Edsons receive 2019 NMC Fellow award

May 20, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

Dan and Debbie Edson (click for high-resolution version)TRAVERSE CITY — Daniel and Debra Edson have been named the 2019 recipients of Northwestern Michigan College’s highest honor, the NMC Fellow award.

The couple have been committed, passionate supporters of education since they met at Central Michigan University in the 1970s. Debbie Edson then went on to a 41-year career in special education with the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District. Dan Edson began his career in microbiology, inventing the world’s first blood test for Legionnaires’ disease in 1978. He went on to become an entrepreneur, co-founding the American Proficiency Institute in 1991. The Traverse City company is now a global leader in assessing the accuracy of laboratory tests. It employs 60 and has 20,000 clients worldwide.

While their success is global, it is important to the Edsons to give back to the local community where they raised their family and base their business. Their philanthropic support of NMC spans 26 years and has included scholarships, the University Center, the Dennos Museum Center, radio station WNMC and the West Hall Innovation Center. The college is a “wonderful resource,” Debbie Edson said.

“As we’ve gotten to know people at NMC, it just seems like it’s a great way to build the learning platform,” said Debbie Edson, adding all three children took classes at NMC.

Coming from Mancelona, Dan Edson said the college plays a key role in serving students regionally.

“That’s really important. I grew up in Antrim County, and I understand that,” he said.

Through API, Dan Edson has long collaborated with educational and medical partners including Michigan State University, Munson Healthcare and Ferris State University. He received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Central Michigan University, in December 2018. The couple’s philanthropy also includes a full tuition scholarship to the MSU College of Human Medicine that offers preference to an NMC transfer student.

Volunteer leadership is another important facet of the Edsons’ lives. Debbie Edson serves as a board member for the NMC Foundation and as a campaign steering committee member. Dan served as board chairman at the Traverse Health Clinic for 16 years and is now a member of the Munson Medical Center Board of Trustees.

NMC Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Teahen said the award is the culmination of a lifetime of personal commitment to advancing health, supporting and leading in education, and protecting the natural landscapes so critical to northern Michigan.

“Knowing them personally, since I was a child, and then having the opportunity to work closely with Dan and Debbie as they continue to support the college and our students has been an absolute joy,” Teahen said. “They both bring a ‘matter of fact’ approach their support of education and our community; it’s something they have always believed in and they have seen the power of education to change lives.”

The Fellow is Northwestern Michigan College’s highest honor, awarded annually since 1964. Fellows may be nominated because they have demonstrated influential networking on behalf of the College, have demonstrated a pattern of outstanding financial or personal time contributions to NMC, or as a retiree of the College continue to contribute back to their academic or professional fields as volunteers, mentors or advisors. Exceptional contributions in one or more of these areas may justify nomination

See a list of past recipients.

Release date: May 21, 2019

For more information:

NMC President’s Office
(231) 995-1010

Success Stories: Region’s brightest becoming Hawk Owls

May 19, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

May 29, 2019

Long known as a smart financial choice, NMC is increasingly simply the smart choice, as determined by students well-positioned to know best.

So far, 13 valedictorians and 3 salutatorians from northern Michigan’s Class of 2019 have been admitted to NMC for fall. More than 120 students have a grade point average of 3.9 or better, on a 4.0 scale.

“We’ve had a good run this year,” said Cathryn Claerhout, director of admissions. “We’ve got people who are not (just) looking at us to save money, it’s because we’ve got their program.”

Manton High School valedictorian Isabela Bivens (left) is one. She also received the Founder’s Scholarship, worth $8,000. Bivens is member of the National Honor Society who runs cross country and track and field, has a black belt in tae kwon do and works as an assistant martial arts instructor and on a farm. Her older sister Catherine attended NMC, too, and her positive experience also influenced Bivens.

“I know she was challenged there so I’m pretty excited to go,” she said, adding she plans to take general classes, perhaps focusing on sciences.

Ellsworth High School valedictorian Kevin Dickinson (right) is likewise following in a sibling’s footsteps. His brother Roger graduated with a degree in visual communications in 2016. Dickinson considered attending a four-year school but decided he’d prefer to stay closer to home. Like Bivens, his favorite subject is math and he’s a member of the National Honor Society. Dickinson also plays basketball and participates in Little Buddies, a mentoring program with the local elementary school.

“We hang out with them and try to be a good influence on them,” said Dickinson, who will study creative writing at NMC.

Three named Outstanding Alumni

May 16, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Three alumni were named the 2019 winners of Northwestern Michigan College’s Outstanding Alumni award at commencement ceremonies May 4.

Terry Beia, 1983 – Petroleum Engineering Technology. In 1998 Beia made his first real estate investment in downtown Traverse City. In the two decades since the investment, he’s been an active booster and backer of downtown. Download a high-resolution photo »

Frank Dituri, 1979 – Parks and Recreation Management and Biology. A highlight of Dituri’s career in both private and public sectors is serving as chairman of the Boardman River Dams Implementation Team, tasked with the restoration of Traverse City’s Boardman River. Download a high-resolution photo »

Dr. Marie Socha, 1983 – Pre-med studies. After earning both a master’s and PhD., Socha went on to a career in public health as an epidemiologist, serving agencies from the Centers for Disease Control to the Department of Homeland Security. Download a high-resolution photo »

Established in 1988, Outstanding Alumni award recipients are chosen for significant professional achievements and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. Applications for the 2020 Outstanding Alumni award will be sought in January.

Release Date: May 16, 2019

For more information:

Cameron Penny
Director of Alumni Relations
cpenny@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2825

Success Story: BBQ supports West Hall, Commitment scholarships

May 14, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

May 15, 2019

Patrons enjoying the traditional buffalo burger and kids games might also notice a giant crane and the steel beamed-frame of a rising second story on the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center at the annual NMC Barbecue this Sunday.

Begun last fall, the West Hall renovation and the Commitment scholarship for promising, mostly first-generation college students are the beneficiaries of funds from this year’s 64th annual picnic under the pines, set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday on main campus.

“The NMC Barbecue has a long and proud history of investing in the future of our region, whether it’s through the students themselves, or by creating the learning spaces they need to succeed,” said Barbecue Board President Heather Jewell. “It’s exciting to know a $6 picnic meal can have such an incredible impact when we all join together to support our college.”

Originally a residence hall, the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center is set to reopen next spring as a 54,000-square-foot, multi-story library and flexible learning space accommodating a range of learning styles and needs, including experiential and simulation. Since 1993, the Commitment scholarship has offered full-tuition scholarships to 1,500 students from all around the region, positioning them to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree.

The Barbecue traditions of free live entertainment, classroom displays and program exhibits, and free admission to the Dennos Museum Center will all return. New at the Barbecue is the first annual printmaking sale, set for 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building. Patrons can take home a student print for as little as $3. See the complete list of activities and events.

In addition to supporting college programs and equipment — to the tune of $1.8 million since the late Gerald W. Oleson and his wife Frances, founders of Oleson’s Food Stores, started it in 1956 — the Barbecue is a place where community connections flourish. More than 500 volunteers put on the Barbecue. Additional volunteers are still welcome, especially in the following areas. Sign up online.

• Kids Games – 3–5 p.m.
• Recycling Champions – 2–5 p.m.
• Hot Dog Cookers – 2–4 p.m.
• Buffalo Wranglers – 3–5 p.m.
• Serving line (this job is for community groups) – 2–5 p.m.

Tickets are $6 in advance and can be purchased at Oleson’s Food Stores, the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, the NMC Foundation, and many financial institutions. Tickets are available for $6 plus a $1.25 service charge on MyNorth Tickets. Tickets are $8 on Sunday.

Need a quick lunch?

May 13, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

Need a quick lunch but don’t have time to leave campus? Sandwiches, wraps, and drinks are available at the bookstore all summer!

Faculty Excellence winners named

May 10, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

Nicole Speelman (click for high-resolution version)TRAVERSE CITY — Science and English instructors were named the 2019 winners of NMC’s annual Faculty Excellence awards at commencement ceremonies May 4.

Chemistry instructor Nicole Speelman is the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award winner.

English instructor Cathy Warner is the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award winner. Chosen by a student selection committee, criteria for both awards include teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.

Both joined the NMC faculty relatively recently. Of Speelman, who began in January 2018, students said:

• This instructor has gone above and beyond, holding study sessions every week even coming in on Saturdays to give extra help before exams.
• She is very good at connecting with her students. She also uses a flipped; classroom as a style of teaching. We would watch the lecture videos at home as homework and use class time to go over concepts that we were struggling with. I found this incredibly helpful.
• I never was thrilled to take a chemistry class, but after this semester I would definitely take another. I couldn’t thank her enough!

Cathy Warner (click for high-resolution version)Of Warner, who began in August 2017, students said:

• This instructor gets to know every one of the students so we don’t just feel like another face in the room. Our teacher understands the students’ strengths and weaknesses, and accommodates material for every one of the students to have success in the class.
• The instructor has us use Moodle, concept maps, and explains difficult concepts on the board. Also, the instructor uses YouTube videos to the class’ advantage.
• Our instructor is very caring and relates the material to real life events happening in our media to drive the points across.

The Imogene Wise award was first bestowed in 1971. The adjunct award was created as a companion in 1999.

Release date: may 10, 2019

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director, NMC Public Relations, Marketing & Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

New Books at the Library – May 2019

May 8, 2019 | Intercom, Student News

The library has purchased many new books so far this year. You can view a handful here along with descriptions or go here to see the full listing. These books are on display in the library’s lobby.

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