ALUMNI NOTES
ALUMNI NOTES
Five NMC alumni were honored with 2022 staff awards from the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office. Included was recognition from MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) to DEPUTY MITCHELL HOFFMAN (Law Enforcement, 2019) and DEPUTY HAYDEN TALBOT (NMC 2021-2022). Life Saving Awards were presented to DEPUTY HILARY SMITH (Law Enforcement, 2016) and DEPUTY SHANE ROELOFS (Law Enforcement, 2020). DEPUTY ROGER GROTEFENDT (Law Enforcement, 2018) was honored as one of two Employees of the Year.
DR. ANDREA (ANNIE) KRITCHER (2001-2003, Outstanding Alumnus 2022) was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2023. She was lauded for her scientific research that helped bring about the first-ever controlled fusion ignition in December 2022 at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California.
PEG JONKHOFF (Business/Marketing, 1976) recently printed the third edition of "Perry Hannah's Gifts, Then and Now," a local history book which she also co-authored about Traverse City’s founding father. Proceeds from the book helped fund Hannah’s statue, located at the corner of Union and Sixth Street in Hannah Park.
RICONDA SOLIS LAMB (Business, 1987) lives in Rogers City with her husband Richard. Together, they own the Presque Isle Advance and are active in the Rogers City Community Theatre.
STEVE SIVEK (Law Enforcement, 1996) was recently promoted to lieutenant of the Patrol Services Division for the Traverse City Police Department, where he has served for twenty years.
Sisters JANÉE MARIE MEADOWS (1999-2002) and KALI MEADOWS (2003-2004) launched Hot Metal Playground. Their sketch comedy act performs throughout Michigan and the Midwest. Performance dates and digital shorts are available at hotmetalplayground.com and on social media.
JOHN NOYE (Commerce, 1971) is retired in Traverse City, after 30 years implementing technology solutions for Kellogg Corp.
REBA PARSONS (Culinary, 2021) is now a Culinary Specialist in the U.S. Coast Guard and is stationed in St. Petersburg, Fla. on a medium endurance cutter.
TERRY MAURER (Chemistry, 1964) is retired and now resides in St. Helena, Calif. His autobiography, Dirt Farmer’s Son, has been updated through 2022 and is available through online retailers.
2023 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI NAMED
Since 1988, NMC’s Outstanding Alumni award has recognized graduates and past students for professional achievement and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. Recipients’ accomplishments reflect the NMC values of dedication to lifelong learning, innovation and integrity, and respect for and collaboration with others.
JERRY DOBEK (Mathematics & General Arts & Sciences, 1998) As a student and as a faculty member since 1989, Dobek has played a pivotal role in the operations of the Rogers Observatory. His teaching at NMC extends into numerous schoolbased, community and national programs, including the design of the State Theater’s starry ceiling, the NASA Ambassadors and the International Dark Sky Association. Dobek has written dozens of dark sky ordinances for Michigan communities, and served as chair of the Grand Traverse Planning Commission for 15 years. He has received NMC’s teaching excellence awards as both an adjunct and full-time faculty member.
TIFFANY SMITH MCQUEER (General Studies, 2012 & Practical Nursing, 2013) At the onset of COVID-19, Tiffany and her husband Jason McQueer, the owners of J&S Hamburg South in Traverse City, saw a need to provide food support to local families. The McQueers also provided numerous meals for essential workers at Munson Hospital and other facilities. What began as one cooler outside their restaurant stocked with a handful of meals has turned into a full-fledged nonprofit organization, with three locations providing food as well as drives for holiday gifts, winter wear, and back-to-school support. Project Feed the Kids just passed the 200,000 meal mark, after nearly three years in operation.
Outstanding Alumni nominations are welcomed at any time. To learn more, visit nmc.edu/alumni.
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Nexus - The Northwestern Michigan College Magazine