Indiana University Northwest students walked to classes and relaxed on benches on the Gary campus Monday enjoying the late summer sun in a seemingly normal opening day of classes.

These students, however, had to prove they were vaccinated against COVID-19 to enroll and they still need to wear masks indoors.

For sophomore biology major Dylan Niblett, of Gary, it marked the first semester he could attend classes in-person.

He wasn’t a big fan of the online learning courses, triggered by the pandemic. “It feels good to be on campus,” said the 2020 Calumet High graduate.

Niblett joined an audience of mostly freshman for a short welcoming ceremony led by Chancellor Ken Iwama in the Arts and Science Building Theater.

Iwama directed students to attach the red IU pin as a symbol of their new role in the IUN family and as a commitment to the campus and themselves.

“The past year has impacted each and every one of us,” he said. He likened it to a dark tunnel, but “you do come out of it.”

He told them a degree from IUN will provide opportunities for better jobs and economic security. Just as significant, he

said, spending time in classrooms can transform their lives and lead to a journey of self-discovery. “That’s priceless,” he said.

Maureen Rutherford, an assistant professor in the psychology department, told the students she came to IUN in 2001 as a shy first generation college student from a large blended family.

She struggled to find money for tuition and settled on IUN when she found out about its academic programs and proximity to home.

She advised students to build up a community of peers, set up a designated study site and time and take advantage of the faculty’s expertise and education opportunities.

Freshman Logan Riley, a 2021 Chesterton High graduate, said she chose IUN because of its radiography program and its closeness to home.

Ani Sasak, also a 2021 Chesterton graduate, said IUN provided good financial help and it’s easy to transfer credits. Sasak wants to study film and television.

IUN spokeswoman Marisa Villalobos said enrollment data wasn’t available yet for the first semester since registration is continuing this week.

IUN and Valparaiso University are the only local schools to require students to show proof of vaccination to enroll.

Meanwhile, classes began Monday at Purdue University Northwest’s campuses in Hammond and Westville.

Welcoming rallies are planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Westville campus and on Thursday at the Hammond campus, also from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PNW officials encourage students to be vaccinated but the university doesn’t require it at this time. Masks are required in classrooms, common areas and at indoor events.

Free COVID-19 testing is offered for faculty, staff and students.

As an incentive to encourage vaccinations for faculty, staff and students, PNW is offering drawings for prizes including a $2,000 tuition credit for students or a $2,000 gift card for faculty and staff. Two student names are drawn every Monday.

PNW is hosting a vaccine clinic Tuesday at the Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building.

Classes also resumed Monday at the Calumet College of St. Joseph and instruction begins Wednesday at VU. Classes are already underway at Ivy Tech Community College.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter at the Post-Tribune.