CHADRON – During its Nov. 10 meeting, the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees approved two requests from Chadron State College.

The first request was for Crites Hall and the remaining West Court Housing building, to be removed from the Revenue Bond System. Crites Hall was part of the System when bonds were issued for it in 1937 and West Court was part of the System when bonds were issued for it in 1961, but the bonds on both buildings have been paid in full. Crites Hall once functioned as a student residence hall and West Court Housing once functioned as family student housing. Crites Hall shifted to predominantly state use as a student services facility years ago and the majority of the West Court buildings were demolished in 2017-2019 with the one remaining building shifted to state use, first as a veteran center, and currently as an art classroom.

In other business, the Board approved CSC’s request to use up to $800,000 in uncommitted cash funds to complete the Coffee Agriculture Pavilion as originally intended. The Pavilion was built in 2013 and designed to include an extended roof structure on the east end of the facility allowing for the planned expansion of the arena when funds became available. 

The next Board meeting is Jan. 12.

Foundation Fund Drive ends with celebration

CHADRON – The Chadron State Foundation celebrated the successful end of its annual Fall Fund Drive Nov. 17 at the Bean Broker. Teams of volunteers from the campus and the community secured pledges from donors during October.

At the event, teams that earned the most points were acknowledged, as well as top performing individuals from campus and the community, according to Brandon Davenport, Development Officer.

“It’s a fun incentive to win bragging rights at the end of the drive, but all our volunteers are motivated by the opportunity to support students at Chadron State. Fundraising can, and should be a lot of fun,” Davenport said.

The total amount raised this year was $191,448.

“Once again, the Chadron State community was incredibly generous in giving to the Fall Fund Drive. The Foundation is very pleased with the results. This year, we set out with a theme of ‘forging future stars’ and the funds raised during this campaign will go a long way toward Chadron State students realizing their full potential. We are fortunate to have donors who are willing to contribute to a quality education and experience for students at CSC. They, along with our many Fall Fund Drive volunteers, should be proud,” Davenport said.

Tena Cook and Taylor Osmotherly were the campus team leaders and Bobby Griese and Lynn Mathis were the community team leaders.

The first-place campus team, chaired by Christine Fullerton, consisted of Laure Sinn, Kate Pope, Tish Mindemann, Nate Doherty, and Andrew Smith. The second-place campus team, chaired by Carrie Sayaloune, was composed of Christopher Singpiel, Michaela Lemke, Lisa Cook, Josee Sayaloune, and Maurice Wyatt. The third-place campus team, chaired by Christian Miller, included Emily Hansen, Lena Aslan, Channing Jons, and Austen Stephens.

The first-place community team, chaired by Jim Gardner, included Janessa Carley, Julie Duncan, Tyler McCarthy, and Angela Martinez. The second-place community team, led by Clayton Riesen, was composed of Angela Harris, Pam Strotheide, and Tammy Davies. The third-place team, chaired by Bobby Griese, was comprised of Tina McLain, Connie Blaylock, Jera Boeslager, and Shane Norman.

Individuals who won awards for the highest number of points earned were Deena Kennell for the campus and Angela Harris for the community.

Four student teams win RBLI funds to improve rural communities

CHADRON – Twelve Rural Business Leadership Initiative (RBLI) student teams competed Nov. 10 for four awards of $2,500 that will be used for improvement projects in rural communities.

The winning teams in the pitch competition were Keep Morrill Nebraska Clean, Chadron State College Trail Signage Project, Make More Possible at the Alliance Recreation Center (ARC), and the Valentine River Clean-up.

Dr. Cassandra Ritzen, associate professor in the Business Academy and adviser for RBLI, said the students will soon begin the process of working on details to implement each project, funded by an First National Bank of Omaha grant.

Keep Morrill Clean (online) team members include Lacey Hunter of Broadwater, Neb., Jared Hurt of Conroe, Texas, and Delaney Schmer of Aurora, Neb. Chadron State College Trail Signage Project members are Lillina Foose of Burlington, Colo., Elizabeth Heger of Underwood, N.D., Logan Parde of Ceresco, Neb., and Siddhant Shelke of McKinney, Texas. Members of the Make More Possible at the ARC team are Alicia Tyree of Alliance, Neb., Jeremy Carley of Dalton, Neb., Briton Hyer of Kansas City, Mo., and Raeleigh Bridges of Chadron. Members of the Valentine River Clean-up Proposal are Janessa Carley of Dalton, Neb., Sawyer Haag of Chadron, Dylan Sward of Alliance, Neb., and Sarah Glaser of La Vista, Neb.

Ritzen said RBLI students want to connect, contribute, and make an impact in rural areas.

“This was the first year we introduced the Civic Engagement Pitch competition. The students worked in small groups this semester to develop the proposals,” Ritzen said.

Ritzen said a part of the process also involved a community leader workshop in which 15 community leaders came to campus or presented via video conference to engage with the RBLI student teams and give feedback on their ideas.

“The project is designed to help students research the needs in rural communities and understand the opportunities to develop plans for rural communities and the people they strive to serve. The RBLI embodies a commitment to engage students in professional experiences, equip them with leadership skills, and empower them to inspire change in rural areas,” Ritzen said.