Success Story: BBQ supports West Hall, Commitment scholarships

May 14, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

May 15, 2019

Patrons enjoying the traditional buffalo burger and kids games might also notice a giant crane and the steel beamed-frame of a rising second story on the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center at the annual NMC Barbecue this Sunday.

Begun last fall, the West Hall renovation and the Commitment scholarship for promising, mostly first-generation college students are the beneficiaries of funds from this year’s 64th annual picnic under the pines, set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday on main campus.

“The NMC Barbecue has a long and proud history of investing in the future of our region, whether it’s through the students themselves, or by creating the learning spaces they need to succeed,” said Barbecue Board President Heather Jewell. “It’s exciting to know a $6 picnic meal can have such an incredible impact when we all join together to support our college.”

Originally a residence hall, the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center is set to reopen next spring as a 54,000-square-foot, multi-story library and flexible learning space accommodating a range of learning styles and needs, including experiential and simulation. Since 1993, the Commitment scholarship has offered full-tuition scholarships to 1,500 students from all around the region, positioning them to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree.

The Barbecue traditions of free live entertainment, classroom displays and program exhibits, and free admission to the Dennos Museum Center will all return. New at the Barbecue is the first annual printmaking sale, set for 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building. Patrons can take home a student print for as little as $3. See the complete list of activities and events.

In addition to supporting college programs and equipment — to the tune of $1.8 million since the late Gerald W. Oleson and his wife Frances, founders of Oleson’s Food Stores, started it in 1956 — the Barbecue is a place where community connections flourish. More than 500 volunteers put on the Barbecue. Additional volunteers are still welcome, especially in the following areas. Sign up online.

• Kids Games – 3–5 p.m.
• Recycling Champions – 2–5 p.m.
• Hot Dog Cookers – 2–4 p.m.
• Buffalo Wranglers – 3–5 p.m.
• Serving line (this job is for community groups) – 2–5 p.m.

Tickets are $6 in advance and can be purchased at Oleson’s Food Stores, the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, the NMC Foundation, and many financial institutions. Tickets are available for $6 plus a $1.25 service charge on MyNorth Tickets. Tickets are $8 on Sunday.

Need a quick lunch?

May 13, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

Need a quick lunch but don’t have time to leave campus? Sandwiches, wraps, and drinks are available at the bookstore all summer!

Faculty Excellence winners named

May 10, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

Nicole Speelman (click for high-resolution version)TRAVERSE CITY — Science and English instructors were named the 2019 winners of NMC’s annual Faculty Excellence awards at commencement ceremonies May 4.

Chemistry instructor Nicole Speelman is the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award winner.

English instructor Cathy Warner is the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award winner. Chosen by a student selection committee, criteria for both awards include teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.

Both joined the NMC faculty relatively recently. Of Speelman, who began in January 2018, students said:

• This instructor has gone above and beyond, holding study sessions every week even coming in on Saturdays to give extra help before exams.
• She is very good at connecting with her students. She also uses a flipped; classroom as a style of teaching. We would watch the lecture videos at home as homework and use class time to go over concepts that we were struggling with. I found this incredibly helpful.
• I never was thrilled to take a chemistry class, but after this semester I would definitely take another. I couldn’t thank her enough!

Cathy Warner (click for high-resolution version)Of Warner, who began in August 2017, students said:

• This instructor gets to know every one of the students so we don’t just feel like another face in the room. Our teacher understands the students’ strengths and weaknesses, and accommodates material for every one of the students to have success in the class.
• The instructor has us use Moodle, concept maps, and explains difficult concepts on the board. Also, the instructor uses YouTube videos to the class’ advantage.
• Our instructor is very caring and relates the material to real life events happening in our media to drive the points across.

The Imogene Wise award was first bestowed in 1971. The adjunct award was created as a companion in 1999.

Release date: may 10, 2019

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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

New Books at the Library – May 2019

May 8, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

The library has purchased many new books so far this year. You can view a handful here along with descriptions or go here to see the full listing. These books are on display in the library’s lobby.

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