Aviation 50th Celebration

Dear Campus Community:

Last night we celebrated NMC Aviation’s 50th Anniversary with students, alumni, retirees, and community members. As with all of our outstanding programs at the college, I am continually humbled by the talent of our students and the generosity shown by our community.

I want you to be one of the first to know that at the event I had the honor to announce that Sallie and Kerm Campbell have included NMC in their estate plans, making a $1 million gift commitment to the college. This generous gift is in memory of Kerm’s brother, Ronald Kent Campbell, who was a great aviator and mentor to students. The gift will support a program fund for innovation and excellence at NMC Aviation—making a difference for every student who passes through the hangar’s doors.

Your dedication to all of NMC’s students is an important part of what inspires people in our community to give to NMC so generously. This college was founded because local citizens believed in the power of education to change lives—and every day you make that belief a reality.

Thank you for all that you do for NMC’s students. And cheers to the next 50 years!

Tim

Timothy J. Nelson, President

Success Story: Equalizing opportunities in the cockpit

September 27, 2017

NMC aviation student Kate HauchNMC Aviation, already celebrating its 50th anniversary, notched another notable accomplishment this fall – the largest number of new female students ever.

The six women, from Michigan to Indiana to Alaska, more than double Aviation’s total female enrollment. They took various paths to the Aero Park campus – from a sight-unseen enrollment after a relative’s recommendation to a cold-hard calculation of cost to value. But after only a few weeks of class, they share a sentiment of satisfaction with the small, welcoming program that gets students into the pilot’s seat ASAP.

“It was amazing. The second week of school we were up in the air,” said Kate Hauch, 29 (above), the Alaskan who enrolled upon the recommendation of her brother-in-law, a former student. She never set foot on campus until she arrived from Juneau a couple days before classes, but has felt welcomed.

“You’re a new student, you don’t know how to fly, let’s learn,” is the attitude she found.

“Being able to fly the first week of school at NMC really made a big difference,” agreed Regan Lezotte, 18, of Howell. She had wanted to go to Western Michigan University and spent months agonizing over her choice. A cost analysis showing she’d save six figures by attending NMC tipped the scales.

“There are some smaller houses that I could buy with this money I’d be saving,” Lezotte said.

At Western she wouldn’t have been flying until summer 2018, and would have been among 800-900 students instead of 50.

“It’s more intimate. My instructor knows me, he knows my name,” said Lezotte, whose goal is to fly in corporate aviation. She’s also already found an internship for next semester, working in the Airport Operations and management offices at Cherry Capital Airport.

Hauch plans to return to Alaska and work in either the aerial survey industry or flying medical evacuation flights. Meanwhile, the Saginaw native is enjoying the warmer weather and the local scenery, like her “gorgeous” first flight up the Leelanau peninsula.

“I love the northern area,” she said.

NMC Aviation will celebrate its first half-century with a symposium and gala dinner at the Grand Traverse Resort Thursday. More details are available at nmc.edu/aviation50.

Award-winning growth in study abroad participation

TRAVERSE CITY — NMC has been recognized as a Generation Study Abroad (GSA) leader by the Institute of International Education for more than doubling student participation in study abroad experiences in three years.

NMC was one of approximately 30 schools among 800 GSA institutions worldwide to already achieve its commitment to double student participation in study abroad before the end of the decade. The GSA initiative was launched in 2014, when NMC sent 36 students overseas. In 2016 NMC sent 74 students abroad and ranked 12th in the nation among community colleges for short-term study abroad.

“We are honored to be receiving this award and know it would not have been possible without the dedication of participating faculty and financial support from the NMC Foundation,” said Jim Bensley, executive director of International Services and Service Learning, who will accept the award at an IIE conference in Washington, D.C. next week.

Ensuring that learners for success in a global society is one of NMC’s strategic directions. In 2018 NMC expects to send students to study abroad in six destinations, including South Africa, India, Ireland, Costa Rica, Italy and Indonesia.

Release date: September 27, 2017

For more information:

Jim Bensley
International Services and Service Learning
jbensley@nmce.edu
(231) 995-2527

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

Workforce Recruitment Program at NMC

Are you a Student or Recent Graduate with a Disability seeking Employment?

A WRP recruiter will be interviewing students from NMC this fall!

The WRP is a recruitment program for students and recent graduates with disabilities and serves as a primary pipeline for bringing new talent into the federal government. Participating in the WRP is an excellent way to:

  • Find an internship or permanent position at federal agencies
  • Explore careers in the federal service
  • Gain interviewing experience

For more information, click here

To sign up for an interview contact: Leanne Baumeler at (231) 995-1929 or lbaumeler@nmc.edu