Patricia Ravert, Nursing Learning Center and Clinical Simulation Laboratory Coordinator at Brigham Young University College of Nursing, demonstrates patient care simulation technology using an iSTAN mannequin during a training session at North Platte Community College on Aug. 5. The training and iSTAN mannequin were funded by an $84,766 grant from the Nebraska Department of Labor’s Worker Training Program to develop a simulated patient training lab for incumbent health professionals.

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The Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise (CFE), in collaboration with Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) and area health care providers, recently received an $84,766 grant from the Nebraska Department of Labor’s Worker Training Program to develop a simulated patient training lab for incumbent health professionals.

 

The “Rural Simulated Patient Lab” will provide education to area trainers in new technologies, specifically the latest in patient care simulation technology for working health professionals in rural West-Central Nebraska. These trainers will go on to provide training in low-frequency, high-risk medical situations to area allied health providers.

 

The iSTAN mannequins used in the training offer the latest in patient care simulation technology and vastly improve the outcomes of formal education, general training, and Continuing Education units that are offered by MPCC and the CFE.

 

Lab space for the “Rural Simulated Patient Lab” is on-site at Mid-Plains Community College’s North Platte campus, as well as at extended campus sites and regional hospitals for eight training sessions via use of the college’s Mobile Education Lab (MEL).

 

Prior to receiving the grant monies, MPCC was the only community college in Nebraska that did not have access to patient care simulators. By using this modern technology, the college will stay relevant and updated, as well as encouraging students to stay local or move to the area to obtain their training.

 

It is anticipated that the equipment purchased with the grant funds will be put to the test and utilized by more than 1,000 enrollees who participate in various health occupation education curriculums. Potentially, more than 94,000 residents in MPCC’s rural 18-county area could benefit from the education received by students in any health occupations program, since everyone faces health or medical issues at one time or another. The thousands of through travelers and tourists add to the number of people who are potentially impacted by the training our local health providers receive from the community college.

 

The McCook National Bank Companies’ recently gave a generous gift of $15,000 to support Mid-Plains Community College’s Center for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) in McCook. These funds will go towards expanding the exhaust system in the CAST facility. Pictured from left to right, front to back are P. Mark Graff, MNB Chairman; Dr. Michael Chipps, MPCC President; Brian Esch, MNB President; Terri Burchell, MPCC Director of Institutional Advancement; Mark Stagemeyer, Ag Insurance Specialist at MNB Insurance; and Dr. Richard Tubbs, MCC Vice President.

 

The McCook National Bank Companies’ recently gave a generous gift of $15,000 to support Mid-Plains Community College’s Center for Applied Science and Technology (CAST). These funds will go towards expanding the exhaust system in the CAST facility, located at 308 East B Street in McCook.

 

McCook Community College (MCC), a division of MPCC, has completed the first two of four development phases at the CAST. The expansion of an industry standard exhaust system is part of third development phase. This phase is scheduled for completion by the end of this calendar year and needs support from private sources.

 

The CAST is already providing industry-specific training in the field of welding. The College is looking to other technical training to be offered in the same facility.

 

According to Dr. Michael Chipps, MPCC President, “The Center for Applied Science and Technology provides excellent technical training for area students and industry. McCook National Bank embraces the College and understands how important it is to community life and well-being.”

 

“The enthusiastic financial and moral support provided for the College is deeply appreciated,” Dr. Chipps continued. “The sharing of human and financial resources at all levels in the McCook area is something to behold and to greatly respect.”

 

The five original entities providing advice and leadership for the new CAST are the Work Ethic Camp, McCook Public Schools, Valmont Industries and Nebraska Workforce Development. Additional financial support for the CAST has come from CBS Constructors, McCook Abstract, and now McCook National Bank and its affiliates.

 

“Offering technical courses in McCook will attract students from Southwest Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado,” said Terri Burchell, Area Advancement Director. “The College is grateful that once again McCook National Bank Companies’ is investing in growing the College.”

 

For more information, contact Burchell at (308) 535-3681 or burchellt@mpcc.edu.

 

Mid-Plains Community College campus locations in North Platte and McCook will have a New Student Orientation on Monday, Aug. 23.

 

North Platte Community College students should come to the north entrance of the South Campus, 601 W. State Farm Rd. in North Platte, at 8:30 a.m. McCook Community College students should report to True Hall in McCook at 9 a.m.

 

“The orientation was designed to provide new students with an interactive and fun day of transitioning and learning how to make the most of their college experience,” said Marcus Garstecki, MPCC Area Dean of Enrollment Management.

 

Garstecki said that students who come to the orientation will have the opportunity to meet other new students, as well as faculty and staff at the college. They will also receive information on topics such as study and time management skills, personal finance, and drug and alcohol awareness.

 

Lunch will be served to students on both campuses. In North Platte, students will have the opportunity to hear from Jeff Wolfsberg, an internationally recognized expert and thought leader in drug education, adolescent and family health and personal leadership speaker, radio talk show host, and writer. Homeless and addicted to crack cocaine by the age of 23, Wolfsberg’s personal story of resilience and faith offer inspiration and guidance to personal growth and success.

 

The orientation will end at approximately 2 p.m.

 

All daytime classes starting prior to 4 p.m. on Aug. 23 have been cancelled on that day. All evening classes that start at 4 p.m. or later will meet as scheduled. For more information, contact Garstecki at (308) 535-3610.

Mid-Plains Community College’s 1972 Chevy Nova will be on display in North Platte, Sutherland and Grant this weekend.

 

The hotrod is scheduled to be at the North Platte Wal-Mart from 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 2, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 3. It will also be at the Sutherland Roast Beef Luncheon from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, July 4, and at the Grant Car Show the afternoon of July 4.

 

Tickets are $10 each and no more than 6,000 will be sold. The car will be raffled at 2 p.m. on Sept. 11 at Colonel Cody’s Cruise Show and Shine in downtown North Platte.

 

The Chevy Nova has been totally restored and modified beginning with a 1988 Chevy Tune Port Injected 305 c.i.d. engine, a T5 5 Speed transmission and coupled to a 355 posi-trac rear end. The car is equipped with Tilt wheel, Vintage Air, Four wheel disc brakes and American Racing Wheels.

 

The car has a totally customized interior and is wrapped up in PPG Paint (Toreador Red) which was donated by Mid Plains Auto Finishes. The decals were created and applied by “Lettering by Moe.” Some of the Nova parts were furnished by RPM Unlimited, The Car Doc, J&M parts and equipment.

 

Tickets are available wherever the car is on display and at the following locations in North Platte: Advance Auto Parts, Bob Spady Motors, Cohagen Battery Store, Grandma’s Memories Antiques & Collectibles, Isabel’s Auto Center, A.J. Janas, Jim Pokorny, Jody’s Auto Sales, Mid-Plains Auto Finishes, RPM Unlimited, The Car Doctor, Twin River Body Shop, Pat Smith, Kohler Trailer Sales, Midtown Motors, NPCC North and South Campuses (front office), Top Notch Auto – Moe’s Graphics in Gothenburg and McCook Community College (front office) in McCook

 

For more information about the car, its summer tour, or to learn more about the MPCC Automotive and Autobody program offerings, please call (308) 535-3601.

North Platte Community College English Instructor Jessie Allen (left to right), McCook Community College Art Instructor Rick Johnson, MPCC Nurse Educator Kathy Harrison, and MCC Business Instructor Lorrie Mowry (not pictured) were recently selected as 2010 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award (NISOD) winners.

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Four Mid-Plains Community College instructors were recently selected as 2010 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award (NISOD) winners.

 

North Platte Community College English Instructor Jessie Allen, MPCC Nurse Educator Kathy Harrison, McCook Community College Art Instructor Rick Johnson, and MCC Business Instructor Lorrie Mowry received their honors during NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence that took place May 30 to June 2 in Austin, Texas.

 

Jody Tomanek, Area Vice President for Educational Services and Student Development, and Michele Gill, Area Dean of Student Life, also attended the conference.

 

“The NISOD conference is a wonderful celebration of both teaching and learning. The recognition and celebration of community college faculty and staff at NISOD is a rewarding experience for all who attend,” Tomanek said. “Jessie, Rick, Kathy, and Lorrie are very deserving of this award and the College is very proud of them for work and dedication to teaching and learning.”

 

NISOD is a consortium of more than 600 community colleges and universities and has a 32-year history of recognizing educators for outstanding contributions to teaching, leadership and learning. In 1989, in connection with a University of Texas national study of teaching excellence, NISOD hosted its first ceremony, held in conjunction with its annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, honoring and naming the individuals featured in this study as recipients of the NISOD Excellence Award.

Students who attend Mid-Plains Community College will now have the opportunity to participate in intercollegiate rodeo competitions thanks to the formation of a Rodeo Club at the college.

 

The Rodeo Club was approved by the MPCC Board of Governors during their June 23 meeting. It will officially begin July 1, the start of the college’s fiscal year.

 

“In the late 60’s and early 70’s rodeo had a presence at MPCC and we are pleased to have it back as a student club,” said MPCC President Dr. Michael Chipps. “Rodeo is to West-Central Nebraska as the Huskers are to the state. Rodeo plays a vital role in our service area and Mid-Plains is now making it an integral part of education that occurs in the classroom as well as in the arena. So, we are rolling out the welcome mat to students who wish to rodeo while they are obtaining a high quality college education.”

 

The inception of a Rodeo Club at MPCC came about in great part due to results from a 2009 survey of local high school students and counselors that showed there was a great deal of interest in the sport of rodeo. Many of those who responded to the survey indicated they are currently involved in rodeo competition and would support it at the collegiate level.

 

“We have had a committee exploring the feasibility of a rodeo club for the past 18 months. Because of our geographical location and being in the heart of rodeo country, it just seemed like adding this club to the college made perfect sense,” said Marcus Garstecki, Area Dean of Enrollment Management. “I think this will be a way to attract additional students to MPCC and give those who might already be attending a great activity to be involved in.”

 

“This is an exciting new opportunity for students at the college,” said Chuck Salestrom, MPCC Area Director of Public Information and Marketing. He noted that the Rodeo Club is the college’s first area-wide club.

 

“This means that a student taking classes in Ogallala can be just as much a part of the team as a student at one of the main campuses,” he said.

 

Although the Rodeo Club was approved by the Board of Governors and will be supported by the college, MPCC will not be offering institutional scholarships for students who participate.

 

“The Rodeo Club is not a sport and will not be considered as such by the college,” Salestrom said. “It is a club and will be operated similarly to the other student clubs at MPCC.”

 

For additional information, contact Salestrom at (308) 535-3781 or at salestromc@mpcc.edu.

Mid–Plains Community College students (all campus locations) who maintain an overall 3.5–3.89 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA), which qualifies them for the Dean’s List for the Spring 2010 Term:

Allen – Jamin Cyr

Alliance – Brittany Coward

Arnold – Callan Connelly

Aurora, Colo. – Brandon Monahan

Bartley – Alisha Weaver

Bayard – Tyler Stuart

Brady – Austin Land

Bronx, N.Y. – Dorian Williams

Bushnell – Jaclyn Christensen

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Kylie Berry, Emmalee Fladland, Skylar Johnson

Cozad – Kristen Folkers, Kyle Gill, Weston Ogden, Christopher Smith

Culbertson – Melissa Hock, Justin Huss, Kelsey Korell

Curtis – LaNessa Flock, Hance Grunden, Katie Thompson

Danbury – Hayes Clark, Alan Haag

Denver, Colo. – Kyle Perkins

Dunning – Wade Saner

Eckley, Colo. – Morgan Spencer

Elm Creek – Natasha Coons

Eustis – Jacey Schultheiss

Fort Meade, S.D. – Julia Hale

Geneva, Switzerland – Sylvain Habersaat

Gill, Colo. – Lauren Woods

Gothenburg – Angela Davis, Veronica Jackson, Tiffany Parker

Grant – Nicole Walrod

Herndon, Kan. – Nathan Stoney

Hershey – Erica Brown, Stephen Friesell, Heather Guenin, Shaylyn Miller

Holyoke, Colo. – Brett Gerk

Imperial – Tabitha Russell, Alex Sharp

Indianola – Shelby Lytle

Lexington – Derek Callahan, Alex Dominguez, Tawny Eggleston, Trisha Rickel

Longmont, Colo. – Nicholas Bertron

Maxwell – Janice Martindale

McCook – Krystal Anderson, Jayme Bales, Erica Boleen, Colby Claflin, Courtney Einspahr, Kami Foster, Joshua Gates, Kayla Goodenberger, Nicole Gummere, Maranda Harouff, Corinna Horkey, Jordana Jackson, Carson Kain, Peggy Kauk, Lucas Kotschwar, Kali Lyons, Danae McCorkle, Matthew Palu, Senamon Rogers, Morgan Shaddock, Shaelin Stiver, Samantha Stuck, Chelsea Svoboda, Bobbie Traphagan, Shelby Woitaszewski

Minatare – Jeremy Reichert

Moorefield – Nolan Hammond

North Platte – Alicia Ackerman, Seth Anderson, Nathan Atene, Jessica Azure, Ashley Barraclough, Erin Bauer, Michael Bell, Hannah Blomstedt, Jeffrey Bryant, Gregg Buker, Ka Hung Chan, Melissa Chessmore, Nicholas Clouatre, Abigayle Damico, Jacob Davis, Tera Davis, Mandi Davisson, Bianca Dearness, John Edgington, Justin Erickson, Valerie Ferris, Lisa Gifford, Sydnee Hansen, Kristen Harrach, Kira Hill, Alexis Hinrichsen, Aleksandr Janecek, Kalab Johnson, Kristin Johnson, Joshua Kelley, Christopher Kemp, Rebecca Knapp, Laura Legg, Maddison Lister, Christine Mallam, Richard Martinez, Katelynn Moore, Regina Navarrete, Michele Nunberg, Ellie Perkins, Kyle Qualley, Matthew Rauterkus, Jennifer Read, Rochelle Refior, Kassi Risseeuw, Susan Rivera, Alisa Schuster, Brock Serrato, Taylor Skala, Alicia Small, Nicholous Traxler, Jamie Vieyra, Brooke Volcek

Oberlin – Elisha Jones, Cynthia Murray

Ogallala – Molly Bassett, Joan Dancer, Stephanie Gallegos, Sarah Holmes, Nathan Holthusen, Allyn Kemp, Andrew McCroden

Palisade – Heath Vrbas

Scottsbluff – Ryan Steele

St. Francis, Kan. – Joni Pevler

Sterling, Colo. – Tracy Nicolaus

Sutherland – Alexa Hopping, Jolene Kerner

Tryon – Tasha Miller

Wallace – Scott Gardner

Westminster, Colo. – Matthew Rohrig

 

Mid–Plains Community College students (from all campus locations) who maintain an overall 3.9 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA), which qualifies them for the President’s List for the Spring 2010 Term:

Ansley – Anthony Corbin

Arapahoe – Ashley Moore

Arnold – Tory Edwards

Atlanta, Ga. – Michael Genz

Belgrade – Molly Paul

Benkelman – Alan Burgess

Brady – Tiffany Hoaglund

Brisbane, Australia – Scott Oudendyk

Callaway – Ryan Trumbo

Cedar Rapids – Keri Novacek

Cozad – Jana Hergenrader, Michael Metzger

Croatia – Martin Mlinaric

Eustis – Jaimee Easterday

Fairbury – Alan Rosenthal

Fort Collins, Colo. – Dathan Treat

Gothenburg – Holly Barrett, Sarah Hueftle, Cameron Meyer, Eric Millsap, Lucas Pelzer

Grant – Matthew Greenwood

Grayland, Wash. – Darin Vander Veur

Imperial – Edgar Almanza

Indianola – Danielle Stephen

LaPorte, Colo. – Tiani Cole

Longmont, Colo. – Shaundra Drysdale

Loomis – Annah Masten

Louisville, Colo. – Emily Schweikert

Loveland, Colo. – Jessica Haynes

Maxwell – Corey Cruzan, Joni Keith, Annie Lofgren

McCook – Dylan Clabaugh, Tiffani Dow, Donniel Eng, Ciprian Galarneau, Keith Haskin, Lindsey Hazlitt, Jamey Keen, Matthew Kenner, Bailey Lauer, Lyndsay McLaren, Ethan Poore, Tara Powell, Brad Ryser, Monah Steinmetz, Joni Unger, Danielle Wiese

Monument, Colo. – Gabriella Hiester

Mullen – Michael Hoffmann

North Platte – Kourtney Barnhart, Shannon Bassett, Matthew Caudillo, Timothy Cooper, Niki Dixon, Bruce Estep, Charles Hayes, Jammey Hemphill, Russell Hoerler, Jessica Johansen, Shannon Lawrence, Thomas McNeel, Haley Parker, Joy Petersen, Brian Praster, Charity Reckard Robert Rucker, Karie Sheets, Amy Smith, Carole Vencill, Abigail Weller, Meghan Whalen, Devin Scott

Oshkosh – Tessa Sanford

Polk – Trent Norquest

Riverside, Calif. – Amanda Paris

Scottsbluff – Kaitlin Luikens

St. Francis, Kan. – Cara Hunt

Sutherland – Adrienne Ady

Thedford – Cody Merchant

Trenton – Elizabeth Jacobs

Wallace – Kyle Clough

Wauneta – Cade Burrell

Wellfleet – Susan Duval, Ricky Gilmore

Wray, Colo. – Colin Millar

Mike Harris was only going to be a teacher for one year – and that was only because he promised his mother, he’d try it. He was earning a good living in the industrial welding field, but for his mother’s sake – she was a teacher — he agreed to try it for one year. Now, 39 years later, Harris is a retired teacher.

He came to McCook High School in 1971 as a wrestling coach and industrial technology teacher and retired from that position in 2001. He started teaching classes at McCook Community College in 1982, and after 28 years, he’s stepping aside to devote more time to his family.

“Mike is a ‘one of a kind’ professional,” said MPCC President Dr. Michael Chipps. “He is flexible, innovative and loves the practice of teaching and learning. He deeply cares about students of all types, ages, and abilities.” Chipps went on to say that Harris was patient and considerate of what was needed to develop complex technical skills and maintained a sincere desire to make learning an enjoyable experience for all his students.

For the past eight years, as a part-time instructor, he has helped lead the effort to bring welding training to MCC at a level that has exceeded most expectations. With Harris in the pilot’s seat, MPCC began a partnership in 2009 to provide training in welding and machine shop skills in the newly renovated Center for Applied Science and Technology (C.A.S.T.) in the 200 block of East B Street.

For the past year, the C.A.S.T. program provides high school and college students the opportunity to develop job skills in a McCook facility and to remain here after graduation. Some of the welding equipment was purchased by MPCC, some by McCook Public Schools, some by Valmont and some by the McCook College Foundation.

High school and college students have earned certificates, diplomas or Associate of Applied Science degree in welding and/or machining. In late May, Harris completed his sixth session of offering welding classes to Work Ethic Camp students taking the nine-week course. Through the first two years of the program more than 40 of those students have earned certificates of completion and some have earned welding certification.

He has seen the positive impact this program – this opportunity – has had for some of his students.

“I’ve heard from a number of former students in this program – I’d say about 25 percent — who after being given this opportunity, are either working in the welding industry or working toward an educational goal, like additional certification or degrees,” Harris said.

“This has been a very unique opportunity for me and I’d have to say is been very positive. We’ve helped provide training to help them out of their situations, and that is exactly what many of them have done.”

Yet the WEC students are just one aspect of the program.

The number of college students enrolled in the program has also exceeded expectations to the point college officials are already changing the remodeled facility to meet new demands.

“Things are really happening fast and it’s so handy to have the partners we have that can help us adequately respond to the industry’s ever changing welding needs,” Harris said.

For instance, in the short time since remodeling the college remodeled the facility, the needs of industry partners have changed and the so college has responded accordingly. One of the changes involves planning for the changing role of robotics (or robotic welding) in today’s welding industry.

“While the industry is relying more on robotics, we’re going to provide training opportunities there while still maintaining and improving our training manual welding and in machine shop technology,” Harris said.

In addition to the welding training for WEC students, MPCC has also started offering them business technology classes.

In today’s society, the committee-approach often results in “too many cooks spoiling the broth.” Yet, Harris said this partnership approach in welding has worked out about as well as anyone could have predicted and he can’t say enough about the pride and dedication of everyone involved in the project. In addition to the college, the partnership involves, McCook Public Schools, the Nebraska Department of Corrections Work Ethic Camp; Valmont Industries Inc., Phoenix Transitional Services, Nebraska Workforce Development, and the McCook College Foundation.

“We have a unique niche here in Southwest Nebraska not only in training our residents in these technology fields but also in employing them, and so far this program is doing both,” Harris said.

Now that Harris is stepping aside, the Mid Plains Community College board of governors recently approved funding for a full-time welding and machine shop instructor.

“This is a great opportunity for someone to come in and really put it all together, and they’ll be doing it on a full-time basis, and things are happening so fast right now it’s really an exciting time for the program,” Harris said.

“We are losing not only an excellent faculty member, but an individual who has been instrumental with the formation of the Center for Applied Science and Technology. We wish Mike the best as he retires and know that retirement does not mean that he will just go fishing,” Chipps said. “Mike will always be involved in the life of his community and with helping others to better their lives.”

As he turns over the reins to a new instructor, he is also stepping away from another venture he’s been involved with for a number of years – politics. He’s been Mayor of Indianola for the past four years and a member of city council since 1994, but said he is not seeking re-election. In addition, his small engine repair/specialized welding business may take a back seat to grandchildren’s ball games and other activities.

“It has been great,” Harris said of his time with MPCC, “and I have nothing but positive things to say about the people involved in this partnership, but it’s time for me to step aside. I need to go watch some ball games.”

 

The deadline for bidding on the North Platte Community College custom-built home is quickly approaching.

 

Bids will be accepted until 1 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, June 9. Bids will be accepted by mail or may be delivered in person. No faxes will be accepted.
At that time, the bids will be opened and the home will go to the highest bidder. A minimum bid of $80,000 required. All bids must be in sealed envelopes and addressed as follows:

 

Bruce Bergman – NPCC House Bid

C/O North Platte Community College – North Campus

1101 Halligan Dr.

North Platte, NE  69101

 

Additional information about the house and current photos can be found at www.mpcc.edu. For further information, call (308) 535-3601, (800) 658-4308 ext. 3601, or by email at housesale@mpcc.edu.

 

Mid-Plains Community College is embarking on the final phase of its “Today’s Vision…Tomorrow’s Reality” fundraising campaign. The campaign is primarily focused on generating funds needed for two strategic projects – an Events Center at McCook Community College and a Health Complex at North Platte Community College.

 

The capital campaign is hoping to raise approximately $19 million for the projects, with $10 million being used for the Events Center and $9 million being used for the Health Complex. According to Terri Burchell, MPCC’s Director of Institutional Advancement and Today’s Vision Campaign Manager, approximately $1.4 million is still needed for the Events Center project and the Health Complex project still needs $1.7 million.

 

“Most of the money we have raised so far has come from the private sector and from grants,” Burchell said. “Now that we are in the final phase of the campaign we are asking the public to offer their support of these two very worthy projects.”

 

The first phase of the campaign began in October of 2007 and involved faculty, staff and administrators of the college. It also included the MPCC Board of Governors and the college’s two foundation boards. Phase two of the campaign began in the fall of 2008 when awareness and solicitation activities began throughout the MPCC area.

 

Although the MPCC Board of Governor’s recently approved addition funding for the campaign, Burchell said the success of phase three will depend mainly on the public’s willingness to support the communities that are served by the college. She was quick to express her appreciation for those who have helped with the campaign in the past and those who are coming onboard now.

 

“We simply could not do this without our amazing volunteers,” she said.

 

“These projects are not just about the college. They are about investing in a better quality of life for those who live, work, and raise families in our area for many generations to come,” said Dr. Michael Chipps, President of MPCC.

 

According to Dr. Chipps, if the necessary funds are in place by December 31, 2010, the Board of Governors will look at a possible ground breaking Spring of 2011. If all goes as expected, the building should be completed and ready for use in the Fall of 2012.

 

For more information, contact Burchell at (308) 535-3681 or visit the MPCC website at www.mpcc.edu and click on the “Today’s Vision…Tomorrow’s Reality” box in the lower left corner.