Alumni & Friends Newsletter Volume 1 | Summer 2015

MID-PLAINS COMMUNITY COLLEGE M

ALUMNI Volume 1 | Summer 2015

“Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference.”

- Arie Pencovici

From the President

Greetings Alumni of Mid-Plains Community College, Thank you for choosing any one of the campuses of Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) as part of your educational journey to meet your career goals. One of the newest initiatives at MPCC is to reach out to our alumni and tell them about what we’ve done and where we are headed as we continue to successfully educate students in West-Central Nebraska. The enrollments over the past three years have been our largest and we are seeking new ways to reach more of our residents, businesses, and industries through creative and more flexible scheduling Thank you for choosing any one of the that focuses on weekends and campuses of Mid-Plains Community College off-campus offerings. Over the (MPCC) as part of your educational journey past five years, we have worked hard at our extended campus to meet your career goals. locations to build a permanent presence with new or remodeled larger facilities. These locations will serve those areas for the next several years by allowing their residents the convenience of having both academic and technical courses available locally. I hope you enjoy this first Alumni Newsletter and like what you see. For more information, please visit us at www.mpcc.edu.

Ryan Purdy, President

From the Vice Presidents Dear MCC Alumni,

I recently returned from a trip to Texas with my 2nd Vice President’s Leadership Class. For the last two years I’ve taken some of the top students from Southwest Nebraska and then met with them on a weekly basis during the school year. They have spent time reading about leadership and listening to community leaders. Then, over spring break we take a group trip…Texas this year and Chicago last year. This special leadership program is a way to attract top students to McCook Community College (MCC) and to create our next generation of leaders. I grew up in Grant and still have parents and two brothers that live there. Before getting the opportunity to come back to Southwest Nebraska, after living in Sterling, Colorado for six years, I forgot a little about how special of a place this is. I won’t forget again. MCC plays an important role in developing the next generation to help McCook and Southwest Nebraska stay great. I have a seven year old daughter and a three year old son. I hope they see opportunities in this area when they grow up, and I plan to make sure MCC continues to play a part in making Southwest Nebraska great.

I thank you for the part you have played as well…Proud MCC Alumni!

Andy Long, Area Vice President of Student Affairs and MCC

Dear NPCC Alumni, I would like to take a moment to thank you for choosing North Platte Community College (NPCC) to assist in meeting your educational goals. Whether you have a diploma, certificate, or degree from us, you have achieved something that no one can ever take away from you. I am also a community college graduate and it is the degree that I cherish the most. My experience at the community college was wonderful because I was familiar with the campus, it had smaller class sizes and it was close to home. I loved my time there and when I graduated with my Administrative Assistant Associate degree, I went to work for the community college. I have been working in Nebraska Community Colleges for the last 18 years and I still love this environment! I hope that no matter where your life has taken you, you still reflect on your time at NPCC as a great one. We would love to hear your story and find out where you are today. We would also like to encourage you to give back to NPCC. Giving back is a way to show other students what your educational experience meant to you and to help out a fellow student through a scholarship or help us improve our facilities to make them attractive to future students. Through your and others generosity, we have built a new Health and Science Center and recently completed a remodel with brand new bleachers at McDonald-Belton gym.

Thank you for being a proud alumni of NPCC and Go Knights!

Dr. Jody Tomanek, Area Vice President for Academic Affairs and NPCC

MCC Student Speaker, Amber Nicole Madigan Amber Nicole Madigan was selected as the student speaker for the 2015 Commencement Ceremony on May 8, at McCook Community College (MCC). Madigan came to MCC in the fall of 2013 on a softball scholarship. She played first base and was a frequent designated hitter for the Indians. She was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and raised in Peyton, Colorado by parents Mark and Tracey Madigan. She graduated from Peyton High School in 2013.

Off the softball field, Amber has been an active member of Student Senate; maintained a 4.0 grade point average; is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa national honors society; was a resident assistant in Brooks Hall, and took time to tutor her peers.

Commencement 2015 On Friday, May 8th, 2015 over 335 students walked across the stages at McCook and North Platte to accept their degrees, diplomas and certificates. Degrees awarded included Associates of Arts, Associates of Science, Associates of General Studies, Associates of Applied Science and Associate Degree of Nursing.

Many of these students will be entering into the workforce with their newly earned educational achievements while others will be continuing on to four year colleges and advanced degrees.

Without doubt, all will have improved their lives by furthering their education at Mid-Plains Community College! We wish them all the very best and welcome them as PROUD MPCC ALUMNI!!!

Madigan will attend Doane College this fall where she will play for the Lady Tigers softball team, serve as a resident assistant, and pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Her long term goal is to become a trauma surgeon.

NPCC Student Speaker, Amy Taft Amy Taft was selected as North Platte Community College (NPCC) 2015 spring commencement speaker.

Taft enrolled at NPCC in the fall of 2013 in an attempt to start a new chapter in her life.

Prior to college, she weighed 600 pounds and suffered from horrible social anxiety.

“I hated being in crowds and never left the house because I hurt – physically and emotionally,” said Taft. “One day, I decided it was time to quit hiding from my future – while I was still young enough to have one.”

Taft received both a school spirit award and a faculty scholarship while at NPCC and is the academic advisor for the Lady Knights Softball Team.

Her goal is to be a special education teacher. She received her Associate of Science and Associate of General Studies degrees at the May 8, 2015 Commencement Ceremony and is planning to take classes through Chadron State College to earn her K-12 teaching certificate.

McCook Alumni

MCC Alum takes post as Activity Specialist interim basis for part of the fall semester.

The Longmont, Colorado native attended Lyons High school where she played softball for four years and was a cheerleader for three. At Lyons she served as junior and senior class vice president, was a member of National Honor Society, show choir, and GAP, a generational program with the senior citizens in town. She was co-editor of the yearbook her senior year.

Rachel Bashor, former MCC student and current MPCC Activity Specialist

A McCook Community College graduate didn’t travel very far to land her “first” job.

She now works across the street from the building where she received her associate’s degree.

“I’m coaching the pitchers, and enjoying my new position in the Student Life office.”

She came to McCook to pitch for the Lady Rachel Bashor is the Area Student Activities Indians softball team. While here she Specialist/Administrative Assistant in was given the Vice President of McCook McCook. She served in this capacity on an Community College Student of the Year

Award in 2014. This is an award given each year to an outstanding student attending MCC excelling in academics, leadership and service to the college and the community. She was cited for being a model “student-athlete,” worked as a Resident Assistant in Brooks Hall, gave campus tours, and participated in MCC’s Select Choir. Several times she sang the National Anthem at MCC softball games in which she played.

“After playing softball for 15 years my body decided that I was done and now I’m coaching the pitchers, and enjoying my new position in the Student Life office,” she said. But she remains a frequent “fan” in the stands at MCC home softball games.

She almost always sits as close as she can to the home team dugout with a scorebook in her lap.

MCC Alum Back on Campus as Art Judge McCook Community College graduate Alicia Blankenship Vandenbark returned to the campus in March and later in April to serve as judge for the annual student art exhibition and paint-in. Alicia is a 2009 MCC graduate and former MCC volleyball player.

“I can’t believe how much things have changed in such a short time... If I were here now, I don’t think I’d ever want to leave.”

“I can’t believe how much things have changed in such a short time,” she said.

“The Peter and Dolores Graff Event Center is an amazing improvement to campus and as someone who spent a lot of time in the

old gym (True Hall) I can tell you that if I were here now, I don’t think I’d ever want to leave.”

She began her higher education with an Associate of Science from MCC then transferred to Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas where she acquired a Bachelor of Science in Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in painting.

“It wasn’t all that long ago Alicia was here on campus using the same brand and hues of paint these students used so it was nice getting her to come back and talk to the students at the awards ceremony and relate her experiences and advice to anyone interested in art,” said MCC Art Instructor Rick Johnson.

She plans to pursue her Master’s of Arts degree in Art Therapy at Marylhurst University in Oregon.

Alicia Blankenship Vandenbark, 2009 MCC graduate and former MCC volleyball player.

Alicia currently resides in Greeley, Colorado.

She plans on researching Art Therapy methods, and turning them into psychological data in order to help make these ideas known for medical and psychological practices. She remains busy by entering art shows and collaborating with other artists in the community.

North Platte Alumni

Mary Allberry credits NPCC for igniting her passion for learning At that time, the couple had six children.

By 1967, they had seven kids under age 10. When Bob suffered a massive heart attack, Mary found herself facing the role of breadwinner.

“I just love learning... it has given me so much confidence.”

Mary Allberry poses with one of her 19 grandchildren, also an NPCC alum.

If there’s one thing Mary Allberry believes in, it’s education.

“I just love learning,” said Allberry, 80.

“It has given me so much confidence. I never would have imagined coming this far or doing everything I’ve done. None of it would have been possible without an education.”

The Omaha native had given up on college when she and her husband, Bob, moved to North Platte in 1966.

Mary, who was at that time 37, enrolled at North Platte Community College to become a teacher. She loved the experience, but her lessons were cut short due to a ruptured brain aneurysm.

The medical condition required surgery to both sides of Mary’s brain. It only slowed her down temporarily. The next semester she was back at NPCC, and by 1975, she had earned an Associate of Arts degree.

In 1978, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and took a job teaching the language at North Platte Catholic Schools.

In 1980, she added a master’s degree in education to her resume, followed by a bachelor’s degree in history in 1982.

“I got endorsements in social sciences, middle school and English,” said Mary. “I was told I couldn’t have any more unless I wanted to pursue additional master’s degrees.”

Mary spent more than 20 years teaching Spanish at North Platte High School. She also taught world history, introduction to social studies and advanced placement European history.

At 73, Mary moved to Chadron and became a substitute teacher at Chadron High School.

She published her first book, “I Ain’t Done Yet,” at 76. Her second book, “Talk a Little.

Listen a Lot,” was published in 2014.

“The first class I took at NPCC evolved into all this,” Mary said. “I guess the moral of the story is - you never know what you can do until you try, and you’re never too old to learn.”

MPCC 2014 Alumni of the Year - Jim Schneider Jim Schneider is Mid-Plains Community College’s 2014 Alumni of the Year. He was recognized by the Nebraska Community College Association following nomination

by Ryan Purdy, MPCC president and members of MPCC’s cabinet.

“Jim is certainly well-deserving of this honor,” Purdy said. “We thank him for his continued service to the college and the community.”

Schneider was raised on a ranch in Hayes County and attended North Platte Community College from 1977-79, earning an associate’s degree in applied science, with a focus in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. Schneider continued to take engineering, business and electrical classes following graduation.

Schneider said he started taking classes at NPCC as a way to pay for his schooling as a hospital administrator. “I had been accepted into the hospital administration program at the University of Nebraska - Omaha, but after taking the HVAC courses, I found it

Jim Schneider, Mid-Plains Community College’s 2014 Alumni of the Year.

to be a challenging field that was constantly evolving. I discovered I had a real interest and passion for it.”

He went to work for Knobel Refrigeration in February of 1978, and bought the company from Harold Knobel in 1987.

Schneider has operated the business ever since and is also president of the Schneider Holding Company.

Schneider is a member of the North Platte Community College Foundation Board

of Directors and also serves on the MPCC Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Advisory Board for the college.

He volunteers in the community through organizations such as the North Platte Jaycees, of which he is a former vice president. Schneider has also been a member of the North Platte Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Corporation Board of Directors.

“after taking the HVAC courses... I discovered I had a real interest and passion for it.”

He is the past president of both the Holy Spirit Parish Council and the Lake Maloney Property Owners Association and is a former member of the Ducks Unlimited event committee.

What’s New @MPCC!

Sunday College MCC Re-names Events Center to Honor Graff Family The MCC Events Center was formally re-named the Peter & Dolores Graff Events Center in October of 2014. This honor is just a token of gratefulness and appreciation for the tremendous support the Graff family has provided to the College and Southwest Nebraska.

Sunday Afternoons & Evenings + 2 Years = Your Associates Degree!

Take classes one day a week and complete your associates degree in two years! Classes are uniquely formatted to allow for online assignments during the week combined with a classroom experience on Sundays. More information available at www.mpcc.edu.

MPCC Leadership Class rewarded with trip to Texas A small group of students spent spring break with MCC Vice President Andy Long in Texas as part of their leadership class. The trip provides the students with an opportunity to expand their horizons beyond their campus experience as well as rewarding them for their work and achievement.

New Construction:

MCC Peter & Dolores Graff Event Center This beautiful, multi-function facility, completed in August of 2012, provides space not only for MCC events, but also for local schools and community activities.

Advanced Paramedics McCook Community College students in the Accelerated Paramedic class train on the proper techniques for starting IVs. The accelerated version of the paramedic training consolidates the didactic training in which the students attend class 40 contact hours per week for 12 weeks. Pictured here are (from left) Jeremy Fernandes, Alaska; Michael Christensen, California; Hunter Hedequist, Washington; Josh Royer, Missouri; and Matt Babbit of California.

NPCC Health & Science Center Completed in August 2012, the NPCC Health & Science Center is providing students with exceptional, state-of-the-art education in science, math and health care.

NPCC South Cafeteria

2015 Raffle Car - 1957 Chevy The 2015 raffle car will be a 1957 Chevy Two-Door Post Sedan.

The NPCC Foundation will begin selling $10 raffle tickets in early June to win the car. The drawing will take place during the Colonel Cody Show and Shine Car show in downtown North Platte on September 12th. Proceeds support scholarships for students enrolled in automotive programs.

A new cafeteria was completed in February 2014 next to the residence halls on the NPCC South Campus. Food selection is provided buffet style and many healthy options are available!

In Progress:

MCC Brooks Hall Renovations A $2 million renovation project is under way for the MCC Brooks Hall dormitory facility…including cafeteria upgrades and the addition of an elevator.

NPCC Custom House First and second-year building construction students are creating the house from scratch as part of a two-year project that will give them real-world experience. The house will be auctioned in the spring of 2016, and proceeds will be used for scholarships for building construction students.

NPCC McDonald-Belton Gymnasium Brand new bleacher seats were installed in April 2015 as part of the $1.6 million multi-phase renovation of the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on the NPCC south campus. The full project is expected to be completed in Fall 2015.

MPCC Rodeo

MID-PLAINS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Official Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team Mid-Plains Community College officially has a rodeo team. The MPCC Rodeo Club became a full-fledged college athletic team following a vote by the MPCC Board of Governors last year.

“Rodeo is no different than any other college athletic sport... Student athletes are competing and representing their school in pursuit of national titles."

It is somewhat different from the college’s other athletic teams in that it’s the first to be deemed an “area” team rather than campus-specific.

“Because rodeo is primarily an individual sport, MPCC Rodeo Team members will be made up of cowboys and cowgirls from the college’s entire 18-county service area,” said Dustin Elliott, rodeo team coach.

Without scholarships, it’s hard to recruit the talented athletes who are probably getting offers from other schools. Now we are capable of competing for the very best athletes out there.”

That means in addition to McCook and North Platte, students taking classes at one of the college’s extended campuses in Broken Bow, Imperial, Ogallala or Valentine, can also participate as a member of the team.

Elliott is joined by Assistant Coach Garrett Nokes, also a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier, who resides in the McCook area.

Coach Elliott, a world-champion bull rider, is excited about the possibilities – especially the fact that scholarships will be available to team members.

Elliott oversees the roughstock events: bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding, while Nokes focuses on the timed events: steer wrestling, team roping, tiedown roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying.

“Rodeo is no different than any other college athletic sport,” said Elliott. “Student athletes are competing and representing their school in pursuit of national titles.

Equivalent to the rest of MPCC’s athletic teams, the rodeo team still has to fund raise to supplement travel costs and rodeo productions.

2014-15 Sports Wrap-Up McCook Community College and North Platte Community College athletic teams had seasons that could be best described as exciting victories and disappointing defeats. second straight winning season (16-15) and was named ninth nationally scoring an average 94.1 points per game.

The MCC Baseball team ended the year 26-30 with a seven With an all freshmen roster, the Lady Indians Basketball game improvement over last year. Overall, the team team posted a 16 win season, took second in the NCCAC, a recorded a .288 Team Batting Average, which was 50 points top three point shooting team nationally and finished in the higher than last year. Lady Indian Softball posted a school top 10 in the NJCAA. Under new head coach Scott Weston, record 45-17 and a trip to the Region IX Championship the Lady Indians improved by 10 games, going 11-24. The Series. MCC softball team won the NCCAC while going Indian Golf team also showed great improvement over the undefeated. The Indians Men’s Basketball team posted their year with a young squad.

McCook Community College

MPCC Athletics Alumni Knight met up on the court with current Knight’s brother

Former North Platte Community College All-American Joseph Ragland met up on the basketball court with Davide Pascolo and his father. Pascolo is the brother of Knights forward Marco Pascolo.

Both Davide Pascolo and Ragland play professional basketball in Italy. Davide Pascolo plays for the Dolomiti Energia Trento and averages 11.9 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game. Ragland plays for EA7 Emporio Amani Milano team and averages 12.5 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Ragland played for the Knights from 2008 – 2010 and is the Knight’s all-time leading scorer. The 2009 – 2010 team qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament. Ragland went on to play and start for the Wichita State University Shockers in 2010 – 2012.

The game was played February 1 at Trento and won by Ragland’s team 102 – 84.

Marco Pascolo will continue his college career at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

New Athletic Logos

On February 29, 2012 the Mid-Plains Community College Board of Governors officially adopted the new capital “M and feathers” athletic logo for McCook Community College. The new MCC logo adorns the floor at the center of the court in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.

Similarly, when North Platte Community College began a major remodel, including a floor facelift, in their McDonald-Belton gym, a “refreshed” athletic logo was approved by the Board on March 25, 2015.

MCC Lady Indians’ Record shattering Softball Season

NPCC Softball Team win Region IX Division II Tournament

Since approved, both logos are being applied in a variety of ways such as in sports marketing and on athletic clothing. In addition, the logo can be seen in the weight room and on locker room floors.

Sports Wrap-Up continued...

North Platte Community College The fall sports season was highlighted by the Dec. 9th reception to honor Lady Knights head coach Sally Thalken’s 34 season coaching career and retirement

14 – 14 record. Five of the 14 losses were by four points or less. The men’s basketball team continued their winning ways finishing with a 24 – 9 record, won the conference title for the ninth time in the past 10 years and made it to the Region IX semifinals for the third consecutive

from coaching. The volleyball team went 20-18 for the

year. The Knights softball team ended with a record of

year and were runners-up in the region. Alexa Hopping

19 – 29 and a Region IX Division II championship. Their

was named as the new head coach in December. The

Coach, Janelle Higgins, was named Division II coach of

Lady Knights basketball team finished the season with a

the year.

Faculty & Staff Recognition Excellence in Teaching Recipients Faculty & Staff recognized at the 2014 - 2015 Honors Convocations Outstanding faculty and staff were recognized at the 2014-2015 Honors Convocations in McCook and North Platte for their exceptional commitment to our students.

Professional Achievement in Student Support

McCook: Tina Walker, Area Director of the Learning Resource Center North Platte: Veronica Wolf, Financial Aid Administrative Assistant

Instructors from Mid-Plains Community College selected as Excellence in Teaching recipients by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Nicole Kissinger, Nurse Educator Anne Schmit, English Instructor Carla Long, Adjunct Science Instructor NISOD, established in 1978, is committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, and leadership at community colleges.

Faculty Achievement in Student Success

McCook: Rick Johnson, Art Instructor North Platte: Lana Albrecht-Watson, Nurse Educator These employees are nominated for these awards from students and their peers within the College.

Faculty Retirement

Three Mid-Plains Community College instructors with over 125 years of combined teaching experience retired at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

Chet DeVaughn, history and political science instructor at McCook Community College; Kathy Dernovich, EMS instructor at McCook Community College; and Sara Morris, Biology instructor at North Platte Community College, all said good-bye to their long-time college family.

DeVaughn said he plans to keep in touch with the college and maybe teach a class from time to time. “I’ve greatly enjoyed my time here at McCook Community College and with the Kathy Dernovich, EMS Instructor Chet DeVaughn, History & Sara Morris, Biology Instructor MCC family,” DeVaughn said. “I can’t think of Political Science Instructor any other institution – from top to bottom – that truly cares about its students like MCC. Most everything we do is geared toward students.”

“For these past 32 years, MCC has afforded me wonderful opportunities to achieve my once considered lofty teaching goals and few others along the way,” Dernovich said. As her retirement date draws near, she said it seems strange that she’s moving into another phase of life unrelated to EMS. “I have been one of the very lucky to have been able to have a career in what I loved doing. My career in EMS has not only provided me food for my body, but has been food for my soul.”

Morris said she’s seen a lot of changes in education over the years and often jokes about writing a book titled, “From blackboard to Blackboard.” Some of her students are in their 50s and 60s, but they still remember her and her call her by name when they see her.

“I’ve definitely made a lot of friends along the way,” said Morris of her career. “What will I do now? I’m not really sure. What I do know is that all the other times I’ve retired, life found me a new challenge.”

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Contact: Carol Bodeen 1101 Halligan Dr North Platte, NE 69101 308-535-3681 www.mpcc.edu

Contact: Janet Werkmeister 206 E. 1st St McCook, NE 69001 308-345-5233 www.mccookcollegefoundation.org

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Alumni MID-PLAINS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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September 3, 2016