2017 Commencement

TRAVERSE CITY — Commencement ceremonies for Northwestern Michigan College's Class of 2017 will be held Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. at the Traverse City Central High School gymnasium. First-time highlights of this year's event include three student veteran graduates walking with their service dogs, and the awarding of NMC's first bachelor's degree in marine technology.

Ceremonies will be streamed live starting at 2 p.m. online at nmc.edu/video and NMC's YouTube channel.

About 260 graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony. More than 700 students earned degrees this academic year including the Associate in Nursing, Associate in Science and Arts, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Studies, Certificate of Practical Nursing, Certificate of Achievement and the Bachelor of Science in Maritime Technology. NMC will also award a Bachelor of Science in Marine Technology and eight associate degrees in surgical technology,  the two newest degrees, for the first time.

Also for the first time, three service dogs will walk in the ceremony.

  • Associate of Science and Arts graduate and U.S. Army retiree Andrew Banks, 37, of Traverse City, and his dog Mouse
  • ASA graduate and Army veteran Lucas Clark, 27, of Rapid City, and his dog, Bailee Mae
  • Associate of Applied Science (visual communications - creative management) graduate and U.S. Air Force veteran Nichole Hartley, 29, of Traverse City, and her dog, Zaia

All three students and dogs' names will be read aloud, and all three dogs will receive special certificates in addition to the students' diplomas.

This year’s student speaker is Connor Bebb, president of the NMC Student Government Association. Jim Bensley, adjunct humanities instructor and director of the office of International Services and Service Learning, will give the Commencement address as the 2016 Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award recipient.

The 2017 Outstanding Alumni award recipients will be named during the ceremony, as will the 2017 winners of the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award and Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award.

NMC University Center partner Ferris State University will award degrees to about 30 students as well.

A reception will follow the ceremony in the small gym.

Release Date: May 1, 2017

For more information:

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

For Veterans/service Dogs:

Scott Herzberg
POC, Military & Veteran Services/Advisor
sherzberg@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2526

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
Section Navigation