NMC Foundation Matters Newsletter - Fall 2018

Thanks to You, NMC Is Here for James Thanks to you, NMC is here for students at every step of the journey. James Sullivan returned to NMC after a decade of working in the service industry. Now a communications professional, he found the classes he needed for his career, and the support he needed as a Native student.

James Sullivan returned to NMC after a decade in the service industry.

Thanks to your support,

James found the classes he needed for a career in communications, and the support he needed as a Native student.

Young Professional Returns to NMC, Finds Support for Native Students

At 19, James Sullivan took classes at NMC. Back then, he wasn’t sure what he wanted for his future, so he paused his education and worked night shifts at Turtle Creek Casino.

In the decade that followed, James had two daughters, Sophia and Scarlett, ages 5 and 3. “Being a father is the best thing in the world,” says James.

Working odd hours limited the time James could spend with his daughters. He was thrilled when he landed his dream job as Communications Apprentice for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (the Band).

James, a member of the Band, is passionate about improving the lives of fellow members. The job was a perfect fit, and the Band required James to take courses in graphic design, videography, and photography.

But, James wondered, where could he learn the latest in digital communication and feel supported as a Native student?

Thanks to your contributions, the answer was NMC.

This time, when James enrolled in Digital Graphics Design, he knew what he wanted for his future, and how NMC could help him achieve it. Thanks to the skills he’s gained, James was promoted to Multi-Media Specialist for the Band.

James appreciates the positive relationship between the Band and NMC, too. He points to NMC’s Native American Success Coach, annual Indigenous Peoples Traditional Pow Wow, and Indigenous Peoples Student Group as evidence of a great working relationship.

As he continues working for the Band, James looks forward to building his skills one Visual Communications course at a time. “I’m so thankful NMC is accepting of everyone, no matter where they are on their journey,” says James.

Issue: Fall 2018

MICHIGAN COLLEGE

nmc.edu/foundation

NORTHWESTERN

FOUNDATION MATTERS

Major Gift Supports Your Community Radio Station Longtime Supporter Dr. William Weiss Jr. Makes Important Gift to WNMC

Join Us for A Taste of Success Culinary’s Signature Fundraising Event Returns Friday, April 12 For the second year in a row, enjoy A Taste of Success with a side of sunshine! Mark your calendar for Friday, April 12, 2019 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Join us to sip, savor, and support student scholarships!

Dr. William (Bill) Weiss, Jr. (right) with WNMC Station Manager Eric Hines (left). Bill and his late wife, Shirley, benefitted from WNMC’s wide-variety of programming for many years. In recognition of the station’s importance to the community, Bill made the first major gift to the station to support new operating equipment.

Thanks to the generosity of Dr. William (Bill) Weiss Jr., WNMC can now operate from anywhere and still access its complete and diverse music library.

Bill’s late wife, Shirley, was a resident assistant in West Hall during her years at NMC. She and her friends spent many hours at WNMC activities with the student DJs who operated the station during that era.

Bill’s contribution—the station’s first major gift—was inspired by WNMC’s role as one of the greatest assets in our community. And, Bill appreciates that he can listen to WNMC via the internet when he travels across the U.S., as do many other listeners.

As an original listener and longtime supporter, Bill believes “every listener should support the station—each small gift matters.”

As the college approached a renovation of West Hall where the station resided, Bill wanted to help WNMC with associated capital expenses. Thanks to Bill’s gift, WNMC continued to operate during its move to Scholars Hall, where the station will remain temporarily during construction.

Like you, Bill knows that he can make an impact on his community through his gifts to the college. “This gift is meant to serve as an inspiration to those who, like me, believe in the incredible benefit of a first-class community radio station,” says Bill.

You Can “Do to Learn” at NMC

Alumnus Thomas C. Jones Helps Experiential Learning Reach More Students

Like you, Thomas C. Jones (NMC ’66) believes education positively shapes a student’s life, and career, forever.

“The most important part of a college experience is the quality of learning that takes place inside the buildings,” says Tom. “Students need to learn the skills that will help them problem solve in the work place.”

Experiential learning is an instructional style in which students reach conclusions themselves by practicing skills in real-world situations or simulations—rather than just hearing a lecture or reading a book on the topic. You might say they “do to learn” rather than “learn to do.”

Experiential learning has existed in pockets on NMC’s campus for decades. Tom, a generous NMC alumnus, recently made a gift to expand experiential learning to more students and programs on campus.

The Fund for Experiential Learning, created by Tom,

enables more students to act as marketing consultants to local non-profits, engage in hands-on labs, and debrief after simulations.

NMC has committed to providing experiential learning opportunities to all students, and Tom’s gift will help make that happen.

You, too, can help make a difference for students in all of NMC’s 80+ programs with a gift to the fund. Your support will provide additional resources for experiential learning to support curriculum development, faculty training, new materials for collaboration, and more!

Making a Gift Now for an Informed Tomorrow

A Couple’s Commitment to Education Inspired Them to Include NMC in Their Trust Just like you, Jayne Mohr and Calvin Karr are determined to make the world a better place—now and in the future, too.

“Cal and I believe that education is the greatest gift you can give someone,” says Jayne. “There are so many students who want to further their education but don’t have the financial means to do so. If we can be part of helping them to fulfill their dreams, we want to do that.”

The couple included a gift to support scholarships at NMC in their trust, so even after they pass you will continue to see them making a difference for students in our community.

Once realized, their gift will create an endowed scholarship to support deserving students graduating from Traverse City high schools.

Jayne and Cal have spent their careers as educators in Michigan’s public school systems. They’ve seen first-hand how education is the key to the future and drives our local and global economies.

They’re also deeply committed to NMC as long-time volunteers. You may have seen Cal at the NMC BBQ—he

serves on the event’s board. Jayne has been a member of NMC’s Foundation Board since 2005.

Jayne noted that NMC offers students opportunities that are recognized statewide, nationwide, and internationally— right here in our backyard!

Who-hoo-hoo are the Hawk Owls?

Brought to You by Your Annual Fund Support Your Annual Fund gifts support every student, every day at NMC. Law enforcement student and scholarship recipient Andrew Taylor (NMC ’19) is one of those hardworking students. Andrew is grateful for your scholarship support. “If it wasn’t for the scholarship to NMC, I wouldn’t be here,” he says.

Look at how this Hawk Owl spends a typical day working hard during the semester—all thanks to you!

3:00 a.m.

Wake up in North Hall dorm room

4:00-9:00 9:40-11:10

Work for the NMC Grounds Department earning $9.25/hr Philosophy 202: Contemporary Ethical Dilemmas

11:10-3:00 p.m. Lunch,

work on homework assignments

3:10-5:10

English 112: English Composition

5:15-6:30

Workout in the new North Hall gym to stay in shape for physical fitness component of law enforcement degree

6:30-7:30

Dinner at the Hawk Owl Café

7:30-11:00 11:00

Homework and studying in North Hall Lights out

Your Annual Fund gifts support every student, every day at NMC, like law enforcement student Andrew Taylor (NMC ’19).