Near-record enrollment expected to continue

McCOOK, Nebraska -- For the past six semesters, enrollment numbers at McCook Community College have been near record levels and this semester officials expect that trend to continue as the spring semester begins today.

During the 2012-13 fiscal year, MPCC recorded its second highest enrollment in history and numbers for the Spring 2014 semester are at or near those levels according to Kelly Rippen, Area Dean of Enrollment Management. Comparing the start of 2014 to 2013 enrollment numbers, she said while the total student count is up, the full-time equivalency numbers are down slightly.

Mid-Plains Community College President Ryan Purdy said MPCC's stable enrollment numbers for the past three years are unique when comparing them to other institutions in the state.

"Nobody else in the state can say that," Purdy said.

In breaking down the enrollment figures to an all-campus meeting, Rippen said that while the 2013 enrollment numbers were down slightly, system-wide MPCC had 94 more students than ever before -- but they are taking fewer classes. And that might not necessarily be a bad thing.

"We're making a big difference and we're more involved in the factors that contribute to student retention," Rippen said. "And if that means we advise a student to take a smaller class load -- say 12 hours instead of 15 -- and they can better balance that with the rest of their life, then we're better focusing our students by establishing realistic, reachable academic goals."

...BRIAN OBERT, hired in October, begins his first full semester as Dean of Student Life, and will serve as interim-student housing director while MCC officials search for a new director and a new volleyball coach. Kellen Fernetti was named Assistant Director of Housing at Brooks Hall in late October and he also continues to serve as assistant men's basketball coach.

Student Life activities begin this week with a number of welcome back-activities. Hypnotist Jim Wand will perform Jan. 21 in the Weeth Theater for students. Put-It-Where-You-Want-It Free T-Shirts are set for April 16 in the student Union. A number of college movie nights, free food, prizes and other Student Life activities will take place over the course of the semester.

Spring Break is set for March 10-14, finals week is May 5-8 with Commencement set for May 9 at 10 a.m. at the MCC Events Center.

...THE SPRING SLATE at the MCC Events Center starts Tuesday when the MCC Men's basketball team hosts Northwest Tech at 7:30 p.m. for "McCook Bison Night." The McCook High School Band and Drum line will perform during the game. All McCook High School and Jr. High students, staff and faculty are invited for free admission.

On Jan. 31 both the men and women's basketball teams take on Central CC starting at 5:30 p.m. for "Central Elementary Night" with Spotlight Dance Studio performing at halftime of both games. All Central Elementary students, staff, faculty invited for free admission.

Other games with special promotions include:

Feb. 11, "McCook Elementary Night" and "Community Chest" as the basketball teams take on North Platte CC starting at 5 p.m. All McCook Elementary students, staff, and faculty are invited for free admission.

Feb. 14, "VP Night" with MCC Vice President Andy Long (games at 5 and 7 p.m. against Western Nebraska).

Feb. 15, "Dick Driml Chili Cook-Off" and "Dream Team and Banner Club Recognition" with games against Eastern Wyoming at 2 and 4 p.m. with the chili cook-off held between games in the auxiliary gym. Spotlight Studios will perform at halftime.

Feb. 21, "Teammates Night" for Teammates Mentoring program and "Scouts Night" for Boys Scout and Girls Scout troops. Games are set for 5 and 7 p.m.

The McCook Optimist Mac Attack youth basketball tournament comes to the Events Center Jan. 25. The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce Home Show is set for Feb. 6-9. The Red Cross Blood drive is set for Feb. 27 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the auxiliary gym and MCC will host Inter-high day March 26.

...ON THE COLLEGE HUMANITIES SCENE, the Wrightstone Gallery opens the semester with a photographer whose work has been showcased on both coasts and remains a highly-sought out artist. Peter Brown's landscapes and images of small town Great Plains life has been on display in New York, Los Angeles, Houston and San Francisco. The exhibit titled "West of Last Chance" is a collaboration with the novelist Kent Haruf which won the Dorothea Lange-Paul Taylor Prize. The exhibit runs through mid-February.

The MCC Choir will meet over the noon hour this semester on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays and is open to anyone. The music department under the leadership of Tiffany will stage several vocal and instrumental concerts throughout the spring semester. Scholarship money is available for many students interested in taking music classes. For more information you can visit Gapp in her office in Tipton Hall, call her at 308-345-8187 or email at gappt@mpcc.edu.

...A LARGE NUMBER OF CLASSES are scheduled to be offered this spring through the Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise in the areas of continuing education, professional development, computers and technology, lifestyle and arts and crafts.

Two Emergency Medical Services continuing education classes have been added to the course list. The first is "New general trauma to the trunk" is set for Jan. 28 from 6-9 p.m. and the other is "New miscellaneous Medical Emergencies" set for Feb. 25 from 6-9 p.m. Both classes are free and are for for EMS, Firefighters, and all emergency care providers will teach the procedures that need to be followed by emergency personnel when coming in contact with various situations

A series of new chainsaw safety training classes are set for Feb. 21 and again on March 8-9 p.m. to give students the chance to learn safe and proper techniques for tree felling, maintenance, care, and building chains. Cost for the class is $75 and taught by Michael Harris.

An in-depth study of the theory, design, and principles of operation of the internal combustion engine and associated systems is the topic for a new small engine repair class. Thomas Whipple will instruct students with lab exercises on Briggs & Stratton engines to better understand how they work. Class is set for Feb. 10-24 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6-9 p.m. at the Center for Applied Science and Technology.

Pre-registration is required for classes taken through the Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise at 345-8122, or students can register on the web at www.centerforenterprise.com.