Neither rain, sleet nor snow kept residents from Free College Day
Hundreds of area residents braved a cold, slushy, commute to go back to school last month.
It was Washtenaw Community College’s fifth Free College Day event and more than 350 eager “students’’ showed up to attend classes ranging from dance to design, from bicycle repair to building the resume. And many more sessions.
“Brilliant idea,” said Ann Gersh of Ann Arbor, as she and 10-year-old son, Elvin, wrapped up a morning class. “Thank you (WCC) and more sessions, please.”
This year’s event welcomed entire families. And there was plenty to keep youngsters engaged, especially the pottery class and bicycle repair sessions.
“I would definitely recommend Free College Day for kids as well as adults,” said Bobbi
Jo Sargent of Ann Arbor.
“My daughter (age seven) and I learned new skills in the pottery and water color
classes. The instructors were knowledgeable and the volunteers beyond helpful. This
was our second Free College Day we have attended and
each class has not only been fun but educational as well. We cannot wait to do it
again.”
Victoria Bennett, WCC’s coordinator for the event, credits faculty and staff for Free College Day’s success.
“One of the great things about Free College Day is the dedication of the volunteer faculty and staff to make this a rewarding day for area residents,” she said. “It’s a chance for the college to open its classroom doors at least for a day and showcase what WCC has to offer. Plus, it’s fun.”
Another Free College Day will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24. That day also will mark the closing of WCC’s 50th anniversary celebration. Among the events planned is the burial of a time capsule. The public is invited to watch the ceremony as items from today’s world are sealed in the container for the next 25 years.
