Thanks the organizers and volunteers of the 20th annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Car & Truck Show & Block Party, set for this Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Aero Park campus. Aero Park Drive will close to through traffic for a full day of classic cars, food trucks, music and family-friendly activities. Find out more and plan to attend!
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Saturday, September 19, 2026
6:00–10:00 p.m.
Hagerty Center at NMC’s Great Lakes Campus
Festive Cocktail Attire
Employee Rate: $50 (Regularly $125)
To help us finalize catering and event preparations, the special faculty and staff rate of $50 is available through the end of the day this Friday. Please use the dedicated employee link below to reserve your ticket:
Thank you for everything you do for NMC and, most importantly, for our students and our community. I hope you’ll join me as we celebrate 75 years of NMC and the exciting future ahead!
I look forward to celebrating with you on September 19!
Nick
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media recently. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the NMC Library.
Inside NMC’s $20 million geothermal project
Ticker, Sept. 7
(more…)
To find these selections and many other new titles, see the NMC library catalog.
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Kudos to Kristy Jackson, Alex Bloye, Ali LeJeune, Alice Sluss, Ashleigh Fender, Beth Norconk, Beth Straebel, Betsy Boris, Brittany Schneider, Carolyn Andrews, Cheryl Bloomquist, Christa Abdul-Karim, Cindy Duby, Darryl Greathouse, Eli McCullough, Garrett Croon, Hollianne McHugh, Hollie DeWalt, Jacqueline Olson, Jan Root, Kim Gourlay, Kirk Waterstripe, Krista McCarty, Kristi Hallett, Larry Albosta, Lindsay Kimball, Liz Celeste, Marli Blackhurst, Michael Anderson, Nancy Durecki, Patrick Quinlan, Ren Garvon, Robin Maloney, Shannah Vergote, Stephanie Schall-Brazee, Tiffani Wilke, and Randy Melick! College for Kids 2026 hosted over 100 classes this summer! These folks instructed, donated, volunteered and supported these classes on NMC’s campuses. We know that at least 14% of NMC’s current academic students started out in College for Kids. Thank you everyone for giving our new NMC families a fantastic experience this summer.
Kudos to Christa Abdul-Karim, Merrick Adams, Betsy Boris, Michele Ensign, Ashleigh Fender, Nicole Fewins, Terri Gustafson, Brittany Schneider, Megan Holtrey, Rorie Kawula, Shirl Martin, Shayrrl McCready, Tallula Morrison, Denny Nguyen, Nick Nissley, Beth Norconk, Stephanie Powers, Danielle Quinlan, Shannon Schultz, Amy Shamroe, Jason Slade, Cathlyn Sommerfield, Melissa Sprenkle, Heather VanStratt, Cindy Virta, Sarah Wangler, Ken Warner, Tracy Welch, and Beckie Wooters! College for Kids 2026 filled over 800 seats this summer! These folks greeted an estimated 300+ families on NMC’s campuses! We know that at least 14% of NMC’s current academic students started out in College for Kids. Thank you everyone for giving our new NMC families a warm welcome this summer.
Kudos to Logan Leadmon! Logan has been so helpful to the Success Coaching team and the Student Success Department this summer in multiple ways! From assisting us with checking every single computer in TJNIC 123 to make sure they were ready for College Edge students, to helping those students troubleshoot login and password issues, to assisting us in making sure all of our technology was working in TJNIC 106/107 for our last summer orientation session, Logan was always ready to help with a warm and positive energy. Thanks, Logan, for assisting both staff and students with the essential technology that drives all of our work!
Kudos to Garrett Glynn! Garrett is always a warm and inviting face and voice whenever I run into technology snags and brings that same energy to students who need support. Garrett assisted many of our College Edge students over the summer (as well as numerous new, never-attended students!) and helped build their confidence in navigating the technology systems that are essential to their academic success. Thanks, Garrett, for making the Technology Help Desk feel approachable and inviting for both staff and students!
Kudos to Custodial Services! Dear Facilities and Custodial Services Team, I am writing to share a sincere thank you and express our deepest appreciation for the outstanding work you do. As our Simulation Lab continues to rapidly grow and undergo constant changes, your team has consistently risen to the challenge. Maintaining a highly specialized space like the Simulation Lab requires incredible attention to detail. Even though we rarely see you during your shifts, we notice your hard work every single day when we come into a clean and ready space. No matter how fast we evolve or what changes come our way, you always deliver exceptional results. We truly could not do our work without your dedication and support. Thank you for always doing such an excellent job!
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
These employees recently started working at the college. Let’s welcome them to the NMC community!
Don’t leave Swoop on the sidelines! As we look ahead to 2027, we know many exciting events and celebrations are already in the works. If you’d like Swoop to make an appearance and bring the energy, now is the time to let us know! Help us plan ahead by submitting your Swoop appearance request as soon as possible.
Exempt employees—if you want to help bring NMC’s energy alive while getting paid for your valuable time to either perform as Swoop or accompany him to events, reach out to Zach Whitaker at zwhitaker@nmc.edu.
Submit your request by filling out the Swoop Appearance Request Form
The Hawk Owl Café serves specials during the fall and spring semesters from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:40 to 6:30 p.m. The protein option is $10.99, and the vegetarian option (V) is $9.99. Learn more at nmc.edu/dining.
NO Special Today — Happy Labor Day!
Beef Barbacoa Tacos w/ Spanish Rice & Refried Beans
Tofu (V) w/ Spanish Rice & Refried Beans
Roasted Pork & Pineapple Sweet & Sour Stir Fry w/ Jasmine Rice & Egg Roll
Tofu (V) w/ Pineapple Sweet & Sour Stir Fry w/ Jasmine RIce & Egg Roll
Potato Gnocchi w/ Italian Sausage & Alfredo Sauce w/ Garlic Bread & Green Beans
Potato Gnocchi w/Roasted Veg (V) Alfredo Sauce w/ Garlic Bread & Green Beans
BBQ Pulled Pork on Brioche w/ Mac & Cheese & Asparagus
BBQ Jackfruit (V) on Brioche w/ Mac & Cheese & Asparagus
The NMC Board of Trustees Building and Site committee will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Discovery Pier, 13170 S. West Bay Shore Dr., Traverse City.
More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
NMC offers open recreation in the Rajkovich Physical Education Building (#16 on the Front Street campus map) on Mondays and Thursdays from 7–10 p.m. as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 6–9 p.m. Join us for basketball, soccer, volleyball, dodgeball, badminton, pickleball, ping pong and more!
All NMC students and employees are welcome. Please bring your NMC ID and clean shoes.
For any questions, please contact mbennett@nmc.edu.
All of the fun and connection of a book club with none of the pressure to finish the same book at the same time. No assigned reading! No stress!
Starting this fall, the NMC Library invites you to come share your latest read, your favorite read or your current read! You’re also more than welcome to just to listen and hear recommendations from other readers.
The group will meet at 12 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Library Fireplace Room.
Since the meetings are during lunchtime, you’re encouraged to bring your lunch. Tea will be provided!
This Constitution Day, the NMC Library invites you to the second annual ‘We the People’ trivia night! Test your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution while enjoying free pizza from Dino’s in the Fireplace Room at the NMC Library from 6–8 p.m. on Thursday, Sep. 17.
Teams will go head-to-head competing for the First Amendment Trophy as well as a prize for each member of the first place team. No advance registration required — just show up and play!
NMC’s Automotive Technology department is hosting the 1st Annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Cruise on Friday, Sept. 11, beginning at NMC’s Automotive Service Technology Building located at 2510 Aero Park Drive, Traverse City. The cruise takes place the evening before the 20th Annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Truck and Car Show and is open to those who plan to show their car or truck the next day. Participants will receive a commemorative “1st Annual Mike McIntosh Memorial Cruise” dash plaque.
Mike’s son, Kevin, will lead the cruise behind the wheel of a 1957 BMW Isetta that Mike owned but never restored to show quality. Kevin has since completed the restoration, and the little BMW will finally have its moment at the show. Before the cruise departs, a hot air lantern will be floated in Mike’s memory.
The cruise will depart around 7 p.m. and travel partway up Old Mission Peninsula. Along the way, the cars will pass through the Front Street Campus on College Drive. Students and employees are encouraged to grab a spot along the route on College Drive at the Front Street Campus and cheer on the cruisers as they make their way through campus and the community.
The cruise will finish at NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, the original home of NMC’s automotive program and the place where Mike spent much of his career. Once the cars arrive, Morganja Farms’ food truck will be on hand with food and beverages, giving everyone a chance to gather, enjoy the vehicles and celebrate Mike’s legacy together. The cruise will also support Project Feed The Kids.
If you plan to participate in the cruise, please RSVP to Wayne Moody at (231) 995-1316 or wmoody@nmc.edu.
The Northwestern Michigan College Nursing Department wishes to announce that it will host a site visit for continuing accreditation of its Associate Degree and Practical Nursing programs by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Room 106 of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center Building located at 1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686.
Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted to the ACEN via email at publiccomments@acenursing.org or to the ACEN office: Attn: Accreditation Services Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta GA, 30326 You must identify the full name of the program in your comments.
All written comments should be received by the ACEN by September 21, 2026
🎯 Strategic planning & institutional priorities
📊 Data, dashboards & reporting
📝 Surveys & assessment support
🎓 Enrollment & student success insights
Have a question? Start with ORPE.
We can help identify the right data, frame the question, and connect the findings to decision-making.
What helps us spot students who may need support?
As classes get underway, early information can help us connect students with support before small challenges become larger ones.
What early alert variables do you use or find most useful?
📚 Grades or academic performance
📅 Attendance
⚠️ Faculty/staff alerts or referrals
📝 Missing or incomplete assignments
💻 LMS / digital engagement
❤️ Personal, wellness, financial or support indicators
📈 Enrollment or retention signals
❓ Other / unsure
Take the September Data Wranglers Poll
Can AI outreach improve student success?
What researchers found
✅ Students receiving AI-enabled outreach had stronger course outcomes
✅ Students were more likely to engage with academic supports such as tutoring
✅ Effects were generally similar across student groups
✅ In one microeconomics course, women receiving the intervention earned final grades about 7% higher than women in the control group
Why it matters
💡 Technology may be most valuable when it helps students connect with people, resources, and support rather than simply providing answers.
Source: NBER Working Paper 35397, July 2026. DOI: 10.3386/w35397
Start the semester fresh. Clear your browser cookies and cache, and run any pending software updates. Unpatched software is one of the most common ways malware gets onto your device.
TRAVERSE CITY — John Lutchko, director of the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at NMC, has been named 
the 2026 recipient of the Ocean News & Technology Early Career Ocean Professional Award by the Marine Technology Society.
The award is presented to an individual within 10 years of their last degree or designation who has shown leadership in MTS and who works in a professional capacity in management, engineering or research and development in a marine technology field. It was presented at the MTS annual meeting Aug. 28.
Lutchko is an alumnus of NMC, earning his associate degree in Freshwater Studies in 2013. He was named GLWSI director in 2024.
The Marine Technology Society promotes awareness, understanding, and the advancement and application of marine technology internationally.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)