ESCANABA – Bay College instructor Mike Young says he spends a lot of time in his sociology classes talking about the positive and negative connotations of the Yooper label and how Yoopers might be different than other people. He says many students find that they might not be a different as they think.

“I think that’s one reason why I think they like to take the sociology classes. They like to hear that as unique as the Upper Peninsula is a lot of similarities and behaviors among people. A lot of them are interested in learning what life is like outside of U.P.-land,” Young said.

Young has been teaching at Bay for nearly seven years. As a native of Minnesota, he says he has been able to adapt no matter where he has ended up living.

“What got me interested in sociology as a discipline is the similar patterns among people wherever I live in customs, traditions and beliefs,” he said.

Young believes Bay College is an asset to the community because it introduces students to what’s available in education.

“What students tell me is they are required to do things and learn how to go through this process but there’s such a nice group of facility and staff that help them along if the need it. There’s an intimate connection that students enjoy at a Bay College. It helps them move forward,” he said.

Bay College is celebrating its 5oth anniversary this year. They are also requesting a 20 year, 1 mill renewel on the Nov. 5 ballot for maintenance and capital improvements.