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New program highlights MCC opening
McCook Community College successfully launched its Graphic Arts program today as classes began on a revamped campus amid an undertone of improved enrollment numbers and near full dorm capacity.
Students pursuing an Associate's Degree in Graphic Design began classes today at several locations including a remodeled Wrightstone Fine Arts Building.
Dr. Richard Tubbs, CEO of McCook Community College, said college officials were hoping to fill one section of graphic arts classes this fall but were pleasantly surprised when enough students enrolled to open up a second section.
This fall, students taking design courses will work with software for two dimensional print media, and multi-media applications including video, CD presentations, DVD, and the Web. Existing faculty will teach some of the courses while Becky Meyers, will teach the core classes.
The goal of the Graphic Arts program is to provide sufficient education so graduates can procure entry-level positions in graphic design, multi-media and web design departments and also to provide enough applied instruction in business so graduates may begin their own small businesses. This dual purpose makes the program distinct from any other in Nebraska and college officials believe this was a major selling point when the program was considered by the Coordinating Commission.
MCC officials revamped the Wrightstone Fine Arts Building to accommodate the needs of the new program by taking the existing ceramics pottery classroom and moving it to the lower level north side into space previously used by a fading photography program.
Elinor Karrer, a long-time McCook resident, donated funds to the McCook College Foundation in honor of her husband, Dr. Fredrick M. Karrer, and her sons, James Stewart Karrer, and Dr. Frederick William Karrer. Mrs. Karrer's gift was specifically directed to be used for the expansion of the Visual Fine Arts curriculum at MCC. This gift helped purchase essential laboratory equipment and computer software necessary to establish this new curriculum.
"It will be nice. There haven't been a lot of changes since 1974 when Wrightstone was built," Jon Burkey said. The estimated cost of this remodeling, including supplying the new classrooms with new furniture is $10,000-$12,000.
In Walsh-Brady Hall, crews painted classrooms and later this winter, there are plans to remodel the kitchen in the Family and Consumer Science.
With all the other summer construction activity one campus, one project was pushed back. Officials hope to return their attention to the remodeling of Tipton Hall to build a new experimental theater on the northeast side of the building and remodel the music department in the southeast side.
"Those two departments will essentially change places," Burkey said.
Tubbs said when that project is finished it will allow the college to place a renewed emphasis on MCC's music program. He said MCC has hired Glenda Baker to teach a few music classes this fall and envisions an expanded music program as the facilities are upgraded.
"Because of the other projects this summer we're not as far along as we planned but we're going to push forward on this with the goal of having it ready for a college production in December," Burkey said.
He explained that the experimental or black box theater concept differs from the traditional arched-stage setup in that the audience radiates three-fourths the way around the stage.
"The experimental theater is a much more intimate setup. With the traditional 400-seat theatre, if you're in the back you have a tougher time seeing and hearing, but here there will be seating for 125-150 so you can keep it close and intimate."
The experimental theatre setup also provides more flexibility by utilizing portable seating so the room can be adapted to the production or even to use as a large event center with banquet-style seating setup for 80-100.
"Right now we can only do those types of things in True Hall, and that always creates scheduling problems," Burkey said. "We can fit up to 45 in the Hormel Center, but this will give us a venue for groups larger than that."
The theatre department renovations also include the addition of a scene shot and design room as well as a storage room for costumes and props and storage for lighting and sound equipment.
"This will allow us to bring our lighting and sound equipment to state of the art"
Before that project is complete, Burkey said his staff is working to complete remodeling projects in the basement of von Riesen Library where crews have built created dedicated spaces for: a memorabilia room, a conference room, the campus webzine, student government, Adult Basic Education/General Education Degree program as well as study and testing space.
Burkey said officials are shooting for a Sept. 15 completion date.
"We're waiting for some re-milled doors," he said.
Previously a new circulation desk was installed, new furniture added to the upstairs area including soft chairs and tables for the library.
"That's what students today are used to doing. The days of the old straight-back wood chairs in the library are a thing of the past," Burkey said.
MCC has replaced the floor in the Wigwam Student Union, completing a total makeover of the student union since last Christmas Break when the kitchen area was remodeled.
Renovations to the second floor Brooks Hall women's restrooms are about 70 percent complete. The second-floor restrooms are in the process of receiving new walls, new countertops, new sinks and faucets and refinished stall petitions, and new showers. Burkey said this is a two-year project with the first and third floor women's restrooms to be completed next year. Brooks Hall is about 97 percent filled as of Monday.
A new parking lot on the south side of campus is also partially complete. This summer crews razed existing buildings, completed grade work and have finalized plans for lighting and landscaping are near then will go out for bids with a November completion date expected. Officials believe the project will add about 40 new parking places.
Burkey said this summer MCC also replaced floors in the locker rooms and showers in True Hall, expect to remodel coaches offices and the Athletic Director's Office. Della Mitchel, takes over as the MCC softball coach and she will teach four classes this semester.
MCC officials are also in the process of upgrading equipment and software which will allow for things like student email accounts and meal tracking information. This is the first semester students could get on-line and register for classes.