New programs, facilities welcome McCook Community College students back
The spring semester at McCook Community College began today and college officials are looking forward to implementing more im-provements on campus as well as enhancing existing programs.
The second semester of MCC's graphic arts program is set with five new course offerings. Graphic Arts students will take classes in illustration and typography this semester as well as classes in desktop publishing, business and professional speaking and business math and calculators.
To accommodate students with all class requests, the Welcome Center in McMillen Hall will be open extended hours through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Students may still register for classes through the first week of the class that is being offered. It is strongly recommended that students wishing to register make an advising appointment by calling (308) 345-8110.
Officials are hopeful MCC's new theatre in Tipton Hall will be completed by April 1, and the college will debut its new facilities in the spring production April 13, 14 and 15.
MCC Theatre Instructor Susan Watts said the spring production will be "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Murder Mystery." She said this hilarious British farce chronicles the very sincere if somewhat catastrophic attempt of the Dramatic Society to produce a murder mystery play.
Watts said she is looking forward to this production since a very special part of this production is that it will be presented in the new black box theater, a concept adapted and designed for MCC by Dr. Richard Tubbs and Jon Burkey, and constructed by Jon Burkey and the facilities team. The theater will have flexible space, with flexible seating for approximately 125.
Watts said this very unique and adaptable theater space has no set stage area, so that platforms can be brought in and set up any way the director wishes.
"This allows for great flexibility, and shows can be 'in the round,' or standard proscenium staging with traditional theatre seating arrangements. The seats can be moved around also to allow for more creative approaches to staging," Watts said.
With the start of spring classes today, MCC officials announced that the new parking lot is now open and ready for use. Entrances are located on E. Third and E. Fourth Streets and the exit is located in the alley in the middle heading north on east "L" street.
Several MCC instructors have added new course offerings they are excited about this semester.
Doug Joyce is teaching an on-line course about Nebraska Writers. He said while this course does not meet the Humanities transfer requirement, it is transferable as elective credit.
"I guarantee it will be one heckuva lot of fun," Joyce said.
Students will read and view a wide variety of material written by Nebraska's favorite sons and daughters -- from Willa Cather's "My Antonia" to Alexander Payne's "About Schmidt."
"We will see and discuss how the Nebraska landscape affects nonfiction and fiction alike, through poetry, essays, novels, and film," Joyce said.
This course is recommended for non-traditional students who want to discover and even re-live their heritage and youth, but younger students may benefit even more.
One night class which may appeal to teachers and paraeducators is filling up nicely according to Loretta Hauxwell, but there are still openings for the "Techniques of Behavior Guidance" class. This Thursday class begins Jan. 12 and runs through May 4 from 5-8 p.m. in Barnett Hall.
This course is designed to develop an understanding of common behaviors, recognizing positive guidance approaches and develop skills in using appropriate methods of guidance when building relationships. Hauxwell said this course includes field experience in early childhood and other settings where students will demonstrate the ability to observe, document and evaluate guidance techniques and overall developmental characteristics that aid in curriculum development.
She notes this is a transfer class to the University of Nebraska-Kearney in the College of Education.
Also, on a larger scale, community college faculty in the early childhood education areas across the state of Nebraska have worked to develop a series of 30 core credit hours in the early education field to be available online on an eight-week rotational basis throughout the state.
McCook's piece of those 30 credits is FACS 2920 -- Creative Activities for Young Children.
"This course explores creativity in art, music, movement, drama and puppetry as well as strategies to enhance a child's overall creative sense," said Tyler Esch.
MCC's FACS 2920 transfers to most bachelors' programs in early and elementary education.
"This course does not begin until March 6, so there is plenty of time to register." Esch said.
Real Estate Principles and Practices will be held Tuesday evenings, January 10 through May 2 from 6:30 -- 9:30 p.m. in McMillen Hall, room 206. The 3-hour credit class will be instructed by Randy Bauer who has met the educational requirements of the Nebraska Real Estate Commission.
This introductory course will offer an overview of all areas of real estate. Students will receive a broad understanding of the industry and the course is ideal for anyone interested in real estate. For many, this course will be the first step for students preparing to take the real estate licensing examination. Many institutions require this "Principals and Practice" course as a prerequisite to taking other real estate courses. Some of the topics covered in this 16-session course include: deeds, contract and business law, land descriptions, the economy, land characteristics, marketing and listing property, financing, leases, property management and investment, appraisals, fair housing and license law.
Call 345-8110 or email Lana at
At the Wrightstone Art Gallery this semester, MCC art Instructor Rick Johnson has several shows planned including two professional artists with a lecture series, a demonstration, a possible traveling exhibit (ArtTeach) from MONA, student portfolio works, and the High School Paint-in exhibition.
The MCC men's and women's basketball teams return to action Tuesday with home games against Northeastern JC. Coach Michelle Orton's Lady Indian 5-9 squad will play at 5 p.m. with Coach Ty Orton men, scheduled at approximately 7 p.m. The only other home basketball action in January comes when the Lady Indians play a Jan. 23 home contest against Otero JC at 7 p.m. The MCC men are 8-8 at the break and will play their final seven games of the season in February in True Hall gym while the women play five of their final seven games at home.
The MCC women's softball team, under first-year coach Della Mitchel, is slated to open the season at home Feb. 8 while the MCC men's baseball team under Coach Jeremy Jorgensen are schedule to open at home Feb. 28 against Hastings JV. The MCC men's golf teams, under Coach Lee Maiden, open the spring schedule in Beatrice March 30 with the MCC Invite set for April 6-7 at Heritage Hills Golf Course.
Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language classes are both meeting in the recently remodeled von Riesen Library basement. ESL classes meet on Monday and Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. and on Mondays from 9-10:30 a.m.
ABE classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4-8 p.m.
Shannon Schaben instructs the ESL classes & Brigitta Post ABE. For more information, please call them at 345-8142.
Key dates for MCC include spring break set for March 13-17 and commencement is set for May 5.