Jun 8, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thanks to librarian Joelle Hannert for sharing the library’s anti-racist reading list at Friday’s town hall meeting. You can read the list here.
The list follow’s last week’s announcement by President Nick Nissley that the college is forming a committee to address inequities and injustices faced by students, employees and the community, in the wake of global protests over the police killing of George Floyd. The committee will be led by Mark Liebling, associate vice president of human resources, and Lisa Thomas, dean of students. “We’ve had a great number of staff and instructors volunteer,” Lisa said Monday. People interested in the initiative or with questions about it can email Mark.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Jun 8, 2020 | Intercom, Media Mentions
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past week. 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 Osterlin Library.
What “Back To School” Might Look Like In Traverse City
The Ticker, June 7 (more…)
Jun 8, 2020 | Intercom, Welcome to NMC
Please join us in welcoming these new additions to our NMC staff, and congratulating current NMC staff on their new positions!
(more…)
Jun 5, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
Paige Sansonetti was promoted to the position of Financial Aid Specialist as of June 15. Please join us in congratulating her!
Jun 5, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
Here is a link to view the training video from Priority Health on accessing the Well-Being Hub. Simply click in the center of the first slide and it will begin.
Jun 5, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Jun 5, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
The NMC Bookstore will reopen for curbside pickup of online orders Tuesday, June 9 through Thursday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Starting Tuesday, June 16, the bookstore will be open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Curbside pickup will be available on these days as well.
To pick up your order curbside, please call the bookstore at (231) 995-1285 and your order will be brought out to you.
The bookstore will resume normal summer hours starting Monday, July 6.
Jun 4, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
The library will be closed for business from Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 19 while library staff move to its new location in the West Hall Innovation Center. Please email library@nmc.edu for urgent requests during this time, but expect a delayed response time. Library staff plan to offer curbside checkout of technology to students and to provide faculty and staff assistance June 19.
Jun 4, 2020 | Intercom, President Updates, Student News
Dear NMC Family,
As I look out to the world from our northern Michigan community, my heart breaks at the frustration and anger that is overflowing onto the streets of cities across our country in response to years of racial injustice. My first reaction is to acknowledge the pain, seek to understand the struggle and empathize with the emotions. As important as that response is, I also know it is not enough. I must also take action. We must take action. It is not enough to be “not racist” we must actively work to be “anti-racist.”
When I first arrived at Northwestern Michigan College earlier this year, I was proud to see the work that we are already doing on diversity and inclusion through areas like the Experiential Learning Institute, the Dennos Museum Center, International Affairs Forum, and throughout our classrooms, student groups and support services. And while we will continue to use those areas to live our values, I believe we can and must do more.
Starting this week, I am championing a new committee at NMC that will focus solely on addressing inequities and injustices faced by our students, employees and the community. This will be led by Mark Liebling, associate VP of human resources, and Lisa Thomas, dean of students. We will look closely at our own NMC community and act as a convener of discussions for the larger community to engage thoughtfully and work collaboratively.
I also intend to lead and learn by doing. This week I have actively sought input from throughout our college community, participated in robust discussions with President’s Council, we will continue that discussion in our virtual employee town hall Friday, and I will join our Phi Theta Kappa students in their Racial Justice Issues/Honors in Action meeting and other student and employee groups. I know this is just a start, but it is a start and I am committed to prioritizing this work as your president.
I also remain committed to listening. I know that will be essential to seeking deeper understanding. I encourage you to share your thoughts with me and together we will work to make meaningful change in our world.
Nick
—
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College
Release date: June 4, 2020
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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
Jun 3, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
June 3, 2020
The GLMA tugboat Mississippi crew in Cleveland. Read more.For some Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadets, a literal ship has come in amid the coronavirus pandemic — an opportunity to make up the sea time they need to enter the workforce.
The tugboat Mississippii arrived in NMC’s Great Lakes campus harbor Monday from Cleveland. It joins the Academy’s vessel fleet on a leased basis, and will allow cadets to earn sea time as soon as state and college officials allow.
Earning the required 360 days of sea time during the four-year program was already a tight fit due to high Maritime enrollment, few available berths aboard commercial vessels, and academic schedule constraints. Shutdowns due to the coronavirus worsened the situation. The Academy’s flagship training vessel, the T/S State of Michigan, would normally have set off in early May on its annual two-month spring training cruise, but has been docked due to the pandemic.
“It’s a tight window between semesters when you need to get the days,” said Cadet Zachary Ferguson, right. He is set to graduate in 2021 and needs 96 more days of sea time. “There’s lots of days we’re behind (due to the pandemic.) The tug is really going to help to try and make up those days. Every day counts.”
Cadet Margaret Handel, is part of the Class of 2020. She needs just 35 more days of sea time.
“We are ready to do whatever we have to do to get back out and sail and move our careers along,” Handel said.
Both Handel and Ferguson hoped to sail aboard a commercial Great Lakes vessel this summer, but the pandemic scuttled those plans.
“We’re struggling for opportunities right now and anything we can get would be amazing,” said Handel, right.
Sea time aboard the Mississippi comes with the bonus of accruing toward a special towing endorsement.
“Having that on your license is great. It just allows you more opportunities down the road,” Handel said.
“Any type of extra training or credential that I can get is going to be beneficial,” agreed Ferguson, who hopes to work with Military Sea Lift Command.
Handel also needs to take her Coast Guard exams, which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is hopeful those can be rescheduled soon.
In March, NMC trustees unanimously approved leasing the Mississippi for six months at a cost of $73,800. Including fuel ($100,000), insurance and instructor salaries, it will cost an estimated $188,000 to operate the tugboat this year.
As the state maritime academy of Michigan, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy at Northwestern Michigan College educates and trains deck and engineering officers for the U.S. Merchant Marine. Graduates earn a bachelor’s degree, and an unlimited tonnage/ horsepower merchant marine license. Read more about the Academy at nmc.edu/maritime.
Jun 2, 2020 | Intercom, President Updates
Dear Campus Community,
As I shared with you last week, the college and community lost a great champion with the passing of Mr. James Beckett.
This coming Thursday, June 4, the community is invited to help celebrate Jim’s life and tremendous contributions as part of a memorial tribute.
The family and funeral processional will travel from Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral home, past NMC’s Beckett Building (around 10:15am), then downtown on Union Street near St. Francis church (10:30-10:45am) to honor Jim on their way to the cemetery for a private service.
I hope many of us, as part of the NMC family, will be able to gather near the Beckett building at NMC (details below). If you can’t make that location, please feel free to join others along Union St. Of course, please be sure to maintain appropriate physical distancing (6’ apart) to stay safe!
Please note, this is a surprise for the family, so please do not share this information with family members. That said, if there are others who would want to be a part of this celebration, you are welcome to share with friends and colleagues.
Organizers encourage all of us to display flags representing our connection to Jim; I’ll be wearing my NMC logo gear! Rotary and/or American flags are also encouraged as we recognize his tremendous service to NMC, St. Francis, Rotary, and his military service.
I’ll look forward to seeing many of you this Thursday as we gather (at a distance) to celebrate Jim’s life. This will be a meaningful send-off for one of our greatest cheerleaders.
With appreciation,
Nick
Gathering Details:
We will gather in the back of the Beckett building beginning around 10:00am. The processional will enter campus near the Beckett building (expected around 10:15am) and turn around in the small parking lot there. Supporters are encouraged to gather wherever it is safe along that entrance and into the Beckett building parking lot – as shown by the highlighted areas on the attached map.
—
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
Jun 1, 2020 | Intercom
Good afternoon NMC Community,
This afternoon Governor Whitmer lifted the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order, reopening the state and moving Michigan to phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan. At this time, NMC will continue its limited reopening while finalizing safety protocols so we can expand reopening efforts in the future. NMC campuses remain closed to the public for the time being.
The Governor’s order today reiterates that any work that can be done remotely, must be. Office work that cannot be done remotely may resume. If you have work that must be completed on campus please contact your supervisor and coordinate with Human Resources to ensure all safety protocols are followed.
NMC’s campuses will remain closed until further notice while the College continues to develop plans to return to campus work and face-to-face learning safely. Two committees are meeting regularly to assist with this effort. We will share drafts of the College’s staggered reopening and exposure control plans with you later this week for review and feedback ahead of Friday’s virtual townhall. The College is also continuing to collaborate with the Grand Traverse County Joint Operations Center on a coordinated regional approach to managing the impact of COVID-19.
If you must come to campus, please wear a face mask, as specified in the Governor’s order. For more information and resources, including instructions on campus mail pickup and delivery, please visit the “keep working” section of nmc.edu/coronavirus.
Following the Governor’s guidance, the college will begin taking a slow and deliberate approach to phased re-starting of some functions on campus. For the safety of our students, employees and community, it is essential that these guidelines are followed.
Summer semester is being delivered virtually with limited small in person labs and classes on a case by case basis. You can see a list of canceled events here.
The College is currently planning several possible scenarios for fall delivery of instruction including face-to-face, hybrid and virtual options. The goal is to communicate the plans with you next week.
This is an unprecedented and rapidly-evolving situation. We will continue to communicate with you to keep you safe and limit the disruption to learning as much as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your supervisor.
As we get updates and changes, we post them first on nmc.edu/coronavirus. Please continue to check here for the latest information.
Thank you,
NMC Public Relations
Release date: June 1, 2020
For more information:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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
Jun 1, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Police Academy Director Gail Kurowski and Health Occupations Academic Chair and Dental Assisting Instructor Beckie Wooters oversaw the first face-to-face instruction on NMC’s campus since mid-March.
Following strict health and safety protocols, police academy and dental assisting students resumed face-to-face training at Northwestern Michigan College May 18 in accordance with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s latest executive order, which amends the scope of previous orders to allow training for first responders and healthcare workers. (Police Academy recruit Monte White, right, is shown taking a defensive driving course at Camp Grayling as part of the academy training.)
Some class days stretched 11 or 12 hours in order to compress necessary training into efficient delivery. Read more.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Jun 1, 2020 | Intercom, Media Mentions
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past week. 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 Osterlin Library.
Great Lakes Maritime Academy adds new vessel to fleet for cadets to learn
UpNorthLive, May 29 (more…)
May 29, 2020 | Intercom, President Updates
Dear Campus Community,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today to share news of the passing of an NMC legend, Mr. James J. Beckett. He was 97.
I was never able to meet personally with Mr. Beckett, known as Jim to most of you, but I have come to know and appreciate his tremendous service to the college and our community, as I’m sure many of you have.
His impact reaches far and wide here, and as I listen to stories of Jim, there are three traits that consistently stand out–service, leadership, and joy.
I’d like to share a bit about how Jim, a World War II veteran who spent his career with Michigan Bell, helped shape NMC into what it is today.
Jim became an NMC Trustee in 1962 and served in that role for 34 years. Chairing countless committees and getting many new projects off the ground from a physical education space in the 1960s to the University Center in the 1990s. Most recently, Jim served on the Campaign Steering Committee to launch our current campaign, Be What’s Possible.
Jim was certainly a possibilitarian. Through his cheerful determination, NMC was able to overcome many challenges during its formative years. In addition to his extraordinary volunteer leadership, Jim had a boundless enthusiasm for students and a passionate devotion to grow the college to meet their potential.
More than 20 years ago, Jim became a Fellow of NMC, the highest honor the college bestows. His nomination summarizes his deep involvement with the college nicely:
“No volunteer in NMC’s history has given of time and dedication as generously as Jim Beckett. In addition to his long standing service on our Board of Trustees, Jim has been heavily involved with developing and maintaining the NMC Foundation, the Barbecue Board, and many capital and millage campaigns. His service to the college is unparalleled.”
Perhaps even more astounding is that Jim’s service was not limited to the college alone. He served our entire community as a Rotary member (for 68 years), Chamber of Commerce president, coordinator for Gladhander, and in countless other ways.
Jim and his late wife Dorothy also found joy in supporting NMC students through the creation of an endowed scholarship and by giving generously to the college every year.
The memory of Jim Beckett will continue on NMC’s campus through his scholarship, the Beckett Building (named in honor of his service), and the ways that he has inspired so many of us to bring a sense of joy to our service at this great institution.
Thank you for joining me to honor Jim,
Nick
—
Nick Nissley, Ed.D. | President | Northwestern Michigan College | 231.995.1010
May 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
Good afternoon NMC community,
The Grand Traverse Community Health Department, Michigan National Guard and Michigan State Police are coordinating to offer free COVID-19 testing for any Michigan resident interested in being tested. The testing will take place Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Turtle Creek Stadium, home of the Traverse City Pit Spitters, located six miles south of Traverse City off of U.S. 31. Test results are expected within 3-4 days.
Thank you,
NMC Public Relations
May 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
The GLMA tugboat Mississippi crew in Cleveland about to get underway. From left to right: Ryan Anderson (Engine), Zach Drenth (Deck), Dan Zassick (Mate), Cary Godwin (Captain). (download a high-resolution version here)TRAVERSE CITY — A new vessel, the tugboat Mississippi, will join the Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s fleet on a leased basis next week, increasing cadet options for completing sea time requirements as well as the credentials they receive at graduation.
Captained by Cary Godwin, a GLMA crew of four departed from Cleveland today aboard the tugboat and are expected to arrive Sunday or Monday at NMC’s Great Lakes campus harbor.
Adding the Mississippi to the Academy’s fleet will offer greater assurance to Maritime cadets that they will be able to complete their required 360 days of sea time before graduation. Cadets complete their sea time requirements during three sea projects, the first of which is completed aboard the T/S State of Michigan, GLMA’s flagship vessel since 2002.
Many cadets accrue the remaining sea time aboard commercial vessels. However, berths on commercial vessels are increasingly difficult to obtain, said GLMA superintendent Jerry Achenbach. This is due to GLMA being at full enrollment, with at least 21 students on a waiting list for admission this fall.
The Mississippi will provide another option for cadets to earn sea time. It will also allow Maritime deck cadets to earn an additional endorsement enabling them to serve as a licensed officer on a tow vessel. This will substantially increase their post-graduation employment options.
“It would be great to come out of the Academy with pilotage and a towing endorsement. That’s going to be amazing in terms of job opportunities,” said Margaret Handel, a 2020 Maritime graduate who needs to complete just 35 days of sea time.
She had hoped to do so aboard a commercial vessel, but said the tugboat would be a great substitute, especially since the coronavirus pandemic has made it even more difficult to get sea time.
Cadet Zachary Ferguson agreed. He is set to graduate in 2021 and needs 96 more days of sea time.
“There’s lots of days we’re behind (due to the pandemic.) The tug is really going to help to try and make up those days. Every day counts,” he said.
In March, NMC trustees unanimously approved leasing the Mississippi for six months at a cost of $73,800. Including fuel ($100,000), insurance and instructor salaries, it will cost an estimated $188,000 to operate the tugboat this year.
As the state maritime academy of Michigan, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy at Northwestern Michigan College educates and trains deck and engineering officers for the U.S. Merchant Marine. Graduates earn a bachelor’s degree, and an unlimited tonnage/ horsepower merchant marine license. Read more about the Academy at nmc.edu/maritime.
Editors: If you would like to cover the arrival of the tugboat in Traverse City, text (231) 392-1800 to receive a more specific arrival time when it is known.
Release date: May 29, 2020
For more information:
RADM Jerry Achenbach
Great Lakes Maritime Academy Superintendent
(231) 995-1203
gachenbach@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
May 28, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
If you enroll in Priority Health, or are eligible and opt out, please join the Well-Being Hub overview with staff from Priority Health to learn about navigation, challenges, and much more.
- Wednesday, June 3 at 10:30 a.m.
- You should have received a calendar invite, but if not please email Hollie DeWalt for details.
