Hastings College

Hastings College is recognized across the nation for its excellence.

• The Princeton Review's
  Listed in the 2010 "Best in the Midwest" section on The Princeton Review's website featuring 2010 Best Colleges: Region by Region.
• U.S. News & World Report, America's Best Colleges 2009
  Ranked among the "Best Liberal Arts Colleges" in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, America's Best Colleges 2009.
• Kaplan/Newsweek
  Listed by Kaplan/Newsweek as one of "America's 369 Most Interesting Schools."
• The Chronicle of Higher Education
  Recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education in its July 18 issue as one of its 2008 “Great Colleges to Work For.”
• The Washington Monthly
  Recognized among the top liberal arts colleges in America by The Washington Monthly
• Barron's
  Named a "Best Buy in College Education" by Barron's
• Listed in:
  • Kaplan's The Unofficial Unbiased Insider's Guide to the 331 Most Interesting Colleges
  • Peterson's Guide to Competitive Colleges
  • The National Review College Guide: America's Top Liberal Arts Schools.
• Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1916
• Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1947
• Accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1964

Lambda Pi Eta-Phi Omega, the Hastings College Communication Honorary, held their spring semester induction and farewell ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2009. 

The event recognized new inductees:

• J. Cory Sexson
• Kelsey Foley
• Kelsi Potts
• Danae Garfield
• Curt Casper

The event also honored the Outstanding Communicator, Andrew Goodwin, and Outstanding New Member, Kaley McInnis-Hughes. The chapter also celebrated outstanding achievements for the 2008-2009 academic year, including recognition as the Outstanding New Chapter at the National Communication Association annual convention in San Diego and four competitively selected papers/presentations at the 18th annual UCRC in Minneapolis. 
 
For more information about the ceremony, Lambda Pi Eta-Phi Omega, or achievements during the 2008-2009 academic year contact Dr. John Perlich at 461-7706 or jperlich@hastings.edu
 

Perkins Library display is named 1st Runner Up in “For Dummies” contest.
Perkins Library has been named 1st Runner up in Wiley Publishing Company’s “For Dummies” Library Display contest. Hastings College’s motto “Pursue Your Passion” was integrated into the display, which featured photos of students, faculty and staff donning the “Dummies” googley eyes and oversized pointy finger. Paulding County Carnegie Library in Paulding, Ohio won first place.

Special thanks to sophomores Anna Mullen and Sara Tall, chief masterminds of the display, with help from staff and library assistants, and the Art Department for the loan of its pedestals.

Perkins Library will receive 40 For Dummies books, a trophy, a pizza party for library staff and a prize box filled with Dummies items.

Drop by Perkins Library to see the display before it is dismantled on May 1.

To see photos of all contest entries, go to http://s543.photobucket.com/albums/gg468/DummiesLibraryContest09/

HC’s Save Our Students Group receives 2009 Judy Sandeen Service Award
The Save Our Students Group, from the Hastings College course, “Communications, Consultation, and Collaborative Partnerships” taught by Dr. Judy Hall, received the 2009 Judy Sandeen Service Award at the One Campus, One Community Luncheon on April 22, 2009.

Students who received the award are:

• Chandra Criss
• Jackie Engelhardt
• Brenda Gundvaldson 
• Rebecca Hartline 
• Natalie Husmann 
• Hannah Kucera 
• Holly Leth
• Lloyd McIntyre 
• Scottie Shaw 
• Wendy Nicklin

The students organized and executed outstanding service to middle school and high school youth in the Hastings community at the after school program, The Zone. They raised awareness of The Zone, especially after The Zone lost a significant portion of its funding and was in danger of closing.

The group volunteered and made sure there were enough volunteers at the Zone so that they could do with fewer paid staff. In addition, they learned how to write grants and how to rewrite them—they received grants from the Kemper Envision Grants, the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital, Flowserve Pump Division, Nebraska ASFAA, and Education Quest, and other fundraisers. To date the group has raised over 15,000 for the Zone.

The award honors the legacy of service that Judy Sandeen, retired director of health services at Hastings College, developed through her many years of facilitating outstanding, nationally recognized peer education programs at Hastings College.
 

Congratulations to HC achiever, Alia Mohsen
Alia Mohsen, senior, was a semi-finalist at the Interstate Oratorical Association National Tournament held April 24-25 at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss.

The IOA, which began in 1884, is one of the oldest and most prestigious national tournaments. Each state has the opportunity to send two contestants. Most often these individuals earn the right to attend the tournament by placing first or second at their designated State Tournament. This year Alia took second place at the Nebraska State Tournament providing her the opportunity to attend IOA. She placed higher than students from the University of Texas at Austin, Kansas State University and Doane College.

Hastings College Forensics is 2nd in the Nation at the NFA President’s II Division, placed 13th in the Open Division
Six Hastings College Forensics seniors competed in 24 events at this year’s National Forensic Association (NFA) tournament in Springfield, MO. They out-placed area teams such as Creighton University (4th place in President’s II Division) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (3rd place in President’s II Division). Please congratulate these students!

Contributing Members:
Aaron Blackman, Janet Dickey, Barry Graham, Christina Luster, Alia Mohsen and Sara Ninabuck

Out-round Placing Members:

• Janet Dickey in Duo Interpretation (quarterfinal)
• Barry Graham in Informative (quarterfinal)
• Alia Mohsen in Informative (quarterfinal), Duo (quarterfinal) and Communication Analysis (semi-final)
• Sara Ninabuck in Persuasion (quarterfinal)

Congratulations to HC’s Teri Graham
Terri Graham, Director of Financial Aid at Hastings College, was recently named to the EducationQuest Foundation Advisory Council.

As a member of the Advisory Council, Graham will help identify obstacles to higher education; brainstorm and prioritize programs, services and needs; and serve on a scholarship or grant review committee.

Graham brings to the Council over 30 years of experience in higher education and financial aid – all of them at Hastings College.

EducationQuest, a private, nonprofit organization headquartered in Lincoln, provides free college planning services at its locations in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha; funds need-based scholarship programs; provides grants that help high schools increase their college-going rate; and provides outreach services for community agencies statewide.

Sharon Behl Brooks named Alpha Chi Distinguished Advisor
Sharon Behl Brooks, associate professor of communication arts and English, has been named 2009 Alpha Chi Distinguished Advisor for Region IV. Alpha Chi is a co-educational academic honor society with membership limited to students in the top 10 percent of juniors, seniors and graduate students.

Pi Omicron Chapter of Beta Beta Beta Honored

For the third consecutive year, the Hastings College Pi Omicron Chapter of Beta Beta Beta has been honored by the National Office for best promoting the triple goals of the society, including scholarship, dissemination of scientific information and promotion of biological research.

The chapter received 1st Honorable Mention for last academic year’s programs. The winners are announced in BIOS in the January issue. A plaque is awarded to the winner, 1st Honorable Mention and 2nd Honorable Mention.

This award was first established in 1961. Its purpose is to provide national and local recognition to the chapter which most nearly meets a series of criteria for program excellence.
 

Congratulations to the winners of the Eighth Annual Student Sermon Contest

• Emily Spearman, first place
• Cindy Eschliman, second place
• Ross Whiston, third place

Emily will preach her sermon at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 29 in French Memorial Chapel, and Cindy and Ross will lead worship.

Hastings College Forensics is 15th in the nation
At the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament, the HC team beat schools such at Kansas State University, University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire and Seton Hall. This marks the 11th consecutive year Hastings College has achieved a top 20 finish and 5 consecutive years in the top 15.

• Alia Mohsen, senior, prose, informative, persuasion
• Janet Dickey, senior, impromptu
• Zach Oehm, junior, prose, poetry

• Alia Mohsen, senior, communication analysis

• Alia Mohsen and Sara Ninabuck, senior

• Matt Hilderbrand '09, Gothenberg, Neb.: "Rural African-American Women: The Double-Edged Sword of Inequality"
• Barry Graham '09, Trumbull, Neb.: "Roger Casement and the Motivation behind Humanitarianism"
• Jennifer Strayer '09, Ainsworth, Neb.: "The Minstrel, The King, and the Duke: Jazz as U.S. Propaganda in the Soviet Union."
• Carrie Moore '09, Valentine, Neb.: "Gender Discrimination against Practitioners in Pre-Roe v Wade Abortion Trials"

Hastings College also had one participant in the graduate level competition:

• Sarah Luther, Hastings, Neb.: "George Kennan's Warning on the Current State of Civil Rights in the United States."

Jennifer Strayer received 2nd place in the undergraduate competition. Sarah Luther received 1st place in the graduate competition

HC students and professor win awards at SEA assembly
Hastings College students and professor win accolades at the Student Education Association Delegate Assembly held last weekend in Lincoln. These students were chosen out of all students nominated throughout the state.

• Senior Wendy Nicklin received the Outstanding Leadership award for her work as president of the local SEA chapter.
• Cassidy Pitkin received the Outstanding Underclassmen award for stepping up into the role of president as a sophomore.
• Dr. Judy Hall was also recognized as Outstanding Advisor for her dedication to the local SEA chapter.

HC junior presents paper at national literature conference
Victor Short, a junior at Hastings College majoring in English (K-12 Subject Endorsement) and religion, presented a paper on Elizabeth Bishop's poem "A Miracle for Breakfast" at the 24th Annual National Undergraduate Literature Conference held at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, last week (April 2-4, 2009).

HC students’ art displayed at exhibition in Omaha
Hastings College first-year art majors Mikel Cashoili (glass), Katy Gerwig (sculpture) and Hannah Keen (photography) have been selected to display their art in the Nebraska Independent College Foundation’s annual student art exhibition in Omaha.

The show, which runs from April 1 through April 30, can be viewed at the atrium gallery of the O’Keefe Elevator Company (1402 Jones St., Omaha). A reception for the artists will be held 4:30–6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at the gallery. The public is invited to attend.

If you would like to attend the reception, please contact Turner McGehee.

Turner Scholl '09, Nora, Neb., won the national championship in the weight throw at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships in Johnson City, Tenn. Scholl shattered his school record by throwing 63 ft., 4.75 inches to take the top spot.

Brad Gamble '09, Eagle, Colo., earned All-American status at the meet by placing 4th in the long jump with a jump of 23 ft, 7.25 inches.

Audrey Curtis '09, Lincoln, Neb. earned All-American status at the meet by placing 5th in the 600 meter run. Curtis' time was 1:36.45.

Scottie Shaw '09, Hastings, Neb. earned All-American status at the meet by placing 6th in the 1000 meter run. Shaw's time was 2:57.78, which is also a new Hastings College record.

Ben Viellieux '12, Greeley, Colo. and Blake Holen '11, Oxford, Neb. have been selected through an audition process for this summer's CHANTICLEER WORKSHOP at Sonoma State University in California.  Viellieux and Holen will participate in special workshops, master classes, and performances led by members of Chanticleer, a male choral ensemble at Sonoma State.

April Christensen '11, Hardy, Neb. won 2nd place in the Nebraska Federation of Music Clubs piano competition. Christensen was judged against competitors from across the state up to age 25.

Sophomore Ross Whiston, Lincoln, Neb., was elected to serve as Apprentice Chair of Collegiate Members of the Nebraska Music Educators Association. He was selected at the annual convention in Lincoln in November. Whiston will serve as apprentice for one year, and then assume the chair position on the NMEA Board of Directors in 2010.

Senior Ashten Purviance, Hamilton, Mont., placed second in the National Association of Teachers of Singing voice competition held in Kearney, Neb., in November.

Sophomore April Christensen, Hardy, Neb., won the Nebraska Music Teachers Association-Collegiate Piano Competition in October. She performed a memorized program of music in a live audition at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Neb. Christensen competed against students from all colleges in Nebraska.

Hastings College received a Governor's Excellence in Wellness Award at the Nebraska Safety and Worksite Wellness Conference held in Kearney in October. The college received the Sower's Award, an award that recognizes organizations that have developed quality wellness programs.

Lambda Pi Eta-Phi Omega communication studies honor society was named Outstanding New Chapter by the National Communication Association. The Hastings College chapter will be recognized in November at the 93rd annual NCA convention in San Diego. The chapter was cited for outstanding service, scholarship and communication proficiency.

The Food 4 Thought group received the Student Commendation in Service Learning from the Midwest Consortium of Service Learning in Higher Education at their annual conference in September. The group was cited for developing a program at Longfellow Elementary School that provided food for the weekend for hungry children and their families. The program expanded to include Lincoln Elementary School.  

The Hastings College Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) national leadership honor society was named a "Circle of Distinction" for the 2007-08 academic year. The Circle received this honor by virtue of exceptional performance in accordance with national standards of ODK.

Sophomore Cindy Eschliman, Hutchinson, Kan., has been elected to the nine-member national Presbyterian Student Advocacy and Leadership Team (PSALT). PSALT is the decision-making body for the Presbyterian Collegiate Connection and plans events for students, participates in ecumenical Christian student groups, and is a strong voice for young people at the General Assembly level of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The Hastings College men's golf team was recognized by the NAIA as national winner of the 2008 Champions of Character Award. The group was recognized for conducting two weekend golf clinics in the fall for Hastings grade school students. The team was also named a NAIA Scholar Team for the second consecutive year. Students had a cumulative grade point average of 3.192.

Hastings College radio station KFKX 90.1 FM, television station HCTV6 and website HCworldnews.com were cited for overall excellence and named Media of the Year in their respective categories at the 2008 Nebraska Collegiate Media Association-Nebraska Press Association college media competition in Lincoln. KFKX won 16 other individual awards, The Collegian received 10 awards, HCTV6 won 15 awards, and the website received seven additional awards at the competition.