White Pine Press wins 10 awards from Michigan Community College Press Association

May 4, 2020 | Intercom, Student News

Please join in applauding the inspiring and award-winning work of our White Pine Press staff, a talented and committed group that received 10 awards from the Michigan Community College Press Association this year. As Faculty Advisor Jacob Wheeler says, “This is a pretty good haul.”

• Micah Mabey: Serious Column – FIRST PLACE – “The Unfortunate Truth of Anti-Semitism” (Jan. 24, 2020)
• Winter Swamp: Original Cartoon – SECOND PLACE – “Different Names, Different Horrors” (Sept. 20, 2019)
• Nick Moug: Critical Review – SECOND PLACE – “Reading Dante in Chaotic Times” (Dec. 6, 2019)
• Ann Hosler: Critical Review – THIRD PLACE – “Shady Lady Book Review: Beyond the Limit” (Oct. 4, 2019)
• Hannah Krohn: Original Comic, Entertainment – SECOND PLACE – “The Spooky Tale of the Directionally Dead” (Oct. 18, 2019)
• Ann Hosler: Headline Writing – SECOND PLACE – “This Path is Paved in Words” (Nov. 15, 2019)
• Ann Hosler: Photo Essay – HONORABLE MENTION – “Sushi Train” (March 22, 2019)
• Stephanie Jones: Sports News Story – HONORABLE MENTION – “NMC Students Conquer Winter Baja Track” (Feb. 21, 2020)
• General Excellence, Division 2 – SECOND PLACE – “Can I Kiss You?” (March 22, 2019)
• Front Page Design – SECOND PLACE – “Can I Kiss You?” (March 22, 2019)

More information is located here:
The WPP Facebook page: facebook.com/thewhitepinepress/photos/a.289211801197141/2990463527738608
WPP Archive: whitepinepresstc.com/archive
Awards website: mccpa2020.wixsite.com/conference/categories

A Taste of Success raises more than $100,000 for scholarships despite cancellation for COVID-19

May 1, 2020 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Supporters of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute’s Taste of Success raised more than $100,000 for student scholarships, despite the event’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is the premier annual fundraiser for culinary students at Northwestern Michigan College and was scheduled for April 17, 2020. 

Thanks to the community’s support, the Great Lakes Culinary Institute awarded 17 scholarships to students in April. Scholarship award amounts ranged from $1,500 to $5,000.

“These scholarships are more important than ever for students,” says Chef Les Eckert, Director of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute. “In these challenging times, scholarships will enable students to stay in school and complete their degrees positioning them well for the future.”

The 2019 event raised more than $117,000 for student scholarships. The event was first held at the Park Place Hotel in 1994.

The Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College is designed to provide rigorous and concentrated areas of study for students planning careers in the hospitality and food-service industry. The Institute offers both degrees and certificate programs, including its newest baking certificate. Many of the Institute’s programs are accredited by the American Culinary Federation, one of fewer than 200 U.S. colleges to receive that distinction. Students are eligible to become ACF Certified Culinarians upon graduation. 

Community members are still able to support Great Lakes Culinary Institute students by making gifts to the Taste of Success scholarship fund at nmc.edu/give.

RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2020

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Paris Morse
NMC Foundation
pmorse@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2822

A Taste of Success raises more than $100,000 for scholarships despite cancellation for COVID-19

May 1, 2020 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Supporters of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute’s Taste of Success raised more than $100,000 for student scholarships, despite the event’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is the premier annual fundraiser for culinary students at Northwestern Michigan College and was scheduled for April 17, 2020. 

Thanks to the community’s support, the Great Lakes Culinary Institute awarded 17 scholarships to students in April. Scholarship award amounts ranged from $1,500 to $5,000.

“These scholarships are more important than ever for students,” says Chef Les Eckert, Director of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute. “In these challenging times, scholarships will enable students to stay in school and complete their degrees positioning them well for the future.”

The 2019 event raised more than $117,000 for student scholarships. The event was first held at the Park Place Hotel in 1994.

The Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College is designed to provide rigorous and concentrated areas of study for students planning careers in the hospitality and food-service industry. The Institute offers both degrees and certificate programs, including its newest baking certificate. Many of the Institute’s programs are accredited by the American Culinary Federation, one of fewer than 200 U.S. colleges to receive that distinction. Students are eligible to become ACF Certified Culinarians upon graduation. 

Community members are still able to support Great Lakes Culinary Institute students by making gifts to the Taste of Success scholarship fund at nmc.edu/give.

RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2020

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Paris Morse
NMC Foundation
pmorse@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2822

Success Story: Alumna pilot flies medical supplies around the globe

Apr 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News

April 29, 2020

Kelly Lepley, NMC Aviation 1989, has flown cargo flights for UPS since 2001 and is currently a captain flying supply lines to southeast Asia, India, Europe and the United States. She has a unique, birds-eye view of how coronavirus has literally transformed the world from where it started in Wuhan, China, last December. The Traverse City native who started flight training as a high school junior shared her appreciation for NMC and answered a few questions during an April layover in China:

“I would not be doing what I love if it wasn’t for NMC. The foundations of what I learned as a student has carried me through my career today,” she said. “It’s rewarding yet, humbling to know we are carrying lifesaving equipment for those on the front line.”

Does anything in your pilot experience compare to the COVID-19 pandemic? Nothing. It is indescribable! To see hundreds of large jets lined up on taxiways, chocked with their engine covers on; parked in cities like Bangkok, Delhi, Cologne, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen is eerie. It would be one thing if it was at one airport, but I’m seeing it everywhere we go. You just cannot describe the magnitude of this moment in history in air travel. This pandemic has literally crippled the world when it comes to freely moving about in what was once a global society.

How has COVID-19 impacted your work? We’re each given an N95 mask for our whole trip along with alcohol wipes. When we arrive stateside in some key international cities, the aircraft are cleaned and desensitized. Layovers are much more challenging. In some of the places we travel, we will undergo multiple temperature checks, a health screening and mouth swab. After a 12-hour flight, it takes an additional 2-3 hours to be processed through these screenings before we are allowed into the country.

What have you seen elsewhere that might foreshadow how the U.S. recovers? In February and March, there were little to no passenger flights. If any, they were repatriation flights. On occasion you would hear another cargo flight, but the majority of the time, we were the only one talking on the radio. When on the ground, the streets were empty, factories and businesses were closed, and hotels were vacant. In late March and early April, factories and businesses began to open back up, and limitations on travel were slowly lifted. The one area that is still lagging though, are passenger flights.

NMC Aviation Director Alex Bloye said passenger traffic is down 95 percent. However, there are bright spots beyond the delivery sector that Lepley represents.

“With the airlines facing temporary route cancellations during COVID-19, there have been sectors of aviation seeing a surge in activity and talent. Private charter services, as well as the military are two examples,” he said.

Bloye also foresees the commercial industry rebounding, perhaps strongly. The pandemic may have hastened some senior captains’ retirement plans.

“The pilot shortage is going to be even greater when the world returns to air travel,” Bloye said. “The recovery is going to be excellent for aviation, the trick is determining when that will happen.”

Amid COVID-19, NMC’s Class of 2020 is 600-strong

Apr 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Despite an unprecedented worldwide health crisis that disrupted nearly all aspects of daily life, about 600 students will graduate in Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2020.

They have earned 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, as well as Bachelor of Science degrees in Maritime Technology and Marine Technology.

Commencement was scheduled for Saturday, May 2, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, a ceremony has been postponed either until August or a double ceremony in May 2021.

 Face-to-face classes were cancelled March 13 and students finished the semester by learning remotely.

NMC President Nick Nissley praised both students and college faculty and staff for their rapid pivot. Face-to-face classes and all student services, including advising, financial aid and personal counseling were transitioned to remote operation over the course of about a week. 

“I’ve seen our NMC community overcome challenges we couldn’t have imagined three months ago,” Nissley said. “While we have to postpone the traditional pomp and circumstance of a commencement ceremony this spring, the accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff are even more worthy of recognition.” 

From students who chose to remain safe in North Hall to Maritime cadets aboard the training ship State of Michigan to students working on the front lines in the region’s health care facilities, perseverance and commitment to long-term goals was abundant this semester.

Students who complete degree requirements in the fall 2019, spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters are considered members of the Class of 2020. A list of graduates is available online here.

Summer sessions begin May 9 and June 12. All summer classes will also be held online. NMC is still considering options for fall class delivery, prioritizing student and employee safety while limiting the disruption to learning as much as possible. 

Release date: APRIL 29, 2020

For more information:

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

Amid COVID-19, NMC’s Class of 2020 is 600-strong

Apr 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Despite an unprecedented worldwide health crisis that disrupted nearly all aspects of daily life, about 600 students will graduate in Northwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2020.

They have earned 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, as well as Bachelor of Science degrees in Maritime Technology and Marine Technology.

Commencement was scheduled for Saturday, May 2, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, a ceremony has been postponed either until August or a double ceremony in May 2021.

 Face-to-face classes were cancelled March 13 and students finished the semester by learning remotely.

NMC President Nick Nissley praised both students and college faculty and staff for their rapid pivot. Face-to-face classes and all student services, including advising, financial aid and personal counseling were transitioned to remote operation over the course of about a week. 

“I’ve seen our NMC community overcome challenges we couldn’t have imagined three months ago,” Nissley said. “While we have to postpone the traditional pomp and circumstance of a commencement ceremony this spring, the accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff are even more worthy of recognition.” 

From students who chose to remain safe in North Hall to Maritime cadets aboard the training ship State of Michigan to students working on the front lines in the region’s health care facilities, perseverance and commitment to long-term goals was abundant this semester.

Students who complete degree requirements in the fall 2019, spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters are considered members of the Class of 2020. A list of graduates is available online here.

Summer sessions begin May 9 and June 12. All summer classes will also be held online. NMC is still considering options for fall class delivery, prioritizing student and employee safety while limiting the disruption to learning as much as possible. 

Release date: APRIL 29, 2020

For more information:

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

Success Story: Alumna pilot flies medical supplies around the globe

Apr 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News

April 29, 2020

Kelly Lepley, NMC Aviation 1989, has flown cargo flights for UPS since 2001 and is currently a captain flying supply lines to southeast Asia, India, Europe and the United States. She has a unique, birds-eye view of how coronavirus has literally transformed the world from where it started in Wuhan, China, last December. The Traverse City native who started flight training as a high school junior shared her appreciation for NMC and answered a few questions during an April layover in China:

“I would not be doing what I love if it wasn’t for NMC. The foundations of what I learned as a student has carried me through my career today,” she said. “It’s rewarding yet, humbling to know we are carrying lifesaving equipment for those on the front line.”

Does anything in your pilot experience compare to the COVID-19 pandemic? Nothing. It is indescribable! To see hundreds of large jets lined up on taxiways, chocked with their engine covers on; parked in cities like Bangkok, Delhi, Cologne, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen is eerie. It would be one thing if it was at one airport, but I’m seeing it everywhere we go. You just cannot describe the magnitude of this moment in history in air travel. This pandemic has literally crippled the world when it comes to freely moving about in what was once a global society.

How has COVID-19 impacted your work? We’re each given an N95 mask for our whole trip along with alcohol wipes. When we arrive stateside in some key international cities, the aircraft are cleaned and desensitized. Layovers are much more challenging. In some of the places we travel, we will undergo multiple temperature checks, a health screening and mouth swab. After a 12-hour flight, it takes an additional 2-3 hours to be processed through these screenings before we are allowed into the country.

What have you seen elsewhere that might foreshadow how the U.S. recovers? In February and March, there were little to no passenger flights. If any, they were repatriation flights. On occasion you would hear another cargo flight, but the majority of the time, we were the only one talking on the radio. When on the ground, the streets were empty, factories and businesses were closed, and hotels were vacant. In late March and early April, factories and businesses began to open back up, and limitations on travel were slowly lifted. The one area that is still lagging though, are passenger flights.

NMC Aviation Director Alex Bloye said passenger traffic is down 95 percent. However, there are bright spots beyond the delivery sector that Lepley represents.

“With the airlines facing temporary route cancellations during COVID-19, there have been sectors of aviation seeing a surge in activity and talent. Private charter services, as well as the military are two examples,” he said.

Bloye also foresees the commercial industry rebounding, perhaps strongly. The pandemic may have hastened some senior captains’ retirement plans.

“The pilot shortage is going to be even greater when the world returns to air travel,” Bloye said. “The recovery is going to be excellent for aviation, the trick is determining when that will happen.”