Latest project keeps school in leadership role

Outside, McMillen Hall looks much the same as it always has. Oh, it's bigger, as the size is doubling due to the $1.5 million expansion project currently in progress. But, the outside appearance of McMillen -- featuring the gold-colored bricks -- remains much the same as it has for the past 70 years.

Don't let that fool you. Changes are taking place -- extraordinary changes -- which will revolutionize the scope and content of educational opportunities at McCook Community College.

"People are going to be amazed when they come inside," said Dr. Richard Tubbs, the vice president of McCook Community College. "The building is being entirely renovated. It is upscale and plush. It is a magnificent tribute to Ben Hormel, his family and the McCook College Foundation."

With their gifts of a half million dollars each, the Hormel Family and the McCook College Foundation joined with the college, which also contributed $500,000, to completely redo the McMillen building. Not only is the size increasing, but the existing structure is changing inside from top to bottom.

"We will start moving in the middle of July. This will give us time to get ready for the ribbon-cutting, which will take place Monday, Aug. 25th," Dr. Tubbs said. Make it a point to be there, not just for the ribbon-cutting, but -- of even greater importance -- for the tour which will follow. When you see all the additions and advancements, you will understand why Dr. Tubbs is excited.

Leading the way into the future is the Hormel Center for Business & Technology, a computerized training facility which can be customized to meet the needs of business customers from near and far. Two large seminar rooms -- equipped with 48 wireless laptops and tied to the college's fiber network -- make the center of sufficient size for firms as far away as Omaha, Kansas City and Denver.

More compact rooms -- for conferences and smaller groups -- expand the Hormel Center's ability to adapt to specific needs, including video teleconferencing and satellite links.

As grand as the Hormel Center will be, it will only be one phase of the McMillen Hall renovation. When the fall term begins, the ground floor of the historic hall will become a one-stop welcome center for the college. The "new" McMillen will be the site of the Management Information Systems, as well as the book store, registration, admissions, advising, testing and recruiting.

Even though the outside of McMillen Hall looks nice, when you drive by you might not suspect all the exciting changes which are taking place inside. The stately institution -- which is the oldest junior college in Nebraska -- was a leader when it was established in 1926, and is taking another giant step forward in 2003 with the establishment of the Hormel Center for Business & Technology and the one-stop college welcome center at McMillen Hall.

It's an exciting time. At 77 years of age, the college is entering the future with innovative programs and fresh approaches to education.