LINDALE – Tyler Junior College has expanded its footprint in East Texas.

The TJC North Campus celebrated its grand opening in The Cannery development in Lindale on Tuesday.

The 8,500-square-foot campus will host general education courses, nursing programs and the school’s new veterinary technician program, which only is available at the north campus.

More than 100 people, including community leaders and board of trustee members, were on hand for the ceremony.

Dean of TJC North, Cliff Boucher, led visitors on a tour of the facility, where students were hard at work in the labs.

Over the past year, there were moments when he thought they might not make their scheduled opening date, but his team kept pushing, Boucher said

“More than anything, I’m excited about where we’re going,” he said. “Seeing the student actually working in this environment is very nice.”

Phi Theta Kappa honor society president Daniel Seguin addressed the future students in the audience during the opening remarks. He encouraged them to take charge of their own future. He said he was proud to say he would soon be graduating and was excited to see the changes in store for students.

“It’s your job to take what they’ve built here and run with it,” he said.

The campus opened with 110 students enrolled in courses and is looking to grow.

“My hope and my goal is for TJC North to grow,” Boucher said. “We’ll reach out to those students in the north, all the way up to Yantis, and give those students a pathway to education.”

Twitter: @TMT_Cory