WNCC 2010 Self-Study Report - Western Nebraska Community ...

fun or are occasionally hired by Theatre West to serve as stage or prop managers. Often, a
student handles the light or sound boards for WNCC and Theatre West productions.
Every student group at the College has a sponsor assigned to oversee and advise the club or
organization, and the sponsor must be present whenever the group sponsors an event. In the
past, debates between local political candidates, talent shows, special musical presentations,
movie nights, hypnotists, inspirational speakers, and other events take place. Students and
employees are welcomed to any College event for no charge (except some athletic tournaments,
depending upon the regional guidelines). In the same way, the public is invited to productions of all
kinds, and many events are presented for free, so that families who do not have many chances to
attend events because of the cost of admission are allowed the opportunity to spend time together.
Core Component 5d: Internal and external constituencies value the services
that WNCC provides.
The value of Western Nebraska Community College to its internal and external constituencies
continues to grow within the service area. Besides the traditional educational activities and the
training designed for businesses and corporate partners, activities which continue to grow in
response to demand, WNCC’s cultural programs are well received. The Gala musical event and
the Varsity Vocal Showcase, for instance, both sell out every year (over 350 seats per evening for
two consecutive nights). Instrumental group concerts and theatrical productions are also well
attended, particularly the Theatre West shows.
The production of a children’s-theater play at WNCC in 2008 resulted in over 500 students from the
area high schools and youth special-services programs coming to the College for a free viewing.
Faculty members have produced plays at the Guadalupe Center and the West Nebraska Arts
Center. WNCC’s athletic teams draw large crowds and have a strong base of support. Much of
the operational cost for the teams derives from booster club activities, and athletes and
international students have host families assigned to them called Dorm Parents. Usually, more
families or couples volunteer to be Dorm Parents than there are students interested in the program.
The College is the choice for the Regional west Medical Center’s Radiological Technology
program’s graduation, Gering High School Commencement, and numerous public meetings or
area trainings. Other events like job fairs are held on one of the three campuses at times.
Recently, Senator Ben Nelson was hosted by the College to discuss health care legislation, and
over 400 citizens turned out to learn about impending legislation. While the College is careful not
to appear to compete with the Gering Civic Center, a local convention and event venue, it hosts
education-related activities at Scottsbluff several times a month.
The campuses at Alliance and Sidney also host community and cultural events, both important
locations in the community because there are fewer other places where public gatherings can
happen. The contributions of the Endowment Association to WNCC through offering scholarships
to every high-school graduate in Cheyenne County at Sidney and the actions of the City of Alliance
in providing a steel building, pole lab, and transformer/switching station for the Powerline program
indicate ways in which community members and entities support and embrace the College’s
presence in their communities.
Page 170
Western Nebraska Community College