Dr Ron Patterson will be formally inaugurated as the 12th president of Chadron State College in ceremonies on Friday April 5th in the Memorial Hall Auditorium.
The inaugural ceremony begins at 3:00 and will be followed at 4:30 by a reception at the Math Science Center of Innovative Learning. Transportation will be provided from Memorial Hall for those who need it.
Among the inaugural speakers will be Nebraska State College System Chancellor Paul Turman, Chadron Mayor George Klein, local banker Clayton Riesen, CSC faculty senate representative Dr Matthew Brust, CSC Project Coordinator Kate Pope, and local pastor The Rev Tunde Oldameji.
Others include Chadron State Foundation Board Chair Dr JoAnne Owens Nauslar – who has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from both CSC and UNL, students Cooper Reichman, Brianna Smith, and Aubree Quast.
Delivering the keynote address will be retired college administrator Dr James Pruett, a long-time friend and former colleague of Dr Patterson at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center.
CSC alum and award-winning poet Jovan Mays will deliver an inaugural poem, student Sophia Oladimeji will sing the national anthem while the combined Chadron State Concert Choir and Chadron Community Chorus will also sing.
The Chadron State Wind Symphony will perform a fanfare and processional composed for the occasion by CSC Professor Dr. Michael Stephens.
Delegates representing other academic institutions are invited to join Chadron State faculty members and march in the academic procession that will begin in the Student Center.
Dr Ron Patterson had been a top administrator at the University of North Alabama when he was named president at Chadron State College last spring as the successor to Dr Randy Rhine, who retired at the end of June.
Those wanting to celebrate Patterson’s inauguration in a tangible way can donate to the President’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fund, which supports innovative initiatives, foster partnerships, and enhance cutting-edge curriculum development.
An Inauguration webpage includes information about other related activities including the celebration of C-Hill’s 100th anniversary.