CS Foundation uses teamwork in annual fund-raising effort
The Chadron State Foundation on Wednesday delivered the first pitch in its annual campaign to raise scholarship funds. The Foundation’s theme, “Teamwork for Tomorrow,” was presented during a lunch for campaign volunteers.
Most of the campaign’s 124 volunteers attended the lunch to receive assignments and hear pep talks from Foundation staff, Chadron State College President Dr. Janie Park, current students and the campaign’s four chairmen. The campaign was organized by Karen Pope, Chadron State director of annual giving.
The volunteers raise money from Chadron State employees, businesses and individuals in the Chadron area through teams of college personnel and Chadron community members. The most successful teams are awarded prizes using a point system.
Traditionally, the campaign has raised more than $150,000 to help students attend CSC.
Park noted that Chadron State is “not a hard sell,” because it is an investment in the future. She said the need for public institutions like Chadron State to raise private funds is ever increasing because the state is compelled to divide its funds among an increasing number of agencies and programs.
“We’re a public institution, but we can’t survive without private contributions,” she said.
Corey Wasserburger, a pre-law student enrolled for 23 credit hours this semester, said the scholarships he received and Chadron’s “sense of community” were the two driving factors in his decision to attend CSC after graduating high school in Fort Worth, Texas.
“I haven’t regretted the decision at all,” Wasserburger told the volunteers. “The professors, staff and everyone else here have been tremendous.”
Students Dani Dorshorst of Oberlin, Kan., and Brett Simons of Chadron also stressed the importance of giving by telling their experiences to the volunteers.
This year’s campaign chairmen are Clayton Riesen of Chadron’s First National Bank North Platte; Randy Bauer of State Farm Insurance; Tracy Nobiling, CSC justice studies professor; and John Reiners, CSC track and field coach.
Bauer said some people may not recognize a direct benefit from the the college, but noted that every one in the community enjoys the resources that would not be present without the college.
Nobiling related Chadron State’s mission to the sports-related campaign theme, and that of the women baseball players portrayed in the movie, “A League of Their Own.” Like baseball, she said education has transcended racial and gender barriers and has been a springboard for the “best years of their lives.”
The event was topped off by Dr. Harry Holmberg, CSC music professor emeritus, leading the crowd in singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Category: Campus News