Let our light shine

Is it happening again? Are loyal supporters of McCook College again being led down the primrose path by the administration of the college area?

Loyal supporters of the beloved educational institution in McCook fear that is the case.

"The first page giveth; the second page taketh away," says Lloyd Benjamin, a member of the McCook College Foundation. He is referring to a compromise plan which would establish "McCook College" as the name of the educational facilities in McCook.

That's good. It's far better than "McCook Campus."

The problem is with the emphasis. On the first page of the compromise announcement to the public on Nov. 1, the title is written as, "McCOOK COLLEGE," with "A Division of Mid Plains Community College" in smaller letters below.

But, that same day, a memo was sent to the college staff showing "McCook College" in smaller letters, and "MID PLAINS COMMUNITY COLLEGE" in much larger, bolder letters.

"It's the old bait and switch," says Benjamin. While we get to call ourselves "McCook College," Benjamin and others have serious doubts that the administration of the college area will allow the college in McCook to boldly proclaim that fact on stationery, diplomas, catalogs and advertisements.

Fortunately, the name change matter is not yet decided. The board still has to act.

That is scheduled to take place Wednesday evening, when members of the Board of Governors of the Mid Plains Community College Area meet in McCook for their combined October-November meeting.

We hope common sense and fairness prevail. We hope the board has the wisdom to allow McCook College to be all it can be ... to promote itself as a proud institution which is part of an areawide college district.

During the meeting Wednesday night, alumni and friends will have an opportunity to show their love and support for McCook College. We need to take advantage of that opportunity. As many college supporters as possible need to attend the board meeting to show how passionately devoted they are to the quality and growth of the college programs in McCook.

Yes, we are part of the Mid Plains College Area; and we are grateful for the support we receive.

But, members of the board of governors, please let our light shine. Give us the name, McCook College, and allow us to proclaim that fact on stationery, diplomas and all other promotional materials in support of college programs.

If you do, you will be amazed at what can be accomplished by combining McCook College pride with enlightened areawide promotion.