Since North Central’s Administration/Classroom Building opened in 1967, thousands of students have passed through its doors on their way to an associate degree and the next step of their career or college journey.  Now, one of the oldest and busiest buildings on NCMC’s campus is undergoing a historic addition and renovation to better prepare students for success in a technology-driven world.  The Building Tomorrow Together campaign, a $9.9 million investment in the college’s facilities, technology, and student resources, will kick off with a virtual launch party at 4 p.m. on January 28.  The free event will be livestreamed on North Central’s Facebook page, and the public is invited to attend.  Preregistration is required at https://ncmcfutures.eventbrite.com.

The launch party, which is themed “Futures Start Here,” will include a keynote address from Kalin Sheick, TV personality and owner of Petoskey-based Sweetwater Floral company.  North Central team members Kim Dickinson and Scott LaDeur will host the hour-long event, which will feature North Central trivia and more than $500 in prizes for attendees.  Petoskey entrepreneurs Ben Slocum and Pete Manthei, NCMC alumni who founded Beards Brewery in 2012, will share how their experience at North Central helped pave their path to success.

North Central President David Roland Finley said the launch event will capture the excitement on campus as new classrooms and student gathering spaces near completion.

“This project is critical because it puts students’ needs front and center,” Finley said.  “Adaptable teaching and learning environments will provide flexibility and an improved classroom experience, and centralized access to student support services means that academic advising and career counseling are just steps away from our busiest classrooms.”

The Building Tomorrow Together campaign will culminate with an August 2021 ribbon-cutting event, when the Administration/Classroom Building will be formally reintroduced as the Borra Learning Center, named in recognition of lead donors Pier C. and Renee Borra.

“Through this campaign, we have an opportunity to strengthen and grow a longstanding community institution that is unique to Northern Michigan and greatly enhances the quality of life for everyone,” Pier Borra said.

To learn more about the Building Tomorrow Together campaign or the launch event, visit www.ncmich.edu/buildingtomorrow.

North Central Michigan College is an open-door community college based in Petoskey, with additional locations offering classes and services in Cheboygan and Gaylord.  North Central’s mission is to provide exceptional, accessible, relevant higher education of and for the community.  North Central is an Achieving the Dream Leader College with a designation of Veteran Friendly Silver by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

For more information:
Heather Rauenhorst
NCMC Foundation Operations and Events Coordinator
231-439-6220