By the calendar, spring arrived two weeks ago, but for Great Lakes Maritime Academy alumna Margo Marks, it sailed in today.
This morning the Emerald Isle picked up passengers at Charlevoix for the Beaver Island Boat Co.’s first voyage of the season. For company president Marks, the vessel’s return from its winter on the Lake Michigan island truly signifies spring.
“It’s always exciting to see the bridge open,” she said of the drawbridge over the channel that links Lake Michigan and Round Lake. “It’s a beautiful sight to see the Emerald Isle pull in.”
Marks, 54, and her husband Todd both graduated in 1983, she as a deck officer and he as an engine officer. Their timing couldn’t have been worse, coinciding with a slump in the U.S. steel industry that dominated Great Lakes shipping. In order to find work, Todd Marks joined the Army and the couple left the state for nearly a decade. But the Great Lakes are a powerful lure.
“We were always trying to find a way to get back to Traverse City,” Marks said.
It came after her husband’s military discharge. He found work on a West Coast tanker, hauling petroleum from Alaska to Long Beach, Calif. The job allowed their family of five to live anywhere, and in 1992 the Markses returned to northern Michigan. (Todd Marks still works as a chief engineer.)
In 1994 Marks got her own second shot at a maritime career when she became harbormaster for the village of Elk Rapids. She stayed in that role until 2001 when she joined the Beaver Island Boat Co. as general manager.
Ferry as a lifeline
The ferry is considered a lifeline for the island’s 550 resident and a boon for tourism in Charlevoix. During the course of 375 annual round trips between April and December the Emerald Isle transports 6,500 vehicles, 40,000 passengers, and all manner of freight, from appliances to manufactured homes to heavy equipment.
“One time we had a young lady take a goat in her car,” Marks recalled.
Charlevoix Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Amanda Wilkin noted that 40,000 ferry passengers also means 40,000 potential diners and shoppers are discharged into the streets of Charlevoix. The drawbridge itself is an attraction.
“It’s a huge attraction for people to watch the bridge go up and the ferry go through,” she said. “It’s a unique thing to our community.”
Marks also serves her industry as the president of the Passenger Vessel Association, a national association representing owners and operators of dinner cruise vessels, sightseeing and excursion vessels, car and passenger ferries and other vessels that carry more than 200 million passengers per year.
Marks traces her maritime career to her downstate childhood, when she helped her father restore a 1927 wooden-hulled boat at a marina in Monroe (right).
“It fell over in winter storage. My dad bought it with a hole and we repaired it,” she said. They subsequently spent every summer weekend on the Queen Ann — named for her mother — on Lake Erie.
“Dad and I would go out and do a lot of perch fishing. We’d go out and fish and swim and it was a great time,” Marks said.
A photo of the Queen Ann now graces her office as Marks prepares for another season helping other families make memories on another Great Lake.
A group of Master’s level Social Workers from Ferris State University is raising money on behalf of 36 families and individuals moving into Carson Square Apartments, a new supportive housing development in Traverse City specifically for individuals experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic violence and people with disabilities.
To reach their goal of $10,000, the group is hosting an event at Right Brain Brewery on Sunday, April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. and asking for sponsors and cash donations. Sponsors who donate $250 or more will be featured by name at the event. The money earned at this event will go a long way in covering the move-in needs of a new apartment and your gift will make a difference in the life of many individuals and families from your community!
FREE FOOD and enlightened conversation Wednesday, April 6, at 8:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 7, at 3:30 p.m. in the West Hall Conference Room.
Join us for the exciting NEW launch of our student talk series. Come join fellow students for a living room discussion on a specific global hot topic each month. Each discussion will be hosted by a student group, and one faculty/expert in that area. (more…)
International Club International Dinner Featuring fine cuisine from many regions and cultures. Also featuring international talents and entertainment. Located at the Hagerty Center. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available through MyNorth at MyNorthTickets.com. (For student prices, please contact Julia at jcastilho@nmc.edu or the Jason in the Admissions Office at (231) 995-1054)
World
6–8 p.m.
Hagerty Center
$40
Friday, April 15
Global Literature Reading Group Discussion The Global Literature Reading Group will discuss this semester’s book, House of Stone: A Memoir of Home, Family, and a Lost Middle East, by Anthony Shadid, which tells the story of a Lebanese-American journalist who stumbles upon the ruins of his grandfather’s estate while covering the war in Lebanon.
Lebanon
Noon–1:30 p.m.
West Hall Conference Room
Free
Saturday, April 16
Sweet Earth Arts & Music Festival An all-inclusive Earth Day celebration featuring musicians, artist vendors, family friendly activities and workshops to help plant the seeds of environmental consciousness and provide resources to help it grow.
United States
1–6 p.m.
Hagerty Center
Free
Tuesday, April 19
Global Endorsement Spotlight—Tabling Event An opportunity for students to discover how to distinguish themselves from other NMC graduates by participating in the Global Endorsement program and by earning the endorsement on their transcript. Available to those wanting to know more and to those already a part of the GE Cohort, especially if you are in need of completing your Capstone.
World
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
West Hall, Lower Level
Free
Wednesday, April 20
Sounds From Afar NMC international students will share music and stories from their home countries on WNMC.
World
7:30 a.m.
WNMC, 90.7 FM
Free
Global Flavor Day Taste a variety of international cuisines from Sodexo.
International Affairs Forum Canada: PM Trudeau’s New Direction Justin Trudeau, a 43-year old ex-teacher with no government experience but a famous pedigree, is taking Canada’s Liberal government in new directions. Among his immediate challenges as prime minister are Syrian refugees, free trade, climate change, and how to confront the Islamic State. Join Canadian diplomat David Collins for a discussion of Canadian foreign policy, including issues in Michigan’s backyard.
Canada
6–7 p.m.
Milliken Auditorium
$10 at the door, free for students and educators
Saturday, April 23
Caravanserai II – A Project of the Arts Midwest The second tour of the Caravanserai’s 2015‐16 season will feature hip‐hop/soul duo The Reminders joined by a female hip‐hop dance troupe led by choreographer Amirah Sackett. The tour will be emceed by Caravanserai’s Artistic Director, Asad Ali Jafri, performing under his stage moniker, DJ Man‐O‐Wax.
World
8–9 p.m.
Milliken Auditorium
$17 members, $20 advance, $23 door (additional fees apply)
TRAVERSE CITY — Step into spring by enjoying one of these toe-tapping shows by NMC’s talented performance ensembles in April and May:
Sunday, April 17: NMC Music Department recital. 3 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Donations taken at the door for the Music Student Scholarship Fund.
Tuesday, April 19: NMC Concert Band presents “A Few of Our Favorite Things.” 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $12 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Admission for NMC students with student ID is free. Tickets are available at mynorthtickets.com or at the door.
Friday, April 22: NMC Jazz Bands and NMC Vocal Jazz Ensemble. 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Admission for NMC students with student ID is free. Tickets are available at mynorthtickets.com or at the door.
Sunday, April 24: NMC Children’s Choirs. 3 p.m., Lars Hockstad Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at mynorthtickets.com or at the door.
Sunday, April 24: NMC Dance Department presents “Dance Matters.” 7 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for adults and $2 for children ages twelve or younger. Tickets are available at the Milliken Auditorium box office (231-995-1553) or online.
Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7 NMC Canticum Novum presents “A Spring Evening of Sweets and Song.” 7:30 p.m., Kirkbride Hall (the Chapel) in Building 50. Tickets at mynorthtickets.com for the May 6 and May 7 shows or at the door.
Release date: April 5, 2016
For more information:
Jeffrey Cobb Director of Music Programs jecobb@nmc.edu (231) 995-1338
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
Now that spring has arrived, it’s time for our Hawk Owl Heroes to fly home. After spending the semester hanging across our campuses, we will be sending them home to you. Thank you for all you do to make our NMC community great! And thank you to everyone who took the time to recognize our co-workers. We appreciate you!
Fall 2016 registration is open and classes are filling up quickly. Now is your chance to get the best selection of classes. Check in with your academic advisor to see what classes are next in your degree plan and then go online to your Self Service “Registration” tab to complete your fall registration. Don’t delay!
Call the Advising Center (231) 995-1040 with questions about your program or classes.
NMC, through a collaborative effort with Northwest Michigan Works!, is piloting an adult education option on NMC’s main campus. The program allows future NMC students to work toward college readiness without exhausting their financial aid. Students receive individualized instruction from a Michigan certified adult education instructor, and interact with NMC faculty and staff in preparation for their future enrollment. The goal of the program is to encourage students to enter their program of study fully prepared to complete their credential at NMC.
The program runs year-round and is open entry, so students may register at any time. Program hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Scholars Hall Computer Lab, Room 206.
Come enjoy Stadium-style food in the West Hall Cafe April 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stay for the home opener against the New York Yankees afterwards starting at 1:10 p.m.
What do you get when you combine the fastest growing vision benefits company1 with one of the most recognized and trusted names in hearing healthcare? Even more of what’s best for your employees’ overall health and wellness. (more…)
Kudos- Praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved. (defined by Merriam-Webster.com) Kudos to the following people and departments! If you know of co-workers who are going above and beyond, nominate them for kudos here!(more…)
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include: Manufacturing Process/Fluid Power Technology Instructor Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender, Cook and Dishwasher Supplemental – Mail Courier
Enrollment has begun for NMC’s College for Kids summer program. Children and teens ages 3 to 17 can explore art, music, science, technology, engineering, cooking, sports, and much more with 175+ classes in June, July and August. View the classes at nmc.edu/kids. For more information, call NMC Extended Educational Services at (231) 995-1700. (more…)
Enrollment has begun for NMC’s College for Kids summer program. Children and teens ages 3 to 17 can explore art, music, science, technology, engineering, cooking, sports, and much more with 175+ classes in June, July, and August. View the classes at nmc.edu/kids. (more…)
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College has entered mediation to attempt to resolve outstanding issues in faculty union contract negotiations.
College administrators requested mediation from the Michigan Employment Relations Commission February 25, 2016. A state mediator met with bargaining teams from the College and the Michigan Education Association, which represents the faculty, March 22, 2016 to review the parties’ proposals.
Bargaining teams will hold negotiation meetings with the state mediator at Northwestern Michigan College May 16, 19 and 23rd, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vicki Cook, the Vice President of Finance and Administration at NMC says, “We believe a mediator will assist both parties in resolving issues where disagreement exists and advance the process. The goal is to come to an agreement that will serve our learners, the faculty and the College well now and in the future.”
NMC faculty voted to be represented by the MEA in March 2015. The collective bargaining agreement will cover wages, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment for this group.
Release date: March 31, 2016
For more information:
Vicki Cook Vice President of Finance and Administration vcook@nmc.edu (231) 995-1144
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
TRAVERSE CITY — Attorney and community servant Charles B. “Chuck” Judson has been named the 2016 recipient of the NMC Fellow award, the highest honor bestowed by the NMC Board of Trustees.
As a member and emeritus chair of the NMC Foundation Board, Judson has been a volunteer and advocate for NMC for two decades. He joined the Foundation Board in 1996 and served as chair in 2001. During his tenure Judson helped to establish the Great Lakes campus, home to signature programs including the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Great Lakes Culinary Institute, and the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute.
His philanthropy has even longer longevity. Since 1986, he has given to programs ranging from student scholarships to the Dennos Museum Center, and served as a volunteer and champion for NMC’s Annual Fund Campaign.
NMC is just one of the many Traverse City organizations to benefit from Judson’s time and energy. From serving pancakes at the National Cherry Festival to serving on the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Judson is known for his civic-minded heart and soul. Most recently the length and breadth of his community service culminated in his selection as the 2015 recipient of the Traverse City Area Chamber’s Distinguished Service Award. The DSA is among the oldest community service awards, dating to 1929.
“Chuck has served as a mentor or advisor to many,” said Rebecca Teahen, executive director of the NMC Foundation. “One of the primary reasons he is so often relied upon in this role is his clarity of purpose, thoughtful approach, and strong moral character.”
In his professional life as an attorney and shareholder at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, Judson serves as an attorney of counsel to NMC.
The NMC Board of Trustees has named Fellows each year since 1964 as a way of recognizing and thanking those individuals who have made special contributions to the college.
Release date: March 28, 2016
For more information:
Rebecca Teahen Executive Director for Resource Development and NMC Foundation rteahen@nmc.edu (231) 995-1855
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
Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”
Activities of Note: Faculty and Staff
This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Agenda, Strategic Directions and Goals are provided where possible.(more…)
The library has purchased many new books so far this new year. You can view a handful here along with partial descriptions or go here to see the full listing. These books are on display in the library’s lobby. (more…)
April 21, 12:15-1 p.m. Location: Founder’s Hall, room 110
The Passport Student Lecture Series is a chance to explore other cultures through the experiences of NMC international students. Bring your lunch and hear Stefany Gray speak about her home country of Peru. (more…)
NMC is participating in GeoCache for College Cash on April 19 from noon to 3 p.m. starting in the Welcome Center. GeoCache for College is a Scavenger Hunt to seven different locations on campus to answer a Financial Literacy question. The Scavenger Hunt will only take about 25 minutes to complete so you may begin at any time before 2:30 p.m. (more…)
“It’s always exciting to see the bridge open,” she said of the drawbridge over the channel that links Lake Michigan and Round Lake. “It’s a beautiful sight to see the Emerald Isle pull in.”
Marks traces her maritime career to her downstate childhood, when she helped her father restore a 1927 wooden-hulled boat at a marina in Monroe (right).
A group of Master’s level Social Workers from Ferris State University is raising money on behalf of 36 families and individuals moving into Carson Square Apartments, a new supportive housing development in Traverse City specifically for individuals experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic violence and people with disabilities.
FREE FOOD and enlightened conversation Wednesday, April 6, at 
Window on the World
Now that spring has arrived, it’s time for 
Fall 2016 registration is open and classes are filling up quickly. Now is your chance to get the best selection of classes. Check in with your academic advisor to see what classes are next in your degree plan and then go online to your Self Service “Registration” tab to complete your fall registration. Don’t delay!
Come enjoy Stadium-style food in the West Hall Cafe April 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stay for the home opener against the New York Yankees afterwards starting at 1:10 p.m.
Deadline to RSVP for the April 13 Retirement & Recognition Reception is Tuesday, April 5. If you haven’t responded, please do so as soon as possible.
Enrollment has begun for NMC’s College for Kids summer program. Children and teens ages 3 to 17 can explore art, music, science, technology, engineering, cooking, sports, and much more with 175+ classes in June, July and August. View the classes at 
Board