Bennett wins Outstanding Family Support Contributor award

Mar 23, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

Marcus Bennett (click for high-resolution version)TRAVERSE CITY — NMC Associate Dean of Campus and Residence Life Marcus Bennett has received the 2020 Reserve Officer of America Outstanding Family Support Contributor award for his work to support safe operation of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s training ship cruises.

Bennett was nominated for the award, presented by the Reserve Organization of America, Michigan Department, by GLMA Superintendent Jerry Achenbach. In summer 2020, Bennett facilitated a system of quarantines in NMC residence halls that ensured 42 maritime cadets were able to safely board and sail on the training ship State of Michigan or a comercial vessel despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the six state maritime academies in the U.S. GLMA was one of only two that was able to sail in 2020, which afforded cadets the opportunity to earn required sea time and remain on track to graduate. The award noted Bennett’s efforts helped cadets and family members “endure extreme conditions of a pandemic” and graduate on schedule.

Vaccines may eliminate the need to quarantine before this year’s cruises, but if not, Bennett will be relied upon again, Achenbach said.

“Currently, Dr. Bennett is working tirelessly to ensure that a safe quarantine will be ready in May 2021 for the cadets, if needed,” he said.

Read more about the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.

Release date: MARCH 23, 2021

For more information:

RADM Jerry Achenbach
Great Lakes Maritime Academy Superintendent
(231) 995-1203
gachenbach@nmc.edu

Sign Up for Revelers @ Roost!

Mar 22, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

We may not be taking a true Spring Break this year, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pause now and again in the heart of the semester to recharge.

Although we’re interacting plenty over Zoom lately, we are missing out on the rich subculture of the chance hallway encounter and the coffee pot confab.

In the vernal spirit of renewal, NMC Library and Friends present, Revelers at Roost, a staycation for your mind!

• What: Eight mini-newsletters from NMC Library & Friends. ‘Subscribe’ to one, two, or all eight!
• When: March 29–April 2
• How it Works: Browse the contributor blurbs here to find out what kind of things you can expect from their newsletters, then sign up for the ones that interest you. That’s it! For each mini-newsletter you subscribe to, you’ll receive one short message each day of what would have been Spring Break.

Success Story: Student nurses volunteer at Hagerty Center clinic

Mar 17, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

March 17, 2021

From left, nursing student Bethany Newell, instructor Amy Trouslot, student Jessica Wichtoski and NMC President Nick Nissley at the Hagerty Center vaccine clinicNMC nursing students this month began contributing to the community-wide effort that has made Grand Traverse County a statewide leader in COVID-19 vaccinations.

Senior practice students have been volunteering at the mass vaccine clinic hosted at NMC’s Hagerty Center every Tuesday since March 2. Instructor Amy Trouslot said the health department contacted her seeking help to vaccinate the 800–1,000 people the site sees daily. It offers the “perfect opportunity” for students to practice community health care, which broadens the acute, hospital care they typically focus on, Trouslot said.

Patti Friedli, a nurse practitioner at the Grand Traverse Health Department and the lead nurse at the March 9 clinic, said the NMC students’ participation freed up other health department staff. A total of 32 nursing students will participate in the clinic through April 20.

“We’re so grateful to have these students. We really don’t have a lot of extra help available. Some of us can go back and do our regular job,” Friedli said.

From left, NMC nursing students Jessica Wichtoski and Kalynn Britten, instructor Amy Trouslot, and students Jamie Grainger and Bethany Newell at the Hagerty Center ClinicFor the students, most of whom are already working, the clinic was a gratifying place to be as the pandemic marks its one-year anniversary.

“It feels good, protecting the community,” said Jessica Wichtoski, 29, a nurse assistant at Munson Medical Center.

Jamie Grainger, 34, agreed. She’s a nurse assistant assigned to the cardiac ICU at Munson, but she’s been floated to the COVID unit.

“It’s rough, and I’m happy to see people doing it,” she said, as a steady stream of patients flowed through the nine vaccination stations set up at the Hagerty Center.

“It was a crazy time,” said Kalynn Britten, 31, a phlebotomist at Munson, of the pandemic’s beginning. She added that on a personal front, while she’s not yet been able to see a nephew born in November, she thinks the wait will be over soon.

“It’s those small steps forward. We’re getting back to some sort of normal,” she said.

The students, who will all graduate in May, spoke highly of their NMC education overall.

“I’m so happy I made this choice,” said Grainger, who was accepted elsewhere but chose NMC. “The instructors have been amazing.”

“You can tell these instructors care and they have such a passion for what they’re teaching,” Britten agreed.

The State of Michigan lists Grand Traverse County as one of the top three counties for vaccination coverage statewide, with 38.7 percent of the population over age 16 vaccinated as of March 15. The statewide average is 24.9 percent. Grand Traverse County is also significantly ahead of the statewide average with the priority group of people ages 65 and over.

Friedli said the health department’s focus on seniors and NMC making the Hagerty Center available has driven that success.

“We have a great facility partnered with NMC. You can just feel the energy and excitement in this building,” she said. “Everyone has pitched in. That’s what public health is.”

Success Story: Student nurses volunteer at Hagerty Center clinic

Mar 16, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

March 17, 2021

From left, nursing student Bethany Newell, instructor Amy Trouslot, student Jessica Wichtoski and NMC President Nick Nissley at the Hagerty Center vaccine clinicNMC nursing students this month began contributing to the community-wide effort that has made Grand Traverse County a statewide leader in COVID-19 vaccinations.

Senior practice students have been volunteering at the mass vaccine clinic hosted at NMC’s Hagerty Center every Tuesday since March 2. Instructor Amy Trouslot said the health department contacted her seeking help to vaccinate the 800–1,000 people the site sees daily. It offers the “perfect opportunity” for students to practice community health care, which broadens the acute, hospital care they typically focus on, Trouslot said.

Patti Friedli, a nurse practitioner at the Grand Traverse Health Department and the lead nurse at the March 9 clinic, said the NMC students’ participation freed up other health department staff. A total of 32 nursing students will participate in the clinic through April 20.

“We’re so grateful to have these students. We really don’t have a lot of extra help available. Some of us can go back and do our regular job,” Friedli said.

From left, NMC nursing students Jessica Wichtoski and Kalynn Britten, instructor Amy Trouslot, and students Jamie Grainger and Bethany Newell at the Hagerty Center ClinicFor the students, most of whom are already working, the clinic was a gratifying place to be as the pandemic marks its one-year anniversary.

“It feels good, protecting the community,” said Jessica Wichtoski, 29, a nurse assistant at Munson Medical Center.

Jamie Grainger, 34, agreed. She’s a nurse assistant assigned to the cardiac ICU at Munson, but she’s been floated to the COVID unit.

“It’s rough, and I’m happy to see people doing it,” she said, as a steady stream of patients flowed through the nine vaccination stations set up at the Hagerty Center.

“It was a crazy time,” said Kalynn Britten, 31, a phlebotomist at Munson, of the pandemic’s beginning. She added that on a personal front, while she’s not yet been able to see a nephew born in November, she thinks the wait will be over soon.

“It’s those small steps forward. We’re getting back to some sort of normal,” she said.

The students, who will all graduate in May, spoke highly of their NMC education overall.

“I’m so happy I made this choice,” said Grainger, who was accepted elsewhere but chose NMC. “The instructors have been amazing.”

“You can tell these instructors care and they have such a passion for what they’re teaching,” Britten agreed.

The State of Michigan lists Grand Traverse County as one of the top three counties for vaccination coverage statewide, with 38.7 percent of the population over age 16 vaccinated as of March 15. The statewide average is 24.9 percent. Grand Traverse County is also significantly ahead of the statewide average with the priority group of people ages 65 and over.

Friedli said the health department’s focus on seniors and NMC making the Hagerty Center available has driven that success.

“We have a great facility partnered with NMC. You can just feel the energy and excitement in this building,” she said. “Everyone has pitched in. That’s what public health is.”

Success story: Celebrating centenarian students

Mar 16, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

March 17, 2021

For more than three decades, Traverse City resident Dick Grout (right) has pushed NMC’s mission to provide lifelong learning opportunities to its outer limits.

The 100-year-old World War II veteran’s Extended Education class records go back to 1988. He’s currently enrolled in a class on the history of U.S. presidents. It’s one of several Grout has taken from Jack Segal, who at 75 was born the year the war ended, in part thanks to Grout’s service.

“I just think it’s important to keep challenged mentally,” said Grout, a widower who lives at the Cordia senior living residential community in Traverse City. “I don’t want to sit here by myself and vegetate. I want to be involved with other people.”

Since COVID hit, Extended Education classes have been virtual, but Grout’s taken the videoconferencing technology in stride.

“We certainly would rather be in person, (but) there’s all kinds of ways to get together,” he said.

Ken Pickering and Jeane PoosGrout’s not the only centenarian student at Extended Education, either. Jeane Poos turns 100 this month. She and her devoted partner Ken Pickering, 95, have a lengthy transcript of EES classes between them. They too have taken Segal’s classes, as well as culinary courses, art and music and getting the most from your iPhone. They’ve been on the instructor side, too, presenting on their travels including a trip to Norway and Russia at Extended Ed’s twice-annual Campus Days.

“We had two rooms full of 50 people,” Pickering recalls.

Poos in fact has created a planned gift for Extended Education so that others may take advantage of the opportunities it offers to all learners, from age 4 to 100, at least.

Visit nmc.edu/ees for information on current classes. Visit nmc.edu/give to find out about planned and other giving opportunities.

Listen to an interview Grout did with the International Affairs Forum at NMC, which he formerly chaired, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of World War II.

Health Forum of Northern Michigan Event

Mar 16, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

Thursday, March 18, 8–9:30 a.m.
Protecting Our Mental Health

Registration deadline is noon Wednesday, March 17. RSVP here.
Learn more here: gvsu.edu/hfnorthernmich/

The virtual Health Forum of Northern Michigan, a collaboration of Grand Valley State University, Grand Valley Traverse City Regional Center and Northwestern Michigan College, places a special focus on serving rural health needs in Northern Michigan. The Health Forums are offered twice a year, in spring and fall, and are focused on issues related to rural health. The subject of Thursday’s Health Forum is Protecting Our Mental Health.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with Comics at the Library!

Mar 15, 2021 | Intercom, Student News

We’re unveiling our new collection of graphic novels and comic books at the library this month, and it’s a perfect opportunity to look at the plethora of women’s contributions and feminist representations within this medium, as well as some critical analysis of the fraught history of gender within comics. Join us, with these recommendations from the library:

Books at the Library

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

A classic graphic memoir from the legendary Alison Bechdel. Bechdel’s comic strip “The Rule,” from her self-syndicated feminist comic, Dykes to Watch Out For, became well-known for introducing what became known as “The Bechdel Test,” a tongue-in-cheek rule for evaluating representations of women in films and other media. (more…)