Construction tops the news at Chadron State in 2014
Three major building projects highlight the news about growth and progress at Chadron State College during 2014, a year in which the many efforts and accomplishments of students, faculty and staff brought praise and distinction to the college from state, regional and national organizations.
The Eagle Ridge housing units, the Rangeland Complex and the Armstrong renovation and Chicoine Center completion comprise an unprecedented construction era on the CSC campus and represent the efforts and financial support of many, including Chadron State Foundation staff, volunteers, the Nebraska State College System, legislators and others.
Students took to the stage to entertain audiences in theatrical productions ranging from dark to light. “The Play About the Baby” explored the painful side of relationships, “Wit,” provided a poignant look at a cancer patient’s final days and “Lysistrata,” featured a comedic twist to an anti-war Greek story.
Through a collaborative program involving the CSC Galaxy Series and the Nebraska Arts Council, artist-in-residence D. Kevin Williams of Omaha, Nebraska, spent about four-weeks teaching Shakespeare, combat techniques and sharing career advice with future actors at CSC and in area high schools. Williams performed as Jim in six performances of “Big River” including a special performance during the annual CSC Theatre Day.
Other Galaxy programs included the actor Jeffrey Tambor, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, 1950s music and a humorous view of complicated relationships between men and women.
Professional development events on campus included the annual early childhood conference and the social work senior class conference on child welfare.
A change in the academic administration was announced in early July when Dr. James Margetts, music faculty member, was named interim dean of Liberal Arts and the Essential Studies Program.
Guest speakers included eight-time calf roping champion Fred Whitfield, nationally-known economist Dr. Steven Pressman and retired BBC film director Tim Slessor.
Students continued the tradition of service through two April events.
Nearly 20,000 clothing items were donated in conjunction with the third annual Nearly Naked Mile. The Big Event, a day designated for students, faculty and staff to give back to the community grew this year to include service projects in Crawford, some taking place one to two weeks after the main event in the Chadron area.
A popular improvement on campus included the upgrade of 13 campus drinking fountains to water bottle filling stations funded by Student Senate and the opening of a coffee shop in the Library Learning Commons. Student Senate also planted 12 trees on campus to help replace trees lost in the Oct. 2013 storm.
Awards recognizing CSC students, faculty and programs were abundant.
The Eagle newspaper won its fourth consecutive Best in Overall Excellence award in the newspaper division of the Nebraska Collegiate Media Association’s annual Golden Leaf Awards. The Eagle’s website was awarded second place in Excellence in Digital Medium.
The women’s rodeo team placed second in the nation during finals in Casper, Wyoming.
Two students received recognition at an international English honor society convention, a new student trustee was named to represent CSC on the Nebraska State College System board and, for the first time, an online student joined campus-based students for the annual London Trip. Also, five students presented papers at the Nebraska Academy of Sciences annual meeting.
Faculty achievements included the publication of a journal article by Dr. Barb Limbach and Dr. Wendy Waugh and a book by Dr. Robert McEwen. Anthony Perlinski was elected to serve a five-year term as an officer of the Nebraska Section, Society for Range Management.
Con Marshall, information officer, was honored for decades of dedication to the college in October when he received the Distinguished Service Award. Marshall was also elected to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in July and was the undergraduate commencement speaker in December.
Several notable highlights occurred late in the fall semester.
The social work program earned reaffirmation of its accreditation and the college’s online bachelor’s business degree and master’s degrees were ranked first in a list of online business and accounting degrees released by the Affordable Colleges Foundation.
Volunteers raised over 177,000 in the Chadron State Foundation Annual Campaign, which funds scholarships.
The music department organized a madrigal dinner as a fundraiser for an upcoming choir performance tour in Ireland.
In a new chapter for CSC, two students graduated from BridgePathways Intensive English Language Program in December and will enroll with CSC full-time in January.
In addition to welcoming international students to campus, 10 CSC students and two faculty members traveled to Cuba in December as part of the Essential Studies Program capstone course Cuba Libre.
The end of an era was witnessed as the Nebraska Champion Colorado blue spruce, which had been in decline for several years, was removed from the dean’s green in December. Lumber from it will be cured and used in classroom furniture at the Rangeland Complex classroom and laboratory building, currently under construction.
Plans for 2015 include concerts by the music department throughout the spring along with a student theater production, “Extremities,” which will explore the complexities of sexual assault.
Director Scott Cavin expects the production to be so powerful and moving that it will not only trigger conversation among those who attend but also motivate audience members to introduce the discussion to friends.
Other upcoming CSC initiatives include a spring break trip to Costa Rica and completion of the Rangeland Complex.
Category: Campus News, College Relations