Sonja Olshove, a beloved social sciences instructor at Northwestern Michigan College, passed away unexpectedly at her Traverse City home on Sept. 4, 2016. The week before she had begun her twenty-sixth year teaching at the college. Her deep connection to Northwestern Michigan College began as a girl when she heard classroom stories from her father, longtime NMC instructor Roy Terdal. She then continued that passion for learning as an honors student at NMC, graduating in 1987. In 1991 she chose to pass along that gift to others by becoming a member of the faculty.
Her unique ability to spark inquisitiveness in her learners along with her genuine compassion for their well-being earned her the Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award in 2001 and 2013. She was only one of three to be honored with that award twice.
Sonja's family has requested that In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please donate, as she did, to the NMC Foundation’s Scholarship Fund (you may use the form below). It was her gift of choice because that fund goes directly to students.