Five decades in the classroom, and counting

Jun 3, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

Steve Drake at NMC’s 2018 commencement ceremony
(download a high-resolution version here)TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is celebrating its first instructor to achieve the milestone of 50 years in the classroom, mathematics instructor Steve Drake.

In 1971 Drake came to Traverse City with seven years of teaching experience, as the recipient of three National Science Foundation grants, holder of an FBI security clearance, his wife Carolyn and a newborn.

While he could have earned a higher salary elsewhere, NMC’s teaching culture was far and away the best that Drake observed on his interviews. That was why he and Carolyn chose NMC out of about a half-dozen opportunities.

“I could work here and enjoy myself,” as a member of the professional, engaged faculty, recalled Drake, who turns 79 this month.

Half a century later, with a few more NSF grants under his belt and now a grandfather, he knows he made the right choice.

Steve Drake (download a high-resolution version here)“I really, really have enjoyed working at NMC,” said Drake, a two-time winner of NMC’s Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence award, for which he was nominated by students. “If you don’t enjoy what you do, you’re just going to try to retire at the first opportunity.”

NMC President Nick Nissley said Drake is a paragon of an outstanding faculty that has a high level of longevity overall.

“Steve exemplifies loyalty, dedication and a deep sense of care for his students, the craft of teaching and Northwestern Michigan College,” Nissley said. “We’ve been fortunate he’s chosen to spend his long career at NMC.”

Highlights of Drake’s career include:

• Working with universities, especially Michigan Technological University, to create transfer pathways that allowed NMC students to be successful
• NMC’s selection as a state technical education site (the Parsons-Stulen Technical Education Center) which increased workforce opportunities for students who don’t transfer
• Teaching at NMC University Center partner Ferris State University
• Continuing his own education by studying at the federal government’s Argonne National Laboratory and FermiLab, among other places.

Steve and Carolyn Drake’s two children also attended NMC.

Retirement is still not in the cards. Drake said he’s planning one year at a time, and will be back in the classroom for the fall 2021 semester.

Release date: JUNE 3, 2021

For more information:

Editors: Steve Drake is available for interviews. Contact NMC Public Relations to make arrangements.

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

Five decades in the classroom, and counting

Jun 3, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

Steve Drake at NMC’s 2018 commencement ceremony
(download a high-resolution version here)TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is celebrating its first instructor to achieve the milestone of 50 years in the classroom, mathematics instructor Steve Drake.

In 1971 Drake came to Traverse City with seven years of teaching experience, as the recipient of three National Science Foundation grants, holder of an FBI security clearance, his wife Carolyn and a newborn.

While he could have earned a higher salary elsewhere, NMC’s teaching culture was far and away the best that Drake observed on his interviews. That was why he and Carolyn chose NMC out of about a half-dozen opportunities.

“I could work here and enjoy myself,” as a member of the professional, engaged faculty, recalled Drake, who turns 79 this month.

Half a century later, with a few more NSF grants under his belt and now a grandfather, he knows he made the right choice.

Steve Drake (download a high-resolution version here)“I really, really have enjoyed working at NMC,” said Drake, a two-time winner of NMC’s Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence award, for which he was nominated by students. “If you don’t enjoy what you do, you’re just going to try to retire at the first opportunity.”

NMC President Nick Nissley said Drake is a paragon of an outstanding faculty that has a high level of longevity overall.

“Steve exemplifies loyalty, dedication and a deep sense of care for his students, the craft of teaching and Northwestern Michigan College,” Nissley said. “We’ve been fortunate he’s chosen to spend his long career at NMC.”

Highlights of Drake’s career include:

• Working with universities, especially Michigan Technological University, to create transfer pathways that allowed NMC students to be successful
• NMC’s selection as a state technical education site (the Parsons-Stulen Technical Education Center) which increased workforce opportunities for students who don’t transfer
• Teaching at NMC University Center partner Ferris State University
• Continuing his own education by studying at the federal government’s Argonne National Laboratory and FermiLab, among other places.

Steve and Carolyn Drake’s two children also attended NMC.

Retirement is still not in the cards. Drake said he’s planning one year at a time, and will be back in the classroom for the fall 2021 semester.

Release date: JUNE 3, 2021

For more information:

Editors: Steve Drake is available for interviews. Contact NMC Public Relations to make arrangements.

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

Future Summit: Expert insight + dynamic discussion + you

Jun 2, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College invites all community stakeholders to add their voices to the critical conversation about the college’s future at its strategic planning Future Summit, to be held virtually from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, June 23.

Featuring expert insight from guest speakers and dynamic discussion among participants, the Future Summit is the culmination of this phase of the college’s strategic planning efforts that began earlier this year. The most comprehensive strategic planning process in more than a decade, NMC has collected qualitative and quantitative feedback from hundreds of participants at 28 focus groups, workshops and other meetings.

Based on that feedback, Future Summit participants will listen to four short “EdTalks” by guest speakers on topics key to NMC’s continued vitality in the next three years:

• Sustainably Growing Robust Online and Hybrid Programs to Increase Access for All Students
• Partnering with Business and Industry to Align Academic Programs with Emerging Labor Market Demands
• Educating and Serving Today’s Adult Learner through Alternative Credentials and Accelerated Programs
• Innovative Enrollment Strategies to Meet the Evolving Demographics of the 21st Century Community College

Attendees will then break into groups to discuss each talk in more detail. Participants will rank order their preferred discussion topic when they RSVP, at nmc.edu/future-summit.

“NMC is the community’s college, and it’s been exciting and gratifying to see the community engagement thus far,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “We look forward to that continuing at the Summit, as we drill directly into the top priorities of our road map for the next three years.”

The final plan is scheduled to be adopted by NMC’s Board of Trustees in December. More information about the entire plan is available at nmc.edu/strategic-planning.

Release date: June 2, 2021

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

Future Summit: Expert insight + dynamic discussion + you

Jun 2, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College invites all community stakeholders to add their voices to the critical conversation about the college’s future at its strategic planning Future Summit, to be held virtually from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, June 23.

Featuring expert insight from guest speakers and dynamic discussion among participants, the Future Summit is the culmination of this phase of the college’s strategic planning efforts that began earlier this year. The most comprehensive strategic planning process in more than a decade, NMC has collected qualitative and quantitative feedback from hundreds of participants at 28 focus groups, workshops and other meetings.

Based on that feedback, Future Summit participants will listen to four short “EdTalks” by guest speakers on topics key to NMC’s continued vitality in the next three years:

• Sustainably Growing Robust Online and Hybrid Programs to Increase Access for All Students
• Partnering with Business and Industry to Align Academic Programs with Emerging Labor Market Demands
• Educating and Serving Today’s Adult Learner through Alternative Credentials and Accelerated Programs
• Innovative Enrollment Strategies to Meet the Evolving Demographics of the 21st Century Community College

Attendees will then break into groups to discuss each talk in more detail. Participants will rank order their preferred discussion topic when they RSVP, at nmc.edu/future-summit.

“NMC is the community’s college, and it’s been exciting and gratifying to see the community engagement thus far,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “We look forward to that continuing at the Summit, as we drill directly into the top priorities of our road map for the next three years.”

The final plan is scheduled to be adopted by NMC’s Board of Trustees in December. More information about the entire plan is available at nmc.edu/strategic-planning.

Release date: June 2, 2021

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

Library Book Recommendations – June, 2021

Jun 1, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog. 

Non-fiction

Finna: Poems by Nate Marshall
Sharp, lyrical poems celebrating the Black vernacular and its influence on pop culture, its necessity for familial survival, its rite in storytelling and in creating the safety found only within its intimacy.These poems consider the brevity and disposability of Black lives and other oppressed people in our current era of emboldened white supremacy, and the use of the Black vernacular in America’s vast reserve of racial and gendered epithets.

Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America by Laila Lalami
Lalami recounts her unlikely journey from Moroccan immigrant to U.S. citizen, using it as a starting point for her exploration of the rights, liberties, and protections that are traditionally associated with American citizenship. Tapping into history, politics, and literature, she elucidates how accidents of birth–such as national origin, race, or gender– still cast their shadows today. Conditional citizens, she argues, are all the people whom America embraces with one arm, and pushes away with the other.

What the Chickadee Knows: Poems in Anishinaabemowin and English by Margaret Noodin
What the Chickadee Knows (Gijigijigaaneshiinh Gikendaan) is a bilingual collection in Anishinaabemowin and English, with the poems mirroring one another on facing pages. The poems build in urgency, from observations of the natural world and human connection to poems centered in powerful grief and remembrance for events spanning from the Sandy Lake Tragedy of 1850 to the Standing Rock water crisis of 2016.

Fantastic Women: Surreal Worlds from Meret Oppenheim to Frida Kahlo. Edited by Ingrid Pfeiffer
Between 1930 and the 1960s many women artists contributed to the Surrealist movement. The male Surrealists mostly saw them only as partners or models, but this volume shows how much more these women artists had to offer. The women artists of Surrealism were searching for a new female identity and incidentally discovered their own language of forms. Painting, drawing, objects, photography and films complement each other to create an overall picture of the women artists of the avant-garde.

Editing Humanity: The CRISPR Revolution and the New Era of Genome Editing by Kevin Davies
Editing Humanity takes readers inside the fascinating world of a new gene editing technology called CRISPR, a high-powered genetic toolkit that enables scientists to not only engineer but to edit the DNA of any organism down to the individual building blocks of the genetic code. Davies introduces readers to arguably the most profound scientific breakthrough of our time and sheds light on the implications that this new technology can have on our everyday lives and in the lives of generations to come.

Fiction

We Run the Tides: a Novel by Vendela Vida
An achingly beautiful story of female friendship, betrayal, and a mysterious disappearance set in the changing landscape of San Francisco. Suspenseful and poignant, We Run the Tides is a masterful portrait of an inimitable place on the brink of radical transformation. Pre–tech boom San Francisco finds its mirror in the changing lives of the teenage girls at the center of this story of innocence lost, the pain of too much freedom, and the struggle to find one’s authentic self. Both a gripping mystery and a tribute to the wonders of youth, in all its beauty and confusion.

2034: A Novel of the Next World War by Elliot Ackerman, Admiral James Stavridis, USN (Ret.).
From two former military officers and award-winning authors, a chillingly authentic, geopolitical thriller that imagines a naval clash between the US and China in the South China Sea in 2034 — and the path from there to a nightmarish global conflagration. 2034 is an imaginative extrapolation from present-day facts combined with the authors’ years working at the highest and most classified levels of national security. A disturbingly plausible work of speculative fiction.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries. Meanwhile in present-day London, an aspiring historian stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London two hundred years ago.

The Seed Keeper: a Novel by Diane Wilson
Rosalie Iron Wing has grown up in the woods with her father, Ray, who tells her stories of plants, of the stars, of the origins of the Dakota people. Until, one morning, Ray doesn’t return from checking his traps. Rosalie is sent to live with a foster family in nearby Mankato. Many years later, she learns what it means to be descended from women who have protected their families, their traditions, and a precious cache of seeds through generations of hardship and loss. A beautifully told story of reawakening and remembering.

We Begin at the End / Chris Whitaker
Thirty years ago, a teenage Vincent King was sent to prison. But now, he’s served his sentence and is returning to his hometown. The hometown where his childhood best friend, Walk, is now the chief of police. The town where his childhood sweetheart, Star Radley, still lives. The same Star Radley whose sister he killed. A crime thriller that will break your heart and a literary novel with a mystery at its core, We Begin at the End unforgettably examines how the choices we make can nudge us into the dangerous ground between good and evil.

Summaries adapted from publishers.

Strategic Planning update, 5/26/21

May 26, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

Dear NMC community — Thank you for such a positive and strong start to our strategic planning process. We have accomplished an enormous amount in the first two months thanks to your engagement in this critical, fast-paced process, especially at the busy end of semester. NMC is committed to transparency and regular communication, and this message is to update you on progress thus far. You can also visit nmc.edu/strategic-planning at any time.

Since April 16 we have collected feedback from hundreds of participants at 28 focus groups, workshops and other meetings. The points of view collected have been broad and diverse, including the following:

• Steering committee (April 21 and May 12) with work team (May 6 and May 25 data workshop)
• Students, including targeted focus groups for resident students and adult learners (four meetings April 16, 27 and 29)
• Faculty (May 6) and staff (April 28, May 6)
• Internal college groups: Leadership Council (May 10), Policy Council (April 26), Curriculum Committee (April 23) and DEI Committee (May 14)
• Fellow educators, including K-12 partners (May 27) and university partners (May 17)
• Business partners (May 26), and program advisory boards (May 19 and 24)
• Arts organizations, including the Dennos Museum Center and WNMC (May 24)
• Alumni (May 17), NMC Foundation board (May 13), IAF board (May 25), community partners (May 12)
• Board of Trustees – mission workshop (May 11). In addition, trustees are updated at their monthly meeting. Reports available in each monthly agenda packet.
• Community all-call (May 26)

In addition to the qualitative feedback gathered at the above meetings, the process has included quantitative input.

• A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) survey was sent to a variety of NMC stakeholders and drew 356 responses. Results were prioritized at the steering committee/workgroup joint meeting May 6.
• Students were surveyed in order to draft a Student Experience Statement.
• A survey on a revised mission statement is underway through May 28

This initial phase of strategic planning culminates with the June 23 Future Summit. Please mark your calendars to join us then. We are excited to focus and prioritize the input gathered thus far, and look forward to your continued involvement.

We will continue to provide regular updates on the strategic planning process as we work toward final plan approval by the board in December 2021. You can get updates any time at nmc.edu/strategic-planning and email any questions to strategic-planning@nmc.edu.

Strategic Planning update, 5/26/21

May 26, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

Dear NMC community — Thank you for such a positive and strong start to our strategic planning process. We have accomplished an enormous amount in the first two months thanks to your engagement in this critical, fast-paced process, especially at the busy end of semester. NMC is committed to transparency and regular communication, and this message is to update you on progress thus far. You can also visit nmc.edu/strategic-planning at any time.

Since April 16 we have collected feedback from hundreds of participants at 28 focus groups, workshops and other meetings. The points of view collected have been broad and diverse, including the following:

• Steering committee (April 21 and May 12) with work team (May 6 and May 25 data workshop)
• Students, including targeted focus groups for resident students and adult learners (four meetings April 16, 27 and 29)
• Faculty (May 6) and staff (April 28, May 6)
• Internal college groups: Leadership Council (May 10), Policy Council (April 26), Curriculum Committee (April 23) and DEI Committee (May 14)
• Fellow educators, including K-12 partners (May 27) and university partners (May 17)
• Business partners (May 26), and program advisory boards (May 19 and 24)
• Arts organizations, including the Dennos Museum Center and WNMC (May 24)
• Alumni (May 17), NMC Foundation board (May 13), IAF board (May 25), community partners (May 12)
• Board of Trustees – mission workshop (May 11). In addition, trustees are updated at their monthly meeting. Reports available in each monthly agenda packet.
• Community all-call (May 26)

In addition to the qualitative feedback gathered at the above meetings, the process has included quantitative input.

• A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) survey was sent to a variety of NMC stakeholders and drew 356 responses. Results were prioritized at the steering committee/workgroup joint meeting May 6.
• Students were surveyed in order to draft a Student Experience Statement.
• A survey on a revised mission statement is underway through May 28

This initial phase of strategic planning culminates with the June 23 Future Summit. Please mark your calendars to join us then. We are excited to focus and prioritize the input gathered thus far, and look forward to your continued involvement.

We will continue to provide regular updates on the strategic planning process as we work toward final plan approval by the board in December 2021. You can get updates any time at nmc.edu/strategic-planning and email any questions to strategic-planning@nmc.edu.

Strategic Planning update, 5/26/21

May 26, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

Dear NMC community — Thank you for such a positive and strong start to our strategic planning process. We have accomplished an enormous amount in the first two months thanks to your engagement in this critical, fast-paced process, especially at the busy end of semester. NMC is committed to transparency and regular communication, and this message is to update you on progress thus far. You can also visit nmc.edu/strategic-planning at any time.

Since April 16 we have collected feedback from hundreds of participants at 28 focus groups, workshops and other meetings. The points of view collected have been broad and diverse, including the following:

• Steering committee (April 21 and May 12) with work team (May 6 and May 25 data workshop)
• Students, including targeted focus groups for resident students and adult learners (four meetings April 16, 27 and 29)
• Faculty (May 6) and staff (April 28, May 6)
• Internal college groups: Leadership Council (May 10), Policy Council (April 26), Curriculum Committee (April 23) and DEI Committee (May 14)
• Fellow educators, including K-12 partners (May 27) and university partners (May 17)
• Business partners (May 26), and program advisory boards (May 19 and 24)
• Arts organizations, including the Dennos Museum Center and WNMC (May 24)
• Alumni (May 17), NMC Foundation board (May 13), IAF board (May 25), community partners (May 12)
• Board of Trustees – mission workshop (May 11). In addition, trustees are updated at their monthly meeting. Reports available in each monthly agenda packet.
• Community all-call (May 26)

In addition to the qualitative feedback gathered at the above meetings, the process has included quantitative input.

• A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) survey was sent to a variety of NMC stakeholders and drew 356 responses. Results were prioritized at the steering committee/workgroup joint meeting May 6.
• Students were surveyed in order to draft a Student Experience Statement.
• A survey on a revised mission statement is underway through May 28

This initial phase of strategic planning culminates with the June 23 Future Summit. Please mark your calendars to join us then. We are excited to focus and prioritize the input gathered thus far, and look forward to your continued involvement.

We will continue to provide regular updates on the strategic planning process as we work toward final plan approval by the board in December 2021. You can get updates any time at nmc.edu/strategic-planning and email any questions to strategic-planning@nmc.edu.

College hosts cybersecurity camps in June and July

May 25, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Registration is now open for two cybersecurity summer camps for students in grades 6-12 that Northwestern Michigan College will host at its University Center campus in June and July.

Scheduled for June 21-25 and July 12-16, the camps are an opportunity for students to get a head start on a STEM career. Held from 9 a.m.–noon, Monday–Friday each week, students will learn the basics of cybersecurity from NMC Computer Information Technology instructor Scott Goethals. On the last day of class, they’ll participate in a national competition that includes all of the summer campers across the country.

Cost is $20. Register online (June camp, July camp) or go to eventbrite.com and search for “CyberPatriot summer camp – Northwestern Michigan College.”

This is the third year NMC has hosted the camps. The 2020 event was virtual due to COVID-19.

Release Date: May 24, 2021

For more information:

Scott Goethals
NMC CIT instructor
sgoethals@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1166

College hosts cybersecurity camps in June and July

May 24, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Registration is now open for two cybersecurity summer camps for students in grades 6-12 that Northwestern Michigan College will host at its University Center campus in June and July.

Scheduled for June 21-25 and July 12-16, the camps are an opportunity for students to get a head start on a STEM career. Held from 9 a.m.–noon, Monday–Friday each week, students will learn the basics of cybersecurity from NMC Computer Information Technology instructor Scott Goethals. On the last day of class, they’ll participate in a national competition that includes all of the summer campers across the country.

Cost is $20. Register online (June camp, July camp) or go to eventbrite.com and search for “CyberPatriot summer camp – Northwestern Michigan College.”

This is the third year NMC has hosted the camps. The 2020 event was virtual due to COVID-19.

Release Date: May 24, 2021

For more information:

Scott Goethals
NMC CIT instructor
sgoethals@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1166

COVID-19: NMC will move to Stage 3 of reopening plan May 24

May 24, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — As expected, the state is beginning to ease COVID-19 restrictions thanks to increasing numbers of residents receiving the vaccine. NMC is also re-evaluating and updating our COVID-19 protocols as outlined in the staged reopening plan. Following the new state timeline, the college will move to Stage 3 of our reopening plan May 24, 2021. We will continue to communicate updates with you as they are finalized.

Summer scheduled classes will continue as planned and work that can be done remotely, may continue to be done remotely. In Stage 3, employees who have been working from home, who prefer to work on-campus will be able to do so and small, in-person meetings will also be allowed. Protocols for masks and social distancing still remain.

Thank you for your commitment to safety throughout this past year, and into the future. Thank you also for your continued support and patience during this time as we have successfully faced many unknowns together. You can find more information about NMC’s response to the coronavirus and resources at nmc.edu/covid-19.

Release Date: May 11, 2021

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019