Fall semester getting under way at Chadron State

During the 30-minute meeting, the new president said she has enjoyed the first five days in her new position, and that she and her husband Tom have thoroughly enjoyed the transition from Montana to northwest Nebraska.

“The people we’ve met have been wonderfully welcoming,” she said. “And we think this college is a precious jewel.”

In addition to helping CSC employees become acquainted with her, the new president presented information about the college’s student body.

Park said that about 2,400 bachelor-degree seeking students and 200 graduate students will begin classes Monday. She noted that 58 percent of the student population will be first-generation, meaning that neither of their parents have obtained a four-year degree. Thirty-five states and 10 countries are represented in the group.

Freshmen began moving into the residence halls Thursday, as more than a week of activities to help students become successful and engaged in campus life got under way.

Many of the new students Thursday night attended “The Ultimate Road Trip,” a student-success program funded by eight corporate sponsors that is presented at campuses throughout the United States. The speaker was Matt Mizell, a widely acclaimed disc jockey who has worked for more than a dozen radio and television markets in a “top 50 market,” including the host position for his own radio talk show.

Mizell gave the students a step-by-step guide to being successful in college.

Upon arrival to the campus, students are being greeted at the residence halls by college employees at “Move In Central” information booths. While many of the “Week of Welcome” and “Jump Start” activities are scheduled to help the students make a positive transition to college living and promote good study habits, many events are scheduled to provide fun, such as band music, a rock climbing wall and “bouncy boxing.”