Inauguration plans underway

The pre-inauguration festivities will begin with a barbeque on April 25 at 5 p.m. for CSC students and staff followed by a Keith Anderson concert in the Nelson Physical Activities Center at 7 p.m. More details about concert tickets are available by contacting Conferencing at (308) 432-6380.

The formal inauguration ceremony April 26 at 3 p.m. in Memorial Hall will be followed by a reception in Old Admin.  Both events are free and open to the public. Student displays will be presented on the main floor and tours will show guests the mock courtroom and Eagle newspaper lab on the upper floors of Old Admin.

A limited number of tickets will be available to purchase for the formal dinner and ball Friday evening.  More details are available at www.csc.edu/inauguration or by contacting the President’s Office at (308) 432-6201.

Special features of Inauguration Day will include valet parking at Memorial Hall and the Student Center, live streaming of the event and a Welcome Center at the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center. Beverages will be provided, as well as campus maps, tour information and historical displays. The center also has wireless internet and workspace available.

Chadron State College Faculty Senate President Dr. Joyce Hardy, said, “Dr. Rhine’s actions reveal that he is committed to offering quality learning and life experiences for our students.  He is an excellent choice to lead CSC into our second century of service.”   Karen Pope, co-chair of the inauguration committee, agreed, “Dr. Rhine has a special passion for students and helping facilitate their growth and development. Since student success is a critical focus for Dr. Rhine, the College community is commemorating his inauguration by establishing a scholarship in his name. In lieu of gifts, people are welcome to contribute to the Rhine Legacy Scholarship through the Foundation Office.”

A native of Arkansas, Rhine came to CSC from Billings, Mont. in 2005, shortly after former CSC President Janie Park joined Chadron State. Under Dr. Rhine’s leadership while serving as the vice president of student services and enrollment management, CSC’s enrollment grew from 2,600 in 2005 to more than 3,000 in the fall of 2012. Dr. Park will be a featured speaker at the inauguration prior to the formal investiture.

Rhine 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 conferences, assistant dean and associate dean. He and his wife, Ann, reside in Chadron. They have two adult children, Rachael and John.