Northwestern Michigan College has announced the 2023 recipients of the college’s Outstanding Alumni award.

As both an NMC student and faculty member, Jerry Dobek has "played a pivotal role in the operations of NMC's Rogers Observatory, and his teaching at NMC extends into numerous school-based, community, and national programs," according to NMC. Dobek has written over 50 dark sky ordinances for Michigan cities, is a founding member of the International Dark Sky Association, and regularly consults on exterior lighting projects. He’s been recognized with a distinguished service award from NASA for their Ambassadors program, and has received NMC’s Imogene Wise Faculty award both as an adjunct and full-time faculty member. 

Tiffany Smith McQueer and her husband, Jason McQueer, have owned J&S Hamburg South in Traverse City since 2014. With the onset of COVID-19, Tiffany McQueer "saw a need to support families beyond the pick-up meals provided to students through schools during the week," according to NMC. "What began as one cooler outside their restaurant stocked with a handful of meals has turned into a full-fledged nonprofit organization, with three locations providing food, as well as drives for holiday gifts, winter wear, and back-to-school support. Project Feed the Kids has distributed over 225,000 meals over the past three years."

Since 1988, Northwestern Michigan College’s Outstanding Alumni award has recognized graduates and past students for professional achievement and/or exemplary leadership in the local or global community. Nominees for the award have typically demonstrated accomplishments that reflect NMC values of dedication to life-long learning, innovation and integrity, and respect for and collaboration with others. Recognition is not solely contingent on having received a degree or certificate from NMC, but on the achievements of the nominee and positive perspective as to the role that NMC played in their lives.