NEWS RELEASE – April 14, 2008
NCMC TO HONOR FOUNDERS AT DINNER ON MAY 6, 2008
North Central Michigan College will host a dinner in May to honor the many people who were responsible for starting the college 50 years ago. The event will take place on Tuesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. on the Petoskey campus.
North Central’s history dates back to January 1958 when the residents of Emmet County voted to authorize creation of the college as recommended by a county-wide steering committee. The school officially opened its doors on July 1, 1959.
The college has created a “Founders Society” for people who were involved with the school during its early years and is seeking to locate and invite them or their descendents to the May 6 dinner. Individuals who were involved with the college during its early years in any way, or have a family member who was, are invited to attend the dinner. To make a reservation or to help the college locate someone who should be invited, contact Jolene Amo at 231-348-6667.
The dinner will take place in the college cafeteria. Dr. Paula Welmers, a long-time member of the college’s counseling staff, will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $20 each.
The steering committee that met in 1957 to lead the planning for the college included the following individuals: Dean Burns, M.D., of Petoskey, E.C. Matthews of Harbor Springs, C.S. Buckmaster of Petoskey, A.D. Shankland of Petoskey, General E.H. Burt of Harbor Springs, Ed Cadwell of Levering, John Clark of Petoskey, Ray Conley of Petoskey, Allen Crosby of Petoskey, Cliff Fairbairn of Alanson, K.C. Festerling of Petoskey, Enoch Giles of Petoskey, A.J. Hegner, M.D., of Petoskey, C. Lester Johnson of Petoskey, George McRae of Pellston, Mrs. Stanley McRae of Mackinaw City, Leo Russell of Oden, R.A. Rousche of Mackinaw City, Ward Walstrom of Harbor Springs and Katherine Warner of Pellston. The steering committee led a much larger study committee made up of more than 100 people.
The college’s first board of trustees was made up of Dean Burns, M.D., Ray Conley, E.C. Matthews, C. Lester Johnson, Ed Cadwell and K.C. Festerling. A.D. Shankland was asked by the board to serve as its clerk. He later was named president.
North Central Michigan College is an open-door community college based in Petoskey. Through its University Center partnerships, students can take courses leading to certificates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from participating universities. North Central’s Institute for Business & Industry Training offers non-credit job skills training tailored to meet individual needs. In addition to its main campus in Petoskey, North Central offers classes, academic advising, testing and other services in Cheboygan, Gaylord and East Jordan.
For more information:
Charles MacInnis
231-348-6839
