ESCANABA – For the past 25 years, Lake Superior State University has been working in cooperation with Bay College to help students complete a bachelor’s degree close to home.

Since inception, 642 students have graduated from LSSU by attending classes at the Escanaba Regional Center located at Bay College. Escanaba Regional Center program offerings include accounting, business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education, individualized studies, liberal studies and nursing-post licensure completion.

A celebration reception with refreshments will take place at Bay College in the Joseph Heirman University Center on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 8:30 a.m., with a meet and greet starting at 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend to hear about the continuing partnership, program updates, and to express needs for programs and services.

“LSSU’s partnership with Bay College has impacted lives, families and the community with providing working adults the opportunity to further their education close to home,” said Heidi Baumgartner, Escanaba Regional Center director. “The upcoming 25 year celebration reflects our joint commitment to offer a quality education to area residents and LSSU’s Escanaba Regional Center is excited to welcome our new university president, Dr. Pleger, to Bay’s campus.”

“The community has benefited greatly from the quality education offered from Bay College and LSSU. The commitment to students in the Upper Peninsula through this agreement is evident by the number of four-year degrees earned throughout the first 25 years. This partnership will continue to have a lasting impact on the community for years to come and we look forward to the next 25 years,” noted Dr. Laura Coleman, Bay College president.

Anyone interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree with LSSU can get more information by contacting Heidi Baumgartner at (906) 217-4123 or visiting www.lssu.edu/admissions/regional/escanaba.