NMC Foundation Matters - Spring 2015

MICHIGAN COLLEGE

Student Overcomes Anxiety, Speaks In Front of Hundreds

Brittany wants to say

She knows that the Commitment Scholarship Program is funded with gifts like yours. Thanks to you her future looks brighter every day.

To her, programs like this mean endless opportunities, new-found confidence, and faith in an amazing future.

nmc.edu/foundation

thank you.

NORTHWESTERN

FOUNDATION MATTERS

YOU helped Brittany redefine her future

Brittany H. is a totally different person today because a high school guidance counselor recommended her for NMC’s Commitment Scholarship program. The program, funded by gifts like yours, helped her overcome her social anxiety, built her confidence, and set her life on a new trajectory.

At this time last year, Brittany was suffering from crippling anxiety. She knew that she was missing out on so many experiences and was living life at the mercy of her fears. As a promising high school student, she had been accepted into NMC’s Commitment Scholarship program in 8th grade and the next class trip to Chicago was coming up. Brittany had never been to a city of that size and felt the constricting feelings of anxiety creeping up.

Despite wanting to back out, she gathered all of her courage, mustered her faith, and boarded the bus. She says, “Several hours into the trip, I started to calm down… I didn’t feel that paralyzing fear in the pit of my stomach I had grown so used to.” For the first time, she was able to enjoy this new experience and admire the beautiful architecture surrounded by new friends.

The feeling of accomplishment she gained during that trip propelled her into one new situation after another. She joined several school clubs, dual enrolled at NMC during her senior year, and spoke in front of 350 people at the Scholarship Luncheon at NMC on April 10th.

Today, she says that all the change you helped her make is positive. Instead of trying to be invisible, now she’s focused on becoming an accountant and making her family proud.

You’re a Hero to Almost 800 Commitment Scholars!

The Commitment Scholarship Program

The Commitment Scholarship program helps more than 100 area students prepare for and attend college every year—providing a full tuition scholarship to NMC. Many of these students are first-generation college attendees who would not have the opportunity to achieve higher education coursework without this program.

NMC is proud of the Commitment Scholarship program and commits nearly $100,000 every year for these deserving students. We rely on your gifts to prepare students for college coursework, build familiarity with NMC, and ultimately provide a full tuition scholarship to pursue their dreams at NMC.

Your Gifts Make a Meaningful Difference!

It’s You, Me, and NMC.

Each year, thousands of donors like you come together to invest in our College and our students. In fact, in 2014 approximately 3,000 donors made 4,500 gifts to support NMC scholarships and programs. It is thanks to you that students like Brittany (cover story) have opportunities to reach new heights personally and academically.

Kathy Tahtinen, NMC’s 2014 Adult Student of the Year, was recently recognized as a national “New Century Scholar”. Kathy’s prestigious acknowledgment and 2015 graduation would likely not have been possible without your scholarship support. She was already juggling multiple jobs and raising two sons. With scholarships she received through the NMC Foundation along with the leadership of dedicated faculty and staff, Kathy found confidence, excelled in academics, and was recognized for outstanding academic performance. She is now applying to Harvard!

Through the NMC Annual Fund, you have also provided critical support for NMC Library staff to work directly with faculty to redesign courses that utilize “Open Educational Resources” which are available online for free instead of costly text books. This move could save students an average of 1530% of their college costs overall.

As we look ahead to the future at NMC, we are confident that thanks to your philanthropic support, our students will have the resources they need to pursue their dreams, faculty will have access to state of the art equipment, and the College will ensure that our learners are prepared for success in a global economy.

Are You an NMC Alumnus?

Together, we create the fabric of the NMC community…. Thank YOU for being an important part of it.

My name is Betsy Coffia. On March 23, 2015, I stepped into the position of NMC’s Director of Alumni Relations. This is especially meaningful to me because I am an alumna myself and have experienced firsthand the incredible value our college brings to our community.

While I was a student at NMC, I was awarded a scholarship, generously funded by donors like you to help defray the cost of tuition.

Like so many others, my NMC story is rich with learning, relationships with caring professors who went above and beyond to help me succeed, and with friendships developed through groups like NMC Habitat for Humanity. NMC gave me the ability to achieve my goals within my own community as a busy working student.

I am committed to building a vibrant alumni relations program that fosters deep alumni pride in what NMC means to its students.

Have you attended NMC? If so, let’s talk. To build an alumni relations program that celebrates, connects, and brings value to NMC alumni, I need to hear from you. Please drop me a line at bcoffia@nmc.edu or give me a call at (231) 995-2825. Over the phone or over coffee, I want to hear your ideas and NMC story.

Would you like to make a lasting difference?

Retired NMC custodian brings hope to students

Estate gift provides scholarships to NMC You were very likely a recipient of Mr. Theron “Ted” Durga’s generous spirit, though you may not have ever known him. He was one of the College’s first employees—keeping your classrooms in tip-top shape as the custodian until he retired in 1977. Now, Ted is providing scholarships for students every year.

You can continue to support NMC after your lifetime.

Ted’s connection with NMC didn’t stop when he retired. Like you, he enjoyed hearing updates and knowing what was happening at the school. He was proud to own a card that held the signatures of every NMC president.

Call Paris Morse at the NMC Foundation at (231) 995-2822 to discuss the impact you’d like to make.

Ted wanted to be sure that even once he was gone, students would be taken care of. In February 2002, Ted shared some spectacular news. He announced that NMC was the primary benefactor of his estate. As a result of Ted’s generosity, love for NMC, and thoughtful estate planning, Ted’s vision to help students attend college through the creation of the Ted Durga Endowed Scholarship was realized at his passing.

The fund provides scholarships to local, part-time students with demonstrated need, and the fund has the potential to disburse nearly $10,000 each year. During the 2014-2015 school year, four students benefited from Ted’s foresight.

Ted spent his life giving to NMC in so many ways, and today, he has continued that legacy with his estate gift —fulfilling his dream of opening doors to higher education. As students benefit from Ted’s careful planning each year, you’ll continue to see the impact of his generosity on campus forever.

3 Reasons Fifth Third Bank Invests in NMC A Lesson in Fiscal Responsibility

David Shooltz, Market President at Fifth Third Bank, has been in the banking business for decades. His focus has always been to help people achieve their financial goals to secure a healthy future. Now, he shares why Fifth Third’s investment in NMC works for you.

1 NMC is an Investment in the Community.

When we think of pillars in a community, education is always at the forefront. As a regional leader in the academic world, the College is considered to be a thought leader and has raised the standards for other institutions across Michigan.

As NMC continues to grow, so does the number of future leaders—its graduates. The lessons learned in NMC classrooms will continue to shape our communities in Northern Michigan and beyond for years to come.

2 NMC Builds Future Leaders.

It’s no mystery that the value of higher education is not only found in the diploma. Rather, it’s the ability to think critically, solve problems and improve processes that makes a degree truly impactful.

We believe it takes commitment from staff, professors, and administrators to give our students the tools to be leaders. NMC is committed to providing the opportunities to learn through classroom discussion, hands on experience, and mentorship so students are ready for the next phase of their life. Supporting NMC isn’t simply a short-term investment; we truly believe it’s a long-term investment in the future of Northern Michigan.

3 An NMC Education is Financially Responsible.

As bankers, one of our roles is to educate our communities on the importance of financial responsibility. We regularly help individuals create a plan to pay off debt, including student loan debt—the often unavoidable baggage of higher education.

Uniquely, NMC offers students a quality education at a fraction of the cost of many larger colleges and universities.

NMC’s commitment to affordable and quality education makes a 4-year degree more affordable and its students’ financial future much brighter.

10 WAYS

From around the block to around the world, NMC has made an NMC Enriches YOUR Community

impact in the lives of thousands of learners throughout our 64-year history. Here are just a few of the ways NMC enriches your community and the lives of our learners: 10. LOBDELL’S - A TEACHING RESTAURANT

If you haven’t dined in this beautiful setting yet, you are missing the best meal in town! Lobdell’s is open for lunch during the academic year.

9. COLLEGE FOR KIDS

NMC Extended Education Services is gearing up to offer more than 179 classes for kids ages 3-17 this summer. These outstanding programs are a sure-win for summer youth programming!

8. COMMITMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Changing the lives of 100 area students each year by offering a full tuition scholarship to NMC. Thanks to charitable gifts, this program opens the door to higher education for our region’s most deserving students.

7. DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER

Serving approximately 50,000 visitors per year, the Dennos provides cultural enrichment, education, and entertainment to guests of all ages!

6. NMC UNIVERSITY CENTER

As the University Center approaches its 20th anniversary, we reflect on the generous philanthropic support that has made it possible to obtain 4-year and advanced degrees without leaving Traverse City.

5. MAKERS BAY & NMC TECHNICAL DIVISION

Inspiring and empowering learners through hands-on applications. Students are able to learn and practice at NMC’s Aero Park Campus every day.

4. OSTERLIN LIBRARY

This treasure in the heart of NMC’s main campus provides learning resources to our students and members of the community. Dedicated staff provide innovative solutions to best meet the needs of our diverse learners.

3. SPECIALTY PROGRAMS

NMC programs such as Freshwater Studies, Maritime Technology, Culinary, and Aviation have established Traverse City as a destination for learning in these highly specialized and locally relevant programs.

2. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

The NMC Foundation offers the opportunity for you to make a meaningful impact in your community and directly in the life of an NMC student by giving to support NMC programs or scholarships.

1. LIVES CHANGED

Every year, hundreds of learners celebrate their success by walking in NMC’s commencement ceremony. It is there we celebrate not only the life of the graduate that has been forever changed by the power of education, but also the lives of their loved ones.

35TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP OPEN Thursday, August 6th Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Registration: 8 am-9:45 am Shotgun Start: 10 am Reception: 3 pm

Register Now! nmc.edu/golf (231) 995-1021 foundation@nmc.edu