Garske to be GCC 2014 commencement speaker

By KIM ZECKOVICH

Special to the Globe

Ironwood - John Garske will be the commencement speaker at Gogebic Community College's graduation ceremony this evening at 6:30 in the Lindquist Student Center gymnasium.

Garske, a Ferris State University graduate, received an associate of science degree in surveying and topographical drafting in 1973 and a bachelor of science degree in land surveying in 1975. He serves as the president of Coleman Engineering Company. Coleman employs 90 people, including surveyors, engineers, scientists and technicians.

Garske was first employed by Coleman Engineering Company in 1975 as a survey crew chief at the Ironwood and Iron Mountain offices. In 1984, he, along with two partners, purchased the company. 

With more than 39 years of experience in surveying, Garske is licensed in both Michigan and Wisconsin. He holds memberships in the American Congress of Surveying and Mapping, National Society of Professional Surveyors, Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors and its U.P. Chapter, Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors and its Northern Lakes Chapter, and the Gogebic County Survey Remonumentation Peer Group.

Garske was chief land surveyor on a number of major government projects, including K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, the Champion mill in Quinessec, harbor hydrographic surveys at various locations in the U.P., shore damage surveys along with the south shore of Lake Superior, including horizontal and vertical control for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a number of surveys for the National Forest Service at various National Forests in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Garske serves on several community boards, including the Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation, where he has served as president since November 2001, the Faculty Advisory Board to the Surveying Department at Michigan Technological University since 1992, and the Board of Directors at Aspirus Grand View Health System. He was named Citizen of the Year in Ironwood by the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce. Other memberships include: Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Ironwood Township Parks and Recreation Committee, Next Generation Initiative, including the Promoting Our Strengths Trail Committee, and Superior Range Shooters Club. He has also been an avid supporter of the GCC Entrepreneurial Center for Innovation and Development.

Garske is an avid runner, having competed in the last 18 Garry Bjorkland Half Marathons in Duluth, Minn., and is registered for this summer's race. Other hobbies include woodworking, biking, hunting, fishing, skiing, gardening and spending time with family and grandchildren.

He resides in Ironwood with his wife, Lee-Ann of 38 years. They have three children, all of whom graduated from GCC.

Kim Zeckovich is Director of Admissions, Marketing and Community Relations at Gogebic Community College.