Personal Note:
I returned to work full time last week and thank you all for the extra work and attention you absorbed during my month-long absence. It’s hard to believe we are only a little over five weeks away from opening conference. There is a lot going on between now and then that will have significant impact on NMC and our future. Two important events occurring on the same date are our Higher Learning Commission visit for accreditation of NMC’s first baccalaureate degree (Maritime Technologies) on August 5 and 6, and the Grand Traverse County election for NMC operating millage on August 6. It will be a busy two days for a lot of people. Next week is the MCCA annual meeting here in Traverse City. There is a great line-up of national speakers including Jeff Selingo, the Editor-at-Large from the Chronicle for Higher Education, author of the just released book, College (Un)Bound: The Future of Higher Education and What it Means for Students. I know many of you have signed up to attend portions of the conference and I encourage you to participate as much as you can. This is an important year of continued transformation for the Association and all colleges.
I have asked the office to begin scheduling breakfast or lunch meetings with members of the Board as we have in the past. Additionally, I will be scheduling coffee, lunch, and evening get together times open to the campus community to provide an opportunity for more informal discussions about the good work people are doing.
I intend to begin distributing more reading materials throughout the year, to the Board and all employees, that will serve as thought starters for the continued strategic conversations that we are holding. Look for those soon.
Finally, it is good to be back. We have a lot of important work to do and I am thankful to all who give of their time, treasures and talent to make NMC such an important asset within our region and state.
Faculty and Staff Activities of Note:
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible.
• NMC will be participating in the centennial celebration at Camp Grayling on July 20. We will have an exhibit tent showcasing our Unmanned Systems and Robotics Center technology in the air, sea and land arenas for this event. This will include our unmanned ground vehicle, unmanned aerial systems, and remotely operated vehicle. We have been encouraged by SFC Beth Lamphere, career counselor for the National Guard/Michigan Works to participate and showcase the educational opportunities NMC has for National Guard reservists. It is anticipated that several thousand persons will be in attendance and the event opens
• Nikoline Sanderson, a student from Northwestern Michigan College, is helping a WWII veteran’s daughter finally get answers to her life-long questions about her father. Donna Gerhard, who is wheelchair bound due to multiple sclerosis, approached the NMC history department hoping that they could help her find more information about her father, Sgt. Donald Fox, a soldier that fought in WWII. Sanderson was assigned to the project by Jim Press, NMC history teacher, and has done countless hours of research to help Gerhard find the information she needs about her father’s life during the military, and after. Scott Herzberg, Assistant Director for NMC’s Outreach Services and POC Military and Veterans Services is now helping to raise funding through donations for Gerhard and himself to make a trip to a reunion with her father’s military troop. (SD3, SD4)
• Ten GLMA staff, faculty and adjuncts attended Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) Training that was provided by Texas Maritime. As a result, GLMA will be able to provide this training to cadets so they can receive the FRB endorsement on their Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) upon graduation. (SD1, SD3, SD5)
• GLMA has also received Coast Guard approval for their Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) class. This is another MMC endorsement the cadets will be able to earn while at GLMA. (SD5)
Saturday morning with multiple National Guard units conducting reviews in front of Governor Snyder. Several other defense industry companies will also be in attendance. (SD2, SD3)
Activities of Note:
• I attended the Coast Guard Air Station Change of Command Ceremony that took place on June 7, along with trustees Doug Bishop and Ross Childs and GLMA Superintendent Jerry Achenbach. We have always had a great relationship with the Air Station and I have full expectations that will continue. Since that time, we have met with the new USCG Northern District RADM.
• As is the normal schedule, I participated in the Munson Healthcare Finance Committee, the Munson Medical Center Board meetings and the ribbon cutting for the Webber Heart Center. I will be spending half a day with Al Pilong, the new President of Munson Medical Center on July 19. This is a chance for me to show him facilities, discuss current and future partnerships and get to know one of our new community leaders.
• Andy Dolan and I met with Neal Ronquist, Publisher of the Record-Eagle, on June 25 and gave him a tour of most of our campuses. Yesterday, Andy, Doug Bishop, Bill Marsh Jr., Barb Benson and I met with the editorial staff to discuss NMC and answer questions about the August 6 Grand Traverse County millage election.
• Bill Marsh, Co-Chair of Friends of NMC, and I were interviewed on the Ron Jolly show the morning of June 26.
• We continue to meet with TCAPS personnel to discuss how our two organizations might better utilize technology through our combined shared resources. We are both publicly supported institutions and continue to look for ways to leverage resources for the benefit of our students, community and taxpayers.
• Bonnie Alfonso, Marguerite Cotto and I toured Village Press on July 2 to see their IT infrastructure. Village Press is a fascinating example of a company in growth mode in an industry that is not. We are examining ways in which we might use their knowledge to benefit NMC.
• Last Thursday was the MPSERS Board meeting on July 11. As you can imagine, there are changes occurring in the retirement system and in retiree health care. I can share these with any of you who are interested.
Legislative Issues
• Implementation of segments of the Affordable Care Act has been delayed. We are examining what this means for NMC and will report out to you in the next week or so.
Miscellaneous
• Reminder that the MCCA Summer Workshop is next week, July 24-26. Several of you are signed up for some of the events and sessions. Please call Dawn in the President’s Office with any questions.
• Traverse City Light and Power signed a contract with HDR Engineering from Ann Arbor to complete the feasibility study for the co-generation project on main campus. We are anticipating a final report from them within 60 days.
• The Army Corps of engineers released the pre-solicitation notice for the harbor project. Due date for RFP returns is August 12. Construction would begin after selection is made. Likely in September. We will keep you informed.