The annual Dennos Museum Holiday Art Fair will be held Friday through Sunday, October 26-28,
2012 throughout the museum. Fine arts and crafts from 50 area artists, Christmas and Chanukah gifts, arts and
crafts kits and more are just a few of the enticements for holiday shoppers. Hours will be Friday and Saturday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
The Holiday Art Fair has become well known for featuring fine arts and crafts by Michigan artists. Artists are
encouraged to bring original art in all price ranges but especially prices below $30. This gives customers lots of
choices for choosing original art as a holiday gift. The fair is well balanced with artists representing the mediums
of blown glass, soft and metal sculptures, pottery, prints, printings, photographs, jewelry, fibers and much more.
Many of the artists have been in the sale for a number of years but each year new artists are added to make the
show fresh and exciting.
In addition to the original works of art, the sale will feature a large selection of Christmas ornaments from
around the world, as well as Hanukkah and Christmas gifts. Items chosen for the show are hand made, unusual
gifts, the kind that make museum stores a special place to shop.
For those looking for special gifts for children there is a selection of craft kits, as well as a variety of books
relating to all the arts, sciences and the Inuit peoples. There are many wonderful small stocking stuffers for kids
and many small gift items children can chose as gifts for family and friends.
Again this year there will be an education benefit raffle to help raise funds to offset the cost of school visits.
Many schools in the region have had budget cuts, which prohibit them from visiting the museum. Schools will
be able to apply for funds to help offset the cost of buses or admission. Last year over 2,000 students benefited
from this fund. The holiday artists have generously donated a piece of art for the raffle. Tickets will be only sold
on site for $2 each and 6/$5.
The holiday sale is staffed by volunteers, and proceeds from this fund-raiser event go towards the museum and
education programs. There is no admission charge for the three days of the sale. For more information you may
call the Museum Store at 995-1586.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday’s until 8 PM and Sundays 1-5 PM. Admission
is $6.00 adults, $4.00 for children and free to museum members. For more information on the Museum and its
programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410
College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
Some lucky NMC calculus students arrived for their regular Wednesday lecture this week to find they had a world-famous tutor for the day.
Elvis, a 12-year-old Corgi, and his owner, Tim Pennings, associate professor of mathematics at Hope College in Holland, Mich. stopped in at the invitation of NMC Math department head Jack Berman for a demonstration.
Using the hallway on the second floor of the Biederman Building as a makeshift lab, Pennings threw tennis balls for Elvis to chase, demonstrating how Elvis innately demonstrates concepts of calculus in the way he pursues the ball.
Pennings said he first noticed Elvis’ approach when playing with Elvis on a beach, throwing balls into the water. Elvis didn’t, as most dogs do, chase straight after the ball into water, rather he would run along the beach until he was closer to the ball, then go into the water after it. Elvis was taking the quickest route to the ball, not necessarily the shortest.
Pennings and Elvis have been featured on CNN, where Pennings further explains Elvis’ abilities.
NMC’s Professional Communications class, instructed by Kristy McDonald, is organizing a food drive challenge. This is an excellent opportunity to show our strength as a community by joining together to fill the Northwest Food Coalition’s 47 food pantries by Thanksgiving. According to Val Stone, Northwest Food Coalition coordinator, visits to food pantries in our five county area rose 83 percent between 2007 and 2011.
Here is how the challenge works:
Form a team (class, individual, department, student group, NMC employees, etc.).
Start collecting healthy non-perishable food items, toiletries, and household items.
Once you have collected as many items as possible, call or e-mail the contact below for an item count and pick-up time.
Participants have until 5 p.m. on November 8 to qualify for the grand prize. If your team has the largest number of individual items you will win a catered meal provided by Spaghetti Jim’s!
If you are not able to compete in this challenge, you can still donate items by dropping them off in our donation barrels located in most buildings on all campuses. If a monetary donation is more convenient, please donate here.
Thank you for helping us make this food drive a great success! With your help, we can all make a difference this Thanksgiving.
If you have any questions, or to arrange your pick-up, please contact:
The window to make an election for your MPSERS retirement plan is winding down – if you are a member of MPSERS, only one week is left for you to make a decision on your future. If the new MPSERS legislation affects you, a letter was recently mailed to your home. Please look it over carefully and be sure that you can access your miAccount online in order to make your election choices.
HR will be holding our own information sessions on the following dates leading up to the deadline date of 10/26 – **note that one session is in the evening on 10/24. If you want to follow along with these presentations being held in computer labs, bring your miAccount log in information.
Tuesday, 10/23/12 9:30 – 11:00 am O 113, Main Campus
Tuesday, 10/23/12 3:00-4:30 pm UC 205, University Center
Wednesday, 10/24/12 8:30-10:00 am LB 35-37, Main Campus
**Wednesday, 10/24/12 6:00-7:30 pm LB 35-37, Main Campus**
Thursday, 10/25/12 8:30-10:00 am LB 35-37, Main Campus
Thursday, 10/25/12 3:00-4:30 pm UC 205, University Center
Don’t miss this opportunity to make an election – it may be your only chance to have a say in how your future retirement will be calculated and how much money you will contribute from your paycheck.
If you do not make your election by 5:00 on 10/26/12, and the Court rules that the 26th date is lawful, MPSERS will close down the election window. MAKE YOUR SELECTION TO PRESERVE YOUR ELECTION!!
Would you like to learn about some benefits available to you as an NMC employee? As usual we are holding meetings regarding the insurance benefits available to our regular employees. But if you are an Adjunct or a Supplemental Staff member, there are some things that NMC offers which you can utilize to help you keep healthier – both physically and financially. Come to the Oleson Center on Friday, 10/19/13, and attend a financial planning session, get an overview of the MPSERS changes, visit vendors offering supplemental retirement savings opportunities, and definitely stop in our Wellness Fair which will feature many local vendors that will provide interactive health and wellness activities, demonstrations, food samples, free health screenings, flu shots, employee discounts and prizes! See the schedule below and take some time to stop in for information relevant to you!
NMC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND WELLNESS DAY
Friday, 10/19/12
Oleson Center
**Open Enrollment Meetings for Regular Employees**
Lots of Other Opportunities for All Employees!!
8:30-9:00
9:15-9:45
10:00-10:30
10:45-11:15
Oleson 112
**Dental/Vision/Life/LTD Medical: Core vs. HDHP**
Oleson A&B
Wellness Fair
Oleson C
MPSERS Reform Overview
Pre-Retirement Planning
MPSERS Reform Overview
Basics of Investing
Lobby
Benefits Vendor Fair
1:00-1:30
1:45-2:15
2:30-3:00
3:15-3:45
Oleson 112
**Dental/Vision/Life/LTD Medical: Core vs. HDHP**
Oleson A&B
Wellness Fair
Oleson C
MPSERS Reform Overview
Pre-Retirement Planning
MPSERS Reform Overview
Basics of Investing
Lobby
Benefits Vendor Fair
Open Enrollment Benefit Meetings
9:15 – 10:30
1:45 – 3:00
These sessions are for the regular benefited employees in preparation for the Open Enrollment period from 10/19/12 through 11/2/12. Presentations will cover medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and LTD insurance options. Appointments have been sent directly to eligible employees for these sessions.
MPSERS Reform Overviews
8:30 – 9:00
10:00 – 10:30
1:00 – 1:30
2:30 – 3:00
Carol Kasper, Coordinator of Benefits and HR, will present sessions describing the changes to MPSERS, the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System. Join Carol at one of the following sessions for a high-level overview of what election options you will have — a healthcare election (for all members) and a pension election for members hired before July 1, 2010. Learn how your decisions affect what your healthcare and pension benefits provide you in retirement, as well as how much you contribute toward those benefits. Election deadline is 5:00 pm on 10/26/12.
Pre-Retirement Planning
9:15 – 9:45
1:45 – 2:15
Basics of Investing
10:45 – 11:15
3:15 – 3:45
Financial Planning Action Points
1. Invest NOW!
2. Create a simple plan
3. Determine your risk tolerance
4. Perform a cash flow analysis
5. Know your healthcare coverage
6. Consider long-term care
7. Evaluate retirement incentives
8. Create a tax plan
9. Review estate planning NOW!
10. Ask for objective help
Topics on Investing
• Why start early?
• Finding the money to invest
• Tax-advantaged investing
• Dollar-cost averaging
• Risk and return
• Inflation
• A “simple” plan
Dave Sawchuk, Investment Advisor Representative for Consolidated Financial Corporation, will be presenting the following two modules from Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc.’s 20 Minute Planner Series®. Join him for one of these educational seminars to learn more about planning for your financial future.
Wellness Fair
8:30 – 3:45
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
Nourish
Priority Health
Local Gyms
Mental Wellness Counseling
Fitness & Health Extended Ed. Courses
BP Screenings
Cholesterol Screenings
Flu Shots
Healthy Snacks
Chair Massages
Door Prizes
And MORE!
Join Sarah Shimek, Employee Wellness Coordinator, and the NMC Wellness Committee at the Wellness Fair – stop in anytime during the day. The fair will feature many local vendors that will provide interactive health and wellness activities, demonstrations, food samples, free health screenings, flu shots, employee discounts and prizes!
Benefits Fair
8:30 – 3:45
Consolidated Financial
Thrivent
VSP
Valic
Cigna Insurance
Priority Health
TBA Credit Union
Fifth Third Bank
Harvitt/Meemic Insurance
Northwestern Bank
Stop in anytime during the day and talk to these benefits vendors at their booths in the Oleson Center lobby. Find out if their offerings are right for you. Several of the vendors are offering prize drawings, so stop by their booths and sign up for a chance to win!
For information on positions currently open at NMC, please visit NMC’s web page at http://jobs.nmc.edu. Information on internal postings has been emailed.
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary. Please join us in congratulating them!
Dean Haselton Beverage Manager/GL Campus Purchasing Coordinator 9 years
Carol Kasper Coordinator of Benefits and Human Resources 13 years
Rob Rider Maintenance Mechanic 8 years
Bob Rodriguez Culinary Arts Instructor 15 years
Chris Ruszel Assistant Controller 8 years
Dave Sexton Maintenance Mechanic 8 years
NMC’s newest degree program, Audio Technology, will host an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. October 25 in the audio technology lab at the University Center campus.
The 18-month fast track program offers students two dozen courses to choose from. Credentials offered include a degree and three levels of platform-centric certification from industry leaders like Apple.
Job opportunities in the field include sound engineer, recording engineer, sound designer, live and theater sound engineer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer, audio/visual equipment technician, archivist, producer, composer, broadcast technician, Pro Tools operator, audio editor and audio post production.
As part of the Great Lakes Bioneers Conference, an encore screening of Stone Hut Studios’ documentary The People and The Olive: The Story of The Run Across Palestine will be held October 21 at NMC’s Milliken Auditorium from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
This screening is open to the public, and tickets are available at the door for $8 per person and $6 for Bioneers participants. Children under 10 are free.
The October 21 screening will be the grand finale of the 2012 Great Lakes Bioneers conference.
The film follows the Run Across Palestine, a 129-mile ultra-marathon in February 2012, when six Americans ran five days across the West Bank in Palestine planting olive trees along their route and shedding light on the daily joys and struggles of Palestinian Fair Trade olive farmers.
Directed by Traverse City filmmaker Dennis and produced by journalist Jacob Wheeler, the film debuted to a sold-out State Theater crowd in September, and has since played in the Chicago International Social Change Film Festival and the Boston Palestine Film Festival.
Your donations to the Annual Campaign build learning environments, grow dreams and give global opportunities!
Since it was founded in 1981, the NMC Foundation has given more than $47 million back to the college. The Annual Campaign has been an important part of that $47 million, funding facilities like the University Center and Dennos Museum Center. It has funded Innovation Grants which have launched projects like the Muster Project, baja car and the Writing and Reading Center, and has created scholarships that grant life changing opportunities. All of these have significant imnpact on student success, and all are possible because you give to the Annual Campaign.
Our goal this year is to raise $450,000 and we are off to a great start, but we’re not there yet. This week you received a letter about the annual campaign along with a payroll deduction form. You can fill out and return the payroll deduction form to the Foundation and your gift will be automatically deducted from your paycheck. You may also visit www.nmc.edu/give to make your impact on student success.
NMC’s revised Strategic Plan is now available on the intranet located here. It is titled 2012-2014 Strategic Plan Version Date 10-17-12.
Working directly with President Nelson, this document incorporates input by the Leadership Group from the August Strategy Retreat and PBC after the retreat as well as additional refinement by PC. Our goal in this second year of using this format was to increase clarity and focus.
The Strategic Plan is an important driver of our Operational Planning effort which is taking place now through November. As such there will be ongoing “catch ball” or feedback between the two levels of planning over the coming months and further refinement of the Strategic Plan is expected as a result.
If you have questions about the Strategic Plan or the Planning Process, please feel free to contact Karen Ruedinger in the Office of Research, Planning and Effectiveness at 5-1032.
Win cash, gain experience, and earn international recognition with one short video or a poster! The EDUCAUSE & Internet2 Higher Education Information Security Council (HEISC) is conducting a contest in search of short information security awarenessvideos and posters developed by college students for college students. The contest seeks creative, topical, and effective videos (two minutes or less) and posters that focus attention on information security problems and how best to handle them.
Winners will receive cash prizes, and their videos and posters will be featured on the HEISC website (www.educause.edu/security). The winning videos and posters may be used in campus security awareness campaigns.
A gold, silver, and bronze prize will be awarded in three categories—training films of two minutes or less, 30-second public service announcements (PSAs), and posters—for a total of nine cash prizes. Honorable mention prizes will also be awarded.
The fall issue celebrates the magazine’s 33-year history and invites your ideas of what defines NMC or our broader culture NOW, and what speculations you have of our future in another 33 years.
Submit poetry, fiction, essays, artwork, photography, 2-D design, music, animation, and other creative expressions by Oct. 30.
Today, we celebrate the beginning of the 2012-2013 NMC Annual Campaign. We are in hot pursuit of reaching our goal of $450,000 to be used for scholarships and programs!
For nearly 30 years, the NMC Foundation has raised money through the Annual Campaign to provide sustainable funding to support the success of NMC students. Since its founding in 1981, the Foundation has given back more than $47 million.
Faculty and staff giving has a huge impact on the success of the Annual Campaign and, therefore, the success of our students. Your gifts to the Adopt-a-Student Fund and other scholarships help provide students facing financial obstacles the means to overcome them on their way to obtaining higher education.
As we launch this year’s campaign, approximately 12,000 letters will go out over the next few weeks requesting help in reaching our campaign goal. The support of our faculty and staff is crucial to the campaign success. Please watch for your letter.
There is a payroll deduction form enclosed with your letter that you may fill out and return to the Foundation if you’d like your gift to be automatically deducted from your paycheck.
You may also give online at nmc.edu/give . A gift in any amount will help change the lives of NMC students.
Thank you for all you do to make student dreams a reality.
Would you like to learn about some benefits available to you as an NMC employee?
As usual, we are holding meetings regarding the insurance benefits available to our regular employees. But if you are an Adjunct or a Supplemental Staff member, there are some things that NMC offers which you can utilize to help you keep healthier – both physically and financially.
Come to the Oleson Center on Friday, 10/19/13, and attend a financial planning session, get an overview of the MPSERS changes, visit vendors offering supplemental retirement savings opportunities, and definitely stop in our Wellness Fair which will feature many local vendors that will provide interactive health and wellness activities, demonstrations, food samples, free health screenings, flu shots, employee discounts and prizes!
See the schedule below and take some time to stop in for information relevant to you!
NMC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND WELLNESS DAY
Friday, 10/19/12
Oleson Center
**Open Enrollment Meetings for Regular Employees**
Lots of Other Opportunities for All Employees!!
8:30-9:00
9:15-9:45
10:00-10:30
10:45-11:15
Oleson 112
**Dental/Vision/Life/LTD Medical: Core vs. HDHP**
Oleson A&B
Wellness Fair
Oleson C
MPSERS Reform Overview
Pre-Retirement Planning
MPSERS Reform Overview
Basics of Investing
Lobby
Benefits Vendor Fair
1:00-1:30
1:45-2:15
2:30-3:00
3:15-3:45
Oleson 112
**Dental/Vision/Life/LTD Medical: Core vs. HDHP**
Oleson A&B
Wellness Fair
Oleson C
MPSERS Reform Overview
Pre-Retirement Planning
MPSERS Reform Overview
Basics of Investing
Lobby
Benefits Vendor Fair
Open Enrollment Benefit Meetings
9:15 – 10:30
1:45 – 3:00
These sessions are for the regular benefited employees in preparation for the Open Enrollment period from October 19 through November 2. Presentations will cover medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and LTD insurance options. Appointments have been sent directly to eligible employees for these sessions.
MPSERS Reform Overviews
8:30 – 9:00
10:00 – 10:30
1:00 – 1:30
2:30 – 3:00
Carol Kasper, Coordinator of Benefits and HR, will present sessions describing the changes to MPSERS, the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System. Join Carol at one of the following sessions for a high-level overview of what election options you will have — a healthcare election (for all members) and a pension election for members hired before July 1, 2010. Learn how your decisions affect what your healthcare and pension benefits provide you in retirement, as well as how much you contribute toward those benefits. Election deadline is 5:00 p.m., Oct. 26.
Pre-Retirement Planning
9:15 – 9:45
1:45 – 2:15
Basics of Investing
10:45 – 11:15
3:15 – 3:45
Financial Planning Action Points
1. Invest NOW!
2. Create a simple plan
3. Determine your risk tolerance
4. Perform a cash flow analysis
5. Know your healthcare coverage
6. Consider long-term care
7. Evaluate retirement incentives
8. Create a tax plan
9. Review estate planning NOW!
10. Ask for objective help
Topics on Investing
• Why start early?
• Finding the money to invest
• Tax-advantaged investing
• Dollar-cost averaging
• Risk and return
• Inflation
• A “simple” plan
Dave Sawchuk, Investment Advisor Representative for Consolidated Financial Corporation, will be presenting the following two modules from Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc.’s 20 Minute Planner Series®. Join him for one of these educational seminars to learn more about planning for your financial future.
Wellness Fair
8:30 – 3:45
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
Nourish
Priority Health
Local Gyms
Mental Wellness Counseling
Fitness & Health Extended Ed. Courses
BP Screenings
Cholesterol Screenings
Flu Shots
Healthy Snacks
Chair Massages
Door Prizes
And MORE!
Join Sarah Shimek, Employee Wellness Coordinator, and the NMC Wellness Committee at the Wellness Fair – stop in anytime during the day. The fair will feature many local vendors that will provide interactive health and wellness activities, demonstrations, food samples, free health screenings, flu shots, employee discounts and prizes!
Benefits Fair
8:30 – 3:45
Consolidated Financial
Thrivent
VSP
Valic
Cigna Insurance
Priority Health
TBA Credit Union
Fifth Third Bank
Harvitt/Meemic Insurance
Northwestern Bank
Stop in anytime during the day and talk to these benefits vendors at their booths in the Oleson Center lobby. Find out if their offerings are right for you. Several of the vendors are offering prize drawings, so stop by their booths and sign up for a chance to win!
The window to make an election for your MPSERS retirement plan is winding down – if you are a member of MPSERS, only 2 weeks are left for you to make a decision on your future. If the new MPSERS legislation affects you, a letter was recently mailed to your home. Please look it over carefully and be sure that you can access your miAccount online in order to make your election choices.
MPSERS is hosting two meetings on October 12 at the Milliken Auditorium – one at 4:00 p.m. and one at 5:30 p.m. If you would like to attend one of them, you must register online at http://michigan.gov/orsschools/0,4653,7-206-55754—,00.html
HR will be holding our own information sessions on the following dates leading up to the deadline date of October 26 – **note that one session is in the evening October 24. If you want to follow along with these presentations being held in computer labs, bring your miAccount log in information.
Tuesday, 10/16/12 12:00 – 1:30 pm LB 35-37, Main Campus
Wednesday, 10/17/12 1:30 – 3:00 pm LB 35-37, Main Campus
Thursday, 10/18/12 8:30 – 10:00 am LB 35-37, Main Campus
Tuesday, 10/23/12 9:30 – 11:00 am O 113, Main Campus
Tuesday, 10/23/12 3:00-4:30 pm UC 205, University Center
Wednesday, 10/24/12 8:30-10:00 am LB 35-37, Main Campus
**Wednesday, 10/24/12 6:00-7:30 pm LB 35-37, Main Campus**
Thursday, 10/25/12 8:30-10:00 am LB 35-37, Main Campus
Thursday, 10/25/12 3:00-4:30 pm UC 205, University Center
Don’t miss this opportunity to make an election – it may be your only chance to have a say in how your future retirement will be calculated and how much money you will contribute from your paycheck.
My sincere thanks to the Maritime cadets that volunteered their time supporting college night this past Tuesday evening, October 9.
The volunteers include Henry Kimberlin, Robert Watrous, Briklan Keating, Benjamin Conley, Chuck Langton, Alex Krejci, Stefan Herzog, Daniel Cairns, Robert Arnone, Evan Folsom, Ryan Taylor and Jason Surface.
Cadets were on watch between 1600 and 2100 assisting the 52 college representatives and over 600 visitors throughout the rainy evening.
These cadets represent the mission and values of NMC with their sense of community service, actions and attitude.
We will switch to our new telephone system on Tuesday, November 6, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
NMC staff is currently verifying phone locations and data connections to make sure the transition goes well. New phones will be placed by SunTel staff on your desk starting October 22.
The NMC Soccer Club recorded two wins last weekend.
On Friday, October 5, NMC defeated Ferris State University Soccer Club 3-2. Ricardo Rodriguez scored two goals and had one assist. Miles Beauchamp notched one goal and Jacob Gordon had two assists. Nate Schriber saved a penalty kick and recorded the win in goal.
On Sunday, October 7, NMC defeated Mid Michigan Community College as Jacob Gordon scored the game winner with less then 10 minutes remaining as NMC held on for the 2-1 win. Miles Beauchamp had the first goal and Ricardo Rodriguez had both assists. Jake Staley was in goal for the win and great support from Austin Flees, JJ Briethaupt, Nick Armour, Paul Moseman, Matt Phillips, Andrew Bump and Levi Mains rotating on defense.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Greece Tom Miller looks at the risks to the U.S. of a Eurozone collapse as he presents “Can the U.S. Help Save Europe from Collapse?” October 18, the second lecture in the 2012-13 International Affairs Forum lecture series at Milliken Auditorium.
In his nearly three decades as an American career diplomat, Ambassador Thomas J. Miller held three ambassadorial appointments in Europe, including Greece (2001-2004). He also has headed several prominent non-profit organizations, including President/CEO of the International Executive Service Corps. Ambassador Miller holds a Ph.D., two Masters Degrees, and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
The eight-part IAF series brings diplomats, policy makers, journalists and others from all over the globe to Milliken Auditorium. All programs begin with a reception in the Sculpture Court of the Dennos Museum Center at 5:15 p.m. and are followed at 6 p.m. by the lecture and a discussion period in Milliken Auditorium.
All current educators and students are admitted free. The public is invited to attend for $10 at the door. For more information, call NMC Extended Education at 231-995-1700.
On Thursday, October 18, noon – 1 p.m. Founders Hall, Room 110
The Passport Student Lecture Series is a chance to explore other cultures through the experiences of NMC students. Bring your lunch and hear international student Elizabeth
Fiator speak about Ghana.
The Passport student lecture series is a chance to experience other cultures by hearing about the experiences of NMC students who have lived it.
The Brown Bag Student Lecture Series is sponsored by the office of Outreach Services.
