New centers put college on cutting edge

With pride and gratitude, the people of McCook and the surrounding region joined Thursday for the rededication of McMillen Hall at McCook Community College. What a special day it was ... not only for the speakers ... but for all those who were there with them in body and spirit. Because -- 77 years after the founding of the college and 67 years after the opening of McMillen Hall -- McCook Community College is celebrating another significant achievement: the rebirth of McMillen Hall. The original building had served the college well, providing classrooms and offices from Sept. 3, 1936, until the early years of the 21st Century.

But -- due to the passage of time and the changing needs of students -- people of vision began to realize that a dramatic new approach was needed to put McCook Community College on the cutting edge of educational services. And, thus, an idea was born which blossomed into a partnership between the family of Benjamin F. Hormel, the McCook College Foundation and the Mid-Plains College Area Board of Governors. Each contributed a half million dollars, making it possible to double the space in McMillen Hall and totally redo the inside arrangement of the building.

It worked out wonderfully well. Following an inspiring rededication program, many of those attending Tuesday's ceremony took advantage of the opportunity to tour the renovated building. All came away impressed. The new McMillen Hall is a classy place on the cutting edge of technology. Providing the crowning touch is the Hormel Center, which gives business people -- near and far -- an excellent place to hone their skills. If you haven't yet checked out the Benjamin F. Hormel Center for Business and Technology, do so soon.The center is a wonderful, new resource for hosting training seminars.

But there's more ... much more. The McCook College Foundation for Advanced Studies, which sits on the south side of the second story, links the residents of Southwest Nebraska to educational institutions throughout the nation. Through the Advanced Studies program, it is now possible for area residents to get four-year and advanced degrees without having to travel to distant campuses. And -- to top it off -- the new McMillen Hall features a Welcome Center, a Student Success Center and a university-quality book store. McMillen Hall represents the best of what we, as a community, can be. It started with a contribution from Mrs. Maude McMillen in the mid-1930s, and was re-energized with a gift honoring Benjamin Franklin Hormel, who arrived in McCook in 1938 and became on of the area's leading business and civic leaders.

Now, it's up to us. By making full use of the new McMillen Hall -- and all the wonderful opportunities it provides -- we will be fulfilling the visions of the McMillens, the Hormels and all the many others who love and support McCook Community College.