Classes begin at Gogebic Community College

IRONWOOD - Gogebic Community College was filled with sounds and sights of students, faculty and staff on campus Monday for the first day of classes of the fall semester.

The first day of school is "the highlight of the year," GCC president James Lorenson said.

"The colleges exists because of our students," he said. "This looks like a great class of freshmen and we have a good number of returning students."

Welcome signs featuring the school's forest green logo greeted students around campus and in downtown Ironwood.

In the Lindquist Student Center, sophomore Lauren Vinopal, of Hurley, was hanging out with her friends. She has a full course load of 19 credits this semester and said she is on her way to becoming a social worker. Vinopal chose to study at GCC because it's close to home, she said.

At the college student book store, freshman Shayla Oksa, of Mellen, Wis., purchased her textbooks for the new semester. She said she's taking English, psychology, algebra and biology.

Bookstore manager Brian Panich said the shelves are stocked with school apparel gear and school supplies.

With a successful first day of school, GCC's future is bright, Lorenson said.

"I'm very optimistic about our future," he said, "There's a number of great opportunities for students."