NMC announces Outstanding Alumni for 2021

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is proud to announce the four 2021 recipients of the college’s Outstanding Alumni Award.

Alex Brace photo Alex Brace ( download a
high-resolution version here) Alex Brace, Engineering 2017: Since NMC, Brace earned his bachelor’s in engineering at the University of Michigan and has begun PhD studies at the University of Chicago. As part of research teams at Oak Ridge and Argonne National Laboratories, he has been applying artificial intelligence to molecular biophysics. This work led to his team winning the 2020 Gordon Bell Prize for discoveries related to the infection of human cells by the COVID-19 virus, bridging computational studies with experimental biology.

Dr. Amanda Kiessel photo Dr. Amanda Kiessel (download a
high-resolution version here) Dr. Amanda Kiessel, 1995: Post-NMC, Kiessel studied at Boston University, Brandeis and the University of California, Santa Cruz, completing her PhD in agroecology and sustainable food systems. Kiessel helped co-create the Good Market, a platform of social enterprises and responsible businesses that started in Sri Lanka and moved online in 2016. It now features businesses, cooperatives and community organizations from more than 70 countries, including many from northern Michigan. https://www.goodmarket.global/

Dr. Clifford McClain photo Dr. Clifford McClain (download a
high-resolution version here) Dr. Clifford McClain, Associate in Arts 1971: Following NMC, McClain received degrees from the University of Idaho and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. As a career and technical educator, he taught and led state programs in Wyoming, Nebraska and Idaho, and was on the faculty of University of Nevada-Las Vegas from 1988-2015. He authored nearly 150 publications and presentations, and was honored as the 2015-16 Career and Technical Postsecondary Educator of the Year.

Cindy Warner photo Cindy Warner (download a
high-resolution version here) Cindy Warner, 1980-1983: An executive technology leader, Warner has spent her career applying technologies to solve operational challenges in global enterprises. Most recently, she was the global leader for Cloud Advisory for Amazon Web Services. She worked at IBM and FedEx and has served as an advisor to GE, Microsoft and HP, among other Global 1000 clients. Throughout her career, Warner has maintained a commitment to get women into technology. She currently serves on the Michigan Strategic Fund within the Michigan Economic Development Corp., investing in the future of work in Michigan.


Established in 1988, NMC Outstanding Alumni Award honorees are chosen for their professional achievements and/or leadership in the local or global community. Visit nmc.edu/alumni for more information and a nomination form. Nominations received by March 1, 2022 will be considered for 2022 recognition.  

Release date: December 10, 2021

For more information:

NMC Alumni Relations
alumni@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2825

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