The Building & Site commitee of NMC’s Board of Trustees will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 13 in the President’s office conference room of the Tanis Building on main campus. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
Last week, representatives from NMC participated in the 97th National Cherry Festival. We’d like to give a special thanks to Amanda Clark, Brady Corcoran, Joe Deater, Ryan Deering, Les Eckert, Kerry Fulcher, Dan Goodchild, Traci Heidebreder, Rorie Kawula, Rick Mathis, Wayne Moody, Jason Smith, Lisa Thomas, Lisa vonReichbauer and Becky Wooters for connecting with the community throughout the week and continuing to fulfill the college’s mission.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@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.
Editorial: Our View on Freshwater Center
Record-Eagle, July 9 (more…)
NMC recently partnered with Davenport University to offer a seamless transfer for those interested in earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Applications are currently open for fall 2023.
Join one of the upcoming informational sessions to learn how to transfer to Davenport University and earn a BSN in 10 courses.
Benefits of completing your BSN at Davenport University include:
If you have questions, please contact Zach Whitaker, Campus Director and Nursing Advisor, at zwhitaker@davenport.edu or (616)732-1180.
TRAVERSE CITY — Community members are invited to a presentation of the first science results from the James Webb space telescope, to be held from 6–8 p.m. Monday, July 10, at the State Theater, 235 E. Front St., Traverse City.
The event is sponsored by NMC’s Astronomy Department, the University of Michigan Astronomy Department and the International Astronomical Union, which is holding its annual symposium in Traverse City July 10-14.
Speakers are astrophysicists Jonathan Gardner, deputy senior project scientist for the James Webb space telescope at NASA and Ewine van Dishoeck, professor of molecular astrophysics at Leiden University, the Netherlands. A past IAU president, her work unites the world of chemistry with that of physics and astronomy, and she has been heavily involved in planning major new telescopes.
The James Webb space telescope was launched on Christmas Day 2021 after 25 years of planning, design, development, integration, and testing. Its first science results have engaged the public and surprised the scientists. Webb has already found the most distant galaxies ever seen. Its goals address the origins and history of the universe: the first stars and galaxies that formed after the Big Bang; the morphological and dynamical buildup of galaxies; the formation of stars and planetary systems; and exoplanets, the solar system and the conditions for life.
Gardner will review Webb’s construction, launch and deployments, He will describe what scientists have learned in the first year of science results from the telescope on the deep universe. van Dishoeck will focus on the new insights that Webb has provided on the formation of new stars and planets and the habitability of other worlds. She will highlight the chemical richness of the Webb data, with water and other molecules seen throughout the universe.
A question and answer session will follow the presentation.
Jerry Dobek
jdobek@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1271
Other questions:
Cari Noga
Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (call or text)
TRAVERSE CITY — The International Affairs Forum (IAF) at Northwestern Michigan College will undergo a leadership transition as the interim director returns to his primary role at the college.
Jim Bensley held the interim position with IAF since 2021 and was instrumental in moving the group through its new strategic planning process with the IAF advisory board.
Starting July 1 IAF will be led by advisory board co-chairs MajGen Michael Lehnert (USMC Ret.) and Stan Otto with support from Alex Tank, IAF Communications & Production Coordinator. Bensley will continue to serve IAF as an advisory board member while he returns to his role as instructor and director of International Services and Service Learning at the college.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jim who stepped in to lead during the COVID-19 pandemic. He not only helped successfully reimagine how to deliver on the promise of the IAF, during an uncertain time for events, but also helped us plan for a future in a way that will increase the impact of IAF for NMC students, our community and beyond,” Lehnert said.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the IAF during this time of transition. Connecting with the global community has long been a passion of mine,” Bensley said. “We are fortunate to have many people who not only share a similar passion, but also bring deep experience from across the country and world to the organization. I am excited to see the IAF continue to grow and evolve.”
The International Affairs Forum will launch its 30th season this fall. The group is excited to share high-quality programming as well as extra opportunities such as Global Hotspots, Academic WorldQuest, film screenings, podcast content, and ongoing partnerships with the National Writers Series, Economic Club of Traverse City, Interlochen Public Radio, and the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan.
With the enduring support of members and corporate sponsors, the International Affairs Forum is energized to continue its mission of advancing understanding of the world and its critical issues. Find out more at tciaf.com.
Alex Tank
Communications & Production Coordinator
International Affairs Forum | Northwestern Michigan College
atank@nmc.edu | (231) 995-1844 | TCIAF.com
TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City Freshwater Research & Innovation Center on West Grand Traverse Bay is set to receive $15 million as part of Michigan’s fiscal year 2024 budget passed by the Legislature on June 28. The budget now heads to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for a likely signature.
Once complete, the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center will establish the Grand Traverse region as a global hub for applied freshwater innovation, offering research, education, commercialization, new business incubation, and startup accelerator programs. Housing the Research and Innovation Center on the geographic epicenter of the Great Lakes will further solidify Michigan’s leadership in the freshwater blue economy, which for NMC traces back to 2004, when the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute opened at NMC’s Great Lakes campus on West Grand Traverse Bay, southeast of the planned Innovation Center location.
The project is a collaborative effort of 20Fathoms, Discovery Center & Pier, Michigan Technological University, Northwestern Michigan College, and Traverse Connect. Last month, NMC named a three-person team to explore a joint venture structure with the Discovery Center for the project as it moves forward.
The Discovery Center and Pier owns the land, and is the fiduciary of already-secured private, public, and federal funding, as well as the $15 million. NMC and Discovery Center & Pier plan to be the fiduciary of future federal and other public monies. Other entities could potentially buy into the joint venture, which would:
“This is an exciting opportunity to build upon the expertise and proud history of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute. By taking a regional and collaborative approach, we are able to leverage all of our strengths for the benefit of the community and make a difference on a global scale,” said Jason Slade, NMC vice president for strategic initiatives and a member of the joint venture team. It also includes Vice President for Finance & Administration Troy Kierczynski and Board of Trustees Vice Chair Rachel Johnson.
Matt McDonough, CEO of Discovery Center & Pier, said, “This level of support from our local legislators and the Governor is really remarkable. The State’s investment gets us significantly to our goal for the Center’s first and main facility which will get us up and running.”
The $15 million secured this week will be used to launch the first phase of the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center facility housing research, lab, and business incubation space, as well as the completion of Discovery Pier, which will provide dockage for research and education vessels and a four-season marine technology classroom and laboratory. The research and development of freshwater technology, combined with private sector investment, incubation, and acceleration of startup companies will generate significant return on investment from regional and state economic growth, the formation of new advanced technology businesses and the creation of high-paying scientific, technical, and professional jobs for Michigan.
“By co-locating research, education and commercialization partners, this new facility will generate tremendous opportunity for job creation, business development, and economic growth,” said Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect.
“In recent years, 20Fathoms and our partners have proven that Traverse City can incubate successful, growing startups,” said Eric Roberts, Executive Director of 20Fathoms. “The Freshwater Research and Innovation Center will generate significant research, leading to additional startup and small business opportunities that will allow our community to build a robust startup ecosystem and accelerate the growth of new businesses.”
“Michigan Tech is pleased to collaborate with the team in Traverse City in the creation of the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center,” said Rick Koubek, President of Michigan Technological University. “This new center represents another step forward in our growing relationship with the Traverse City region in support of our Great Lakes.”
Jason Slade
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
jslade@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1995
TRAVERSE CITY — A balanced budget and tuition rates and fees for the 2023-24 academic year were approved unanimously by the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees Monday.
In-district tuition rates will increase by 3 percent, to $122 per contact hour for in-district students (Grand Traverse County residents.) Tuition rates for out-of-district and out of state students will rise 6 percent. The general fee will rise by $1 per contact hour, from $32 to $33.
For the average in-district student taking 24 contact hours in a two-semester academic year, that means an increase of $120 ($96 in tuition, $24 in fees.) A table of tuition rates for all residencies and programs is available here (p. 41). NMC tuition is about one-quarter the cost of in-state tuition at a four-year public university.
“NMC is committed to offering a strong educational value,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “This year that includes keeping our tuition increase below the rate of inflation.”
This year’s increase is below last year’s 5 percent increase. In 2021, a tuition increase was mostly offset by a fee decrease. The college held tuition flat in 2020. Tuition amounts to 45 percent of NMC’s budget and is the only revenue source the college controls. Property taxes (26 percent) and state aid (28 percent) are the two other primary revenue sources.
As of fall 2022 semester, NMC’s in-district tuition was the ninth lowest among Michigan’s 28 community colleges. Thanks to community donors the college also awards more than $1 million in institutional scholarships annually. Adults over 25 who don’t already have a degree are eligible for a state scholarship, Michigan Reconnect, which pays 100 percent of in-district tuition. The high school class of 2023 is also eligible for up to $2,750 per year through the Michigan Achievement scholarship.
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)
By now, all NMC employees should have received the latest Nexus magazine at their home address. You can also share all the great stories digitally. Find mobile and social media-friendly links at nexus.nmc.edu. Share your Hawk Owl pride far and wide!
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Kudos to Katy Grimmer, Randi Nelson & Sarah Sergent from Learning Services: We have the best students working in our department already, but we were so ecstatic to see that Katy, Randi and Sarah made the Dean’s List this spring!! They exemplify what it means to be a hard working hawk owl and we are lucky to have them.
Kudos to Christa Abdul-Karim: Christa represented EES College for Kids at the Price Carnival event last weekend. Christa supported NMC Extended Education by giving away over 200 prizes, increasing our enews list, spending time with attendees at the event, and all around spreading the good word of EES. Volunteering during a precious Saturday in June demonstrates Christa’s dedication to our programming; it is greatly valued and appreciated by her EES Team.
In addition to supporting NMC EES, her involvement in the Pride Carnival showcases her genuine support for the LGBTQ+ community, and thus, her dedication to promoting inclusivity and diversity, a strategic initiative here at NMC.
On behalf of the EES Team, I want to express our gratitude for Christa’s outstanding efforts, passion, and dedication. We are incredibly fortunate to have you as a member of our team!
Kudos to Les Eckert and GLCI Team: I am so excited that Lobdell’s is open again this summer. Their breakfast and coffee was outstanding!!! I am looking forward to going back many more times this summer for meetings or for just the great food.
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!
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.
Students receive something extra (scholarship to NMC)
C&G Newspapers, June 26 (more…)
The NMC Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 106/107 in the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center on NMC’s main campus. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact the President’s office at (231) 995-1010.
A severe thunderstorm watch means that the potential exists for the development of thunderstorms which may produce large hail or damaging winds. When a watch is issued, you should go about your normal activities, but keep an eye to the sky and an ear to the National Weather Service’s weather radio or local radio and television stations for further updates and possible warnings. (more…)
Congratulations to the staff and faculty in dental assisting for helping their students achieve success! All of NMCs dental assistant students recently passed the written and clinical portions of their registered dental assistant state board exams.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Students’ bathymetric research published, Aquahacking challenge launching
TRAVERSE CITY — As northern Michigan works to become the hub of the blue economy, Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute has earned two national firsts in water research and water entrepreneurism.
NMC’s two firsts contribute to the body of knowledge about freshwater in general and the Great Lakes specifically, which is the foundation of the blue economy. As a blue economy hub, Traverse City would become like a Silicon Valley for freshwater knowledge. That knowledge will lead to innovation, jobs and solutions for water challenges from contamination to climate change.
“The fact we know so little about it is a problem,” said Ed Bailey, director of NMC’s Marine Center and Project Management course instructor. “You cannot solve a lot of other problems around habitat, invasive species, and resilient communities without bathymetry. It’s all connected.”
“Huge congratulations on being the first multibeam dataset in the Great Lakes!”Jessica Nation, bathymetry data manager for NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information told the students via email.
Participants in the nine-month Great Lakes challenge must be 18-35. The top three solutions will receive prizes of at least $35,000, $15,000 and $10,000. The challenge’s semifinal, where Aquahacking competitors pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, will be held in Traverse City in March 2024.
“By hosting this challenge here and the innovation that goes along with it, the hope is they’ll want to stay and spin those businesses up in Traverse City,” Bailey said. “This becomes the pipeline for the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center. It’s bringing blue tech, high tech jobs to Traverse City.”
Evidence of the demand for the knowledge lies in the fact that all four graduating Marine Technology students on the team working with NOAA had multiple job offers before they graduated, Bailey said.
NMC offers the only bachelor’s degree in Marine Technology in the United States. In addition, NMC will begin offering a Water Quality & Environmental Technology (WET Tech) associate degree this fall. The first in the state, the WET Tech program will train the skilled workforce needed to respond to this growing demand for monitoring and cleanup of waters within the Great Lakes watershed. NMC also offers three other water-related programs:
Hans Van Sumeren
Director, NMC Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
hvansumeren@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1793
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.
Pride on campus
Northern Express, June 17 (more…)
The NMC Bookstore will be closed June 28-30 for annual inventory and will reopen on Monday, July 3. All web orders placed between June 28-30 will be processed on Monday, July 3.
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is proud to announce the 2023 recipients of the college’s Outstanding Alumni award.
Jerry Dobek (Mathematics & General Arts & Sciences 1998, faculty/staff 1989-present): As a student and as a faculty member, Dobek has played a pivotal role in the operations of NMC’s Rogers Observatory and his teaching at NMC extends into numerous school-based, community and national programs.
High-resolution image of
Jerry Dobek
He has written over 50 dark sky ordinances for Michigan cities, is a founding member of the International Dark Sky Association and regularly consults on exterior lighting projects. He’s been recognized with a distinguished service award from NASA for their Ambassadors program, and has received NMC’s Imogene Wise Faculty award both as an adjunct and full-time faculty member. As one nominator wrote, “Dr. Jerry Dobek’s exemplary leadership…aligns with NMC’s values, at the core of his volunteering and public outreach is to bring the community together. Jerry Dobek put ‘community’ into community college. His life’s work revolves around student success. His heart for teaching extends into his life where everyday has become a classroom for learning opportunities.”
High-resolution image of
Tiffany McQueer
Tiffany Smith McQueer (General Studies 2012, Practical Nursing 2013): McQueer and her husband Jason McQueer have owned J&S Hamburg South in Traverse City since 2014. With the onset of COVID-19, Tiffany McQueer saw a need to support families beyond the pick-up meals provided to students through schools during the week.
What began as one cooler outside their restaurant stocked with a handful of meals has turned into a full-fledged nonprofit organization, with three locations providing food, as well as drives for holiday gifts, winter wear, and back-to-school support. Project Feed the Kids has distributed over 225,000 meals over the past three years.
One nominator explained, “Tiffany is the best example of a local person who saw an urgent need…she mobilized her family, using her own time and business as a base of operation to Feed the Kids and provide many with a normal Christmas and other celebrations. Why? Because she’s been hungry before–and her empathy for others in need is a perfect reason for nominating her as an NMC Outstanding Alumni.”
Since 1988, Northwestern Michigan College’s Outstanding Alumni award has recognized graduates and past students for professional achievement and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. Nominees for this award should have demonstrated accomplishments that also reflect the NMC values of dedication to life-long learning, innovation and integrity, and respect for and collaboration with others. Recognition is not solely contingent on having received a degree or certificate from NMC, but on the achievements of the nominee and positive perspective as to the role that NMC played in their lives. Visit nmc.edu/alumni for more information and a nomination form.
Carly McCall
Director of Alumni Engagement
alumni@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1834