Dr. Randy Rhine was inaugurated as the 11th president of Chadron State College during an afternoon ceremony on the CSC campus April 26, 2013. Temperatures around 70 made for an enjoyable day as the Nebraska State College System officially invested Dr. Randy Rhine as the 11th president of Chadron State College. Rhine walked from Crites Hall to Memorial Hall led by a procession of faculty, administrators and special guests dressed in academic regalia.  The procession was greeted by a fanfare from the CSC Brass Ensemble led by Dr. Sid Shuler.

Nebraska State College System Chancellor Stan Carpenter said that those in attendance were witnessing one of the system’s most important events. He noted that there will be internal and external challenges ahead for Rhine, but that the new president’s extensive experience in higher education in Arkansas, Montana and at CSC uniquely qualifies him for the post.

Officials from the Chadron State Foundation and Alumni boards greeted Dr. Randy Rhine during his inauguration as CSC’s 11th president April 26. Jeanine Mohr, alumni board president, congratulated him on behalf of the alumni in attendance as well as over 17,000 CSC alumni, “there in spirit.”

Mohr said she feels blessed to have a connection with an institution which values and encourages its alumni to remain engaged with its present and future goals. ”Celebrating your inauguration provides a unique moment for all of us to reflect on our experiences with CSC and the profound contribution Chadron State has made to our lives, this community, and to society at large. The alumni enthusiastically join with the entire campus community to express our pride in this college and our shared aspirations for its future.” Mohr told Rhine.

Even though the growing enrollment associated with Rhine’s arrival at CSC increases the need for scholarships, Chadron State Foundation Board President Fran Grimes said she and the foundation board gladly accept the challenge. “Bring it on!” she proclaimed.

Carpenter said, “I have no doubt Dr. Rhine will continue his creative efforts to recruit students and build Chadron’s enrollment, especially exploring ways to attract out-of-state and international students to rural Nebraska.” He added that the NSCS Board of Trustees is pleased with Rhine’s commitment and dedication to Chadron State, its students, faculty, staff, the community and the surrounding region.

Following the formal investiture performed by NSCS Board of Trustees Chair Cap Peterson, Rhine shared his comments with the audience, which included his wife, Ann, daughter, 1st Lt. Rachael Rhine-Millard, his sister, Sandy, and her husband, Johnny Williams, his mother-in-law, Wanda Egle, and other close friends and family members who had gathered for the festivities. In his characteristic way of focusing his attention on others rather than himself, Rhine took time to have the audience recognize his sister Sandy with a round of applause for recently received an award as the Outstanding Nurse of northwest Arkansas.

Rhine reflected on Chadron’s history, beginning with its launch in June of 1911 and then he looked forward to CSC’s second century. He emphasized his desire for CSC to explore and pursue visionary and innovative collaborations with public schools, community colleges, business and industry, and cities and towns in the Nebraska Panhandle and beyond.

Dr. Joyce Hardy, president of the faculty senate, complimented Rhine on his commitment to a common purpose of student success. Tenth president of CSC, Dr. Janie Park, addressed the audience, describing the 17 years she has known Rhine. Park said she knew when she first interviewed Rhine for a position at Montana State University-Billings that he would be a valuable asset to the organization. “I felt twice blessed when I was able to hire him again at CSC. Randy has an innate ability to lead,” said Park.

Student Senate President James Bahensky said he has been personally touched by Rhine’s leadership when Rhine served as the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing and while interim president during the past year. Rhine has become a mentor, giving advice on student government and discussing current events said Morgan Nelson, former CSC student trustee. “Since I met him three years ago, I’ve had the utmost respect for him. He has always been a patient and admirable leader,” she said.

“May our victories outnumber our defeats,” said Kristol Cummings, president of the CSC support staff association, of the incoming Rhine administration. Chadron Mayor Karin Fischer added that Rhine’s vitality and vibrant manner are among the exceptional qualities he brings to the office.

At the reception following the ceremony, over 25 student projects were displayed in the hallway and classrooms of Old Admin. Tours were also provided to the forensic lab, mock courtroom and The Eagle newspaper production area on the upper floors of Old Admin.

In an evening event, Rhine's son, John, who is an Army Sgt. deployed overseas with the Rangers, used Skype to thank his father for teaching him about leadership plus many hunting and fishing trip memories. John said of his father, “Great leaders build good leaders.” Other speakers noted Rhine's qualities including listening to others and his ability to diffuse tense situations. Dr. Sandy Schaefer led CSC student musicians in providing an enjoyable evening of music in the CSC Student Center Ballroom.

President Randy Rhine worked in administrative roles at Chadron State College for six years before being named Interim President in May of 2012. After six months of leadership, the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees appointed him to be CSC’s 11th President Jan. 15, 2013. Rhine retired in 2023.

The college has seen remarkable growth during Rhine’s tenure, benefitting from more than $70 million in construction. The Coffee Agriculture Pavilion, the Rangeland Laboratory and Classrooms, the Chicoine Center, the Armstrong Weight Room, the Eagle Ridge Housing Units, the renovated Elliott Field at Beebe Stadium, and the Outdoor Track and Field Facility all broke ground with Rhine in office. In addition, the $32 million Math Science Center of Innovative Learning will open in 2022.

Rhine’s career at CSC began in 2005 when he was hired to provide leadership in reversing the institution’s enrollment decline and design initiatives targeting CSC’s mission of accessible and affordable quality education. Under his guidance as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, the college reversed a 10-year enrollment decline. He also reorganized Enrollment Management and Student Services into an operations model based on cross-functional teams, creating a one-stop shop for student services called the Student Transition And Registration Team.

As an excellent collaborator, Rhine partnered with several administrative entities at Chadron State College and the Nebraska State College System to improve workflow, campus policies, marketing initiatives, enrollment, student orientation, recreational opportunities, and communication on the campus.

Rhine was Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning (CPSLL) at Montana State University at Billings for nine years prior to coming to CSC. At MSU-Billings, the CPSLL was responsible for the development and implementation of the Master of Health Administration, Bachelor of Health Administration, the Environmental Studies program, MSU-Billings Online University, the operation of the Downtown Campus, and a variety of international program initiatives.

He earned all three of his degrees from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was a member of that institution’s Division of Continuing Education for 12 years, serving approximately four years each as Director of Non-Credit and Credit Studies, Assistant Dean, and Associate Dean.

He and his wife, Ann, have two adult children.