GCC offers students free sno cones

By TOM LAVENTURE

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Ironwood - Little things can make a big difference.

Students who were midway through the first week of classes lined up for free sno cones on Wednesday at Gogebic Community College. It was a welcome back activity, said Dayle Jackson, director of student outreach and engagement at GCC.

"We've got a sno cone machine, so hey!" Jackson said.

This is a lot different than high school, she said. Outreach and engagement staff address things like homesickness and helping getting settled into Ironwood, she said.

"It's been an exciting time this first week getting everybody situated and figuring out class schedules and locations and where they need to be," Jackson said. "We do these things to have a little bit more fun and hopefully get them to engage and socialize a little bit with students they may not have met yet and make some friends this first week."

The sno cone machine was set up in the student lounge of the Lindquist Center. A few of them told the Daily Globe that the year is starting off well and they like GCC.

Anthony Wiemeri, a sophomore forestry student, said he likes that he can start at GCC before completing a four-year degree at the University of Wisconsin at Steven's Point. He was raised in North Ironwood and likes studying a familiar area.

"This is an ideal start for a forestry degree," Wiemeri said. "We do labs three times a week where the students practice skills in the field."

Joseph Rocco, of Ramsay, is taking his pre-requisites before going on to mortuary science school. His uncle is a mortician and he plans to continue the family business.

"It's close to home and it's cost affordable," Rocco said. "I like the people here they're good people."

Jacob Lane, a sophomore physical therapy student from Wakefield, also said it's nice to commute to school from home.

"I have to go to school for a total of seven years and so I am going to get a lot done and out of the way here before transferring." Lane said. "I also have a job outside school."

Don'nikka Patterson, a second year physical therapy student from St. Paul, Minnesota, said she came to GCC last year to play basketball. She is not playing this year but wanted to return to GCC.

"I could have transferred but I started here and I like the smaller school," Patterson said.

Lainy Panek, a first year nursing student from Ironwood said she likes the area and the convenience for classes. She would like to find work in the area after graduating.

"It's a very good program," Panek said.

Cosmetology students, Hannah Nasi, Ironwood; and Brenna Lammers, Ontonagon, said the program is convenient but it also has a good reputation. The two said they enjoy the small class sizes and the friendly relationships they quickly built with classmates.

"It's different as a hands-on degree and I think I work better hands-on," said Nasi, a third year student. "We learn hair, nails, skin, massages, the whole shebang."

Nasi said her mother went through the GCC cosmetology program and built a loyal clientele over 20 years. Nasi said the praise that customers had for her mother inspired her to the program.

"People called her the best around and that is pretty cool," Nasi said. "I hope that I can be as good as my mom."

Lammers said she was inspired to the program by her aunt who is a cosmetologist. She carpools with a senior student in the program five days a week.

"I like that the instructors like to know what you think and they care about you," Lammers said. "Someone is always there to help you."

Charles Oestrich, of Ironwood, was enjoying a cup of coffee in the student lounge. He was at GCC Wednesday for lunch and to visit with staff and students while checking to see if the course he needs to complete his social work degree will be offered next semester.

"Then I'd like to go to the University of Milwaukee after that," Oestrich said. "I took almost all of the classes here and one at University of Wisconsin at Steven's Point."

Amy Tarro, the food service manager, said she enjoys the summers off but is happy to have the snack bar open for students again when school is in session.

"I'm excited. I just love it," Tarro said. "The public also comes in. They like to have coffee and visit."

Some of the new items at the snack bar this year include gourmet macaroni and cheese, she said. There are also new deli meats to go along with the pulled pork, cauliflower and pizza, she said.

"Everybody wants healthy stuff," Tarro said.

Running the snack bar on her own is a chore and Tarro said she's grateful for work-study students who work seven to 10 hours a week between classes.

"They do pretty well," Tarro said. "I've been very lucky."

Kim Zeckovich, vice president of GCC admissions, marketing and community relations, said it's great to see the campus in session and everyone getting into the semester. The biggest campus welcome event for the students will be Samson Fest on Sept. 4, at 11:30 a.m., where students will be treated to a carnival atmosphere behind the academic building with games and food.

"Were just excited to kick of the fall semester with both new and returning students who are back on campus," Zeckovich said.