Bay College’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program hosted its annual 3.0 Dinner on April 15, 2026, recognizing students who earned a 3.0 GPA or higher and bringing together students, guests, staff, and community members for an evening of recognition. This marks the 18th year TRIO has hosted the event.
The dinner is part of TRIO Week, a series of events designed to engage students and celebrate their success. Activities throughout the week included a cupcake social, art night, and a group bowling outing.
The evening began with a keynote presentation by J.L. Hyde in the Escanaba campus’ Besse Theater. The presentation was open to students, faculty, staff, and community members and saw strong attendance. Hyde is a Gladstone native and the author of multiple mystery novels, including Delta County, which was optioned for film. She shared her experience as a first-generation college student and her path from working in the restaurant industry to becoming an author. She spoke about the discipline required to write and the challenges she faced along the way, which resonated with many of the students in attendance.
Local mystery author J.L. Hyde signs books for attendees during the event.
Following the keynote, TRIO hosted a dinner and awards ceremony where more than forty students were recognized and presented with certificates. Wiles Food Service provided the meal for the evening.
“This event is really about taking a moment to recognize the work students are putting in,” said TRIO Director Matt Stewart. “It’s easy to move from one thing to the next, but nights like this give us a chance to slow down and acknowledge what they’ve accomplished.”
The event is made possible each year by the Bay College President’s Office, which provides additional funding so students can invite a guest to attend.
The goal of the TRIO Student Support Services program at Bay College is to help students stay on track, complete their degree, and transfer to a four-year institution. The program works with students throughout the year on things like academic planning, transfer preparation, and building study habits.
About Bay College
Bay College is the community’s college with a mission of: Student Success, Community Success, and Culture of Success. Bay is devoted to each individual’s achievement in the classroom, on-campus, online, in the community and into the workforce by providing career certificates, associate degrees, transferable university credits, industry certifications, trainings, and professional development programs which develop skillsets, enrich individuals, and advance careers. #BayIsTheWay