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| Business | Revised 12/18/07 |
Gordon Niemi
1951-2007
These are some of the many tributes that people have written about Gordon:
Gordon’s contributions to NMC are voluminous. While known first and foremost as a dedicated Accounting Instructor, he was the current Chair of Faculty Council and a former Chair of the Business Academic Area. He also taught regularly through Extended Educational Services.
He was an ardent supporter of students, and worked tirelessly on their behalf. In 1996 he was recognized for outstanding contributions to teaching and learning by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development.
I can't image our division without this wonderful guy. He was such an advocate for students and faculty. No one knew the numbers like he did. He brought us a new microwave this morning! Our old one died yesterday. How ironic, sad.
We loved him over here. He was part of our "BusDiv" family. I will miss him deeply.
One of the reasons I ran for Faculty Council earlier this year was that Gordon was a member. I had worked with him a few years ago on Faculty Council and deeply respected his expertise and demeanor. He will be missed.
Fearless and fair. A wonderful and constant advocate for students and their lifelong pursuits as tonight's Ferris classes will attest to, since so many of the UC students came through his hands. He'll be missed everywhere we touch learners: classrooms on main campus and on the Boardman, in EES, with our professional communities and advisory boards, in our meetings, on his bicycle in the neighborhood.
Godspeed Gordon!
We have lost our strongest faculty leader. I had the privilege to work with Gordon on numerous developments and revisions of our Career Plan. His knowledge and insights regarding economics and the internal leadership at NMC were beyond evaluation. It will be an enormous undertaking to fill his shoes -- both as a faculty leader and as an instructor. He will be sadly missed by both students and faculty.
I have been reading all the wonderful things said about Gordon, and you know, they are all so very true. He was always pleasant and ALWAYS willing to help anyone and everyone. Our hearts are heavy from the burden of losing a friend. I can't imagine not seeing him again.....he is missed already.
Gordon was liaison for the NMC-Cadillac Campus for a brief period, and he was such a valued mentor to me during that time. I am grateful and appreciative that I have these wonderful memories of this truly great man.
This is indeed a tremendous loss of a good man to both his family and the NMC community. I always respected Gordon's passionate views for the things he believed in and will miss him at work, in our neighborhood, and of course, on his beloved golf course. He chaired the search team that brought me to NMC, and I remember him driving me around Traverse City giving me the nickel tour selling me on what a wonderful place Traverse City and NMC are to live and work. I will miss him very much.
Here's another side of Gordon. A couple of years ago Gordon and Carol learned that I was planning on riding the Tour de Tart (T.C. to Suttons Bay ride to benefit Tart Trails) by myself. They immediately invited me to ride with them. Gordon was fun to ride with but mostly I remember how he would call out our mileage and rate per hour, per minute, per kilometer, etc. about every 5 minutes or so. I never will ride that trail again without thinking of him.
Gordon was a man of absolute conviction. He and I were visiting in my office area yesterday afternoon regarding the January Faculty Council meeting. His concern was that faculty would/could attend. Parity for all was his goal as Faculty Council Chair.
Faculty and students always knew when Gordon was on campus because he whistled as he walk. Gordon, you and your whistle will never be forgotten.
I always looked forward to serving on committees or being in meetings with Gordon. He was fair and objective without exception, but also a deep questioner, and never one back away from any important issue. And always such a gentleman. I was sharing with Tom last night that I could never figure out how he could ask a tough question (one that I was thinking myself), and not get peoples' "hackles up", when I knew that if I asked the same thing it would come out as confrontational. He will be more deeply missed, and in far more ways, than we can understand today.
Gordon was one of the most respected individuals on the NMC campus. His expertise in business and finance commanded respect. He was always willing to share his expertise if approached for assistance. For me, his knowledge of accounting for non-profit organizations and the loops in obtaining 501c3 status was timely and beneficial.
Gordon was passionate about the direction of NMC and his wife, Carol, supported his efforts.
NMC has lost a strong faculty member and an honest friend.
Please express my sympathy and Anne's to all in Business on the tragic and sudden loss of Gordon Neimi. He did so much for all of NMC but especially us retirees by remaining interested and concerned through many years. Gordon was a good friend.
There are lots of Gordon stories, and though I knew him well, others knew him even better than I. (Not better than "me"--Gordon always appreciated correct grammar, and liked when he asked, "How are you doing, Garyn?" and I would reply "very well," not "very good.") We (Gordon and I) served on search committees together, ESIMT during a period when our roles as Academic Chairs intersected, and more since I came to NMC in 1994. My perceptions will always be that Gordon was a highly principalled man, a first-rate colleague, a fighter whom one respected even when opposed in viewpoint, a good and dedicated teacher, and a fine friend.
The news of Gordon's passing away was quite a shock, and I cannot imagine him not being around the halls of the Beckett Building. Whenever I was in the work room making copies, and Gordon was there too, I could count on an interesting conversation -- he was always interested in any and every aspect of NMC. He will truly be missed.
At times like these I am always reminded of an old Tibetan saying -- "Everyone dies, but no one is dead." So, Gordon, we may not see you around here like we used to, but you are still here.
In the many years I have taught classes in the Beckett building, I noticed one thing about Gordon others may not have mentioned as yet. He always seemed to have time to help students with the mysteries of accounting. Even when he was Discipline Chair, I often saw him giving students extra help. Gordon really seemed to enjoyed helping students with their work and did it in a professional and caring way. I think it is important that, no matter what he did as a faculty leader, students and teaching were continued to be an important center of Gordon's life. I am sure there are many students who will remember Gordon for those help sessions - and maybe say that was got them safely through material.
Hi All, I will truly miss and grieve the loss of Gordon. I worked with Gordon on Faculty Council and got to see the true character of a man who lived up to high standards of ethics and compassion. Gordon always had a friendly welcome and was one of the people who visited my dad when he was ill after retirement. What a truly good man!
Gordon, who will call me after the first of the year and ask..."Are you making sure students are aware of the Hope and Lifetime Learning Tax credit"? Yes, Gordon did touch everyone at the college whether it was with a smile or with a gentle nudge to make sure that you were looking out for NMC students or staff. He will be missed for his gentle but persistent care for each of us. With his untimely passing it's a chance to remember to pay it forward...improve the lives of those around you, say an encouraging word to colleagues and those who's path crosses yours...in this way his presence will continue to permeate the campus. Be gentle in all you say and do, hold fast to what is good and right, care as if today is all we have.
I remember back when Gordon first came to the college and the Business Division had a mail room in a middle of the building that was cramped and not very inviting. Gordon would come into that room and sort his mail there, dealing with it right away. He said, "Why waste time going through the mail twice?" His organization and time management skills were admirable. Is that one of the reasons he always had time for us all? He came to the Administrative/Professional Counsel meeting when we were grappling with pay increases and parity. He had such a logical outlook on it all, could explain it so basically, and help people feel good about what they needed to do. He always had that spring in his step and such an easy demeanor. What a tragic loss.
When I read Tim's first message about Gordon I was shocked and saddened. I responded to his message and Mary Ann Linsell's first response. Now that Tim has proposed that all our thoughts go towards a collective statement of our high regard of Gordon and our deep sense of loss, I'd like to add a few lines to the Everyone messages:
In addition to Gordon's strong leadership and sensitive handling of serious issues, he never stopped caring about students and helping them to learn accounting, specifically, but in other ways, well beyond the classroom. Shortly after hearing the news, I happened to be in Horizon Bookstore, where a student from my earliest years at NMC waited on me. My sadness must have been evident, so I explained about Gordon's passing. I didn't think this former student would even have known Gordon, having been a student during the '60s, but she did. She returned to NMC much later, took accounting, and received help from him--even in the semester when he was no longer her accounting instructor. He could make the intricacies of accounting clear and understandable, she explained. Helping students, she observed, was a joy for Gordon. I couldn't help being struck by how far and unpredictably the good things a man like Gordon did have reached. Those good things will keep going even now. Jim Valovick's comments are true, Gordon is still with us.
As a faculty Council member, I want to express the Council's deep regard and respect for our chair and acknowledge his devotion and concern for each and every faculty member. Gordon was a marvelous chair and is profoundly missed by all of us. He was a tireless advocate for faculty and his experience and knowledge cannot be replaced. Good bye Gordon
I've read everyone's messages, spoken to several of you, and this morning learned that my neighbor was the trainer who tried to revive Gordon. It has struck her as hard as it has all of us. Garyn's and John's messages ring true. Having the pleasure, no, the honor of serving with Gordon on several committees, TCC and Faculty Council, Gordon was a strong voice and advocate for faculty. He liked the phrase I used; Professional Educator. Gordon exemplified that. But as others have said, his greatest pleasure was the students. He used to get a kick out of watching a student's eyes light-up during that 'ah-ha' moment. Every time he mentioned that, he would chuckle and grin. He said "That's what it's all about, helping them find their way."
Although we know we must 'press on', we will miss our colleague. And I miss my friend.
I didn't know Gordon well compared to many of you, but I am so glad I got to know him, if only for a short time. He was always kind and generous when I saw him. It was difficult passing his office today. Usually his door was open when I left and he always said good evening. Tonight there was just a closed door and dark office. My heart and prayers go out to his family at home as well as his family at NMC.
In reading the words about Gordon's life and accomplishments in these emails, I am struck by the depth and breadth of his relationships in the community. In a leadership role on Planning and Budget Council, Gordon was remarkably insightful and loyal to NMC. In an instructor role, Gordon impressed me with the caring and collaborative way in which he communicated with his students about general education assessment. In the community, I knew Gordon as a senior, well-respected, and involved member of the Girl Scouts of Crooked Tree Council Board. He served the Board as Treasurer and Finance Committee chair. He was one of two men that served on the twenty member board. And what impressed me most was no matter what that Board was talking about, Gordon always made sure that the Board made decisions considering the best interests of the girls it served. That is how I will remember him.
Abraham Lincoln once advised, “Whatever you are, be a good one.” Gordon was a very good teacher. In a way, each person who was fortunate enough to have known him was his student.
Gordon’s office is right next to mine, and we would often gravitate towards one another before the start of our busy day to share stories about hunting, St. Francis sporting events, and golf. I am not a very good golfer, and I remember one time telling Gordon that I was going to sign up for some lessons through EES. The next thing I know, Gordon decides that he is also going to sign up for lessons. Those of you that have ever watched him play golf know that Gordon didn’t need any lessons. Like his students, he encouraged me to be the best that I can be. I will miss my friend, colleague, and neighbor.
Our time with Gordon was so precious and he is greatly missed. My heart aches yet I am fortunate for the memories that help keep me going. One thing in particular that comes to mind many times throughout the day is his closing on his e-mail, “Have a nice day.” He truly did want all those receiving his e-mails to have a nice day. That is how he lived his life. When you are feeling overwhelmed with grief, perhaps it will help to think of Gordon’s message. Hopefully it will put a smile on your face.
Gordon’s teaching and leadership are legendary: He was genuinely dedicated to enriching the lives of his students and uniquely devoted to advocating on behalf of faculty. I had the honor of working with Gordon at the Cadillac campus. He courageously volunteered to serve as the interim director of the campus during a period of financial exigency. At that time, NMC-Cadillac was adrift in a sea of economic uncertainty and morale was at an all time low. Gordon created a new mainstay for what seemed to be a permanently disabled ship putting it back on a course for another decade. He was deeply respected by students and colleagues alike as a hardworking, kind, compassionate, and generous man--a man of conviction and character. I will sadly miss him.
Gordon will be missed for many reasons. As others have more eloquently written, he will be missed for his caring attitude and his excellent teaching. I will miss an outstanding leader. Such a leader involves those impacted in forming decisions, uses God-given talents to the best of his ability to advance the good of the community and does what is right even when it isn't popular to do so. Anyone working with Gordon saw these characteristics. His service as two-time academic chair was invaluable to the Business Area as it was to me personally. I always found his advice on budgetary matters thoughtful and valuable. For instance, he helped create the efficiency system that dispensed once and for all with section go numbers and the wrangling over canceling classes. But it was his willingness to step up again and again that I most admired. When I shared with him this year that I could not find a faculty member to serve on PBC, he stepped forward again. His service on PBC always reflected his willingness to apply his talents to find common sense solutions that were in the best interest of the college.
His legacy then is not a hole in our college community; his legacy is the model of a college leader. In his kind-hearted way, he would say, I have done this, so can you.
When I was working on my dissertation about informal faculty leadership, Gordon was one of the first people I wanted to talk to. I had watched him work, quietly and sometimes insistently, to call us to action around doing the right thing—whether it was helping students to be eligible for the Hope Tax Credit, working on Faculty Council or serving on the NMC Scholarship Open Committee to rally faculty participation. Gordon helped shape my observations about informal faculty leaders—observations gained by watching him and many others across our college. Informal leaders from all corners of NMC are, in large part, what makes this place exceptional. Gordon has shown us how those who step up, regardless of official mantle or title, exemplify a moral and inspiring purpose, provide for the common good, and create meaning for the entire organization.
I got to work with Gordon throughout his tenure as business division director. He was a model of integrity and a wealth of knowledge regarding business and accounting. He never missed a thing. Thinking of Gordon as a teacher, I remember an interview I read where Fred Rogers was asked about teachers in his life that inspired him the most. He replied “I remember my swimming coach. I knew that he loved to swim and I knew that he loved us, the kids that he taught. The best teacher is somebody who loves what he or she does in front of somebody else. Then you kind of catch the enthusiasm.” This is the kind of teacher Gordon was.
Gordon was team player. A few summers ago I remember Gordon showing up at one of our many events and said “Put me to work.” He was always willing to help in any way to make things happen.
I will always remember Gordon as an advocate for students, faculty and staff. For the way he always logically and methodically presented his arguments and how he never shied away from tough discussions. Gordon’s good soul, talent and hard work will be missed.
Much has been written about Gordon – all positive and true, of course. To be different, I decided to write some negative comments concerning Gordy’s tenure at NMC…thinking that nobody’s perfect. But, after reviewing in my mind (as feeble as it has become) many years of the grapevine and gossip lines, I simply could not remember one negative comment issued by anyone at NMC regarding Gordon’s activities as an instructor and administrator. We all here in the Business Division very much enjoyed working with him in both capacities – as “boss” and colleague.
I’ll also miss the occasional chat about politics, hunting, or other topics du jour. Like E.F Hutton, when he talked you listened.
Certainly our Creator does not pick and choose who among us should live to be 100 and who should leave us before their time. We are imperfect biological systems. We can be thankful for his life and the very positive effect has he had, and the difference he has made in the lives of his students, colleagues, friends and family. We'll keep the memories in our hearts and minds. To that end…we celebrate the life of Gordon Niemi!
I have been wishing all week that I would wake up from this bad dream and that Gordon would still be in his office across the hall or in the work room. We talked last Tuesday afternoon about the holidays coming and the coming exams. We had many talks in the last 20 years and I will miss him greatly. He was always willing to explain financial equations to me that I had questions with before presenting them to my Excel classes. He was such a wealth of information and I will miss my good friend. May his family find solace in the difficult times that lay ahead of them.
There is an old saying that; "If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem." Gordon was one of those people whom I genuinely respected even if I didn't agree with him on a particular point, that's because he was a man of action and conviction. I didn't know him to waver or waffle, to sit on the sideline or "to go along to get along." He was there, adding to the solution and you have to respect, it makes the world a better place.
I'd only begun to know Gordon through his position on PBC. Yet, so many of the words used to describe him were readily apparent from our very first meeting. Words such as: leader, advocate, mentor, friend, participation, conviction, defender. Gordon was so active in the "life" of NMC. His life, so well lived, brings to mind a poem:
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.Gordon, you will live on in the wonderful memories you gave us!
What a treasure of campus reflections pour across our screens. You may not know that one of Gordon's roles was QuickBooks instructor for EES where he taught 1-2 options every term for the past several years. He always managed to work the classes into his schedule teaching on Saturday mornings or sometimes on Fridays. I don't think he differentiated between EES and academic students in his willingness to help them learn during and after class. He handed out his phone number and encouraged students to call if they needed help. Whether these adult students called or not, they felt like they had a competent, caring resource. Feedback from his classes was consistently excellent. The EES staff and students will miss him very much
Today during the service that celebrated his life, I reflected once again on how brief and unpredictable this whole living arrangement is. The many e-mail reflections on Gordon's life remind us of the values we share; the campus faces filling the sanctuary remind us that we are a supportive and caring community. While we have feet on this planet, this seems like a good place to be.
Almost every day when I arrived at work I would walk around the corner to see if Gordon was in. Mostly he was. Not wanting to interrupt him in case he was grading exams or getting ready for class, I would always say, "Gordon, do you have a minute?" He would invariably say, "sure, what's up" And then I would get off my chest what was on my mind like, " Did you hear, they still haven't resolved the budget problem in Lansing" Or, what's the latest with Faculty Council? He was always there for students yes, and he was always there for Faculty and Staff as well. I will miss you Gordon, when I walk around that corner.