GRAYLING – Kirtland Community College not only celebrated the ribbon cutting of their Grayling Campus building Sept. 30, they also celebrated their 50th Anniversary.
The ribbon cutting was the first of three events held that weekend. President Dr. Tom Quinn along with KCC Board members were on hand for the ribbon cutting then opened the building for tours. Classrooms were open with instructors handy to answer questions. Visitors were able to see the active learning simulations and program specific technologies the facility offers.
Public impression of the facility was all positive. Diana Stubbe and her husband Bill Zell of Grayling were touring the surgical technology classroom.
‘It’ pretty amazing,’ Stubbe said. ‘I’m sure it will produce a spectacular set of students.’
‘It’ a marvelous facility,’ Betty Spangler, another visitor, said. ‘Students in Northern Michigan are very blessed to have a State of the Art facility for health education. And our aging populations are also going to benefit.’
Saturday, Oct. 1 was the official Open House to the public. R.J. Bolzman, a student at KCC, attended that day.
‘It’ a friendly atmosphere,’ he said. ‘Everyone’ really respectful. I especially love the glass wall in the mornings when the sun comes through.’
Bolzman is in his first year at Kirtland, getting a 2 year transfer degree. His classes at the Grayling Campus are the basic classes such as math, chemistry and English. After his two years he will transfer to a University to complete his degree.
Later Saturday evening, the President’ Gala and Foundation Fundraiser was held. Dinner, drinks, live music and dancing were all part of the evening along with a silent auction.
As part of the Anniversary, KCC will be placing a Time Capsule under the pavers at the front of the new building.
‘We are looking for stories, firsthand accounts, pictures, especially on campus. Anything anyone wants to donate,’ Jennifer Page, director of the Kirtland Foundation said. ‘We are looking for people’ impressions of this building too.’
Items should be small in order to fit in the time capsule. They can be dropped off in the President’ office at either the Roscommon or Grayling Campus. Email Page for more information at Jennifer.page@Kirtland.edu.
For more information on Kirtland, visit their website at www.kirtland.edu.
