caps and gowns, in recognition of the anniversary.

NMC will also hold its annual Honors & Leadership Convocation at 4:30 p.m.. Friday, May 1 at the Dennos Museum Center. Awards to be presented include:

• Academic area awards
• Honors program participants and graduates
• Dr. Kari Kahler Adult Student of the Year
• President’s Possibilitarian Award
• Student leaders of the year
• Recognition of outstanding student groups
• nEXt and Global Endorsement recipients

For more commencement details, go to nmc.edu/commencement.

Release date: April 29, 2026

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)

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IAF explores the rights of nature

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — What if rivers, lakes, fish, and ecosystems had legal rights? IAF will further the conversation on the global Rights of Nature movement, rooted in Indigenous principles, with ecological values relevant to northern Michigan. This global movement has echoes in recent local successes like the rewilding of the Boardman-Ottaway River and the region’s long-standing commitment to habitat and watershed stewardship.

This program is supported by IAF members with grant funding provided by Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, and event underwriting by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

Tribal Attorney Frank Bibeau, Director of the Tribal Rights of Nature Program at the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights (CEDR), will explore how Indigenous legal frameworks are advancing Rights of Nature in the U.S. through treaty rights, sovereignty, and environmental protection. According to the CEDR, Bibeau “has developed several legal defense strategies based on the Rights of Manoomin and represented Manoomin (wild rice) and the White Earth Band of Ojibwe in Manoomin v DNR in White Earth Tribal Court and DNR v White Earth Band of Ojibwe and Chief Judge DeGroat in Minnesota District Court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (2021-2022). Frank’s legal work focuses on the Treaty rights of tribes and members to help protect the natural resources for future generations.

Providing global context, environmental lawyer and activist Hugo Echeverría (CEDR) will examine Ecuador’s constitutional Rights of Nature experience, showing how this framework has been applied—and tested—internationally. Echeverría is best known for advancing Ecuador’s historic constitutional recognition of nature as a rights-bearing entity. With the CEDR, he has shaped legislation, influenced court decisions, and helped communities apply these protections in practice. Rooted in sumak kawsay, from the Quechua meaning “living in harmony with nature”, his work ensures ecosystems are treated not as property, but as subjects of law with enforceable rights to protection and restoration.

The discussion will offer insights into how legal and cultural approaches can shape environmental stewardship, the protection of ecosystems, and the evolving understanding of human responsibility to the natural world.

What: International Affairs Forum | Rights of Nature: Global Movement, Indigenous Values
When: April 15, 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. program in person and livestream
Where: Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium
Tickets available at tciaf.com

Advance purchase of in-person or online tickets recommended. All IAF regular season events are free admission for current students and educators.

For more information:

Alexander Tank
Director
International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
(231) 995-1844
atank@nmc.edu

Non-Discrimination Policy Notice

NMC summer community education classes open for registration

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Registration is now open for all NMC Extended Education & Training summer adult classes. Community members are invited to enroll in classes ranging in topics from culinary and creative arts to Northern Naturalist, recreation, fitness, and more. Some classes may fill quickly, so early registration for all classes is recommended.

New this summer are expanded offerings to get out and enjoy nature in northern Michigan. Classes include rowing, kayaking, boating, charter fishing, and more. Students are encouraged to enroll online at nmc.edu/ees.

Additional community education options include nearly 80 in-person classes from delicious culinary adventures like “Under the Tuscan Spoon” and “Rice to the Occasion” to exploratory Northern Naturalist offerings, like “Wetland Wildflowers.” Additional classes are offered in fitness, art, music, global, yoga, and recreation. Adult & Child and Date Night classes are perfect for those looking to share quality time and learn new skills with their partners, parents, or friends. Visit nmc.edu/ees to see all categories and class options. 

Release date: April 8, 2026

For more information:

Laura Stevens
NMC Extended Education & Training
lstevens@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1704

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FRIC to celebrate construction milestone

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Media is invited to cover the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center’s “topping off” celebration from 9–11 a.m. Friday, April 24 at the Discovery Pier parking lot, 13271 S. West Bay Shore Drive (bay side of M-22).

A topping off celebration is a-time honored construction tradition, marking the placement of the building’s final structural beam. It is a milestone in the Center’s construction, which began in September 2025 and is on track for completion in spring 2027.

The $29.1 million project is a collaborative effort of Discovery Pier, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse Connect, Michigan Technological University and 20Fathoms. From 9–10 a.m. these community partners and donors will sign the beam. At 10 a.m. the beam will be craned into place at the construction site across the street.

The 38,000 square foot facility is a landmark project establishing northern Michigan as the epicenter of water innovation and a globally relevant hub for the blue economy.

By co-locating working pier space, advanced laboratories and business incubation under one roof, the Center will serve as the home for water technology and marine mobility, where ideas become solutions, technologies become ventures and opportunities become careers.

The project has already secured more than $28 million in commitments from federal, state and private funders, with fundraising ongoing for equipment and the public exhibit space. Once complete, the Center is expected to draw national and international tenants, create high-wage jobs and generate research with global applications.

Visit freshwatercenter.org to learn more.

Release date: April 20, 2026

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)

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Boardman Lake Campus sale finalized

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — The governing boards of both Northwestern Michigan College and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians have signed a purchase and sale agreement for the Band to buy NMC’s Boardman Lake Campus.

NMC trustees unanimously approved the $27 million sale Monday. Members of the Band’s tribal council signed the document Jan. 21. The actions follow a letter of intent signed previously.

The sale could be completely executed by spring. To allow for the relocation of college offices still on the campus, NMC will lease back space for one year. No NMC classes are currently held on the campus.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Band has committed to never using the property for gaming activities. The Band has also stated that they will use the property, part of their ancestral homeland, as a centralized governmental services center. They will maintain public access for recreation, including the Boardman Lake loop trail, and lake and river access.

The Greenspire School’s current lease through 2030, and its tenant option to renew through 2035, are included in the purchase sale agreement.

“We made this decision thoughtfully and deliberately,” said Mark Keely, NMC’s incoming board chair. “We assessed the Boardman Lake Campus’s past and potential future impact on both students and the community, and we are convinced this course of action most effectively bolsters the NMC mission.”

The NMC board resolution states that the sale proceeds will be directed toward priorities already identified in NMC’s strategic plan and campus master plan, all focused on strengthening student success and the region’s future workforce. Those priorities include converting the Osterlin Building into a one-stop Student Success hub, addressing essential campus infrastructure such as a new power plant, and expanding student housing, which is currently at capacity. Together, these long-term priorities represent well over $100 million in planned investments, meaning the sale allows NMC to make meaningful progress, but represents only a portion of what is required.

“This investment gives us momentum, but it doesn’t change the scale of the work ahead,” President Nick Nissley said. “Supporting student success and the region’s future will continue to require strong partnerships with donors and the state.”

NMC purchased the property in 1989. For 30 years it was the home of the University Center. More than 10,000 students earned advanced degrees from four-year partners located there between 1995 and 2025.

Today, however, with different dynamics in higher education and online and hybrid course delivery options, NMC’s University Partners wanted to be on the college’s Front Street campus. That was accomplished in August 2025. Nissley said now it is time for the property to enter its next era.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the board elected a new slate of officers. They are: Keely, chair; Jody Lundquist, vice chair; Pam Horne, secretary; and Andy Robitshek, treasurer.

Release date: January 27, 2026

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu

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Community invited to Career & Majors Fair

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Community members are invited to join students at NMC’s updated, expanded 2026 Career & Majors Fair from 1–5 p.m. Friday, April 10 at the Hagerty Center on NMC’s Great Lakes campus.

Several hundred students and community members are expected to attend the fair, which utilizes a guided pathway format. Employers will be clustered with faculty and staff from NMC’s relevant academic areas to showcase how NMC programs can lead to employment opportunities in northern Michigan. See the list of participating employers at nmc.edu/careerfair.

The fair will also showcase Michigan’s two Sixty x 30 initiatives — the student scholarships aimed at helping the state reach its goal of 60 percent of adult residents earning a degree or certificate by 2030. The Michigan Reconnect scholarship offers free in-district tuition to students 25 and up who don’t already have a degree. The Community College Guarantee makes the same offer to students in the high school classes of 2025 and 2026.

The free event is presented in partnership with Northwest Michigan Works and Networks Northwest. Find out more at nmc.edu/careerfair.

Release Date: March 24, 2026

For more information:

Tallula Morrison
Student Success and Retention Office Manager
(231) 995-1040
tmorrison@nmc.edu

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Community College Guarantee saves regional families $1.68 million

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Recent high school graduates in the five-county area kept more than $1.68 million in their pockets this academic year by using the Community College Guarantee at NMC.

The state scholarship offers free tuition to in-district (Grand Traverse County) high school graduates, with no GPA or income requirements. Tuition is significantly discounted to graduates outside the district, with other scholarships often making up the difference.

“We definitely get the word out. We just want kids to take advantage of it because it’s such a great deal,” said Kalkaska High School counselor Ciara McCullough.

The amount awarded across Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim and Kalkaska counties was up from $1.04 million awarded in 2024–25, the first year of the CCG.

The amount awarded across Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim and Kalkaska counties was up from $1.04 million awarded in 2024–25, the first year of the CCG. While amounts were highest in Grand Traverse County, growth increased most in Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. Dollars awarded to Kalkaska high school graduates more than doubled. Dollars awarded to Leelanau high school graduates nearly tripled.

2025 Kalkaska graduate Kylee Moore is studying elementary education at NMC. She considered Ferris, but chose NMC in order to save money. Now with her first year nearly complete, she’s found the advantages to be more than financial.

“”I’m really happy with it. At NMC, I really love my instructor (Cheryl Bloomquist),” Moore said. NMC’s scheduling also allowed her to keep her job at Pitter Patter daycare in Kalkaska.

“It’s more flexible and I really like that,” said Moore, who has used NMC campus services like the Writing Center and the library. She expects to complete her bachelor’s through Central Michigan University.

Moore chose education as her field after attending the Teacher Academy at the regional Career Tech Center in high school. McCullough said that more than half of Kalkaska juniors and seniors attend the CTC, which dovetails well with NMC programs like Construction Technology, Automotive Technology, Engineering Technology, surveying, renewable energy and welding.

“Going into the trades is very popular with our kids (and) NMC offers a lot of (skilled) trades programs,” she said.

The Community College Guarantee must be used within 15 months of high school graduation. Class of 2025 graduates can still enroll for NMC’s summer or fall 2026 semesters. The class of 2026 will also be eligible through the fall 2027 semester. Find out more at nmc.edu/guarantee.

Release date: April 8, 2026

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)

Non-Discrimination Policy Notice

2026 Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge launches

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC has opened registration for the Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge, seeking startups with solutions for a wide range of issues impacting the world’s largest freshwater system.

At stake is $55,000 in seed funding. First prize is $30,000, second prize is $15,000 and third prize will win $10,000. Finalists will present at the Lakebed 2030 conference in Traverse City Sept. 17, gaining visibility and networking opportunities.

The third such competition of its kind at NMC, the Blue Tech Challenge is progressing in parallel with the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center, with the wider idea of Traverse City becoming a freshwater innovation hub.

“It’s all maturing together in a way which is beneficial for northern Michigan and the entire, bi-national Great Lakes region,” said Canadian Trade Commissioner Dakota Korth, a judge for the 2025 competition.

The Challenge is open to entrants from the U.S. and Canada. Registration closes March 27, and first-round pitches will take place on June 29. The Challenge is open to motivated entrepreneurs, startups, early-career professionals, and even student-led ventures from across the United States and Canada. Areas of focus are:

• Resilience and adaptation
• Aquatic ecosystems and aquaculture
• Maritime mobility and exploration systems
• Water treatment and purification
• Resource recovery and circular solutions
• Water intelligence and decision support
• Water infrastructure and asset management

After 35 initial inquiries, 18 teams entered the 2025 Challenge, won by Wave Lumina of Traverse City. The company, which manufactures a portable, rapid-response PFAS testing device, also placed second in Aquahacking the Great Lakes, the 2024 competition. Since launching in founder Vernon LaLone’s spare bedroom in 2023, Wave Lumina has won a $305,000 National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation & Research grant; hired two employees, both NMC alumni; and served its first paying customers in December.

Now operating in a lab at NMC’s Parsons-Stulen Building, LaLone hopes to become a tenant at the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center when it opens in 2027.

For more information visit nmc.edu/bluetechchallenge.

Release date: January 21, 2026

For more information:
Denver Peters
Director, Strategic Portfolio and Development
dpeters@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1215

Non-Discrimination Policy Notice

Registration open for NMC College for Kids summer program

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Registration is now open for NMC’s College for Kids summer program, which provides weekly learning camps for students ages 4-17. These specialty, fun, experiential “college” learning classes run from June 15 through July 31. New this year, sessions for first through sixth graders will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 1 to 4 p.m., allowing parents the option of full day programming when they join their child for lunch on campus. Register for all classes at nmc.edu/kids.

Held on NMC’s campuses or partner facilities, classes are taught by passionate, experienced instructors who provide a safe and exciting learning environment. Developing their own curriculum, teachers make each class unique, of high interest to students, and experiential with hands-on engagement. Young learners are introduced to college adventures in art, science, sewing, technology, culinary, dance, and more.

More than forty new classes will debut this summer, including Adventures in Loom Weaving, Writing & Drawing Comics, Mixed Media Lab and Phenomenal Physical Science, plus new partnerships with SEEDS and Great Lakes Children’s Museum. From early education classes to career exploration options – there is something for learners of every age and interest.

In addition to weekly enrichment classes, enrollment in the GRASP at-home summer bridge program also begins on February 2. Lessen summer learning loss with weekly reading lessons, math lessons, or both. Register now at nmc.edu/grasp.

Regular weekly classes start at $249. Parents can register their child for a morning and afternoon session and meet their child for lunch on campus. Thanks to generous donors and NMC’s Professional Communications students, $100 scholarships are available for those who qualify. See details at nmc.edu/kids.

To register or to learn more, visit nmc.edu/kids or contact NMC Extended Education at (231) 995-1700. A household profile must be created online before registering.

Release date: February 2, 2026

For more information:

NMC Extended Education & Training
ees@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1700

Non-Discrimination Policy Notice

NMC, Grand Traverse Band sign letter of intent for Boardman Lake Campus sale

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians agreed to terms in principle for the sale of the Boardman Lake campus from the college to the Band, including a purchase price of $27 million.

Both parties have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to proceed, and NMC has suspended the Request for Proposals (RFP) process it began in October, which led to the Band’s initial offer. The sale could be completed by spring, following due diligence and pending NMC trustees’ approval.

Under the terms of the agreement, The Band has committed to never using the property for gaming activities. The Band has also stated that they will use the property, part of their ancestral homeland, as a centralized governmental services center. They will maintain public access for recreation, including the Boardman Lake loop trail, and lake and river access.

NMC has owned the property since 1989. For 30 years it was the home of the University Center, and more than 10,000 students have earned advanced degrees from four-year partners located there between 1995 to 2025.

Today, however, with different dynamics in higher education and online and hybrid course delivery options, NMC’s University Partners wanted to be on the college’s Front Street campus. That was accomplished in August. Now, NMC President Nick Nissley said it is time for the property to enter its next era.

“We are deeply grateful to the community members and donors whose vision helped make the Boardman Lake Campus a place of opportunity for thousands of learners,” Nissley said. “This next chapter allows us to honor that legacy while investing even more directly in our students, our campus, and the long-term vitality of the region.”

Board of Trustees chair Laura Oblinger, an alumnus of both NMC and two university partners, said the Band’s proposal was thoroughly vetted. The trustees’ duty of fiscal stewardship and sustainability led to their Dec. 15 vote to respond to the Band’s purchase offer.

“This was a decision the Board approached with care,” Oblinger said. “We weighed what the Boardman Lake Campus has meant to our students and our community, and we believe this path best supports NMC’s mission now and into the future.”

Nissley emphasized that the sale proceeds will be directed toward priorities already identified in NMC’s strategic plan and campus master plan, all focused on strengthening student success and the region’s future workforce. Those priorities include converting the Osterlin Building into a one-stop Student Success hub, addressing essential campus infrastructure such as a new power plant, and expanding student housing, which is currently at capacity. Together, these long-term priorities represent well over $100 million in planned investments, meaning the sale allows NMC to make meaningful progress, but represents only a portion of what is required.

“This investment gives us momentum, but it doesn’t change the scale of the work ahead,” Nissley said. “Supporting student success and the region’s future will continue to require strong partnerships with donors and the state.”

Release date: January 2, 2026

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
NMC Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications and Change Initiatives
(231) 392-6082 (mobile – call or text)
dfairbanks@nmc.edu

Non-Discrimination Policy Notice

IAF resumes expert-led programs in 32nd season

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

Programs focus on executive power, the new space race, rights of nature, Middle East peace building and climate security

TRAVERSE CITY — The International Affairs Forum continues its 32nd season of programs addressing global issues and fostering vital public dialogue in northern Michigan. Upcoming events include:

• February 19 | Long Arm or Strongarm: Executive Power in Foreign Policy & At Home with Kori Schake, Ph.D., Senior Fellow & Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute. Schake is author of The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States (Polity Press 2025). She is also the author of Safe Passage: The Transition from British to American Hegemony, and a contributing writer at the Atlantic, War on the Rocks, and Bloomberg. Event presented in partnership with Central Michigan University Hart-Milliken Speaker Series. Book sales provided by Bay Books.
• March 19 | The New Space Race: How Data, Resources, and Power Are Shaping Our Future
  Presented by NMC students on the IAF Student Leadership Team. Speaker(s) to be announced. The students will lead an in-depth exploration of competition in space among governments and corporations, with implications for technology, law, environmental stewardship, and global cooperation. Event underwriter: Eleanor Lynn
• April 15 | Rights of Nature: Global Movement, Local Values
  Frank Bibeau & Hugo Echeverría on the Rights of Nature global conservation movement. Bibeau is Tribal Attorney & Director of Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights’ Tribal Rights of Nature Program and has led groundbreaking cases protecting manoomin (wild rice), among other precedent-setting legal conservation work. Echeverría, based in Quito, Ecuador, has worked in environmental law since 2001, with an emphasis on biodiversity conservation and the Rights of Nature. Event underwriter: Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.
• April 19 | The Future is Peace — A Conversation with Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon
  Presented by the National Writers Series in partnership with the International Affairs Forum. Join authors Aziz Abu Sarah, Palestinian peacebuilder; and Maoz Inon, Israeli peace activist, the co-CEOs of InterAct. Abu Sarah and Inon are both directly impacted by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. InterAct advances a hopeful vision of coexistence grounded in human connection and mutual understanding. Together they share a compelling story of reconciliation and hope drawn from personal loss and their work fostering peace across divides.
• May | This event will be the inaugural Robert & Nancy Giles Press Freedom Lecture hosted by the International Affairs Forum. Speaker(s) to be announced. Subscribe here for IAF newsletter updates.
• June 11 | Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security with author Sherri Goodman, Secretary General, International Military Council on Climate & Security; Distinguished Fellow and Board Director, Atlantic Council; and former U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security. As climate change intensifies disasters and sharpens geopolitical competition—from the Arctic and Greenland to global conflict zones—it has become a defining national security challenge. Goodman’s Threat Multiplier explores how the U.S. military now treats a warming world as a force that amplifies every threat. Event underwriters: Harold & Pam Lassers. Book sales provided by Bay Books.

Event Details
Programs are open to the public and are ticketed events. Students and educators attend at no cost thanks to community support. Most programs start at 7 p.m. Eastern at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City with a welcome reception at 6 p.m.

Events are presented in hybrid format; in-person events are available to livestream online. Programming continues throughout the academic year through June 2026. All IAF events on campus at NMC are free for students and educators, including all NMC employees and employees of all local schools. For event details and tickets, please visit tciaf.com.

IAF’s educational programming at NMC is free for students and educators, and open to the public thanks to its supporting members, regional partners, business sponsors, and Northwestern Michigan College. Learn more about membership, event sponsorship, and opportunities to support here: tciaf.com/support

Release date: January 22, 2026

For more information:

Alexander Tank
Director
International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
(231) 995-1844
atank@nmc.edu

Non-Discrimination Policy Notice

NMC launches 75th anniversary celebration

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

Outstanding Alumni Class of 2026 and Legacy list released

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is launching its 75th anniversary by introducing a special 2026 Outstanding Alumni class – a group of more than five dozen students who have made exceptional contributions to their communities and career fields and exemplify NMC values.

“The accomplishments of these alumni span an incredible range of professions, from entrepreneurs to health care providers, from law enforcement to elected leadership,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “Daily, they embody NMC’s mission to transform lives and enrich our communities.”

“The saying ‘your success is our success’ rings especially true as we celebrate these remarkable alumni,” said Zach Whitaker, NMC manager of Alumni Relations. “I’m so excited to share their stories more broadly.”

NMC defines an alumnus as anyone who has completed at least one for-credit course. The class of 2026 includes alumni from every decade since NMC opened in 1951, and seven current NMC faculty and staff members. It was revealed at NMC’s January opening conference, an all-college event held at the start of the spring semester. Five alumni also participated in a panel discussion about how NMC has shaped their careers and lives.

NMC has named Outstanding Alumni since 1988. For the 75th anniversary, in addition to the class of 2026, the college is honoring all past recipients of the award, as well as NMC’s Fellow award, as Legacy recipients.

The Class of 2026 is listed below. Bios and pictures of each are available online. A series of community events for the 75th anniversary is also available at nmc.edu/75.

By field, alphabetically within each:

Art/marketing/publishing
Chasten Buttigieg, author
Aaron Draplin, Draplin Design Co.
Gary L. Howe Jr., Traverse City Horse Shows
Christopher Linsell, Luxury Presence
Beth Milligan, Traverse City Ticker

Aviation
Alex Bloye, NMC
Bob Buttleman*
Wes Clanton, United Airlines
Kegan Gill, entrepreneur/author/veteran
Koji Iwamoto, Amazon Japan
Kelly C. Lepley, B-747 captain

Business
Kathryn Bertodatto, Golden Swan Management
Walter Gordon Breidenstein, GasTechno Energy & Fuels LLC
Chris M. Bott, Andrews Hooper Pavlik CPAs
Amanda Eshleman, Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings
Erica Gaylord, Northern Lights Insurance Agency
Nathan D. Griswold, Inhabitect, LLC
Bryan Hammis, Flying Acres Ag
Mark Keely, NoMi STAY
Andrew Kohlmann, Image 360
Len Mankowski, VP geology
Richard C. Lewis*
Matthew Moss, ENTACT
Laura Oblinger, Rehmann
Dakota Porter, ActionGlow
Garret Porter, ActionGlow
Christopher Schmidt*
Rebecca Teahen, R.W. Baird-Rivard Teahen Wheatley Group
R. Peter Weaver – Orbital Advisors
Derek Woodruff – Queen’s Bouquet Network

Culinary
James Bloomfield, private chef
Courtney K. Lorenz, Cultured Kombucha
Jim Morse, NMC
Ray Priebe, That New Place
Stephanie Lee Wiitala, S2S

Education
Jacquelyn Abeyta – Grand Valley State University
Lindsey Dickinson, NMC
Ryan Deering, NMC
Nicholus Kopacki -Grand Valley State University
Gail Kurowski – NMC
John Lutchko – NMC
Jonathan T. Lyon, Murray State University
Randall L. Milstein – Oregon State University
Rebecca Richardson – NMC
Alexander Walsh, student, University of Chicago

Government/politics
Christal Frost Anderson, Networks Northwest
Betsy Coffia, state representative
Benjamin Marentette, City of Traverse City
George A. McManus III, Berrien County, MI
Janie McNabb, Networks Northwest
John R. Roth, state representative
Amy Shamroe, Traverse City mayor
Sandra L. Witherspoon, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

Health care
Leslie K. Casperson, Gift of Life Michigan
Alex Hogarth – Munson Medical Center
Vincent R. Prusick, MD, orthopedist
Tamara Putney, Munson Healthcare
Samuel Surgalski – U.S. Navy

Human services
Ryan Hannon, Central United Methodist Church
Abagail McKiernan, HelpLink
Paula P. Prusick, Father Fred Foundation
Rebekah TenBrink, LIFT Teen Center

Law
Marcelo N. Betti, Immigration Law & Justice Michigan
Mark Klein, Goss Law Group
Michael Shea, Grand Traverse County Sheriff

Nonprofits
Marilyn Dear, A Soldier for Christmas
Alison Metiva, Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
Jason Whittaker, Traverse City Track Club

*awarded posthumously

Release date: January 6, 2026

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
cnoga@nmc.edu

Non-Discrimination Policy Notice

Cafe Lobdell’s is open through July 29

Jul 6, 2026 | Intercom

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute will host and operate Cafe Lobdell’s through July 29.

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.

Release date: JUNE 29, 2026

For more information:

Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
(231) 392-1800 (mobile – call or text)
choga@nmc.edu