NMC Fellows
The Fellow is Northwestern Michigan College's highest honor, awarded since 1964. Fellows may be nominated because they have demonstrated influential networking on behalf of the College, have demonstrated a pattern of outstanding financial or personal time contributions to NMC, or as a retiree of the College continue to contribute back to their academic or professional fields as volunteers, mentors or advisors. Exceptional contributions in one or more of these areas may justify nomination. No staff, faculty, or trustee shall be named a Fellow while still employed or in office.
2022 recipients: Ross childs and Ann Rogers
Ross Childs (download a high-resolution version)The two Traverse City residents each have supported the college for decades. Childs (right) served as a member of the NMC Foundation Board from 1990–1999 and as an elected member of the Board of Trustees from 2001–2020. He bookended those two decades by serving on the search committees that led to the selections of both Tim Nelson and Nick Nissley as NMC presidents.
Childs epitomizes NMC values including integrity, collaboration, respect, stewardship and excellence. During his trustee service, which included two years as board chair, NMC continued to grow and flourish. Childs and his late wife, Helen, have also supported NMC philanthropically for 35 years.
Ann Rogers (download a high-resolution version)Ann Rogers' (right) support and advocacy for NMC spans more than six decades and three generations of family. Her late husband, science instructor and 1985 Fellow Joe Rogers, spearheaded the construction of the Rogers Observatory, and she created a science scholarship as a birthday gift to him. She went on to create four scholarships, the most recent being in support of students who are active in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work at the college.
Environmental advocacy is Rogers’ other passion. She is a longtime member of the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, and can frequently be found walking across campus, taking stock of the native plants and trees she helped to plant, including clones of champion trees propagated by NMC’s 2020 Outstanding Alumnus David Milarch. Rogers is the mother of two former NMC students, and grandmother to three.
View a photo gallery from the 2017 Fellows Dinner
NMC Fellows Gallery
- 2022: Ross Childs and Ann Rogers
- 2020: Bill Marsh Jr. and Roberta Teahen
- 2019: Daniel and Debra Edson
- 2018: Dr. Edward and Sharon Rutkowski
- 2017: Ross and Brenda Biederman
- 2016: Chuck Judson
- 2015: Bruce Byl
- 2014: Richard and Diana Milock
- 2013: Dr. Don Good, Walter J. Hooper
- 2012: Hettie Molvang
- 2011: Terry S. Malone
- 2010: James MacInnes, Elaine C. Wood
- 2009: Jean Howard, Ted Kidd, Phyllis Kidd, D. Jerome Slack, Margery Slack
- 2008: Charles E. Benson, Barbara S. Benson, Louise Hagerty, Wayne H. Lobdell, Terry Lobdell
- 2007: Donald Oleson, Sr., Gerald Oleson, Jr.
- 2006: Walter E. Beardslee, Elaine L. Beardslee
- 2005: William G. Janis, Jacqueline E. Ribel, Mark L. Ribel
- 2004: Rotary Charities of Traverse City
- 2003: Christian P. Kamm, Shirley S. Okerstrom
- 2002: Marvin Rorick, Luella Rorick
- 2001: George C. Comden, Bart T. Stupak, Norman Veliquette, Marjory Veliquette
- 2000: Nick Rajkovich, Frances Rajkovich
- 1999: Robert T. Hughes, Robert Rudd, Grace Rudd, Capt. George J. Ryan
- 1998: Thomas C. Jones, Edward C. Walker
- 1997: James J. Beckett, Al Shumsky, Dudley Smith, Barbara Smith III
- 1996: David Lee Gray, Paul T. Johnson, Frances B. Johnson, Donald W. Nugent, Gail M. Nugent
- 1995: Dr. Charles D. Kesner, Richard W. Olson, Dr. C. Russell Wentworth
- 1994: Dr. Charles Kelly, Dolores Kelly, Barbara I.C. MacFarlane, Jane E. Norton, Frank E. Noverr
- 1993: Walter Holland
- 1992: Susie (Kildee) Janis, Paul Welch
- 1991: Sen. George A. McManus, Jr.
- 1990: Helen W. Milliken, JoAnne M. Zimmerman
- 1989: Gordon Lightfoot, Arthur M. Schmuckal, Mary E. Schmuckal, Adm. Willard J. Smith, U.S.C.G.
- 1988: Robert L. Goff, Jack B. Stegenga
- 1987: Marie G. McCarthy, Mrs. William E. Votruba
- 1986: Bernard C. Rink
- 1985: Frank W. Tezak, Ralph J. Lautner, Mary E. Lautner, Joseph H. Rogers
- 1984: Alice A. Drulard, Blake Forslund
- 1983: Michael Dennos, Barbara Dennos, V. Adm. Paul E. Trimble (Ret.)
- 1981: Lester M. Biederman, Warren W. Cline, M.D.
- 1980: Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld
- 1979: Doris Nerbonne, Everett R. Hames
- 1978: John L. Horton
- 1977: Julius C. Sleder
- 1976: Ferris N. Crawford
- 1974: James P. DeLapa, Andrew L. Olson
- 1973: Harry L. Weitz, M.D., Sen. Robert P. Griffin
- 1972: Dorothy C. Hall, Preston N. Tanis
- 1971: James E. Clune, Arthur G. Whitelock
- 1970: Harry T. Running, Mrs. Mark (Helen) Osterlin
- 1969: Corrine J. Naar
- 1968: Julius H. Beers
- 1967: Eugene B. Power
- 1966: Wilbur C. Munnecke
- 1965: George I. Altenburg, Gov. William G. Milliken, Leslie Tremaine, Bernice Tremaine
- 1964: Arnell G. Engstrom, Gerald Oleson, Frances Oleson, Ferris J. Rennie, Harold Wise, Imogene Wise, Ellis A. Wunsch, Ph.D.