A rockin’ rally

Senior Day allows students to explore college programs

By Lariena Nokes

On Oct. 23, classes were canceled for HCC students.

It was open enrollment day for the college.

And that morning,the college hosted Blue Dragon Senior Day for high school seniors to tour the campus and explore the booths at the Sports Arena from many college programs.

College staff participation was a key factor in the event’s success. Corbin Strobel, admissions director, coordinated the event.

“This is the largest group we have hosted on this event day,” Strobel said.

“No other event allows students to visit with so many individuals from the college at one time — and the Admissions office truly appreciates everyone who participated in this event,” he said.

“The Hutchinson Community College Admissions office would like to thank all of the prospective students, current students, faculty, and staff that helped in making this event such a successful day,” he said.

Jillene Cunningham, Department II co-chairperson, was pleased with the event.

“I do think it was a success. We have seen more representation than past years,” Cunningham said. “With more (HCC) departments represented than ever before, it was a great turn out.”

With booths from all five academic departments, representatives from student services, clubs, and organizations visiting high school students had a chance to explore college programs.

Bill Sheldon, English instructor, had many prospective students by his booth to discuss poetry, creative writing and other classes now offered or being developed.

“In response to a couple of students who asked about follow-up classes to our Introduction to Creative Writing, I mentioned our desire to put together a Fiction Writing class that would work like our current Poetry Writing class, which we offer on occasion,” Sheldon said.

Over 300 high school seniors graduating in 2016, from all over Kansas were welcomed to our campus and treated to the fair.

Inside the Sports Arena, many HCC departments had display booths with information about vocational careers, academic degrees and athletic programs.

Nickerson High School had seniors participating in the event.

Len Smalling, Nickerson High School guidance counselor was pleased with the impact it had on seniors at his school.

“About 30 (Nickerson) seniors attended that HCC event on Friday,” Smalling said. “ I think it was a positive experience for all of them.”

High school students were given a good opportunity to experience HCC’s main Hutchinson campus and get an idea of what it means to be a Blue Dragon.

With courses of study ranging from an accounting associates degree to Zoo Science associates degree, students with many possible career goals got to learn more about HCC.

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