Agreements bring dream of college degree closer to life

For those who have become sidetracked in their quest for a college degree, there is new hope to receive that coveted sheepskin ... right here at home.

Meetings have been held ... approval has been given ... and plans are in place to offer a bachelor's degree program in McCook and North Platte. Made possible through an agreement with Bellevue University, the college degree program will be launched a little over two months from now -- on Feb. 24, 2004. At that time, upper level college courses in Management and Technical Systems will be offered in McCook, and courses in Health Care and Business Information Systems will be offered in North Platte.

More college degree programs will be introduced at the Mid-Plains District institutions -- McCook Community College and North Platte Community College -- in April and August, according to Henry Dorr, Ph.D., the person in charge of expansion for Bellevue University.

The advanced classes are for students who have received their two-year Associate's degrees, or the equivalent in hours, from an accredited college or university.

Not only can eligible area residents get four-year degrees close to home, but they can do so at a much more rapid rate than is possible in traditional college settings. By using an intense, accelerated schedule, Dr. Dorr said it will be possible for students to complete the final two years of college studies in 64 weeks.

How's that possible? Upon enrolling in the degree programs, the upper level students in McCook and North Platte will attend classes one night per week -- from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. -- for 48 weeks out of the 52 in a year. Following that, they will complete their four-year degree requirements with a 16-week study plan known as the Kilpatrick Signature Series, Dr. Dorr said.

Dr. Richard Tubbs, the college vice president in McCook, applauded the four-year degree program. He said it is the realization of the vision which began when the McCook College Foundation established the Advanced Studies Center at McMillen Hall. Additional four-year degree opportunities are looming, with officials from Chadron State College now exploring degree programs in cooperation with Mid-Plains.

The four-year degree program is an important step forward for McCook Community College and North Platte Community College. The idea started with Dr. Carlton Williams, the interim president of the Mid-Plains College District, and has been carried forward by the new president, Dr. Michael Chipps, along with Dr. Tubbs, staff members and the Mid-Plains board.

By expanding the college's horizons, they are opening up new opportunities for the citizens of this area. Thanks to them, the once distant dream of a college degree is now very close to home.