Central Community College: a History, 1984-2005
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Central Community College A History: 1984-2005 John H. Dobrovolny and David L. Fulton, editors Copyright © 2006 by Central Community College, 3134 West Highway 34, Grand Island, NE 68802-4903. All rights reserved. Published by Central Community College, January 2007. Printed in the United States of America. Central Community College is a comprehensive community college with central administrative offices in Grand Island, NE; campuses in Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings, NE; and centers in Holdrege, Kearney and Lexington, NE. i Central Community College College History: 1984-2005 Table of Contents 1984: Dr. Gausman Retires, Dr. Preusser Becomes College President --------------------1 Lexington Center Established Early------------------------------------6 1985: Grand Island Campus Growth Continues ------------------------------7 Food Service Provided by Chartwells ----------------------------------14 1986: CCC Responds to Farm Crisis ----------------------------------15 Financial Aid Vital for Students -------------------------------------21 1987: College Placement Report Indicates Student Success ------------------------24 Ram Run: Hastings Campus Tradition ----------------------------------29 1988: Truck Driving Program Begins ----------------------------------31 1989: Associate Degree in Nursing Program Inaugurated -------------------------36 1990: Vice President Quayle Visits the Platte Campus --------------------------43 1991: Assets of College Foundation Exceed $1 Million --------------------------51 Three Phi Theta Kappa Chapters Active---------------------------------60 1992: Platte Campus Volleyball Team to National Tourney ------------------------62 Tech Prep Expands Horizons--------------------------------------70 1993: Academic Transfer Program Expanded to All CCC Campuses --------------------71 President Looks Back, Ahead--------------------------------------80 1994: North Central Visiting Team Recommends Reaccreditation ---------------------82 President Shares Legislative History-----------------------------------91 1995: Future of Hastings Campus Examined -------------------------------93 CCC Foundation Hall of Fame ------------------------------------104 1996: Music, Music, Music---------------------------------------106 1997: CCC Makes Positive Economic Impact on the Area ------------------------113 1998: Alternative Fuels Program Looks to the Future --------------------------125 1999: Extending the Possibilities in Central Nebraska --------------------------137 2000: Raider Men Finish Fourth at National Tournament ------------------------148 2001: CCC Leaps Into Distance Education -------------------------------157 2002: Dr. LaVern Franzen Named CCC President ---------------------------168 Assessment of Student Learning ------------------------------------178 2003: CCC Adopts AQIP Model for Reaccreditation --------------------------181 TRiO: Support for At-Risk Students ----------------------------------191 2004: New Administration Building is Dedicated for CCC ------------------------192 Ken Wortman’s Dedication to the College -------------------------------200 Report Shows Benefits of Community Colleges -----------------------------200 2005: CCC Receives Two Major Job Training Grants --------------------------202 Appendix ----------------------------------------------214 Central Technical Community College Area: A History: The First Eight Years ---------------215 College Governance -----------------------------------------221 Foundation Board Members--------------------------------------226 Platte College Foundation Board Members -------------------------------227 Major Sources --------------------------------------------228 ii College History: 1984-2005 Central Community College Dedication To the faculty, staff, and students, past and present. They are the heart and soul of Central Community College. Their commitment and their accomplishments are often unheralded. iii Central Community College College History: 1984-2005 Foreword This attempt to record the history of Central Community College follows the book, “The First Two Decades,” by Oriel Kinley, which was published in 1984. Prior to that writing, some of the highlights of the founding years had been recorded in “A History: The First Eight Years” by Stephen O. Gaines. Since that brief work deserves to be more available than it has been up to this time, it is included in the appendix of this book. Most of the information repeated herein was gleaned from sources within the college, such as the “Central Connection,” a monthly publication of the public information department. Where external sources were used, they are noted. The opportunity to contribute to this effort has truly been a joy although we are aware that it does not do justice to the years which have passed or to the people who have quietly and unselfishly made contributions to the success of Central Community College. While it has been our hope to create a work free of errors and omissions, we know that goal is not attainable, and we accept the responsibility for those errors that do exist. John H. Dobrovolny David L. Fulton iv College History: 1984-2005 Central Community College Acknowledgments Beginning in the early fall of 2004, a College History Team was formed. Members of that group who met regularly during all or part of the project and provided their insights, advice and expertise were Jim Fisher, Dr. LaVern Franzen, Dr. Greg Smith, Harold Hamel, Dee Johnson, Brian McDermott, Steve Millnitz, Leon Sanders, Jim Strayer and Dr. Dennis Tyson. Our thanks to them. Sandy Burris, Susan Hooker and Jamie Meyer patiently and skillfully provided the day-to-day assistance that made the completion of the task possible. They were a joy to work with. We also appreciate those who wrote articles which are included throughout the book under their own names. A long list of others were relied upon for advice, assistance and information. While including such a list inadvertently overlooks many others who deserve to be recognized, we prefer to take that risk. Richard Abraham Karen Cox Marti Honke Donna Moore Moe Rucker Doug Adler Jim Cronin Barry Horner Latham Mortensen Pat Rush Roger Augspurger Jack Crowley Wayne Huntley Pat Muth Ronda Ryan Deb Augustin Mary Ann Dobrovolny Betty Jackson Gary Nelson Kim Schawang Sherri Auten Barb Drudik Stephanie Jacobson Marni Nelson-Snyder Mike Schlachter Richard Averett Denette Drum Dee Johnson Karen Niedfelt Deb Schmitz Karen Baird Sherrie Dux-Ideus Marjorie Johnson Ann Nowak Michele Schroer Kathryn Ballobin Melissa Elliott Tim Kalvelage Sharon Oakeson Dave Schultz Dee Ann Belhen Laura Emde Bernie Keber Peggy Pape Bob Shields Michelle Bentz Andrew Fausett Clark Keffer Doug Pauley Charlotte Smith Nancy Bjorklund Jim Fisher Larry Keller Deb Payne Mary Speicher Lynn Black Cindy Foxhoven David Kelly Deb Pedersen Peg Speicher Ron Boehler Mark Francis Willis Kilgore Julie Persinger Pat Stange Beth Bohrer Nick Freelend Ron Kluck Tom Peters Jane Stratman Linda Bowden Nancy Fricke Betty Kort Sherri Portenier Bob Stroup Deb Brennan Rae Fulton Dan Kramer Joe Preusser Ray Szlanda Chuck Breunig Sharon Gaines Betty Krump Therese Preusser Carol Taczek Linda Brown Terry Gangwish Vicki Kucera John Putnam Deb Thompson Verne Buhl Lisa Gdowski Ellen Lake Colleen Quadhamer Barb Thornton Laura Bulas Cathie Genung Jane Ledbetter Joni Ransom Wayne Vian Marilyn Carlson Larry Glazier Brenda Licari Craig Ratzlaff Nick Wagoner Ed Cassell Bob Glenn Liz Luna Dee Regier Irma Wanitschke Maggie Cassey Matt Gotschall Michele Lutz Marilyn Reynolds Diana Watson Randy Ceballos Jack Gutierrez Doris Lux Ken Rezac Jeanne Webb Marie Cecil Rod Hansen Vicki Mackenstadt Don Richards Jeannie Werner Jill Choyeski Sheila Hansen Mark McCaffery Rod Roberts Kathy Wert Kelly Christensen Alicia Haussler Michel McKinney Michelle Roggasch Teresa West Lael Churchill Kathy Hillje Kathleen McPherson Anne Rohan Joann Wieland Wanda Cloet Barb Hinrichs Shelly Mendez Dorothy Rolf Linda Wiltrout Robin Coan Jennifer Hoagland Joyce Meinecke Charlene Ross Jenny Wurdeman Lynda Cohn Kay Hoffman Kay Mimick Deb Ross Mary Young v Central Community College College History: 1984-2005 Central Community College Chronology July 1, 1973 Central Nebraska Technical College at Hastings and Platte Junior College at Columbus merged to form Central Technical Community College Area. Dr. Chester H. Gausman became the first president of Central Community College, with administrative offices in Grand Island. March 1, 1989 Central Community College Sept. 12, 1966 Foundation was established. 2006 Area Vocational School #1 CCC 40th Year Anniversary opened with 196 students. Now serving 26,000 Sept. 22, 1969 April 1, 1977 students annually. Platte Junior College Lexington Center opened. began as Nebraska’s July 1, 2000 first county-supported New CCC two-year college. logo adopted. May 20, 2002 May 10, 1966 Jan. 1, 1970 April 16, 1984 Dr. Joe Preusser retired Electors voted to establish Kearney practical nursing Dr. Chester Gausman retired; as college president; Central Nebraska Area program (established in Dr. Joe Preusser became Dr. LaVern Franzen Vocational School #1 1958 by the Kearney school second CCC president. became third at Hastings. district) became part of CCC president. Central Nebraska Technical College. Jan. 9, 1995 Holdrege Center opened. June 20, 1967 Feb. 14, 1976 Electors voted to establish CCC-Grand Island Platte County Junior College Center opened. at Columbus. vi College History: 1984-2005 Central Community College 1984 Dr. Gausman