CSC more than a name for graduation speaker
Chadron State College alumnus Kelvin Sharp, president of South Plains College of Texas, used a familiar acronym to guide CSC graduates Saturday. While speaking at his alma mater’s commencement ceremony in Armstrong Gym, Sharp used the letters C-S-C to offer guidance to the graduates.
The first C, he said, stands for competition.
“In today’s world we hear all types of talk about global competition and how it will impact our lives,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am here to tell you that you will have competition every day. You have to face those challenges head on and be fearless.”
He said the S is for “stay current,”, noting that being informed about what’s going on in the world around him leads to the best decisions.
“If you don’t stay abreast with what is coming your way, you will get trampled by the foot traffic,” he said.
He encouraged the graduates to have “compassion,” using the final letter of the acronym.
“No matter what your major, you are going to find service to others is your calling,” he said.
Sharp, who was awarded CSC’s Distinguished Alumni Award during Saturday’s ceremony, also reminisced about his college days during the presentation.
He said coming to CSC from his small class at McPherson County High School at Tryon was a shock, but that many professors and other CSC employees helped him succeed.
He said Robert Doxtator, language arts professor, helped develop the writing skills he uses on a daily basis. He said Douglas Brown, who taught humanities, challenged him to question the norm, and that Marle Smith helped develop his teaching style and classroom persona by example.
He also gave recognition to math professor James Kaus for “helping a small town kid like me survive,” and to Con Marshall, director of information services, for maintaining a relationship from the time the Sandhills native stepped foot on campus to present day.
Sharp graduated from CSC with degrees in physics and mathematics in 1979. He was twice regional champion while competing in team roping for the CSC rodeo team and is a member of the CSC Athletic Hall of Fame.
Since leaving CSC, he has obtained a master’s degree and a doctorate from Texas Tech University. He earned the Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Tech earlier this decade.
His career includes about 20 years of teaching mathematics at both colleges and high schools. He became president of South Plains College in 2004 after having served four years as its vice president of academic affairs and a short time as dean of instructon.
His experience also includes more than 3½ years as dean of instruction at Clarendon College in Texas and a four-year stint as mathematics instructor and rodeo coach at West Texas A&M University.
Because of a widespread snowstorm in the Nebraska Panhandle, Sharp’s arrival to Chadron was delayed. He and his family drove more than 700 miles from his home in Leveland.
Chadron State conferred degrees to 296 graduates on Saturday, the largest class since 2000.
Related Stories:
Spring commencement 2008 degree candidates
Category: Campus News, Commencement