Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Craig Shattuck after 19 years of dedicated service to NMC. As the leader of our second-shift custodial team, Craig has been the definition of a ‘take-charge’ leader.
He is deeply respected for his encyclopedic knowledge of our campus and its people, but he will be missed most for what he brought to our culture. Whether it was a perfectly timed movie reference, a great story, or simply his unwavering cheerful personality, Craig made NMC a better place to work. Craig, we wish you nothing but the best as you head into a well-deserved season of rest and relaxation!
A retirement party will be held for Craig from 4–6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30 in the Sculpture Court at the Dennos Museum Center. All employees are welcome to attend.
A community cornerstone was born 75 years ago when Northwestern Michigan College opened its doors, establishing itself as the state’s first community college and a reputation for excellence, innovation and responsiveness that continues today.
NMC is launching its 75th anniversary year by introducing a special 2026 class of Outstanding Alumni — a group of more than five dozen individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their communities and career fields — as well as a year-long slate of special events.
“The accomplishments of these alumni span an incredible range of professions, from entrepreneurs to health care providers, from law enforcement to elected leadership,” NMC President Nick Nissley said of the class of 2026. “Daily, they embody NMC’s mission to transform lives and enrich our communities.”
The recipients are from every decade since NMC opened its doors in 1951. Some of the more familiar names include current state representatives Betsy Coffia and John Roth, Networks Northwest CEO Janie McNabb, city of Traverse City manager Benjamin Marentette , Grand Traverse County Sheriff Mike Shea and author Chasten Buttigieg. It also includes seven current NMC faculty and staff members.
The yearlong anniversary celebration is highlighted by three signature events open to the public:
April 25: Student and community block party, Front Street campus
July 25: History walk, Front Street campus
Sept 19: Anniversary celebration, Great Lakes campus
“In 1951, the community spoke loud and clear — they wanted a college in northern Michigan. Seventy-five years later, that wisdom is reflected in a healthy, thriving NMC,” Nissley said. “We want the community to join us in a celebration of that founding vision, which we plan to carry out for 75 more years.
NMC opened its doors on Sept. 19, 1951. A total of 65 students attended classes held at the Traverse City airport terminal building. Today, more than 3,400 students are enrolled.
NMC has named Outstanding Alumni since 1988. 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. Visit nmc.edu/75 to see the list.
Are you planning an event or communication during the 75th anniversary year? Whether or not your initiative is on the ‘official’ anniversary calendar, you can infuse 75th anniversary branding into your work this year!
NMC has a 75th anniversary branding toolkit available in Canva. Most offices/departments/teams have a Canva user. If you need help identifying someone, email publicrelations@nmc.edu.
Additionally, we hope everyone uses the special 75th anniversary email signature this year, which can be accessed on the employee intranet.
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
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
NMC is implementing a new process for ordering name tags. To place future orders, visit the name tag order form page on NMC’s employee website, select one of the layout options and complete the corresponding Google form. This webpage replaces the PDF form that was previously used.
Employees can select from multiple layouts including options for listing preferred pronouns, long job titles or long department names. Each layout option has a corresponding form to ensure accuracy.
Before submitting your request, please review the tips and recommendations on the page, including:
Character limits for each line to prevent font scaling
Guidance on shortening titles and avoiding redundancies
Best practices for splitting long job titles or department names
These tips help ensure the finished name tag is consistent with NMC standards.
If you have questions or need assistance, contact Don Loeffler at dloeffler@nmc.edu.
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.
TRAVERSE CITY— Northwestern Michigan College congratulates the 1,193 students who made the Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester, earning a grade point average of 3.5 or above out of a possible 4.0 while taking five or more credits.
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
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
As you know, in December NMC’s Board of Trustees authorized me to negotiate with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians following their initial offer to purchase the Boardman Lake campus. I’m writing to let you know we have now agreed to terms in principle, including a purchase price of $27 million. Both parties have signed a letter of intent to proceed with the sale, and I have suspended the RFP process that began in October, which led to the Band’s initial offer. We anticipate completing the sale in the spring, following due diligence and pending trustee approval.
The Band shared they will use the property, part of their ancestral homelands, as a centralized governmental services center. Additionally, they are committing to maintaining public access for recreation, including the Boardman Lake loop trail, and lake and river access. Under the terms of the agreement, the Tribe has committed to never using the property for any gaming activities.
I know this continuity of community engagement reflects the intent of those who campaigned for the property over 35 years ago, when NMC purchased the property from Sara Lee. The building quickly grew into a critical asset for the college and our region. More than 10,000 students have earned advanced degrees through the Boardman Lake Campus thanks to the generosity of donors like Art and Mary Schmuckal, for whom the building was named, and the innovative vision of those who advocated for the acquisition.
Now, with different dynamics in higher education and course delivery options, including online and hybrid formats, and with our University Partners relocated to our Front Street campus, it is the right time for the property to enter its next era. The sale of this property will support and help accelerate more than $100 million in projects set forth in our campus master plan (basic infrastructure needs, like the need for more student housing and a new power plant), as well as advance our strategic priorities: future focused education, student engagement and success, and a vibrant college community.
As we begin a new year, I’m feeling incredibly grateful as we advance this opportunity. An opportunity for a win-win-win: a win for the Grand Traverse Band, a win for the College and our NMC students, and a win for the community.
Have you ever thought about how awesome it is to just chill with a good book? Step away from the hustle and bustle for a bit and get lost in a story. Reading is the perfect way to unwind, spark your creativity, and build empathy. Whether you’re into gripping novels or inspiring biographies, each page is a chance for fun and growth. So, carve out a little “me time” every day. Let your imagination run wild and dive into new adventures.
Kudos to Brittany Hanbury! Brittany coordinated the first ever NMC Book Swap, bringing book lovers from all departments together for some holiday cheer and great reads. Thanks to her for coordinating a fun gathering with the added bonus of sending participants home with new-to-them reads in time for the holiday break.
Kudos to Ben Post! Ben answered a very last-minute, very panicked, and very-end-of-the-semester call for help to correct a weighted scoring problem with a Canvas gradebook. Ben assessed the issue (after working hours), suggested a correction, then made the necessary changes himself (also after working hours). The result was an accurate gradebook and a majorly relieved faculty member. Ben saved the day in a totally selfless way!
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!
At their meeting on December 15, 2025, the Board of Trustees approved the strategic plan as presented. This document summarizes the strategies, objectives, strategic drivers, and the strategic impact statement of Anchor and Edge, NMC’s new strategic plan. In this preliminary phase of strategic plan development, work continues behind the scenes drafting actions for the thirteen objectives with three deep-dive strategy workshops scheduled for early January. Teams will work to finalize their action steps, identify resourcing needs, and align with internal processes during spring. The official launch of this three-year plan will coincide with the start of FY27 on July 1, 2026.
Strategic Initiatives would like to thank the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, Leadership Council, ESIMT, Faculty and Staff Councils, student groups, ORPE, industry partners, and the many others that provided valuable input and support during the development process. Look for more engagement as objective leads reach out as they implement action steps.
The Fitness Center will have modified operating hours the next few weeks and will be open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Monday–Friday. It will be closed Dec. 24–Jan. 1 and will reopen with on Friday, Jan. 2.
Normal operating hours will resume Monday, Jan. 12.
Amy Shamroe, Industry Navigator for the Sixty by 30 Grant Team in Extended Education & Training, is getting the word out about Sixty by 30.
On December 3, Amy attended the MiLEAP event Moving Michigan Males Forward. She has some great takeaways, including how to portray “Hot Jobs” and if we have equal representation of men and women when promoting fields such as Healthcare, Education & Public Service, Legal, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Business/Information Services, and Manufacturing. 9&10 News interviewed Amy at the conference (Watch the interview here).
In addition, Amy hosted her first “Meet the Industry Navigator” night on Thursday, December 4 in the community room at West Shore Bank. Business owners and NoMI Attainment Collaborative partners were in attendance. Partners included GROW Benzie and Kirkland Community College.
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.
Kudos to Molly Norville, Hollie DeWalt, Kim Gourlay, Lil Anderson and Brittany Hanbury! The holiday planning committee brought some serious joy and warmth to students and employees serving up hot cocoa on a very cold day. Thank you all for taking time during a very busy week to deliver holiday cheer and smiles to all!
Kudos to Lisa Boike and Andrew McCall! Andrew and Lisa worked quickly to mitigate an unplanned ‘early retirement’ of the college’s emergency alert system used to send voice, text and email alerts.They collaborated with the vendor and NMC staff to populate a new system with the contact information needed in case of an emergency. Because of their dedicated and timely work, NMC was ready and able to send out lockdown alerts to our NMC community in response to the incident on November 16. Many thanks Andrew and Lisa!
Kudos to Amy Shamroe! Amy Shamroe, Industry Navigator for the Sixty by 30 Grant Team in Extended Education & Training, had a very impact week! On December 3, Amy attended the MiLEAP event: Moving Michigan Males Forward. She has some great takeaways for our team, mainly around marketing (how are we portraying “Hot Jobs” – do we have equal representation of men and women when promoting fields such as healthcare, Education & Public Service, Legal, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Business/Information Services, and Manufacturing?). Watch Amy’s interview on 9&10 News at the event! In addition, Amy hosted her first “Meet the Industry Navigator” night on Thursday, December 4 in the community room at Westshore Bank. Business owners and NoMI Attainment Collaborative partners were in attendance. Partners included GROW Benzie and Kirkland Community College.
Kudos to Shannah Vergote! Extended Education & Training released its Winter/Spring 2026 catalog this week. All of the work on our catalogs is done in house at Extended Education. While it’s a team effort, and is the culmination of all of our roles here in Ext. Ed., Shannah Vergote is at the helm of all aspects of the catalog – design, layout, timelines, partner ads, sponsorships, & logistics. Since 2024, Shannah has been incorporating some impactful new elements. You may have noticed that we now have a catalog sponsor. That sponsorship is currently up to $3500, with previous sponsorships of $2500. Throughout the catalog, we have made the intentional decision to feature all authentic photos of real people, mostly people from our own community. Shannah has lowered the number of photos, while increasing the size and appeal of existing photos, for a clearer aesthetic, and to minimize the cost (# of pages) of the catalog. Our programmers are featuring more of what’s popular (like Date Nights), and leaning into NMC instructors more and more—like Tiffani Wilke! She works closely with partners on creating and fine-tuning their ads (like Peg Jonkoff with Reynolds Jonkoff Funeral Home). We’re very proud of this work which showcases the talent, expertise, dedication, and passion of our NMC College Community.
Kudos to Lindsey Dickinson and her staff! Lindsey and her staff helped to proctor an exam at the last minute when I was in a car accident during finals week. They helped reduce quite a bit of stress for me at a challenging time. I will be forever grateful.
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!
Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Craig Shattuck after 19 years of dedicated service to NMC. As the leader of our second-shift custodial team, Craig has been the definition of a ‘take-charge’ leader. 
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by 
