President’s Update for June 14, 2016

Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”

Activities of Note:  Faculty and Staff

This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible. (more…)

NMC employees can golf at a special price

NMC Scholarship OpenYou are cordially invited to play in the 2016 NMC Scholarship Open on Thursday, August 4, at Grand Traverse Resort. This day of fun and friendly competition provides vital support for Honors, Presidential, Founders, and Academic Area Scholarships at NMC.

Golfer fees are $225 per golfer for the public, but NMC employees and retirees will receive a special price of $200!

Registration fees may be paid through payroll deduction. Contact the NMC Foundation at 995-1021 to learn more or to register.

 

Hawk Owl Café specials for the Week of June 13-17

MDF_TurkeyFlatbreadCranMayo_LDSIn case you missed it! The Turkey Flatbread with Cranberry Mayo is back this week, Monday-Friday.

Keep in mind our other Mindful specials. We will be running and Herb Roasted Chicken and Seasonal Veggie Plate Wednesday for lunch.

Also, starting Monday, June 13, salad will be $0.15 per ounce.

Summer Hours at the Hawk Owl Café are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Wellness Scorecard Program

The Wellness Committee, along with HR, are working on a relaunch of the NMC Wellness program. Please watch for information through the summer months. The Scorecard Program will be re-evaluated through new initiatives. Thank you to all who have used this program in the past few years!

Kudos!

Kudos- Praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved. (defined by Merriam-Webster.com) Kudos to the following people and departments! If you know of co-workers who are going above and beyond, nominate them for kudos here!
(more…)

Position vacancies

Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender, Cook and Dishwasher
CIT Instructor

Abandoned bikes slated for pickup June 17

bikerackSecurity will be tagging bicycles on campus which appear to be abandoned. Bikes slated for pickup will have a tag attached. If your bicycle is tagged, simply remove the tag to let Security know that the bike is still in use and not abandoned.

Bikes with tags left on them will be picked up after noon on Friday, June 17.

Help your work orders work for you!

Earlier this year, NMC’s facilities department began using a new work order request system called Maximo. Here are a few reminders on using the system so you can get the help you need as soon as possible.

  • Maximo only works with the Firefox browser (not Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Safari.)
  • You do need to register to use Maximo.
  • You must use your NMC email as your user ID and email address.
  • Facilities can reset your password if you forget it.
  • If you don’t use Maximo for 90 days your account will deactivate (the system will give you a warning the week before this happens).
  • In the details box please be as specific as possible about your request. You can also attach documents or pictures.
  • Routine work orders typically take 5 working days to complete.
  • Urgent requests can be completed in one day. Please also call facilities directly with urgent matters at 995-1111.
  • If you have questions on any facilities work order requests, you can call Nancy Durecki or Casey White at 995-1111.
  • The Maximo Registration and Help Sheets on the employee site can also answer additional questions about the system. Please read this is you are new to the system.

Success Story: Bicycling border to border, coast to coast

June 1, 2016

Pauly Hurlbert in MichiganPauly Hurlbert at the Michigan border on his way home Planning to try Smart Commute Week next week? It just might change your life.

Last year, Pauly Hurlbert had never ridden his bike further than Traverse City to Suttons Bay — a long-ish commute distance. Yet on September 10, the NMC aviation alumnus and certified flight instructor embarked on a West Coast bike tour from Vancouver, British Columbia. He wasn’t sure he’d like pedaling thousands of miles, but keen on the personal discovery and adventure he anticipated along the way, Hurlbert committed to ride to Tijuana.

By the time he reached the Mexican border November 28, Hurlbert not only liked bicycle touring, he was hooked. He turned east, bound for Florida. After a month there he turned north, arriving home in Traverse City in early April having logged 6,138 miles.

“Border to border, coast to coast, and then back home,” said Hurlbert, a 2008 alumnus originally from Kalamazoo. He carried about 120 pounds of gear and camped about half the time.

Now back in a more regular routine that includes bartending, playing music and teaching flight instructor students, Hurlbert, 30, said he applies lessons from the bike tour daily. Chief among them is patience, something that can be hard to impart to students always anticipating what comes next.

“They’re thinking about flying jets, when they’re here teaching students,” he said of his flight instructor students. “Teaching is such a valuable life experience. While they’re here and teaching, make the most of it.”

Pauly Hurlbert in MexicoAnother lesson: Deliberately step out of your comfort zone. Hurlbert practiced this from day one of his trip, which at 65 miles was twice as far as he’d ever ridden before.

“It makes you more comfortable with everything,” he said. He loves to see students taking that risk, recalling one international student who arrived a few years ago with minimal English. This spring, she took her exam to become a flight instructor.

“Now she’s a day away from teaching people how to fly,” he said. “It’s pretty amazing.”

Hurlbert isn’t sure what’s in store for him after the summer semester.

“Not having plans forces you to make challenging choices more regularly,” he said. “It makes you more comfortable and confident.”

But it’s likely he’ll eventually climb back aboard Charlotte, the road bike that carried him to innumerable scenic vistas, milestones like the Mexican border, and personal highlights like riding down Morgan, his childhood street in Kalamazoo. Hurlbert recalled traversing it on training wheels.

“When I was a kid, that was my bike tour,” he said. “Now the nation. Hopefully the world, eventually.”

Success Story: Bicycling border to border, coast to coast

June 1, 2016

Pauly Hurlbert in MichiganPauly Hurlbert at the Michigan border on his way home Planning to try Smart Commute Week next week? It just might change your life.

Last year, Pauly Hurlbert had never ridden his bike further than Traverse City to Suttons Bay — a long-ish commute distance. Yet on September 10, the NMC aviation alumnus and certified flight instructor embarked on a West Coast bike tour from Vancouver, British Columbia. He wasn’t sure he’d like pedaling thousands of miles, but keen on the personal discovery and adventure he anticipated along the way, Hurlbert committed to ride to Tijuana.

By the time he reached the Mexican border November 28, Hurlbert not only liked bicycle touring, he was hooked. He turned east, bound for Florida. After a month there he turned north, arriving home in Traverse City in early April having logged 6,138 miles.

“Border to border, coast to coast, and then back home,” said Hurlbert, a 2008 alumnus originally from Kalamazoo. He carried about 120 pounds of gear and camped about half the time.

Now back in a more regular routine that includes bartending, playing music and teaching flight instructor students, Hurlbert, 30, said he applies lessons from the bike tour daily. Chief among them is patience, something that can be hard to impart to students always anticipating what comes next.

“They’re thinking about flying jets, when they’re here teaching students,” he said of his flight instructor students. “Teaching is such a valuable life experience. While they’re here and teaching, make the most of it.”

Pauly Hurlbert in MexicoAnother lesson: Deliberately step out of your comfort zone. Hurlbert practiced this from day one of his trip, which at 65 miles was twice as far as he’d ever ridden before.

“It makes you more comfortable with everything,” he said. He loves to see students taking that risk, recalling one international student who arrived a few years ago with minimal English. This spring, she took her exam to become a flight instructor.

“Now she’s a day away from teaching people how to fly,” he said. “It’s pretty amazing.”

Hurlbert isn’t sure what’s in store for him after the summer semester.

“Not having plans forces you to make challenging choices more regularly,” he said. “It makes you more comfortable and confident.”

But it’s likely he’ll eventually climb back aboard Charlotte, the road bike that carried him to innumerable scenic vistas, milestones like the Mexican border, and personal highlights like riding down Morgan, his childhood street in Kalamazoo. Hurlbert recalled traversing it on training wheels.

“When I was a kid, that was my bike tour,” he said. “Now the nation. Hopefully the world, eventually.”

2016 Smart Commute Week June 6-10

2016 Smart Commute Week poster-FNLThey say there is no such thing as a free lunch … but you can get a free breakfast!

How? Join us for the 22nd Annual Smart Commute Week June 6-10.

What is Smart Commute Week? It’s an annual celebration, held during the first full week of June, consisting of events promoting cycling, walking, taking the bus and carpooling. Free daily breakfasts are hosted at various locations around town for smart commuters. Every year community members challenge each other to a friendly competition known as the Smart Commute Challenge. (more…)

Hawk Owl Café specials for the Week of May 31

Hawk Owl CafeThe Hawk Owl Café is OPEN! Summer hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Come in for some exciting specials this week.

Tuesday: Buffalo Shrimp Salad
Monterey Black Bean Burgers

MDF_HoneyBBQChickSand_FBadWednesday: Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich
TACO DAY!

Thursday: Chicken & Black Bean Quesadilla & Yogurt
Mediterranean Spinach & Quinoa Salad

Friday: Greek Gyros
Lemon Parmesan Chicken
Vegetable Risotto

Don’t Forget Frappy Hour: Monday-Friday, Noon-1 p.m.