Your mindset depends on where you choose to look

Laughter is the best curriculum

Fishing, the ever-changing nature of life, and education

On week four of my column tour of Seward County Community College’s core values, we have reached the final one: commitment.

 

Commitment can be a difficult thing to maintain. It is a battle between being rigid – and quickly outdated – or so adaptable that nobody has a sense of order. I am so proud of the way SCCC has made commitment a priority in our operations. This spans from updated policies that truly reflect everyday practices, and then implementing those policies fairly and regularly, to the quality of our product.

 

Product? Well, yes. Our product is education — passing knowledge along to our students until they master the material. Sometimes that is a new welding technique. Sometimes it’s a survey of all the bones in the body. And sometimes it is the ability to speak in public, write a clear paragraph, or solve an equation.

 

During the summer months, SCCC may seem “quiet,” but is anything but inactive. It’s true that the hallways don’t fill with students moving from class to class, and our parking lot offers plenty of spots to choose. But we are working — especially our grounds and maintenance crews — to tackle projects that are just not possible during the regular school year. Vice President of Business Affairs Maddie Day sometimes works strange hours, as she oversees repairs, upgrades, and — of course — the college’s finances.

 

There’s also a fair amount of travel as various SCCC employees attend conferences and training sessions. Make no mistake — these are far from vacations. For example, Title IX meetings like the ones our Vice President of Career & Technical Education Dr. Amber Jones attended recently,  are intense. Our team of  trained advocates on campus must stay abreast of law changes and best practices designed to provide all students with a safe and healthy college experience.

 

Our Associate Vice President of Athletics Cody Cole attended a conference with peers who grapple with similar challenges and changes in the college athletics system. As SCCC continues to build its men’s and women’s soccer and eSports teams, and introduces women’s wrestling — all in the atmosphere of uncertainty about the logistics of travel for our international students — it is great to collect the best ideas out there.

 

And then there are also actual vacations. Summer is the time when, we hope, all our faculty, staff and administrators have a chance to step away from the daily grind and find some refreshment. On a recent trip, I was able to fish with my dad. It is the ultimate getaway for both of us, a way to relax, spend time together, and continue traditions started by my grandfather.

 

This is where commitment comes into play. All of us, in our various roles, must make adjustments to a constantly changing world. Laws and policies shift. New trends take off, just when we had gotten the hang of the old trends. Technology itself is evolving so quickly, I sometimes have trouble finding the right menu item on any given day.

 

Commitment applies to so many aspects of what we provide to our students. As we developed our online platform, Saints Anywhere, a key factor was ensuring that a student enrolled in English Comp I online receives the same quality learning experience as the student sitting in a classroom on the SCCC campus — or a student sitting in a high school classroom where college Comp I is being taught concurrently. This is no easy task. I am proud of how Vice President of Academic Affairs Luke Dowell has overseen the process, and continues to check for … you guessed it … commitment to a standard that doesn’t change.

 

During the “regular” academic year, we will encounter all the factors I’ve mentioned here. Circumstances beyond our control, like weather and politics. Advancements in technology that nobody was expecting. Real-life situations where medical appointments, family obligations, and financial stress can make commitment harder to achieve.

 

At the end of each day, though, one factor remains the same: SCCC is committed to providing an excellent education for the benefit of our students and our community. Day in, day out, that’s what we do. And every day, one thing shines through: we aim to do what we do just a little better than before.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and consistently concerned with showing up for our students. His summer hours might be affected by factors such as children’s camping activities, the everpresent allure of fishing, and meetings in Topeka, but most days you will find him on campus where he’s always glad to welcome visitors. Email him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

 

Competition brings out our best at SCCC

Competitiveness. It’s a word with sharp edges that divides the situation into contrasts. Someone wins. Someone loses. It’s important to keep score.

 

With that in mind, it might seem odd that Seward County Community College has chosen “competitive” as one of our core values for the upcoming years. Are we becoming cutthroat contenders? Against who? And for what prize?

 

The answers lie in the fact that competitiveness is more than recognizing who comes out on top. It’s about the spirit of the endeavor, whether that is a business venture, a baseball game, or a quiz bowl match. And, when it comes to higher education, competitiveness can mean many things.

 

Exclusivity is one of them. At the so-called “elite” end of the spectrum, colleges and universities measure their worth by their acceptance rate. That’s right — the harder it is to get into an Ivy League or a top-tier state university, the “better” that institution is supposed to be. This exclusive attitude is supposed to extend to the students themselves. When they get that acceptance letter, it is the golden ticket to a bright future among other elite people who were lucky enough to be admitted.

 

That’s one kind of competition. And according to that scale, Seward County Community College would be on the “wrong” end. Proudly so! We have an extremely high acceptance rate. We don’t turn anyone away. That’s because we believe that college should be available and accessible to anyone who is willing to put in the work and learn. Exclusivity-based competitiveness is not what we are after.

 

This drive for excellence is also a form of competition. In this way of thinking, comparison and progress — competition — is what brings out the best in people. Giving everyone a participation ribbon is not a way to motivate students to shine.

 

Indeed, as our accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission, and the Kansas Board of Regents know, it is not enough for an institution to say, “Students are in classrooms, and we’re doing our best!” These entities exist to hold colleges accountable. They expect numbers, data to track the effectiveness of our work. In that context, we are competing for excellence against an outside standard.

 

So, we rank performances, we issue grades, and we measure everyone’s progress.

 

This can be painful at times, especially if you are struggling to master algebra, or English, or the beeper in a Quiz Bowl competition. But competition can be fun, too.

 

At SCCC, we sometimes sponsor competitions among our faculty and staff. Who can walk the most steps in a six-week period? Which team can read the most books? Which department will contribute the most home-cooked items to the annual Taste of Kansas food fest? These friendly competitions name winners, but the point of the whole thing is to participate in something with others. Along the way, each individual becomes better.

 

These are examples of what I think of as healthy competition. It holds us accountable for projects or ongoing work that can sometimes lose focus — essential for academics — and it also serves as a motivator. When you’re engaged in something important but easy to ignore — like increasing how much you move and exert physical energy during the day — this kind of healthy competition serves to keep all of us moving along. I like to say, “let’s be a little better every day,” reminding our campus that we are competing with ourselves more than anything else.  

 

Not only does competition exist at large group levels, it becomes an organizational venture as well. With 19 community colleges in our state, it’s only natural that people often compare one to the others, debating about which is “best.” This is a little bit like a group of kids arguing about whose dad is the tallest, strongest, and so on. Everyone believes his father outshines the others. And isn’t that the way things should be?

 

Community colleges inspire loyalty in the local town and region. Having come to Seward from Colby Community College, I make it a point to attend our athletic competitions against the Colby Trojans. When I worked there, I cheered for the team in blue. Now, I am one hundred percent green and I will yell for the Saints in every contest.

 

When times get tough, though, we community colleges know how to support one another rather than competing viciously. I’m proud of the joint ventures we have taken on with Garden City Community College and Dodge City Community College, especially the annual legislative lunch hosted in rotation at our three campuses. After all, we western Kansas colleges need to stick together.

 

Yet in my (completely unbiased) opinion, SCCC does, in fact, outshine every other community college in the state. There’s no competition!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and the undisputed winner of the “who has applied the most green paint to various surfaces” competition that is still going on. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

•

 

When we work together, everything is better

Collaboration. There was a time when collaboration was an unwelcome term that described someone working against the agenda, possibly in cahoots with an enemy in a time of war.

 

That’s no longer the case. At Seward County Community College, we list collaboration as one of our core values because we are huge fans of what collaboration means in 2025. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, that is: “to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor.”

 

The word itself comes from the Latin  Latin collaboratus, meaning to labor together (from Latin com- + laborare to labor). The word was first recorded in 1837, a moment in history that also saw the introduction of the terms “American way,” “bread-and-butter,” and “rebirth.”  

 

I’m not usually a person who likes to look up word origins, but my interest in history — especially the two World Wars — led me down this path. After all, if someone asked you or your business or organization to pick a few words that sum up your goals, dreams, and values, wouldn’t you take a moment to think about your choices carefully?

 

Our strategic planning team, made up of members from all sectors of campus, felt collaboration accurately describes the SCCC approach to teamwork. Collaboration implies something a little more involved than just following orders as laid out by a coach or foreman. It emphasizes the equal value of the ideas suggested by members of the group, and a willingness to be open to new ways of thinking and problem-solving. 

 

When I look at our campus culture, I see the marks of healthy collaboration everywhere. There’s the collaboration between our facilities workers and contractors who are hard at work to upgrade the math and science hallways, classrooms, and office spaces in the Hobble Building. As this summer project gains momentum, it can be difficult to tell the two groups of workers apart — they are working together. In fact, the refresh sparked inspiration for folks at the other end of the building. Last weekend, members of the admissions team banded together to do a little painting and redecoration of their office suite, where incoming students are first welcomed to campus.

 

Collaboration on a conceptual level, meanwhile, is constantly at work in our service area. When your days are spent in Liberal city limits, it’s easy to forget that our service area of seven counties includes 11 different high schools, plus private and home schools. And boy is there ever collaboration happening at all those sites. In small towns like Sublette and Plains, and slightly larger communities like Hugoton and Ulysses, our outreach director Laura Rosales is constantly in conversation with school counselors, instructors, and students.

 

That dialogue, during the school year and through the summer months, means more high schoolers have access to earning college credits while still at work on their high school diploma. In fact, we celebrated 51 concurrent high school graduates of SCCC in May!

 

There’s never a shortage of collaborative effort: SCCC also works closely with peer institutions. Our CDL/truck driving and RMA (registered medical assistant) programs, along with the Surgical Technology and Respiratory Care study tracks, are closely aligned with Garden City Community College. Our Adult Education program is reaching out to area communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. And we have several highly innovative collaborations with the private Newman University and state colleges in Wichita, Manhattan, Hays, and Lawrence.

 

It’s easy for institutions and individuals to get sidetracked into what we call “silos” in higher ed. That’s the opposite of collaboration, being so wrapped up in our own concerns and projects that we might as well be inside a silo. But isolation is not a strategy for growth. And SCCC is definitely in a growth phase.

 

This is a great place to think back to those other 1837 words: making the most of what you have to improve life for yourself and others? I can’t think of a better application of the notion of “the American way.” That’s what we do at SCCC. As for “bread-and-butter,” we know that our success is bound up with that of our students and our community. Service to them is in fact our “bread-and-butter.” What about “rebirth”? Well, you know what we often hear from economists, small business owners, and personal growth experts. In life, you can grow or you can die.

 

SCCC is definitely in a growth stage, rebirthing the ideas that got this college started in the first place. Remember that story? It was a group of people who loved their community and had an eye on the future. They brought their various viewpoints and areas of expertise to the table to talk about what it might look like if a junior college was established in Liberal.

 

They were, in fact, the very best kind of collaborators.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and a huge fan of what students sometimes call “group projects.” Accordingly, he is first to put his name down for team cookouts, all-staff work days, and anything that will help SCCC flourish. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

 

Core values set the course for SCCC’s progress

Every few years, Seward County Community College crafts a new strategic plan. The process is a little bit like a five-year personal growth or business plan, and a little bit like an academic course syllabus. We have the scope — the goals and intentions — and we map out the sequence — the action steps required to achieve the goal.

 

As any businessperson or teacher knows, outlining the scope is critical. For SCCC, this starts with core values and the institutional mission. While our mission remains the same, creating opportunities through education for anyone in the community to learn and improve their lives, the core values are like character strengths. There are so many to choose from, and these are the qualities we want to lean into and improve upon as we do our everyday work.

 

Earlier this spring, the Board of Trustees approved the core values that will guide SCCC through the next few years: Student- and community-centered; collaborative; competitive; and committed. It’s a bonus the values chosen align with our college initials of SCCC.

 

Over the next month, I’m going to reflect on those values, starting with student- and community-centered.

 

When the Board first discussed the proposed values, “student-centered” was listed first. One member asked, “what about community?” It’s great to focus on student success, he acknowledged, but the college also belongs to the wider community. We must reckon with how our actions and intentions on campus affect the people who live in our service area. Shouldn’t we center on those needs as well? That’s how we got to student- AND community-centered as the first core value.

 

It’s a fair question to wonder if it’s even possible to be both student- and community-centered. Yet anyone who has grown up in a family or been part of an athletic team knows how this works. Think back to younger days, when a family vacation or road trip to a sports event required a long drive in the car. If one person needs the bathroom, that’s an individual need … and it also affects everyone in the vehicle. At the next small town or interstate exit, the travelers are definitely going to stop.

 

Then what? The person in charge is likely to say, “everyone, take advantage of the stop and do what you need to.” There’s no point in waiting for individual requests, or the family would stop every five miles, all day long.

 

Fast-forward to teenage years, when a son or daughter is itching for independence. Perhaps they make what we might call a poor decision. The consequences roll in, and suddenly there is a family or team meeting. Guess what, the parents say: “Your choice affects everyone in this family, and you should remember that from now on.” Whether it’s reputation damage or a hefty hospital bill, one person’s actions touch many lives.

 

Our work at SCCC is similar to these family scenarios. We care about each student who comes through our doors, and we work hard to meet their needs. Whether that person is still struggling to master academic English or uncertain about how to balance a work schedule with class sessions, we are here to help. It is our goal to serve the students, rather than expecting their lives to serve our schedule’s convenience or personal preferences.

 

Thus, Saints Anywhere continues to grow, making education available to students when they want it, wherever they might be. Saints athletics has focused greater attention on support for student-athletes to earn degrees along with trophies, making good use of summer sessions and the on-campus testing center. These are only two examples of the extraordinary steps our faculty and staff take to provide each student with the best possible education.

 

At the same time, our student services team and academic advisors do all they can to help students learn to be independent adults. (You’ll notice that “coddling” is NOT one of our core values!) This support is not unlike the tough love parents are all too familiar with: student housing entails a contract, and, sometimes, the payment of fines. While we exercise a judicious amount of flexibility about academics and special circumstances, we support our instructors in their goal to provide rigorous education. That comes with real deadlines and clear grades.

 

And, in the wider view — the family or team view, if you will — we understand that the college is a part of the greater community of Liberal, Seward County, and the surrounding counties. What we do here has the ripple effect for good or bad on our friends and neighbors. That is why we cultivate multiple advisory boards for our career and technical education, work hand-in-hand with 11 high schools, and constantly seek out partnerships with area business and industry.

 

As we continue to map out the new strategic plan for SCCC, I invite community members to join us in dreaming big about what the college can be in the coming years. What are your “dream destinations” for this road trip we are taking together? What cautions do you have about road construction, places to avoid, or detours that might look unlikely but promise a beautiful view or a great meal? Your suggestions are always welcome, and we appreciate you taking the time to be part of our work.

 

You can reach me at brad.bennett@sccc.edu, or call my office at 620-417-1010. Let’s make this next phase of the journey as successful as the past three years have been!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and a husband and father of two daughters. On family road trips, he is the driver. Requests for all stops should be addressed to him.

 

Adult Ed students show us what it’s all about

From Topeka to Liberal, a president’s job

Last week, I got into politics, right here in Liberal. That isn’t how it might sound.  Along with representatives from Garden City Community College and other groups in the region, I was able to welcome state legislators to Southwest Kansas for a legislative dinner. Our group heard from these legislators:

Rep. Shannon Francis-District 125

Rep. Bob Lewis-District 123

Rep. Marty Long-District 124

Rep. Bill Clifford-District 122 (soon to be Senate District 39)

Rep. Lon Pishny- (soon to be District 122-replacing Bill Clifford)

Rep. Jason Goetz-District 119

Sen. Ron Ryckman, Sr.-District 38

With nearly 80 people in attendance, we had plenty to talk about.

As President of SCCC, political activities are not my favorite: I would much rather be at home in Liberal, on campus, than traveling to Topeka or Washington, D.C. However, a key aspect of my job is looking ahead to ensure the college is strong and steady and able to serve our community over time. Staying in touch with legislators helps tremendously. That fact that we have some excellent elected officials makes it even better.

We often talk about how the college can be a primary driver of the local and regional economy. Our new West Campus and expanded CDL/truck driving program is a great example of how decisions at SCCC can impact the region. It is no small thing that we received significant funding from the State of Kansas and the federal government to transform a former retail building into a hub for career and technical education. The help provided by Sen. Jerry Moran enabled us to more than triple our graduate rate for truck drivers, and the ripple effect will be enormous.

Within our state legislative structure, it’s important to stay connected to our Kansas representatives and liaise effectively with the Kansas Board of Regents, which oversees funding for two-year community colleges. Over the years, policies have shifted back and forth when it comes to the way money is allocated; sometimes, the subject is contentious. Building relationships with elected officials and those appointed by the governor is one way to smooth the path and find solutions.

When all is said and done, I am glad to be on campus, where nothing has slowed down. With Thanksgiving around the corner, we are already beginning to celebrate some of the semester’s accomplishments. This week, we inducted more than 70 students into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. It was great to see these young men and women recognized for excellence in academic work, and I know they are bound for a bright future.

The holiday concert is scheduled for Friday night in the Clifford and Irene Pepper Showcase Theater, and we’re all excited to hear our student musicians perform. Many Saints fans have gotten a sneak peek at the talent in the music department thanks to the Saints Pep Band, which has performed at home games and is already energizing the crowd.

Soon after we return from Thanksgiving break, we will be heading into finals. Hard to believe, but the semester is coming to a close. As I tell our students on campus, it’s important to manage stress and energy levels at this busy time of year. I know I am looking forward to time with family and a short break from all the activity.

Before you know it, we’ll all be back on campus, cheering on the Saints and Lady Saints in the Greenhouse, and starting a fresh semester of success. Go Saints!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the President of Seward County Community College, and an occasional visitor to the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, where he speaks up for the best interests of the college and its students. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

 

 

 

…

October 26, 2024

Saints are the best from here to the Pacific Northwest

Over the past two weeks, I spent a lot of time with the Board of Trustees of Seward County Community College. We had a board retreat in Liberal, where gave predicting the future our best shot. To be honest, it’s kind of like listing who you think will show up at the Super Bowl every year, with all the unknown factors at play. Even so, unlike in sports — which are all for fun, in the end — the future of the college is serious business, connected to the health of the community and the economic power of the region.

At retreats, the board tackles questions like how to make the best use of the new West Campus facility we purchased. The CDL classrooms are nearly ready to go, and it’s looking great. We also have a LOT of unoccupied building to work with as we contemplate the next five years, and even the next 10 years for SCCC.

We also tackle questions like the one suggested by one of our board members, the feasibility of robot lawn mowers, yes or no? The question is not as far-out as it might sound; regional golf courses have made use of robot mowers qute effectively. And while nobody was expecting a discussion about that topic, it’s a great example of why a seven-member board is important: multiple viewpoints matter.

In all seriousness, the board does actually review campus operations and how our employees contribute to a vibrant, cost-effective institution.

This week, I traveled to the west coast with long-time board member John Engel to attend the national conference of Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). The annual gathering is one not to miss, and I don’t mean that in the fun-adventures sense. Sessions start early in the morning and continue through the evening. With a two-hour time difference adjustment plus the cross-country flight, on top of the continuous flow of messages and emails from leaders on campus, the week feels like work — and it is.

At AACC events, you learn just as much from the hallway conversations as you do from the official presentations. It’s incredibly helpful to hear about campus security, for example, from presidents who have had the misfortune of dealing with it in real life.

Over the years, I have gained so much life-saving information through these channels — advice about Title IX issues, parking lot improvements that also create a less stressful environment for vulnerable students, tips on how to reduce incidents of drug abuse, and stave off mental health crises.

There is one topic of conversation, however, that I am thankful to never identify with. Presidents getting together to compare war stories about how to manage their out-of-control boards of trustees. It’s a lot like adults swapping tales of horror about their in-laws: you always exit with a feeling of relief that you lucked out and are in a positive place. I’m serious. Some of the anecdotes I have heard about boards punishing their presidents, or refusing to work as a team so that all processes are deadlocked are just horrifying. Believe me whenever I talk about how great it is that we at Seward County Community College, have a board dedicated to doing what is best for the community and the students.

That includes my travelling buddy, Mr. Engel, who already knows that I am a germaphobe, along with other personal tics. We made it through the week in one piece, and I’m still so thankful to be part of this college in this community with this board of trustees.

The next time you run into Ron Oliver, Marvin Chance Jr., Dustin Ormiston, Casey Mein, Keeley Moree, Kelly Hill, or Mr. Engel himself, be sure to tell them thank you. They take their jobs seriously and do so much in service to the community, through SCCC. Go Saints!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the President of Seward County Community College, where is happy to be home after a week in the Pacific Northwest. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.  

Fall is real on SCCC, and spring enrollment is coming soon

The older I get, the more surprised I feel when fall comes. In my mind, August was just a few days ago, but the calendar says something different — and the fall semester at Seward County Community College is more than half over.

It’s been a great year so far, as I told the attendees at our most recent Town Hall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 17. Enrollment numbers are the best in Kansas thanks to a 17 percent increase, and our students are flourishing. That does not mean we are calling the fall semester a wrap, however.

Thanks to our late-start class calendar, students who want to fit in one more class before the holiday break can do so. A final section of fall classes opens Oct. 21, and we hope students will take advantage of the opportunity.

The multiple-session model throughout the semester is just one more way SCCC is working hard to meet students where they are. We all know life is unpredictable, and students are no exception. Perhaps money was tight and a student had to pick up extra shifts at work, reducing their academic course load to compensate. Or maybe there was an illness or death in the family. Sometimes, childcare arrangements fall through. And, there are always a few students who just need a little extra time to feel ready to take on another class.

No matter what the reason, our schedule aims to accommodate various circumstances. The many options on Saints Anywhere, our online platform, expand choices even more, as those online classes can be accessed whenever a student has the time and energy to “go to class” virtually.

We are also looking ahead to the winter break, when SCCC will once again ofter a few short courses designed to fit into the weeks between the holiday season and the new year. As Vice President of Academic Affairs Luke Dowell often warns us, it’s important to realize that these short-term classes still contain a semester’s worth of work — it’s been compressed into a dense and intense timeframe. Students who sign up for the winter break classes can expect to spend several hours daily on study, with less free time for celebration and relaxation.

That said, I’m thrilled we are offering the option. As I said before, we want to accommodate the many circumstances our students experience. For some, being able to complete a “fall” course before the official start of spring semester is a lifesaver.

Right now, campus is abuzz with everything related to fall. The HALO (Hispanic American Leadership Organization) club set up an ofrenda display in Hobble Hallway/One Stop Shop to provide a place for Saints on campus to remember loved ones who have died. This Mexican tradition for the “Day of the Dead” follows Halloween, and it has been very meaningful to students and SCCC employees over the past two years.

Another fun display in the One-Stop Shop is our cosmetology students’ manikin competition. Students created hair and makeup around a spooky theme, and presented the designs for a voting contest. Their fellow students and campus employees will vote on the winners over the next week.

We’ll welcome more than 200 high school seniors to campus next Wednesday for Senior Day. Although we recruit new Saints year round, we wanted to move Senior Day to the fall in order to give those soon-to-be graduates a good look at what SCCC has to offer. We often hear from high schoolers in our region that they hadn’t visited our campus before, and they’re surprised and impressed to find a real, exciting, engaging college atmosphere so close to home.

For Halloween itself, our Ag program will host an outdoor Trunk or Treat event on Monday, Oct. 28, with rumors of goats in costume and promises of fun for kids. My family has a tradition of dressing up for a theme decided by my two daughters, and I was thrilled about their choice this year: in keeping with our Tulsa-based family loyalty to OU, they picked an OU football theme. I lucked out with the job of coach, so there will be no makeup or masks for me this year. It will be your job to figure out which of my daughters plans to dress as a football player, and which one is putting on a cheerleader costume.

Once November arrives, expect a whirl of activities on campus. Among them:

• Tech-Biz Challenge, hosted for area high school students by our business and computer programs.
• We’ll celebrate Indigenous People’s Month by welcoming the Wichita War Dancer in a free performance Nov. 4.
• The Financial Aid office will offer several more sessions of “Create Your FSA ID” via Zoom during November. Dates are Nov. 7, 14, and 19.
• Campus vans will transport students to the Seward County Event Center on Nov. 5, election day. We’re so proud of the HALO students for registering nearly 100 new voters this fall!
• Of course, with spring enrollment open starting Oct. 28, we expect November to include many students on campus registering for classes.

It has already been a record-breaking, enthusiasm-boosting year on campus, and I expect it will only get better. Please come to campus and enjoy the exhibits, the fall treats, Free Coffee Tuesday in the Saints Bookstore, and the upcoming Saints Athletics events. We can’t wait to see you.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is not the football coach at OU, although that’s what it will look like on Oct. 31. As president of Seward County Community College, his favorite colors are actually gray and green — Seward Green — and the evidence is there thanks to paint splatters on his shoes, clothes, and even the rims of his truck wheels. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. \

Oct. 17 Town Hall kicks off planning for SCCC’s future

People like to say, “The best-laid plans …” but usually they say it when something has gone wrong. Plans can be like that — you start out with great ideas and goals, and three months later, nobody remembers them.

Not at Seward County Community College.

Here, the best-laid plans are revisited often, updated every few weeks, and embedded into our everyday practices. The Strategic Plan we created in 2022 will expire in 2025. When I reminded employees about this at our last All-Team meeting, the expressions around the room filled the spectrum from confusion to pride to dread to determination. I feel it, too. The current plan is working well. Enrollment numbers are up, our financial situation is stable and positive, and SCCC is growing in all the important ways.

Still, creating a new plan for the next three years is a lot of work.

Thank goodness we have our community.

That’s right: it was the community that helped us create the current plan, through many town hall meetings, forums, and focus groups. By the time we put the plan on paper, we had consulted with around 300 individuals in Liberal, Seward County, and our service area. We talked to folks at the county courthouse, outdoors, on campus, and in casual conversation at the supermarket.

The feedback we received helped us make big decisions — like adding men’s and women’s soccer to the Saints Athletic lineup — and craft a steady course through a strange, post-COVID environment. We exited the EduKan consortium and created Saints Anywhere, our in-house, online learning platform. So far, it’s been a huge success. In one semester alone, we taught more students more classes with more credit hours than in the previous entire year.

By 2024-25, our current academic year, SCCC reached the very top of all Kansas colleges and universities in terms of enrollment growth.

That growth is the result of the decisions I’ve mentioned above, and many more factors. I credit our strategic plan and the many, many people who contributed, for these wins.

Now it’s time to start again. We will host a Town Hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday, Oct. 17, in the One-Stop Shop of Hobble Hall, and you are invited. We want to get your insights, hear your ideas, consider your challenges, and include your voice as we start the process of the next phase of growth.

Our Board of Trustees regularly takes part in retreat/work sessions where we discuss possibilities for growth. With several programs doubling and even tripling in enrollment, the awareness that our student housing hit capacity this fall — it’s completely full, even with 60 added spots — and the available space at two new properties, SCCC has a lot of decisions to make.

As part of our deliberations, the college is currently conducting a community-wide survey, which we have been promoting at area events and celebrations. You might have seen posters around town as well, and advertisements in local media and online. The survey is simple to fill out, using either the link or QR code. Its focus is what you, the community, want from the college. What programs or disciplines would you like us to offer? What classes interest you? What times and locations are best for the things your family wants to participate in?

If you want to take the survey right now, after reading this column, we’re providing the information right here to assist you. And if you want to share your thoughts face to face, we hope to see you at the Town Hall. It’s a great way for us to stay in touch with what the community needs.

We also want to celebrate with you. After all, success feels even sweeter when it is shared with a team.

So, please, mark your calendar for an hour of conversation and brainstorming next week. I will be on hand to answer questions, share data, and receive suggestions. SCCC is having a terrific year, and we look forward to many more. All we need is you.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. He is almost as fond of data as he is of fishing and family fun, but his wife and daughters will always win out. To contact him, email brad.bennett@sccc.edu or stop by campus. 

 

SURVEY DETAILS:  To take the survey, visit  https://forms.office.com/r/Bd03rtcH3J or click on the QR code provided here:

 

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Numbers show teamwork is wildly effective

Last year, Seward County Community College recorded tremendous growth in enrollment — 16 percent up. Now that we’ve reached the midpoint of academic year 2024-25, our official certification numbers are in, and we’re thrilled all over again. Student headcount at SCCC is up by 17 percent!

At a time when higher education is grappling with rising costs, and a culture shift that began with the pandemic, many folks in our sector are discouraged. But that is not the story at Seward. I attribute our success to a campus-wide commitment to one goal: recruiting, enrolling, and retaining more students. In other words, enrollment growth.

This weekend, SCCC hosts the Deans & Directors for Kansas Community Colleges in their annual meeting. We’re excited to welcome our peers, and glad to talk about how SCCC achieved success in this critical area. A key factor has been the way our college embraced a “Wildly Important Goal” — enrollment — and learned to focus on that goal despite the everyday things that pull our attention away. This approach is described in the excellent book “The Four Disciplines of Execution,” which our President’s Cabinet read and discussed last year. From the principles in that book, we created measurable goals that aimed for a certain outcome by a certain time.

Then — and this is the part that makes all the difference — our President’s Cabinet members went back to their various areas around campus and shared the vision. They talked to the staff and faculty folks around them and asked the question, “How can we support the goal of increasing enrollment by five percent every year for the next five years?”

It’s been interesting and fun to watch the way various departments have answered this question. For some, like the admissions and outreach department, enrollment is their everyday reality. They are already working hard to connect future Saints with the college, and get them through the process of applying, enrolling, and starting classes.

Other departments, like our business office, searched for ways to support this goal and came up with creative contributions. They helped with personal notes to prospective students who had dropped off the radar. Perhaps more important, they took an interest in the work their fellow team members in admissions do on a daily basis and encouraged them.

We saw this spirit across campus, as team members pitched in to make things work better, with the Wildly Important Goal in sight. For example, as enrollment grew, and the dorm rooms filled up, we needed to address a potential housing shortage. Our Vice President of Business Affairs Maddie Day connected with the local fire Marshall to find out if it would be possible to add beds to the existing rooms. When he said, “yes,” Maddie added a discount for students willing to share their space, ordered more beds, and organized crews to assemble the beds the day before students arrived on campus. You might think beds are a long distance away from enrollment growth, but they are indeed connected, and 60 more students had a place to sleep thanks to our SCCC teamwork.

As we make our way through the current year, we continue to address the needs of the students we already have. After all, the easiest student to “recruit” is the one you already have on campus. In higher ed, we refer to that as retention rates, and ours have improved year over year.

We’re also looking forward to the winter session and spring semester. Rather than only offering two times per year — fall and spring semester — to start an SCCC education, we have expanded the options. In fall 2024, we counted 13 separate start times for classes. Some of these are eight weeks long, which means students learn an entire semester’s worth of material in half the time. The intense pace is not for everyone, but it serves a need and creates more opportunities for more students. Our winter session enrollment and spring semester enrollment will open in just about a month.

Much as we called upon team members to pitch in and help with bed assembly, we have asked a lot of our faculty in order to offer these new options. I’m so proud of our academic team members for learning to navigate online and in-person courses, working closely with local and area high schools, and helping us achieve that Wildly Important Goal.

We’ve already passed the halfway mark of this semester and I am amazed at everything that has come together. Amazed, but not surprised. After all, we set out to do this together, created a goal, and planned to achieve it. With this great team, it’s exciting to imagine what we might do next!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, where Wildly Important Goals become reality. If you want to join our efforts to improve the lives of our students and the community we call home, give him a call at 620-417-1010 or email brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

 

Annual Report looks back on a brilliant 2023-24

 

Time flows a little differently in higher education than it does in everyday life, so I am thinking a lot about “last year” at Seward County Community College even as we tackle the first semester of “this year.” It’s an interesting exercise and — in the case of 2023-24 — deeply rewarding.

That’s because the academic year we wrapped up in July was one of the best I’ve ever experienced. At a time when many in higher ed are feeling a slow, cold panic about the future creep in, SCCC was heating up to break records in enrollment and operations. Quite simply: We had an amazing year.

As we prepared our annual report, it was difficult to choose where to begin. What should we focus on? The list of accomplishments felt overwhelming. The College’s Annual Report, which will be released Sept. 21, at the 30th annual SCCC Foundation party auction, revisits the many highlights of 2023-24. It also paints a vibrant picture of the future, which is bright.

I credit much of this to a dynamic, crowd-sourced Strategic Plan we rolled out in 2022. The document was not a dull stack of pages in a three-ring binder, but a reflection of hours of interviews and focus groups. More than 300 people on campus and in the community contributed to the plan. In the end, we identified four main directions for the college:

• Student Success. This ranked first, as it should, because none of us would be employed if the students weren’t here to be educated. SCCC has long prioritized student success, and this year we went a step further, analyzing what students themselves want, need, and expect. It’s their definition of success that means the most. Our expansion of online classes, certificates and credentials, and attention to the whole person — not just the student enrolled in a class — equip us to do right by every Saint who joins the family.
• Institutional Growth. Every homeowner or business knows that taking care of something requires attention to maintenance … and much more. It’s critical to think long-term, to plan ahead, and to pivot when opportunities arise. During the past year, the College expanded its geographical footprint, its fiscal resources, and its educational offerings. Oh, and did I mention our team exceeded the Wildly Important Goal of increasing student enrollment by 5 percent each year for the next five years? SCCC enrollment in 2023-24 grew by 14 percent.
• Communications. Think about how much society and communications have shifted in the past five years. During that time, people have changed how we obtain our news, how we talk to others, the channels we rely on to share important updates and information. SCCC is working hard to maintain solid lines of communication internally and with the outside world, through direct means — town hall meetings, phone calls, live events — and new media, from digital advertising in targeted ZIP codes to new markets, to flourishing Instagram and X accounts. The goal is to overcome barriers, whether they come in the form of time, space, or bandwidth.
• Community. It’s our middle name, as we often say, and that means we show up when and where you need us. Our team increased participation in civic groups, attended multiple events for school children and the surrounding communities, and did our best to provide meaningful services to the city, county, and region. Through sponsorship, volunteer work, and giveaway T-shirts, SCCC wants to be in the middle of the action.

As I wrap up the year’s survey, I would be remiss to leave out the contributions that came to the College from outside sources. We’re grateful to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and his team, as well as our Kansas representatives in Topeka, members of KBOR, the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, and local elected officials who worked tirelessly to make the voice of SCCC louder and stronger. We appreciate our private donors and sponsors as well, including business and industry partners whose insights, expertise, and fiscal support make all the difference in how we meet the needs of this community.

When you tally the numbers, look at the photos, and hear the stories that resulted from the 2023-24 year, a sense of accomplishment is unavoidable. I’ve enjoyed looking back to highlights, broken records, and photo-worthy moments, and I invite you to join me as you read your own copy of SCCC’s Annual Report — the ACCOMPLISHMENTS issue.

 

ABOUT THE WRITER — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and an unapologetic number-cruncher. He’s also an accomplished painter, as the Seward Green walls, doors, and handrails all over campus attest. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu to schedule a meeting or volunteer painting session! 

 

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September 8, 2024

Food, fellowship, and future aspirations

It’s hard to believe that the Seward County Community College Foundation party auction will celebrate its 30th year this month. But it’s true. When guests and friends of the college head to the Seward County Event Center on Sept. 21, they are marking three decades of targeted, thoughtful fundraising by the College’s main supporting body, the Foundation.

And SCCC is fortunate to have this resource. Among the 19 community colleges in the state, SCCC’s Foundation ranks second in terms of its endowed funds. It’s a remarkable achievement when you consider our location, far from the metropolitan centers of Kansas society.

The first Foundation auction was a much smaller affair, hosted at the former Liberal Country Club, which later burned down. The first auction used a pirate theme, so guests came in costume, and were met by Foundation employees and students, also in costume. It was a brave experiment in fundraising for a college that was barely 20 years old.

And it was a rousing success. For many years after, the annual auction grew, as did the proceeds. During that time, the SCCC Foundation got its footing, was formally organized, and selected a board that continues to oversee it as a separate entity from the College itself.

These long-ago developments have been on everyone’s mind this year, as the Foundation sought and hired a new director and in the process, re-examined and refined its operations and procedures. The goal, however — to support students and the College — did not change.

We’re so thankful to welcome SCCC alum and finance whiz Teresa Randle to the helm. She joins our Associate Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Sarah Thompson, and staffers Magdalena Rivera and Susana Rodriguez. The Foundation marked a milestone last spring as the Sharp Champions Center Phase 2 cut the ribbon. Other key achievements included record-breaking fundraising at the 29th annual auction, revamping the Foundation’s online presence (still ongoing) and updates and improvements to operational functions.

Of course, none of the Foundation’s work would be possible without its directing board. Last year, we mourned the loss of longtime treasurer and steady source of encouragement and enthusiasm Al Shank. His contributions, of course, live on, but we miss him.

For several months now, the SCCC Foundation auction team has been collecting donations, making plans for the big night, and planning for what we hope will be the best auction in College history. We’ll be auctioning off trips, outdoor items, art, jewelry, furniture, and many one-of-a-kind items and bundles … a little something for everyone. Guests can also take part in the “Lucky Draw” booth with highly-coveted auction items, and the 50-50 cash drawing, where half the proceeds go to the Foundation and the winner walks away with half the cash collected through the evening.

If you haven’t already purchased your wristband ticket, now is the time to do so. You’ll enjoy a delicious catered meal, complimentary drinks and dessert, a silent auction, live auction, and plenty of great fun and social engagement with friends and neighbors. All proceeds from the event go to student scholarships and programs.

For more information, contact the Foundation at 620-417-1134, or email sarah.thompson@sccc.edu.

 

ABOUT THE WRITER — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and a willing volunteer at auction preparations sessions. He can set up tables and chairs like nobody’s business, and can’t wait to welcome guests on Sept. 21. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

 

September 1, 2024

 

ABCs of education still apply at SCCC

The academic year at Seward County Community College is out of the gate and going fast already. After a week of faculty and staff training and a week of student orientation, our campus is full of energy and people. It can be a little overwhelming.

I remember that feeling from the first time I walked into a classroom situation not as a student but as a teacher. Actually, I had arrived at the elementary school in urban Denver, Colo., to work as a teaching assistant for the final semester in my teaching degree. When I arrived, the school prinicipal took me into the office with shocking news: the main teacher had resigned. I was now in charge of more than 30 students.

Did I mention, this was a kindergarten class?

Panic does not even begin to describe how I felt. After that first chaotic day (which I don’t really remember because it was all about survival), I called my mother. She was a teacher and school administrator. She had warned me not to get into education if I wanted to earn money. But I admired my mom and her work, and it seemed like a good plan to go ahead and complete a teacher credential while I was in college.

I was hoping for sympathy as I told her, “I’m not sure I can do this, maybe I don’t really need to be a teacher.”

Her reply: Stop being a crybaby and get serious about the job you signed up for.

So I did. Like that first day, much of the year Mr. Bennett was a kindergarten teacher is a blur in my mind. It was a low-income school with 95 percent of the students on the free lunch plan. The school resources were limited. I was an inexperienced classroom instructor. They were kindergarten students … did I mention that?

What I do remember is those children themselves. My students faced challenges every day that I had not encountered in my own life. But they were kids like any other kids, and they wanted to learn and explore the world and make connections.

That year changed me just as much as I hope it changed them, some of who are still in contact with me today.

Every year when we welcome students to campus, I’m reminded of my first year in the field of education. I think about how impossible it seemed that I could meet the challenge, and how may mom fully expected me to do so. I also think about how she was right.

That’s the mindset I hope we at SCCC impart to all our instructors, and our students. Whether we come from a background where everyday necessities were nothing to worry about, or a place where abundance was just something you saw on television, we are all here together, trying to do something important.

That goes for our instructors — the seasoned ones who know what to emphasize, and what isn’t a big deal in the end, and the newly minted teachers who have to call on a kind of courage that isn’t so different than many students. And it goes for the learners in the classroom, many of whom are the first in their families to attempt this big goal of College. They don’t always know what to expect, or what is expected of them. They need grace, and guts, and the gift of high expectations.

Now is no time to be a crybaby, my mom told me. She was right.

Let’s all have a great year, together.

ABOUT THE WRITER — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and one of the best things about the job is that the Saints do not offer kindergarten classes. Nevertheless, he still uses some of those elementary school strategies, mainly at all-staff meetings. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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August 12, 2024

 

It takes a team to achieve big dreams

In less than two weeks, Seward County Community College will start a new semester. It’s an electric time here on campus, as we greet returning students, welcome new ones, and set off on something that feels like an adventure. I admit, I get excited about the start of the school year. It’s full of possibility. This is the big step that our SCCC Saints have worked so hard to reach. They are excited, a little scared, still young enough to dream big.

That is the theme our admissions team has chosen as they recruited students across our service area all last year, and continuing through the summer: Have a dream, be the dream, seize the dream. The words remind of us of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as the old slogan, “Carpe diem!” Seize the day.

Dreaming about what you can achieve in your life is really the first step to getting there. Thomas Edison is famous for saying his inventions were “1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration,” and it’s true that hard work is essential. But without that seed of a dream, many of us don’t get down to business to do the the hard work. We might not ever start.

It took a dream for us to have the light bulb, the telephone, the airplane. Today, we continue to see amazing inventions that started with a wild idea, a dream, and now show up in everyday life; cell phones, contact lenses, front porch camera systems. None of these things would exist if people settled for the status quo.

Remember, it takes courage to dream. We live in a time where people struggle with fear, mental illness, and uncertainty at unprecedented levels. That is why SCCC has upped our game in terms of student support services for mental health and wellness. It wouldn’t be reasonable for us to expect the best from students who struggle just to keep showing up day to day.

Over the summer, renovations have continued to create a dedicated space for our full-time mental health counselor, as well as our on-campus Student Health Center. The Liberal Rotary Club has provided support with a grant to fund a poster campaign reminding SCCC students, faculty, and staff to be kind to ourselves and those around us. All those efforts are part of our goal: to equip our students to be their best selves. To dream big.

I am always amazed at the stories our students bring with them. International students from all over the world had a vision of playing their chosen sport in front of a bigger audience than wherever they call home. Students from the many small towns that surround Liberal are also looking farther than the high school hallways.

Wherever they started, every person who comes to campus represents parents and grandparents, siblings, and a long line of teachers who prepared them for SCCC. Every person who shows up in their life played a part  in how they got to our campus.

That’s a lot of dreams.

Now it is time for those new college students to take hold of their own.

Our Vice President of Student Affairs David Hardman will kick off orientation week for our new students with a convocation in the Showcase Theater, which is sponsored by Rapid Fit. In it, he  will introduce a few new traditions here at SCCC, building on our longstanding heritage of Saints pride, hard work, and high achievement. Our incoming students will take a class photo in the amphitheater, marking this moment in their lives.

Besides graduation, this might be my favorite time of year. Seeing all those faces, filled with optimism, a little uncertainty, excitement, and hope. They are Saints. They are dreamers. They are the future. We couldn’t be more honored to play a part in their dreams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. It was not his dream to attend the recent KidzBop concert but it was the dream of his daughters, so he made it happen. He even survived the on-stage Daddy Dance-Off, along with three other committed fathers. Now it’s back to business as he prepares for the 2024-25 academic year. Email him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

 

August 5, 2024

 

Saints team heads to the kitchen to feed students

Can you believe it’s August already? Summer has gone by in a flash, and we’re feeling the “back to school” energy at Seward County Community College.

Students arrived on campus this week, ready to start conditioning and training for the second-ever Saints soccer season and women’s volleyball. We were thrilled to get them settled in. There was just one hitch: the 90 students living in the dorms needed to eat. And our campus cafeteria was still closed as we wrapped up renovation work.

By the time you read this column, I expect Great Western Dining will have started its regular operations, with more space to work and other kitchen improvements. For several days, however, SCCC had to get creative and put meals on the table for our student athletes.

This is where the Saints team set aside official job descriptions in order to get things done. And that’s exactly what happened during one of the hottest weeks on record for the summer. One day we served chicken grilled by yours truly; another day, executive assistant Karla Morales Escarcega whipped up a giant batch of Mexican lasagna or Italian enchiladas — no matter what you call it, the food was consumed with relish, as students went back for more. My wonderful wife signed up to chop veggies, butter bread, and keep the production line moving. And team members from across campus — housing, marketing, athletics and even security — chipped in to make it all work, whether it meant picking up sandwiches from local vendors or helping clean up after meals.

I am certain we all share my relief at seeing the cafeteria professionals back on campus. But despite the sweat, dishpan hands, and hard work, I call this week of kitchen adventures a big success. That’s because we did more than cheer and smile as these members of the Saints family arrived on campus. We actually showed up to make sure students had what they needed.

It’s a great example of Saints’ signature spirit — going the extra mile, bleeding green, following the Seward Way. Whatever you call it, this approach prioritizes people over programs, and asks the critical question, “Are we serving our students?”

Taking care of students is not just about food and shelter, of course. Faculty and staff all over campus have been busy this week as students test, enroll in classes, and fill out paperwork for work-study jobs. Many of these student-athletes traveled internationally to join us at SCCC, so they are adjusting to a different time zone, unfamiliar weather, and possibly a new language. It’s a lot.

I’m so proud of our team, which has welcomed the students with real enthusiasm. Campus was pretty quiet over the summer (unless you count the racket of construction workers tackling multiple projects). We missed the youthful enthusiasm the students bring to campus.

Looking ahead to the next three weeks, we expect a steady stream of students and increasing activity across the board. Early numbers show that our dorms are completely booked for the year, which is a great challenge to tackle. Enrollment is also increasing at a steady pace. We are on track to continue last year’s trend of more students taking more classes.

In the next week, we will host the New Educators Breakfast and continue preparations for the new semester. Our SCCC professional development sessions begin Aug. 12. Student orientation begins Aug. 19. And classes start on Aug. 21!

Men’s and women’s soccer teams open their seasons at home with games scheduled for Aug. 23 and 25 at Redskin Field.

With everything that’s going on, we also welcome many new faces to campus. Our HR department has had a phenomenal year, making more than 100 new hires. Many of the new positions are due to the expansion of our Saints Anywhere online platform, which relies on adjunct instructors to deliver high-quality coursework to students all over the nation. We’ve also said goodbye to many career members of the Saints team as they retired after decades of service.

As we go through professional development training, it’s always a pleasure to tell our new, full-time faculty and staff that Liberal is a great place to call home. The community and the people are what draw employees to SCCC, and that’s why so many stay. We’re thankful for the Liberal Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors a yearly welcome breakfast hosted right here on campus, and even more thankful to the people who make up this community.

Here’s to a great year, wherever it might take us: the kitchen, the athletic field, the classroom, and Kansas Ave. Go Saints!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett has packed away his apron and oven mitts for the time being, but he will get them back out to serve pancakes during finals week. Until then, you can find him in his office in the Hobble Building. Stop by or email him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.   

 

 

 

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July 18, 2024

 

Whatever your age, SCCC has something for you

The buildings at Seward County Community College echoed with unusual sounds last week: children’s laughter, feet racings down the carpeted hallways, and, Thursday afternoon, splashes and shrieks in the Wellness Center swimming pool. We hosted around 100 children at Kids College this week, and it gave our campus staff a much-needed jolt of happiness and energy as we near the end of a long, hot, summer.

For more than 20 years, the Business & Industry division at SCCC has offered children a chance to come to campus for fun and valuable classes for one action-packed week in the summer. Kids College is open to children entering first through eighth grades. Classes range from the everyday to the exotic: cooking basics, how to care for a lawnmower, how to swim on the one hand, or archery, intro to blacksmithing and more advanced art methods on the other.

This year, enrollment exceeded previous years, a sure sign that we are past the COVID effect that kept people — including children — isolated. In fact, so many small Saints showed up to campus that B&I Director Norma Jean Dodge, and B&I Coordinator Megan Troutner put out a call for volunteers to help guide groups of students across campus!

A love for learning is not something that can be forced upon anybody. Kids College is a great example of how to make the process fun, appealing, and “caught, not taught.” When parents prioritize learning by enrolling their children in activities like this, they are sending a powerful message about what is important.

We see this all the time with recreational and club sports, which have their own vital lessons to teach. Oftentimes, sports and academics are discussed like they are opposites, which is a shame. A good life includes balance, and kids need to learn how to function as part of a team, face victories and defeats, and gain valuable physical and social skills through sports.

At the same time, I am always glad to see children encouraged to experiment with new skills in the classroom, lab, or studio setting. In those situations, children learn to troubleshoot, to experiment, to learn from mistakes, and to persevere when things may not seem promising. Just ask our longtime fishing instructor, Nick Zimmerman. For years, he has patiently untangled lines, assisted with bait, and modeled patience with Kids College fishing students.

I am confident the children who celebrate a week of learning with a pizza and pool party on campus will be back in the future, enrolling in concurrent classes, playing on the court or field or sitting in one of the lecture halls at SCCC. They’ve already learned that college is for them.

Many of our students on the other end of the age spectrum did not have the opportunity to attend activities like Kids College. In the SCCC Adult Education programs, we strive to provide access to students as young as 16 and as old as 85 (or even older!). As SCCC’s Adult Education Director, Dr. Katie Reck, says, “it’s never to late to graduate!”

We are excited to enroll students now through Aug. 2 for the next session of high school diploma (GED) classes and English language classes. The classes are low- or no-cost, depending on the study track, and with a fully staffed department, SCCC Adult Education is eager to help people move forward with their goals.

Although it looks very different, adult education serves many of the same functions as Kids College: it changes the direction of families’ lives, and sets a foundation for a better future. When an adult learner attains a GED or masters English skills, those achievements result in greater opportunities at work and in society. People who complete the SCCC Adult Education programs have more possibilities, which in turn benefit their household members.

But maybe the most powerful effect is the one I mentioned earlier: a love of learning is caught, not taught. For the children and grandchildren who see a family member attend class, study, practice, and finally graduate, the desire to follow that example is strong. And those children are also the ones we view as future Saints. Once the seed of knowledge is planted, it’s only natural to see growth.

In just a month, we will welcome a new group of freshmen and returning sophomores to campus for academic year 2024-25. I’m excited to see them. Thanks to Kids College and Adult Education, I’m also looking far into the future, with many more Saints to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett grew up watching his mother teach school, and started his own educational career as a kindergarten teacher. This fall, he will balance his role as college president with homework help for his fifth-grade and third-grade daughters. You can email him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

 

 

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July 11, 2024

What we do together at SCCC can help shape the future

Legacy is a big word. It expresses grand ambitions and a very long view to the future. When we use the term to describe something, we are often thinking about national history, global arenas, or long-standing world records.

But legacy can also be an everyday thing. Some of us were raised by parents or grandparents who carried the legacy of the Great Depression. They learned how to be frugal and to save the pennies so the dollars would follow. Their legacy reminds us not to be wasteful, and to express gratitude for even the little things like a plate of home-baked cookies or a neighbor’s extra garden produce.

Here at Seward County Community College, we are reminded of legacies every day. Sometimes they are displayed in 20-inch-tall letters on the outside of a building. Sometimes they happen when we casually remark, “that’s not the Seward Way of doing things.” They even show up in small actions like my habit of pulling weeds when I walk across campus. I’m pretty sure I did not invent that; it’s the legacy of older, wiser folks who taught me to leave a place looking better than it did when I arrived.

Recently, SCCC has also been reminded of those long-view legacies in the form of gifts from donors, friends, and alumni. I can’t express how encouraging it is when we experience generosity like this. It’s humbling and challenging because we have a duty to make the best of what is entrusted to us. The stewardship of these gifts is so important.

When French Construction began renovation of the old dorm building, we all felt the excitement grow. After more than a decade as a shell of its former self, the dorm building will get a new lease on life, and that’s exciting. But French raised our emotions even higher by announcing an unexpected donation of $10,000 to the project. This gift will go a long way in moving us closer to the goal: a home for our on-campus student clinic, and our mental health counselor. Thank you, French Construction. You’ve already improved the mental health of everyone involved in this important project.

The Liberal Rotary Club has also been busy boosting the mood of faculty, staff, and students on campus. A gift of $500 from the civic organization was used to purchase motivational posters with mental health tips and reminders that kindness is good for all of us. This campaign will provide real-life, simple encouragement for students in the dorms and everyone on campus through the fall semester. It’s so kind of you, and we’re thankful.

Summer reached a surprising peak of excitement when we learned that a former SCCC Adult Education graduate, Mary Lloyd, wanted to sponsor a classroom for students in the AE program. Mary, who earned her GED at age 84, left high school many decades ago when a family split left her loved ones in need. She had to go to work to put food on the table. But in 2015, she returned to the classroom to earn a Kansas High School Diploma. Along the way, she made many friends at the then-Colvin Center for Adult Education. Now, she’s paying it forward with a gift of $30,000 for classroom renovation in the new building purchased by the college last fall. Thank you, Mary, for leading the way and teaching us all what it looks like to keep learning, growing, and giving.

It doesn’t seem possible, but we continue to gain even more support from the community as we progress through the summer. Local retired physician, Dr. Ray and wife Nancy Allen contributed $5,000 for the new Student Health Center. As longtime supporters of the community, the Allens of course have a special relationship to issues of healthcare. We are so grateful for their support and generosity. We can’t wait to have you stop by and see the new office and health care spaces that will continue the service to humanity that you provided during your career.

The goodwill is not contained to individuals and families, though. The Bank of Beaver City gave SCCC a donation of $5,000 for the health center project as well. With the construction and renovation underway, there are always those unexpected developments that require funding. We are very thankful for the donations whenever and wherever they originate, and we especially appreciate your gift that recognizes SCCC has a positive impact on our local economy.

I am stopping here, but make no mistake — this is only a partial listing of gifts the college has received recently. Each one is special, appreciated, and valued. We gain so much from our supporters, and we could not do the work we aim to do without that support.

These individual contributions help form a strong legacy that the college is creating for future students who might not even have been born yet. When you give to SCCC, you become part of that legacy, too.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and hopes to help create a legacy that reaches far into the future. For now, he’s happy to keep working at the goal of being a little bit better every day. If you want to start your own legacy at SCCC, or if you just want to connect, give him a call at 620-417-1010. 

to see which classes might work best for you. We have online, in person, and hybrid options for many different subjects. Or give us a call to learn more: the admissions office is 620-417-1100. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brad Bennett is the 13th president of Seward County Community College. Even though he could happily spend his entire summer fishing, you will find him on campus from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 

•••

May 8, 2023

Dream big about The Next 50 Years with SCCC

It’s an old but grounded-in-experience joke: If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. We all know the feelings that go with “the best laid plans,” as old-timers used to say: everyone wants to expect the best, but there’s almost always a curve ball or unpredictable weather to factor in. So, why plan?

This is a question our executive team and campus leaders have been grappling with over the last semester. Does it make sense to  picture progress and actually make step-by-step plans, when we have all experienced unprecedented challenges in the past few years?

The answer at Seward County Community College is a resounding “yes.”

History says it is the dreamers who propel progress. Locally, time has shown that looking to the future is exactly what has gotten this resilient and inspiring region to where we are now. In the midst of political and economic upheavals, despite pandemics and tornadoes and prairie fires, this part of the country is full of folks who stick to their guns. We persevere. We endure. And we are hopeful in the way that farmers and sodbusters and the Greatest Generation showed us.

That is why we have started a project we’re calling “The Next 50: Envisioning the Future.” Beginning with an informal brainstorming, dream-out-loud gathering on Tuesday, May 23, we invite our stakeholders and Saints supporters to join us in picturing all the possibilities for the College and this region. If you would like to join us, please contact our Chief Development Officer Kyle Woodrow to request an invitation. 

Some examples of the topics we are considering:

• What are the best practices to radically expand Seward’s online course offerings? What options are most valuable to our students and those we hope to draw into the Saints family?
• As dairy interests grow and a cheese factory is constructed in the region, how might we leverage the opportunities for our students and our community?
• Liberal has long served as a transportation hub for the wider region. Is it time to revive this sense of purpose with expanded truck and rail transportation? How will the four-lane expansion of U.S. Hwy. 54 impact industry growth?
• Solar and wind energy continue to offer intriguing possibilities for this region. What entry points exist for SCCC and our students in support for this emerging energy industry?
• Fiber expansion is well under way, with at least three providers fully involved in bringing 5G technology to Southwest Kansas. How can we tie such projects to what our students study and aspire to practice?
• We value our partnerships with fellow education entities, from the local and area public school districts, to four-year universities and federally funded programs in high-value specialized fields of study like national intelligence/security. How can we grow these relationships for the benefit of all?

These are only a few of the subjects that have captured our imagination. With a community full of capable, creative, and hard-working stakeholders, I know there are many more worthy ideas to consider.

It’s always fun to start with questions. What if … we increased enrollment so successfully that we ran out of dorm space? What if … we added even more sports to our Saints Athletics teams lineup? What if the demand for housing in Liberal caused us to take a second look at a construction study track in Industrial Technology? What if we recruited all the best musicians in the area for our instrumental music program, and started more small groups for performances?

What if your son, daughter, next-door neighbor, or even you have a great idea that grows with a bit of encouragement from an SCCC instructor, and soon we are empowering students’ entrepreneurial ventures every year?

The College has crafted a sturdy and effective Strategic Plan for our next five years; we want to expand that sense of purpose tenfold, and look to the horizon for 50-year goals. Please consider joining the conversation. We can’t wait to dream together.

EDITOR’S NOTE — SCCC President Brad Bennett is looking forward to envisioning big things for SCCC with the community. The Next 50 Years first event is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, at the Liberal Country Club. For more information or to request an invitation, contact Kyle Woodrow (Chief Development Officer) at 620-417-1131). You can also reach Brad at brad.bennett@sccc.edu or by phone at 620-417-1010.

•••

May 1, 2023

Eyes on the dashboard, enrollment gains ahead

It will still be several years until my daughters learn to drive, but lately, I’ve been thinking about the importance of the dashboard.

The newest dashboard at Seward County Community College is not attached to a vehicle — it’s attached to our campus-wide goal to increase enrollment. To people in the world of higher education, that goal might sound a little obvious, like putting the car in “drive” if you want to go anywhere. For us, however, increasing enrollment connects to the big picture of what SCCC can be next year, the year after that, and decades into the future. 

I don’t want to drift off course, so back to the dashboard. 

The SCCC enrollment dashboard tracks our work in every area of the college, from classrooms to offices, to phone messages and our presence in the outside world. It connects to our progress, our speed, our overall condition. It’s just like your car dashboard, which keeps you on track but also warns you if something like your oil or tire pressure needs attention. 

Just after our college and the community worked to create the SCCC Strategic Plan for 2022-2025, the Saints family decided to establish a “W.I.G.,” or “Wildly Important Goal.” This is something that supersedes all of the urgent, everyday tasks that eat up time and attention. It’s something that deserves our best energy and focus. For SCCC, that is the vision of increasing enrollment by five percent every year for the next five years. 

How will we get there? That is a little bit like asking “how does a car run?” With a lot of moving parts. Every department, academic division, and office on campus has been asked to identify a goal for their area that connects to our campus wide W.I.G.

So far, the SCCC approach has been broad. We have focused on filling the student housing center again, something that happened most years before the pandemic altered what seems normal. Of course, filling a dorm requires the dorm to be appealing and ready to be bursting at the seams with energetic students. Accordingly, our board approved key improvements to the student housing buildings, one of which will take place over the summer. We’re replacing the flooring with the help of three local vendors who will divide the work evenly. 

Another component of student housing — our washing machines and dryers — was addressed earlier this spring. To say the students were happy would be an understatement. 

Adding three new sports — men’s and women’s soccer, and eSports — has increased the number of student-athletes. Even so, we are happy to report that more than half of the early applications for dorm housing are from students who are not in our athletics program. This is a positive trend, and it indicates our recruiting efforts outside Saints athletics are paying off. 

Recruiting is tied to scholarships, and that is another key area we have addressed in our pursuit of higher enrollment. Working with the SCCC Foundation, we have restructured some of our scholarship offerings to appeal to students who excel in the classroom and extracurriculars like band and vocal music, as well as technical education areas of interest. At the Monday board of trustees meeting, Chief Development Officer Kyle Woodrow reviewed some of the changes. The Foundation has adjusted several scholarships to offer “front-awarded” funding for key areas. These include agriculture, corrosion, machine tool, diesel, and welding technology, as well as in-state and out-of-state awards given by the admissions office.  

Looking ahead, the Development and President’s offices will co-host a long-range planning event May 23, focusing on “The Next 50 Years” at Seward. 

Enrollment also relies on recruiting activities, and our campus is in the midst of a mindset “reset” about how that works. Our admissions office hosted a successful Saints & Seniors Day in March, and the first All Saints Day for enrollment took place last weekend. We’ve also hired an Executive Director of Enrollment Management, Erika Espinoza, who will bring together work in the admissions office, the outreach office, and other campus-wide efforts to recruit and retain students. 

This comes at an opportune time, since we rolled out the Saints Ahead Scholarship for concurrent high school / SCCC students earlier this year; we’re already enrolling high school students for next fall. Everyone is excited about the free tuition for Seward County residents, and $50-per class flat rate for high school students in our service area. 

Marketing and Public Relations has increased billboard advertising across the state, and produced materials and social media advertising campaigns for both the Saints Ahead Scholarship and fall enrollment. The numbers are exciting, as people respond to the news of what we have to offer with enthusiasm and real interest; you might compare this to “miles per gallon” if you are still thinking about the dashboard. 

As summer approaches, we will continue to maintain our work, monitor our progress, and enjoy the journey. Anyone who has been on a long road trip with kids understands the importance of having fun along the way, and that’s our goal at SCCC.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and the custodian of “dad jokes” for campus. This week, he shared a “daughter joke” at the trustees meeting: “Dad, do they call them ‘board meetings’ because they’re boring?” Contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

April 25, 2023

April 18, 2023

Year by year, numbers tell a powerful story

•••

April 11, 2023

Join the Saints to celebrate our agriculture heritage

Lawns all over Liberal are turning green, trees have opened leaves, and wheat plants in the surrounding area have emerged. It’s a time of growth, and nowhere is that more evident than at the agriculture program at Seward County Community College.

Less than a year ago, our two new agriculture and livestock judging instructors arrived and brought a fresh sense of energy and excitement to the program. Will and Rachael Sirek-Milashoski represent the newest generation of farm and ranch professionals. 

And, just like spring refreshes our sense of what is possible and good in the world, they have set off an explosion of optimism in the classroom, the livestock arena, the greenhouses, and the SCCC service area. Maybe it’s the sight of Will chasing a pig across a grassy field during a livestock event — or the common-sense kindness Rachael exhibits toward the campus’ growing herd of goats — or the laughter you hear when the pair are at work with students — but pinning down the exact definition of a flourishing program might be a little bit like predicting weather on the High Plains. When it’s raining, you know it, and when the animals and crops are thriving, you can tell. 

Stakeholders from our service area can take part in the excitement next week, as SCCC hosts a fantastic roster of events for Ag Week. Starting with a student-led Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning, the week has something for everyone. Families can stop by campus for a fun “All About Ag” event on Monday. Our Collegiate Farm Bureau will host a Barnyard Olympics with round and square hay bale activities, potato sack race, wheelbarrow roping, and plenty of laughs on Thursday. In between those highlights, we have a forum for innovators, a tailgate party and games, plus livestock judging for all ages. 

I’m especially excited about the Stockman’s Banquet and Celebration planned for 7 p.m. April 21 at the Liberal Country Club. The menu includes New York Strip steak donated by National Beef Packing, gourmet sides prepared by chef Anthony, and complimentary wine and beer courtesy of Kent and Molly Colvin, Rock and Stephanie Ormiston, and my wife Lindsay and myself.

Following a great meal, we’ll host the celebrity auction for the next day’s livestock judging event. If your livestock judging team needs some expertise, several local pros will be up for bids: Trevor Winchester, Blake Williams, and visiting livestock experts.

The Stockman’s Banquet is what I think of as a signature event for our part of the world. Hard-working, salt-of-the-earth people deserve a break, a chance to sit back and savor the fruits of their labor. “Going to town” used to be the way farmers and ranchers expressed a trip to shop, dine out, and meet friends. The Stockman’s Banquet brings a little bit of that feeling back. 

It’s important to note that the banquet serves as the high point of a busy day of hosting the next generation of young animal science and livestock judging community members. Throughout the day, SCCC will host a Youth Livestock Judging contest at the Seward County Fairgrounds. Following the showmanship and feedback, we aim to raise scholarship funds for those future Saints at the banquet. The SCCC judging team will also present a brief recap, and then the fun of the celebrity auction will being. I hope you will join us. 

Here’s a roundup of the other events scheduled for Ag Week:

April 14 (Fri.) — Scholarships for Saints online auction. Visit sconline.com

April 15 (Sat.) — Farmer’s Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., SCCC Ag Building

April 17 (Mon.) — All About Ag Day (family-friendly fun), 3-5 p.m., Student Union 

April 18 (Tues.)— Ag Tech Innovation Workshop 

April 19 (Wed.) — Tailgate at Lady Saints Softball, 12-3 p.m., French Family Field

April 20 (Th.) — Barnyard Olympics, 4-6 pm., SCCC Ag Building

April 21 (Fri.) — Saints Showcase Livestock Judging  (youth livestock contest 

                        and auction), 9 a.m., Seward Co. Fairgrounds

                     — Stockman’s Banquet, 7 p.m., Liberal Country Club

April 22 (Sat.) — Celebrity Livestock Judging, 9 a.m., Seward Co. Fairgrounds

Seward County and the High Plains region have enjoyed a long tradition of farm and ranch endeavors, and SCCC is proud to continue that rich heritage. I invite you to come to campus for activities throughout the next 10 days, and join us for the Stockman’s Banquet on Friday, April 21. 

Reserve your $20 ticket now by calling Rachael SIrek-Milashoski at 620-417-1353. 

 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is no farm boy, but the president of Seward County Community College knows his way around a fishing hole and teaches livestock care skills to his daughters as they care for the family dog, Mr. Pancakes. Plan to attend the Stockman’s Banquet to meet him and learn more about the ag program at Seward!

•••

April 4, 2023

Community College Month at SCCC brings Ag Week, musical, and more

•••

March 28, 2023

Seeing Seward County Community College through the eyes of guests

This week, our campus was in interview mode, from the students to the faculty and staff current and, possibly, future. On Wednesday, more than 50 employers came to campus for the Career & Technical Education Career Fair, which gave Saints and the community multiple opportunities to explore jobs in a variety of industries. It was a great day to see students dressed professionally, resumes in hand, ready to interview, or at least set up interviews.

Wednesday was also the first of two all-day interviews for our Vice President of Student Affairs position. It is not possible to write about the position opening in June without first describing how hard it will be to say goodbye to current Vice President of Student Services Celeste Donovan. She will retire in June, and while I know it is well-earned, I am not alone in my mixed feelings as we say goodbye.

Vice President Donovan has worked in higher education her entire career, and her perspective, wisdom, and ability to share a cheerful and positive attitude is invaluable. During the time I have worked with her, Celeste has demonstrated grace under pressure, a willingness to tackle monumental projects, and a tireless commitment to what is best for students. I am especially thankful for the way she headed up a comprehensive revision of our campus civil rights and Title IX policy. It was necessary, and it was the right thing to do but it was also extremely complicated. Our entire campus will benefit from her commitment to this task for years to come.

The two candidates who visited campus this week definitely have big shoes to fill.

Going through the interview process with them made an already busy week even more challenging, but it presented some valuable hidden benefits. Our HR Director Charlotte Peterson has said that she genuinely enjoys the interview process, because it is an opportunity to learn so much. She is right, and I experienced that this week.

As I prepared to give our candidates tours of campus, I noticed how much work has gone into improvements at every location we passed. When I sat in on various interview committee sessions, I was reminded again of what a great team we have at Seward County Community College. Administration, faculty, and staff all had multiple projects and events to juggle, yet they made time to show up for interviews, prepared and positive, putting forth the best face for people who might become coworkers. They asked great questions, and provided honest, helpful and sometimes funny feedback when candidates asked them about what it’s like to be part of the Saints family, and to live in Southwest Kansas.

From my point of view, it was great to hear the candidates praise SCCC as a place they would want to work. It wasn’t just the kind of compliments you often hear during an interview process, but genuine praise for our facilities, our team, and our reputation in the world of higher education. Interviewing candidates can be a long and arduous process, but I came away from it energized by the view it gave me of how the rest of the world sees us.

It was also great to see our Human Resources office in action following HR Director Charlotte Peterson’s lead. As is the case with any institution, SCCC’s policies and procedures require constant attention and updating as laws and professional standards change. Charlotte and her team have devoted energy to these projects while helping the college fill multiple positions over the past year. When we welcome candidates to campus, it’s important to put our best face forward, and HR is the department that ensures we do so.

Saints & Seniors Day brought 200+ high school students to campus on Thursday, and once again, it gave us an opportunity to see the college through fresh eyes. For students in our service area, SCCC provides a top-notch, quality college experience close to home. In terms of cost and return on investment, there’s no better way to begin work on a degree — but we know graduating seniors often crave an experience and an environment that excites and inspires them, more than one that’s easy on their budget, or their family’s budget.

The Saints family offers the perfect solution. We have Saints athletics with three new options next year as we add men’s and women’s soccer and eSports; we have a growing list of campus activities with exciting, student-led projects and events like Quiz Bowl, Leadership Challenge, and Livestock Judging; we have highly qualified instructors who offer a level of knowledge, critical thinking, and university-level teaching that exceeds expectations. That is what our younger visitors to campus saw this week, and we are planning even more upgrades to push ahead in the ways that matter to young adults and their families.

I’m sure many of us on campus ended our week with some new perspectives and a greater appreciation for all that Seward is. Stop by campus anytime, and let us know what you see.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of college, as well as an experienced SCCC tour guide and presenter of welcome speeches to guests of all ages. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

March 21, 2023

March 14, 2023

DST reminds us to make the most of what we’ve got

•••

March 7, 2023

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate past, present and future

Wednesday, March 8, was International Women’s Day, and it means a lot to me. Before you get uncomfortable about that statement, consider the fact that I am the father of two daughters.

When I think about the concept of International Women’s Day — a time to recognize the achievements of women worldwide, and to acknowledge the importance of ensuring they receive equal respect and care as we give to men — I think about the people my daughters will grow up to be. This is consistent with how we approach supporting our students at Seward County Community College.

But it is far more personal than policies. Like every person, my life began with my mother. When I reflect on the impact my mother had, not only on my life but also the lives of so many students, I am in awe.

In the days and months after my mother passed, I received many phone calls and letters from former students talking about the impact my mother had on their lives. Throughout her career in public education, she worked extremely hard for the students and school she loved.

She instilled the value of work ethic and education in not only her own kids but the thousands of students she educated. It’s not about the numbers, but the numbers do tell a powerful story. If every student she interacted with internalized just one fundamental truth, think about how those little lessons add up over the course of 12 years of elementary, middle, and high school education. Then think about all the people each of those student will affect as they go through life, whether it’s at work, in family relationships, and society as a whole.

I think about that often in how I interact with my daughters. Whether it is practicing spelling worlds or our current project — a book report on polar bears — the standard for excellence that lives in my heart and mind is always my mom. When is it best to push a little further to bring out a student’s best? When is it time to offer encouragement and the reassurance that you are valuable no matter how you feel you are performing? When is it important to say, “great job” and call it a day?

These principles carry over to Higher Ed, even though our students are no longer laboring over weekly spelling lists. When Saints students arrive on campus, we know they bring more than a decade of teacher-student interactions with them. Many of those teachers were most likely women educators like my own mom, who poured years of effort and expertise into the children and teens who sat in their classrooms.

During my lifetime, it’s been great to see the progress we have made in celebrating excellence from all students, and encouraging girls to break barriers. STEM classes (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) were once viewed as easier for male students, and young women were discouraged from enrolling. They were advised to major in English or teaching or something “more appropriate” for girls. That’s not the case today, and it’s clear on our own campus.

In our Math and Science, Industrial Technology, Humanities and Allied Health divisions, we employ several women instructors and deans who hold doctorate-level credentials. Heather Hannah, Magda Silva, Suzanne Campbell and Amber Jones all merit the honorific “Dr.” And make up a key part of our college leadership, but more importantly, they have a positive impact on all their students.

It’s not all about credentials, either, but about institutional commitment. Our Board of Trustees welcomed two influential and gifted women to the table over the past two years; Kay Burtzloff and Keeley Moree have brought new perspectives and power to the governance of SCCC. And the newest member of our executive team, Vice President of Financial Affairs Madalen Day, has already transformed key areas of our college operations.

SCCC has also focused on ensuring that we will continue to empower and inspire all our students by revamping our Civil Rights / Title IX system. Under the leadership of Vice President of Student Services Celeste Donovan, we restructured our campus response to reported incidents of discrimination or sexual harassment/assault. Thankfully, the occasions when we have to address such issues are rare — but if and when they occur, we are ready to respond.

So today we celebrate great women of history, industry, and education — not just in the past but also the present and the future. From my mom’s days in the classroom to the achievements I can’t wait to see my daughters attain, and all the years between, the world is better because of these women.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. Thanks to his two daughters, he knows all the words to “Let it Go,” from the popular Disney movie  “Frozen”and has read more Princess storybooks than he can count. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

•••

February 28, 2023

Three more reasons to yell ‘Go Saints!’ when August arrives 

January and February are always intense months at Seward County Community College, because seven sports schedules are running simultaneously. Our student athletes competing in volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, softball, and baseball are all in play. For the serious Saints fan, it can feel a little crazy.

Now, the SCCC family is poised to dive even deeper into the world of intercollegiate competition, as our three new sports prepare to launch: men’s and women’s soccer teams will begin play in August, as will the eSports team. It’s an exciting time. 

That sense of anticipation got a major jolt of energy on March 1, with the first-ever signing of an SCCC Soccer student-athlete. Head coach Jaime Beltran recruited Emmanuel Ortuño, a senior standout at Liberal High School, as his first team member. The signing ceremony took place at 6:30 p.m. in the Hall of Saints room in the Student Union — a traditional location at an unusual time of day, so that our community members, family, and friends could all join in the celebration. 

Ortuño’s commitment is not the only exciting development in the Saints Athletics world this spring. I sometimes wonder where the day has gone, there are so many meetings, committee check-ins, and events to attend. This is a good kind of busy-ness, and it is appropriate that it is connected to athletics, because you have to adopt a similar mindset to show up and do what’s needed, at the time it is needed!

We’ve welcomed Head Women’s Soccer Coach Derek Talcott to campus, and he, too, is at work recruiting and planning for the inaugural season. We’re excitedly waiting to celebrate the first signee for the team he’ll be coaching, too.

Both head coaches have been part of a community-wide conversation about facilities use and scheduling, incorporating USD 480 and the City of Liberal. When we committed to the addition of these two sports teams, we did so with the awareness that this was something our community had been asking for over many years. And, as we embraced the work of making that dream into reality, we knew we would need help — a lot of help. There’s no way this expansion could occur without buy-in and support from our local school district and city government, and we are beyond grateful for all the time and thought they have devoted to this new chapter in Saints athletics. 

In the world of eSports, head coach Eric Volden has been busy as well. Eric is not new to our campus family, having served as admissions director since 2017. Before he took on the role of head recruiter of SCCC students, he spent several years exploring the eSports world as a side hustle and hobby. The competitive gaming world is a little foreign to many, but as Eric likes to point out, anyone who casually enjoys a game of Candy Crush on their cell phone is, in fact, an amateur gamer. The kids who hunker down for hours-long contests in front of computer or television screens are gamers, too. But like all our student-athletes, they are students first, and according to Eric, the “typical” game competitor is oftentimes a high-achiever in academics and life skills. 

For the college itself, starting an eSports team has also required multiple skills. A gaming room and adjacent broadcasting studio have been selected and are being renovated in the Industrial Technology complex at 2215 N. Kansas Ave., and our facilities team has been busy making sure all the details are in place, from electrical wiring to a wall painted the exact shade of Seward County green. 

“We’re getting the facilities, equipment, and layout set up so that it will be an ideal gamer space … and then we will start our recruiting process, which is very familiar to me,” Volden said. “I see an overwhelming response coming from our area, once it gets off the ground.”

Eric moved from Admissions to eSports on March 1, and while we will miss his presence in the main Hobble Building, and his expertise in connecting with our area schools and high school students, we are also eager to see him make an impact in recruiting for eSports. 

It’s a win-win for our area, for Seward, and most of all for the students who will be on campus, in our classrooms, and building positive futures for themselves. Esports, like traditional athletics, offers a world of opportunity with scholarships and transfer options. Students who excel also have a real shot at professional competition with cash prizes and travel opportunities. 

Of course, these new activities and initiatives at Seward join a full roster of thriving athletics teams and student life offerings. As spring goes on, I hope you will join us in the outdoor fan sections for women’s softball, baseball, and tennis — which is another example of cooperation with the city of Liberal and our excellent parks facilities. Keep an eye out for news about our Saints Scholars Quiz Bowl team’s recent trip to national competition in Chicago, the newly formed SCCC student leadership group, which will be participating in a conference at Washburn University, and our HALO club for Hispanic leaders. We’re proud of all these SCCC students, who embody our core values of diversity, inclusiveness, innovation, and integrity. When you see them in action, you can’t help but say, “Go Saints!”

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is SCCC President, and a professional fan of any competition our Saints students take on. He’s brushing up on soccer rules and the vocabulary of the eSports world, and plans to be ready by August. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

February 22, 2023

Saints Ahead Scholarship can move the county from least educated to its highest potential

At Seward County Community College, there’s never a shortage of good news and exciting developments. Last week, it was the rollout of our new Saints Ahead Scholarship.

And, when it comes to “new” and “exciting,” this scholarship lives up to the requirements: it’s a game-changer for individual students, their families, their communities, and by extension, the entire Southwest Kansas region.

This program is designed to help students in our area gain a “head start” in their quest to gain access to higher education. The data tells us that high school students who complete that first 15 to 18 credits of college work have a significantly higher rate of completing a college degree. And, students who complete two years at SCCC outperform their peers who went directly from high school to a four-year institution. The quality of instruction they receive at Seward is unparalleled, and sets them up for bigger achievements as they progress. 

So,the Saints Ahead Scholarship truly has the power to change lives. 

It offers tuition coverage for all Seward County high school students at Liberal High School and Southwestern Heights who take college courses while they are still attending high school. It is also open to homeschooled students who live in Seward County, and those enrolled in the private Fellowship Baptist Academy, located in Liberal.

This scholarship goes beyond the career and technical education classes that have been covered for several years through the SB155 and “Excel in CTE” programs funded by the state of Kansas. CTE classes are still covered, but we’ve eliminated the gaps. Now, high school students can enroll in any classes at SCCC (that they are academically ready to take) that are not already funded, whether those are concurrent, online, Blendflex, or even evening classes. All options are now open. Best of all, they are completely tuition free.

The Saints Ahead Scholarship also provides assistance to high schoolers in six additional Kansas counties served by SCCC, starting with the fall semester 2023. Those counties, Meade, Haskell, Morton, Stevens, Grant, and Stanton, contain 11 public high schools. We’re offering a flat rate of $50 per class for our Outreach area.

Our Seward County residents are already paying taxes to support SCCC but we want to extend a similar opportunity to our entire service area.

I’m proud of SCCC for creating the Saints Ahead Scholarship, in part because Seward County has the lowest formally educated population in the state. This is not a statistic to be proud of; in fact, when I heard about the data, I felt a wave of shock and dismay.

But that response was immediately followed by a new sense of purpose. This is a situation that comes with a solution close to home: SCCC has the ability to make a tremendous difference for good, and to move the needle in the right direction. It’s a great opportunity for the Saints family and the community we serve.

It starts one student at a time, as our partners at USD 480 know well. I announced the Saints Ahead Scholarship on Thursday with Liberal’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Todd Carter. He is familiar with the barriers and challenges that many students and their families face.

In fact, utilizing ESSER funding, emergency relief designed to help public districts recover from the impact of the pandemic, USD 480 committed to covering the cost of their high school students enrolled in college work during the current academic year. Their commitment started what I think of as a large-scale, academic relay for change, and the Saints Ahead Scholarship is SCCC’s way of picking up the baton from the district and continuing the momentum. 

Dr. Carter’s vision is to provide access and opportunity for all students to build post-secondary experiences into their Individual Plans of Study, and he says the Saints Ahead Scholarship does just that. 

“Removing the cost barrier makes post-secondary certifications and degrees a very real possibility that students and families can plan for. The result is motivation to take control of their future early and turn their plans into action,” he said.

I couldn’t say it any better.  If we can help reduce the overall debt for our students and provide them with a quality education it is a win-win. And that’s not just for high school students in Liberal and rural Seward County.

We are going to work hard to provide more opportunities for our communities in the coming years. We will be hosting town halls at each of the communities in the coming months. While we are ironing out the details for this new scholarship we are excited about the opportunity this provides us.

Seward County Community College is known across the state as the college that dismisses classes for Pancake Day. We’re known across the Jayhawk League and in the NJCAA for our incredible fan base and high attendance at home sporting events. We live in the town that claims a spot in the magical world of Oz, where Dorothy’s House is a real place.

One thing we don’t want to be famous for is being the least-educated county in the state. I’m determined to change that, starting right now. Our SCCC Board of Trustees committed to pilot this Saints Ahead Scholarship for two academic years, and that gives us a solid start in turning the corner for Southwest Kansas and the people who call it home.

Our hope is that the Saints Ahead Scholarship will be a force for good that sets high school students, first generation Saints, and their entire families on that path to success.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and the proud son of a mom who believed in the power of education to change lives. He’s also the spelling study partner for two elementary school daughters. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

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February 15, 2023

When I first submitted my application for the President’s job at Seward County Community College I did what all people do: I started to read about life in Liberal. 

Of course Pancake Day was at the top of all the articles I was reading. 

I’ll admit, my reaction at the time was on the dismissive side. Pancake Day? That was just some sort of random observance a community was claiming, right? 

Oh boy, was I wrong. 

Unlike the “Hallmark holidays” and industry inventions (like “National Fruity Drinks Day,” or “American Egg Producers Month”) Pancake Day in Liberal symbolizes so much more. 

It is who we are, from our down-to-earth culinary preferences to our highest aspirations. 

We are a community that supports one another, from attending church together to buying local and having fun at the Duck Race to cheering on the Liberal High School Redskins and the Seward County Saints. We cherish our local history, and see the agricultural, ranching, and energy industry ways of life as something worth preserving. The “jewel in the crown,” of course, is Pancake Day when we cancel school and spend the day together on Shrove Tuesday. 

For those who are new to Liberal, it might be helpful to take a quick tour of the history of Pancake Day. Our local tradition started 74 years ago. That’s still pretty recent compared to the festivities in our sister city of Olney, England, where they have been flipping and running for hundreds of years. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Think back to the postwar years in the United States — post World War II, that is. For Americans who had survived World War I, which everyone referred to as “The Great War” and thought of as “The War to End All Wars,” the arrival of World War II signified the unthinkable. Its end did not settle the sense of unease. Hitler and the Nazis committed atrocities, Pearl Harbor was attacked, and it took an atomic bomb to end the conflict. Would there ever be peace?

R.J. Leete, a local businessman and civic club member (the Jaycees Club), read a magazine article depicting the old English tradition of pancake racing on Shrove Tuesday. The good-natured contest ended with a “kiss of peace,” and peace sounded like just the thing the world needed. Leete reached out to the vicar of Olney, where the tradition had flourished for more than 500 years. Their transatlantic correspondence blossomed into a friendship that both men hoped would prove an example of the real possibilities of peace between nations. 

Liberal residents embraced the idea, and community members pitched in with enthusiasm. It’s the same “can-do” willingness I’ve seen since moving here with my family. People in Liberal show up for each other. They help unpack moving vans. They cook meals for lonesome international students and hungry athletes. They raise money for families who lost their homes to fire, or who fell on hard times due to medical crises. They re-home lost dogs. And in February, they even sew child-size aprons for friends who don’t know how to thread a needle, and flip hundreds of pancakes for hungry crowds. 

SCCC’s team of contestants from the 2022 International Pancake Day Men’s Pacer race.

My wife Lindsay and I have been married almost 16 years. When we met she had never experienced a small town, much less called one home. Fast forward to today: she not only embraces life in the heartland of America, she loves every aspect of it. This will be fully evident as she runs in her first Pancake Day Race Feb. 21. She’s in good Bennett company, as MaryBelle and Madeline will run in their respective youth events. I have to admit, I am glad I paved the way with my own appearance in the men’s Pacer Race another year. There’s no need for me to put on an apron, but I’ll be cheering the girls on with enthusiasm.

Community, small town, that’s who we are. There’s no place my family would rather be then in Southwest Kansas and ready to celebrate Pancake Day.

EDITOR’S NOTE — SCCC President Brad Bennett’s participation in the men’s Pancake Day Pacer Race was a “one and done” athletic venture. These days, he is looking forward to getting reacquainted with soccer as the college prepares to add men’s and women’s teams to the Saints Athletics family. Contact Brad at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

•••

February 8, 2023

President Bennett goes to Washington to represent SCCC

I am writing this from our nation’s Capitol, where I traveled this week for the Association of Community College Trustees National Legislative Summit. These few days allow college trustees, administrators, and presidents to advocate for the wonderful community colleges across our country. 

In the United States, we have a long tradition of talking about government of the people, by the people, for the people. Sometimes, I think we become jaded and wonder if that is really true. Yet whenever a group of citizens from across the country are able to travel to Washington D.C. to meet with legislators and talk about concerns, just as the ACCT is doing this week, we see evidence that many things about our political system are indeed functioning. 

For example, as a group we are voicing a strong support to open up Pell Grant funding for shorter credit-hour programs. We know that Pell Grant recipients are already screened for income eligibility and family/personal status. When a student qualifies for Pell, it is a sign that we, as community colleges, are reaching the exact demographic that community colleges were created to serve — people who, for whatever reason, find it hard to gain access to a college education. 

Improvements like the Pell Grant proposal make a huge impact on our students and our institution. Oftentimes, elected officials have moved so far from wherever they started, both geographically and socially, they might not remember what it’s like for the people in their districts. That’s another reason ACCT makes the annual trip to the capitol: as public, tax-supported institutions, we know it’s our duty to ensure we serve our communities down to the individuals who enroll to attend.

This week, I was able to meet with our representatives providing an update about our campus, community, and what we believe is important as we scan the horizon for upcoming changes. Of course, one of the nearest things on the horizon is International Pancake Day, which is always fun to discuss; but what I focused on with our representatives was more practical. 

On Tuesday we had several members of the U.S. Congress visit with our group. I was asked to introduce Senator Roger Marshall from the great state of Kansas. Senator Marshall serves on the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Senate Committee. It was a wonderful honor for me personally, but also great for our community and Seward County Community College. 

Like many of our Saints, Senator Marshall is a first-generation college student who began his higher education career at a two-year institution. He is an alumnus of Butler County Community College. 

He has also made numerous trips out west to see his constituents in Liberal and the surrounding communities, so he is all too familiar with the distances that span our state, the highways that connect them, and the long-haul trucks that sometimes crowd the lanes. 

With our upcoming expansion of the truck driving and diesel technology programs, we are actively looking for congressional support. It’s my hope that representatives along the way, including Sen. Marshall, will see the importance of strengthening our American roadways, delivery networks, and workforce development. In Southwest Kansas, where we grow crops, raise cattle, and manufacture finished food products and resources needed by the nation, it’s vitally important for us to continually improve our education and delivery supports. 

Those were some of the thoughts on my mind as I waited to introduce our Senator. I was also laughing a little bit as I noticed I had on my “Old Glory” American flag socks: I had pulled them on that morning, not knowing I would be called upon to introduce a U.S. Senator. At that moment, it just felt good to be a citizen of this country. I know we have a great political divide in our nation, but there are still good people coming together to help our students.

What an honor to be able to meet with several of them this week — including Sen. Jerry Moran, who plans to join us in Liberal for Pancake Day.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and the father of two daughters who often pick out his socks for the day. He prefers being on campus to traveling across the country, and you are welcome to stop by and visit when you are in Liberal. Email brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

February 1, 2023

Core values, integrity, and Groundhog Day traditions

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January 27, 2023

Breaking bread to break barriers and grow relationships

Meals are something that drive so much of our lives. Everyone needs to eat, and to rest, even though the busy pace of the world has changed the way families especially provide nourishment to growing children. There was a time when family dinner was the standard and it is still something many of us prioritize. 

Here at Seward County Community College, we find a way to celebrate and eat together, not just at regular meal times but at meetings and small celebrations “just because.” At the end of the semester, our Human Resources department set up a gourmet hot chocolate station outside the office, and welcomed employees to stop by, sip something sweet, and share compliments. When our supervisors meet monthly to fine-tune their management skills and stay current on campus policies, they usually do so over a snack. 

It’s not really about the food. It’s about friendship, conversations, and enjoying each other, the same as it is for our families when we gather for a weeknight supper at the table or a movie and pizza. 

That’s the driving force behind our “Taste of Kansas” event scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, at the Student Union. This giant, multicultural potluck meal celebrates all the flavors and cultures to be found in Kansas, with a very personal twist. Every one of the cooks who has signed up to participate is asked to share why the food they bring is important to them. The answers are fascinating and fun. Often, people share treats they remember eating as children in their grandmothers’ kitchens. Others deliver dishes from other countries they visited or lived in. All these examples show how powerful food can be. It brings back memories, preserves family heritage, and crosses boundaries to create new and lasting friendships. 

It’s impossible to underestimate the power of “breaking bread together” to forge strong bonds. In ancient times, newcomers to a person’s doorstep often brought bread or salt as a kind of peace offering, and in many places, once you had invited someone to eat at your table the relationship was considered to be almost like a contract to be honored. 

At SCCC, we try to replicate that kind of warmth and respect. I look forward to the times when I have the chance to host employees at my home for a BBQ or treat student athletic teams to a meal at a local restaurant. Many days, you can find instructors and students, coaches and team members, and community fans all dining together in the SCCC cafeteria. 

And of course, every semester as finals loom, we host the popular “Moonlight Finals Breakfast,” free of charge to all students. The executive team puts on aprons and staffs the griddle to serve pancakes, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and all the trimmings. It’s a late-night expression of support for the students. 

Sharing those moments is good from the administration, coaching, and faculty side: there is nothing like talking to students one-on-one and getting to know their personalities, back stories, struggles and triumphs and dreams to keep us all focused on why we do what we do. And it’s good for the students, too: they are far from home, family, and familiar experiences. Sometimes, the best medicine for a homesick spirit or a sore body is feeling accepted and seen — and fed. 

The Taste of Kansas event should bring some of that feeling to everyone who attends. It is open to the public, friends of SCCC, and everyone on campus. If you are able to bring food, please do. But don’t stay away if you are unable to cook. The idea is to share what we have and celebrate the good things about being here in Kansas, in Seward County, in Liberal, on campus, together. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and an experienced barbecue master. He also washes dishes, though that can present some health hazards as he recently experienced with an exploding glass. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

January 20, 2023

Feeling the love, working for justice: SCCC honors MLK

The Seward County Community College campus was closed Monday in recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. In fact, the Saints got an early start observing the legacy of Dr. King on Friday morning, when the local MLK Scholarship organization hosted a breakfast and fundraiser on campus. 

Even though the MLK Scholarship has been a local tradition for many years, this was the first time SCCC was involved with a celebration. It was a beautiful way to start the day, literally, as the group chose a Valentine’s/Love theme for the carefully decorated tables. I was also glad to see a cross-section of community members attending. Folks from the City of Liberal, USD 480, and the Liberal Area Coalition for Families, along with local church members, students, and SCCC administrators, trustee Kay Burtzloff, and staff members all sat down together to enjoy pancakes, bacon, and eggs.

Faculty were unable to attend due to teaching obligations. That’s a fitting detail, as their work achieves just as much good for the causes championed by Dr. King as our celebration did. They were busy providing what our students need to claim their share of the American dream.

During the breakfast, emcee Linda Whyte, spouse of pastor and event speaker the Rev. Larry Whyte, encouraged attendees to stand and read quotes from Dr. King interspersed with the centerpieces. Later, more quotes from Dr. King came to mind when thinking about what the college aims to do for our students, whatever their skin color or background: “Love that does not satisfy justice is no love at all,” and “It seems to me that education has a two-fold function to perform in the life of man and in society: the one is utility and the other is culture. Education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life.”

Justice and education, the ability to reach big goals. At SCCC, our mission statement speaks to these ideas: “Seward County Community College provides opportunities to enrich and improve each person’s life and the advancement of the community and those we serve.”

Students of United States history can’t help but be aware that such opportunities have not always been available to each person. The long-term results show the difference in having a college degree, the ability to earn better wages, and the economic and social advancements that flow from both those achievements. 

I often remind our faculty and staff that SCCC is all about second chances. Many of our students are the first in their families to walk through the door of higher education. Many are “returners,” students who tried college years ago and stopped attending because they didn’t believe it was for them. Some walked away because, as our former colleague Dr. Todd Carter pointed out, “life happens” in the form of a house fire, a sick child, a car accident, or the pressures of trying to balance work and studies. 

Second chances are not just for individuals, however. Second chances are also for systems, cultures, and societies. We often hear life coaches and public speakers say that life is a long series of choices to “grow or die.” SCCC is a great example of this principle. We continually strive to grow, whether that means reviving a long-dormant program like agriculture, expanding our CDL and diesel departments, or offering an incredibly wide variety of continuing education classes through Business & industry. 

We also provide our students and community the opportunity to grow through embracing diversity and inclusivity. More than 30 international flags in our student union recognize the many students from around the world who have contributed to a campus culture that welcomes different perspectives. Our students have the opportunity to sit in class alongside peers who may have grown up in Kansas, but speak only Spanish at home, or who arrived in Liberal after years in refugee camps in Africa or Asia. There’s so much to learn from our fellow humans, whether they are classmates or students enrolled in a course we teach. 

Along with celebrating the person Dr. King was and the progress we have made to achieve some of the goals he dreamed of, SCCC is committed to continuing the work he began. It’s a process of growth, and it is worthy of our best efforts.  

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, where second chances are available to everything except college vehicles with mileage exceeding 150,000 miles. Contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

 

•••

January 13, 2023

January 6, 2023

ALICE comes to the Home of the Saints for training

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December 13, 2022

At the end of the year, we look back to highs and lows

With less than twenty days left in 2022 we are close to a whole slew of “Year in Review” lists. There must be something about humanity that drives us to compile lists, to count, to tally up possessions and experiences and wins. But this column is no “naughty and nice” scoresheet. Instead, let’s take a look at 10 memorable moments in the Saints Family in 2022.

• February: The Giant Presidential Swap that affected everything in 2022. Just as President Greg Gunderson (#12)  settled in to his role in September 2021, he encountered unforeseen challenges that required him to step down and take care of loved ones. Brad Bennett (#11) came back, and the entire campus did a double take at our new, old president (#13). It felt a little bit like Ground Hog Day (the movie) but in a good way.
• February: National Contenders in Quiz Bowl. Our inaugural Quiz Bowl Team ranked thirteenth in the nation and got an invitation to the national tournament on February 26, 2022. Due to Covid, they played virtually via zoom. Way to whip out those answers!
• May: National Winners in Tennis. Seward County Community College claimed a program’s first National Championship when the  Saints won three finals championships on May 20, 2022, to secure the National title outright. Karlo Krolo and Kyllian Savary won in their singles final and Luke Quaynor and Savary won their doubles match to give the Saints the final 45 points in the tournament.
• May: As part of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, the college was awarded a $1.8 million grant to improve its facilities for its truck driving and diesel technology programs. The funds will be used to build a truck driving facility and expand the diesel technology building.  “It’s exciting for us and the area to be able to build a new truck driving school and accommodate a lot more students in an area of such high demand,” said SCCC President Brad Bennett, adding that “it’s also going to be a huge expansion for diesel technology as well.”
• July: Loss of a Saints original. We still can’t walk past the former office of Seward County Community College mainstay Frances Brown, who died suddenly in July, without feeling a pang of sorrow. Frances began her career at Seward in 1997, where she taught developmental English and was a former Director of Academic Achievement. She was also an advisor for the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO), active with the Saints Booster Club, and a Mentor for SCCC Migrant Education Program. Frances was “the person who always showed up,” recounted VP of Academic Affairs Luke Dowell. We all miss her.
• August: Agriculture Revival. Will Milashoski and Rachel Sirek-Milashoski arrived on campus over the summer and began to revitalize the ag program and livestock judging team. Will aims to “make it a point of pride for the community,” he said. “I hope to grow the agriculture program, not just in the number of students, but also in its quality of programming by offering a unique set of opportunities, from Block & Bridle events to community outreach to having animals on campus.” Spouse Rachel added that her vision for the department is “not only to serve our community, but to also help SCCC continue its role as a unique college within the state of Kansas, drawing students from our service area and beyond with on site animals, thriving greenhouses, and amazing courses.”
• September: Record-breaking Generosity at Foundation Auction The numbers are in, and it’s official: the 2022 SCCC Foundation Party Auction raised a record amount, nearly $97,000 for student scholarships and programs. SCCC Chief Development Officer and Associate Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Engagement Sarah Thompson reported that the 28th annual event was a huge success.  “It took a little while for us to calculate the totals, and we are thrilled to reach this all-time high amount of funds raised,” said Thompson. “I was blown away.”
• October: SaintsUP Pantry Opens. Seward County Community College students should never go hungry — and thanks to a new project on campus, Saints have another source for nourishment and supplies.The ABPS Division project SaintsUp Pantry, offering food and necessities, opened Oct. 3, 2022. The event was the culmination of a months-long project supported by the college, students, and community members. “The pantry was proposed and designed by the ABPS division, and the enthusiasm continues as we work with students in the programs.” said Deedee Flax, Division Chair of agriculture, business, and personal services. “We realized that many of our students struggle with food insecurity and the business division wanted to do something to help. It’s a great project for our division, and more importantly, it’s going to do a lot of good for all students on campus.”
• October: National Winner in Tennis.  Carol Mora won the women’s tennis program’s first ITA national championship as Mora was crowned the top JUCO singles player in the nation. Mora battled back after a set down to defeat the top seed Arina Gamretkaia from Hillsborough Community College 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the championship match on October 15th, 2022. With the victory, Mora makes school history with the first women’s ITA championship and will enter the spring season as the No. 1 player in the nation.
• November: National Contenders in Volleyball. Seward County Community College claimed the Region VI and Plains District championship with a 3-1 victory over Butler Community College on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. The Lady Saints advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament in West Plains, Missouri, where they claimed the 11th spot and many honors.
• November: Allied Health purchased three ventilators for its respiratory therapy program with funding through an $80,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation.  Janae Zachary, program director for respiratory therapy at SCCC, said students will have the opportunity to receive more individual attention when using a ventilator.   “It allows our students to have a one on one (student to ventilator experience),” Zachary said, adding that the new equipment is also an upgrade in technology, which will help out with distance learning. ” The Patterson Family Foundation, based out of Kansas City, Mo., is a family-led foundation extending the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson, which strives to help rural communities through health care, education, economic opportunity, and beyond.
• December: Progress continues on Phase 2 of the Sharp Family Champions Center, with wall framed and plumbing underway. We’re getting closer and closer to a completed, useful building for Saints athletes and our community!
• ALL YEAR LONG: Community Blitz!  President Brad Bennett has mentioned more than once that he aims to give away 25,000 T-shirts so that he’ll see green everywhere he goes. We’re making progress, with well over 10,000 distributed. And the Saints showed up for more than giveaway opportunities: we also participated in parades and community events throughout the region, bringing along our Mascot Louie, and even the two campus goats.

EDITOR’S NOTE — This week’s Saints Voices column was compiled by the SCCC Marketing & PR office, and is subject to additions because nobody’s memory is perfect and there’s never a shortage of good news to report. 

•••

December 6, 2022

Saints pride and community support go hand in hand

With the holidays in full force, encouragement to buy local and support small businesses is all around. It makes sense to take this seriously, especially in light of the challenges small businesses have faced over the past few years — pandemic shutdowns, economic instability, and continuing supply-chain interruptions.

One of my main goals over the next five years is a real focus on deferred maintenance and freshening up the campus. The world of higher education funding is extremely complex and funds are allocated for certain projects or have certain limitations. In a lot of ways, it’s like working a giant puzzle. We continue to make substantial progress with the visual aspects of our campus. Prioritizing local vendors is just another factor to consider.

At Seward County Community College, we do our best to follow the advice to “shop local,” especially when it comes to big ticket items. Last week, our trustees did exactly that, awarding around $300,000 of project bids to local businesses.

This is nothing new — Work is already underway on replacing the worn carpet in the upper level of the Student Union, where our SCCC Development office is located. There’s also a highly-desirable study and hangout area on the mezzanine, where students love to gather, and we are replacing the furniture there to make it more welcoming and useful. We relied on local vendors to provide the labor and the supplies and we’re excited to see it come together.

The project will have an immediate impact on our campus community when everyone returns in the new year.

The projects that got the green light last week span campus from top to bottom. The biggest of the three was the approva to remove and replace the fascia and soffits on our technical campus. If you take a look at the current state there is a terrible amount of dry rot that will be replaced with a metal material that will last for an extremely long time. Look for our school colors proudly displayed on everything from the rain gutters to entire walls.

The board also approved a local bid to replace worn carpeting in our Agriculture building, where the classrooms are filling up as we revamp the entire program with new instructors Will and Rachael Sirek-Milashoski. The campus goats even got new cedar groundcover to spruce up their section of the complex. And, soon you will see lighted signage on the college’s main campus buildings, so that visitors can find their way at evening events, thanks to a local bid approved to brighten and lighten our campus. I can’t wait to see the final results.

In the same way, from print jobs to custodial supplies, we do our best to buy local and support area businesses. It’s the way communities, especially rural communities, stay strong. There are no delivery drones involved, and a quick visit with the person doing the work is a feel-good bonus.

There is also a great feeling when we interact with business and industry within our service area. Throughout the semester, we have relied on feedback from industry partners and local professionals to fill in the gaps for students and for our campus operations. There’s no way to say “thank you” enough times to express how much we value this kind of partnership.

When we attended the Christmas parade last weekend, it was great to see the lights, the decorated lamp posts, and the storefronts lit up on Kansas Avenue. People who have not experienced the warmth and belonging that is the trademark of small-town America do not know what they’re missing.

The week ahead is quieter than usual on campus, as students have wrapped up their semester finals and headed home. A few are sticking around over the holiday break, and we’re taking good care of them, with the dorms officially open for the first time, and limited cafeteria service through Dec. 15. For the remainder of the break, our coaches, staff, and Saints family will be making sure no one goes hungry.

As far as work at SCCC goes, we are still on the job through Dec. 21. Monday, Dec. 12, we will hold a legislative luncheon on campus for our elected officials. This is an event I am happy to host in collaboration with officials from the city of Liberal, Seward County, USD 480, and even Southwest Medical Center (Trustee Keeley Moree). The legislators come through the area for Town Hall meetings and forums, but this is our chance to highlight what is going on at SCCC, and keep our achievements and goals on the radar at Topeka and even Washington, D.C.

If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping, you can probably guess my advice: buy local. Have a great week gearing up for the Christmas break!

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and the assistant elf-on-a-shelf wrangler at his house. Compared to the rules that come with Christmas elves, he is more than ready to take on the Kansas Board of Regents. Contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

•••

November 16, 2022

The pre-Thanksgiving dinner list for SCCC

The Bennett family has a tradition every year that before we have Thanksgiving dinner we all must verbally explain what we are thankful for. It is has been funny watching the girls grow as it went from comments that they were thankful for their teddy bear to now being thankful for their family. I am thankful for each face around the table — and also thankful that our own table is securely located in our home in Liberal, and that we do not have to weather yet another move with all the packing and unpacking that involves!

In keeping with that practice, I’ve been reflecting on the Saints family’s list of reasons for gratitude. Seward County Community College has so much to be thankful for.

We are so lucky to be in Southwest Kansas to serve the many communities we consider part of ours. Our 11 Outreach high school districts work tirelessly with us to serve the high school students that we count as a valuable part of our college. We are so glad to participate in many smaller-town customs and events, and always feel welcomed when we travel to parades, football games, academic awards, and chamber of commerce festivities.

Here at our campus in Liberal, we are so thankful for the extreme level of support from the community members who travel from near and far to cheer us on. Our athletics programs are the object of envy across the conference and the nation: the Saints have a reputation for incredible fan support in the Greenhouse and even on the road.

The same applies to our concerts, student fundraisers and club events, and academic programs. From the recent popcorn sales by the Saints cheerleaders, to the handmade scented candles sold by the Pathways STEM club students, to the fundraiser for Angels for Animals that our Hispanic Leadership club HALO sponsored, we are always blown away by the positive response from the community.

In a similar vein, we are thankful for the relationships we have built with many organizations in the community. The Liberal Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club, and the Lions Club all meet on our campus, and we love seeing those members on a regular basis. Special events like the recent Veterans Day panel discussion, co-sponsored by the High Plains Daily Leader and EPIC Communications and SCCC, brought us all together in a show of respect and appreciation for those who served.

So many groups traverse the campus — elementary and middle-school tours, guests at information sessions for agriculture, Allied Health, cosmetology and social work. Nonprofit groups like the Southwest Symphony Society and Rainbow Players. We are thankful for the perspectives they bring and their contributions to a vibrant campus life.

We are thankful for our employees in so many ways. The instructors and staff members who unfailingly support our students. Administrators who tackle tough issues and advocate for the college to be the best it can be. Our board members, who show up for meetings, events, and even travel to state and national gatherings to represent us with class and integrity.

On a more personal note, I’m thankful for the bright moments when we gather together, like the costume party and scavenger hunt at Halloween, the meetings that sometimes end with laughter and good-natured teasing, and unexpected sweet treats, like the Cocoa and Compliments pop-up sponsored by the Human Resources department during the cold weather last week.

We often talk about the family feeling on campus, and it is true. We root for our colleagues when a cancer diagnosis darkens the horizon, and then we celebrate when they return to work. We grieve with those who have lost loved ones. We can’t wait to open the emails that announce a new baby or a big win. I’m thankful every day for this group of people, who are some of the best I’ve met in my time in higher education.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we are thankful for our students who have entrusted us with their education. On our campus, young men and women from more than a dozen countries play on athletic teams, overcome their fear of public speaking, and conquer algebra. Students from all walks of life, income level, and ages, come together to chart new career paths.

When we hear about a successful alumni, we are eager to congratulate them and invite them back to campus to share what they’ve learned with our current Saints. There’s nothing like the feeling of belonging that develops as students work to better themselves and learn more about who they are and what they can achieve.

I hope you too can find a long list of reasons to be thankful this week. And I invite you to become part of the Saints family yourself, as a student, supporter, or Saints athletic fan. You can be sure we will welcome you into the fold.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. This Thanksgiving, his family took a short detour to see Santa at the North Pole (in Colorado), which meant someone else was wearing a Santa suit. He’ll be back in the office this week. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

•••

November 7, 2022

On Veterans Day and every day, service members deserve our thanks

On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918, the Armistice was signed, ending World War I, the “war to end all wars,” as it was known. We know now that phrase was optimistic, and wrong. World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Iraq, along with many more smaller military operations, have called servicemen- and women to combat.

Eventually, Armistice Day was changed officially to Veterans Day to celebrate all of our veterans. Here at Seward County Community College we are proud to support our veterans and are thankful for the sacrifices of our American heroes. This year on Tuesday, Nov. 8, we hosted a panel of Vietnam veterans moderated by Earl Watt and supported by EPIC Communications.

The vision for this event was to bring history to life for our students while honoring the people who served. Many times, the generations that follow times of conflict have only a printed page in a textbook, a website, or a social media post that falls far short of the ideal. It is one thing to hear or read about something that happened to someone else, and something much more powerful to come in contact with firsthand experience.

This week, in the Jesus A. Manriquez Showcase Theater on campus, we heard stories of experiences from before, during, and after the war. Sitting there in the theater, I know I was not the only person to be drawn in to the lives of Ivanhoe Love Jr., Ivan App, Delari George, and Ed Poley. The four men represented unique aspects of military service, from the processes of enlistment to their experiences during deployment. What they all had in common was an abiding sense of patriotism and love of country, as well as the reality of carrying a heavy burden away from the war.

The Vietnam War was particularly ugly part of U.S. history as so many Americans disrespected our heroes for simply doing what our country required them to do. But as our auditorium full of community members and students covering multiple generations watched and listened intently, there was nothing but respect. I saw tears and looks of astonishment and appreciation across the crowd. But above all there was understanding that while, as one of the panelists said, “war is ugly, but is also why we are all here.”

The event was meaningful to me, both as the president of SCCC and as an individual. While I was never in the military, I am a life-long historian and majored in history as my undergrad. I have always tried to learn as much as possible and work hard to pay respect and appreciation to our American heroes. Passing this awareness along to the young adults who are enrolled as students in the Saints family is an important part of my role as a leader, and as a parent to my own children.

Fifteen years ago, I visited the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in 2007. I was taken away by the peace and beauty of the cemetery. The crosses and the Star of David markers all faced west, facing home. The powerful silence in that place remains clear in my mind. We have a duty to keep the memory of such sacrifices alive. And to pass that awareness along to the generations that follow us.

As we remember and pay respect to our veterans and servicemen and women this week and we think about all the sacrifices that have been made I challenge you to pay your respects and teach your children about the history of our country.

Many thanks to Earl Watt and the High Plains Leader and Times, and most importantly to the four veterans who were willing to revisit a part of their lives that contained pain and darkness. Their ability to share memories and observations about the cost of freedom is one that does not come cheap. We are forever grateful.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and an unashamed patriot and history buff; just ask his grade-school daughters about the word “armistice.” You can contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

November 1, 2022

Saints — and goats — are back home on the farm at SCCC

Seward County Community College is in the heart of ag country. Western Kansas has more cows than we do people, so ag — whether you call it farming or ranching — is who we are and what we do. That goes a long way to explain why we’re so excited about the revitalization of our agriculture program. 

Last spring we made the decision to bring back livestock judging and focus on building our ag program. In previous years, the SCCC livestock judging teams were highly competitive and brought back enough trophies to fill a couple cases. We have a tradition of excellence in that area, but, like a lot of ag folks in the region, had wondered over the years if we should shift our focus to other specialties and approaches. At the same time, various factors in the economy and state and national policies did what they always do, shifting and changing.

Some things stay the same, however. I believe to have a quality ag program you have to have livestock judging. With the hiring two new ag instructors, Rachael Sirek-Milashoski and Will Milashoski, we gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in this area. Having grown up in rural Illinois, both of them understand the ups and downs that small operators have to weather. They also bring a level of enthusiasm and grit to the prospect of restoring our ag program to the glory it once was. 

They are not the only ones pitching in. SCCC Welding Instructor Jerad Nobles, a farm boy himself, has joined in with his years of experience. The entire biofuels team, which brings together instructors and students from agriculture, industrial tech, and even the business division, is also involved in growing soybeans and converting them into liquid fuel. 

A few weeks ago, as part of our campus clean-up day, around 30 employees focused on the ag area, collecting trash, removing old fence materials, and just plain doing chores where chores needed to be done. It was a good feeling to get our campus looking its best, and to do it as a team.

But where, as the old commercial asked, is the beef? Or at least the animals? No cattle have arrived on campus, but we have welcomed goats. They were a big hit at the Halloween Spook-tacular Trunk or Treat event for children. If you have to choose between collecting candy and petting an adorable, fuzzy goat — at least if you are some children — you might have a hard time deciding. The goats were popular, to say the least. 

The program itself is also growing. We aim to have 40 ag students enrolled by fall 2023, and we are well on the way with more than a dozen committed already. Will and Rachael represented Seward at the national Future Farmers of American conference in Indiana last month, an event that is attended by around 10,000 high school students. This week, they headed to Hutchinson for a high school expo that draws a crowd of 5,000. 

We’re also counting on our Saints alumni, former livestock judging team champions, and ag program supporters in the community to spread the word. Seward County Community College is still staking a claim on ag education, livestock judging, and a prosperous future for the region. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. While he is no farmer, he knows how to fish, handle a chain saw, and even scoop up the stray snake that slithers into his back yard. Contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

•••

October 25, 2022

Keeping an award-winning campus beautiful, one trash bag at a time

•••

October 18, 2022

It’s that time of year …. Saints basketball is coming soon

While we are in the midst of a conference championship race in volleyball, and celebrating our first national champion women’s single with Carol Mora’s ITA National Championship last week, we are also gearing up for basketball season.

That’s life in the Saints universe — the wins come so fast and furious, it is hard to keep up with what’s next!

Men’s and women’s basketball scrimmages are already occurring, and the home opener for our men is just 12 days away with women’s basketball taking the court shortly after that.

We are excited to see the Saints hit the hardwood. It is always a great sight as Saints fans make their way to the Greenhouse across our beautiful campus. Evening comes earlier, the campus is lit up in the crisp air, and our fall foliage coming into full effect. The smell of freshly popped popcorn, the sounds of fans talking about this year’s teams, and then the sounds and excitement of the game: it all comes together to create a signature Saints experience.

One aspect of basketball at SCCC is that it often provides women’s and men’s sports to be played back to back on the same day, providing over four hours of excitement. And, with a storied history that includes a national championship and many seasons of conference dominance, we always feel that thrill of excitement about what this season may bring.

The preseason rankings came out this week and while our women are not ranked (something I doubt will last long) our men hold a preseason ranking of 16^th. After checking in on practice for both teams I think we will see two very exciting teams hit the court each night. All in all it’s a great day to be a Saint!

Fall is not only about basketball, of course. As October winds down, we’re looking forward to resuming a popular fall tradition on campus: kids and candy. Pre-pandemic, SCCC hosted “Trick or Treat Street” in the student union, with campus clubs and organizations hosting carnival-style game booths. This year, we’re moving the fun out to the pumpkin patch, where agriculture students continue to cultivate the favorite of fall flavors. As in the past, this Halloween event will provide a safe, fun setting for young kids in costume, along with the feeling of an outdoor fall festival.

Join us on campus on Halloween night, next Monday, Oct. 31., 6-8 p.m., at the Agriculture buildings on the northeast side of campus — just across from the French Family Softball Complex.

The next day, of course, will be our first-ever SCCC Candy Buy-Back, at 5 p.m. in the Hobble Building. I will be paying $1 per pound of candy donated by children who have too much sugar to realistically eat and enjoy it all. The candy collected will go to U.S. military service members.

As we wrap up the second half of this fall semester, it’s not too early to look ahead to spring 2023. Enrollment for spring classes will open at the end of October. While SCCC’s enrollment remained steady for the fall, we would love to see a jump in numbers as students continue to return to the routine of in-person classes and campus events. It is truly never too late to follow your dreams, and with 46 programs available, we are committed to helping you pursue yours. Stop by campus to visit with an admissions counselor, register for classes, or even talk to an advisor to map out your own plan for success.

Until then, we welcome you to campus to cheer on our amazing student athletes, pick up a sweet treat or two, and then pay it forward with a care package for our military servicemen- and women. At SCCC, we’re all about making life a little sweeter and more successful for everyone who makes up our community.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and willing to go head-to-head with our mascot, Louie the Saint, for bragging rights as the Saints’ biggest fan. You can catch up with him in the Greenhouse bleachers, or email at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

•••

October 11, 2022

It’s a frog, it’s the Big Bad Wolf, it’s … the college president!

Halloween has traditionally been a time for kids (and some adults) to try out a different identity with a fun costume. It’s all in good fun, and nobody expects us to carry the costume over into real life. I’m not sure what the Seward County Community College employees would think if their president showed up at work dressed as The Big Bad Wolf from Red Riding Hood, or a Frog.

On Halloween, though, it’s a different story at the Bennett house. Lindsay and I committed to dressing up with the girls for Halloween as long as they wanted us. With MaryBelle being 9, and Madeline already 7, I know these moments are limited so I wear these silly and sometimes embarrassing costumes with great pride as my duty of being a “Girl Dad.” None of us is able to plan ahead in terms of who our children will be, or what being their parents will require. It is one of those surprises that life delivers to us, and something I value highly.

At SCCC, we are constantly watching our students go through a somewhat similar process — figuring out the basics of who they are, what they want to do, and how they plan to move forward as self-supporting adults. Sure, this happens partly in the classroom and the advising session. Students might come into college thinking they want to be doctors or lawyers, only to realize they don’t like classroom science enough to absorb eight more years of it. Or they might arrive with the idea that their love of working on cars is “just a hobby” and something less important than putting on a suit and tie for a 9-to-5 job. We love the moments when they discover there is room in adult life for all kinds of interests and pursuits, and sometimes the “big money” is achievable with a technical certificate.

But all learning does not take place in the academic world. We also strive to create a fun engaging culture for all. October has provided plenty of opportunities for students to engage with real-world issues in a way that connects to their current pursuits. The volleyball team will “dig pink” with a show of support for breast cancer survivors and fundraising at this Friday’s game. Later this month we will co-host a color run on campus with Liberal Area Rape Crisis/Domestic Violence Service to bring awareness to domestic violence, its signs and prevention.

Our employees will also be busy all month helping local and area high school students fill out the federal application for financial aid, a form fondly known as FAFSA. Look for their friendly faces at area “Apply Kansas” nights, or stop by campus to schedule a help session.

As Halloween draws near, the college will also host our first-ever Candy Buy Back. This event is a triple win, and it’s scheduled for Nov. 1. I will be paying $1 per pound for wrapped, kid-collected Halloween candy. The candy will then be boxed and sent to our troops. The idea is to reduce the amount the candy our little ones are consuming by giving them a fun alternative while showing our love and support for our troops.

Paying kids $1 a pound for their Halloween candy is a triple win. You solve the problem of too much sugar and all the health and behavior issues that can lead to, introduce entrepreneurship in everyday life, and you support our military. It is — Dad joke warning — a sweet setup.  The Candy Buy Back will occur from 5-6 p.m. in the student union outside of the bookstore.

We have a new committee on our campus which has the purpose of improving employee recognition and increasing morale. So, we will also be hosting our first-ever employee Halloween Party on the afternoon of Oct. 31. I’ve heard it will include games, a scavenger hunt, and work-appropriate costume contest. When you work as hard as our team does, it’s important to make time for team-building and fun as well. I have not yet revealed what my family-designed Halloween role will be this year, and I cannot promise to attend the party in costume. But I will provide pictures after the fact.

And I will be on campus  — as myself —  the day after for the Candy Buy Back.  I hope to collect 100 pounds, minimum.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and has not yet revealed to the public what he will be for Halloween. Hint: maybe he won’t tell because he is without a heart. Email him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

•••

September 28, 2022

Fall brings some of the same, some of the new

Fall arrived last week, the SCCC Foundation Auction hit record numbers, and we’re almost halfway through the semester. When people say time flies, I guess this is what they mean. 

Here at Seward County Community College, we are all enjoying the cooler temperatures and the feeling of fall. More than that, it’s amazing to feel a sense of normal life after two very strange years. 

During the pandemic, we heard a lot of conversation about what the “new normal” would look like, and how everything was going to be different in key ways. Like most predictions, this had a little bit of truth and a whole lot of active imagination. If I had to make a list of what’s “Old Normal” and what’s “New Normal,” I think it would probably come out even. 

In the Saints world, “Old Normal” things this year have included:

• Student clubs and activities. Our campus organizations are meeting regularly and sponsoring activities for their peers and the community. This week, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization welcomed Liberal City Commissioner and proud Saints alum Janeth Vazquez as a guest speaker. The club has also sponsored a blood drive and is collecting donations for the Liberal Animal Shelter. 
• On Wednesday, the campus club Messengers for Christ gathered around the flagpole for a sunrise prayer meeting. The global student morning of prayer is something that local school groups in USD 480 observed as well, and provided a meaningful point of connection for the Saints who participated. 
• Saints Booster Club is showing healthy growth and people are enjoying the monthly get-togethers at local restaurants after a long hiatus. We are always glad to see our fans in the Greenhouse, and it’s a pleasure to meet and greet them at social events as well.
• In-person classes continue to serve students on campus. Over the last year, we saw a renewed commitment from faculty and students who had missed having face-to-face interactions, group discussions in an actual room, and hands-on projects. 
• Moments that bring people together are possible once again. For example, students in Stan Sanko’s automotive technology class pitched in to perform a quick minor repair job for new agriculture instructor Rachael Sirek-Milashoski — and in return, she showed up with donuts the next morning. That Saints solidarity is what makes this campus special, and we love seeing it live and in action. 

So what is “New Normal” at SCCC? The pandemic taught us a lot of hard and sometimes frustrating lessons. We are still reflecting on the lessons we learned. New things we’re still absorbing include:

• The crazy new job market our graduates will enter (or are entering now, as most SCCC students work at least part-time). It’s no secret that employers are scrambling to attract people to fill jobs, and this changes the landscape for young adults. They can now be more selective about the jobs they accept, they expect higher wages, and they are not afraid to advocate for themselves. SCCC’s responsibility is still to equip them for the workforce, and to address these new issues.
• The same job market factors influence our own campus community of faculty and staff. There are several instructor positions that remain open, and we’ve embarked on a campus-wide discussion about the pay structure at SCCC. This is never an easy conversation, and I appreciate the PEA representatives and salary task force members who are contributing their time to this important issue. 
• We continue to cultivate outside funding sources, as the state of Kansas makes adjustments to how community colleges are supported. Over the past two years, our grant writer Charity Horinek has succeeded in obtaining $3 million in grant money. The recent SCCC Foundation Auction raised nearly $100,000 in one evening, thanks to our amazing community donors. Several entities and individuals took advantage of the Kansas Tax Credit opportunity that opened earlier this fall. These are all important steps in the direction of local and regional philanthropy. 
• Online course offerings continue to grow on our campus. While many students prefer face-to-face teaching, just as many need the flexibility of online instruction. We have expanded our online course offerings, and after the pandemic, we have seen all our instructors embrace the online platform with greater skill. We expect this will continue. 

One of the most comforting things in life is the way seasons change and we see cycles in nature and in our own families and friends as the years go by. The college is no different. We are enjoying the season we are currently in, and look forward to many more to come. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is president of Seward County Community College. He is already bracing himself for this year’s Halloween costume as selected by his wife and daughters — here’s hoping he doesn’t have to dress up as a frog for two small princesses. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

September 21, 2022

Hispanic Heritage Month is for all of the Saints family

Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 began on September 15 and runs through October 15. It’s a big deal for us at Seward County Community College. Hispanic heritage is so important to our students and the community we serve. Being federally designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, it is at the core of what we do and who we are.

But our relationship to Hispanic Heritage is about more than celebration. It must involve a deep understanding, and a commitment to include voices from the Hispanic community — which we need to view as also our community — in the conversations that drive change and make decisions.

To get to this point, we have to “do our own work,” as people often say. For instance, I am not a person of Hispanic origin, and so I am aware that there is a lot I don’t know. Instead of relying on my impressions of what Hispanic culture is, or my own life experiences, I need to ask a lot of questions. I need to be willing to notice when I am putting myself in the focus point instead of focusing on the students around me or the employees who are Hispanic and have insights I am likely to miss.

Obviously, learning more about Hispanic culture involves more than just enjoying our amazing local restaurants from Mexico and other Latin-American cuisines or knowing how to say “gracias!” I hope that our Saints family can continue to work harder on this skill set and get better. We have already made a great start.

Over the past few months, the college has been hard at work to form its new strategic plan for the next three years. Several parts of this process reflect the desire to be diverse and inclusive, especially in regard to the Hispanic population. We set up focus groups to gather information, and besides including one specifically for Spanish-speaking community members, we also invited Hispanic-identifying individuals and groups to take part in multiple sessions, including our Full Strategic Team.

In the end, everything the college does is focused on student success, which eventually translates into community-building. With a lot of our students in the “Gen Z” category, we know that this age group needs a direct, personal involvement in order to buy in to pretty much anything. They have to believe in a thing personally, see that it impacts them, and have a sense of ownership and investment if they are going to dive in and get involved.

With that in mind, it’s amazing to see the revamped and re-energized HALO club on campus. HALO (which stands for Hispanic American Leadership Organization) is a national group that works to empower Hispanic American youth with community service, training, and a sense of belonging. Our HALO club was sponsored for more than a decade by retired Saint Patsy Fischer and the late Frances Brown. For most people, HALO might be what they associate with the American Red Cross blood drives on campus. It’s a vital service to the greater community in Seward County.

This fall, SCCC employees Erika Espinoza and Karla Morales Escarcega took on sponsorship of HALO, and immediately recruited more than 50 members. It’s clear that our Gen Z students do indeed have a sense of personal connection and ownership. The club has big plans to get involved in campus life, seek out training and student-support programs, and, of course, continue those blood drives.

We are so grateful to Erika and Karla for mentoring and encouraging the students in HALO. And, we can’t wait to see what results as the students progress through college and leadership development.

One of the goals Dr. Todd Carter focused on when he served at SCCC was the idea that Hispanic students shouldn’t have to give up their sense of cultural pride in order to succeed — they shouldn’t have to “be more Anglo” in order to get good grades, be seen as intelligent, or find high-status jobs. We continue to build on those ideas, with a personal twist: those of us who are Anglo, while also keeping a sense of cultural pride, should do our part to get to know and appreciate our Hispanic friends and neighbors, especially within the Saints family.

In the end, we are all in it for the long run, and Saints stick together. So, during Hispanic Heritage Month, along with the jalapeno-eating contest, the great meals, and the programs designed to honor Hispanic-Americans of excellence, I hope we will all learn a little bit more.

Go Saints!  ¡Adelante, Santos!

Editor’s Note — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, where the goal is to be a little better every day. He cannot promise to apply this rule to the jalapeno-eating contest, but just about everything else is eligible. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

September 14, 2022

Don’t miss the SCCC Fall Festival Party Auction this weekend

•••

September 7, 2022

September is for suicide prevention

At SCCC and across the nation, let’s get rid of mental health stigma

For most of us, the “Top 10” lists we keep in mind are positive — the best birthday, the biggest surprise, and so on. I am betting you don’t spend a lot of time remembering the worst day of your life or the toughest time you went through, but I am also pretty sure that kind of a list would include events from the early years of adulthood. 

It’s not easy being the age that we see on campus at Seward County Community College. The late teens and early 20s are a time for finding out who you are and what you want to do with your life. It’s a time when you have a lot of questions and problems that seem bigger than anything you have experienced before. 

That is probably why mental health is such a big topic on campuses. That is especially true in September, which is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (or SPAM, which is not a great acronym, I will admit). 

You already know that I am a numbers and data guy, so I will share the statistics with you:

• Suicide was the twelfth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 45,900 people.
• Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10-14 and 25-34 , the third leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15-24, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44.
• There were nearly two times as many suicides (45,979) in the United States as there were homicides (24,576).
• Among adults across all age groups, the prevalence of suicide attempt in the past year was highest among young adults 18-25 years old (1.9%).

Here in rural America, it is easy to think that these national statistics are skewed by more urban parts of the country. But Kansas falls right in the middle of the trend, just like we are right in the middle of the country. We are not the worst in terms of suicide risk, but we are also not the best. 

For SCCC, any number is too high. We value each of our students, which is a driving force in many of the projects we tackle. Our thinking is, if an outreach effort or public campaign saves even one student life, it is worthwhile. 

Preventing suicide starts with education. Good thing we are an institution of higher learning! If you are concerned about SCCC Saints at risk for suicide, keep reading. 

According to social researchers, grief, isolation and fear caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are part of the picture. Over the last decade, other pressures on this young generation have been rising. The op reasons for suicide include depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges; substance abuse; exposure to violence, abuse, or other trauma; social isolation and loneliness; losing a family member to death or through divorce; financial or job loss; relationship conflicts; starting or changing psychotropic medications; feeling singled out or stigmatized; not having a support system.

A college cannot address all these complicated factors, but we are able to do several powerful things. This column is one of the best. We can take away the stigma of talking about mental health and suicidal thoughts. Counselors and psychologists have confirmed that talking about suicide does not “put the idea into people’s minds.” In fact, the silence around mental health challenges can make them worse, causing the person who is suffering to feel shame. 

This month, SCCC is rolling out a campaign titled “Green for Good” on campus. The goal is to educate our students, staff, and faculty about suicide risks, signs, and interventions. People who participate can pick up a Seward Green bandana and a resource card so that they can show they care to anyone who is struggling. Sometimes, all it takes is a smile and a short conversation to create a connection, and the connection turns into a life-changing moment. 

Partnerships with Southwest Guidance Center, the Liberal Area Rape Crisis / Domestive Violence Service, Liberal Area Coalition for Families, and the KU COPE program are providing the expertise we need to tackle this issue with confidence. These groups are already providing medical, mental health, and other assistance to community members, and SCCC is proud to stand with them in their efforts. 

We can’t end the conversation without mentioning one exciting new development: the 988 suicide prevention line, which is available everywhere and makes it a little easier to reach out for help in a crisis. If you don’t feel qualified to intervene in a crisis, you can remember this number and help others be aware. This is the shortcut to the traditional 1-800-273-TALK (8255) line that still operates as well.

We often say “Go Green” and “Saints Strong” to express our pride in the Saints community. “Green for Good” goes one step further, and reminds us that every person matters in the long run, and makes our Saints family an enduring force for good. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, part-time regional parade participant and landscape detailer on campus. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu or by calling 620-417-1010.  

•••

August 31, 2022

Small changes make big difference on campus

Looking at SCCC facilities with an eye for the future

When it comes to people, you often hear the phrase, “Grow or die.” That’s a pretty extreme way to promote a growth mindset and lifelong learning. It even sounds a little threatening. But it’s not wrong.

The equivalent for buildings might be “Improve or decay.” Between the natural elements of temperature, erosion, and weather, and the toll daily use can take on a doorway, for instance, it’s no surprise when things start to look a little shabby or creak when opened. Apply that process to the multiple structures that make up Seward County Community College, and you can see we have our work cut out for us.

The idea of improvement is front and center on campus these days. Like much of the world the campus stood still during the pandemic. Walking toward the Hobble Building or across the parking lot, it can feel a little bit like returning after a long absence.

From my point of view, there is the added angle of switching careers and then landing back where I belong. When you come back to a familiar place, sometimes you notice things that you had gotten used to — faded paint or a broken fence post. Most of us have experienced that when revisiting a childhood home or school. Things look smaller, and they are usually not improved by time — unless they are still in use and being cared for with intention.

That’s a big part of what is driving changes on the Seward County Community College campus, where we are in full-on, catch-up mode.

It’s amazing what a difference small changes can make. For example, the north- and south-facing doors on the newer wing of the Hobble Academic Building were recently painted with a fresh coat of Seward green. The vibrant color pops out against the bricks, and you can’t help but feel a little burst of Saints spirit when you enter the building.

Indoors, we are in the process of replacing worn carpet and flooring across campus. Some of this updates faded or worn-out materials. At the top of the list is the SCCC Library, which is slated for fresh paint and new carpet. The process has already begun with improvements to a large supply closet that is being converted to the SaintsUP food and essentials pantry for students.

Another high-traffic, high-demand area is the second-floor conference rooms in the student union. It’s not just our students who use this space, but the wider community as well. Civic groups routinely hold meetings in our “SW” and “SU” building and take advantage of the catering services provided by Great Western Dining.

On the one hand, our thrifty Midwestern ways can stop us from making improvements that might seem superficial. But it’s important to look at those environments with the question in mind, “Does this represent who we are?” — both as a college and a community. I will just put it out there, the wallpaper in the conference rooms has served its useful life with honor, but it is no longer who we are, and it’s going to be replaced.

A first wave of new signage has been installed on our campus with more to follow, the parking lot is being repainted, and roofs are being fixed. Clean-up days will continue. As I joked to one of our new employees, Athletic Coordinator of Operations & Eligibility Preston Caldwell, “Welcome to higher ed! Sometimes pulling weeds is what we do!” Give him credit, he pitched in with a smile.

My mom used to say that you can’t eat an elephant overnight and this how I currently see our campus. It is going to take several years to catch up on these projects and more, but as long as we are making continuous improvements, we are far from the danger zone of decay.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is leader of the weed-pulling, trash-collecting volunteer squad on campus. When he’s not coordinating clean-up, he serves as the 13th president of Seward County Community College. 

•••

August 24, 2022

SCCC, the definition of what college is supposed to be

When I first came to western Kansas as a teacher at Colby Community College I was surprised as the environment did not feel like a “community college” in the way that I was used to. I’m not sure where I got the idea that community college was somehow less than four-year college. Maybe it was the old label “junior college” that was stuck in my mind.

Like a lot of people, I probably picked up stereotypes about the community college experience — images that had to do with not being smart enough or wealthy enough or ambitious enough to go far away from a hometown, and instead “settling” for something easier.

By now, I know how wrong I was. My experiences at Colby quickly removed those misconceptions. Like peer community colleges across Kansas, and Seward County Community College, the atmosphere there had nothing “junior” about it.

The classes were tough and engaging. I know, because I taught some of them, and I had to step up to the examples set by my fellow instructors. This is the mode of operations at Seward, especially this year, when we have two executive team members, Vice President of Academic Affairs Luke Dowell and me, teaching in the classroom, along with the occasional dean or division director. It gives us all appreciation for our full-time faculty, who handle a much larger course load than a single class.

I also discovered the intense loyalty and buy-in that community college student athletic programs generate. In many public appearances and faculty and staff meetings, I’ve told the story of how, no matter how happy I was during my 13 years at Colby, I always felt a little envious of the Saints’ community support.

When I arrived in Liberal, I found out for myself what it means to “bleed green.” I am still amazed at how much enthusiasm and hands-on help the people in our community provide. I see families welcome student-athletes to their homes, going out of their way to provide hot meals and a sense of family. At Saints athletics home games, our fans are the best in our conference, bar none. We see retirees, third-generation families, even babies wearing Saints gear. It’s incredible, and encouraging, and a constant source of pride for us all.

If it was possible to send a message to the younger Brad Bennett, I would reassure him that there’s nothing second rate about the community colleges of Kansas. And there’s a lot to learn from the students who are here. They are smart. They are hungry for knowledge and opportunity. Most of our Saints are by no means wealthy, and that’s part of what motivates them to learn time management skills and soldier on when the semester becomes a struggle. How else will they put in the hours at their full-time jobs, their full class schedule, and their family obligations? They already know how to work, and they are determined to do right by their parents and siblings, spouses and chilren. They are so aware of those who have sacrificed so much to get them to this point and they plan to make them proud. The last time I checked, that is the definition of ambition.

All those feelings and the lessons that created them are alive and strong as we enter the second week of school. I walk across campus and see everything that makes a college experience real and life-changing. Athletics are kicking off. Student events are happening all over campus. The dorms are loud with laughter.

Community colleges in Kansas provide such a wonderful opportunity for our students and community. Here at Seward, students become a highly valued part of an all-encompassing campus that provides them with one-on-one educational resources to work-ready technical programs to transfer degrees. It’s the best of both worlds, based on the personal connections that make rural America the classic source of character development, work ethic, and civic engagement.

At the same time it’s the local equivalent of a small university or liberal arts college. Students can explore a wide variety of subjects, interests, extracurricular projects and clubs. We care about excellence; after all, quality is one of our core values. But we’re not interested in elitism or competition that crushes beginners and weeds out people who haven’t yet had an opportunity to develop their ability to speak in public, or sing in a choir, or create art, or shine on the quiz bowl team.

There’s room for everyone; in fact, there’s a sense that we need everyone to make it all work smoothly.

That’s what community is all about. It’s what makes a college of excellence, regardless of the size or location.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. He recently attended the council of presidents for Kansas community college and he won’t hesitate to tell his peers that he has the best job of them all. Just the facts. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

August 17, 2022

Despite time, teaching basics stay the same

Intro to Business brings president back to classroom

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August 10, 2022 : Saints Voices

Finding the right spot to grow is just the beginning

August 3, 2022 : Saints Voices

Welcome to SCCC, where education is personal and we will feed you pancakes

With the start of the new school year, we are welcoming many new employees to the Saints family and the community of Liberal. It’s an exciting time of year. Newcomers usually show up filled with optimism, a sense of purpose, and high energy. Old-timers welcome that fresh infusion of ideas and human capital, especially after the last few years we have all experienced.

Reflecting back on when I first came to Western Kansas to teach at a community college, I remember a sense of discovery. I had a perceived notion that a community college in rural Kansas would resemble a community college in a large city. I was definitely in for a surprise. Northwest Kansas is not at all like the Tulsa area, or Denver metro. The community culture is different, the students have life experiences that are centered on the area’s industry and economy, and commuters measure the trip to campus in mileposts, not minutes spent in traffic.

Many of our new employees are coming to us from out of state and while we try to portray the wonderful qualities of Southwestern Kansas it is difficult to paint a comprehensive picture. On the one hand, the enormous horizon, open landscape and extreme temperatures can be unsettling for someone who is used to trees and hills and water. On the other hand, our regional terrain is representative of what a person can do in this part of the world — the possibilities are vast, and opportunities are everywhere.

From the close-up perspective, I’m excited for each one of them to arrive on campus where they will find a wonderful group of people who are focused on two things. These are a caring culture and focus on student success. Outside the world of education, many people might assume that all schools, colleges, and universities are concerned about student success.

On paper, sure — but at Seward, students will find a unique place that puts action to those words. When we follow up with alumni, transfer students, and former Saints, we hear that they valued their time at SCCC because of the warm, welcoming atmosphere. “It’s the people who make it so great,” they say. They felt accepted and valued, and knew their instructors and staff truly cared about them.

That sense of belonging is not limited to campus, as our new employees will soon learn. They may very well be surprised at the high level of community support and the athletic backing of Saints Nation. SCCC is renowned for pulling record numbers of local fans to athletic competitions. We have a robust booster club that keeps growing. And on campus, we celebrate the wins, whether that is a Spanish-speaking student who aced the CLEP test and gained 10 credit hours on their transcript, to a student-athlete signing to play at the next level.

As we begin to incorporate our new employees into the college culture we will be introducing them to the community as well. Seward is proud to support the New Educators Breakfast, which is organized each year by the Liberal Area Chamber of Commerce for new teachers and instructors at USD 480 and SCCC. This event also gets our new educators in touch with each other, and gets those networking connections started.

At SCCC, we’ll be welcoming two new instructors to the agriculture program, as well as several English instructors, new coaches and staff in the athletic department, and support professionals across campus. Keep an eye on local media for interviews, guest appearances, and even an occasional speaking engagement at civic groups like the Rotary Club, Lions, and Kiwanis.

Of course, it is always a lot of fun to introduce our new employees to Pancake Day. How many colleges do you know who close campus and encourage employees to eat and flip pancakes, cheer on racers wearing aprons and headscarfs, and keep score in a contest that dates back more than 500 years? Last year, we sent a team of five men to compete in the “pacer race” before the big, official international competition. We also entered our Saints mascot, Louie, in the mascot race. Lady Saints volleyball players helped serve at the morning pancake breakfast.

In fact, at the end of each semester, our executive team takes a turn at the griddle to serve up pancakes, biscuits and gravy, omelettes and more at the free-to-students Moonlight Finals breakfast. One way or another, being at SCCC means a hot breakfast.

But that is months away. In the coming weeks, the newest members of the Saints family will be busy moving into offices, finding their way across campus, and getting a feel for Southwest Kansas. If you meet up with any of them, be sure to offer the legendary hospitality that gave Liberal its name. As a person who’s moved here twice in the past two years, I can say with confidence that there’s really no place like Liberal to call your home.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is happy to call Liberal home, though he is not planning to put on an apron and headscarf anytime soon. You can get to know him by stopping at the President’s office on campus, 1801 N. Kansas, emailing brad.bennett@sccc.edu, or calling 620-417-1010. 

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July 27, 2022 : Saints Voices

Summer memories set foundation for  future

Whether it’s ice cream or a fishing trip, those moments endure

For many of us, summers are so different than the rest of the year. Something about the change in weather and the change in schedule makes everything seem special.

Oftentimes traditions and food are nostalgic. It is not really about what we are eating, yet the taste and smell serve as a kind of memory holder in time. We have a rule in the Bennett Family that every fishing trip ends with ice cream. MaryBelle and Madeline sometimes eat all their ice cream, and sometimes they have only a few bites. It is the moments together reflecting on the time we spent that are important.

We all have different childhood memories that serve as placeholders. My dad lives in Northeast Oklahoma and our family has been traveling to Grand Lake Oklahoma since it was built. Earlier this summer, our family visited again, and I showed my girls the cabin my grandparents would take me to. Not much on the outside, it was basically a trailer with a small room and deck that my very skilled grandfather added over the years. But let me tell you — this place was awesome.

I can remember it like yesterday, and I found myself telling my daughters details about our trips there that I thought that I had forgotten. My grandfather — PaPa — was a tremendous welder and built a railing around the deck with welded fish cutouts every few feet. He had a small ski boat that we would always fish out of as well. We went early every morning we were there. Often it was him and my dad and me. I can recall the smell of the exhaust of that old outboard as we idled out for the morning with the sun not quite up. We would fish and laugh as my grandfather, like me, was always telling a story or playing a practical joke.

The deck had an outside charcoal griddle built by my grandfather, and I can recall smelling my grandmother (Nana) cooking biscuits and gravy on the deck. The delicious smell would go for miles, and that’s how we knew to come in when breakfast was ready.

No time, no cell phones, no text messages, just a very simple period in my life. While we know life is not simple and is constantly changing I have tried to replicate some of those memories for my kids.

I hope celebrating National Ice Cream month, which SCCC is doing for the second year now, will provide a positive memory holder for the children in Liberal. Maybe they picked up an ice cream sandwich during a trip to Memorial Library, or enjoyed the sweet treat after meeting our mascot Louie the Saint for the first time. If they rode their bicycles to the Liberal Recreation Center and arrived tired and sweaty during the hottest summer yet, SCCC offered a welcome bit of refreshment.

More than 70 children attended Kids College on campus this week, and they will be celebrating their accomplishments with a pool and pizza party with — you guessed it — ice cream. We hope to see them, and the others who have helped us celebrate National Ice Cream month, enrolled as Saints someday.

Looking back to my own memories, I can see that my grandparents gave me more than happy summer experiences. They were demonstrating the values they lived by. Hard work. Care for others. Using what you have to create goodness and joy. Patience, for sure, as anyone who goes fishing has experienced! In the same way, our team at SCCC constantly works to provide positive and life-changing experiences for our students.

Everyone on campus is already gearing up to welcome our 2022-23 students in less than a month. It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to a close. Professional development days are scheduled for the first week of August, and classes begin on Aug. 15.

There is still plenty of time to enroll in classes, and we are ready to make it happen. Whether you are a recent graduate of high school, a returning student, or someone looking for a career change or a fresh start, we are here for you. Seward offers more than 40 programs of study, from agriculture to vocal music. The possibilities are endless, but we know they lead to success: our Saints can expect to earn $10,000 more per year, compared to those with a high school diploma, after they graduate with a certificate or associate degree.

Summer hours continue for the rest of July, which means we are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starting in July, campus will go back to regular hours, which are 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

So, make a little time to stop by Seward and enroll. You never know, we might even be handing out ice cream.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of SCCC, and the occasional host of a backyard fishing class — just ask Kids College students. You can email him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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July 20, 2022

Give yourself credit when you support SCCC

We’re talking about tax credits; get ’em while they last

While I am writing this column, it is Wednesday, but it feels like we have already experienced a full week of work, meetings and all the tasks that are part of higher education. The calendar year can feel that way, too, but fortunately we are at the opening point of a new fiscal year. Who doesn’t like a fresh start and new opportunities?

At the state level, the legislature has offered exactly that. 

This year our legislatures allowed community and technical colleges the ability to sell capital improvement tax credits.The state allocated $5 million dollars total to the 26 two-year colleges in our state. The tax credits are first-come first-serve and any institution can sell up to $500,000. 

This is an amazing opportunity for our institution to raise funds for capital projects while offering an added benefit to our donors. I’m so proud of this campus, which is so beautiful and constantly surprises visitors. They don’t expect to see a place like this in such a remote rural community.

But it’s not possible to keep a campus up to date and attractive and functional without having a long-range plan for maintenance and upkeep. Our grounds and building crews do a fantastic job. Our board and executive team work hard to practice good stewardship of taxpayer funds. 

All those factors mean that an opportunity to claim funding that will help us finish ongoing projects — like the Sharp Family Champions Center — and tackle some of the improvements and upgrades that we have put on the back burner for longer than we would like.

So, how does it work? If you are like a lot of us, the idea of a tax credit might be new and raise some questions. Let’s break it down:

What is it called? Community College Capital Improvement Tax Credit.

Who is it for? Kansas Income taxpayers, Kansas Premium taxpayers, a

nd Kansas privilege taxpayers. That means pretty much everyone, from individuals to large companies. 

When does it begin? Effective on and after July 1, 2022 and prior to December 31, 2025.

How does it help SCCC?  When you, the taxpayer, make a contribution through this program, the college can use the money for capital improvements, deferred maintenance, or the purchase of technology and equipment.

How does it help you? The credit is 60 percent of the total amount contributed during the taxable year by the taxpayer to a community college located in Kansas. So, if you contribute $1,000, you can subtract $600 from any taxes you owe to the state of Kansas. It’s a great way to reduce tax debt and do good at the same time. 

How much can I give? The starting amount is $1,000, and you or your business can give up to a quarter million dollars, but (here we quote directly from the state), “In no event shall the total amount of credits allowed for taxpayers who contribute to any one such community college exceed $250,000 in any one tax year.  Community Colleges are also capped at awarding a maximum of $500,000 in total from their college.  A statewide cap on the amount of credits that are available to be awarded is $5,000,000.

That sounds competitive. Is it a race? In way, yes. The state has set a limit of $5 million in credits to be awarded, and once that figure is reached, the program stops accepting donations. So, whichever college’s supporters have seized the opportunity first will be the winners. 

If I make a large donation through this program, will I get a tax refund? No.  If the amount of credit exceeds the taxpayer’s tax liability, the remaining credit is not allowed to carryover or to be refunded.  

How can I get started? Qualified taxpayers who have made a contribution to a community college on or after July 1, 2022 will be required to file the appropriate tax return electronically and follow the proper steps in preparation of their tax return to claim the credit as directed to on the Kansas Department of Revenue website.

Where can I learn more? https://www.ksrevenue.gov/prtaxcredits-deferred.html

I know it’s not possible to answer every question in one newspaper column. If you want to learn more, or have issues to discuss, please reach out to talk with me. I am glad to unpack the details, respond to questions, and walk you through the details. Stop by my office in the Hobble Academic Building here on campus, give me a call at 620-417-1010, or email me at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College but in a former life he taught accounting and business classes to high school and college students. His two young daughters are currently assisting him in earning the title of “The Man Who Can Answer Your Questions.”  

•••

June 29, 2022

1,000 T-shirts, a custom motorcycle, and a community worth celebrating

It’s hard to believe we have already hit the midpoint of summer, but here we are in July. That means Seward County Community College is preparing to welcome the entire community to our campus as part of the second-biggest celebration of the year in Liberal — July 4.

In any other town, we would probably list Independence Day as the primary holiday that brings people together, but other towns don’t have Pancake Day. That said, July 4 promises to be even bigger and better this year, with a parade and park extravaganza planned before the traditional festivities held on the SCCC campus. You will be sure to see Saints at all of the fun. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Kansas Ave., moving north to end at Light Park. 

This year, Seward has made a deliberate effort to show up at area parades large and small. The project began at the suggestion of our Outreach Director Mike Bailey, whose daily work includes many highway miles traveling to the smaller towns we serve. He pointed out that after the pandemic and long months apart from one another, we are eager to reconnect with our far-flung Saints family. We want to show up and let them know we care. 

Thanks to his dedication and willingness to handle hundreds of pounds of candy and swag, Mike has earned the title of “Director of Parades.” In all seriousness, we are thankful for his willingness to spearhead the parades, throw candy, and even dodge a cow chip or two as he traveled from town to town. In many of these adventures, Dean of Enrollment and Student Success Annette Hackbarth-Onson has been his loyal co-conspirator. 

Here in Liberal, LHS Homecoming and Pancake Day provided us with so many good memories and moments of connection, with our cosmetology students and student athletes representing campus with pride. For July 4, we’re planning to bring the amazing custom-built motorcycle created by the Vo-Tech long before the merger. It’s still a point of pride on the Industrial Tech campus and Dr. Amber Jones, head of that division, is eager to show it to a new generation of future Saints. Look for her behind the wheel of the SCCC pickup truck, and try to catch a roll of Smarties as she steers the motorcycle trailer. 

Once the parade wraps up, Light Park will be the site for an afternoon of fun. Presentations begin at 11 a.m., including historic speeches, singing, dancing and other entertainment. Booths and informational tables will also be set up, and you can find a Saints table in the mix, with T-shirts, lanyards and other giveaway items. And, if you’re planning to head back to college in August, you can talk to SCCC representatives about the next step. 

Until 3 p.m. the park will host food trucks, shaved ice, vendors, bouncy houses, electric bull rides and the Oz train. 

Throughout these events, I hope to see folks wearing our newest SCCC T-shirts. We plan to give out 1,000 of these free shirts. If you don’t score one during the parade, be sure to pick yours up at the Saints table! 

At 2:30 p.m., it will be time to head to Saints Nation, also known as the SCCC Campus and Brent Gould Field. We’re very proud that the college is also the home field for the Liberal Bee Jays and the City of Liberal’s annual fireworks display every July 4. Fellowship Baptist Church will join the community on campus, holding a picnic with a hot dog feed, bouncy houses, and plenty of games for the entire family starting at 2:30 p.m. in the area immediately adjacent to the field on the SCCC main campus. After the picnic, the Bee Jays will take on the Dodge City A’s at 7 p.m. Fireworks follow after the game and after dark.

This celebration reflects the very best of rural America, and our national values. I love seeing the many different entities come together to provide fun, food, and positive memories for children and young people. There’s so much power in that sense of community and belonging. It’s something we all cherish, and I’m proud that SCCC can play a part in making it happen. 

No matter what you plan for Independence Day, I hope you will make SCCC a part of your holiday. The promise of liberty and justice for all is an enduring standard, and one that we should all continue to pursue and practice in our own lives. So soak up the sunshine, share a smile, and take in the sparkle of fireworks above this community. It is something worth celebrating. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, where higher education runs the gamut from pulling weeds on campus to receiving community feedback for the next strategic plan. You can contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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June 22, 2022 : Saints Voices

Town halls must go on and we need you there

And other Dad-style reminders just in time for Father’s Day

I know that I sound like a broken record as I always say that community is the middle of our name. Since Father’s Day is coming up, it’s OK if you chalk this up to the way we tend to tune out reminders — just ask your own dad how many times he reminded you to check the tire pressure or take out the trash!

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June 15, 2022 : Saints Voices

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is president of Seward County Community College, where his goal is to be a little bit better at his job every single day. 

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June 8, 2022 : Saints Voices

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June 1, 2022 : Saints Voices

Our Saints shine on the court, make history

Men’s tennis has doubled our college total of national titles

When I first arrived back at Seward County Community College, I immediately began to plan for the future of our extraordinary institution. We are in the midst of making several changes and updates around campus with the goal of academic year 23-24 being “The Year of the Saints!”

Little did we know that we would receive a kick-off event delivered by our men’s tennis team. It’s been more than 20 years since Seward claimed a national title, but we’re back in the best ranks, thanks to the men’s tennis team. They say winning isn’t everything, but it sure feels good. And for those of us who love competition, this win is even sweeter.

The Year of the Saints is about making our entire campus better. Focusing every day on continuous improvement to grow enrollment, improve student success, win more games, and excel in every aspect of the Seward experience. We envision taking our already great culture and refining and elevating it until we are winning in every phase of our campus. To compare it to tennis, you might say that we will strengthen every part of our game.

Unfortunately, I could not be in Tyler last week (between moving Lindsay and the girls here and a family event),but I stayed in close contact with Athletic Director Dan Artamenko and sat on the edge of my seat watching every update on Twitter.

My wife and I had the chance shortly after we won to FaceTime with Coach Vechione and the team, and it was such a special moment. We are so proud of them for bringing home numerous program firsts, but as with all student-athletes, we are prouder of who they are as students and people in our community.

Some of the program firsts:

• Most matches were won at a National Tournament with 27, and the most points were earned at the National Tournament with 45.
• First time in program history to win a singles final, and we had two win their draws: Kyllian Savary won the number three singles championship, and Karlo Krolo won the number five singles championship.
• First time in program history the Saints won the doubles draw championship. Luke Quaynor and Kyllian Savary won their number two doubles draw over TJC to win the championship.
• Seward County had a record of four singles All-Americans. In addition, Kyllian Savary received 1st team All-American honors, Karlo Krolo received 1st team All-American honors, Luke Quaynor received 2nd team.

When our women’s tennis team returned home from their phenomenal end-of-season competition in Arizona, we celebrated with flowers for the players and a campus-wide ice cream social. Our student-athletes are more than sports competitors or Saints representatives, although those roles comprise part of their total identity. We know them as human beings full of potential and personality. Though we relate to them first and foremost as students to whom we owe a duty of care, we usually stay in touch with them after they leave our campus, and in many cases, these young people become our friends over time.

Most of the men’s tennis team took advantage of being in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and traveled back home from there, so an ice cream social is not possible. Plus, in light of the history-making national championship they achieved, we will be planning a National Championship Banquet for the fall. For now, though, the glow of victory is bright on campus despite the rainy weather this week. We’re shining with pride in our student-athletes, and the glimmer of more to come as we near the Year of the Saints. Now more than ever, it’s great to be part of the Saints family.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett has recently pursued his own athletic career in the rare sport of box packing, lifting, and unpacking as he and his family settle into their new home in Liberal. This summer, he will turn his attention to the cross-generational sports of feeding ducks with his daughters and fishing.

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April 24, 2022 : Saints Voices

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and a reluctant fan of Disney Princess movies (rated G). He’s also your go-to person if you need to purchase cleaning supplies in bulk. You can reach him at 620-417-1010, or by email at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

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April 17, 2022: Saints Voices

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is not completely a night owl or an early bird, but he sometimes keeps both kinds of schedules as the president of Seward County Community College. You can reach him at his office on campus, phone 620-417-1010, or email brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

April 10, 2022 : Saints Voices

Saints get the best ROI for time and money

April is community college month! That means it’s time to celebrate the best deal in our country. There is no other option for our students that produce such a high Return on Investment (ROI). I do not make that claim lightly. As a person who loves Excel spreadsheets, I have the numbers to back it up.

We have to look no further than the data of our students from Seward County Community College. On average, a student who earns an associate degree will earn nearly half a million dollars more than if they had gone straight to work with a high school diploma only — that comes out to about $10,000 more per year in wages earned. The impact multiplies rapidly if you look at all those individual lives as a group: 50 years of graduates from SCCC, the money added to the region through their earnings totals around $4 billion.

However, most days SCCC is looking at the close-up view. Community colleges for the most part are non-research institutions. We are not trying to win Nobel prizes or make headlines. Our focus is on the success of our students.

Last week, a group of students, their families, and members of our college administration gathered at the annual Phi Theta Kappa banquet to celebrate our all Kansas Academic Team in Junction City. Our two honorees — Elizabeth Horinek and Israel Banuelos — joined peers from community colleges across the state of Kansas. Wow, what a group that was. As we honored these students we heard about their plans for next steps. These community college graduates will be attending universities from Kansas to Hawaii and everywhere in between. From Ivy league schools to state universities, these students are progressing through their education journey with excellence, preparing to be  the best in their field.

But that is only part of our story. A four-year degree is not for everyone, nor does it guarantee success post-college. What our students consider a good return on the investment depends on what happens when they leave the world of higher education and step into adult life.

Here is where SCCC shines its brightest. Out of the 19 community colleges in the state of Kansas, nine opted to join with vocational technical schools in their geographic area. Seward is one of those nine. The merger with Southwest Kansas Area Vocational Technical School in 2008 created a unique opportunity for our area.

We have technical programs to educate tomorrow’s workforce. From short-term programs to CDL to programs in Allied Health, we have so many options to not only educate our students but provide them a direct route to a high-wage, high-demand job. The investment of time and money varies. Some certifications take just eight weeks to complete. Others “stack,” so that a welding student can opt to leave the classroom after one semester with an “A” certificate and go directly to the workforce, or stay another semester for the “B” cert, or even continue for the full two years and an associate of applied science degree.

Allied Health can serve the same purpose on a larger scale, with many students going to work as nurses, respiratory therapists, or medical laboratory technologists in order to pay their way through additional levels of education. The same approach has proven useful to graduates of our cosmetology program and other CTE pathways: use the education close at hand to increase your earnings right away, while you prepare for the next level.

For high school students in our service area, concurrent classes provide a quick start to college. At the Student-Trustee Dinner on Monday evening, we heard from several Saints who are preparing to graduate from high school with both their diploma and an associates degree from SCCC. They have cut the cost of college in half.

So, let’s not pretend and let’s not keep the best ROI in the country a secret  any longer. Join the rest of the country in celebrating April as Community College Month!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, where he cheers loudly for the wins, whether they appear in the form of top-ranking tennis players or improved lighting for the parking lots. Contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu or 620-417-1010. 

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April 3, 2022 :  Saints Voices

The Big Reset is colored SCCC green

As spring slowly arrives, campus is also set to bloom

Kansas weather is unpredictable, and March proved the point. We had a sunny “snow” day after blizzard predictions fizzled out, a few adventures with high wind, and some just plain beautiful afternoons. Anybody who has lived in Kansas for more than a minute knows this is normal, but spring feels different this year.

A little over two years, ago we sent our students home for spring break not knowing how our world would change. We had no idea that we would not welcome them back to campus to complete the semester in person. That was the spring when proms were postponed and graduation ceremonies did not happen with the usual pomp and circumstance. High school and college athletes felt crushing disappointment when state and regional tournaments were cancelled.

One year later, we were back on campus, but spring still felt uncertain. During that pandemic year, Seward County Community College kept our classrooms open one week at a time. We are still incredibly proud of that fact. It was only possible because of the dedication of instructors, staff members, students, and our community. The meetings with our county health professionals and our on-campus contact tracers started to blend together until it felt like the whole year was one giant meeting — but we made it.

At SCCC, as we begin to welcome the sunshine and warmer days — and, we hope, LESS wind and MORE rain — spring is definitely here. But it feels different. It seems as if we are hitting the reset button on our campus.

Our students have experienced a pretty normal school year.
Our student-athletes have returned to regular play after the most unusual sports seasons in history.

Our instructors are scrambling to keep the grade books current as we pass the mid-term mark and head towards graduation.

Campus clubs are meeting once more.

Overall, it feels really good and it’s worthwhile to stop and notice that sense of new beginnings and motivation. The pandemic required so much time and effort that focus from other items was lost. Small repairs and projects fell by the wayside as we put attention on higher priorities like health and safety.

Now that it’s safe to do so, I’m really happy about the events our Saints family has been able to participate in. For example, at the beginning of March, we participated in a wonderful Pancake Day. My fellow Men’s Pacer Race contestants might agree with me that participating in the day “as it was meant to be” involved more cardio than we originally imagined — but it was a lot of fun from the Grand Marshall Reception to the afternoon parade.

A couple weeks later, we hosted a campus clean-up during spring break followed by an all campus lunch. People showed up voluntarily to pick up trash, trim overgrown hedges and more. I didn’t know what to expect, but 150 people participated, and we got so much done to make our campus a place that reflects our pride.

Spring is only getting started, with a long list of events coming up. Enrollment for summer and fall classes opens on April 4. Current students can even get an early start on setting up their schedule right now. April 8, a week from Friday, the humanities department will host the Creative Writers’ Coffeehouse at 7 p.m. in the Student Union. It’s free, fun, and there are beverages and refreshments.

Cast members are rehearsing for the spring musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” which will be performed April 21, 22, and 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the show are $10. Even though it is a lot of fun, the humanities department warns that the musical does have some content that is inappropriate for younger audiences. It is just for A-D-U-L-T-S.

The spring concert for vocal and band programs will be at 7 p.m. April 29, also in the theater. Ticket sales support the SCCC Music Endowment Fund, so get yours for $3 and help future music students attend college.

Then, just one week later, we will have graduation. Preparing campus for that event always results in a summer work list which is much longer than what is possible to complete. Personally, I think that is awesome because it shows how excited our Saints family is and how much we can do. Our goal is to paint 500 gallons of paint by August 1^st. And that paint is Seward Green.

We are excited to hit the reset button as we prep for what we hope will be the most exciting time in the history of our wonderful institution.

EDITOR’S NOTE: President Brad Bennett has already ordered the paint and welcomes volunteers who are willing to wield a brush in the service of Saints pride. Stop by campus anytime, or call him at 620-417-1010.

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March 27, 2022 :  Saints Voices

What do athletic programs at the community college level mean?

Here’s a hint: in the end, we care about more than the score

I have always believed in athletics and the positive impact they make on our youth, institutions, and our community. When I first started teaching, I was also the head men’s basketball coach. I would spend countless hours teaching our team how to prep themselves to survive and excel in the world around them.

My first year we did not have many wins, but all 32 players learned to tie a tie, we improved GPA’s, and increased our community service hours. It might seem like that list doesn’t have a lot to do with basketball, but teachers from kindergarten to college understand that students are not ever one single thing — a math student, or an athlete, or a person with an injury, or a low-income family member, or a single parent. Students are people, and like all people they are complex and capable of amazing accomplishments if they are encouraged to reach their potential.

Athletics are often the lever that opens up the opportunities to grow, explore new worlds, and develop as a well-rounded person. First and foremost, athletics at the community college level improve access to education that thousands of students would not otherwise have.

This serves an important purpose for what we call first generation students — young men and women who are the first in their families to attend college. Like so many things in life, higher education can be hard to imagine if it’s completely foreign. Many hardworking parents struggle to visualize how the pieces fit together — scholarships, financial aid, and the college credit system leading to a degree. They might even wonder what difference the degree will actually make for their child. But anyone who has attended a Little League game or a high school soccer playoff knows how it feels to believe your son or daughter can win. Parents of athletes understand the way hard work and perseverance pay off in so many many ways, not just trophies and stats, but in a sense of teamwork, pride, and belonging. Those same qualities can produce a degree-earning college student.

Additionally, athletics brings pride to our campus and our community. How lucky are we? On any given day we can catch a game at the Greenhouse and see some of the best basketball or volleyball in the country. If we swing by Brent Gould field, we can catch a couple of MLB draft prospects, or over French Family Field,  two softball teams loaded with D1 talent play. Then there are the world-class tennis matches with the best players in the country and points around the world.

Our student athletes provide role models to the youth of our community. They help with food drives, work at Pancake Day, and attend youth league games throughout the year. Why? We are teaching them values that will serve them long after they have passed their days of playing.

If you want to understand the power of athletics to change lives for the better, there is nothing like getting to know our students. At Seward, we are fortunate to have community members who like say they “bleed green,” and who make it point to make every competition at the Greenhouse they can. These fans join our booster club, providing material and energetic support to the student athletes, but they often go one step further, hosting a student athlete and making that personal connection. It is not unusual to find Saints fans hitting the road to cheer at out-of-town games, or even road trip cross-country to watch beloved Saints alumni win big at the four-year schools where they transferred after finishing at SCCC.

When anyone asks me to explain the way athletics and academics can combine to make a real difference, I think back to a student I met in my early days at Colby Community College. He came from a background of extreme poverty, and had low self-esteem. I worked with a lot of young men during this time period, working on economics and accounting problems. This particular student stuck with it. During his time at Colby, he met his wife, they graduated, and they started a family.

I gave him one of my suits for his first job interview. I was impressed with his athletic skills, but what meant the most to me was the way this young man broke the cycle in his family: he became the first college graduate in their history. This is the real value of athletics.

The great thing is that his story is not unusual. We see it often at SCCC. Every day, as student athletes head to practice, the cafeteria, classes, and back to the dorms, we see the possibility of another success story unfolding in each one’s life.

EDITOR’S NOTE: President Brad Bennett allows what he calls his ‘insanely competitive side’ to come out on behalf of the Saints and Lady Saints. Thanks to his daughters, he sometimes brings his own cheer squad along to games in the Greenhouse. 

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March 20, 2022 :  Saints Voices

Find work satisfaction with the Saints family

At SCCC, our team changes the world every day

The best workplace ever: When you hear those words, do you picture an office ping-pong table, daily donuts, or unlimited time off? Or is it all about the money?

When I hear the words “Best Workplace Ever,” I picture our campus at Seward County Community College, where it is always great to be a Saint. Lately, I am saying that more often. That’s because, like most institutions our size, we currently have quite a few job openings. Some might see staffing issues as a sign that there is something wrong. But many businesses are facing the challenge of job vacancies after the past two years. What’s more, our own employees frequently tell us they feel like they are part of a family.

So, what is it that makes SCCC a special place to work? If someone is just looking for a fat paycheck, SCCC is probably not the place for you. We work hard at keeping our wages comparable to the industry, and one of my goals over the next year is to focus more attention there. But money is not why we choose to work at SCCC.

I have personally weighed the benefits of higher earnings against work that is meaningful and purpose-driven. And I can attest that it is better to work in an environment where employees feel valued and connected to something bigger than it is to see money accrue and motivation decrease. As president, I see it as a key part of my role to create that positive environment.

SCCC aspires to create a workplace culture where all employees are treated with equally and respect. An environment where employees are empowered to make a decision. A job that is actually a career and makes you proud to come to work every single day.

I definitely felt proud last week, when our first-ever volunteer work day took place on a Wednesday right in the middle of spring break. More than 100 people showed up to clear trash from campus, trim overgrown shrubbery, and take care of minor repairs. The sun was shining, we stopped at noon for a hamburger feed, and people were smiling. You could feel the camaraderie and pride between the students, faculty, staff, and even a few family members who chipped in.

I believe each person who took part was building our Saints Family pride, and practicing leadership. It’s a process I care about deeply and pursue whenever I can. This Thursday night, prior to our SCCC town hall meeting, I will be speaking at the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) graduation on campus. The LEAD program is a great example of opportunities that the college continually offers to the community. This takes place year-round through Business & Industry classes, professional development / certification workshops, Business Over Breakfast meetings, and special speakers through our collaboration with the Liberal Area Chamber of Commerce. We want to develop more leaders. We want a strong and vibrant community.

We also want to hear more voices, which is why we’re hosting Town Hall meetings in the community over the next few months. Leaders do not only act, they listen — and they can lead from wherever they happen to be standing.

Maybe there’s a spot waiting for you on our campus. Open positions are available in athletics, instruction, and many other departments on campus. When we say the Saints Family, we mean it. We chip in to help each other in times of need. We eat together and laugh together. We go through good and bad times together, donate our sick leave to one another, and constantly show we appreciate one another.

The people are what make being a Saint special.

So if you are interested in joining our team, visit our website or stop by campus. It really is the best workplace ever.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. He is also, when the occasion calls for it, a hamburger grillmaster and public speaker. You can meet him this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the SCCC Town Hall Meeting in the Showcase Theater on campus. 

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March 13, 2022 :  Saints Voices

No matter the question, let’s crowd-source answers to benefit the community

As the College prepares to draft new strategies, add your ideas

It’s common knowledge that complaints are louder than compliments. In the English-speaking world, we’ve even got folk sayings to emphasize this aspect of human nature: “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” and “hindsight is 20/20.” Even the stern instructions “don’t cry over spilled milk” and “you’ve made your bed, now lie in it” focus on looking back with regret.

But what if we reversed the habit of criticism to gaze fearlessly into the future?

What if we took a look at worst-case scenarios and imagined a better outcome?

What if our collective dreams turned out to be stronger than our deepest fears?

That’s the stuff communities are built upon.

It’s also the way forward for Seward County Community College, where we are preparing our next round of strategic plans. In the corporate world and many households, the five-year plan is a standard way to list goals, dreams, challenges, opportunities, and the practical steps to find a path from now to the future. This year, though, it’s anything but business as usual in the world of education.

On the second anniversary of mass shutdowns prompted by COVID, college does not look like it once did. For years, early adopters promoted the ease and economy of online learning. In 2020 and 2021, everyone had to give it a try. Buy-in was not a factor as necessity demanded action. Two years later, K-12 teachers, college instructors and professors have a bewildering assortment of results to consider. Does technology-aided learning work? It depends who you ask.

The same applies to the cost of college. Over the past few decades, tuition rates at four-year universities have multiplied to unimaginable heights. Meanwhile, college in your hometown remains the big secret to cost-cutting. Students can start at Seward, transfer, and earn a degree for half the cost of university tuition, fees, food and housing. The pandemic and world events upended even that sensible assumption — thank you and no thank you, inflation! This leaves more students and their parents with the question, is college worth what it costs in terms of time and money? Again, answers vary.

Finally, at the Kansas state capitol, legislators are engaged in what is now a 12-year debate about how to fund higher education. While much of our funding at SCCC comes from local sources and tuition, money from the state and federal governments plays a role, as do funds impacted by ongoing legal matters before the Kansas court. Solid stewardship of taxpayer dollars is a priority. If you’ve ever waited for a check (or bill) that is rumored to be “in the mail,” you know how difficult it is to plan amid uncertainty.

Yet there’s one sure thing amid change. At Seward County Community College, we believe in the power of education to change the world one life at a time. We come alongside students from all walks of life, equipping and empowering them to change for the better. It starts with an individual who applies, enrolls, and eventually earns the certificate or degree that opens doors. That person has a family, tribe, or network — possibly all of those groups — who benefit from that SCCC Saint’s higher wages, stronger skills, and sense of hope. Put a few of those groups together, and you’ve started to build a community.

And this month, we’re looking to our community to find answers as we plan for the future. How can we best support students? What programs are calling out for expansion? In what ways can the college partner effectively with business and industry to strengthen the regional economy? What opportunities do our stakeholders most desire? What widespread community challenges might be resolved with the help of SCCC programs? What are we doing well? What can we do better?

President Brad Bennett and several SCCC employees will host a Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. March 24 in the Showcase Theater to get the conversation started. We want to hear what’s on the minds of our past and future students, taxpayers, armchair philosophers, optimists, entrepreneurs, and anyone else who wants to join in. You can ask us (nearly!) anything, and we will do our best to answer. We are also eager to hear your brilliant ideas.

Join us for our first Town Hall meeting on March 24! We can’t wait to get started together.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Rachel Coleman is a former newspaper writer who reported on focus groups, forums, and public meetings for more than two decades. In her current role as executive director of marketing and PR at SCCC, she’s excited to help host Town Hall meetings that reach out to include unusual voices and make the most of the real-life experiences of our community members. 

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March 7, 2022 :  Saints Voices

Contracts reflect what matters most — family, a sense of purpose, and commitment

That includes documents signed in crayon at 11 p.m.

When I was a teacher, I used to preach to my students to be passionate about their work. We spend so much time at work and doing something you’re passionate about makes it feel like a choice that feels good and not “nose to the grindstone” work.

Last spring, I left Seward County Community College for financially motivated reasons. That decision took me outside of education, which has been my first, feel-good career choice for the majority of my work life. If my former students could have seen me, they might have said, “Mr. Bennett, you should practice what you preach!”

Maybe they were, because I had a feeling while I pulled out of Liberal that I was making a mistake.

As time passed, I quickly realized that the words I had told thousands of students over the years were in fact true. I missed education. I missed the feeling of purpose I gain from this profession. But, more than that, I missed being a Saint. I missed the community of Liberal, and I missed the wonderful faculty and staff Seward County Community College is blessed with. I knew I needed to live with my decision, but the passion for work was not there.

My wife and I began to discuss our options. How could we address the fact that I was unhappy with my career, and it was impacting my family? I could get back into the field of education, but I made the decision not to apply to other schools because I knew that my heart was at SCCC. I told Lindsay, “Let’s wait for four or five years and see what is open at that point. I miss SCCC too much to go to a different school.”

Being a community college President requires incredible dedication, passion, and energy. I knew that I would not be the best version of myself at another institution. One of the lessons I learned in 2021 was that I should pay attention to that voice inside, the one that advised students to pay attention to their passion.

Five days later I received a call that led me to return to my position with the Saints family. It felt unreal, exactly what I had been hoping for. Rarely in life do we receive a second chance.

Before I accepted the job, Lindsay and I sat down with our daughters MaryBelle (8) and Madeline (6). We wanted to make sure they were okay with another life-changing event.  The girls have completely opposite personalities:  MaryBelle is shy, does not like change, and rarely is in trouble, while Madeline is ready to explore, even if that means breaking a rule or two. That said, they are both wonderful in their unique strengths, and they are both incredibly loving and kind. The girls reassured me that this was the best move not only for me, but my family.

A few minutes later, MaryBelle walked out of her room sporting a Saints shirt, holding a contract for me to sign. The document my second-grader had written up stated that this was the correct move, BUT we were not allowed to move again. It is by far the most serious contract I have signed.

Family connections are the strongest, and in many ways, the return to Seward continues a passion I picked up from my own mother, who was a lifelong educator. My childhood memories include watching her pour everything she had into being a better teacher and later an administrator. It’s probably similar for MaryBelle and Madeline, who can tell when their dad is happy as he heads off to work.

Here in Liberal, they see me bring that passion to campus every day. My view is that if I help guide our employees and make the workplace happier — and sometimes even fun — the students in turn will have a better experience. Everything we do and every decision we make impacts our students. Each of our employees plays a critical role in educating the future. It’s my goal to lead the Saints family with positive energy that benefits each one, our students, and the community.

I am so excited to be back on campus. Please stop in and say hi, or reach out if I can help you in any way.  Also, mark your calendar for Thursday, March 24, when we will host a Town Hall meeting in the Showcase Theater at 7 p.m. We’re hosting a conversation about enrollment, optimism, and SCCC’s impact, and are excited to hear from you, the stakeholders of the community that is the center of who we are.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is both the 11th and the 13th president of Seward County Community College, and a proud participant in the 2022 Men’s Pacer Race at International Pancake Day. 

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February 27, 2022 :  Saints Voices

Decades after Dr. King, Black History and Black Futures deserve more conversation

SCCC aspires to host meaningful dialogue that changes hearts

When my children — now young adults — were growing up, our observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day was almost cursory. We popped our mini-documentary about King’s life and the civil rights movement into the VCR machine and watched the black-and-white images together. The narrative was interspersed with commentary by my husband, who is just old enough to carry his own personal memories of that tumultuous period in history.

It seemed, back in the late 1990s, more symbolic than relevant.

It seemed that way because we, a mixed-race, bicultural couple, viewed the prospects of our children with a vivid optimism fueled by love.

Even so, it seemed important to do our due diligence.

That was clear when, in turn, our three mixed-race kids announced they weren’t so keen on identifying as Black, outright rejecting the term. At the time, I flirted briefly with the notion that maybe they were right. Hadn’t we, as a nation, outgrown such labels? Maybe we were truly “past all that.” My husband held his peace, perhaps hoping my perceptions would hold true.

Nearly 30 years later, we all laugh about those assumptions — and the laughter is a little painful.

True: My three mixed-race children are perceived as, and move through the world as, Black.

Also true: They embrace their identity, and still have plenty of thoughts and opinions to share.

Truest of all: Their lived experiences matter just as much as — likely more than — any explanations their father and I might offer.

On January 17, 2022, the conversation in our living room was lively. With Seward County Community College closed in observance of the MLK federal holiday, we had time and a 4/5 majority present for an informal re-enactment of those family dialogues from decades past.

Ask my kids whether MLK day is relevant, whether systemic racism is real — heck, what it’s like to be “young, Black and gifted,” as Nina Simone phrased it — and you’ll hear three different answers. Some arrive with smiles, others with tears.

During the two terms of President Barack Obama, my children were tweens and high school students; Trayvon Martin was killed while wearing a hoodie and eating Skittles; Beyonce ascended to superstar status. As they embarked in early adulthood, the election of President Donald Trump and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement (and more murdered Black folks than this column has room to list) swung the pendulum in another, more dismaying direction. Along the way, they had to grapple with a society just as topsy-turvy as the hormonal fluctuations in their still-developing brains.

On campus at SCCC, we witness a similar array of young adult reckonings. With a majority of first generation, Hispanic students, our Saints are personally embroiled in the hot topics of the times. Immigration. Colorism and racism. Questions about consent, agency, identity. And, always, the daily concerns about food, shelter, medical and mental healthcare. Often, survival is a struggle.

Ask my husband and me about MLK and his relevance, and we’ll tell you that cherry-picked quotes only go so far and often get twisted to prove points Dr. King never meant to make. We’ve found the most important thing to do is listen to our kids, and encourage them to listen to their elders. There is comfort in being heard. There is confidence in knowing someone finds you worthy, valuable, and interesting enough to tune in to what you say. And there’s wisdom to be found in the exchange of ideas and personal experience.

That’s exactly what we will be doing on campus through the month of February in honor of Black History Month. Wednesday, Feb. 9, in the SCCC Library, we will stage a series of small, personal panel discussions focused on the theme “Black History | Black Futures.” Students and the public are welcome to participate in short roundtable conversations pairing older and younger members of the Black community. Topics on the roster include military service, public protests in the 1960s and the current day, and patriotism. Another table will explore the experiences of Black women in the workplace and athletics, mental health issues that result from society’s often unspoken (and sometimes voiced) assumptions, and how barriers are maintained and broken across generations. A third table will examine the colorful, sometimes painful, sometimes delicious intersection between African culture and Black American culture.

Like the living discussion my own family conducted last Monday, I hope the Saints family conversation will further the goal of loving our students into success. The Coleman household did not tidy up the problems of our messy world, but we all got a chance to speak our mind, gain a fresh appreciation of other viewpoints, and affirm that life is better together than when we are divided.

The goal at Seward is to strengthen that sense of “Saints Strong” unity through each encounter, whether it takes place in the Greenhouse, the classroom, or the cafeteria. Join us next month in the library as we observe Black History and Black Futures. At SCCC, we honor both.

EDITOR’S NOTE — The Black History | Black Futures sessions are set for 9 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Seward County Community College library. The community is invited to attend as we listen to Saints voices.  Rachel Coleman is the Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations at SCCC, and a six-year member of the college’s Diversity & Inclusion team. You can contact her at 620-417-1125 or rachel.coleman@sccc.edu.

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February 13, 2022 :  Saints Voices

Saints family a welcome contrast to the Great Resignation sweeping the world of work

In the world of education, each semester means professional development workshops, introductions to new employees, and a review of why we do what we do. After seven years at Seward County Community College, I confess I drank extra-strong coffee this week before we embarked on our 2022 sessions. It was tough to trade the leisurely late mornings of holiday break for power point presentations. At the same time, being part of a vibrant team of people committed to empowering students never gets old.

We’re at a point in U.S. history where employment is in a state of dizzying change. The global pandemic interrupted everything we thought was reliable and spawned what pundits are now calling The Great Resignation — a massive labor shortage. Some of it is caused by death, but just as many workers left their jobs because of dissatisfaction with wages, working conditions, and outdated expectations.

It’s a strange phenomenon to witness when you love the place you work. Seward County Community College employs roughly 200 people, forming what we often refer to as the Saints Family. Like all families, we’re not perfect. We weather our share of disagreements, dramatic moments, wins and losses. Yet each semester, whether the sky is delivering icy needles of could-be snow or the sun blazes off the concrete in the campus courtyard, we start again. We are here to serve our students.

When I joined the Saints family, I stepped on campus in a blur of terror and jubilation. I had worked at home for more than a decade and felt deeply insecure about my ability to make small talk by the coffee machine. I was thrilled about the prospect of working in a building that contained an entire library and giddy about the impact I could have on young lives.

Over time, the jitters mellowed into familiarity, and while I am by no means an old-timer on campus. I am established enough to offer a helping hand to newcomers. I also sustain an enthusiastic endorsement of SCCC as a great place to work. There’s no possibility of boredom in a place that exists to enable learning. That’s not just for our students; all employees at SCCC are encouraged to build on whatever we bring with us.

Each year, we celebrate team members who have earned associate degrees right here on campus, persevered to claim a bachelor’s degree, or gone even further. In 2018, I was one of those newly-minted four-year-degree holders. This fall, several team members earned master’s or doctorate-level degrees. SCCC makes it possible to level up. The college encourages and supports employees who are working on additional credentials.

But the Saints experience goes far beyond academic affairs. Our employees engage with an array of students from the region, the nation, and the world. Whether it’s the kid who used to mow your lawn, or the volleyball player you cheered for at high school games, you become part of the story of those young people’s lives as they find their way to adulthood. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet our international students, who come from 20+ countries each year. These students relish learning about the United States, and enliven the hallways as they provide an up-close window to the world.

New employees are often warned they may begin to “bleed green,” much in the way young newspaper recruits were told that “ink would get in our blood.” This is not true in the literal sense, yet it is true. Wednesdays are Green on campus, as we show up in Saints swag and college colors. Greenhouse nights host basketball or volleyball competitions in the gymnasium, and admission is free to all employees. The banner-lined ceiling of that cavernous space attests to the caliber of Saints athletics — always a sight to behold.

Yet when we talk about why Seward is a great place to work, it always comes down to the people. Yes, the grounds are lush and shady all summer. We love our Christmas pies and our summer ice cream giveaways. But it’s the people we greet every morning at the time clock or in the cafeteria line who make SCCC stellar. If your dog runs away, we’ll help search. If your house burns down, we will collect donations. If you get a flat tire, someone will come to find you. If you have a bad day, you might find your favorite soda waiting at your desk. Heck, if you renovate your bathroom, we might even throw you a toilet paper shower when the project is complete.

This spring, we’re looking for new members to join our team in a variety of positions. Those include instructors for mathematics, business marketing and management, business administration, microbiology. Agriculture. Nursing, and cosmetology. We’re also hiring an alumni and gift coordinator in the development office, and a part-time bus driver.

As the old saying goes, you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. When you come to work at SCCC, you get to choose both.

Check out job descriptions and application instructions at sccc.edu > faculty/staff > human resources > Join the team! You can also call Human Resources at 620-417-1123 for more information.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Rachel Coleman is the Executive Director of PR and Marketing at SCCC. This position sometimes involves washing windows, handing out candy, and looking on the bright side when life turns cloudy.  If you come to work at SCCC, she’ll set you up with a Saints Strong T shirt and assorted college swag.  

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December 11, 2021 :  Saints Voices

The courageous parents of first-generation students

SCCC is privileged to be part of their stories

At Seward County Community College, we like to praise the power of education to transform lives. We believe, as Nelson Mandela observed, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” For most of us, however, that notion is a slightly blurry, distant idea rather than lived reality.

It came into sharp focus for me late last month, when we received word that my mother-in-law, Minnie Mae Coleman, had died — or, in the parlance of church tradition, “transitioned to Heaven.” She was 98, fierce and kind and always hopeful. Besides the 13 children she raised, Momma welcomed more than 150 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless strays and in-laws to the family I joined 28 years ago.

Momma grew up in the Mississippi Delta, where despite her tiny frame, she outpicked my father-in-law pound for pound in the cotton fields, a fact she never allowed him to storytell away. Growing up, she dreamed of becoming a nurse, inspired by a magazine picture that she’d seen on a discarded paper. Her father, Alonzo Mason, had avoided a sharecropper’s fate and prided himself on providing for his family through the parcel of land he owned outright. Even so, the American South in the 1920s and ‘30s did not offer much in the way of educational opportunity for girls like Momma. She completed the eighth grade, no more.

It’s hard to imagine a world without public school for everyone, yet Momma was not left untutored. The real-life library of knowledge she could access was rich and varied. Her mother, Amy, was a well-respected midwife, capable and resourceful. One of Momma’s nephews — who eventually rose to the position of federal judge — recalls being called upon to record the names of newborn babies for his grandmomma. At eight years old, he was the only family member able to read and write on demand, which may account for some of the creative name spellings that occur in the Swifttown region.

In time, Momma attained literacy and applied it to her Bible, newspapers and other written materials. A relentlessly hard worker who once told a baffled cardiologist, “Patch me up and send me home,” she cleaned houses, took in laundry, and even found a job as a a nurse’s aide, the closest she could get to her girlhood aspiration.

As I knew her in the final decades of her life, cataracts had rubbed out her vision and she retreated to oral history, song, and memorized scripture. My iPhone is crowded with spontaneous recordings of Momma’s crinkled-silk voice that often swerved into a knowing chuckle. Of course, I’ve only listened in small doses. A few sentences and the grief closes in.

I want vision unfettered by time and space so that I can see back to my mother-in-law’s earliest memories, the quandaries she settled in her mind, and all the might-have-been alternate paths closed to her by history and happenstance. What if Momma had been born in Massachusetts? What if she had possessed the power to say “no” whenever it suited her? What if she had been offered the option to enroll in college? If we took Momma’s acrylic paintings on corrugated cardboard and her multitude of hand-pieced quilts to an art professor, what unacknowledged talent might we identify?

Who will tell the stories she carried? And what about all the life lore she had absorbed, an understanding of the human body, social dynamics, spiritual principles, the skills needed for everyday existence? Does anyone have her recipes for peach cobbler or mustard greens? Where did she learn to cure a bad winter cough with orange peel tea?

The academic world has long struggled with the question of how to quantify folk (indigenous) wisdom expressed in what we condescendingly viewed as less than “proper” English. We call it African American Standard English now, and linguists acknowledge that it is a dialect, not a deficiency.

In the same way, our society has long paid homage to degrees and titles while dismissing the hard-won lessons of life in the migrant fields and margins of “civilization.” Knowledge over wisdom, you might say.

Momma may not have held a diploma of any sort, but she was a true sage, able to discern a correct course of action amid chaos, willing to wait for the dust to settle, and calmly complete whatever was needed in the meantime. Unsurprisingly, she recognized the power of education and preached it tirelessly to her children.

She urged them to seize opportunities denied to her. Two older daughters ventured to an early ‘60s iteration of Job Corps in Maine. Two sons parlayed their formidable athleticism into scholarships at four-year colleges. A fair number of my “bonus siblings” took classes at SCCC itself, and countless others of the second, third, and even fourth generation have followed hard after education, “the thing,” Momma reminded everyone, “that no one can take away from you.”

This parental aspiration and bequeathed courage is a gift many of our students at SCCC bring with them. They are often the first person in their family to pass through the doors of any sort of college. Their parents have no idea how to support them, beyond a steady belief in their excellence. It’s our privilege at SCCC to become part of the storylines of such families, like the one I married into.

There’s no doubt that Momma would view her passing as a promotion rather than a loss. No more mandatory doctor visits or stays in the care center. She doesn’t have to scheme to keep hold of her garden patch, her occasional chickens, her sense of independent innovation. Her far-flung, gorgeous, prolific family will be reckoning with the loss for years to come. Thanks to her influence, though, her descendants will do so with high school diplomas, professional certificates, and college degrees held firmly in hand: nobody, we hear her voice reminding us, can take that away.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Rachel Coleman is the executive director of marketing and public relations at Seward County Community College. You’ll find her listening to gospel music through the end of this year, and testing peach cobbler recipes that meet the Minnie Mae Coleman standard. 

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From the Constitution to SCCC, local autonomy deserves our protection

September 21, 2021

This past week we celebrated Constitution Day, which in turn started Constitution Week in the United States. While this is an annual event, it doesn’t seem to get it’s due. Constitution day is normally observed on September 17th, because on September 17th, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document that became the cornerstone of the greatest “experiment” in the history of governance in the world.

The constitution was a framework created for a set of States with their unique autonomies to be able to act as one when needed to benefit the whole, as defined in its preamble. The hallowed document was not intended to make the states, the counties, the cities and towns homogeneously and singularly subservient to the federal government. Had it done so, it would have lost the main ingredient that allowed this republic to evolve into the most enduring beacon of freedom and independence.

That observation leads me to the point I want to make about the importance of the public trust that Seward County Community College has with the electorate of Seward County. As national politics clamor with sounds of greater federal influence on its citizens, I believe it is vital that we understand and appreciate our local autonomies, and the power of the local self-determination that we currently possess. As noted in the July 4, 2021 editorial in the Leader-Times, by Dr Walter Wendler of West Texas A&M University, “as the distance to the seat of government increases, that potential of having cogent, meaningful impact decreases. Local influence and decision-making empower a free society’s work and worth, and likewise, for a local university.” Dr. Wendler is obviously referring to the role West Texas A&M plays in the Texas panhandle, but I would extend the same sentiment to Seward County Community College, as the local college within our region.

SCCC’s Board of Trustees are elected by the voters of Seward County. They have been exemplary stewards of this college over the years, and they continue to be so. They are in tune to the educational and economic impact that SCCC has not only in Seward County, but indeed the region surrounding Seward County. They make decisions in the best interest, and to the specific needs, of the people of this locale.

The people of this locale are uniquely special and deserving of all that our college can provide for them. I was reminded of this recently when Sr. Rosa Maria of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church stopped me on the street to tell me she was returning to Mexico. During our brief conversation, she thanked me for helping create a peaceful community. I believe she was not just referring to me individually, or just the St. Anthony parish, but to Liberal and southwest Kansas, with its rich citizenry of diverse culture and common decency. Her comment reminded me of how important it is to understand the duty and obligation that we as citizens of Seward County, of Kansas, and indeed of the United States of America have been entrusted.

Part of the duty of SCCC to its students and its taxpayers is to endlessly pursue excellence in education. As Professor Lee Tavis once told my class at the University of Notre Dame, when we were collectively stumped on a question he had posed to the class, ..”without the tools, you are nothing but a bunch of do-gooders to whom nobody listens.”

The educators at SCCC strive to teach, and thus provide, its students with the tools to be productive, self-determined, happy, and responsible citizens that make the caring, peaceful community that Sr. Rosa described. May we as citizens of Seward County employ the civic tools we have been entrusted with, and strive to be vigilant and dedicated in our duties and responsibilities to our neighbors, our fellow citizens, and the Constitution that has made this beautiful “experiment” possible for over 200 years.

Currently the interim president at SCCC, Dennis Sander also serves as Vice President of Finance and Operations. A Southwest Kansas native, Sander is known in Saints Land for his love of puns, attention to detail, and fierce loyalty to all things Notre Dame. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

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Two decades later, 9/11 events remain vivid for New York transplant and SCCC team member 

September 11, 2021

There are moments – events — in life that you never forget. That create memories so powerful you can identify exactly what you were doing. John F. Kennedy being shot, the first man on the moon, the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, the start of the Iraq War in 1990 and the Oklahoma City bombing, just to name a few.

I remember a few of those quite vividly, others not so much. But one event I will never forget is the attack on September 11. I have a little different perspective on the matter because I was born and raised in New York City. I lived there for 35 years before I moved to Liberal.

And it wasn’t that I just lived in New York, but I considered the World Trade Area my stomping ground. I worked in and hung out in that area for more than a decade. I would wander into the buildings to visit the shops and access mass transit in the World Trade Center hub more often than I can remember. 

It’s been 20 years — I can’t believe it’s been that long — but I’ll always remember it like it was yesterday. That day, it had been two years since I left New York to come to Kansas. That morning, I was going to get some blood work done at the doctor’s office. The nurse said, “a plane has crashed into the World Trade Center!”At first, I didn’t believe it. That was absolutely ridiculous. But the more I thought about it, the more I reasoned that “well, maybe it’s a small plane and I guess that could happen.”

Driving back to the house, I listened to the details on the radio. I got home, immediately turned on the television and watched the disaster unfold.

As I’m watching, my mind starts to scramble and I’m flooded with questions. “I wonder where my parents are?” “What about my brother and sister?” “My friends?” I’m pretty sure everyone is OK but there’s a sense of panic. I’m calling and all I get is the automated message: “all circuits are busy.”

It wasn’t until hours later that I finally got through and everyone was in fact OK, but in shock about what had happened.

The scenes on TV were dramatic. The billowing smoke from both towers. The fire that I watched burning buildings and the eventual collapse of the Twin Towers. It was incredibly surreal. You didn’t believe it was happening, but it did. It wasn’t a movie or a TV show. It was real.

It was deeply personal. A tragedy that hit home only because I had been there. I pretty much walked every inch of the World Trade Center area hundreds if not thousands of times. And then I wondered if I would’ve been there, if I hadn’t moved to Kansas. Maybe. Maybe not. When I lived in New York, it was certainly a possibility — especially in the morning.

I won’t watch any footage or documentaries or movies about the event. It’s just too hard. The panic in the streets, the terror and the chaos. It’s too hard to relive.

Just as an aside, I did know people who perished in the attack – high school acquaintances, first responders. And while this tragedy touches me on the most personal level, it is gratifying that the people in Liberal and Seward County Community College pay tribute on that day.

The college has often set up a special lunch and gathered the community to commemorate and honor not only those who have lost their lives but those who were first to help out – the police, fireman and EMTs – the first responders. How they have given their lives without hesitation to help others – their unselfishness. This year, Patriot Day falls on the weekend, and we will not be on campus. Even so, we should all honor and respect the memories of those we lost and the heroism of those who served as rescuers and responders.

September 11, 2001 – never forget.

A 14-year member of the Saints family, Phil Lee has worked in the SCCC Library, TRiO offices, and currently in the PR & Marketing office. You’ll be likely to see him at student and community events, capturing images and video footage for use in college media. 

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Life Interrupted: In which I unpack my grandfather’s short-lived college years

The trunk occupies the northwest corner of my living room, as if it still looks toward Montana and a farm that the bank took back. Its boxy face is covered with nailed-on filigree panels, impressed on metal too darkened with age for me to identify. One handle, the original leather rotted to a stub, has been replaced by a loop of rope. It is that makeshift detail that so endears the trunk to me. I view it as evidence that life goes on, and beauty remains.

When Abraham Schultz boarded the train to Minneapolis, Minn., in the early 1930s, the trunk was likely in excellent condition — unlike the state of affairs for wheat farmers like his father. Montana grain-growers had endured years of drought, locusts, and the Dust Bowl and Depression hadn’t even begun. By contrast, young Abe, someday to be my grandfather, was full of optimism, bound for Bible college and a scholar’s life. He had packed all his worldly belongings in the trunk, except for his heavy winter coat; that he layered over his clothes to conserve packing space. It was Indian Summer, and he must have felt stiflingly hot.

It would be decades before my mother heard the story of how her father’s education was interrupted by nature, social upheaval, and misfortune. She got the account from her own mother, whose lament in old age was the loss of her husband “who had been such an encourager. He always knew what to say to me when I was blue, and he encouraged me to keep on.”

Less than a year into his studies, Abe received word from his father in Montana: the bank had called in his loan, repossessed the farm, and evicted the family. As youngest son, and the only one without a wife and children, Abe was obliged to return home to help pack and move his parents to Dallas, Oregon. There, they found temporary lodging with relatives, and joined the migrant workers who picked fruit and lived hand-to-mouth through the Depression.

He was never a bitter man, my grandfather. My mother says he never talked about “what if” and how bad things had been for him. “He recalled being deeply disappointed that he was not able to finish college. He had to give that dream up,” she said. “But he dug down deep and decided to make the best of it. He found another way to get educated and to learn, to study. That was all of his own initiative, his inner drive.”

Before he met my grandmother, he traveled to California to help an uncle, and was able to take classes at Biola College in Los Angeles. Later, as a young minister in a Mennonite church in Quakertown, Penn., he attended a few seminary classes. Books crowded his study shelves. He was truly a self-taught man.

These days, his trunk serves as a lamp table in my living room, where I sometimes curl up on the sofa to work cozily. The stay-at-home orders prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and my resulting telecommuting work model feel surreal some days. Can it be possible that my office will remain dark until midsummer? That my Los Angeles daughter drove a full circuit of the city, from the mountains to the Pacific, in just 45 minutes on near-empty roads? That my state university daughter has created a basement studio in her Wichita house to continue music lessons and practice sessions? That my son dons full PPE gear to deliver oxygen tanks to respiratory-compromised clients? Can it be possible that there won’t be a “normal” to get back to?

All of us, particularly the students who have abruptly come to an educational crossroads, are alternately speechless and fearful. It must have been something like this for my grandfather. Like the students at Seward County Community College, where I work (from home) (sometimes on the sofa), he had a mere two decades of life experience to draw on as he navigated national disaster. His own parents had emigrated from Prussia, and remembered wartime and religious oppression and starvation. It’s safe to say the Depression was not the worst thing that had ever happened to them. For their son, though, the sudden withdrawal from college completely changed his vision of the future. I imagine it was devastating.

Yet here I am today, the second of four generations to come from his line. And we don’t recall him as a curmudgeon marked by bitterness. He didn’t just survive: he made a good life, won the heart of a beautiful woman who still longed for him 50 years after his death, raised children who remember his boundless optimism. Everywhere Abe moved, he planted grapevines in the back yard. Maybe the family would reap the benefits, or maybe they would be posted to a new church. Everywhere Abe moved, he began the day with singing — a practice he imposed upon his sleepy children before breakfast was served. He lived well.

For all of us, elementary students to at-risk grandparents, this time poses similar heartaches and opportunities. Yes, life is changing. The train has left the station, the dust clouds on the horizon threaten to darken our days, and we have no idea what might be asked of us. Yet we have so much to work with. We have technology and capacity to communicate by faster means than telegraph and handwritten letter. We have medical advancements that arm us with knowledge and effective care. Perhaps most valuable of all we have the legacy of the folks who weathered worse storms. My grandfather’s trunk reminds me each day that we should hold onto the things that are portable: love, family connection, a belief in the good that is possible. We carry them with us, and they last.

Rachel Coleman serves as Executive Director of Marketing & P.R., and leads the Inclusiveness & Civility Mover Team at SCCC. Like most of her teammates at the college, she is making it work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic … with plenty of coffee and a healthy dose of humor contributed by her husband. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

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Hall of Saints members put their SCCC education to good use

During the last week of January 2020, the Seward County Community College campus saw a little bit of everything — glistening snowdrifts, Homecoming events for all students, a multicultural potluck, and the celebration of 15 remarkable alumni as part of the college’s 50th anniversary festivities. Our college president, Dr. T, described it as “the continuing story of SCCC, told in each person’s life.”

Amid the happy frenzy, I found myself reflecting on a childhood story playing out in real life. I first encountered the Parable of the Talents in a slim, brightly-colored paperback “Arch Book,” the Sunday School equivalent of the better-known Golden Books. This one, “Eight Bags of Gold,” featured striking, hand-drawn illustrations in the favored color palette of the 1970s — burnt orange, harvest gold, and avocado green.

The original Arch book by Janice Kramer, published 1964 by Concordia House.

The story featured three characters, each of whom was given a different sum of money (in the parlance of antiquity, “talents,” also known as solid-gold currency) by their boss as he set out on a journey of unspecified length. The first two employees went to work immediately, doubling their respective funds. The third buried the gold in the ground, focusing on keeping it safe. He explained his rationale for the “play it safe” approach:

“Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money.”

In the story, the master praised the first two characters, but expressed angry disappointment about the third servants inactivity. One translation of the original puts it this way: the master exclaimed, “That’s a terrible way to live!”

What did my childhood self make of this story, originally recorded in the gospel of Matthew? One take-away is that fear has no place in a vibrant life. Another might be, “trust the people around you,” — in the college environment, that would be your teachers. Then there’s the old adage, “he who hesitates is lost.”

What moved me most as I spoke with graduates like healthcare provider Elizabeth Irby, and athlete and psychologist Anne Weese, was the way they have leveraged the opportunities life presented them. When you listen to them tell how they got from uncertain 18-year-old to the impressive accomplishments they’ve logged, their time at SCCC carries equal weight as years spent at big-name institutions like K-State, Notre Dame, and even Virginia Tech.

Honoree Areli Monarrez-Valles told me that she and her husband, Jose Valles, view this community college as the place where everything came together for them. It’s the origin-point of a journey into a wholly unknown universe of higher education. They were the first people in their respective families to venture out, and SCCC gave them courage to continue.

I particularly enjoyed Stuart Moore’s story of how he heeded the good advice given by a science instructor to “make yourself more marketable” as a combination coach/teacher, and minor in something other than history. English instructor Ann Judd provided the inspiration for the baseball player to earn a credential in language arts as well as physical education.

Their stories have something in common with every single inductee we have added to our new Hall of Saints cohort — 40 to date, with 10 more to come by May 2020.

Each person exemplifies the heart of our mission at SCCC: to provide opportunities to enrich and improve each person’s life through a range of academic programs … for the advancement of the individual and the community. That means we actively seek to meet our students at their point of need — not, as the foolish servant assumed in the parable, “to demand the best and make no allowances for error.”

You could almost make the case that SCCC offers a shot at redemption for nearly every situation that ails people: teenage angst and confusion, disappointments on the court and the field, changes in plan, changes in circumstance. We specialize in holding out a hand to people who’ve requested a “do-over.” We welcome the bright stars who eagerly work to leverage their advantages — intelligence, beauty, creativity, financial stability, innovative thinking — to go as far as they possibly can.

And we celebrate it all: the multiplication of talents, no matter how humble the start.

The best aspect of this process is that it’s truly a never-ending story. Every semester, we welcome more students to the campus. Every day, our alumni go about the regular business of life. They make the world better one newspaper page, one high school science lab, one new calf on the ranch, one life at a time.

What a way to live.

NOTE: We continue to add in-depth profiles of each of our Hall of Saints inductees to the official public relations site of the college. You can find them at scccnews.com.

Rachel Coleman serves as Executive Director of Marketing & P.R., and leads the Inclusiveness & Civility Mover Team at SCCC. She freely admits to a self-diagnosed condition, “Indiscriminate Fondness Disorder” that leads her to find something likable in every human she meets. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

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Lessons learned in Squirrel School

The neighbor dogs had barked since 9 a.m. when I stepped into the back yard to investigate. I had to squint across slabs of afternoon sun to scan the creaky elm tree that grows on the other side of the fence. Squirrel school, it appeared, was in session.

A determined-looking parent squirrel coaxed two kits along a slender branch that reached toward the roof. As they shrank into cute but uncooperative clumps, the parent crouched, launched, and landed decisively on the shingled slope. The mother — of course I imagined it was the mother — stood at attention, prairie-dog style, and chattered at her offspring. Just try it! I imagined her saying. It’s the shortest, safest route to the even bigger elm tree in the front yard!

Winter is coming! It’s time to stockpile food! This is the most efficient way! (Though I have no evidence, I am pretty sure squirrels end every sentence with an exclamation mark.)

The babies would have none of it. With a visible sigh, the mother dashed out of view, only to reappear in the tree moments later. The demonstration began again. The dog continued his alarm-bark. Saturday class continued until dusk.

With one college instructor and two future school teachers in the family, I hear plenty of human chatter about curriculum planning. Then, too, there’s my own work environment, surrounded by math and science instructors’ offices, students cramming for class outside my workspace, and the many meetings that punctuate academic life, meetings where we tackle tough questions like, “Why won’t our squirrels jump?” and “How many nuts are needed?” and “Have you seen the weather forecast for December?” I couldn’t help but imagine how this squirrel parent developed her own lesson outline.

Demonstration: How to leap from branch to shingle!

Assignment: Do as I do. And as I say … “be fearless, little ones!”

Objective: Master this skill before winter, in order to stockpile the most possible food in the highest possible location inaccessible to other creatures!

Outcome: Defy death at the jaws of the slavering dog below!

Assessment: If there’s no blood, we pass! If there are nuts in the nest, we earn As! Bonus points for any ounces gained by spring!

It’s no exaggeration to point out that the tiny, non-leaping squirrel kits resembled Saints students in more than one way. They were young and skinny and kind of adorable — all energy at the beginning, quick to wilt for nap time when the stress of leaping began to accrue. I’m sure they gobble nuts and seeds like nobody’s business, and have become accustomed to the bounty of summer and a parent’s provisions. Do these squirrels know how to cook or do laundry? They do not.

They were also easily distractible. During what must have been the parent’s 457th attempt to get them to try the leap, they engaged in a game of tag across the non-dog-guarded regions of the tree. I watched incredulously as they sprinted vertically up a desiccated branch that looked far less sturdy than the launch branch their mother had selected for the actual assignment. The 90-degree angle and brittle appearance of the branch bark and bone-white wood beneath seemed to me to represent a far greater possibility of tumbling to an untimely death by dog-jaw. Yet the baby squirrels wanted to play, and play to their strengths. They were stubborn, just like many of our students. They were were a bit cocky, betting on their squirrel tag skills instead of putting in the practice time for a challenging leap. They had no concept of winter, just as many of our students have no concept of the long marathon of debt repayment, or the likelihood of illness or injury and the need for a backup plan. They had no concept of age, because they were still babies, nor did they understand that their carefree days would not last forever. Sound familiar?

I take the parent squirrel’s teaching method to heart. It requires so much patience, time, sweat and determination. The mother did not need to jump on repeat for five hours, but she did. The students did not focus on the lesson, but she did. The need to get those winter preparations complete would drive me to despair, but she just kept at it.

Those darn squirrel kids. They don’t appreciate what they’ve got. Thank goodness someone’s looking out for them while the leaves fall and the dogs gather.

Rachel Coleman is a lifelong learner and former homeschooling parent  who currently serves as Executive Director of Marketing & P.R., and leads the Inclusiveness & Civility Mover Team at SCCC. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of  SCCC.  

•••

Clothe yourself in social courage

October, the month when I begin to listen for wild geese migrating, brings an echo of loss. Low grey skies create a sounding bell for the calls of birds fleeing blizzards; they also reflect an inevitable gloom, the descending specter of less sunlight and darker moods.

Autumn is when we feel the steady tick of time passing. Summer is over, winter is on its way, and growing season has come to a close. There’s no tricking a hard freeze.

It’s time to pull on an extra sweater, take a deep breath, and be brave.

Brave, because this time of year is when we reckon with mortality. We can’t avoid it. The trees offer testimony of bare-bones truth. Why would we assume that humans, whose lives are shorter than the average oak, are granted immunity from the forces that erode mountains?

How people handle loss is tied to how we connect with others. It is peculiar and treacherous territory. On the one hand, it’s as ordinary as dirt: everybody carries private grief. Making too much of yours can cloy. When I yearn for the dog I just relinquished to new owners or lament the mostly empty nest at my house, I can almost hear Auntie Sergeant in my head, issuing a crisp corrective: “Some people don’t have homes. Some people don’t have children to send to college! Toughen up, buttercup!” My sensible alter-ego is right — sorrow is nothing special.

But as Tolstoy observed in his novel Anna Karenina (whose title character is the all-time champion of melancholy) while all happy families are pretty much the same, every unhappy family finds its own unique way to explore misery. Can a person whose geriatric parent just died identify with the pain of a 25-year-old whose mother fought cancer and lost? If you say you’re upset about a favorite chair claimed by dry rot, do I trump your tale of woe with a story about termites?

In the face of such quandaries, professionals offer tips. Maybe it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder — the wintertime blues — that has us down. Or perhaps we ought to talk about National Suicide Awareness Month? Be aware, feelings of discouragement are not the same as clinical depression. Instructors at the community college where I work take the halfway mark of the semester as a cue to issue warnings about “staying on top of your studies.” Young adult students, whose brains are still in the final stages of development, might not be sure why they feel downhearted.

The big box stores see the start of autumn as a gold rush: Halloween, hunting season, Thanksgiving, football, and Christmas shopping all provide profits galore. The retailers are not wrong, if what counts is dollars. We all know, however, down in the roots of our being, that money is not what matters when that cold and lonely wind blows.

For me, October is a grab bag of emotion. It is the time of year I met my next-door neighbor, who became my husband 26 years ago. It’s also the time of year when my oldest child died. This year, the month has already brought gain and loss, gold and grit. I want to photograph every bright red leaf I notice turning in the wind. I want to curl up beneath the softest blanket in the house, and go to sleep. I’m pretty sure I am not alone in this back-and-forth response to the arrival of autumn.

At work, the month brings what I think of as “Judgement Day,” our accreditation visit from the Higher Learning Commission. Being evaluated is never comfortable, even when you know you have done your level best. The stress is counterbalanced by the excitement about our new buildings on campus — the Colvin Family Center for Allied Health on the northwest side of Circle Drive, and the Sharp Family Champions Center on the southeast. Both are nearly complete, and the altered silhouette kind of takes my breath away when I approach campus.

That’s the thing about seasons. They change. And even though we might find familiar themes, be those in the form of pumpkins or plaid, no two years are exactly the same.

What memories mark this season for you? What do you savor? When does sadness gust into the corners of your heart, like wind scattering dry leaves?

As SCCC’s inclusiveness & civility mover team launches another year of work, we’re interested in those moments, when loss collides with forward motion, calling for courage and grace. More than the distinctions that divide us, all people share common experiences as we move through life. Let’s keep good company with one another along the way.

Rachel Coleman is a recovering newspaper writer who currently serves as Executive Director of Marketing & P.R., and leads the Inclusiveness & Civility Mover Team at SCCC. To read more of her columns, visit her blog at rachelcoleman.wordpress.com. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

•••

Going back to where we came from

If you grew up in a small, rural community like I did, the beginning of the school year was something like a family reunion. Every August, the same group of 15 or so kids lined up in the freshly-waxed hallway, back to assume their roles in the social network of best friends, best athletes, smartest students, poorest families, prettiest girls; the roles rarely shifted, having been set in kindergarten stone. Your identity was marked and known.

As a book-loving girl, I clamored for change. “Why can’t you take a church in New York? Or Kansas City? Or … anywhere with a museum?” I demanded of my preacher father.

God, it appeared, was not subject to my geographic whims. We stayed in that town of 800. Internally, I fumed about the limitations of small-town life. Outwardly, I often disconnected or sought to stir up controversy with tools like vote-fixing in the third-grade ballot box, an “underground” newspaper filled with snarky observations, and, in high school, a leopardskin-patterned skirt. Thank God he hadn’t left town, or the adults’ patience would have run out.

Decades later, I’m grateful for my throwback childhood, where neighbors ratted you out for picking flowers from their front yards and teachers exercised autonomy to design independent studies for a restless eighth-grader. These Indian summer afternoons, with their stored heat that radiates from the campus sidewalks, set off nostalgia rather than bitterness. My juvenile complaints, it turns out, were short-sighted.

Here at SCCC, we often experience the same dissatisfactions that marked my Minneola years. We are place-bound and work far away from urban resources and hot new trends. We make the best of aging buildings and standing committees filled with the same group of faces from year to year. We take for granted the advantages that tend to fade with familiarity. Until we don’t.

It’s a well-known trait of human beings — even those of us with a long list of complaints — to resist change. Take, for instance, one elementary-aged girl who hissed to the new kid in class, a smart and confident student whose hand shot up with ready answers, “Go back to Omaha where you came from!”

Why did I resent the arrival of someone who had read all the same books I loved, and brought fresh stories of a life lived elsewhere? Rather than relish the opportunities for friendship with a kindred spirit, I defaulted to animosity. How we navigated that relationship is a story too long for this column, but keep in mind the inertia of small town demographics. In the decades that followed, two classmates who argued during recess found common ground. Now we keep an eye on one another via Facebook. 

Higher ed, of course, is assumed to be far from the grade-school classroom. Even so, we adults often resemble our younger selves. 

When longtime colleagues retire or move on to other jobs, it’s human to mourn the loss; it’s shortsighted to shut out newcomers. When politics or current events frighten us, we need time to process our grief; it’s foolish to let our fears divide us from coworkers and neighbors who see events through a different lens. 

When summer comes to an end, it’s  OK to be sad. July, which is National Ice Cream month and a cause for celebration at my house, is nearly a week behind us. Regular work hours resumed on campus this Monday, and I confess I’m feeling a little cranky about how quickly the summer melted away.

At the same time, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement about what this year will hold. Our campus has two new buildings, one of which is nearly finished. Vacancies on the SCCC team have been filled with newcomers from other places — though I haven’t seen Omaha on the list — and many folks on campus have switched jobs and moved to new offices.

Just as I could never have predicted how my childhood perspectives on life would shift, I realize there’s no telling what marvels might unfold during this new year. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Saint Stories is written by Executive Director of PR & Marketing, Rachel Coleman. A Kansas native and lifelong bibliovore, Rachel is affectionately known as the “Book Bully” by her family. She will stop reading for afternoon tea or a walk with the dog so that she can find the beauty in everyday life. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

•••

Green is good — until it’s time to mow

At Seward County Community College, we often say, “It’s good to be green!”

This summer, the natural world echoed that emotion with more rain through the season than anyone younger than 90 years of age can recall.

The robins rejoiced — loudly — starting at 3 a.m. daily, and the grackles never let up in their extravagant mating rituals that transform them from black mini-crows to gorgeous scribbles of desire. Gardeners enjoyed our own celebratory moments. The rain compensated for all sorts of horticultural shortcomings, from late plantings of tomato vines to distracted afternoons when watering fell off the “to do” list.

“This is why flowerbeds in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest look so lush,” I said to myself. “They get rain every day and nobody has to worry about drought resistant varieties of anything.” It’s easy to achieve beauty when it is your worries that evaporate, and not the sprinkler’s spray.

Mowing, though — that’s a different story. On campus, I saw our trusty crew mount the machines and make the circuit. And then do it again the next day. And the next. By the time they finished the outer edges of our sizable grounds, it was time to start over. And by the time I imagine they had resigned themselves to their fate, the weather decided to grant us 10 days of triple digits. No matter: the lawns still demanded attention.

SCCC has long touted its green spaces, often referred to by our community as “an oasis” on these arid High Plains. Over the last four years, the oasis has received many upgrades with the help of various granting bodies both public and private. The Sunflower Foundation, the Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife, the Liberal Area Coalition for Families and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas have all dedicated funding to expand our Connections Trail System.

At the outset, some expressed skepticism about the vision that fueled this project, articulated by then-new SCCC President, Dr. Ken Trzaska. Dr. T would expound on his future-perfect scenario of hundreds of new trees, including an orchard path at some stretch, and families with young children picnicking in the shade. “He’s not from Kansas,” I think the feelings ran. “Clearly, he does not understand how hard it is to get things to grow out here.”

That’s probably true of any transplant, but Dr. T proved he understood more than anybody reckoned when construction began on the Colvin Center for Allied Health — right next to the ancient cottonwood that rules the northwest quadrant of Circle Drive. The cottonwood, in my imagination, had attracted two disciples in the form of Scotch Pines to the north. While it was a given that Coonrod & Associates would never dare to do so much as scratch the Cottonwood, the relatively smaller evergreens were in the way.

“They will have to move the two trees,” Dr. T said when he heard rumors of tree-chopping. “Trees are too hard to grow out here for us to just cut them down.”

He was right. The trees were good trees, sturdy, seemingly impervious to whatever that rusty, tree-balding disease is that has claimed other, less determined members of their species.

I’m not sure what it takes to relocate a tree of the size and age of the Scotch twins. Heavy equipment, for starters. Even then, it has to be a touch-and-go endeavor. Sadly, the first candidate for resettlement succumbed. The second remained, standing sentry as lifters and scrapers and Allied-Health makers — I may know the names of flora and fauna, but not construction machines — rumbled past.

Summer’s timer is ticking as I write, and the verdant glory of SCCC continues. I tip my hat to the groundskeepers, the construction crew, and our president for ensuring the oasis lives up to its name. One more reason to repeat, “it’s good to be green.”

Saint Stories is written by Executive Director of PR & Marketing, Rachel Coleman. A Kansas native and lifelong bibliovore, Rachel is affectionately known as the “Book Bully” by her family. She will stop reading for afternoon tea or a walk with the dog so that she can find the beauty in everyday life. Enthusiastic book recommendations are always free to the public. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

Lightning strike demonstrates the power of persistence on college campus

to see which classes might work best for you. We have online, in person, and hybrid options for many different subjects. Or give us a call to learn more: the admissions office is 620-417-1100. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brad Bennett is the 13th president of Seward County Community College. Even though he could happily spend his entire summer fishing, you will find him on campus from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 

•••

Dream big about The Next 50 Years with SCCC

It’s an old but grounded-in-experience joke: If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. We all know the feelings that go with “the best laid plans,” as old-timers used to say: everyone wants to expect the best, but there’s almost always a curve ball or unpredictable weather to factor in. So, why plan?

This is a question our executive team and campus leaders have been grappling with over the last semester. Does it make sense to  picture progress and actually make step-by-step plans, when we have all experienced unprecedented challenges in the past few years?

The answer at Seward County Community College is a resounding “yes.”

History says it is the dreamers who propel progress. Locally, time has shown that looking to the future is exactly what has gotten this resilient and inspiring region to where we are now. In the midst of political and economic upheavals, despite pandemics and tornadoes and prairie fires, this part of the country is full of folks who stick to their guns. We persevere. We endure. And we are hopeful in the way that farmers and sodbusters and the Greatest Generation showed us.

That is why we have started a project we’re calling “The Next 50: Envisioning the Future.” Beginning with an informal brainstorming, dream-out-loud gathering on Tuesday, May 23, we invite our stakeholders and Saints supporters to join us in picturing all the possibilities for the College and this region. If you would like to join us, please contact our Chief Development Officer Kyle Woodrow to request an invitation. 

Some examples of the topics we are considering:

• What are the best practices to radically expand Seward’s online course offerings? What options are most valuable to our students and those we hope to draw into the Saints family?
• As dairy interests grow and a cheese factory is constructed in the region, how might we leverage the opportunities for our students and our community?
• Liberal has long served as a transportation hub for the wider region. Is it time to revive this sense of purpose with expanded truck and rail transportation? How will the four-lane expansion of U.S. Hwy. 54 impact industry growth?
• Solar and wind energy continue to offer intriguing possibilities for this region. What entry points exist for SCCC and our students in support for this emerging energy industry?
• Fiber expansion is well under way, with at least three providers fully involved in bringing 5G technology to Southwest Kansas. How can we tie such projects to what our students study and aspire to practice?
• We value our partnerships with fellow education entities, from the local and area public school districts, to four-year universities and federally funded programs in high-value specialized fields of study like national intelligence/security. How can we grow these relationships for the benefit of all?

These are only a few of the subjects that have captured our imagination. With a community full of capable, creative, and hard-working stakeholders, I know there are many more worthy ideas to consider.

It’s always fun to start with questions. What if … we increased enrollment so successfully that we ran out of dorm space? What if … we added even more sports to our Saints Athletics teams lineup? What if the demand for housing in Liberal caused us to take a second look at a construction study track in Industrial Technology? What if we recruited all the best musicians in the area for our instrumental music program, and started more small groups for performances?

What if your son, daughter, next-door neighbor, or even you have a great idea that grows with a bit of encouragement from an SCCC instructor, and soon we are empowering students’ entrepreneurial ventures every year?

The College has crafted a sturdy and effective Strategic Plan for our next five years; we want to expand that sense of purpose tenfold, and look to the horizon for 50-year goals. Please consider joining the conversation. We can’t wait to dream together.

EDITOR’S NOTE — SCCC President Brad Bennett is looking forward to envisioning big things for SCCC with the community. The Next 50 Years first event is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, at the Liberal Country Club. For more information or to request an invitation, contact Kyle Woodrow (Chief Development Officer) at 620-417-1131). You can also reach Brad at brad.bennett@sccc.edu or by phone at 620-417-1010.

•••

May 1, 2023

Eyes on the dashboard, enrollment gains ahead

It will still be several years until my daughters learn to drive, but lately, I’ve been thinking about the importance of the dashboard.

The newest dashboard at Seward County Community College is not attached to a vehicle — it’s attached to our campus-wide goal to increase enrollment. To people in the world of higher education, that goal might sound a little obvious, like putting the car in “drive” if you want to go anywhere. For us, however, increasing enrollment connects to the big picture of what SCCC can be next year, the year after that, and decades into the future. 

I don’t want to drift off course, so back to the dashboard. 

The SCCC enrollment dashboard tracks our work in every area of the college, from classrooms to offices, to phone messages and our presence in the outside world. It connects to our progress, our speed, our overall condition. It’s just like your car dashboard, which keeps you on track but also warns you if something like your oil or tire pressure needs attention. 

Just after our college and the community worked to create the SCCC Strategic Plan for 2022-2025, the Saints family decided to establish a “W.I.G.,” or “Wildly Important Goal.” This is something that supersedes all of the urgent, everyday tasks that eat up time and attention. It’s something that deserves our best energy and focus. For SCCC, that is the vision of increasing enrollment by five percent every year for the next five years. 

How will we get there? That is a little bit like asking “how does a car run?” With a lot of moving parts. Every department, academic division, and office on campus has been asked to identify a goal for their area that connects to our campus wide W.I.G.

So far, the SCCC approach has been broad. We have focused on filling the student housing center again, something that happened most years before the pandemic altered what seems normal. Of course, filling a dorm requires the dorm to be appealing and ready to be bursting at the seams with energetic students. Accordingly, our board approved key improvements to the student housing buildings, one of which will take place over the summer. We’re replacing the flooring with the help of three local vendors who will divide the work evenly. 

Another component of student housing — our washing machines and dryers — was addressed earlier this spring. To say the students were happy would be an understatement. 

Adding three new sports — men’s and women’s soccer, and eSports — has increased the number of student-athletes. Even so, we are happy to report that more than half of the early applications for dorm housing are from students who are not in our athletics program. This is a positive trend, and it indicates our recruiting efforts outside Saints athletics are paying off. 

Recruiting is tied to scholarships, and that is another key area we have addressed in our pursuit of higher enrollment. Working with the SCCC Foundation, we have restructured some of our scholarship offerings to appeal to students who excel in the classroom and extracurriculars like band and vocal music, as well as technical education areas of interest. At the Monday board of trustees meeting, Chief Development Officer Kyle Woodrow reviewed some of the changes. The Foundation has adjusted several scholarships to offer “front-awarded” funding for key areas. These include agriculture, corrosion, machine tool, diesel, and welding technology, as well as in-state and out-of-state awards given by the admissions office.  

Looking ahead, the Development and President’s offices will co-host a long-range planning event May 23, focusing on “The Next 50 Years” at Seward. 

Enrollment also relies on recruiting activities, and our campus is in the midst of a mindset “reset” about how that works. Our admissions office hosted a successful Saints & Seniors Day in March, and the first All Saints Day for enrollment took place last weekend. We’ve also hired an Executive Director of Enrollment Management, Erika Espinoza, who will bring together work in the admissions office, the outreach office, and other campus-wide efforts to recruit and retain students. 

This comes at an opportune time, since we rolled out the Saints Ahead Scholarship for concurrent high school / SCCC students earlier this year; we’re already enrolling high school students for next fall. Everyone is excited about the free tuition for Seward County residents, and $50-per class flat rate for high school students in our service area. 

Marketing and Public Relations has increased billboard advertising across the state, and produced materials and social media advertising campaigns for both the Saints Ahead Scholarship and fall enrollment. The numbers are exciting, as people respond to the news of what we have to offer with enthusiasm and real interest; you might compare this to “miles per gallon” if you are still thinking about the dashboard. 

As summer approaches, we will continue to maintain our work, monitor our progress, and enjoy the journey. Anyone who has been on a long road trip with kids understands the importance of having fun along the way, and that’s our goal at SCCC.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and the custodian of “dad jokes” for campus. This week, he shared a “daughter joke” at the trustees meeting: “Dad, do they call them ‘board meetings’ because they’re boring?” Contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

April 25, 2023

April 18, 2023

Year by year, numbers tell a powerful story

•••

April 11, 2023

Join the Saints to celebrate our agriculture heritage

Lawns all over Liberal are turning green, trees have opened leaves, and wheat plants in the surrounding area have emerged. It’s a time of growth, and nowhere is that more evident than at the agriculture program at Seward County Community College.

Less than a year ago, our two new agriculture and livestock judging instructors arrived and brought a fresh sense of energy and excitement to the program. Will and Rachael Sirek-Milashoski represent the newest generation of farm and ranch professionals. 

And, just like spring refreshes our sense of what is possible and good in the world, they have set off an explosion of optimism in the classroom, the livestock arena, the greenhouses, and the SCCC service area. Maybe it’s the sight of Will chasing a pig across a grassy field during a livestock event — or the common-sense kindness Rachael exhibits toward the campus’ growing herd of goats — or the laughter you hear when the pair are at work with students — but pinning down the exact definition of a flourishing program might be a little bit like predicting weather on the High Plains. When it’s raining, you know it, and when the animals and crops are thriving, you can tell. 

Stakeholders from our service area can take part in the excitement next week, as SCCC hosts a fantastic roster of events for Ag Week. Starting with a student-led Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning, the week has something for everyone. Families can stop by campus for a fun “All About Ag” event on Monday. Our Collegiate Farm Bureau will host a Barnyard Olympics with round and square hay bale activities, potato sack race, wheelbarrow roping, and plenty of laughs on Thursday. In between those highlights, we have a forum for innovators, a tailgate party and games, plus livestock judging for all ages. 

I’m especially excited about the Stockman’s Banquet and Celebration planned for 7 p.m. April 21 at the Liberal Country Club. The menu includes New York Strip steak donated by National Beef Packing, gourmet sides prepared by chef Anthony, and complimentary wine and beer courtesy of Kent and Molly Colvin, Rock and Stephanie Ormiston, and my wife Lindsay and myself.

Following a great meal, we’ll host the celebrity auction for the next day’s livestock judging event. If your livestock judging team needs some expertise, several local pros will be up for bids: Trevor Winchester, Blake Williams, and visiting livestock experts.

The Stockman’s Banquet is what I think of as a signature event for our part of the world. Hard-working, salt-of-the-earth people deserve a break, a chance to sit back and savor the fruits of their labor. “Going to town” used to be the way farmers and ranchers expressed a trip to shop, dine out, and meet friends. The Stockman’s Banquet brings a little bit of that feeling back. 

It’s important to note that the banquet serves as the high point of a busy day of hosting the next generation of young animal science and livestock judging community members. Throughout the day, SCCC will host a Youth Livestock Judging contest at the Seward County Fairgrounds. Following the showmanship and feedback, we aim to raise scholarship funds for those future Saints at the banquet. The SCCC judging team will also present a brief recap, and then the fun of the celebrity auction will being. I hope you will join us. 

Here’s a roundup of the other events scheduled for Ag Week:

April 14 (Fri.) — Scholarships for Saints online auction. Visit sconline.com

April 15 (Sat.) — Farmer’s Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., SCCC Ag Building

April 17 (Mon.) — All About Ag Day (family-friendly fun), 3-5 p.m., Student Union 

April 18 (Tues.)— Ag Tech Innovation Workshop 

April 19 (Wed.) — Tailgate at Lady Saints Softball, 12-3 p.m., French Family Field

April 20 (Th.) — Barnyard Olympics, 4-6 pm., SCCC Ag Building

April 21 (Fri.) — Saints Showcase Livestock Judging  (youth livestock contest 

                        and auction), 9 a.m., Seward Co. Fairgrounds

                     — Stockman’s Banquet, 7 p.m., Liberal Country Club

April 22 (Sat.) — Celebrity Livestock Judging, 9 a.m., Seward Co. Fairgrounds

Seward County and the High Plains region have enjoyed a long tradition of farm and ranch endeavors, and SCCC is proud to continue that rich heritage. I invite you to come to campus for activities throughout the next 10 days, and join us for the Stockman’s Banquet on Friday, April 21. 

Reserve your $20 ticket now by calling Rachael SIrek-Milashoski at 620-417-1353. 

 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is no farm boy, but the president of Seward County Community College knows his way around a fishing hole and teaches livestock care skills to his daughters as they care for the family dog, Mr. Pancakes. Plan to attend the Stockman’s Banquet to meet him and learn more about the ag program at Seward!

•••

April 4, 2023

Community College Month at SCCC brings Ag Week, musical, and more

•••

March 28, 2023

Seeing Seward County Community College through the eyes of guests

This week, our campus was in interview mode, from the students to the faculty and staff current and, possibly, future. On Wednesday, more than 50 employers came to campus for the Career & Technical Education Career Fair, which gave Saints and the community multiple opportunities to explore jobs in a variety of industries. It was a great day to see students dressed professionally, resumes in hand, ready to interview, or at least set up interviews.

Wednesday was also the first of two all-day interviews for our Vice President of Student Affairs position. It is not possible to write about the position opening in June without first describing how hard it will be to say goodbye to current Vice President of Student Services Celeste Donovan. She will retire in June, and while I know it is well-earned, I am not alone in my mixed feelings as we say goodbye.

Vice President Donovan has worked in higher education her entire career, and her perspective, wisdom, and ability to share a cheerful and positive attitude is invaluable. During the time I have worked with her, Celeste has demonstrated grace under pressure, a willingness to tackle monumental projects, and a tireless commitment to what is best for students. I am especially thankful for the way she headed up a comprehensive revision of our campus civil rights and Title IX policy. It was necessary, and it was the right thing to do but it was also extremely complicated. Our entire campus will benefit from her commitment to this task for years to come.

The two candidates who visited campus this week definitely have big shoes to fill.

Going through the interview process with them made an already busy week even more challenging, but it presented some valuable hidden benefits. Our HR Director Charlotte Peterson has said that she genuinely enjoys the interview process, because it is an opportunity to learn so much. She is right, and I experienced that this week.

As I prepared to give our candidates tours of campus, I noticed how much work has gone into improvements at every location we passed. When I sat in on various interview committee sessions, I was reminded again of what a great team we have at Seward County Community College. Administration, faculty, and staff all had multiple projects and events to juggle, yet they made time to show up for interviews, prepared and positive, putting forth the best face for people who might become coworkers. They asked great questions, and provided honest, helpful and sometimes funny feedback when candidates asked them about what it’s like to be part of the Saints family, and to live in Southwest Kansas.

From my point of view, it was great to hear the candidates praise SCCC as a place they would want to work. It wasn’t just the kind of compliments you often hear during an interview process, but genuine praise for our facilities, our team, and our reputation in the world of higher education. Interviewing candidates can be a long and arduous process, but I came away from it energized by the view it gave me of how the rest of the world sees us.

It was also great to see our Human Resources office in action following HR Director Charlotte Peterson’s lead. As is the case with any institution, SCCC’s policies and procedures require constant attention and updating as laws and professional standards change. Charlotte and her team have devoted energy to these projects while helping the college fill multiple positions over the past year. When we welcome candidates to campus, it’s important to put our best face forward, and HR is the department that ensures we do so.

Saints & Seniors Day brought 200+ high school students to campus on Thursday, and once again, it gave us an opportunity to see the college through fresh eyes. For students in our service area, SCCC provides a top-notch, quality college experience close to home. In terms of cost and return on investment, there’s no better way to begin work on a degree — but we know graduating seniors often crave an experience and an environment that excites and inspires them, more than one that’s easy on their budget, or their family’s budget.

The Saints family offers the perfect solution. We have Saints athletics with three new options next year as we add men’s and women’s soccer and eSports; we have a growing list of campus activities with exciting, student-led projects and events like Quiz Bowl, Leadership Challenge, and Livestock Judging; we have highly qualified instructors who offer a level of knowledge, critical thinking, and university-level teaching that exceeds expectations. That is what our younger visitors to campus saw this week, and we are planning even more upgrades to push ahead in the ways that matter to young adults and their families.

I’m sure many of us on campus ended our week with some new perspectives and a greater appreciation for all that Seward is. Stop by campus anytime, and let us know what you see.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of college, as well as an experienced SCCC tour guide and presenter of welcome speeches to guests of all ages. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

March 21, 2023

March 14, 2023

DST reminds us to make the most of what we’ve got

•••

March 7, 2023

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate past, present and future

Wednesday, March 8, was International Women’s Day, and it means a lot to me. Before you get uncomfortable about that statement, consider the fact that I am the father of two daughters. 

When I think about the concept of International Women’s Day — a time to recognize the achievements of women worldwide, and to acknowledge the importance of ensuring they receive equal respect and care as we give to men — I think about the people my daughters will grow up to be. This is consistent with how we approach supporting our students at Seward County Community College.

But it is far more personal than policies. Like every person, my life began with my mother. When I reflect on the impact my mother had, not only on my life but also the lives of so many students, I am in awe. 

In the days and months after my mother passed, I received many phone calls and letters from former students talking about the impact my mother had on their lives. Throughout her career in public education, she worked extremely hard for the students and school she loved. 

She instilled the value of work ethic and education in not only her own kids but the thousands of students she educated. It’s not about the numbers, but the numbers do tell a powerful story. If every student she interacted with internalized just one fundamental truth, think about how those little lessons add up over the course of 12 years of elementary, middle, and high school education. Then think about all the people each of those student will affect as they go through life, whether it’s at work, in family relationships, and society as a whole.

I think about that often in how I interact with my daughters. Whether it is practicing spelling worlds or our current project — a book report on polar bears — the standard for excellence that lives in my heart and mind is always my mom. When is it best to push a little further to bring out a student’s best? When is it time to offer encouragement and the reassurance that you are valuable no matter how you feel you are performing? When is it important to say, “great job” and call it a day? 

These principles carry over to Higher Ed, even though our students are no longer laboring over weekly spelling lists. When Saints students arrive on campus, we know they bring more than a decade of teacher-student interactions with them. Many of those teachers were most likely women educators like my own mom, who poured years of effort and expertise into the children and teens who sat in their classrooms. 

During my lifetime, it’s been great to see the progress we have made in celebrating excellence from all students, and encouraging girls to break barriers. STEM classes (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) were once viewed as easier for male students, and young women were discouraged from enrolling. They were advised to major in English or teaching or something “more appropriate” for girls. That’s not the case today, and it’s clear on our own campus. 

In our Math and Science, Industrial Technology, Humanities and Allied Health divisions, we employ several women instructors and deans who hold doctorate-level credentials. Heather Hannah, Magda Silva, Suzanne Campbell and Amber Jones all merit the honorific “Dr.” And make up a key part of our college leadership, but more importantly, they have a positive impact on all their students. 

It’s not all about credentials, either, but about institutional commitment. Our Board of Trustees welcomed two influential and gifted women to the table over the past two years; Kay Burtzloff and Keeley Moree have brought new perspectives and power to the governance of SCCC. And the newest member of our executive team, Vice President of Financial Affairs Madalen Day, has already transformed key areas of our college operations. 

SCCC has also focused on ensuring that we will continue to empower and inspire all our students by revamping our Civil Rights / Title IX system. Under the leadership of Vice President of Student Services Celeste Donovan, we restructured our campus response to reported incidents of discrimination or sexual harassment/assault. Thankfully, the occasions when we have to address such issues are rare — but if and when they occur, we are ready to respond. 

So today we celebrate great women of history, industry, and education — not just in the past but also the present and the future. From my mom’s days in the classroom to the achievements I can’t wait to see my daughters attain, and all the years between, the world is better because of these women. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. Thanks to his two daughters, he knows all the words to “Let it Go,” from the popular Disney movie  “Frozen”and has read more Princess storybooks than he can count. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

February 28, 2023

Three more reasons to yell ‘Go Saints!’ when August arrives 

January and February are always intense months at Seward County Community College, because seven sports schedules are running simultaneously. Our student athletes competing in volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, softball, and baseball are all in play. For the serious Saints fan, it can feel a little crazy.

Now, the SCCC family is poised to dive even deeper into the world of intercollegiate competition, as our three new sports prepare to launch: men’s and women’s soccer teams will begin play in August, as will the eSports team. It’s an exciting time. 

That sense of anticipation got a major jolt of energy on March 1, with the first-ever signing of an SCCC Soccer student-athlete. Head coach Jaime Beltran recruited Emmanuel Ortuño, a senior standout at Liberal High School, as his first team member. The signing ceremony took place at 6:30 p.m. in the Hall of Saints room in the Student Union — a traditional location at an unusual time of day, so that our community members, family, and friends could all join in the celebration. 

Ortuño’s commitment is not the only exciting development in the Saints Athletics world this spring. I sometimes wonder where the day has gone, there are so many meetings, committee check-ins, and events to attend. This is a good kind of busy-ness, and it is appropriate that it is connected to athletics, because you have to adopt a similar mindset to show up and do what’s needed, at the time it is needed!

We’ve welcomed Head Women’s Soccer Coach Derek Talcott to campus, and he, too, is at work recruiting and planning for the inaugural season. We’re excitedly waiting to celebrate the first signee for the team he’ll be coaching, too.

Both head coaches have been part of a community-wide conversation about facilities use and scheduling, incorporating USD 480 and the City of Liberal. When we committed to the addition of these two sports teams, we did so with the awareness that this was something our community had been asking for over many years. And, as we embraced the work of making that dream into reality, we knew we would need help — a lot of help. There’s no way this expansion could occur without buy-in and support from our local school district and city government, and we are beyond grateful for all the time and thought they have devoted to this new chapter in Saints athletics. 

In the world of eSports, head coach Eric Volden has been busy as well. Eric is not new to our campus family, having served as admissions director since 2017. Before he took on the role of head recruiter of SCCC students, he spent several years exploring the eSports world as a side hustle and hobby. The competitive gaming world is a little foreign to many, but as Eric likes to point out, anyone who casually enjoys a game of Candy Crush on their cell phone is, in fact, an amateur gamer. The kids who hunker down for hours-long contests in front of computer or television screens are gamers, too. But like all our student-athletes, they are students first, and according to Eric, the “typical” game competitor is oftentimes a high-achiever in academics and life skills. 

For the college itself, starting an eSports team has also required multiple skills. A gaming room and adjacent broadcasting studio have been selected and are being renovated in the Industrial Technology complex at 2215 N. Kansas Ave., and our facilities team has been busy making sure all the details are in place, from electrical wiring to a wall painted the exact shade of Seward County green. 

“We’re getting the facilities, equipment, and layout set up so that it will be an ideal gamer space … and then we will start our recruiting process, which is very familiar to me,” Volden said. “I see an overwhelming response coming from our area, once it gets off the ground.”

Eric moved from Admissions to eSports on March 1, and while we will miss his presence in the main Hobble Building, and his expertise in connecting with our area schools and high school students, we are also eager to see him make an impact in recruiting for eSports. 

It’s a win-win for our area, for Seward, and most of all for the students who will be on campus, in our classrooms, and building positive futures for themselves. Esports, like traditional athletics, offers a world of opportunity with scholarships and transfer options. Students who excel also have a real shot at professional competition with cash prizes and travel opportunities. 

Of course, these new activities and initiatives at Seward join a full roster of thriving athletics teams and student life offerings. As spring goes on, I hope you will join us in the outdoor fan sections for women’s softball, baseball, and tennis — which is another example of cooperation with the city of Liberal and our excellent parks facilities. Keep an eye out for news about our Saints Scholars Quiz Bowl team’s recent trip to national competition in Chicago, the newly formed SCCC student leadership group, which will be participating in a conference at Washburn University, and our HALO club for Hispanic leaders. We’re proud of all these SCCC students, who embody our core values of diversity, inclusiveness, innovation, and integrity. When you see them in action, you can’t help but say, “Go Saints!”

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is SCCC President, and a professional fan of any competition our Saints students take on. He’s brushing up on soccer rules and the vocabulary of the eSports world, and plans to be ready by August. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

February 22, 2023

Saints Ahead Scholarship can move the county from least educated to its highest potential

At Seward County Community College, there’s never a shortage of good news and exciting developments. Last week, it was the rollout of our new Saints Ahead Scholarship.

And, when it comes to “new” and “exciting,” this scholarship lives up to the requirements: it’s a game-changer for individual students, their families, their communities, and by extension, the entire Southwest Kansas region.

This program is designed to help students in our area gain a “head start” in their quest to gain access to higher education. The data tells us that high school students who complete that first 15 to 18 credits of college work have a significantly higher rate of completing a college degree. And, students who complete two years at SCCC outperform their peers who went directly from high school to a four-year institution. The quality of instruction they receive at Seward is unparalleled, and sets them up for bigger achievements as they progress. 

So,the Saints Ahead Scholarship truly has the power to change lives. 

It offers tuition coverage for all Seward County high school students at Liberal High School and Southwestern Heights who take college courses while they are still attending high school. It is also open to homeschooled students who live in Seward County, and those enrolled in the private Fellowship Baptist Academy, located in Liberal.

This scholarship goes beyond the career and technical education classes that have been covered for several years through the SB155 and “Excel in CTE” programs funded by the state of Kansas. CTE classes are still covered, but we’ve eliminated the gaps. Now, high school students can enroll in any classes at SCCC (that they are academically ready to take) that are not already funded, whether those are concurrent, online, Blendflex, or even evening classes. All options are now open. Best of all, they are completely tuition free.

The Saints Ahead Scholarship also provides assistance to high schoolers in six additional Kansas counties served by SCCC, starting with the fall semester 2023. Those counties, Meade, Haskell, Morton, Stevens, Grant, and Stanton, contain 11 public high schools. We’re offering a flat rate of $50 per class for our Outreach area.

Our Seward County residents are already paying taxes to support SCCC but we want to extend a similar opportunity to our entire service area.

I’m proud of SCCC for creating the Saints Ahead Scholarship, in part because Seward County has the lowest formally educated population in the state. This is not a statistic to be proud of; in fact, when I heard about the data, I felt a wave of shock and dismay.

But that response was immediately followed by a new sense of purpose. This is a situation that comes with a solution close to home: SCCC has the ability to make a tremendous difference for good, and to move the needle in the right direction. It’s a great opportunity for the Saints family and the community we serve.

It starts one student at a time, as our partners at USD 480 know well. I announced the Saints Ahead Scholarship on Thursday with Liberal’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Todd Carter. He is familiar with the barriers and challenges that many students and their families face.

In fact, utilizing ESSER funding, emergency relief designed to help public districts recover from the impact of the pandemic, USD 480 committed to covering the cost of their high school students enrolled in college work during the current academic year. Their commitment started what I think of as a large-scale, academic relay for change, and the Saints Ahead Scholarship is SCCC’s way of picking up the baton from the district and continuing the momentum. 

Dr. Carter’s vision is to provide access and opportunity for all students to build post-secondary experiences into their Individual Plans of Study, and he says the Saints Ahead Scholarship does just that. 

“Removing the cost barrier makes post-secondary certifications and degrees a very real possibility that students and families can plan for. The result is motivation to take control of their future early and turn their plans into action,” he said.

I couldn’t say it any better.  If we can help reduce the overall debt for our students and provide them with a quality education it is a win-win. And that’s not just for high school students in Liberal and rural Seward County.

We are going to work hard to provide more opportunities for our communities in the coming years. We will be hosting town halls at each of the communities in the coming months. While we are ironing out the details for this new scholarship we are excited about the opportunity this provides us.

Seward County Community College is known across the state as the college that dismisses classes for Pancake Day. We’re known across the Jayhawk League and in the NJCAA for our incredible fan base and high attendance at home sporting events. We live in the town that claims a spot in the magical world of Oz, where Dorothy’s House is a real place.

One thing we don’t want to be famous for is being the least-educated county in the state. I’m determined to change that, starting right now. Our SCCC Board of Trustees committed to pilot this Saints Ahead Scholarship for two academic years, and that gives us a solid start in turning the corner for Southwest Kansas and the people who call it home.

Our hope is that the Saints Ahead Scholarship will be a force for good that sets high school students, first generation Saints, and their entire families on that path to success.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and the proud son of a mom who believed in the power of education to change lives. He’s also the spelling study partner for two elementary school daughters. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

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February 15, 2023

When I first submitted my application for the President’s job at Seward County Community College I did what all people do: I started to read about life in Liberal. 

Of course Pancake Day was at the top of all the articles I was reading. 

I’ll admit, my reaction at the time was on the dismissive side. Pancake Day? That was just some sort of random observance a community was claiming, right? 

Oh boy, was I wrong. 

Unlike the “Hallmark holidays” and industry inventions (like “National Fruity Drinks Day,” or “American Egg Producers Month”) Pancake Day in Liberal symbolizes so much more. 

It is who we are, from our down-to-earth culinary preferences to our highest aspirations. 

We are a community that supports one another, from attending church together to buying local and having fun at the Duck Race to cheering on the Liberal High School Redskins and the Seward County Saints. We cherish our local history, and see the agricultural, ranching, and energy industry ways of life as something worth preserving. The “jewel in the crown,” of course, is Pancake Day when we cancel school and spend the day together on Shrove Tuesday. 

For those who are new to Liberal, it might be helpful to take a quick tour of the history of Pancake Day. Our local tradition started 74 years ago. That’s still pretty recent compared to the festivities in our sister city of Olney, England, where they have been flipping and running for hundreds of years. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Think back to the postwar years in the United States — post World War II, that is. For Americans who had survived World War I, which everyone referred to as “The Great War” and thought of as “The War to End All Wars,” the arrival of World War II signified the unthinkable. Its end did not settle the sense of unease. Hitler and the Nazis committed atrocities, Pearl Harbor was attacked, and it took an atomic bomb to end the conflict. Would there ever be peace?

R.J. Leete, a local businessman and civic club member (the Jaycees Club), read a magazine article depicting the old English tradition of pancake racing on Shrove Tuesday. The good-natured contest ended with a “kiss of peace,” and peace sounded like just the thing the world needed. Leete reached out to the vicar of Olney, where the tradition had flourished for more than 500 years. Their transatlantic correspondence blossomed into a friendship that both men hoped would prove an example of the real possibilities of peace between nations. 

Liberal residents embraced the idea, and community members pitched in with enthusiasm. It’s the same “can-do” willingness I’ve seen since moving here with my family. People in Liberal show up for each other. They help unpack moving vans. They cook meals for lonesome international students and hungry athletes. They raise money for families who lost their homes to fire, or who fell on hard times due to medical crises. They re-home lost dogs. And in February, they even sew child-size aprons for friends who don’t know how to thread a needle, and flip hundreds of pancakes for hungry crowds. 

SCCC’s team of contestants from the 2022 International Pancake Day Men’s Pacer race.

My wife Lindsay and I have been married almost 16 years. When we met she had never experienced a small town, much less called one home. Fast forward to today: she not only embraces life in the heartland of America, she loves every aspect of it. This will be fully evident as she runs in her first Pancake Day Race Feb. 21. She’s in good Bennett company, as MaryBelle and Madeline will run in their respective youth events. I have to admit, I am glad I paved the way with my own appearance in the men’s Pacer Race another year. There’s no need for me to put on an apron, but I’ll be cheering the girls on with enthusiasm.

Community, small town, that’s who we are. There’s no place my family would rather be then in Southwest Kansas and ready to celebrate Pancake Day.

EDITOR’S NOTE — SCCC President Brad Bennett’s participation in the men’s Pancake Day Pacer Race was a “one and done” athletic venture. These days, he is looking forward to getting reacquainted with soccer as the college prepares to add men’s and women’s teams to the Saints Athletics family. Contact Brad at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

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February 8, 2023

President Bennett goes to Washington to represent SCCC

I am writing this from our nation’s Capitol, where I traveled this week for the Association of Community College Trustees National Legislative Summit. These few days allow college trustees, administrators, and presidents to advocate for the wonderful community colleges across our country. 

In the United States, we have a long tradition of talking about government of the people, by the people, for the people. Sometimes, I think we become jaded and wonder if that is really true. Yet whenever a group of citizens from across the country are able to travel to Washington D.C. to meet with legislators and talk about concerns, just as the ACCT is doing this week, we see evidence that many things about our political system are indeed functioning. 

For example, as a group we are voicing a strong support to open up Pell Grant funding for shorter credit-hour programs. We know that Pell Grant recipients are already screened for income eligibility and family/personal status. When a student qualifies for Pell, it is a sign that we, as community colleges, are reaching the exact demographic that community colleges were created to serve — people who, for whatever reason, find it hard to gain access to a college education. 

Improvements like the Pell Grant proposal make a huge impact on our students and our institution. Oftentimes, elected officials have moved so far from wherever they started, both geographically and socially, they might not remember what it’s like for the people in their districts. That’s another reason ACCT makes the annual trip to the capitol: as public, tax-supported institutions, we know it’s our duty to ensure we serve our communities down to the individuals who enroll to attend.

This week, I was able to meet with our representatives providing an update about our campus, community, and what we believe is important as we scan the horizon for upcoming changes. Of course, one of the nearest things on the horizon is International Pancake Day, which is always fun to discuss; but what I focused on with our representatives was more practical. 

On Tuesday we had several members of the U.S. Congress visit with our group. I was asked to introduce Senator Roger Marshall from the great state of Kansas. Senator Marshall serves on the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Senate Committee. It was a wonderful honor for me personally, but also great for our community and Seward County Community College. 

Like many of our Saints, Senator Marshall is a first-generation college student who began his higher education career at a two-year institution. He is an alumnus of Butler County Community College. 

He has also made numerous trips out west to see his constituents in Liberal and the surrounding communities, so he is all too familiar with the distances that span our state, the highways that connect them, and the long-haul trucks that sometimes crowd the lanes. 

With our upcoming expansion of the truck driving and diesel technology programs, we are actively looking for congressional support. It’s my hope that representatives along the way, including Sen. Marshall, will see the importance of strengthening our American roadways, delivery networks, and workforce development. In Southwest Kansas, where we grow crops, raise cattle, and manufacture finished food products and resources needed by the nation, it’s vitally important for us to continually improve our education and delivery supports. 

Those were some of the thoughts on my mind as I waited to introduce our Senator. I was also laughing a little bit as I noticed I had on my “Old Glory” American flag socks: I had pulled them on that morning, not knowing I would be called upon to introduce a U.S. Senator. At that moment, it just felt good to be a citizen of this country. I know we have a great political divide in our nation, but there are still good people coming together to help our students.

What an honor to be able to meet with several of them this week — including Sen. Jerry Moran, who plans to join us in Liberal for Pancake Day.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and the father of two daughters who often pick out his socks for the day. He prefers being on campus to traveling across the country, and you are welcome to stop by and visit when you are in Liberal. Email brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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February 1, 2023

Core values, integrity, and Groundhog Day traditions

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January 27, 2023

Breaking bread to break barriers and grow relationships

Meals are something that drive so much of our lives. Everyone needs to eat, and to rest, even though the busy pace of the world has changed the way families especially provide nourishment to growing children. There was a time when family dinner was the standard and it is still something many of us prioritize. 

Here at Seward County Community College, we find a way to celebrate and eat together, not just at regular meal times but at meetings and small celebrations “just because.” At the end of the semester, our Human Resources department set up a gourmet hot chocolate station outside the office, and welcomed employees to stop by, sip something sweet, and share compliments. When our supervisors meet monthly to fine-tune their management skills and stay current on campus policies, they usually do so over a snack. 

It’s not really about the food. It’s about friendship, conversations, and enjoying each other, the same as it is for our families when we gather for a weeknight supper at the table or a movie and pizza. 

That’s the driving force behind our “Taste of Kansas” event scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, at the Student Union. This giant, multicultural potluck meal celebrates all the flavors and cultures to be found in Kansas, with a very personal twist. Every one of the cooks who has signed up to participate is asked to share why the food they bring is important to them. The answers are fascinating and fun. Often, people share treats they remember eating as children in their grandmothers’ kitchens. Others deliver dishes from other countries they visited or lived in. All these examples show how powerful food can be. It brings back memories, preserves family heritage, and crosses boundaries to create new and lasting friendships. 

It’s impossible to underestimate the power of “breaking bread together” to forge strong bonds. In ancient times, newcomers to a person’s doorstep often brought bread or salt as a kind of peace offering, and in many places, once you had invited someone to eat at your table the relationship was considered to be almost like a contract to be honored. 

At SCCC, we try to replicate that kind of warmth and respect. I look forward to the times when I have the chance to host employees at my home for a BBQ or treat student athletic teams to a meal at a local restaurant. Many days, you can find instructors and students, coaches and team members, and community fans all dining together in the SCCC cafeteria. 

And of course, every semester as finals loom, we host the popular “Moonlight Finals Breakfast,” free of charge to all students. The executive team puts on aprons and staffs the griddle to serve pancakes, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and all the trimmings. It’s a late-night expression of support for the students. 

Sharing those moments is good from the administration, coaching, and faculty side: there is nothing like talking to students one-on-one and getting to know their personalities, back stories, struggles and triumphs and dreams to keep us all focused on why we do what we do. And it’s good for the students, too: they are far from home, family, and familiar experiences. Sometimes, the best medicine for a homesick spirit or a sore body is feeling accepted and seen — and fed. 

The Taste of Kansas event should bring some of that feeling to everyone who attends. It is open to the public, friends of SCCC, and everyone on campus. If you are able to bring food, please do. But don’t stay away if you are unable to cook. The idea is to share what we have and celebrate the good things about being here in Kansas, in Seward County, in Liberal, on campus, together. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and an experienced barbecue master. He also washes dishes, though that can present some health hazards as he recently experienced with an exploding glass. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

•••

January 20, 2023

Feeling the love, working for justice: SCCC honors MLK

The Seward County Community College campus was closed Monday in recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. In fact, the Saints got an early start observing the legacy of Dr. King on Friday morning, when the local MLK Scholarship organization hosted a breakfast and fundraiser on campus. 

Even though the MLK Scholarship has been a local tradition for many years, this was the first time SCCC was involved with a celebration. It was a beautiful way to start the day, literally, as the group chose a Valentine’s/Love theme for the carefully decorated tables. I was also glad to see a cross-section of community members attending. Folks from the City of Liberal, USD 480, and the Liberal Area Coalition for Families, along with local church members, students, and SCCC administrators, trustee Kay Burtzloff, and staff members all sat down together to enjoy pancakes, bacon, and eggs.

Faculty were unable to attend due to teaching obligations. That’s a fitting detail, as their work achieves just as much good for the causes championed by Dr. King as our celebration did. They were busy providing what our students need to claim their share of the American dream.

During the breakfast, emcee Linda Whyte, spouse of pastor and event speaker the Rev. Larry Whyte, encouraged attendees to stand and read quotes from Dr. King interspersed with the centerpieces. Later, more quotes from Dr. King came to mind when thinking about what the college aims to do for our students, whatever their skin color or background: “Love that does not satisfy justice is no love at all,” and “It seems to me that education has a two-fold function to perform in the life of man and in society: the one is utility and the other is culture. Education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life.”

Justice and education, the ability to reach big goals. At SCCC, our mission statement speaks to these ideas: “Seward County Community College provides opportunities to enrich and improve each person’s life and the advancement of the community and those we serve.”

Students of United States history can’t help but be aware that such opportunities have not always been available to each person. The long-term results show the difference in having a college degree, the ability to earn better wages, and the economic and social advancements that flow from both those achievements. 

I often remind our faculty and staff that SCCC is all about second chances. Many of our students are the first in their families to walk through the door of higher education. Many are “returners,” students who tried college years ago and stopped attending because they didn’t believe it was for them. Some walked away because, as our former colleague Dr. Todd Carter pointed out, “life happens” in the form of a house fire, a sick child, a car accident, or the pressures of trying to balance work and studies. 

Second chances are not just for individuals, however. Second chances are also for systems, cultures, and societies. We often hear life coaches and public speakers say that life is a long series of choices to “grow or die.” SCCC is a great example of this principle. We continually strive to grow, whether that means reviving a long-dormant program like agriculture, expanding our CDL and diesel departments, or offering an incredibly wide variety of continuing education classes through Business & industry. 

We also provide our students and community the opportunity to grow through embracing diversity and inclusivity. More than 30 international flags in our student union recognize the many students from around the world who have contributed to a campus culture that welcomes different perspectives. Our students have the opportunity to sit in class alongside peers who may have grown up in Kansas, but speak only Spanish at home, or who arrived in Liberal after years in refugee camps in Africa or Asia. There’s so much to learn from our fellow humans, whether they are classmates or students enrolled in a course we teach. 

Along with celebrating the person Dr. King was and the progress we have made to achieve some of the goals he dreamed of, SCCC is committed to continuing the work he began. It’s a process of growth, and it is worthy of our best efforts.  

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, where second chances are available to everything except college vehicles with mileage exceeding 150,000 miles. Contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

 

•••

January 13, 2023

January 6, 2023

ALICE comes to the Home of the Saints for training

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December 13, 2022

At the end of the year, we look back to highs and lows

With less than twenty days left in 2022 we are close to a whole slew of “Year in Review” lists. There must be something about humanity that drives us to compile lists, to count, to tally up possessions and experiences and wins. But this column is no “naughty and nice” scoresheet. Instead, let’s take a look at 10 memorable moments in the Saints Family in 2022.

• February: The Giant Presidential Swap that affected everything in 2022. Just as President Greg Gunderson (#12)  settled in to his role in September 2021, he encountered unforeseen challenges that required him to step down and take care of loved ones. Brad Bennett (#11) came back, and the entire campus did a double take at our new, old president (#13). It felt a little bit like Ground Hog Day (the movie) but in a good way.
• February: National Contenders in Quiz Bowl. Our inaugural Quiz Bowl Team ranked thirteenth in the nation and got an invitation to the national tournament on February 26, 2022. Due to Covid, they played virtually via zoom. Way to whip out those answers!
• May: National Winners in Tennis. Seward County Community College claimed a program’s first National Championship when the  Saints won three finals championships on May 20, 2022, to secure the National title outright. Karlo Krolo and Kyllian Savary won in their singles final and Luke Quaynor and Savary won their doubles match to give the Saints the final 45 points in the tournament.
• May: As part of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, the college was awarded a $1.8 million grant to improve its facilities for its truck driving and diesel technology programs. The funds will be used to build a truck driving facility and expand the diesel technology building.  “It’s exciting for us and the area to be able to build a new truck driving school and accommodate a lot more students in an area of such high demand,” said SCCC President Brad Bennett, adding that “it’s also going to be a huge expansion for diesel technology as well.”
• July: Loss of a Saints original. We still can’t walk past the former office of Seward County Community College mainstay Frances Brown, who died suddenly in July, without feeling a pang of sorrow. Frances began her career at Seward in 1997, where she taught developmental English and was a former Director of Academic Achievement. She was also an advisor for the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO), active with the Saints Booster Club, and a Mentor for SCCC Migrant Education Program. Frances was “the person who always showed up,” recounted VP of Academic Affairs Luke Dowell. We all miss her.
• August: Agriculture Revival. Will Milashoski and Rachel Sirek-Milashoski arrived on campus over the summer and began to revitalize the ag program and livestock judging team. Will aims to “make it a point of pride for the community,” he said. “I hope to grow the agriculture program, not just in the number of students, but also in its quality of programming by offering a unique set of opportunities, from Block & Bridle events to community outreach to having animals on campus.” Spouse Rachel added that her vision for the department is “not only to serve our community, but to also help SCCC continue its role as a unique college within the state of Kansas, drawing students from our service area and beyond with on site animals, thriving greenhouses, and amazing courses.”
• September: Record-breaking Generosity at Foundation Auction The numbers are in, and it’s official: the 2022 SCCC Foundation Party Auction raised a record amount, nearly $97,000 for student scholarships and programs. SCCC Chief Development Officer and Associate Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Engagement Sarah Thompson reported that the 28th annual event was a huge success.  “It took a little while for us to calculate the totals, and we are thrilled to reach this all-time high amount of funds raised,” said Thompson. “I was blown away.”
• October: SaintsUP Pantry Opens. Seward County Community College students should never go hungry — and thanks to a new project on campus, Saints have another source for nourishment and supplies.The ABPS Division project SaintsUp Pantry, offering food and necessities, opened Oct. 3, 2022. The event was the culmination of a months-long project supported by the college, students, and community members. “The pantry was proposed and designed by the ABPS division, and the enthusiasm continues as we work with students in the programs.” said Deedee Flax, Division Chair of agriculture, business, and personal services. “We realized that many of our students struggle with food insecurity and the business division wanted to do something to help. It’s a great project for our division, and more importantly, it’s going to do a lot of good for all students on campus.”
• October: National Winner in Tennis.  Carol Mora won the women’s tennis program’s first ITA national championship as Mora was crowned the top JUCO singles player in the nation. Mora battled back after a set down to defeat the top seed Arina Gamretkaia from Hillsborough Community College 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the championship match on October 15th, 2022. With the victory, Mora makes school history with the first women’s ITA championship and will enter the spring season as the No. 1 player in the nation.
• November: National Contenders in Volleyball. Seward County Community College claimed the Region VI and Plains District championship with a 3-1 victory over Butler Community College on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. The Lady Saints advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament in West Plains, Missouri, where they claimed the 11th spot and many honors.
• November: Allied Health purchased three ventilators for its respiratory therapy program with funding through an $80,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation.  Janae Zachary, program director for respiratory therapy at SCCC, said students will have the opportunity to receive more individual attention when using a ventilator.   “It allows our students to have a one on one (student to ventilator experience),” Zachary said, adding that the new equipment is also an upgrade in technology, which will help out with distance learning. ” The Patterson Family Foundation, based out of Kansas City, Mo., is a family-led foundation extending the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson, which strives to help rural communities through health care, education, economic opportunity, and beyond.
• December: Progress continues on Phase 2 of the Sharp Family Champions Center, with wall framed and plumbing underway. We’re getting closer and closer to a completed, useful building for Saints athletes and our community!
• ALL YEAR LONG: Community Blitz!  President Brad Bennett has mentioned more than once that he aims to give away 25,000 T-shirts so that he’ll see green everywhere he goes. We’re making progress, with well over 10,000 distributed. And the Saints showed up for more than giveaway opportunities: we also participated in parades and community events throughout the region, bringing along our Mascot Louie, and even the two campus goats.

EDITOR’S NOTE — This week’s Saints Voices column was compiled by the SCCC Marketing & PR office, and is subject to additions because nobody’s memory is perfect and there’s never a shortage of good news to report. 

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December 6, 2022

Saints pride and community support go hand in hand

With the holidays in full force, encouragement to buy local and support small businesses is all around. It makes sense to take this seriously, especially in light of the challenges small businesses have faced over the past few years — pandemic shutdowns, economic instability, and continuing supply-chain interruptions.

One of my main goals over the next five years is a real focus on deferred maintenance and freshening up the campus. The world of higher education funding is extremely complex and funds are allocated for certain projects or have certain limitations. In a lot of ways, it’s like working a giant puzzle. We continue to make substantial progress with the visual aspects of our campus. Prioritizing local vendors is just another factor to consider.

At Seward County Community College, we do our best to follow the advice to “shop local,” especially when it comes to big ticket items. Last week, our trustees did exactly that, awarding around $300,000 of project bids to local businesses.

This is nothing new — Work is already underway on replacing the worn carpet in the upper level of the Student Union, where our SCCC Development office is located. There’s also a highly-desirable study and hangout area on the mezzanine, where students love to gather, and we are replacing the furniture there to make it more welcoming and useful. We relied on local vendors to provide the labor and the supplies and we’re excited to see it come together.

The project will have an immediate impact on our campus community when everyone returns in the new year.

The projects that got the green light last week span campus from top to bottom. The biggest of the three was the approva to remove and replace the fascia and soffits on our technical campus. If you take a look at the current state there is a terrible amount of dry rot that will be replaced with a metal material that will last for an extremely long time. Look for our school colors proudly displayed on everything from the rain gutters to entire walls.

The board also approved a local bid to replace worn carpeting in our Agriculture building, where the classrooms are filling up as we revamp the entire program with new instructors Will and Rachael Sirek-Milashoski. The campus goats even got new cedar groundcover to spruce up their section of the complex. And, soon you will see lighted signage on the college’s main campus buildings, so that visitors can find their way at evening events, thanks to a local bid approved to brighten and lighten our campus. I can’t wait to see the final results.

In the same way, from print jobs to custodial supplies, we do our best to buy local and support area businesses. It’s the way communities, especially rural communities, stay strong. There are no delivery drones involved, and a quick visit with the person doing the work is a feel-good bonus.

There is also a great feeling when we interact with business and industry within our service area. Throughout the semester, we have relied on feedback from industry partners and local professionals to fill in the gaps for students and for our campus operations. There’s no way to say “thank you” enough times to express how much we value this kind of partnership.

When we attended the Christmas parade last weekend, it was great to see the lights, the decorated lamp posts, and the storefronts lit up on Kansas Avenue. People who have not experienced the warmth and belonging that is the trademark of small-town America do not know what they’re missing.

The week ahead is quieter than usual on campus, as students have wrapped up their semester finals and headed home. A few are sticking around over the holiday break, and we’re taking good care of them, with the dorms officially open for the first time, and limited cafeteria service through Dec. 15. For the remainder of the break, our coaches, staff, and Saints family will be making sure no one goes hungry.

As far as work at SCCC goes, we are still on the job through Dec. 21. Monday, Dec. 12, we will hold a legislative luncheon on campus for our elected officials. This is an event I am happy to host in collaboration with officials from the city of Liberal, Seward County, USD 480, and even Southwest Medical Center (Trustee Keeley Moree). The legislators come through the area for Town Hall meetings and forums, but this is our chance to highlight what is going on at SCCC, and keep our achievements and goals on the radar at Topeka and even Washington, D.C.

If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping, you can probably guess my advice: buy local. Have a great week gearing up for the Christmas break!

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and the assistant elf-on-a-shelf wrangler at his house. Compared to the rules that come with Christmas elves, he is more than ready to take on the Kansas Board of Regents. Contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

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November 16, 2022

The pre-Thanksgiving dinner list for SCCC

The Bennett family has a tradition every year that before we have Thanksgiving dinner we all must verbally explain what we are thankful for. It is has been funny watching the girls grow as it went from comments that they were thankful for their teddy bear to now being thankful for their family. I am thankful for each face around the table — and also thankful that our own table is securely located in our home in Liberal, and that we do not have to weather yet another move with all the packing and unpacking that involves!

In keeping with that practice, I’ve been reflecting on the Saints family’s list of reasons for gratitude. Seward County Community College has so much to be thankful for.

We are so lucky to be in Southwest Kansas to serve the many communities we consider part of ours. Our 11 Outreach high school districts work tirelessly with us to serve the high school students that we count as a valuable part of our college. We are so glad to participate in many smaller-town customs and events, and always feel welcomed when we travel to parades, football games, academic awards, and chamber of commerce festivities.

Here at our campus in Liberal, we are so thankful for the extreme level of support from the community members who travel from near and far to cheer us on. Our athletics programs are the object of envy across the conference and the nation: the Saints have a reputation for incredible fan support in the Greenhouse and even on the road.

The same applies to our concerts, student fundraisers and club events, and academic programs. From the recent popcorn sales by the Saints cheerleaders, to the handmade scented candles sold by the Pathways STEM club students, to the fundraiser for Angels for Animals that our Hispanic Leadership club HALO sponsored, we are always blown away by the positive response from the community.

In a similar vein, we are thankful for the relationships we have built with many organizations in the community. The Liberal Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club, and the Lions Club all meet on our campus, and we love seeing those members on a regular basis. Special events like the recent Veterans Day panel discussion, co-sponsored by the High Plains Daily Leader and EPIC Communications and SCCC, brought us all together in a show of respect and appreciation for those who served.

So many groups traverse the campus — elementary and middle-school tours, guests at information sessions for agriculture, Allied Health, cosmetology and social work. Nonprofit groups like the Southwest Symphony Society and Rainbow Players. We are thankful for the perspectives they bring and their contributions to a vibrant campus life.

We are thankful for our employees in so many ways. The instructors and staff members who unfailingly support our students. Administrators who tackle tough issues and advocate for the college to be the best it can be. Our board members, who show up for meetings, events, and even travel to state and national gatherings to represent us with class and integrity.

On a more personal note, I’m thankful for the bright moments when we gather together, like the costume party and scavenger hunt at Halloween, the meetings that sometimes end with laughter and good-natured teasing, and unexpected sweet treats, like the Cocoa and Compliments pop-up sponsored by the Human Resources department during the cold weather last week.

We often talk about the family feeling on campus, and it is true. We root for our colleagues when a cancer diagnosis darkens the horizon, and then we celebrate when they return to work. We grieve with those who have lost loved ones. We can’t wait to open the emails that announce a new baby or a big win. I’m thankful every day for this group of people, who are some of the best I’ve met in my time in higher education.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we are thankful for our students who have entrusted us with their education. On our campus, young men and women from more than a dozen countries play on athletic teams, overcome their fear of public speaking, and conquer algebra. Students from all walks of life, income level, and ages, come together to chart new career paths.

When we hear about a successful alumni, we are eager to congratulate them and invite them back to campus to share what they’ve learned with our current Saints. There’s nothing like the feeling of belonging that develops as students work to better themselves and learn more about who they are and what they can achieve.

I hope you too can find a long list of reasons to be thankful this week. And I invite you to become part of the Saints family yourself, as a student, supporter, or Saints athletic fan. You can be sure we will welcome you into the fold.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. This Thanksgiving, his family took a short detour to see Santa at the North Pole (in Colorado), which meant someone else was wearing a Santa suit. He’ll be back in the office this week. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

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November 7, 2022

On Veterans Day and every day, service members deserve our thanks

On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918, the Armistice was signed, ending World War I, the “war to end all wars,” as it was known. We know now that phrase was optimistic, and wrong. World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Iraq, along with many more smaller military operations, have called servicemen- and women to combat.

Eventually, Armistice Day was changed officially to Veterans Day to celebrate all of our veterans. Here at Seward County Community College we are proud to support our veterans and are thankful for the sacrifices of our American heroes. This year on Tuesday, Nov. 8, we hosted a panel of Vietnam veterans moderated by Earl Watt and supported by EPIC Communications.

The vision for this event was to bring history to life for our students while honoring the people who served. Many times, the generations that follow times of conflict have only a printed page in a textbook, a website, or a social media post that falls far short of the ideal. It is one thing to hear or read about something that happened to someone else, and something much more powerful to come in contact with firsthand experience.

This week, in the Jesus A. Manriquez Showcase Theater on campus, we heard stories of experiences from before, during, and after the war. Sitting there in the theater, I know I was not the only person to be drawn in to the lives of Ivanhoe Love Jr., Ivan App, Delari George, and Ed Poley. The four men represented unique aspects of military service, from the processes of enlistment to their experiences during deployment. What they all had in common was an abiding sense of patriotism and love of country, as well as the reality of carrying a heavy burden away from the war.

The Vietnam War was particularly ugly part of U.S. history as so many Americans disrespected our heroes for simply doing what our country required them to do. But as our auditorium full of community members and students covering multiple generations watched and listened intently, there was nothing but respect. I saw tears and looks of astonishment and appreciation across the crowd. But above all there was understanding that while, as one of the panelists said, “war is ugly, but is also why we are all here.”

The event was meaningful to me, both as the president of SCCC and as an individual. While I was never in the military, I am a life-long historian and majored in history as my undergrad. I have always tried to learn as much as possible and work hard to pay respect and appreciation to our American heroes. Passing this awareness along to the young adults who are enrolled as students in the Saints family is an important part of my role as a leader, and as a parent to my own children.

Fifteen years ago, I visited the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in 2007. I was taken away by the peace and beauty of the cemetery. The crosses and the Star of David markers all faced west, facing home. The powerful silence in that place remains clear in my mind. We have a duty to keep the memory of such sacrifices alive. And to pass that awareness along to the generations that follow us.

As we remember and pay respect to our veterans and servicemen and women this week and we think about all the sacrifices that have been made I challenge you to pay your respects and teach your children about the history of our country.

Many thanks to Earl Watt and the High Plains Leader and Times, and most importantly to the four veterans who were willing to revisit a part of their lives that contained pain and darkness. Their ability to share memories and observations about the cost of freedom is one that does not come cheap. We are forever grateful.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and an unashamed patriot and history buff; just ask his grade-school daughters about the word “armistice.” You can contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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November 1, 2022

Saints — and goats — are back home on the farm at SCCC

Seward County Community College is in the heart of ag country. Western Kansas has more cows than we do people, so ag — whether you call it farming or ranching — is who we are and what we do. That goes a long way to explain why we’re so excited about the revitalization of our agriculture program. 

Last spring we made the decision to bring back livestock judging and focus on building our ag program. In previous years, the SCCC livestock judging teams were highly competitive and brought back enough trophies to fill a couple cases. We have a tradition of excellence in that area, but, like a lot of ag folks in the region, had wondered over the years if we should shift our focus to other specialties and approaches. At the same time, various factors in the economy and state and national policies did what they always do, shifting and changing.

Some things stay the same, however. I believe to have a quality ag program you have to have livestock judging. With the hiring two new ag instructors, Rachael Sirek-Milashoski and Will Milashoski, we gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in this area. Having grown up in rural Illinois, both of them understand the ups and downs that small operators have to weather. They also bring a level of enthusiasm and grit to the prospect of restoring our ag program to the glory it once was. 

They are not the only ones pitching in. SCCC Welding Instructor Jerad Nobles, a farm boy himself, has joined in with his years of experience. The entire biofuels team, which brings together instructors and students from agriculture, industrial tech, and even the business division, is also involved in growing soybeans and converting them into liquid fuel. 

A few weeks ago, as part of our campus clean-up day, around 30 employees focused on the ag area, collecting trash, removing old fence materials, and just plain doing chores where chores needed to be done. It was a good feeling to get our campus looking its best, and to do it as a team.

But where, as the old commercial asked, is the beef? Or at least the animals? No cattle have arrived on campus, but we have welcomed goats. They were a big hit at the Halloween Spook-tacular Trunk or Treat event for children. If you have to choose between collecting candy and petting an adorable, fuzzy goat — at least if you are some children — you might have a hard time deciding. The goats were popular, to say the least. 

The program itself is also growing. We aim to have 40 ag students enrolled by fall 2023, and we are well on the way with more than a dozen committed already. Will and Rachael represented Seward at the national Future Farmers of American conference in Indiana last month, an event that is attended by around 10,000 high school students. This week, they headed to Hutchinson for a high school expo that draws a crowd of 5,000. 

We’re also counting on our Saints alumni, former livestock judging team champions, and ag program supporters in the community to spread the word. Seward County Community College is still staking a claim on ag education, livestock judging, and a prosperous future for the region. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. While he is no farmer, he knows how to fish, handle a chain saw, and even scoop up the stray snake that slithers into his back yard. Contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

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October 25, 2022

Keeping an award-winning campus beautiful, one trash bag at a time

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October 18, 2022

It’s that time of year …. Saints basketball is coming soon

While we are in the midst of a conference championship race in volleyball, and celebrating our first national champion women’s single with Carol Mora’s ITA National Championship last week, we are also gearing up for basketball season.

That’s life in the Saints universe — the wins come so fast and furious, it is hard to keep up with what’s next!

Men’s and women’s basketball scrimmages are already occurring, and the home opener for our men is just 12 days away with women’s basketball taking the court shortly after that.

We are excited to see the Saints hit the hardwood. It is always a great sight as Saints fans make their way to the Greenhouse across our beautiful campus. Evening comes earlier, the campus is lit up in the crisp air, and our fall foliage coming into full effect. The smell of freshly popped popcorn, the sounds of fans talking about this year’s teams, and then the sounds and excitement of the game: it all comes together to create a signature Saints experience.

One aspect of basketball at SCCC is that it often provides women’s and men’s sports to be played back to back on the same day, providing over four hours of excitement. And, with a storied history that includes a national championship and many seasons of conference dominance, we always feel that thrill of excitement about what this season may bring.

The preseason rankings came out this week and while our women are not ranked (something I doubt will last long) our men hold a preseason ranking of 16^th. After checking in on practice for both teams I think we will see two very exciting teams hit the court each night. All in all it’s a great day to be a Saint!

Fall is not only about basketball, of course. As October winds down, we’re looking forward to resuming a popular fall tradition on campus: kids and candy. Pre-pandemic, SCCC hosted “Trick or Treat Street” in the student union, with campus clubs and organizations hosting carnival-style game booths. This year, we’re moving the fun out to the pumpkin patch, where agriculture students continue to cultivate the favorite of fall flavors. As in the past, this Halloween event will provide a safe, fun setting for young kids in costume, along with the feeling of an outdoor fall festival.

Join us on campus on Halloween night, next Monday, Oct. 31., 6-8 p.m., at the Agriculture buildings on the northeast side of campus — just across from the French Family Softball Complex.

The next day, of course, will be our first-ever SCCC Candy Buy-Back, at 5 p.m. in the Hobble Building. I will be paying $1 per pound of candy donated by children who have too much sugar to realistically eat and enjoy it all. The candy collected will go to U.S. military service members.

As we wrap up the second half of this fall semester, it’s not too early to look ahead to spring 2023. Enrollment for spring classes will open at the end of October. While SCCC’s enrollment remained steady for the fall, we would love to see a jump in numbers as students continue to return to the routine of in-person classes and campus events. It is truly never too late to follow your dreams, and with 46 programs available, we are committed to helping you pursue yours. Stop by campus to visit with an admissions counselor, register for classes, or even talk to an advisor to map out your own plan for success.

Until then, we welcome you to campus to cheer on our amazing student athletes, pick up a sweet treat or two, and then pay it forward with a care package for our military servicemen- and women. At SCCC, we’re all about making life a little sweeter and more successful for everyone who makes up our community.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and willing to go head-to-head with our mascot, Louie the Saint, for bragging rights as the Saints’ biggest fan. You can catch up with him in the Greenhouse bleachers, or email at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

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October 11, 2022

It’s a frog, it’s the Big Bad Wolf, it’s … the college president!

Halloween has traditionally been a time for kids (and some adults) to try out a different identity with a fun costume. It’s all in good fun, and nobody expects us to carry the costume over into real life. I’m not sure what the Seward County Community College employees would think if their president showed up at work dressed as The Big Bad Wolf from Red Riding Hood, or a Frog.

On Halloween, though, it’s a different story at the Bennett house. Lindsay and I committed to dressing up with the girls for Halloween as long as they wanted us. With MaryBelle being 9, and Madeline already 7, I know these moments are limited so I wear these silly and sometimes embarrassing costumes with great pride as my duty of being a “Girl Dad.” None of us is able to plan ahead in terms of who our children will be, or what being their parents will require. It is one of those surprises that life delivers to us, and something I value highly.

At SCCC, we are constantly watching our students go through a somewhat similar process — figuring out the basics of who they are, what they want to do, and how they plan to move forward as self-supporting adults. Sure, this happens partly in the classroom and the advising session. Students might come into college thinking they want to be doctors or lawyers, only to realize they don’t like classroom science enough to absorb eight more years of it. Or they might arrive with the idea that their love of working on cars is “just a hobby” and something less important than putting on a suit and tie for a 9-to-5 job. We love the moments when they discover there is room in adult life for all kinds of interests and pursuits, and sometimes the “big money” is achievable with a technical certificate.

But all learning does not take place in the academic world. We also strive to create a fun engaging culture for all. October has provided plenty of opportunities for students to engage with real-world issues in a way that connects to their current pursuits. The volleyball team will “dig pink” with a show of support for breast cancer survivors and fundraising at this Friday’s game. Later this month we will co-host a color run on campus with Liberal Area Rape Crisis/Domestic Violence Service to bring awareness to domestic violence, its signs and prevention.

Our employees will also be busy all month helping local and area high school students fill out the federal application for financial aid, a form fondly known as FAFSA. Look for their friendly faces at area “Apply Kansas” nights, or stop by campus to schedule a help session.

As Halloween draws near, the college will also host our first-ever Candy Buy Back. This event is a triple win, and it’s scheduled for Nov. 1. I will be paying $1 per pound for wrapped, kid-collected Halloween candy. The candy will then be boxed and sent to our troops. The idea is to reduce the amount the candy our little ones are consuming by giving them a fun alternative while showing our love and support for our troops.

Paying kids $1 a pound for their Halloween candy is a triple win. You solve the problem of too much sugar and all the health and behavior issues that can lead to, introduce entrepreneurship in everyday life, and you support our military. It is — Dad joke warning — a sweet setup.  The Candy Buy Back will occur from 5-6 p.m. in the student union outside of the bookstore.

We have a new committee on our campus which has the purpose of improving employee recognition and increasing morale. So, we will also be hosting our first-ever employee Halloween Party on the afternoon of Oct. 31. I’ve heard it will include games, a scavenger hunt, and work-appropriate costume contest. When you work as hard as our team does, it’s important to make time for team-building and fun as well. I have not yet revealed what my family-designed Halloween role will be this year, and I cannot promise to attend the party in costume. But I will provide pictures after the fact.

And I will be on campus  — as myself —  the day after for the Candy Buy Back.  I hope to collect 100 pounds, minimum.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and has not yet revealed to the public what he will be for Halloween. Hint: maybe he won’t tell because he is without a heart. Email him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

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September 28, 2022

Fall brings some of the same, some of the new

Fall arrived last week, the SCCC Foundation Auction hit record numbers, and we’re almost halfway through the semester. When people say time flies, I guess this is what they mean. 

Here at Seward County Community College, we are all enjoying the cooler temperatures and the feeling of fall. More than that, it’s amazing to feel a sense of normal life after two very strange years. 

During the pandemic, we heard a lot of conversation about what the “new normal” would look like, and how everything was going to be different in key ways. Like most predictions, this had a little bit of truth and a whole lot of active imagination. If I had to make a list of what’s “Old Normal” and what’s “New Normal,” I think it would probably come out even. 

In the Saints world, “Old Normal” things this year have included:

• Student clubs and activities. Our campus organizations are meeting regularly and sponsoring activities for their peers and the community. This week, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization welcomed Liberal City Commissioner and proud Saints alum Janeth Vazquez as a guest speaker. The club has also sponsored a blood drive and is collecting donations for the Liberal Animal Shelter. 
• On Wednesday, the campus club Messengers for Christ gathered around the flagpole for a sunrise prayer meeting. The global student morning of prayer is something that local school groups in USD 480 observed as well, and provided a meaningful point of connection for the Saints who participated. 
• Saints Booster Club is showing healthy growth and people are enjoying the monthly get-togethers at local restaurants after a long hiatus. We are always glad to see our fans in the Greenhouse, and it’s a pleasure to meet and greet them at social events as well.
• In-person classes continue to serve students on campus. Over the last year, we saw a renewed commitment from faculty and students who had missed having face-to-face interactions, group discussions in an actual room, and hands-on projects. 
• Moments that bring people together are possible once again. For example, students in Stan Sanko’s automotive technology class pitched in to perform a quick minor repair job for new agriculture instructor Rachael Sirek-Milashoski — and in return, she showed up with donuts the next morning. That Saints solidarity is what makes this campus special, and we love seeing it live and in action. 

So what is “New Normal” at SCCC? The pandemic taught us a lot of hard and sometimes frustrating lessons. We are still reflecting on the lessons we learned. New things we’re still absorbing include:

• The crazy new job market our graduates will enter (or are entering now, as most SCCC students work at least part-time). It’s no secret that employers are scrambling to attract people to fill jobs, and this changes the landscape for young adults. They can now be more selective about the jobs they accept, they expect higher wages, and they are not afraid to advocate for themselves. SCCC’s responsibility is still to equip them for the workforce, and to address these new issues.
• The same job market factors influence our own campus community of faculty and staff. There are several instructor positions that remain open, and we’ve embarked on a campus-wide discussion about the pay structure at SCCC. This is never an easy conversation, and I appreciate the PEA representatives and salary task force members who are contributing their time to this important issue. 
• We continue to cultivate outside funding sources, as the state of Kansas makes adjustments to how community colleges are supported. Over the past two years, our grant writer Charity Horinek has succeeded in obtaining $3 million in grant money. The recent SCCC Foundation Auction raised nearly $100,000 in one evening, thanks to our amazing community donors. Several entities and individuals took advantage of the Kansas Tax Credit opportunity that opened earlier this fall. These are all important steps in the direction of local and regional philanthropy. 
• Online course offerings continue to grow on our campus. While many students prefer face-to-face teaching, just as many need the flexibility of online instruction. We have expanded our online course offerings, and after the pandemic, we have seen all our instructors embrace the online platform with greater skill. We expect this will continue. 

One of the most comforting things in life is the way seasons change and we see cycles in nature and in our own families and friends as the years go by. The college is no different. We are enjoying the season we are currently in, and look forward to many more to come. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is president of Seward County Community College. He is already bracing himself for this year’s Halloween costume as selected by his wife and daughters — here’s hoping he doesn’t have to dress up as a frog for two small princesses. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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September 21, 2022

Hispanic Heritage Month is for all of the Saints family

Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 began on September 15 and runs through October 15. It’s a big deal for us at Seward County Community College. Hispanic heritage is so important to our students and the community we serve. Being federally designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, it is at the core of what we do and who we are.

But our relationship to Hispanic Heritage is about more than celebration. It must involve a deep understanding, and a commitment to include voices from the Hispanic community — which we need to view as also our community — in the conversations that drive change and make decisions.

To get to this point, we have to “do our own work,” as people often say. For instance, I am not a person of Hispanic origin, and so I am aware that there is a lot I don’t know. Instead of relying on my impressions of what Hispanic culture is, or my own life experiences, I need to ask a lot of questions. I need to be willing to notice when I am putting myself in the focus point instead of focusing on the students around me or the employees who are Hispanic and have insights I am likely to miss.

Obviously, learning more about Hispanic culture involves more than just enjoying our amazing local restaurants from Mexico and other Latin-American cuisines or knowing how to say “gracias!” I hope that our Saints family can continue to work harder on this skill set and get better. We have already made a great start.

Over the past few months, the college has been hard at work to form its new strategic plan for the next three years. Several parts of this process reflect the desire to be diverse and inclusive, especially in regard to the Hispanic population. We set up focus groups to gather information, and besides including one specifically for Spanish-speaking community members, we also invited Hispanic-identifying individuals and groups to take part in multiple sessions, including our Full Strategic Team.

In the end, everything the college does is focused on student success, which eventually translates into community-building. With a lot of our students in the “Gen Z” category, we know that this age group needs a direct, personal involvement in order to buy in to pretty much anything. They have to believe in a thing personally, see that it impacts them, and have a sense of ownership and investment if they are going to dive in and get involved.

With that in mind, it’s amazing to see the revamped and re-energized HALO club on campus. HALO (which stands for Hispanic American Leadership Organization) is a national group that works to empower Hispanic American youth with community service, training, and a sense of belonging. Our HALO club was sponsored for more than a decade by retired Saint Patsy Fischer and the late Frances Brown. For most people, HALO might be what they associate with the American Red Cross blood drives on campus. It’s a vital service to the greater community in Seward County.

This fall, SCCC employees Erika Espinoza and Karla Morales Escarcega took on sponsorship of HALO, and immediately recruited more than 50 members. It’s clear that our Gen Z students do indeed have a sense of personal connection and ownership. The club has big plans to get involved in campus life, seek out training and student-support programs, and, of course, continue those blood drives.

We are so grateful to Erika and Karla for mentoring and encouraging the students in HALO. And, we can’t wait to see what results as the students progress through college and leadership development.

One of the goals Dr. Todd Carter focused on when he served at SCCC was the idea that Hispanic students shouldn’t have to give up their sense of cultural pride in order to succeed — they shouldn’t have to “be more Anglo” in order to get good grades, be seen as intelligent, or find high-status jobs. We continue to build on those ideas, with a personal twist: those of us who are Anglo, while also keeping a sense of cultural pride, should do our part to get to know and appreciate our Hispanic friends and neighbors, especially within the Saints family.

In the end, we are all in it for the long run, and Saints stick together. So, during Hispanic Heritage Month, along with the jalapeno-eating contest, the great meals, and the programs designed to honor Hispanic-Americans of excellence, I hope we will all learn a little bit more.

Go Saints!  ¡Adelante, Santos!

Editor’s Note — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, where the goal is to be a little better every day. He cannot promise to apply this rule to the jalapeno-eating contest, but just about everything else is eligible. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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September 14, 2022

Don’t miss the SCCC Fall Festival Party Auction this weekend

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September 7, 2022

September is for suicide prevention

At SCCC and across the nation, let’s get rid of mental health stigma

For most of us, the “Top 10” lists we keep in mind are positive — the best birthday, the biggest surprise, and so on. I am betting you don’t spend a lot of time remembering the worst day of your life or the toughest time you went through, but I am also pretty sure that kind of a list would include events from the early years of adulthood. 

It’s not easy being the age that we see on campus at Seward County Community College. The late teens and early 20s are a time for finding out who you are and what you want to do with your life. It’s a time when you have a lot of questions and problems that seem bigger than anything you have experienced before. 

That is probably why mental health is such a big topic on campuses. That is especially true in September, which is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (or SPAM, which is not a great acronym, I will admit). 

You already know that I am a numbers and data guy, so I will share the statistics with you:

• Suicide was the twelfth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 45,900 people.
• Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10-14 and 25-34 , the third leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15-24, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44.
• There were nearly two times as many suicides (45,979) in the United States as there were homicides (24,576).
• Among adults across all age groups, the prevalence of suicide attempt in the past year was highest among young adults 18-25 years old (1.9%).

Here in rural America, it is easy to think that these national statistics are skewed by more urban parts of the country. But Kansas falls right in the middle of the trend, just like we are right in the middle of the country. We are not the worst in terms of suicide risk, but we are also not the best. 

For SCCC, any number is too high. We value each of our students, which is a driving force in many of the projects we tackle. Our thinking is, if an outreach effort or public campaign saves even one student life, it is worthwhile. 

Preventing suicide starts with education. Good thing we are an institution of higher learning! If you are concerned about SCCC Saints at risk for suicide, keep reading. 

According to social researchers, grief, isolation and fear caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are part of the picture. Over the last decade, other pressures on this young generation have been rising. The op reasons for suicide include depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges; substance abuse; exposure to violence, abuse, or other trauma; social isolation and loneliness; losing a family member to death or through divorce; financial or job loss; relationship conflicts; starting or changing psychotropic medications; feeling singled out or stigmatized; not having a support system.

A college cannot address all these complicated factors, but we are able to do several powerful things. This column is one of the best. We can take away the stigma of talking about mental health and suicidal thoughts. Counselors and psychologists have confirmed that talking about suicide does not “put the idea into people’s minds.” In fact, the silence around mental health challenges can make them worse, causing the person who is suffering to feel shame. 

This month, SCCC is rolling out a campaign titled “Green for Good” on campus. The goal is to educate our students, staff, and faculty about suicide risks, signs, and interventions. People who participate can pick up a Seward Green bandana and a resource card so that they can show they care to anyone who is struggling. Sometimes, all it takes is a smile and a short conversation to create a connection, and the connection turns into a life-changing moment. 

Partnerships with Southwest Guidance Center, the Liberal Area Rape Crisis / Domestive Violence Service, Liberal Area Coalition for Families, and the KU COPE program are providing the expertise we need to tackle this issue with confidence. These groups are already providing medical, mental health, and other assistance to community members, and SCCC is proud to stand with them in their efforts. 

We can’t end the conversation without mentioning one exciting new development: the 988 suicide prevention line, which is available everywhere and makes it a little easier to reach out for help in a crisis. If you don’t feel qualified to intervene in a crisis, you can remember this number and help others be aware. This is the shortcut to the traditional 1-800-273-TALK (8255) line that still operates as well.

We often say “Go Green” and “Saints Strong” to express our pride in the Saints community. “Green for Good” goes one step further, and reminds us that every person matters in the long run, and makes our Saints family an enduring force for good. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, part-time regional parade participant and landscape detailer on campus. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu or by calling 620-417-1010.  

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August 31, 2022

Small changes make big difference on campus

Looking at SCCC facilities with an eye for the future

When it comes to people, you often hear the phrase, “Grow or die.” That’s a pretty extreme way to promote a growth mindset and lifelong learning. It even sounds a little threatening. But it’s not wrong.

The equivalent for buildings might be “Improve or decay.” Between the natural elements of temperature, erosion, and weather, and the toll daily use can take on a doorway, for instance, it’s no surprise when things start to look a little shabby or creak when opened. Apply that process to the multiple structures that make up Seward County Community College, and you can see we have our work cut out for us.

The idea of improvement is front and center on campus these days. Like much of the world the campus stood still during the pandemic. Walking toward the Hobble Building or across the parking lot, it can feel a little bit like returning after a long absence.

From my point of view, there is the added angle of switching careers and then landing back where I belong. When you come back to a familiar place, sometimes you notice things that you had gotten used to — faded paint or a broken fence post. Most of us have experienced that when revisiting a childhood home or school. Things look smaller, and they are usually not improved by time — unless they are still in use and being cared for with intention.

That’s a big part of what is driving changes on the Seward County Community College campus, where we are in full-on, catch-up mode.

It’s amazing what a difference small changes can make. For example, the north- and south-facing doors on the newer wing of the Hobble Academic Building were recently painted with a fresh coat of Seward green. The vibrant color pops out against the bricks, and you can’t help but feel a little burst of Saints spirit when you enter the building.

Indoors, we are in the process of replacing worn carpet and flooring across campus. Some of this updates faded or worn-out materials. At the top of the list is the SCCC Library, which is slated for fresh paint and new carpet. The process has already begun with improvements to a large supply closet that is being converted to the SaintsUP food and essentials pantry for students.

Another high-traffic, high-demand area is the second-floor conference rooms in the student union. It’s not just our students who use this space, but the wider community as well. Civic groups routinely hold meetings in our “SW” and “SU” building and take advantage of the catering services provided by Great Western Dining.

On the one hand, our thrifty Midwestern ways can stop us from making improvements that might seem superficial. But it’s important to look at those environments with the question in mind, “Does this represent who we are?” — both as a college and a community. I will just put it out there, the wallpaper in the conference rooms has served its useful life with honor, but it is no longer who we are, and it’s going to be replaced.

A first wave of new signage has been installed on our campus with more to follow, the parking lot is being repainted, and roofs are being fixed. Clean-up days will continue. As I joked to one of our new employees, Athletic Coordinator of Operations & Eligibility Preston Caldwell, “Welcome to higher ed! Sometimes pulling weeds is what we do!” Give him credit, he pitched in with a smile.

My mom used to say that you can’t eat an elephant overnight and this how I currently see our campus. It is going to take several years to catch up on these projects and more, but as long as we are making continuous improvements, we are far from the danger zone of decay.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is leader of the weed-pulling, trash-collecting volunteer squad on campus. When he’s not coordinating clean-up, he serves as the 13th president of Seward County Community College. 

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August 24, 2022

SCCC, the definition of what college is supposed to be

When I first came to western Kansas as a teacher at Colby Community College I was surprised as the environment did not feel like a “community college” in the way that I was used to. I’m not sure where I got the idea that community college was somehow less than four-year college. Maybe it was the old label “junior college” that was stuck in my mind.

Like a lot of people, I probably picked up stereotypes about the community college experience — images that had to do with not being smart enough or wealthy enough or ambitious enough to go far away from a hometown, and instead “settling” for something easier.

By now, I know how wrong I was. My experiences at Colby quickly removed those misconceptions. Like peer community colleges across Kansas, and Seward County Community College, the atmosphere there had nothing “junior” about it.

The classes were tough and engaging. I know, because I taught some of them, and I had to step up to the examples set by my fellow instructors. This is the mode of operations at Seward, especially this year, when we have two executive team members, Vice President of Academic Affairs Luke Dowell and me, teaching in the classroom, along with the occasional dean or division director. It gives us all appreciation for our full-time faculty, who handle a much larger course load than a single class.

I also discovered the intense loyalty and buy-in that community college student athletic programs generate. In many public appearances and faculty and staff meetings, I’ve told the story of how, no matter how happy I was during my 13 years at Colby, I always felt a little envious of the Saints’ community support.

When I arrived in Liberal, I found out for myself what it means to “bleed green.” I am still amazed at how much enthusiasm and hands-on help the people in our community provide. I see families welcome student-athletes to their homes, going out of their way to provide hot meals and a sense of family. At Saints athletics home games, our fans are the best in our conference, bar none. We see retirees, third-generation families, even babies wearing Saints gear. It’s incredible, and encouraging, and a constant source of pride for us all.

If it was possible to send a message to the younger Brad Bennett, I would reassure him that there’s nothing second rate about the community colleges of Kansas. And there’s a lot to learn from the students who are here. They are smart. They are hungry for knowledge and opportunity. Most of our Saints are by no means wealthy, and that’s part of what motivates them to learn time management skills and soldier on when the semester becomes a struggle. How else will they put in the hours at their full-time jobs, their full class schedule, and their family obligations? They already know how to work, and they are determined to do right by their parents and siblings, spouses and chilren. They are so aware of those who have sacrificed so much to get them to this point and they plan to make them proud. The last time I checked, that is the definition of ambition.

All those feelings and the lessons that created them are alive and strong as we enter the second week of school. I walk across campus and see everything that makes a college experience real and life-changing. Athletics are kicking off. Student events are happening all over campus. The dorms are loud with laughter.

Community colleges in Kansas provide such a wonderful opportunity for our students and community. Here at Seward, students become a highly valued part of an all-encompassing campus that provides them with one-on-one educational resources to work-ready technical programs to transfer degrees. It’s the best of both worlds, based on the personal connections that make rural America the classic source of character development, work ethic, and civic engagement.

At the same time it’s the local equivalent of a small university or liberal arts college. Students can explore a wide variety of subjects, interests, extracurricular projects and clubs. We care about excellence; after all, quality is one of our core values. But we’re not interested in elitism or competition that crushes beginners and weeds out people who haven’t yet had an opportunity to develop their ability to speak in public, or sing in a choir, or create art, or shine on the quiz bowl team.

There’s room for everyone; in fact, there’s a sense that we need everyone to make it all work smoothly.

That’s what community is all about. It’s what makes a college of excellence, regardless of the size or location.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. He recently attended the council of presidents for Kansas community college and he won’t hesitate to tell his peers that he has the best job of them all. Just the facts. You can reach him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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August 17, 2022

Despite time, teaching basics stay the same

Intro to Business brings president back to classroom

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August 10, 2022 : Saints Voices

Finding the right spot to grow is just the beginning

August 3, 2022 : Saints Voices

Welcome to SCCC, where education is personal and we will feed you pancakes

With the start of the new school year, we are welcoming many new employees to the Saints family and the community of Liberal. It’s an exciting time of year. Newcomers usually show up filled with optimism, a sense of purpose, and high energy. Old-timers welcome that fresh infusion of ideas and human capital, especially after the last few years we have all experienced.

Reflecting back on when I first came to Western Kansas to teach at a community college, I remember a sense of discovery. I had a perceived notion that a community college in rural Kansas would resemble a community college in a large city. I was definitely in for a surprise. Northwest Kansas is not at all like the Tulsa area, or Denver metro. The community culture is different, the students have life experiences that are centered on the area’s industry and economy, and commuters measure the trip to campus in mileposts, not minutes spent in traffic.

Many of our new employees are coming to us from out of state and while we try to portray the wonderful qualities of Southwestern Kansas it is difficult to paint a comprehensive picture. On the one hand, the enormous horizon, open landscape and extreme temperatures can be unsettling for someone who is used to trees and hills and water. On the other hand, our regional terrain is representative of what a person can do in this part of the world — the possibilities are vast, and opportunities are everywhere.

From the close-up perspective, I’m excited for each one of them to arrive on campus where they will find a wonderful group of people who are focused on two things. These are a caring culture and focus on student success. Outside the world of education, many people might assume that all schools, colleges, and universities are concerned about student success.

On paper, sure — but at Seward, students will find a unique place that puts action to those words. When we follow up with alumni, transfer students, and former Saints, we hear that they valued their time at SCCC because of the warm, welcoming atmosphere. “It’s the people who make it so great,” they say. They felt accepted and valued, and knew their instructors and staff truly cared about them.

That sense of belonging is not limited to campus, as our new employees will soon learn. They may very well be surprised at the high level of community support and the athletic backing of Saints Nation. SCCC is renowned for pulling record numbers of local fans to athletic competitions. We have a robust booster club that keeps growing. And on campus, we celebrate the wins, whether that is a Spanish-speaking student who aced the CLEP test and gained 10 credit hours on their transcript, to a student-athlete signing to play at the next level.

As we begin to incorporate our new employees into the college culture we will be introducing them to the community as well. Seward is proud to support the New Educators Breakfast, which is organized each year by the Liberal Area Chamber of Commerce for new teachers and instructors at USD 480 and SCCC. This event also gets our new educators in touch with each other, and gets those networking connections started.

At SCCC, we’ll be welcoming two new instructors to the agriculture program, as well as several English instructors, new coaches and staff in the athletic department, and support professionals across campus. Keep an eye on local media for interviews, guest appearances, and even an occasional speaking engagement at civic groups like the Rotary Club, Lions, and Kiwanis.

Of course, it is always a lot of fun to introduce our new employees to Pancake Day. How many colleges do you know who close campus and encourage employees to eat and flip pancakes, cheer on racers wearing aprons and headscarfs, and keep score in a contest that dates back more than 500 years? Last year, we sent a team of five men to compete in the “pacer race” before the big, official international competition. We also entered our Saints mascot, Louie, in the mascot race. Lady Saints volleyball players helped serve at the morning pancake breakfast.

In fact, at the end of each semester, our executive team takes a turn at the griddle to serve up pancakes, biscuits and gravy, omelettes and more at the free-to-students Moonlight Finals breakfast. One way or another, being at SCCC means a hot breakfast.

But that is months away. In the coming weeks, the newest members of the Saints family will be busy moving into offices, finding their way across campus, and getting a feel for Southwest Kansas. If you meet up with any of them, be sure to offer the legendary hospitality that gave Liberal its name. As a person who’s moved here twice in the past two years, I can say with confidence that there’s really no place like Liberal to call your home.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is happy to call Liberal home, though he is not planning to put on an apron and headscarf anytime soon. You can get to know him by stopping at the President’s office on campus, 1801 N. Kansas, emailing brad.bennett@sccc.edu, or calling 620-417-1010. 

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July 27, 2022 : Saints Voices

Summer memories set foundation for  future

Whether it’s ice cream or a fishing trip, those moments endure

For many of us, summers are so different than the rest of the year. Something about the change in weather and the change in schedule makes everything seem special.

Oftentimes traditions and food are nostalgic. It is not really about what we are eating, yet the taste and smell serve as a kind of memory holder in time. We have a rule in the Bennett Family that every fishing trip ends with ice cream. MaryBelle and Madeline sometimes eat all their ice cream, and sometimes they have only a few bites. It is the moments together reflecting on the time we spent that are important.

We all have different childhood memories that serve as placeholders. My dad lives in Northeast Oklahoma and our family has been traveling to Grand Lake Oklahoma since it was built. Earlier this summer, our family visited again, and I showed my girls the cabin my grandparents would take me to. Not much on the outside, it was basically a trailer with a small room and deck that my very skilled grandfather added over the years. But let me tell you — this place was awesome.

I can remember it like yesterday, and I found myself telling my daughters details about our trips there that I thought that I had forgotten. My grandfather — PaPa — was a tremendous welder and built a railing around the deck with welded fish cutouts every few feet. He had a small ski boat that we would always fish out of as well. We went early every morning we were there. Often it was him and my dad and me. I can recall the smell of the exhaust of that old outboard as we idled out for the morning with the sun not quite up. We would fish and laugh as my grandfather, like me, was always telling a story or playing a practical joke.

The deck had an outside charcoal griddle built by my grandfather, and I can recall smelling my grandmother (Nana) cooking biscuits and gravy on the deck. The delicious smell would go for miles, and that’s how we knew to come in when breakfast was ready.

No time, no cell phones, no text messages, just a very simple period in my life. While we know life is not simple and is constantly changing I have tried to replicate some of those memories for my kids.

I hope celebrating National Ice Cream month, which SCCC is doing for the second year now, will provide a positive memory holder for the children in Liberal. Maybe they picked up an ice cream sandwich during a trip to Memorial Library, or enjoyed the sweet treat after meeting our mascot Louie the Saint for the first time. If they rode their bicycles to the Liberal Recreation Center and arrived tired and sweaty during the hottest summer yet, SCCC offered a welcome bit of refreshment.

More than 70 children attended Kids College on campus this week, and they will be celebrating their accomplishments with a pool and pizza party with — you guessed it — ice cream. We hope to see them, and the others who have helped us celebrate National Ice Cream month, enrolled as Saints someday.

Looking back to my own memories, I can see that my grandparents gave me more than happy summer experiences. They were demonstrating the values they lived by. Hard work. Care for others. Using what you have to create goodness and joy. Patience, for sure, as anyone who goes fishing has experienced! In the same way, our team at SCCC constantly works to provide positive and life-changing experiences for our students.

Everyone on campus is already gearing up to welcome our 2022-23 students in less than a month. It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to a close. Professional development days are scheduled for the first week of August, and classes begin on Aug. 15.

There is still plenty of time to enroll in classes, and we are ready to make it happen. Whether you are a recent graduate of high school, a returning student, or someone looking for a career change or a fresh start, we are here for you. Seward offers more than 40 programs of study, from agriculture to vocal music. The possibilities are endless, but we know they lead to success: our Saints can expect to earn $10,000 more per year, compared to those with a high school diploma, after they graduate with a certificate or associate degree.

Summer hours continue for the rest of July, which means we are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starting in July, campus will go back to regular hours, which are 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

So, make a little time to stop by Seward and enroll. You never know, we might even be handing out ice cream.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of SCCC, and the occasional host of a backyard fishing class — just ask Kids College students. You can email him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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July 20, 2022

Give yourself credit when you support SCCC

We’re talking about tax credits; get ’em while they last

While I am writing this column, it is Wednesday, but it feels like we have already experienced a full week of work, meetings and all the tasks that are part of higher education. The calendar year can feel that way, too, but fortunately we are at the opening point of a new fiscal year. Who doesn’t like a fresh start and new opportunities?

At the state level, the legislature has offered exactly that. 

This year our legislatures allowed community and technical colleges the ability to sell capital improvement tax credits.The state allocated $5 million dollars total to the 26 two-year colleges in our state. The tax credits are first-come first-serve and any institution can sell up to $500,000. 

This is an amazing opportunity for our institution to raise funds for capital projects while offering an added benefit to our donors. I’m so proud of this campus, which is so beautiful and constantly surprises visitors. They don’t expect to see a place like this in such a remote rural community.

But it’s not possible to keep a campus up to date and attractive and functional without having a long-range plan for maintenance and upkeep. Our grounds and building crews do a fantastic job. Our board and executive team work hard to practice good stewardship of taxpayer funds. 

All those factors mean that an opportunity to claim funding that will help us finish ongoing projects — like the Sharp Family Champions Center — and tackle some of the improvements and upgrades that we have put on the back burner for longer than we would like.

So, how does it work? If you are like a lot of us, the idea of a tax credit might be new and raise some questions. Let’s break it down:

What is it called? Community College Capital Improvement Tax Credit.

Who is it for? Kansas Income taxpayers, Kansas Premium taxpayers, a

nd Kansas privilege taxpayers. That means pretty much everyone, from individuals to large companies. 

When does it begin? Effective on and after July 1, 2022 and prior to December 31, 2025.

How does it help SCCC?  When you, the taxpayer, make a contribution through this program, the college can use the money for capital improvements, deferred maintenance, or the purchase of technology and equipment.

How does it help you? The credit is 60 percent of the total amount contributed during the taxable year by the taxpayer to a community college located in Kansas. So, if you contribute $1,000, you can subtract $600 from any taxes you owe to the state of Kansas. It’s a great way to reduce tax debt and do good at the same time. 

How much can I give? The starting amount is $1,000, and you or your business can give up to a quarter million dollars, but (here we quote directly from the state), “In no event shall the total amount of credits allowed for taxpayers who contribute to any one such community college exceed $250,000 in any one tax year.  Community Colleges are also capped at awarding a maximum of $500,000 in total from their college.  A statewide cap on the amount of credits that are available to be awarded is $5,000,000.

That sounds competitive. Is it a race? In way, yes. The state has set a limit of $5 million in credits to be awarded, and once that figure is reached, the program stops accepting donations. So, whichever college’s supporters have seized the opportunity first will be the winners. 

If I make a large donation through this program, will I get a tax refund? No.  If the amount of credit exceeds the taxpayer’s tax liability, the remaining credit is not allowed to carryover or to be refunded.  

How can I get started? Qualified taxpayers who have made a contribution to a community college on or after July 1, 2022 will be required to file the appropriate tax return electronically and follow the proper steps in preparation of their tax return to claim the credit as directed to on the Kansas Department of Revenue website.

Where can I learn more? https://www.ksrevenue.gov/prtaxcredits-deferred.html

I know it’s not possible to answer every question in one newspaper column. If you want to learn more, or have issues to discuss, please reach out to talk with me. I am glad to unpack the details, respond to questions, and walk you through the details. Stop by my office in the Hobble Academic Building here on campus, give me a call at 620-417-1010, or email me at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College but in a former life he taught accounting and business classes to high school and college students. His two young daughters are currently assisting him in earning the title of “The Man Who Can Answer Your Questions.”  

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June 29, 2022

1,000 T-shirts, a custom motorcycle, and a community worth celebrating

It’s hard to believe we have already hit the midpoint of summer, but here we are in July. That means Seward County Community College is preparing to welcome the entire community to our campus as part of the second-biggest celebration of the year in Liberal — July 4.

In any other town, we would probably list Independence Day as the primary holiday that brings people together, but other towns don’t have Pancake Day. That said, July 4 promises to be even bigger and better this year, with a parade and park extravaganza planned before the traditional festivities held on the SCCC campus. You will be sure to see Saints at all of the fun. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Kansas Ave., moving north to end at Light Park. 

This year, Seward has made a deliberate effort to show up at area parades large and small. The project began at the suggestion of our Outreach Director Mike Bailey, whose daily work includes many highway miles traveling to the smaller towns we serve. He pointed out that after the pandemic and long months apart from one another, we are eager to reconnect with our far-flung Saints family. We want to show up and let them know we care. 

Thanks to his dedication and willingness to handle hundreds of pounds of candy and swag, Mike has earned the title of “Director of Parades.” In all seriousness, we are thankful for his willingness to spearhead the parades, throw candy, and even dodge a cow chip or two as he traveled from town to town. In many of these adventures, Dean of Enrollment and Student Success Annette Hackbarth-Onson has been his loyal co-conspirator. 

Here in Liberal, LHS Homecoming and Pancake Day provided us with so many good memories and moments of connection, with our cosmetology students and student athletes representing campus with pride. For July 4, we’re planning to bring the amazing custom-built motorcycle created by the Vo-Tech long before the merger. It’s still a point of pride on the Industrial Tech campus and Dr. Amber Jones, head of that division, is eager to show it to a new generation of future Saints. Look for her behind the wheel of the SCCC pickup truck, and try to catch a roll of Smarties as she steers the motorcycle trailer. 

Once the parade wraps up, Light Park will be the site for an afternoon of fun. Presentations begin at 11 a.m., including historic speeches, singing, dancing and other entertainment. Booths and informational tables will also be set up, and you can find a Saints table in the mix, with T-shirts, lanyards and other giveaway items. And, if you’re planning to head back to college in August, you can talk to SCCC representatives about the next step. 

Until 3 p.m. the park will host food trucks, shaved ice, vendors, bouncy houses, electric bull rides and the Oz train. 

Throughout these events, I hope to see folks wearing our newest SCCC T-shirts. We plan to give out 1,000 of these free shirts. If you don’t score one during the parade, be sure to pick yours up at the Saints table! 

At 2:30 p.m., it will be time to head to Saints Nation, also known as the SCCC Campus and Brent Gould Field. We’re very proud that the college is also the home field for the Liberal Bee Jays and the City of Liberal’s annual fireworks display every July 4. Fellowship Baptist Church will join the community on campus, holding a picnic with a hot dog feed, bouncy houses, and plenty of games for the entire family starting at 2:30 p.m. in the area immediately adjacent to the field on the SCCC main campus. After the picnic, the Bee Jays will take on the Dodge City A’s at 7 p.m. Fireworks follow after the game and after dark.

This celebration reflects the very best of rural America, and our national values. I love seeing the many different entities come together to provide fun, food, and positive memories for children and young people. There’s so much power in that sense of community and belonging. It’s something we all cherish, and I’m proud that SCCC can play a part in making it happen. 

No matter what you plan for Independence Day, I hope you will make SCCC a part of your holiday. The promise of liberty and justice for all is an enduring standard, and one that we should all continue to pursue and practice in our own lives. So soak up the sunshine, share a smile, and take in the sparkle of fireworks above this community. It is something worth celebrating. 

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, where higher education runs the gamut from pulling weeds on campus to receiving community feedback for the next strategic plan. You can contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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June 22, 2022 : Saints Voices

Town halls must go on and we need you there

And other Dad-style reminders just in time for Father’s Day

I know that I sound like a broken record as I always say that community is the middle of our name. Since Father’s Day is coming up, it’s OK if you chalk this up to the way we tend to tune out reminders — just ask your own dad how many times he reminded you to check the tire pressure or take out the trash!

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June 15, 2022 : Saints Voices

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett is president of Seward County Community College, where his goal is to be a little bit better at his job every single day. 

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June 8, 2022 : Saints Voices

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June 1, 2022 : Saints Voices

Our Saints shine on the court, make history

Men’s tennis has doubled our college total of national titles

When I first arrived back at Seward County Community College, I immediately began to plan for the future of our extraordinary institution. We are in the midst of making several changes and updates around campus with the goal of academic year 23-24 being “The Year of the Saints!”

Little did we know that we would receive a kick-off event delivered by our men’s tennis team. It’s been more than 20 years since Seward claimed a national title, but we’re back in the best ranks, thanks to the men’s tennis team. They say winning isn’t everything, but it sure feels good. And for those of us who love competition, this win is even sweeter.

The Year of the Saints is about making our entire campus better. Focusing every day on continuous improvement to grow enrollment, improve student success, win more games, and excel in every aspect of the Seward experience. We envision taking our already great culture and refining and elevating it until we are winning in every phase of our campus. To compare it to tennis, you might say that we will strengthen every part of our game.

Unfortunately, I could not be in Tyler last week (between moving Lindsay and the girls here and a family event),but I stayed in close contact with Athletic Director Dan Artamenko and sat on the edge of my seat watching every update on Twitter.

My wife and I had the chance shortly after we won to FaceTime with Coach Vechione and the team, and it was such a special moment. We are so proud of them for bringing home numerous program firsts, but as with all student-athletes, we are prouder of who they are as students and people in our community.

Some of the program firsts:

• Most matches were won at a National Tournament with 27, and the most points were earned at the National Tournament with 45.
• First time in program history to win a singles final, and we had two win their draws: Kyllian Savary won the number three singles championship, and Karlo Krolo won the number five singles championship.
• First time in program history the Saints won the doubles draw championship. Luke Quaynor and Kyllian Savary won their number two doubles draw over TJC to win the championship.
• Seward County had a record of four singles All-Americans. In addition, Kyllian Savary received 1st team All-American honors, Karlo Krolo received 1st team All-American honors, Luke Quaynor received 2nd team.

When our women’s tennis team returned home from their phenomenal end-of-season competition in Arizona, we celebrated with flowers for the players and a campus-wide ice cream social. Our student-athletes are more than sports competitors or Saints representatives, although those roles comprise part of their total identity. We know them as human beings full of potential and personality. Though we relate to them first and foremost as students to whom we owe a duty of care, we usually stay in touch with them after they leave our campus, and in many cases, these young people become our friends over time.

Most of the men’s tennis team took advantage of being in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and traveled back home from there, so an ice cream social is not possible. Plus, in light of the history-making national championship they achieved, we will be planning a National Championship Banquet for the fall. For now, though, the glow of victory is bright on campus despite the rainy weather this week. We’re shining with pride in our student-athletes, and the glimmer of more to come as we near the Year of the Saints. Now more than ever, it’s great to be part of the Saints family.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Brad Bennett has recently pursued his own athletic career in the rare sport of box packing, lifting, and unpacking as he and his family settle into their new home in Liberal. This summer, he will turn his attention to the cross-generational sports of feeding ducks with his daughters and fishing.

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April 24, 2022 : Saints Voices

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and a reluctant fan of Disney Princess movies (rated G). He’s also your go-to person if you need to purchase cleaning supplies in bulk. You can reach him at 620-417-1010, or by email at brad.bennett@sccc.edu.

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April 17, 2022: Saints Voices

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is not completely a night owl or an early bird, but he sometimes keeps both kinds of schedules as the president of Seward County Community College. You can reach him at his office on campus, phone 620-417-1010, or email brad.bennett@sccc.edu. 

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April 10, 2022 : Saints Voices

Saints get the best ROI for time and money

April is community college month! That means it’s time to celebrate the best deal in our country. There is no other option for our students that produce such a high Return on Investment (ROI). I do not make that claim lightly. As a person who loves Excel spreadsheets, I have the numbers to back it up.

We have to look no further than the data of our students from Seward County Community College. On average, a student who earns an associate degree will earn nearly half a million dollars more than if they had gone straight to work with a high school diploma only — that comes out to about $10,000 more per year in wages earned. The impact multiplies rapidly if you look at all those individual lives as a group: 50 years of graduates from SCCC, the money added to the region through their earnings totals around $4 billion.

However, most days SCCC is looking at the close-up view. Community colleges for the most part are non-research institutions. We are not trying to win Nobel prizes or make headlines. Our focus is on the success of our students.

Last week, a group of students, their families, and members of our college administration gathered at the annual Phi Theta Kappa banquet to celebrate our all Kansas Academic Team in Junction City. Our two honorees — Elizabeth Horinek and Israel Banuelos — joined peers from community colleges across the state of Kansas. Wow, what a group that was. As we honored these students we heard about their plans for next steps. These community college graduates will be attending universities from Kansas to Hawaii and everywhere in between. From Ivy league schools to state universities, these students are progressing through their education journey with excellence, preparing to be  the best in their field.

But that is only part of our story. A four-year degree is not for everyone, nor does it guarantee success post-college. What our students consider a good return on the investment depends on what happens when they leave the world of higher education and step into adult life.

Here is where SCCC shines its brightest. Out of the 19 community colleges in the state of Kansas, nine opted to join with vocational technical schools in their geographic area. Seward is one of those nine. The merger with Southwest Kansas Area Vocational Technical School in 2008 created a unique opportunity for our area.

We have technical programs to educate tomorrow’s workforce. From short-term programs to CDL to programs in Allied Health, we have so many options to not only educate our students but provide them a direct route to a high-wage, high-demand job. The investment of time and money varies. Some certifications take just eight weeks to complete. Others “stack,” so that a welding student can opt to leave the classroom after one semester with an “A” certificate and go directly to the workforce, or stay another semester for the “B” cert, or even continue for the full two years and an associate of applied science degree.

Allied Health can serve the same purpose on a larger scale, with many students going to work as nurses, respiratory therapists, or medical laboratory technologists in order to pay their way through additional levels of education. The same approach has proven useful to graduates of our cosmetology program and other CTE pathways: use the education close at hand to increase your earnings right away, while you prepare for the next level.

For high school students in our service area, concurrent classes provide a quick start to college. At the Student-Trustee Dinner on Monday evening, we heard from several Saints who are preparing to graduate from high school with both their diploma and an associates degree from SCCC. They have cut the cost of college in half.

So, let’s not pretend and let’s not keep the best ROI in the country a secret  any longer. Join the rest of the country in celebrating April as Community College Month!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, where he cheers loudly for the wins, whether they appear in the form of top-ranking tennis players or improved lighting for the parking lots. Contact him at brad.bennett@sccc.edu or 620-417-1010. 

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April 3, 2022 :  Saints Voices

The Big Reset is colored SCCC green

As spring slowly arrives, campus is also set to bloom

Kansas weather is unpredictable, and March proved the point. We had a sunny “snow” day after blizzard predictions fizzled out, a few adventures with high wind, and some just plain beautiful afternoons. Anybody who has lived in Kansas for more than a minute knows this is normal, but spring feels different this year. 

A little over two years, ago we sent our students home for spring break not knowing how our world would change. We had no idea that we would not welcome them back to campus to complete the semester in person. That was the spring when proms were postponed and graduation ceremonies did not happen with the usual pomp and circumstance. High school and college athletes felt crushing disappointment when state and regional tournaments were cancelled. 

One year later, we were back on campus, but spring still felt uncertain. During that pandemic year, Seward County Community College kept our classrooms open one week at a time. We are still incredibly proud of that fact. It was only possible because of the dedication of instructors, staff members, students, and our community. The meetings with our county health professionals and our on-campus contact tracers started to blend together until it felt like the whole year was one giant meeting — but we made it. 

At SCCC, as we begin to welcome the sunshine and warmer days — and, we hope, LESS wind and MORE rain — spring is definitely here. But it feels different. It seems as if we are hitting the reset button on our campus. 

Our students have experienced a pretty normal school year.
Our student-athletes have returned to regular play after the most unusual sports seasons in history.

Our instructors are scrambling to keep the grade books current as we pass the mid-term mark and head towards graduation. 

Campus clubs are meeting once more. 

Overall, it feels really good and it’s worthwhile to stop and notice that sense of new beginnings and motivation. The pandemic required so much time and effort that focus from other items was lost. Small repairs and projects fell by the wayside as we put attention on higher priorities like health and safety. 

Now that it’s safe to do so, I’m really happy about the events our Saints family has been able to participate in. For example, at the beginning of March, we participated in a wonderful Pancake Day. My fellow Men’s Pacer Race contestants might agree with me that participating in the day “as it was meant to be” involved more cardio than we originally imagined — but it was a lot of fun from the Grand Marshall Reception to the afternoon parade. 

A couple weeks later, we hosted a campus clean-up during spring break followed by an all campus lunch. People showed up voluntarily to pick up trash, trim overgrown hedges and more. I didn’t know what to expect, but 150 people participated, and we got so much done to make our campus a place that reflects our pride. 

Spring is only getting started, with a long list of events coming up. Enrollment for summer and fall classes opens on April 4. Current students can even get an early start on setting up their schedule right now. April 8, a week from Friday, the humanities department will host the Creative Writers’ Coffeehouse at 7 p.m. in the Student Union. It’s free, fun, and there are beverages and refreshments. 

Cast members are rehearsing for the spring musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” which will be performed April 21, 22, and 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the show are $10. Even though it is a lot of fun, the humanities department warns that the musical does have some content that is inappropriate for younger audiences. It is just for A-D-U-L-T-S. 

The spring concert for vocal and band programs will be at 7 p.m. April 29, also in the theater. Ticket sales support the SCCC Music Endowment Fund, so get yours for $3 and help future music students attend college. 

Then, just one week later, we will have graduation. Preparing campus for that event always results in a summer work list which is much longer than what is possible to complete. Personally, I think that is awesome because it shows how excited our Saints family is and how much we can do. Our goal is to paint 500 gallons of paint by August 1^st. And that paint is Seward Green. 

We are excited to hit the reset button as we prep for what we hope will be the most exciting time in the history of our wonderful institution.

EDITOR’S NOTE: President Brad Bennett has already ordered the paint and welcomes volunteers who are willing to wield a brush in the service of Saints pride. Stop by campus anytime, or call him at 620-417-1010.

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March 27, 2022 :  Saints Voices

What do athletic programs at the community college level mean?

Here’s a hint: in the end, we care about more than the score

I have always believed in athletics and the positive impact they make on our youth, institutions, and our community. When I first started teaching, I was also the head men’s basketball coach. I would spend countless hours teaching our team how to prep themselves to survive and excel in the world around them.

My first year we did not have many wins, but all 32 players learned to tie a tie, we improved GPA’s, and increased our community service hours. It might seem like that list doesn’t have a lot to do with basketball, but teachers from kindergarten to college understand that students are not ever one single thing — a math student, or an athlete, or a person with an injury, or a low-income family member, or a single parent. Students are people, and like all people they are complex and capable of amazing accomplishments if they are encouraged to reach their potential.

Athletics are often the lever that opens up the opportunities to grow, explore new worlds, and develop as a well-rounded person. First and foremost, athletics at the community college level improve access to education that thousands of students would not otherwise have.

This serves an important purpose for what we call first generation students — young men and women who are the first in their families to attend college. Like so many things in life, higher education can be hard to imagine if it’s completely foreign. Many hardworking parents struggle to visualize how the pieces fit together — scholarships, financial aid, and the college credit system leading to a degree. They might even wonder what difference the degree will actually make for their child. But anyone who has attended a Little League game or a high school soccer playoff knows how it feels to believe your son or daughter can win. Parents of athletes understand the way hard work and perseverance pay off in so many many ways, not just trophies and stats, but in a sense of teamwork, pride, and belonging. Those same qualities can produce a degree-earning college student.

Additionally, athletics brings pride to our campus and our community. How lucky are we? On any given day we can catch a game at the Greenhouse and see some of the best basketball or volleyball in the country. If we swing by Brent Gould field, we can catch a couple of MLB draft prospects, or over French Family Field,  two softball teams loaded with D1 talent play. Then there are the world-class tennis matches with the best players in the country and points around the world.

Our student athletes provide role models to the youth of our community. They help with food drives, work at Pancake Day, and attend youth league games throughout the year. Why? We are teaching them values that will serve them long after they have passed their days of playing.

If you want to understand the power of athletics to change lives for the better, there is nothing like getting to know our students. At Seward, we are fortunate to have community members who like say they “bleed green,” and who make it point to make every competition at the Greenhouse they can. These fans join our booster club, providing material and energetic support to the student athletes, but they often go one step further, hosting a student athlete and making that personal connection. It is not unusual to find Saints fans hitting the road to cheer at out-of-town games, or even road trip cross-country to watch beloved Saints alumni win big at the four-year schools where they transferred after finishing at SCCC.

When anyone asks me to explain the way athletics and academics can combine to make a real difference, I think back to a student I met in my early days at Colby Community College. He came from a background of extreme poverty, and had low self-esteem. I worked with a lot of young men during this time period, working on economics and accounting problems. This particular student stuck with it. During his time at Colby, he met his wife, they graduated, and they started a family.

I gave him one of my suits for his first job interview. I was impressed with his athletic skills, but what meant the most to me was the way this young man broke the cycle in his family: he became the first college graduate in their history. This is the real value of athletics.

The great thing is that his story is not unusual. We see it often at SCCC. Every day, as student athletes head to practice, the cafeteria, classes, and back to the dorms, we see the possibility of another success story unfolding in each one’s life.

EDITOR’S NOTE: President Brad Bennett allows what he calls his ‘insanely competitive side’ to come out on behalf of the Saints and Lady Saints. Thanks to his daughters, he sometimes brings his own cheer squad along to games in the Greenhouse. 

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March 20, 2022 :  Saints Voices

Find work satisfaction with the Saints family

At SCCC, our team changes the world every day

The best workplace ever: When you hear those words, do you picture an office ping-pong table, daily donuts, or unlimited time off? Or is it all about the money?

When I hear the words “Best Workplace Ever,” I picture our campus at Seward County Community College, where it is always great to be a Saint. Lately, I am saying that more often. That’s because, like most institutions our size, we currently have quite a few job openings. Some might see staffing issues as a sign that there is something wrong. But many businesses are facing the challenge of job vacancies after the past two years. What’s more, our own employees frequently tell us they feel like they are part of a family.

So, what is it that makes SCCC a special place to work? If someone is just looking for a fat paycheck, SCCC is probably not the place for you. We work hard at keeping our wages comparable to the industry, and one of my goals over the next year is to focus more attention there. But money is not why we choose to work at SCCC.

I have personally weighed the benefits of higher earnings against work that is meaningful and purpose-driven. And I can attest that it is better to work in an environment where employees feel valued and connected to something bigger than it is to see money accrue and motivation decrease. As president, I see it as a key part of my role to create that positive environment.

SCCC aspires to create a workplace culture where all employees are treated with equally and respect. An environment where employees are empowered to make a decision. A job that is actually a career and makes you proud to come to work every single day.

I definitely felt proud last week, when our first-ever volunteer work day took place on a Wednesday right in the middle of spring break. More than 100 people showed up to clear trash from campus, trim overgrown shrubbery, and take care of minor repairs. The sun was shining, we stopped at noon for a hamburger feed, and people were smiling. You could feel the camaraderie and pride between the students, faculty, staff, and even a few family members who chipped in.

I believe each person who took part was building our Saints Family pride, and practicing leadership. It’s a process I care about deeply and pursue whenever I can. This Thursday night, prior to our SCCC town hall meeting, I will be speaking at the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) graduation on campus. The LEAD program is a great example of opportunities that the college continually offers to the community. This takes place year-round through Business & Industry classes, professional development / certification workshops, Business Over Breakfast meetings, and special speakers through our collaboration with the Liberal Area Chamber of Commerce. We want to develop more leaders. We want a strong and vibrant community.

We also want to hear more voices, which is why we’re hosting Town Hall meetings in the community over the next few months. Leaders do not only act, they listen — and they can lead from wherever they happen to be standing.

Maybe there’s a spot waiting for you on our campus. Open positions are available in athletics, instruction, and many other departments on campus. When we say the Saints Family, we mean it. We chip in to help each other in times of need. We eat together and laugh together. We go through good and bad times together, donate our sick leave to one another, and constantly show we appreciate one another.

The people are what make being a Saint special.

So if you are interested in joining our team, visit our website or stop by campus. It really is the best workplace ever.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College. He is also, when the occasion calls for it, a hamburger grillmaster and public speaker. You can meet him this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the SCCC Town Hall Meeting in the Showcase Theater on campus. 

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March 13, 2022 :  Saints Voices

No matter the question, let’s crowd-source answers to benefit the community

As the College prepares to draft new strategies, add your ideas

It’s common knowledge that complaints are louder than compliments. In the English-speaking world, we’ve even got folk sayings to emphasize this aspect of human nature: “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” and “hindsight is 20/20.” Even the stern instructions “don’t cry over spilled milk” and “you’ve made your bed, now lie in it” focus on looking back with regret.

But what if we reversed the habit of criticism to gaze fearlessly into the future?

What if we took a look at worst-case scenarios and imagined a better outcome?

What if our collective dreams turned out to be stronger than our deepest fears?

That’s the stuff communities are built upon.

It’s also the way forward for Seward County Community College, where we are preparing our next round of strategic plans. In the corporate world and many households, the five-year plan is a standard way to list goals, dreams, challenges, opportunities, and the practical steps to find a path from now to the future. This year, though, it’s anything but business as usual in the world of education.

On the second anniversary of mass shutdowns prompted by COVID, college does not look like it once did. For years, early adopters promoted the ease and economy of online learning. In 2020 and 2021, everyone had to give it a try. Buy-in was not a factor as necessity demanded action. Two years later, K-12 teachers, college instructors and professors have a bewildering assortment of results to consider. Does technology-aided learning work? It depends who you ask.

The same applies to the cost of college. Over the past few decades, tuition rates at four-year universities have multiplied to unimaginable heights. Meanwhile, college in your hometown remains the big secret to cost-cutting. Students can start at Seward, transfer, and earn a degree for half the cost of university tuition, fees, food and housing. The pandemic and world events upended even that sensible assumption — thank you and no thank you, inflation! This leaves more students and their parents with the question, is college worth what it costs in terms of time and money? Again, answers vary.

Finally, at the Kansas state capitol, legislators are engaged in what is now a 12-year debate about how to fund higher education. While much of our funding at SCCC comes from local sources and tuition, money from the state and federal governments plays a role, as do funds impacted by ongoing legal matters before the Kansas court. Solid stewardship of taxpayer dollars is a priority. If you’ve ever waited for a check (or bill) that is rumored to be “in the mail,” you know how difficult it is to plan amid uncertainty.

Yet there’s one sure thing amid change. At Seward County Community College, we believe in the power of education to change the world one life at a time. We come alongside students from all walks of life, equipping and empowering them to change for the better. It starts with an individual who applies, enrolls, and eventually earns the certificate or degree that opens doors. That person has a family, tribe, or network — possibly all of those groups — who benefit from that SCCC Saint’s higher wages, stronger skills, and sense of hope. Put a few of those groups together, and you’ve started to build a community.

And this month, we’re looking to our community to find answers as we plan for the future. How can we best support students? What programs are calling out for expansion? In what ways can the college partner effectively with business and industry to strengthen the regional economy? What opportunities do our stakeholders most desire? What widespread community challenges might be resolved with the help of SCCC programs? What are we doing well? What can we do better?

President Brad Bennett and several SCCC employees will host a Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. March 24 in the Showcase Theater to get the conversation started. We want to hear what’s on the minds of our past and future students, taxpayers, armchair philosophers, optimists, entrepreneurs, and anyone else who wants to join in. You can ask us (nearly!) anything, and we will do our best to answer. We are also eager to hear your brilliant ideas.

Join us for our first Town Hall meeting on March 24! We can’t wait to get started together.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Rachel Coleman is a former newspaper writer who reported on focus groups, forums, and public meetings for more than two decades. In her current role as executive director of marketing and PR at SCCC, she’s excited to help host Town Hall meetings that reach out to include unusual voices and make the most of the real-life experiences of our community members. 

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March 7, 2022 :  Saints Voices

Contracts reflect what matters most — family, a sense of purpose, and commitment

That includes documents signed in crayon at 11 p.m.

When I was a teacher, I used to preach to my students to be passionate about their work. We spend so much time at work and doing something you’re passionate about makes it feel like a choice that feels good and not “nose to the grindstone” work.

Last spring, I left Seward County Community College for financially motivated reasons. That decision took me outside of education, which has been my first, feel-good career choice for the majority of my work life. If my former students could have seen me, they might have said, “Mr. Bennett, you should practice what you preach!”

Maybe they were, because I had a feeling while I pulled out of Liberal that I was making a mistake.

As time passed, I quickly realized that the words I had told thousands of students over the years were in fact true. I missed education. I missed the feeling of purpose I gain from this profession. But, more than that, I missed being a Saint. I missed the community of Liberal, and I missed the wonderful faculty and staff Seward County Community College is blessed with. I knew I needed to live with my decision, but the passion for work was not there.

My wife and I began to discuss our options. How could we address the fact that I was unhappy with my career, and it was impacting my family? I could get back into the field of education, but I made the decision not to apply to other schools because I knew that my heart was at SCCC. I told Lindsay, “Let’s wait for four or five years and see what is open at that point. I miss SCCC too much to go to a different school.”

Being a community college President requires incredible dedication, passion, and energy. I knew that I would not be the best version of myself at another institution. One of the lessons I learned in 2021 was that I should pay attention to that voice inside, the one that advised students to pay attention to their passion.

Five days later I received a call that led me to return to my position with the Saints family. It felt unreal, exactly what I had been hoping for. Rarely in life do we receive a second chance.

Before I accepted the job, Lindsay and I sat down with our daughters MaryBelle (8) and Madeline (6). We wanted to make sure they were okay with another life-changing event.  The girls have completely opposite personalities:  MaryBelle is shy, does not like change, and rarely is in trouble, while Madeline is ready to explore, even if that means breaking a rule or two. That said, they are both wonderful in their unique strengths, and they are both incredibly loving and kind. The girls reassured me that this was the best move not only for me, but my family.

A few minutes later, MaryBelle walked out of her room sporting a Saints shirt, holding a contract for me to sign. The document my second-grader had written up stated that this was the correct move, BUT we were not allowed to move again. It is by far the most serious contract I have signed.

Family connections are the strongest, and in many ways, the return to Seward continues a passion I picked up from my own mother, who was a lifelong educator. My childhood memories include watching her pour everything she had into being a better teacher and later an administrator. It’s probably similar for MaryBelle and Madeline, who can tell when their dad is happy as he heads off to work.

Here in Liberal, they see me bring that passion to campus every day. My view is that if I help guide our employees and make the workplace happier — and sometimes even fun — the students in turn will have a better experience. Everything we do and every decision we make impacts our students. Each of our employees plays a critical role in educating the future. It’s my goal to lead the Saints family with positive energy that benefits each one, our students, and the community.

I am so excited to be back on campus. Please stop in and say hi, or reach out if I can help you in any way.  Also, mark your calendar for Thursday, March 24, when we will host a Town Hall meeting in the Showcase Theater at 7 p.m. We’re hosting a conversation about enrollment, optimism, and SCCC’s impact, and are excited to hear from you, the stakeholders of the community that is the center of who we are.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brad Bennett is both the 11th and the 13th president of Seward County Community College, and a proud participant in the 2022 Men’s Pacer Race at International Pancake Day. 

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February 27, 2022 :  Saints Voices

Decades after Dr. King, Black History and Black Futures deserve more conversation

SCCC aspires to host meaningful dialogue that changes hearts

When my children — now young adults — were growing up, our observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day was almost cursory. We popped our mini-documentary about King’s life and the civil rights movement into the VCR machine and watched the black-and-white images together. The narrative was interspersed with commentary by my husband, who is just old enough to carry his own personal memories of that tumultuous period in history.

It seemed, back in the late 1990s, more symbolic than relevant.

It seemed that way because we, a mixed-race, bicultural couple, viewed the prospects of our children with a vivid optimism fueled by love.

Even so, it seemed important to do our due diligence.

That was clear when, in turn, our three mixed-race kids announced they weren’t so keen on identifying as Black, outright rejecting the term. At the time, I flirted briefly with the notion that maybe they were right. Hadn’t we, as a nation, outgrown such labels? Maybe we were truly “past all that.” My husband held his peace, perhaps hoping my perceptions would hold true.

Nearly 30 years later, we all laugh about those assumptions — and the laughter is a little painful.

True: My three mixed-race children are perceived as, and move through the world as, Black.

Also true: They embrace their identity, and still have plenty of thoughts and opinions to share.

Truest of all: Their lived experiences matter just as much as — likely more than — any explanations their father and I might offer.

On January 17, 2022, the conversation in our living room was lively. With Seward County Community College closed in observance of the MLK federal holiday, we had time and a 4/5 majority present for an informal re-enactment of those family dialogues from decades past.

Ask my kids whether MLK day is relevant, whether systemic racism is real — heck, what it’s like to be “young, Black and gifted,” as Nina Simone phrased it — and you’ll hear three different answers. Some arrive with smiles, others with tears.

During the two terms of President Barack Obama, my children were tweens and high school students; Trayvon Martin was killed while wearing a hoodie and eating Skittles; Beyonce ascended to superstar status. As they embarked in early adulthood, the election of President Donald Trump and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement (and more murdered Black folks than this column has room to list) swung the pendulum in another, more dismaying direction. Along the way, they had to grapple with a society just as topsy-turvy as the hormonal fluctuations in their still-developing brains.

On campus at SCCC, we witness a similar array of young adult reckonings. With a majority of first generation, Hispanic students, our Saints are personally embroiled in the hot topics of the times. Immigration. Colorism and racism. Questions about consent, agency, identity. And, always, the daily concerns about food, shelter, medical and mental healthcare. Often, survival is a struggle.

Ask my husband and me about MLK and his relevance, and we’ll tell you that cherry-picked quotes only go so far and often get twisted to prove points Dr. King never meant to make. We’ve found the most important thing to do is listen to our kids, and encourage them to listen to their elders. There is comfort in being heard. There is confidence in knowing someone finds you worthy, valuable, and interesting enough to tune in to what you say. And there’s wisdom to be found in the exchange of ideas and personal experience.

That’s exactly what we will be doing on campus through the month of February in honor of Black History Month. Wednesday, Feb. 9, in the SCCC Library, we will stage a series of small, personal panel discussions focused on the theme “Black History | Black Futures.” Students and the public are welcome to participate in short roundtable conversations pairing older and younger members of the Black community. Topics on the roster include military service, public protests in the 1960s and the current day, and patriotism. Another table will explore the experiences of Black women in the workplace and athletics, mental health issues that result from society’s often unspoken (and sometimes voiced) assumptions, and how barriers are maintained and broken across generations. A third table will examine the colorful, sometimes painful, sometimes delicious intersection between African culture and Black American culture.

Like the living discussion my own family conducted last Monday, I hope the Saints family conversation will further the goal of loving our students into success. The Coleman household did not tidy up the problems of our messy world, but we all got a chance to speak our mind, gain a fresh appreciation of other viewpoints, and affirm that life is better together than when we are divided.

The goal at Seward is to strengthen that sense of “Saints Strong” unity through each encounter, whether it takes place in the Greenhouse, the classroom, or the cafeteria. Join us next month in the library as we observe Black History and Black Futures. At SCCC, we honor both.

EDITOR’S NOTE — The Black History | Black Futures sessions are set for 9 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Seward County Community College library. The community is invited to attend as we listen to Saints voices.  Rachel Coleman is the Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations at SCCC, and a six-year member of the college’s Diversity & Inclusion team. You can contact her at 620-417-1125 or rachel.coleman@sccc.edu.

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February 13, 2022 :  Saints Voices

Saints family a welcome contrast to the Great Resignation sweeping the world of work

In the world of education, each semester means professional development workshops, introductions to new employees, and a review of why we do what we do. After seven years at Seward County Community College, I confess I drank extra-strong coffee this week before we embarked on our 2022 sessions. It was tough to trade the leisurely late mornings of holiday break for power point presentations. At the same time, being part of a vibrant team of people committed to empowering students never gets old.

We’re at a point in U.S. history where employment is in a state of dizzying change. The global pandemic interrupted everything we thought was reliable and spawned what pundits are now calling The Great Resignation — a massive labor shortage. Some of it is caused by death, but just as many workers left their jobs because of dissatisfaction with wages, working conditions, and outdated expectations.

It’s a strange phenomenon to witness when you love the place you work. Seward County Community College employs roughly 200 people, forming what we often refer to as the Saints Family. Like all families, we’re not perfect. We weather our share of disagreements, dramatic moments, wins and losses. Yet each semester, whether the sky is delivering icy needles of could-be snow or the sun blazes off the concrete in the campus courtyard, we start again. We are here to serve our students.

When I joined the Saints family, I stepped on campus in a blur of terror and jubilation. I had worked at home for more than a decade and felt deeply insecure about my ability to make small talk by the coffee machine. I was thrilled about the prospect of working in a building that contained an entire library and giddy about the impact I could have on young lives.

Over time, the jitters mellowed into familiarity, and while I am by no means an old-timer on campus. I am established enough to offer a helping hand to newcomers. I also sustain an enthusiastic endorsement of SCCC as a great place to work. There’s no possibility of boredom in a place that exists to enable learning. That’s not just for our students; all employees at SCCC are encouraged to build on whatever we bring with us.

Each year, we celebrate team members who have earned associate degrees right here on campus, persevered to claim a bachelor’s degree, or gone even further. In 2018, I was one of those newly-minted four-year-degree holders. This fall, several team members earned master’s or doctorate-level degrees. SCCC makes it possible to level up. The college encourages and supports employees who are working on additional credentials.

But the Saints experience goes far beyond academic affairs. Our employees engage with an array of students from the region, the nation, and the world. Whether it’s the kid who used to mow your lawn, or the volleyball player you cheered for at high school games, you become part of the story of those young people’s lives as they find their way to adulthood. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet our international students, who come from 20+ countries each year. These students relish learning about the United States, and enliven the hallways as they provide an up-close window to the world.

New employees are often warned they may begin to “bleed green,” much in the way young newspaper recruits were told that “ink would get in our blood.” This is not true in the literal sense, yet it is true. Wednesdays are Green on campus, as we show up in Saints swag and college colors. Greenhouse nights host basketball or volleyball competitions in the gymnasium, and admission is free to all employees. The banner-lined ceiling of that cavernous space attests to the caliber of Saints athletics — always a sight to behold.

Yet when we talk about why Seward is a great place to work, it always comes down to the people. Yes, the grounds are lush and shady all summer. We love our Christmas pies and our summer ice cream giveaways. But it’s the people we greet every morning at the time clock or in the cafeteria line who make SCCC stellar. If your dog runs away, we’ll help search. If your house burns down, we will collect donations. If you get a flat tire, someone will come to find you. If you have a bad day, you might find your favorite soda waiting at your desk. Heck, if you renovate your bathroom, we might even throw you a toilet paper shower when the project is complete.

This spring, we’re looking for new members to join our team in a variety of positions. Those include instructors for mathematics, business marketing and management, business administration, microbiology. Agriculture. Nursing, and cosmetology. We’re also hiring an alumni and gift coordinator in the development office, and a part-time bus driver.

As the old saying goes, you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. When you come to work at SCCC, you get to choose both.

Check out job descriptions and application instructions at sccc.edu > faculty/staff > human resources > Join the team! You can also call Human Resources at 620-417-1123 for more information.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Rachel Coleman is the Executive Director of PR and Marketing at SCCC. This position sometimes involves washing windows, handing out candy, and looking on the bright side when life turns cloudy.  If you come to work at SCCC, she’ll set you up with a Saints Strong T shirt and assorted college swag.  

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December 11, 2021 :  Saints Voices

The courageous parents of first-generation students

SCCC is privileged to be part of their stories

At Seward County Community College, we like to praise the power of education to transform lives. We believe, as Nelson Mandela observed, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” For most of us, however, that notion is a slightly blurry, distant idea rather than lived reality.

It came into sharp focus for me late last month, when we received word that my mother-in-law, Minnie Mae Coleman, had died — or, in the parlance of church tradition, “transitioned to Heaven.” She was 98, fierce and kind and always hopeful. Besides the 13 children she raised, Momma welcomed more than 150 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless strays and in-laws to the family I joined 28 years ago.

Momma grew up in the Mississippi Delta, where despite her tiny frame, she outpicked my father-in-law pound for pound in the cotton fields, a fact she never allowed him to storytell away. Growing up, she dreamed of becoming a nurse, inspired by a magazine picture that she’d seen on a discarded paper. Her father, Alonzo Mason, had avoided a sharecropper’s fate and prided himself on providing for his family through the parcel of land he owned outright. Even so, the American South in the 1920s and ‘30s did not offer much in the way of educational opportunity for girls like Momma. She completed the eighth grade, no more.

It’s hard to imagine a world without public school for everyone, yet Momma was not left untutored. The real-life library of knowledge she could access was rich and varied. Her mother, Amy, was a well-respected midwife, capable and resourceful. One of Momma’s nephews — who eventually rose to the position of federal judge — recalls being called upon to record the names of newborn babies for his grandmomma. At eight years old, he was the only family member able to read and write on demand, which may account for some of the creative name spellings that occur in the Swifttown region.

In time, Momma attained literacy and applied it to her Bible, newspapers and other written materials. A relentlessly hard worker who once told a baffled cardiologist, “Patch me up and send me home,” she cleaned houses, took in laundry, and even found a job as a a nurse’s aide, the closest she could get to her girlhood aspiration.

As I knew her in the final decades of her life, cataracts had rubbed out her vision and she retreated to oral history, song, and memorized scripture. My iPhone is crowded with spontaneous recordings of Momma’s crinkled-silk voice that often swerved into a knowing chuckle. Of course, I’ve only listened in small doses. A few sentences and the grief closes in.

I want vision unfettered by time and space so that I can see back to my mother-in-law’s earliest memories, the quandaries she settled in her mind, and all the might-have-been alternate paths closed to her by history and happenstance. What if Momma had been born in Massachusetts? What if she had possessed the power to say “no” whenever it suited her? What if she had been offered the option to enroll in college? If we took Momma’s acrylic paintings on corrugated cardboard and her multitude of hand-pieced quilts to an art professor, what unacknowledged talent might we identify?

Who will tell the stories she carried? And what about all the life lore she had absorbed, an understanding of the human body, social dynamics, spiritual principles, the skills needed for everyday existence? Does anyone have her recipes for peach cobbler or mustard greens? Where did she learn to cure a bad winter cough with orange peel tea?

The academic world has long struggled with the question of how to quantify folk (indigenous) wisdom expressed in what we condescendingly viewed as less than “proper” English. We call it African American Standard English now, and linguists acknowledge that it is a dialect, not a deficiency.

In the same way, our society has long paid homage to degrees and titles while dismissing the hard-won lessons of life in the migrant fields and margins of “civilization.” Knowledge over wisdom, you might say.

Momma may not have held a diploma of any sort, but she was a true sage, able to discern a correct course of action amid chaos, willing to wait for the dust to settle, and calmly complete whatever was needed in the meantime. Unsurprisingly, she recognized the power of education and preached it tirelessly to her children.

She urged them to seize opportunities denied to her. Two older daughters ventured to an early ‘60s iteration of Job Corps in Maine. Two sons parlayed their formidable athleticism into scholarships at four-year colleges. A fair number of my “bonus siblings” took classes at SCCC itself, and countless others of the second, third, and even fourth generation have followed hard after education, “the thing,” Momma reminded everyone, “that no one can take away from you.”

This parental aspiration and bequeathed courage is a gift many of our students at SCCC bring with them. They are often the first person in their family to pass through the doors of any sort of college. Their parents have no idea how to support them, beyond a steady belief in their excellence. It’s our privilege at SCCC to become part of the storylines of such families, like the one I married into.

There’s no doubt that Momma would view her passing as a promotion rather than a loss. No more mandatory doctor visits or stays in the care center. She doesn’t have to scheme to keep hold of her garden patch, her occasional chickens, her sense of independent innovation. Her far-flung, gorgeous, prolific family will be reckoning with the loss for years to come. Thanks to her influence, though, her descendants will do so with high school diplomas, professional certificates, and college degrees held firmly in hand: nobody, we hear her voice reminding us, can take that away.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Rachel Coleman is the executive director of marketing and public relations at Seward County Community College. You’ll find her listening to gospel music through the end of this year, and testing peach cobbler recipes that meet the Minnie Mae Coleman standard. 

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From the Constitution to SCCC, local autonomy deserves our protection

September 21, 2021

This past week we celebrated Constitution Day, which in turn started Constitution Week in the United States. While this is an annual event, it doesn’t seem to get it’s due. Constitution day is normally observed on September 17th, because on September 17th, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document that became the cornerstone of the greatest “experiment” in the history of governance in the world.

The constitution was a framework created for a set of States with their unique autonomies to be able to act as one when needed to benefit the whole, as defined in its preamble. The hallowed document was not intended to make the states, the counties, the cities and towns homogeneously and singularly subservient to the federal government. Had it done so, it would have lost the main ingredient that allowed this republic to evolve into the most enduring beacon of freedom and independence.

That observation leads me to the point I want to make about the importance of the public trust that Seward County Community College has with the electorate of Seward County. As national politics clamor with sounds of greater federal influence on its citizens, I believe it is vital that we understand and appreciate our local autonomies, and the power of the local self-determination that we currently possess. As noted in the July 4, 2021 editorial in the Leader-Times, by Dr Walter Wendler of West Texas A&M University, “as the distance to the seat of government increases, that potential of having cogent, meaningful impact decreases. Local influence and decision-making empower a free society’s work and worth, and likewise, for a local university.” Dr. Wendler is obviously referring to the role West Texas A&M plays in the Texas panhandle, but I would extend the same sentiment to Seward County Community College, as the local college within our region.

SCCC’s Board of Trustees are elected by the voters of Seward County. They have been exemplary stewards of this college over the years, and they continue to be so. They are in tune to the educational and economic impact that SCCC has not only in Seward County, but indeed the region surrounding Seward County. They make decisions in the best interest, and to the specific needs, of the people of this locale.

The people of this locale are uniquely special and deserving of all that our college can provide for them. I was reminded of this recently when Sr. Rosa Maria of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church stopped me on the street to tell me she was returning to Mexico. During our brief conversation, she thanked me for helping create a peaceful community. I believe she was not just referring to me individually, or just the St. Anthony parish, but to Liberal and southwest Kansas, with its rich citizenry of diverse culture and common decency. Her comment reminded me of how important it is to understand the duty and obligation that we as citizens of Seward County, of Kansas, and indeed of the United States of America have been entrusted.

Part of the duty of SCCC to its students and its taxpayers is to endlessly pursue excellence in education. As Professor Lee Tavis once told my class at the University of Notre Dame, when we were collectively stumped on a question he had posed to the class, ..”without the tools, you are nothing but a bunch of do-gooders to whom nobody listens.”

The educators at SCCC strive to teach, and thus provide, its students with the tools to be productive, self-determined, happy, and responsible citizens that make the caring, peaceful community that Sr. Rosa described. May we as citizens of Seward County employ the civic tools we have been entrusted with, and strive to be vigilant and dedicated in our duties and responsibilities to our neighbors, our fellow citizens, and the Constitution that has made this beautiful “experiment” possible for over 200 years.

Currently the interim president at SCCC, Dennis Sander also serves as Vice President of Finance and Operations. A Southwest Kansas native, Sander is known in Saints Land for his love of puns, attention to detail, and fierce loyalty to all things Notre Dame. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

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Two decades later, 9/11 events remain vivid for New York transplant and SCCC team member 

September 11, 2021

There are moments – events — in life that you never forget. That create memories so powerful you can identify exactly what you were doing. John F. Kennedy being shot, the first man on the moon, the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, the start of the Iraq War in 1990 and the Oklahoma City bombing, just to name a few.

I remember a few of those quite vividly, others not so much. But one event I will never forget is the attack on September 11. I have a little different perspective on the matter because I was born and raised in New York City. I lived there for 35 years before I moved to Liberal.

And it wasn’t that I just lived in New York, but I considered the World Trade Area my stomping ground. I worked in and hung out in that area for more than a decade. I would wander into the buildings to visit the shops and access mass transit in the World Trade Center hub more often than I can remember. 

It’s been 20 years — I can’t believe it’s been that long — but I’ll always remember it like it was yesterday. That day, it had been two years since I left New York to come to Kansas. That morning, I was going to get some blood work done at the doctor’s office. The nurse said, “a plane has crashed into the World Trade Center!”At first, I didn’t believe it. That was absolutely ridiculous. But the more I thought about it, the more I reasoned that “well, maybe it’s a small plane and I guess that could happen.”

Driving back to the house, I listened to the details on the radio. I got home, immediately turned on the television and watched the disaster unfold.

As I’m watching, my mind starts to scramble and I’m flooded with questions. “I wonder where my parents are?” “What about my brother and sister?” “My friends?” I’m pretty sure everyone is OK but there’s a sense of panic. I’m calling and all I get is the automated message: “all circuits are busy.”

It wasn’t until hours later that I finally got through and everyone was in fact OK, but in shock about what had happened.

The scenes on TV were dramatic. The billowing smoke from both towers. The fire that I watched burning buildings and the eventual collapse of the Twin Towers. It was incredibly surreal. You didn’t believe it was happening, but it did. It wasn’t a movie or a TV show. It was real.

It was deeply personal. A tragedy that hit home only because I had been there. I pretty much walked every inch of the World Trade Center area hundreds if not thousands of times. And then I wondered if I would’ve been there, if I hadn’t moved to Kansas. Maybe. Maybe not. When I lived in New York, it was certainly a possibility — especially in the morning.

I won’t watch any footage or documentaries or movies about the event. It’s just too hard. The panic in the streets, the terror and the chaos. It’s too hard to relive.

Just as an aside, I did know people who perished in the attack – high school acquaintances, first responders. And while this tragedy touches me on the most personal level, it is gratifying that the people in Liberal and Seward County Community College pay tribute on that day.

The college has often set up a special lunch and gathered the community to commemorate and honor not only those who have lost their lives but those who were first to help out – the police, fireman and EMTs – the first responders. How they have given their lives without hesitation to help others – their unselfishness. This year, Patriot Day falls on the weekend, and we will not be on campus. Even so, we should all honor and respect the memories of those we lost and the heroism of those who served as rescuers and responders.

September 11, 2001 – never forget.

A 14-year member of the Saints family, Phil Lee has worked in the SCCC Library, TRiO offices, and currently in the PR & Marketing office. You’ll be likely to see him at student and community events, capturing images and video footage for use in college media. 

•••

Life Interrupted: In which I unpack my grandfather’s short-lived college years

The trunk occupies the northwest corner of my living room, as if it still looks toward Montana and a farm that the bank took back. Its boxy face is covered with nailed-on filigree panels, impressed on metal too darkened with age for me to identify. One handle, the original leather rotted to a stub, has been replaced by a loop of rope. It is that makeshift detail that so endears the trunk to me. I view it as evidence that life goes on, and beauty remains. 

When Abraham Schultz boarded the train to Minneapolis, Minn., in the early 1930s, the trunk was likely in excellent condition — unlike the state of affairs for wheat farmers like his father. Montana grain-growers had endured years of drought, locusts, and the Dust Bowl and Depression hadn’t even begun. By contrast, young Abe, someday to be my grandfather, was full of optimism, bound for Bible college and a scholar’s life. He had packed all his worldly belongings in the trunk, except for his heavy winter coat; that he layered over his clothes to conserve packing space. It was Indian Summer, and he must have felt stiflingly hot.  

It would be decades before my mother heard the story of how her father’s education was interrupted by nature, social upheaval, and misfortune. She got the account from her own mother, whose lament in old age was the loss of her husband “who had been such an encourager. He always knew what to say to me when I was blue, and he encouraged me to keep on.”

Less than a year into his studies, Abe received word from his father in Montana: the bank had called in his loan, repossessed the farm, and evicted the family. As youngest son, and the only one without a wife and children, Abe was obliged to return home to help pack and move his parents to Dallas, Oregon. There, they found temporary lodging with relatives, and joined the migrant workers who picked fruit and lived hand-to-mouth through the Depression. 

He was never a bitter man, my grandfather. My mother says he never talked about “what if” and how bad things had been for him. “He recalled being deeply disappointed that he was not able to finish college. He had to give that dream up,” she said. “But he dug down deep and decided to make the best of it. He found another way to get educated and to learn, to study. That was all of his own initiative, his inner drive.”

Before he met my grandmother, he traveled to California to help an uncle, and was able to take classes at Biola College in Los Angeles. Later, as a young minister in a Mennonite church in Quakertown, Penn., he attended a few seminary classes. Books crowded his study shelves. He was truly a self-taught man.  

These days, his trunk serves as a lamp table in my living room, where I sometimes curl up on the sofa to work cozily. The stay-at-home orders prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and my resulting telecommuting work model feel surreal some days. Can it be possible that my office will remain dark until midsummer? That my Los Angeles daughter drove a full circuit of the city, from the mountains to the Pacific, in just 45 minutes on near-empty roads? That my state university daughter has created a basement studio in her Wichita house to continue music lessons and practice sessions? That my son dons full PPE gear to deliver oxygen tanks to respiratory-compromised clients? Can it be possible that there won’t be a “normal” to get back to?

All of us, particularly the students who have abruptly come to an educational crossroads, are alternately speechless and fearful. It must have been something like this for my grandfather. Like the students at Seward County Community College, where I work (from home) (sometimes on the sofa), he had a mere two decades of life experience to draw on as he navigated national disaster. His own parents had emigrated from Prussia, and remembered wartime and religious oppression and starvation. It’s safe to say the Depression was not the worst thing that had ever happened to them. For their son, though, the sudden withdrawal from college completely changed his vision of the future. I imagine it was devastating. 

Yet here I am today, the second of four generations to come from his line. And we don’t recall him as a curmudgeon marked by bitterness. He didn’t just survive: he made a good life, won the heart of a beautiful woman who still longed for him 50 years after his death, raised children who remember his boundless optimism. Everywhere Abe moved, he planted grapevines in the back yard. Maybe the family would reap the benefits, or maybe they would be posted to a new church. Everywhere Abe moved, he began the day with singing — a practice he imposed upon his sleepy children before breakfast was served. He lived well. 

For all of us, elementary students to at-risk grandparents, this time poses similar heartaches and opportunities. Yes, life is changing. The train has left the station, the dust clouds on the horizon threaten to darken our days, and we have no idea what might be asked of us. Yet we have so much to work with. We have technology and capacity to communicate by faster means than telegraph and handwritten letter. We have medical advancements that arm us with knowledge and effective care. Perhaps most valuable of all we have the legacy of the folks who weathered worse storms. My grandfather’s trunk reminds me each day that we should hold onto the things that are portable: love, family connection, a belief in the good that is possible. We carry them with us, and they last.  

Rachel Coleman serves as Executive Director of Marketing & P.R., and leads the Inclusiveness & Civility Mover Team at SCCC. Like most of her teammates at the college, she is making it work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic … with plenty of coffee and a healthy dose of humor contributed by her husband. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

•••

Hall of Saints members put their SCCC education to good use

During the last week of January 2020, the Seward County Community College campus saw a little bit of everything — glistening snowdrifts, Homecoming events for all students, a multicultural potluck, and the celebration of 15 remarkable alumni as part of the college’s 50th anniversary festivities. Our college president, Dr. T, described it as “the continuing story of SCCC, told in each person’s life.”

Amid the happy frenzy, I found myself reflecting on a childhood story playing out in real life. I first encountered the Parable of the Talents in a slim, brightly-colored paperback “Arch Book,” the Sunday School equivalent of the better-known Golden Books. This one, “Eight Bags of Gold,” featured striking, hand-drawn illustrations in the favored color palette of the 1970s — burnt orange, harvest gold, and avocado green.

The original Arch book by Janice Kramer, published 1964 by Concordia House.

The story featured three characters, each of whom was given a different sum of money (in the parlance of antiquity, “talents,” also known as solid-gold currency) by their boss as he set out on a journey of unspecified length. The first two employees went to work immediately, doubling their respective funds. The third buried the gold in the ground, focusing on keeping it safe. He explained his rationale for the “play it safe” approach:

“Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money.”

In the story, the master praised the first two characters, but expressed angry disappointment about the third servants inactivity. One translation of the original puts it this way: the master exclaimed, “That’s a terrible way to live!”

What did my childhood self make of this story, originally recorded in the gospel of Matthew? One take-away is that fear has no place in a vibrant life. Another might be, “trust the people around you,” — in the college environment, that would be your teachers. Then there’s the old adage, “he who hesitates is lost.”

What moved me most as I spoke with graduates like healthcare provider Elizabeth Irby, and athlete and psychologist Anne Weese, was the way they have leveraged the opportunities life presented them. When you listen to them tell how they got from uncertain 18-year-old to the impressive accomplishments they’ve logged, their time at SCCC carries equal weight as years spent at big-name institutions like K-State, Notre Dame, and even Virginia Tech.

Honoree Areli Monarrez-Valles told me that she and her husband, Jose Valles, view this community college as the place where everything came together for them. It’s the origin-point of a journey into a wholly unknown universe of higher education. They were the first people in their respective families to venture out, and SCCC gave them courage to continue.

I particularly enjoyed Stuart Moore’s story of how he heeded the good advice given by a science instructor to “make yourself more marketable” as a combination coach/teacher, and minor in something other than history. English instructor Ann Judd provided the inspiration for the baseball player to earn a credential in language arts as well as physical education.

Their stories have something in common with every single inductee we have added to our new Hall of Saints cohort — 40 to date, with 10 more to come by May 2020.

Each person exemplifies the heart of our mission at SCCC: to provide opportunities to enrich and improve each person’s life through a range of academic programs … for the advancement of the individual and the community. That means we actively seek to meet our students at their point of need — not, as the foolish servant assumed in the parable, “to demand the best and make no allowances for error.”

You could almost make the case that SCCC offers a shot at redemption for nearly every situation that ails people: teenage angst and confusion, disappointments on the court and the field, changes in plan, changes in circumstance. We specialize in holding out a hand to people who’ve requested a “do-over.” We welcome the bright stars who eagerly work to leverage their advantages — intelligence, beauty, creativity, financial stability, innovative thinking — to go as far as they possibly can.

And we celebrate it all: the multiplication of talents, no matter how humble the start.

The best aspect of this process is that it’s truly a never-ending story. Every semester, we welcome more students to the campus. Every day, our alumni go about the regular business of life. They make the world better one newspaper page, one high school science lab, one new calf on the ranch, one life at a time.

What a way to live.

NOTE: We continue to add in-depth profiles of each of our Hall of Saints inductees to the official public relations site of the college. You can find them at scccnews.com.

Rachel Coleman serves as Executive Director of Marketing & P.R., and leads the Inclusiveness & Civility Mover Team at SCCC. She freely admits to a self-diagnosed condition, “Indiscriminate Fondness Disorder” that leads her to find something likable in every human she meets. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

•••

Lessons learned in Squirrel School

The neighbor dogs had barked since 9 a.m. when I stepped into the back yard to investigate. I had to squint across slabs of afternoon sun to scan the creaky elm tree that grows on the other side of the fence. Squirrel school, it appeared, was in session.

A determined-looking parent squirrel coaxed two kits along a slender branch that reached toward the roof. As they shrank into cute but uncooperative clumps, the parent crouched, launched, and landed decisively on the shingled slope. The mother — of course I imagined it was the mother — stood at attention, prairie-dog style, and chattered at her offspring. Just try it! I imagined her saying. It’s the shortest, safest route to the even bigger elm tree in the front yard!

Winter is coming! It’s time to stockpile food! This is the most efficient way! (Though I have no evidence, I am pretty sure squirrels end every sentence with an exclamation mark.)

The babies would have none of it. With a visible sigh, the mother dashed out of view, only to reappear in the tree moments later. The demonstration began again. The dog continued his alarm-bark. Saturday class continued until dusk.

With one college instructor and two future school teachers in the family, I hear plenty of human chatter about curriculum planning. Then, too, there’s my own work environment, surrounded by math and science instructors’ offices, students cramming for class outside my workspace, and the many meetings that punctuate academic life, meetings where we tackle tough questions like, “Why won’t our squirrels jump?” and “How many nuts are needed?” and “Have you seen the weather forecast for December?” I couldn’t help but imagine how this squirrel parent developed her own lesson outline.

Demonstration: How to leap from branch to shingle!

Assignment: Do as I do. And as I say … “be fearless, little ones!”

Objective: Master this skill before winter, in order to stockpile the most possible food in the highest possible location inaccessible to other creatures!

Outcome: Defy death at the jaws of the slavering dog below!

Assessment: If there’s no blood, we pass! If there are nuts in the nest, we earn As! Bonus points for any ounces gained by spring!

It’s no exaggeration to point out that the tiny, non-leaping squirrel kits resembled Saints students in more than one way. They were young and skinny and kind of adorable — all energy at the beginning, quick to wilt for nap time when the stress of leaping began to accrue. I’m sure they gobble nuts and seeds like nobody’s business, and have become accustomed to the bounty of summer and a parent’s provisions. Do these squirrels know how to cook or do laundry? They do not.

They were also easily distractible. During what must have been the parent’s 457th attempt to get them to try the leap, they engaged in a game of tag across the non-dog-guarded regions of the tree. I watched incredulously as they sprinted vertically up a desiccated branch that looked far less sturdy than the launch branch their mother had selected for the actual assignment. The 90-degree angle and brittle appearance of the branch bark and bone-white wood beneath seemed to me to represent a far greater possibility of tumbling to an untimely death by dog-jaw. Yet the baby squirrels wanted to play, and play to their strengths. They were stubborn, just like many of our students. They were were a bit cocky, betting on their squirrel tag skills instead of putting in the practice time for a challenging leap. They had no concept of winter, just as many of our students have no concept of the long marathon of debt repayment, or the likelihood of illness or injury and the need for a backup plan. They had no concept of age, because they were still babies, nor did they understand that their carefree days would not last forever. Sound familiar?

I take the parent squirrel’s teaching method to heart. It requires so much patience, time, sweat and determination. The mother did not need to jump on repeat for five hours, but she did. The students did not focus on the lesson, but she did. The need to get those winter preparations complete would drive me to despair, but she just kept at it.

Those darn squirrel kids. They don’t appreciate what they’ve got. Thank goodness someone’s looking out for them while the leaves fall and the dogs gather.

Rachel Coleman is a lifelong learner and former homeschooling parent  who currently serves as Executive Director of Marketing & P.R., and leads the Inclusiveness & Civility Mover Team at SCCC. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of  SCCC.  

•••

Clothe yourself in social courage

October, the month when I begin to listen for wild geese migrating, brings an echo of loss. Low grey skies create a sounding bell for the calls of birds fleeing blizzards; they also reflect an inevitable gloom, the descending specter of less sunlight and darker moods.

Autumn is when we feel the steady tick of time passing. Summer is over, winter is on its way, and growing season has come to a close. There’s no tricking a hard freeze.

It’s time to pull on an extra sweater, take a deep breath, and be brave.

Brave, because this time of year is when we reckon with mortality. We can’t avoid it. The trees offer testimony of bare-bones truth. Why would we assume that humans, whose lives are shorter than the average oak, are granted immunity from the forces that erode mountains?

How people handle loss is tied to how we connect with others. It is peculiar and treacherous territory. On the one hand, it’s as ordinary as dirt: everybody carries private grief. Making too much of yours can cloy. When I yearn for the dog I just relinquished to new owners or lament the mostly empty nest at my house, I can almost hear Auntie Sergeant in my head, issuing a crisp corrective: “Some people don’t have homes. Some people don’t have children to send to college! Toughen up, buttercup!” My sensible alter-ego is right — sorrow is nothing special.

But as Tolstoy observed in his novel Anna Karenina (whose title character is the all-time champion of melancholy) while all happy families are pretty much the same, every unhappy family finds its own unique way to explore misery. Can a person whose geriatric parent just died identify with the pain of a 25-year-old whose mother fought cancer and lost? If you say you’re upset about a favorite chair claimed by dry rot, do I trump your tale of woe with a story about termites?

In the face of such quandaries, professionals offer tips. Maybe it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder — the wintertime blues — that has us down. Or perhaps we ought to talk about National Suicide Awareness Month? Be aware, feelings of discouragement are not the same as clinical depression. Instructors at the community college where I work take the halfway mark of the semester as a cue to issue warnings about “staying on top of your studies.” Young adult students, whose brains are still in the final stages of development, might not be sure why they feel downhearted.

The big box stores see the start of autumn as a gold rush: Halloween, hunting season, Thanksgiving, football, and Christmas shopping all provide profits galore. The retailers are not wrong, if what counts is dollars. We all know, however, down in the roots of our being, that money is not what matters when that cold and lonely wind blows.

For me, October is a grab bag of emotion. It is the time of year I met my next-door neighbor, who became my husband 26 years ago. It’s also the time of year when my oldest child died. This year, the month has already brought gain and loss, gold and grit. I want to photograph every bright red leaf I notice turning in the wind. I want to curl up beneath the softest blanket in the house, and go to sleep. I’m pretty sure I am not alone in this back-and-forth response to the arrival of autumn.

At work, the month brings what I think of as “Judgement Day,” our accreditation visit from the Higher Learning Commission. Being evaluated is never comfortable, even when you know you have done your level best. The stress is counterbalanced by the excitement about our new buildings on campus — the Colvin Family Center for Allied Health on the northwest side of Circle Drive, and the Sharp Family Champions Center on the southeast. Both are nearly complete, and the altered silhouette kind of takes my breath away when I approach campus.

That’s the thing about seasons. They change. And even though we might find familiar themes, be those in the form of pumpkins or plaid, no two years are exactly the same.

What memories mark this season for you? What do you savor? When does sadness gust into the corners of your heart, like wind scattering dry leaves?

As SCCC’s inclusiveness & civility mover team launches another year of work, we’re interested in those moments, when loss collides with forward motion, calling for courage and grace. More than the distinctions that divide us, all people share common experiences as we move through life. Let’s keep good company with one another along the way.

Rachel Coleman is a recovering newspaper writer who currently serves as Executive Director of Marketing & P.R., and leads the Inclusiveness & Civility Mover Team at SCCC. To read more of her columns, visit her blog at rachelcoleman.wordpress.com. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

•••

Going back to where we came from

If you grew up in a small, rural community like I did, the beginning of the school year was something like a family reunion. Every August, the same group of 15 or so kids lined up in the freshly-waxed hallway, back to assume their roles in the social network of best friends, best athletes, smartest students, poorest families, prettiest girls; the roles rarely shifted, having been set in kindergarten stone. Your identity was marked and known.

As a book-loving girl, I clamored for change. “Why can’t you take a church in New York? Or Kansas City? Or … anywhere with a museum?” I demanded of my preacher father.

God, it appeared, was not subject to my geographic whims. We stayed in that town of 800. Internally, I fumed about the limitations of small-town life. Outwardly, I often disconnected or sought to stir up controversy with tools like vote-fixing in the third-grade ballot box, an “underground” newspaper filled with snarky observations, and, in high school, a leopardskin-patterned skirt. Thank God he hadn’t left town, or the adults’ patience would have run out.

Decades later, I’m grateful for my throwback childhood, where neighbors ratted you out for picking flowers from their front yards and teachers exercised autonomy to design independent studies for a restless eighth-grader. These Indian summer afternoons, with their stored heat that radiates from the campus sidewalks, set off nostalgia rather than bitterness. My juvenile complaints, it turns out, were short-sighted.

Here at SCCC, we often experience the same dissatisfactions that marked my Minneola years. We are place-bound and work far away from urban resources and hot new trends. We make the best of aging buildings and standing committees filled with the same group of faces from year to year. We take for granted the advantages that tend to fade with familiarity. Until we don’t.

It’s a well-known trait of human beings — even those of us with a long list of complaints — to resist change. Take, for instance, one elementary-aged girl who hissed to the new kid in class, a smart and confident student whose hand shot up with ready answers, “Go back to Omaha where you came from!”

Why did I resent the arrival of someone who had read all the same books I loved, and brought fresh stories of a life lived elsewhere? Rather than relish the opportunities for friendship with a kindred spirit, I defaulted to animosity. How we navigated that relationship is a story too long for this column, but keep in mind the inertia of small town demographics. In the decades that followed, two classmates who argued during recess found common ground. Now we keep an eye on one another via Facebook. 

Higher ed, of course, is assumed to be far from the grade-school classroom. Even so, we adults often resemble our younger selves. 

When longtime colleagues retire or move on to other jobs, it’s human to mourn the loss; it’s shortsighted to shut out newcomers. When politics or current events frighten us, we need time to process our grief; it’s foolish to let our fears divide us from coworkers and neighbors who see events through a different lens. 

When summer comes to an end, it’s  OK to be sad. July, which is National Ice Cream month and a cause for celebration at my house, is nearly a week behind us. Regular work hours resumed on campus this Monday, and I confess I’m feeling a little cranky about how quickly the summer melted away.

At the same time, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement about what this year will hold. Our campus has two new buildings, one of which is nearly finished. Vacancies on the SCCC team have been filled with newcomers from other places — though I haven’t seen Omaha on the list — and many folks on campus have switched jobs and moved to new offices.

Just as I could never have predicted how my childhood perspectives on life would shift, I realize there’s no telling what marvels might unfold during this new year. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Saint Stories is written by Executive Director of PR & Marketing, Rachel Coleman. A Kansas native and lifelong bibliovore, Rachel is affectionately known as the “Book Bully” by her family. She will stop reading for afternoon tea or a walk with the dog so that she can find the beauty in everyday life. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.  

•••

Green is good — until it’s time to mow

At Seward County Community College, we often say, “It’s good to be green!”

This summer, the natural world echoed that emotion with more rain through the season than anyone younger than 90 years of age can recall.

The robins rejoiced — loudly — starting at 3 a.m. daily, and the grackles never let up in their extravagant mating rituals that transform them from black mini-crows to gorgeous scribbles of desire. Gardeners enjoyed our own celebratory moments. The rain compensated for all sorts of horticultural shortcomings, from late plantings of tomato vines to distracted afternoons when watering fell off the “to do” list.

“This is why flowerbeds in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest look so lush,” I said to myself. “They get rain every day and nobody has to worry about drought resistant varieties of anything.” It’s easy to achieve beauty when it is your worries that evaporate, and not the sprinkler’s spray.

Mowing, though — that’s a different story. On campus, I saw our trusty crew mount the machines and make the circuit. And then do it again the next day. And the next. By the time they finished the outer edges of our sizable grounds, it was time to start over. And by the time I imagine they had resigned themselves to their fate, the weather decided to grant us 10 days of triple digits. No matter: the lawns still demanded attention.

SCCC has long touted its green spaces, often referred to by our community as “an oasis” on these arid High Plains. Over the last four years, the oasis has received many upgrades with the help of various granting bodies both public and private. The Sunflower Foundation, the Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife, the Liberal Area Coalition for Families and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas have all dedicated funding to expand our Connections Trail System.

At the outset, some expressed skepticism about the vision that fueled this project, articulated by then-new SCCC President, Dr. Ken Trzaska. Dr. T would expound on his future-perfect scenario of hundreds of new trees, including an orchard path at some stretch, and families with young children picnicking in the shade. “He’s not from Kansas,” I think the feelings ran. “Clearly, he does not understand how hard it is to get things to grow out here.”

That’s probably true of any transplant, but Dr. T proved he understood more than anybody reckoned when construction began on the Colvin Center for Allied Health — right next to the ancient cottonwood that rules the northwest quadrant of Circle Drive. The cottonwood, in my imagination, had attracted two disciples in the form of Scotch Pines to the north. While it was a given that Coonrod & Associates would never dare to do so much as scratch the Cottonwood, the relatively smaller evergreens were in the way.

“They will have to move the two trees,” Dr. T said when he heard rumors of tree-chopping. “Trees are too hard to grow out here for us to just cut them down.”

He was right. The trees were good trees, sturdy, seemingly impervious to whatever that rusty, tree-balding disease is that has claimed other, less determined members of their species.

I’m not sure what it takes to relocate a tree of the size and age of the Scotch twins. Heavy equipment, for starters. Even then, it has to be a touch-and-go endeavor. Sadly, the first candidate for resettlement succumbed. The second remained, standing sentry as lifters and scrapers and Allied-Health makers — I may know the names of flora and fauna, but not construction machines — rumbled past.

Summer’s timer is ticking as I write, and the verdant glory of SCCC continues. I tip my hat to the groundskeepers, the construction crew, and our president for ensuring the oasis lives up to its name. One more reason to repeat, “it’s good to be green.”

Saint Stories is written by Executive Director of PR & Marketing, Rachel Coleman. A Kansas native and lifelong bibliovore, Rachel is affectionately known as the “Book Bully” by her family. She will stop reading for afternoon tea or a walk with the dog so that she can find the beauty in everyday life. Enthusiastic book recommendations are always free to the public. This opinion column reflects the personal perspective of its author, and is not intended to reflect the official position of SCCC.