Seventh Blog Entry – 50th Celebration Event
The following content represents my comments to the Barton faithful and public guests this past Saturday, September 28.
“We gather this day to recognize the outstanding tradition that is Barton Community College and the service to Barton county, western Kansas and this State. In honoring this 50th Anniversary and our proud past. We are opening our doors today and inviting the public to experience our fine history, explore the outstanding opportunities available for today’s student, and to recognize what this College has to offer as one looks to the future.
Barton’s beginning was based on vision and need. As we reflect on 50 years, this timeframe can be expressed in terms of progress and success:
- the first year class of 853 students has grown to this year’s projected enrollment nearing 15,000 students;
- one primary fixed site location for providing learning services has now grown to seven primary fixed locations, a virtual campus, and 23 additional service locations;
in excess of 300,000 students have enrolled in credit courses and 23,233 students have transferred credits to four-year institutions;- approximately 9,896 faculty and staff have served as an employee (this includes the 503 employed this fall);
- 43 elected Trustees have served the publics’ greater good (including the current six Trustees serving this fall); Incidentally, Mike Johnson, at 20 years and three months, is the longest service Trustee of the 43;
the Barton Foundation has benefitted from the distinguished service of 197 Board members (13 of which now serve) whose efforts have led to an investment portfolio exceeding nine million and which provides 250k in student grants and scholarships each academic year; and- the number of students receiving financial aid through the College Financial Aid Office exceeds 65k and the total financial aid dollars that have been dispersed totals 170 million.
During this time, the college has moved from chalkboards and mimeograph machines to multimedia and computers. As you know, there has been unceasing changes. However, proudly, we can attest to what has not changed, steadfast dedication to our college mission, student success, and public good.
It was the desire to meet the public good that first began discussions for a community college in the early 1960s. With the approval of the Barton County voters this college was established in 1965 and doors opened for service in fall 1969.
From the beginning, as it is now, the primary expectations of Barton constituents is that the college operate effectively and efficiently. I believe the aforementioned metrics speak well to being effective. As per efficiency, Barton led all Kansas Community College in spending the least amount of dollars per full-time student in FY2017 and second lowest is FY2018. These rankings have not impacted student accessibility or service quality, but rather has led to this College
having the second highest headcount enrollment among the Kansas system of 19 community colleges for the past 6 reporting years.
We can look to one primary factor that brings our successes to the forefront – constituent partnerships. This includes partnership with business/industry, communities, public officials, and taxpayers. It is this theme of partnership that brings us here today. We, as partners have never stopped working for the common good of Barton County, western Kansas, and Kansas as a whole. This common element of being with the same mind and purpose, will lead us forward into the next 50 years.”
Pride was most evident this past Saturday. I believe every service/office of the College participated in preparing and/or hosting our public guests. The custodial, grounds, and maintenance staff were outstanding in preparing grounds and facilities. We even witnessed volunteers taking action - (see pictures below of volunteers assisting with grounds preparation). Event committee members - Jenna Wornkey, Jenna Hoffman, Kristan Connell, Mark Bogner, Krystall Barnes, Coleen Cape, Chelsea Mitchell, Brandon Steinert and Samantha Stueder - had prepared for months and were well organized in their coordination and responsibilities; and the outpouring of service from faculty and staff in sponsoring College Fair exhibits and information was genuinely enthusiastic (see pictures above). As for the concluding performances and presentations of the Fine and Performing Arts faculty and students, it was an outstanding ending to the day.
Thanks and appreciation from our guests were numerous and are on-going, just as comments of pride and satisfaction being expressed by College personnel.
A wonderful day, a great 50th celebration, and a job well done.
We have three additional events being planned to commemorate our 50th. The next event is scheduled for 12/6/19.
Check out all of the photos of the 50th Anniversary Celebration Event on Flickr.