HutchCC News

 The January meeting of the Hutchinson Community College Board of Trustees began with the election of officers for the coming year.  Rod Calhoun was elected chairperson with Todd Miller assuming the role of vice chair.

The Board received its 2020-21 audit report, an update on the College’s strategic planning process, set its meeting dates for 2022 and also approved residence hall rates for the 2022-23 academic year.

The next meeting of the board will be Thursday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Shears Technology Center Justice Theater.  The public is invited to attend. Board meeting agendas and information can be found at www.hutchcc.edu/boardmeetings.

For more information on Hutchinson Community College, visit the college website at www.hutchcc.edu

Hutchinson Community College Cultural Activities will host the annual celebration to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The event will begin on Sunday, January 16 at 3:00 p.m. in the B.J. Warner Recital Hall of the Stringer Fine Arts Center on the HutchCC campus. The celebration will continue Monday, January 17 at 2:00 pm, also in the B.J. Warner Recital Hall of the Stringer Fine Arts Center.

“After a virtual celebration in 2021, we are beyond excited to gather in-person to honor Dr. King and his accomplishments”, stated Dr. Hence Parson. “We would like to encourage our community to safely join us for the events scheduled over these two days.”

With the theme of “Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Music”, Sunday’s program will feature musical performances by groups from Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson High School, Buhler High School and a Community Choir. Monday’s program will feature educational presentations and tributes from youth. It will also focus on the accomplishments of several prominent community members and their impact on Hutchinson and Reno County, including the creation of the Chester I. Lewis Plaza in downtown Hutchinson.

Following each day’s events will be community receptions open to the public, Sunday’s at Stringer Fine Arts Center and Monday’s at the Cosmosphere.  Beginning at 4:00 pm on Monday, the Cosmosphere will be open for “Dream with STEAM,” an event featuring free family activities. Attendees can learn more about scholarship opportunities for Cosmosphere camps, enjoy ice cream made using liquid nitrogen, build and launch lunar landers and more.

At 5:30pm, Cosmosphere offers a free screening of Dream Big in the Carey Digital Dome Theater. This award-winning documentary reveals the heart that drives engineers to create better lives for people. Limited tickets available.

The celebration is free and the public is encouraged to attend. The forum is one of a series on current and historical topics held throughout the year at HutchCC designed to inspire debate and educate students, faculty, staff and the public on various social science issues.

The Hutchinson Community College Esports team wrapped up its inaugural season in championship fashion last week.

In its first season of competitive play with the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE), HutchCC’s Esports team brought home a National Championship in NBA 2K21. Freshman Colton Fast defeated Gogebic Community College in five games to finish the season undefeated and claim the program’s first national championship. Other notable accomplishments this season included sending five teams to the playoffs and securing a 3rd and 6th place finish nationally in Call of Duty: Warzone.

The Blue Dragon Esports team will resume its season in the spring. Currently or incoming students interested in learning more should contact coaches Heath Hensley, hensleyh@hutchcc.edu, or Misty Smiley, smileym@hutchcc.edu.

At the December meeting of the Hutchinson Community College Board of Trustees, the Board wrapped up its calendar year primarily with several items of routine business.

In addition, the Board approved two new positions related to Enrollment Management, Advising and Career Development. The Director of Enrollment Management and Advising Services will provide leadership and develop strategies for the college’s ongoing enrollment and retention initiatives. There is no gain of positions as these positions are created from the consolidation of existing, vacant positions.

The next meeting of the board will be Thursday, January 13.  The meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. in the Shears Technology Center Justice Theater.  The public is invited to attend.

For more information on Hutchinson Community College and Board of Trustees meetings, visit the college website at www.hutchcc.edu.