Ulrich said, “We’re just excited to get the school year started and be back face-to-face.”

At the most recent Iowa Central Board of Directors meeting, Ulrich said they’re seeing more students come back to in-person classes this year and fewer fully online students.

He said, “We’ve got a lot of kids and enrollment might be up just a touch so we’re just excited to have everybody back on campus.”

ICCC has over 3,700 students currently registered for classes between full and part-time students. More than 1,200 of those students are living on campus.

-Messenger photo by Michaela Frerichs
Students head to their first classes Tuesday morning at ICCC.

After a full day of learning, students were invited to a luau-themed cookout in Triton Cafe.

“We had a really great first day,” Ulrich said.

Students could grab a lei and a plate of food while they socialized with their new classmates. They could take their photo with a whole roasted hog and bat beach balls around the cafe while they ate.

Outside the cafe were several activities and games for students to enjoy. Students were lined up to jump on the large inflatable, ride a mechanical bull, toss some bean bags, and try their hand at plastic axe throwing.

ICCC will have many more activities over the next two weeks to welcome students including bingo, a Back to School Bash at Fort Frenzy, a club fair, a hypnotist show, caricatures and wire writing, and intramural flag football.

-Messenger photo by Michaela Frerichs
Students wait in line for a plate of food at the ICCC cookout in Triton Cafe after the first day of classes.

-Messenger photo by Michaela Frerichs
Students play bean bags outside the Triton Cafe after their first day of classes.

-Messenger photo by Michaela Frerichs
ICCC students could stop by a welcome booth before class Tuesday morning to get breakfast, water, and a free water bottle.