Janie Park inaugurated as CSC's new president

Park became Chadron State’s 10th president eight months ago after serving as provost and academic vice chancellor at Montana State University-Billings for nine years.

Willa Kosman of Scottsbluff, the vice chair of the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges, said Park is the right person to bring people together to accomplish common goals.

Karissa Johnson of Hershey, a Chadron State senior and president of the Student Senate, said she has worked closely with Park since her arrival on campus and found that the new president “really cares for the students and wants the best for them.”

Dr. Chuck Cressy, president of the Faculty Senate, told Park that her positive attitude, open door policy and kind demeanor are traits the faculty has seen in her and appreciates. Cressy added, “You have begun your presidency on a very positive note.”

During her inaugural address, Park stressed the importance of working with everyone its region to solve common problems and the college’s need to be a good steward.

She said a college that is a good steward is responsive to public needs and is intertwined with its region so that both prosper.

“We have a responsibility to be a partner in helping develop strategies to a brighter future in our region,” Park said. She added that a college must listen to the communities it serves and work together to forge strategies that will resolve the issues they confront.

She noted that a college takes on the role of a learner as often as it exercises its role as a teacher and that people both on and off campus are a college’s most valuable resource.

“I believe we must have a vision for the future, but vision is not enough. We must develop a plan of action to achieve our vision. Then we must roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

Park also stressed the importance of educational opportunity and said the investment in higher education is the best investment Nebraska taxpayers can make for the economic health and future of the state.

“Today, I challenge Chadron State College to a higher level of public service. I would like us to re-establish our commitment to the place where we live,” Park said. “I believe we must play a role in improving the lives of people in our region and strengthening the fabric of our communities. I challenge this wonderful college to become a better steward of the communities and the region we serve.”

In noting that Chadron State will be celebrating its centennial in 2011, Park said she accepts the fact that she won’t be able to accomplish everything that should be accomplished during her tenure of president, but she pledged that she will try her best to start the forward movement that will ensure a successful second 100 years for the college.

Also speaking was Dr. Ronald Sexton, Park’s former supervisor at Montana State University-Billings, where he has been the chancellor since 1995.

Sexton said Park possesses all the skills, experience, knowledge and leadership traits essential to leading Chadron State, its students, faculty and staff through the next generation of change. He called her a person of remarkable courage, unquestionable integrity and exemplary character.

“While I cannot promise on President Park’s behalf successful outcomes for every initiative, I can guarantee that you have chosen an extremely talented president who’s entire professional career has exemplified openness, a belief in shared growth and a commitment to excellence. She is a person you can trust, she keeps her promises, she fulfills her obligations and she leads with full understanding of the responsibilities of leaders,” Sexton said.

The evening's ceremonies ended with a dinner, fireworks display and dancing.

--By Con Marshall, Director of Information

 

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