Founding: 1960s
During the fall election on November 6, 1962, the formation of a district was approved, 6,862 to 3,231, and the millage (1 mill) was approved 5,149 to 4,515. The first Board of Trustees at their first meeting was with President Rinehart held in the MSU conference room on April of 1963 (see picture).
At their December 1 meeting, they selected “Bay de Noc Community College,” from a list of 44 names that had been suggested from the community. Initial programs offered were Business/Accounting, Industrial Technology, Liberal Arts, Secretarial Science, and Science/Pre-Engineering. Some early courses were offered at the Escanaba or Gladstone high schools, especially if equipment such as typewriters was needed. Some technical classes, such as welding, were held at another location, the former Northern Rebuilders site, at 800 Third Avenue North in Escanaba. Classes began on September 16, 1963. The first students to register at the College were Gary Reese and Kay (Weingartner) Moreau.