[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19658]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO BAY DE NOC COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 40TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2002

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to an 
important partner in the education, economy and culture of the central 
Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Bay de Noc 
Community College on its 40th anniversary.
  Bay de Noc Community College became a reality when the citizens of 
Delta County Michigan authorized and taxed themselves to create their 
community college. The citizens of Delta County had the foresight to 
understand how important higher education is to students and 
communities.
  Bay College, as it is known, has become an integral part of the area 
economy. Students gain valuable knowledge and employers gain better 
educated employees. The community as a whole also benefits 
economically, culturally, and intellectually from Bay College.
  Many cultural offerings are presented to the public through the 
college. Bay College also provides technology and many other services 
to the community. The gateway to self improvement is education and Bay 
de Noc Community College is an invaluable asset to the central Upper 
Peninsula.
  When Bay College first opened its doors in the fall of 1963, 
approximately two hundred students attended classes at the old Escanaba 
Area High School building. Since then Bay College has grown to an 
enrollment of over 2,300 students attending classes in eight buildings 
on a 150-acre campus at the northeast comer of the city of Escanaba.
  Bay College provides an excellent opportunity for students who wish 
to obtain an advanced education certification, a 2-year associate 
degree or a solid start towards a 4-year degree. Other students prefer 
to begin their pursuit of a bachelors degree at Bay College because of 
its financial value and the less intimidating atmosphere. Other 
students learn valuable skills and trades that allow them to enter the 
workforce with their associate degree from Bay College. Both 4-year and 
2-year students receive a solid education at a reasonable tuition rate 
that prepares them for a career and a life time.
  Other students simply take classes at Bay College for personal 
enrichment. The common benefit to all these types of students is that 
they do not have to drive far to learn and grow.
  In fact Mr. Speaker, even though I already held a 2-year degree, I 
still enrolled in Bay de Noc Community College to enhance my job skills 
as an Escanaba police officer. Those college classes I completed at Bay 
de Noc Community College still serve me as a member of the United 
States Congress. My wife, Laurie, holds two associate degrees from Bay 
de Noc that assist her everyday as an elected official.
  Mr. Speaker, on October 10, 2002, Bay de Noc Community College will 
celebrate its 40th anniversary. I ask you and my House colleagues to 
join me in saluting, a great community asset, Bay de Noc Community 
College as it celebrates its past and focuses on our future. Together, 
we all prosper.

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