Foundation responds

Open letter to Mary Ginapp,

I read with interest your comments concerning Mike (Hendricks') criticisms of the area's current college president. I also think Dr. Carlton is a very kind and caring man.

I do not think Mr. Hendricks was disparaging Dr. Carlton's character -- just his opinions concerning the name change we are adamantly opposed to in McCook and Southwest Nebraska. I also must add that any change from the past administration was a welcomed relief. A pit bull as president would have been a blessed change.

This is not a question of camaraderie between campuses. I hope that everyone respects each other's interests in both locations; however, this IS a question of identity. We ARE Nebraska's FIRST two-year college. That means we were here LONG before anyone else, including you.

Changing our name at McCook causes two things to happen. First, we lose our identity as the oldest two-year institution in Nebraska. Regrettably, Dr. Carlton said "this distinction pales somewhat, however, in light of the fact that two others were chartered in the same year ..."

If we lose our identity, who would 7,000-plus graduates want to fund the foundation's requests? No history, no graduates, no funds. People are donating to McCook Community College, the first two-year college in Nebraska, not some touchy-feely "Heritage College" with no history. People donate to our foundation because they can identify with McCook Community College. This is as simple as I can make it.

Second, because we are no longer identified as McCook Community College, the Foundation's fund-raising activities will be impossible at best.

The foundation and the Hormel family have pledged $1,000,000 in funds for the remodeling project at McMillen Hall. The $1,000,000 pledge from the Hormel's and the McCook Foundation frees money up so that McDonald-Belton can have its new welcome center built.

I doubt very much either center could be built by the area without these funds. This is just one of the many examples of the foundation's and the people of Southwest Nebraska's generosity toward the McCook Community College's campus. That generosity makes area money available for improvements at the other learning locations in the Mid-Plains area.

Yet, some politically correct, part-time president wants to destroy the funding ability and history of our college and foundation. Whose character is besmirched now?

We are upset! Quit horsing around! Give us our name back! The name was taken away without board action, so why do we need board approval now to bring our name back? Whose dignity is wronged? ... Ours! ... McCook Community College's ... Southwest Nebraska's ... Mike Hendricks' ... Mine! GIVE US OUR NAME BACK!

Sincerely,

Michael E. Owens, DDS

President,

McCook Community College Foundation