Board of Trustees

1998/2004/2010/2016/2022/2028

 Susan Beals was elected to the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees in 1998. She has been an active member for over 20 years, with her current term expiring in 2022. She currently serves as the Board Chair.  

She graduated from GCC in 1979 with an Associate of Arts degree, and in 1988 received an Associate of Applied Business/Paralegal. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from Northland College and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Lake Superior State University. She also took library courses from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Finally, she received a Master’s Degree in Education with teacher certification from the University of Phoenix.

Mrs. Beals was employed with Gogebic Community College as a Library Assistant, Adjunct Instructor, and Assistant in the Court Reporting Program from the mid-80s through late 90s. She also worked on two grant projects for GCC, one in local law libraries, and another conducting a needs assessment for local business organizations. She was employed in two local law offices and operated a home business as a paralegal. She also completed training with the Western UP Mediators and assisted that organization as a volunteer. In 1998, Mrs. Beals was employed with the Bessemer Area Schools in both the library and classroom before retiring in 2015.

Her community involvement includes being a current member of Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher Sorority, American Red Cross Disaster Action Team and the Klassic Kruiser Car Club. Other positions she has held include ten years on the GCC Foundation Board of Directors, ten years on the Ironwood Township Planning Commission, and approximately ten years as the GCC Board of Trustees’ representative on the Michigan Works Board. She also served on Governor Granholm’s UP/Northern Michigan Task Force on Labor.

Mrs. Beals loves to travel. She and her husband Dennis have traveled extensively throughout North America on motorcycle, from Newfoundland/Labrador to Alaska. They have four daughters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They reside in Ironwood Township.

2000/2006/2012/2018/2024

Mr. Malloy was elected to the Board of Trustees of Gogebic Community College in 2000 and in 2018, was reelected to his fourth, six-year term. He currently serves as the Vice Chair. Mr. Malloy received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI, in 1974 and a Master of Science in Clinical Social Work, in 1977. In 1979, Mr. Malloy was hired by Gogebic County Community Mental Health as a Clinical Social Worker and is licensed in the State of Michigan. He retired as a Clinical Social Work Supervisor in 2015, but continues to work for the agency as a Contract Social Worker providing Mental Health Services. Mr. Malloy is a member of the Academy of Social Workers (ACSW), American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work (ABE) and Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD).    

2018/2024

Mr. Fitting was elected to the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees in 2018. He was born and raised in Bessemer, Michigan graduating from A.D. Johnston High School. He continued his education at Gogebic Community College graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in 2009. Following graduation, he joined his father in a private retail business. That business has grown into four locations and two separate businesses. Mr. Fitting is involved with a number of outdoor organization to enhance the local area and to promote an active lifestyle.  

2002/2008/2014/2020/2026

Mr. Lupino was elected to the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees in 2002 and reelected in 2008, 2014, and 2020. He currently serves as Board Secretary.  He was raised in Hurley, WI and graduated from Gogebic Community College. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Superior receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling. He began his career teaching History, Social Studies and English in the Mercer School District from 1973-1987. He continued his teaching with the Hurley School District from 1987-1990 and ended his career as their Guidance Counselor from 1990-2010. Mr. Lupino also served in the United States Army Reserves. He currently volunteers at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church as a lector and Communion Minister at Westgate Nursing Home. He is also a part of the Gogebic County DalPra Scholarship Committee. He resides in Ironwood with his wife, Camille, and has two adult children and four grandchildren.

2002/008/2014/2020/2026

Mr. Brown was elected to the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees in 2002 and has been an active member for 16 years and was reelected for another term beginning January of 2021. Mr. Brown was born and raised in Gogebic County graduating from Wakefield High School in 1963. He furthered his education at Northern Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education in 1967. He was employed with the Clarkston Community Schools in Clarkston, Michigan from 1967-1999 where he taught elementary and middle school Science. In 1971, he married LaVerna Stilwell and they became parents to three children: Shane, Jeremy and Heidi. Mr. Brown was active in supporting all activities of his children from sports to marching band.

He was also involved with the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit Camping Services in 1967 and worked all levels from counselor to director until 2001.  

After retirement, he and his wife returned to Bessemer and are very active in the community. Mr. Brown currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Historic Ironwood Theatre, Administrative Board for the Wakefield United Methodist Church, Board of Directors and one of the Founders of the Downtown Arts Place in Ironwood and Chairperson of the Methodist Camp Michigamme. He and his wife established a free weekly community dinner in their church serving 80 or more.

Mr. Brown and his wife currently resides in Bessemer, MI and travel throughout Michigan as Representative of the Michigan Community College Association and the United Methodist Church.

2028

Mr. McPherson was elected to the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees in 2022.  He was raised in Ironwood and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 2008. He continued his education at Lake Superior State University, graduating with a Bachelor in Science in Athletic Training in 2013. He was awarded the Outstanding Athletic Training Graduate that year. Following this, he attended Central Michigan University and studied Physical Therapy. He graduated from CMU with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2017. Shortly after graduation, he started his physical therapy career at Aspirus Ironwood and still practices there. During his time at Aspirus Ironwood he has served on various committees focused on improving patient experience, program development, and interdepartmental processes.

Michael is passionate about spending time with his family, his community, and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. 

2028

Mr. Stempihar was elected to the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees in 2022. He was raised in Ironwood, Michigan graduating from Luther L. Wright High School. He continued his education at Finlandia University before transferring to Western Michigan University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2007. He is currently employed as a consulting geotechnical engineer. Mr. Stempihar serves on the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center Board as Vice Chairman and is involved with various local youth athletic and outdoor programs. He currently resides in Ironwood Township with his wife, Amanda, and three young children.