North Idaho College Alumni and Friends

The North Idaho College Alumni Association announced the 2023 Alumni Awards at the NIC Foundation Scholarship Celebration on Nov. 6:

· Ali Shute was named Alumna of the Year and David Foster was named Honorary Alumnus in recognition of their outstanding service to the college.
· Darlene Barrier Caruso received the Distinguished Alumna award in recognition of her significant achievement in her profession.

Congratulations to the Award winners! The Coeur d'Alene Press also wrote a fantastic article about the event that is available here: https://cdapress.com/news/2023/nov/16/nic-alumni-association-announces-annual-awards/

Each year, we recognize outstanding individuals who greatly enhance NIC and the Alumni Association through their commitment and service. The Alumni Association is proud to honor Jody Azevedo as Alumna of the Year and Lita Burns as Honorary Alumna. Congratulations Jody and Lita!

Read the full story at nic.edu/news

Join us at the Nursing Reunion on May 11 and 12 to celebrate 50 years of nursing excellence at NIC! Visit nic.edu/nursingreunion to learn more and register.

⭐Featured Event⭐ Social & Program- May 11 from Noon-2 p.m. in the Edminster Student Union. During the social we will honor Beverly Hatrock Dickens who played a vital role in establishing the NIC Nursing Program.

Are you an NIC Nursing Program student, faculty, alumni, or retiree? Join us May 11 and 12 to celebrate 50 years of nursing excellence! Register today at nic.edu/nursingreunion

Education: The Gift that Keeps on Giving!
The majority of NIC students must overcome many obstacles in order to attend college and pursue their goals. By giving today on , you will provide hope and opportunity for deserving students.

Make a tax deductible contribution now to invest in the dreams of North Idaho College students. To learn more, visit www.nic.edu/foundation.

Hi Alumni! Do you know anyone that would be interested in this AMAZING opportunity? Go to bit.ly/AmbassadorNIC with the NIC student in your life to apply. Deadline is March 12!
Have questions? Email [email protected]

DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING!
Don't miss your chance to earn free 12-credits each semester (includes cost of tuition and fees) while taking advantage of all campus has to offer! Apply before MARCH 12! Go to ▶ bit.ly/AmbassadorNIC. with the NIC student in your life. Dual Credit students welcome to apply!

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Artist Daniela (Danny) Snow points to the day she saw an ad for NIC and decided to call as life-changing. This sounds like an exaggeration until she tells her story about how she made art her life. Starting in the North Idaho College Adult Education Center at the age of 33, still struggling to learn English as a second language, Dani persevered. Now, with a Master of Fine Arts degree and art exhibits on both coasts, Dani credits NIC as being a large part of her success. Read more about Dani and her art, now on exhibit at NIC's Corner Gallery: nic.edu/alumnispotlight.

At NIC, we have several faculty and staff members who are also NIC alumni like Dean Miles. Dean attended NIC in 1979-1981 and is now an Assistant Professor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship. He pays forward the life advice he once got from his NIC instructor to his current students - "Do the best work of your life every day."

NIC Faculty Feature: DEAN MILES
Dean Miles, Assistant Professor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship, is a first-generation college graduate who attended NIC *way* back when Television Production was a program option on campus. At one point, he taught business at one of the Washington state penitentiaries for about three years — which was a "life-changing" experience for him. A proud US Air Force veteran, Dean is all about life goals and is passionate about backpacking and teaching at NIC! He has some simple tips for succeeding in his class and in life. Read more at nic.edu/faculty.

Meet THERESA WHITLOCK-WILD, NIC alumna and co-founder of Matt’s Place, a local nonprofit created to assist people with ALS. Seven years ago, Theresa decided to find her passion. She stepped onto NIC’s campus to earn a new career at the age of 34, with a family of three. Shortly after she began her studies her husband was diagnosed with ALS. She says she was intimidated, out of her comfort zone, and certain she would be the oldest in her class.

Theresa laughed as she shared a memory of her first class. “I look around the classroom, realized I was not the oldest and thought ‘this is going to be really cool!’”

On the advice of a sage instructor, Josh Misner, she eventually changed her declared major to Communication. She transferred to Lewis-Clark State College locally with her AA and earned her bachelor's degree in communication. She did all of this with no student loan debt.

Theresa continued on to Gonzaga University, where she completed her masters in Organizational Leadership last spring. That was also the month her eldest daughter, Richelle Duffield, graduated from Lake City high school. Richelle will be attending NIC in the Fall of 2020. Theresa says "The term ‘community college’ should not imply a lesser education. I am very proud she will attend NIC. It makes good sense”

To learn more about Theresa’s efforts to bring accessibility and dignity to those in our region battling ALS while providing assistance to families, go to www.mattsplacefoundation.com.

Like, Share and Leave a Comment for an Opportunity to Win a Really BIG Raffle Ticket! Winner will be chosen March 20! Feeling Lucky? https://reallybigraffle.com/

*Really BIG Raffle Ticket cannot be mailed outside the state of Idaho.