Traverse City resident Bruce Byl is the recipient of the 2015 NMC Fellow award, the college's highest honor. A 1979 aviation alumnus and NMC Foundation board member, Byl says an NMC scholarship he received made all the difference in his education and he made a promise back then to someday return the favor.

"By raising scholarship funds through my efforts at the Foundation, I'm able to assist many individuals in our region realize their educational and career dreams," says Byl. "To me, that's a very satisfying way of giving back."

Byl went on to earn a bachelor's degree in marketing from Michigan State University and later became president and CEO of Office Concepts, a Chicago-based Steelcase commercial furniture distributor. He and his family moved to Traverse City, his wife Mary's hometown, in 1994. He joined the Foundation board in 2006 and has served as chair and on multiple committees, currently chair of the Major Gifts committee. Also active in the business community, he founded Taste Bud Branding in 2013, a specialty marketing firm focused on Michigan-made food and beverages.

"We have many donors and volunteer board members who credit Bruce directly for getting them involved," says NMC Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Teahen. "Cumulatively, these donors and volunteers have a tremendous impact on our success, all thanks to Bruce."

A dinner in Byl's honor will be held later this year.