Sep 29, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
Good morning NMC students,
Thank you for all of your work to keep our NMC community safe during the pandemic. While the safety protocols and scheduling changes are very different than a normal fall semester, with your support we have been able to greatly limit the spread of COVID-19 on NMC’s campuses.
As we look ahead to spring semester, our goals remain the same—to keep our students and employees safe and to limit the disruption to learning as much as possible. To meet these goals we have some important updates to help you plan your spring schedule as you prepare to register for spring classes this week.
- Course format options will remain the same including, lecture, hybrid, livestream and on-demand. We have worked to refine the definitions to make it easier for you to find your best option.
- The spring semester start and end dates will remain as scheduled (unchanged).
- Spring Break will be cancelled and classes will be held March 28 – April 1.
- Friday, April 2, will remain a college holiday. NMC will be closed and there will be no classes.
- Spring semester classes will conclude Monday, April 26. Instructors may use the rest of the week to meet with their students at the faculty’s discretion.
- Grades Submission deadlines will remain as scheduled.
- The dates for events such as Honors Convocation and Commencement will remain as scheduled, but may need to be changed depending on safety protocols.
You can view the complete spring (and summer) course schedule here. Registration for both semesters begins this week.
You have done good work in limiting the spread of the coronavirus on our campuses. We believe that, by making these changes to the spring semester, we can continue to stay safe and keep learning. While we hope to not have to return to 100% virtual instruction like last spring, we are better prepared to make the shift, if necessary. We will continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 at NMC and in our region. Limiting the spread of the virus is a shared responsibility. Thank you for doing your part. For more information regarding NMC’s response to COVID-19 visit nmc.edu/coronavirus.
Sep 28, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
In conjunction with the Marine Technology Society, NMC will host Great Lakes TechSurge: Lakebed 2030 Sept. 30–Oct. 2. This major international virtual conference brings together scientists and researchers, policy makers and government officials and industry professionals. Register for the event here and view the event schedule here.
Sep 28, 2020 | Intercom, Media Mentions
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past two weeks. 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.
Building Back The Trades, One Student At A Time
Northern Express, September 25 (more…)
Sep 28, 2020 | Announcements & News, Intercom
Longtime NMC instructor John Pahl passed away on September 20, 2020.
Pahl was hired to teach in NMC’s Communications department in 1966 and remained an instructor at the college for 48 years, while also coaching NMC’s cross country and tennis teams and taking part in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, where he spent a year Germany and had sabbaticals at Cambridge University and Oxford University. He also wrote stories, articles and poems and served on the board of Michigan Writers.
One former NMC student, regional historian and author Kathleen Firestone, established the John Pahl Literary Prize at NMC in honor of her teacher and mentor, and to inspire and reward NMC students for good writing.
Visitation and a Celebration of Live will be held Oct. 3. Read more here.
Sep 28, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Congratulations to NMC’s J.H. Rogers Observatory and the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society for hosting a wildly successful virtual astronomical viewing session Friday, Sept. 25, in celebration of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s 50th anniversary.
NMC science and math instructor Jerry Dobek, who hosted the viewing session, reports that 348 people and families logged into the Zoom event over its two hours, with some from as far as Bethel, Alaska and Nashville, Tennessee, as well as Canada. Dobek and eight panelists including Astronomical Society members and National Park Service staff fielded questions from the audience while viewing live images of the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars through the observatory’s telescope, and images of deep space objects that Dobek had captured in the weeks leading up to the event. One retired couple unable to attend similar events in person due to physical limitations emailed Dobek after the event in gratitude for the virtual presentation.
The response has been so positive that Dobek is now looking into reopening the observatory’s public viewing nights, albeit in a virtual format like Friday’s event rather than in person. A close approach of Mars in mid-October may provide a good opportunity, he said, depending on the weather.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Sep 28, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Showcasing its expertise in water issues, Northwestern Michigan College will virtually co-host two major professional water conferences in the coming weeks.
First, in conjunction with the Marine Technology Society, NMC will host Great Lakes TechSurge: Lakebed 2030 Sept. 30–Oct. 2. This major international virtual conference brings together scientists and researchers, policy makers and government officials and industry professionals.
Lakebed 2030 is an initiative led by NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute to map the Great Lakes by 2030. Institute director Hans Van Sumeren will give the opening keynote address at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 30. In addition to mapping, technology, coastline and habitat are other conference topics.
NMC offers a bachelor of science degree in Marine Technology.
NMC hosted the same conference in-person at the Great Lakes campus in 2019.
Second, the 13th Annual Freshwater Summit will be held virtually this year over four October Fridays between 10 and 11:30 a.m. each day. Themes are:
- Oct. 2 – Great Lakes water levels
- Oct. 9 – Good Harbor Bay research
- Oct.16 – Whose Water Is It? Equity Concerns with Water Access & Management
- Oct. 23 – Local initiative lightning talks. Great Lakes Water Studies Institute Program Coordinator Constanza Hazelwood will talk about NMC’s Freshwater Studies program, in which students can earn the nation’s only associate degree.
The Freshwater Summit is a product of the Freshwater Roundtable and is organized by multiple organizations including GLWSI. Registration is free.
Release date: September 28, 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
Sep 24, 2020 | Intercom, Student News, Tech Tips
Does your work flow keep getting interrupted by only having a single monitor? Would you like to get more out of your desktop?
Check out our latest Tech Tip to find out how you can boost productivity and get more out of your monitor!
Sep 24, 2020 | Student Events
Ready to get in the fall spirit?
Join us for a pumpkin painting party in the West Hall Innovation Center on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tag your pumpkin #nmcfallidays to enter our competition! Prizes for scariest, funniest, best school spirit, and most overall likes! We’ll share your entries on the Student Success Center Facebook page.
All participants get a free coupon to the Hawk Owl Cafe where you can grab some yummy fall treats.
(Curbside pickup will also be available with pumpkin painting kits set outside West Hall’s main entrance for students to pick up and take home.)
Sep 24, 2020 | Student News
October 12-15
Virtual Transfer Fair – Tuesday, Oct. 13
Over 25 university representatives will provide virtual links to interactive Transfer Information Sessions throughout the day on Tuesday, October 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to talk with students about their programs and the transfer process.
Virtual Major Specific Sessions- Monday, Oct. 12, Wednesday, Oct. 14, & Thursday, Oct. 15
This year, universities will also provide virtual major specific sessions on specialty areas of transfer providing information on how to prepare to transfer as well as time for interactive Q and A. Examples are: Pre-Med, Education, and Liberal Studies.
Not able to attend during these times? Virtual College Nights may be a better option! This is another way to connect with admissions reps at schools across the state. For more information and to pre-register, contact admissions@nmc.edu.
Sep 24, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
The 13th Annual Freshwater Summit will be held virtually this year over four Fridays — Oct. 2, 9, 16 and 23 — between 10 and 11:30 a.m. each day. Registration is free. Register here.
The Freshwater Summit is a product of the Freshwater Roundtable and is organized by The Watershed Center, NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, Michigan Sea Grant Extension, Great Lakes Environmental Center, Inc., Inland Seas Education Association, NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, Grand Traverse Conservation District, Conservation Resource Alliance, and Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council.
Great Lakes Water Studies Institute Program Coordinator Constanza Hazelwood will talk about NMC’s Freshwater Studies program during the Oct. 23 session.
Sep 24, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s J.H Rogers Observatory will partner with the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society and host a virtual astronomical viewing session Friday, Sept. 25, celebrating Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s 50th anniversary.
Sleeping Bear Dunes has been the site of in-person “star parties” for the last 10 years. To celebrate the park’s anniversary and still observe COVID-19 restrictions on in-person gatherings, live images from the NMC Observatory’s telescope will be sent to guests via Zoom beginning at 9 p.m. (If it is cloudy, backup footage will be shown.) Astronomers will be available to answer questions.
The projection of actual live video images is an innovative approach to allowing for viewing safely through the college’s telescope by students. Applying a new low-light sensitive video camera, images normally seen through the eyepiece can be projected real-time to data projector or computer screens. The moon, bright planets, star clusters, nebulae and even faint galaxies are shown as they would appear in the eyepiece of the telescopes at the Observatory. This allows students to continue use of the telescopes at Rogers Observatory safely, as well as providing more in-depth discussions on the objects they are observing.
Work began on this concept in late spring 2020 due to the restrictions of the COVID-19. The system has been utilized for NMC’s Astronomy students beginning at the start of this Fall 2020 semester.
Release date: September 24, 2020
For more information:
Jerry Dobek,
NMC Astronomy Department
jdobek@nmc.edu
(231) 342-4545
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
Sep 23, 2020 | Student News
Good morning NMC students,
We hope you have had a good first month of the fall semester! While this fall semester is different than any we’ve experienced before, we are proud to see you work hard toward your goals. Thank you for how well you are following NMC’s safety guidelines. Since July we have had two positive and one presumed positive case of COVID-19 at NMC. This is very different from what we are seeing at some other colleges and we know it is because of your efforts. Thank you for keeping NMC safe!
Looking ahead to the rest of the fall semester please continue to:
- Wear your mask and practice social distancing while on our campuses
- If studying in a group of 2 or more please be sure to social distance and wear your masks (this includes study rooms like those in the West Hall Innovation Center)
- Eat only in designated areas, like the Hawk Owl Cafe
- Keep group sizes to 10 or fewer while inside.
To help limit the spread of the coronavirus NMC will not return for in-person classes after Thanksgiving break. Starting Thursday, November 26 all classes, meetings, testing and student services will be done virtually for the remainder of the semester. There will be no food service available. The bookstore, Health Services and the library will have limited service. Buildings will have limited access.
The Reimagining Learning Committee is currently evaluating plans for the spring semester. Course format options may be similar to the fall until more students can safely return to in-person learning. Our goal is to announce the plans by September 29.
Thank you for your work during this unusual time and your continued commitment to safety. Your NMC faculty and staff are here to help if you need it. Please reach out to your instructor or write to us here and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
Sep 22, 2020 | Student Events
Celebrate National Coffee Day by joining NMC President Nick Nissley for coffee on Tuesday, Sept. 29!
Students can stop into the Hawk Owl Cafe in the West Hall Innovation Center from 9 to 11 a.m. for free coffee and time to chat with Nick.
Sep 21, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
Thank you to all who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new West Hall Innovation Center on Friday, Sept. 18, whether virtually or in person. Speakers at the event included NMC trustees Chris Bott and Ross Childs, Senator Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City and Dr. Nick Nissley, NMC President. Over 100 people attended virtually.
A photo gallery from the ceremony is available here and a video of the event is here. You can also take a virtual tour of the new 54,000-square-foot, building here.
Sep 21, 2020 | Intercom, Student Events
Friday, Oct. 9, 2020
9:30 a.m.-Noon
It’s a Small World After All… The year 2020 has inspired us to come together to talk about the influence a global crisis has on our community. Northwestern Michigan College has always been a connector between our region and the rest of the world. The current state of our global health and economy has brought home just how connected we are globally.
Join us for a day of meaningful discussions as we examine global issues, talk about impactful change around diversity and inclusion, and the effect all of this has on our individual and community health.
This event is jointly organized by NMC Extended Educational Services, International Affairs Forum and The Dennos Museum Center. The cost is $39 (special discount information will be emailed to IAF and Dennos members.)
Sep 21, 2020 | Hawk Owl Helpers and Heroes, Intercom
Thank you to NMC’s Admissions team for fielding a series of open Q&A sessions via Zoom about the state’s new Futures for Frontliners program to provide tuition assistance to Michigan’s front-line workers. Admissions Director Cathryn Claerhout reports that the program has generated “tons of emails” from interested students, many of whom have applied for the program. Over 100 sessions are available through December for people to get their questions about the program answered.
Who’s been a Hawk Owl Helper or Hero for you? Let us know at publicrelations@nmc.edu!
Sep 21, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
No Appointment Necessary!
Student Health Services (Biederman Bldg., Room 106, #6 on the Main Campus Map)
- Monday, Sept. 21: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 23: 1–4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 29: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 1: 1–3 p.m.
COST: STUDENTS, $15, NMC FACULTY & STAFF $20
(No cost if covered under NMC insurance)
Call 995-1255 with questions
NOTE! All flu clinics subject to change per current CDC and/or GT Co. Health Dept. recommendations and vaccine availability.
Sep 21, 2020 | Intercom, Media Mentions
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past two weeks. 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.
Northwestern Michigan College awards more than $1 million in federal funding to students
UpNorthLive, September 15
The Ticker, September 15 (more…)
Sep 18, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
Monday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. – Virtual Meeting (calendar invites to come).
Open Enrollment for the 2021 calendar year will last from November 9 through November 18.
Sep 18, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
Step Challenge (access the flyer here)
- Challenge 9/21/2020 – 10/18/2020
- Goal this week is 3000 steps daily
Sep 18, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Sep 18, 2020 | HR Corner, Intercom
Multiple NMC departments are being honored with kudos this week, including the Help Desk, IT, Systems and LAN Management; Enrollment Services, Student Life, and Residence Life; Maintenance Team and Grounds Crew. Read the reasons below!
Honoree’s Name: Help Desk, IT, Systems and LAN Management
Honoree’s Dept./Division: Learning Resources & Technologies
Reason for Kudos: Kudos to the Help Desk, IT, and Systems and LAN Management for their ongoing work in helping prepare our facilities for students and also helping students with anxiety regarding online learning and more. Thank you.
Honoree’s Name: Enrollment Services, Student Life, and Residence Life
Reason for Kudos: Kudos to all of Todd Neibauer’s group for the work done to welcome students and help orient them coming into this unusual fall session. The tables at the entrance doors with your greetings, information and materials were very helpful and welcoming for our students. Thank you.
Honoree’s Name: Maintenance Team
Honoree’s Dept./Division: Facilities
Reason for Kudos: Kudos to the entire Maintenance Team for all of your hard work over the summer and into the fall semester in getting West Hall ‘wired’ up and ready to go for the students’ return this Fall. Thanks also for the work done in the Osterlin building to get Tutoring up and running and the food pantry set up. We appreciate all that you do! Thank you…
Honoree’s Name: Grounds Crew
Honoree’s Dept./Division: Facilities
Reason for Kudos: Kudos to the entire Grounds crew for all of their hard work over the summer and into the fall semester in getting people moved into West Hall and moving people around in Osterlin as well as getting the Osterlin building spruced up and ready for the students’ return. We notice and appreciate your hard work. Thank you!
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. During our “Stay Home, Stay Safe” directive, please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
Sep 18, 2020 | Student News
Nursing Students! Pharmacology Math Review Workshops are being offered on the following three Mondays: September 28, October 5 & October 12.
The 1 p.m. workshops will be held in the Tutoring Office in O-134 in the Osterlin Building (#3 on the Main Campus Map). Or attend by Zoom at nmc.zoom.us/j/92473215434.
Sponsored By the NMC Tutoring Center – (231) 995-1138
Sep 18, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Michigan Technological University and Northwestern Michigan College have formalized their intent to collaborate on Great Lakes research, with a focus on marine technology, freshwater science and professional development.
At a signing ceremony held Wednesday, Sept. 16, Michigan Tech President Rick Koubek and NMC President Nick Nissley noted their shared mission and complementary strengths in advancing Great Lakes research, as well as their mutual goal in collaborating to develop an internationally-recognized center of excellence in freshwater science and research.
Under a two-year Memorandum of Understanding, MTU and NMC agreed to:
- Cooperatively develop marine technology and operations plans
- Partner on freshwater science and research projects, and
- Collaborate on professional development projects that showcase Michigan Tech science and technology development and NMC workforce development programming
“I am especially grateful to Andrew Barnard at the Great Lakes Research Center along with Guy Meadows for their leadership and expertise,” Koubek said. “Our partnership with Northwestern Michigan College reiterates our mutual commitment to the protection and rehabilitation of the Great Lakes ecosystem and helps to ensure the economic longevity of our region and our state well into the future.”
“The collaboration is a great opportunity to re-imagine this important work for the future. Not only does it build upon the existing expertise of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, led by Hans Van Sumeren, but amplifies it through the assets of a trusted partner, Michigan Technological University,” Nissley said. “Together we are accomplishing great things for our region.”
Wednesday’s signing builds on a history of collaboration between the public institutions that dates back nearly 30 years. Last year, the two institutions signed seven new articulation agreements that allow engineering students to complete their first two years of study at NMC and then transfer to Michigan Tech with junior status.
The new MOU also demonstrates Michigan Tech’s continued commitment to northern Michigan’s Grand Traverse region. In March 2019, the university announced a three-year Memorandum of Understanding designed to explore collaborative opportunities in the Grand Traverse area. The memorandum included exploration of educational opportunities and services with and through NMC.
The MOU signed Wednesday reflects MTU and NMC’s mutual intentions to develop and implement collaborative activities and is not intended to create binding or legal obligations on either party.
Release date: SEPTEMBER 18, 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
Sep 18, 2020 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Michigan Technological University and Northwestern Michigan College have formalized their intent to collaborate on Great Lakes research, with a focus on marine technology, freshwater science and professional development.
At a signing ceremony held Wednesday, Sept. 16, Michigan Tech President Rick Koubek and NMC President Nick Nissley noted their shared mission and complementary strengths in advancing Great Lakes research, as well as their mutual goal in collaborating to develop an internationally-recognized center of excellence in freshwater science and research.
Under a two-year Memorandum of Understanding, MTU and NMC agreed to:
- Cooperatively develop marine technology and operations plans
- Partner on freshwater science and research projects, and
- Collaborate on professional development projects that showcase Michigan Tech science and technology development and NMC workforce development programming
“I am especially grateful to Andrew Barnard at the Great Lakes Research Center along with Guy Meadows for their leadership and expertise,” Koubek said. “Our partnership with Northwestern Michigan College reiterates our mutual commitment to the protection and rehabilitation of the Great Lakes ecosystem and helps to ensure the economic longevity of our region and our state well into the future.”
“The collaboration is a great opportunity to re-imagine this important work for the future. Not only does it build upon the existing expertise of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, led by Hans Van Sumeren, but amplifies it through the assets of a trusted partner, Michigan Technological University,” Nissley said. “Together we are accomplishing great things for our region.”
Wednesday’s signing builds on a history of collaboration between the public institutions that dates back nearly 30 years. Last year, the two institutions signed seven new articulation agreements that allow engineering students to complete their first two years of study at NMC and then transfer to Michigan Tech with junior status.
The new MOU also demonstrates Michigan Tech’s continued commitment to northern Michigan’s Grand Traverse region. In March 2019, the university announced a three-year Memorandum of Understanding designed to explore collaborative opportunities in the Grand Traverse area. The memorandum included exploration of educational opportunities and services with and through NMC.
The MOU signed Wednesday reflects MTU and NMC’s mutual intentions to develop and implement collaborative activities and is not intended to create binding or legal obligations on either party.
Release date: SEPTEMBER 18, 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
