Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Notable Accomplishments provided by Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Directions (SD) and Institutional Effectiveness Criteria (IE) are provided where possible.
- Math Instructor Deb Pharo presented at the International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics in Washington, D.C. in March. (IE1)
- The Public Relations, Marketing and Communications team earned the highest national honor from its professional organization for our publication Nexus. The National Council for Marketing and Public Relations awarded Nexus the gold level Paragon for its strength in telling NMC success stories to a broad audience with a compelling visual presentation. (IE3)
- Facilities worked with Munson Daycare representatives, Cornerstone Architects and State Fire Inspector to formulate a plan to move the NMC Daycare from the Oleson Center to the PE building. (IE2, IE3, IE4, IE5)
- Alexandra Briggs, a liberal arts student at NMC, was named Michigan’s 2018 New Century Scholar, the top community college student in the state. (IE1)
- In keeping with our donors’ wishes, the NMC Foundation has established two new endowed scholarships for NMC students: The Raymond and Julie Dean Scholarship for science or mathematic students. And, the Jerry Brief and Barb Largent Brief Scholarship for alumni of St. Francis High School. (IE2)
- Congratulations to NMC Audio Tech Student Chris Reid on his acceptance to Grand Valley State University in their Film and Video Program. Chris has also been awarded several scholarships: the Stehouwer Family Scholarship, the Patricia & Gene Wolff Memorial Scholarship, and the Jane M. & Chester R. Jones Scholarship. Additionally, Chris has created a weekly video series called “Music Monday” in which he interviews bands and talks about music that has been a big influence on him. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Congratulations to NMC Music Student Michael Robens on his acceptance into the music program at Western Michigan University. Michael will continue his music studies as a Jazz Major in WMU’s highly competitive Jazz Program—one of the best in the country. Congrats Michael! (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Congratulations to the NMC Choreography and Performance Dance Class, and their instructor, NMC Faculty member Dorothy Eisenstein, who participated in a collaborative project with guest art therapist, Sylvia Walworth. This mask-making project integrated aspects of mask, movement, and metaphor, and will be presented in an upcoming performance. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Congratulation to the NMC Jazz Lab and Jazz Big Bands, and their director, NMC Music Faculty member Laurie Sears, on two amazing performances in March. Both performance were exceptionally received, and helped promote NMC and the NMC Music Department. Bravo to Laurie and members of our jazz bands! (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Bravo to the NMC Dance students, and their instructor, NMC Faculty member Dorothy Eisenstein, on their concert of dance entitled “Imagine Dance” in April. The concert featured choreography and performances designed by NMC faculty and students. Enthusiastic audience members were treated to: modern dance, improvisation, hip-hop, and partner dance that was presented through solo and ensemble forms. Congrats Dorothy and the NMC Dance Department! (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Bravo to NMC Music Faculty members: Jeanmarie Riccobono, Scott Sorenson, and Dorothy Vogel who performed with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, March 18. This powerful concert featured the music of Daugherty, Shostakovich, and Beethoven. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Congratulations to NMC Faculty member Jerry Young (adjunct instructor of tuba) who has been appointed Interim Director of Development for the International Tuba – Euphonium Association. His review of the new release of a compact disc recording of euphonium and trombone solos by Henry Charles Smith appeared in the winter issue of the ITEA Journal. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Congratulations to NMC Faculty member Dorothy Vogel who performed a cycle of concerts with the members of the Cummings String Quartet. Performances included concerts at Cordia at Grand Traverse Commons Chamber Music Series in Traverse City, Circle of Arts in Charlevoix, and Music from Park Church Mid-Day Series in Grand Rapids. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- Congratulations to NMC’s Director of Music Programs, Jeffrey Cobb, on the premier of his latest composition, “The Promise of Peace” at Carnegie Hall in early April. The piece, which was a collaboration between Jeffrey and his poet wife, Laura, was commissioned for a large choral festival of high school students from around the nation. Jeffrey was also the guest conductor and clinician for the event. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
- 11 student volunteers participated in the NMC Foundation’s annual Student Phone-a-thon on March 15. Students thanked donors for their past gifts and ask them to renew their support. Student callers earned $10/hour for their student group. During the event, students learned about the NMC Foundation, philanthropy, and fundraising. They also practiced marketing, communication, and letter-writing skills. Students asked donors to renew their support to NMC’s Annual Fund, which supports every student, every day at NMC by supporting the college’s greatest needs. (IE1, IE2, IE3)
- Thank you to the faculty, staff, students, donors, and NMC representatives who made the 26th annual Scholarship Luncheon so meaningful. We came together to celebrate donors to NMC and everything their support makes possible for our students. Many student scholarship recipients got to meet their scholarship donors! We heard wonderful speeches from two students about the tremendous impact of receiving scholarships. We also heard from Janet Jackson, former faculty member and Director of the Health Occupations Division at NMC. In 2014, Janet and her husband Ron established the Janet and Ronald Jackson Nursing Scholarship Fund. She shared how much NMC means to her family and why she established a scholarship fund. (IE1, IE2, IE3, IE4)
Activities of Note: Tim
- Chris Bott and I attended the MCCA Spring Board of Directors Meeting at Glen Oaks Community College on March 22-23. A highlight of the meeting was a presentation on the talent ecosystem in Michigan by Lee Adams from the Upjohn Institute where he discussed the three pillars of labor supply—talent attraction, retention, and development.
- A team from NMC traveled to Chicago for the second Business Innovation Factory (BIF) Design Sprint. The AQIP Experiential Learning Team felt the sessions were very beneficial and are motivated to continue implanting this initiative at NMC. The presentation on this topic to the Board at their April 23 meeting will be available on the Board materials website.
- While in Chicago I also attended the President’s Program of the HLC Annual Conference. Next month our HLC liaison, Dr. Linnea Stenson, will be visiting our campus in preparation for our March 2019 peer review visit.
- I was also able to spend an evening with NMC student attending the concurring SGA Leadership Conference, also in Chicago.
- Thank you to all who were able to attend the Taste of Success on April 6 at the Hagerty Center that benefits the NMC Great Lakes Culinary program. The event was a great success and I believe a good time was had by all!
- The college celebrated with past and new retirees on April 11, as well as honoring faculty and staff service awards. This is a special event to celebrate the wonderful talent NMC offers through faculty and staff. Congratulations to the Foundation Excellence Award winners Linda Racine, Coordinator of Program Advancement for Lifelong and Professional Learning; and the Food Pantry Founding Team of Lisa Thomas, Paul Kolak, Tarah Elhardan, Alice Sluss, Kristy McDonald, Brandon Everest, Lisa Blackford and Robert Scott.
- Thank you, also, to those available to attend the annual scholarship luncheon. This is always a heartwarming event that provides the rare opportunity for donors and student recipients to get to know one another and hear the wonderful stories of each.
- This past Saturday I, along with many NMC employees and students, as well as community members, participated in the Big Little Hero Race organized by students of Kristy McDonald’s as an experiential learning project. Thank you to all who were part of this worthwhile event and learning project
Legislative Issues
State
- The State legislature has returned from its spring recess and quickly gotten back to work on the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 budget. Just prior to the spring break, the House Appropriations Community Colleges Subcommittee met and approved its version of the bill, which included an overall 1% increase for colleges to be distributed through the performance funding formula. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Community College Subcommittee met and also approved a 1% increase. For NMC this would equate to a .9% increase over last year’s levels and provide a total appropriation of $9,594,200.
- On Thursday, April 19, NMC participated in the MCCA’s Community College Legislative Day at the capitol in Lansing. During this event we met with our state elected officials to continue our ongoing discussion of the importance of investing in community colleges.
Federal
- Prior to the federal Easter in-district work period, Congress passed the FY2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which provides funding for the federal government through September 30, 2018. Both U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Senator Gary Peters voted in favor of this bill, with Congressman Jack Bergman voting against. The bill includes a $175 dollar increase in the maximum Pell Grant for the upcoming year, which will positively impact our students. In academic year 2016-17, there were 1,510 NMC students receiving Pell Grant support, which represents 29.5% of our unduplicated student population and totals over $5 million dollars. Also of importance in this legislation was a doubling of the federal funding for the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. The bill included $1 million dollars for the Academy, which will enable NMC to improve the ship’s docking area by installing mooring bollards and mooring fenders. The legislation also includes funds to ensure Academy cadets who volunteer to serve in the U.S. Navy after graduation, will continue to receive an annual stipend of $8,000. We appreciate Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters for their support of this bill and these important programs.
- NMC was honored to host U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow on April 4 as she convened veteran service and resource organizations from the region for a veteran roundtable discussion. Participating from NMC were Todd Neibauer, Vice President for Student Services and Technologies, Scott Herzberg, POC for Military and Veterans Services, and Scott Fairbank, Director of Maritime Admissions. The discussion was wide ranging but included points on the effectiveness of the GI Bill® and suggestions on how to better give college credit for military service. We appreciate the Senator holding this roundtable discussion at NMC and hope that the information shared was valuable to all who attended.
Miscellaneous
- Honors Convocation—May 4 at 4:45 p.m. at Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center
- Commencement is May 5, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Traverse City Central High School
- GLMA Graduation Dinner—May 5, 2018 at the Hagerty Center. Reception at 5:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
- NMC BBQ is on Sunday, May 20