April 2025 Central Connection
April 1, 2025
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| Central Community College-Holdrege will be moving from the Phelps County Agricultural Center to a downtown location. |
Center to return to downtown Holdrege
By Scott Miller
College Communications
Senior Director
The Central Community College Board of Governors has approved a $1.9 million plan to relocate the Holdrege Center to downtown Holdrege.
The center will move into the former Great Western Bank Building at 424 West Ave. from the Phelps County Agricultural Center. Once completed, the nearly 11,300-square-foot facility will feature classrooms, live video rooms, nursing assistant lab, computer lab, offices and a testing room. Space will also be available for future partner organizations or agencies to share space and collaborate on programming.
“As a long-time board member for Central Community College, I am excited about the upcoming relocation for the Holdrege Center,” said Rita Skiles of Huntley. “Increased educational opportunities and class offerings have created the necessity for more space and work areas that are accessible and functional for all student needs. The new center is an investment in area schools, in workplace preparation and a response to community growth and expansion.”
CCC has had a full-time presence in Holdrege since 1995. Originally located downtown, the Holdrege Center moved to its current location in 1998. In addition to college courses, the center offers adult and community education, English as a second language, health education and emergency medical technician courses, international studies and high school programming. Initial discussions with area businesses express opportunities for expanded technical training, adult education, youth programming and workshops to occur at the location.
“We are excited to once again be part of the vibrant downtown community,” said Diana Watson, regional director and international studies coordinator. “We are looking forward to increasing our programming, services and accessibility for students. We also appreciate the support and commitment to serving students and communities in our region from the CCC Board of Governors and administration.”
“We greatly appreciate the decades of partnership with the Phelps County Agricultural Society but look forward to this expanded space to offer even more CCC services and programming to attract and enhance the lives of area residents,” said CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall.
The vacant property was purchased by BoSox 7 LLC, which contacted CCC about being a potential tenant. As part of the decision-making process, CCC administrators included community members by conducting focus groups and hosting an open house to gather ideas and receive feedback. Sampson Construction was selected as construction manager at risk and will be coordinating the project with local and state subcontractors.
BoSox 7 issued the following statement: “Central Community College fulfills a vital educational role in our community and region. We’re excited to partner with them to transform this centrally located building in Holdrege into a modern and accessible learning hub.”
Construction should begin immediately with an expected CCC occupancy by early fall.
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Hospitality at sea Six Central Community College hospitality management and culinary arts students combined fun and education during spring break. Through a CCC mini-grant, they took a Cozumel cruise where onboard lectures and hands-on activities taught them about culinary operations, employment opportunities, health and safety, cultural awareness and more. Above left are Kimberly Milovac, instructor; Jillian Duryea of Grand Island; Marisa Gewecke of Geneva; Grace Ciancio of Fullerton; Kailea Hauner of Hastings; Graci Boersen of Cairo; Brianna Rae of Danbury; and Clarence Charles, program director. Above right: Hauner learns about cruise cuisine from Chef Moises. |
Enjoy music, art, dance
Barbara Park’s popular children’s books have found new life in the theater with “Junie B. Jones, The Musical.”
In April, the sassy first grader will hit the stage at Central Community College-Columbus. Performances will be at 7 p.m. on April 10 and April 11 and at 2 p.m. on April 12 and April 13 in the Fine Arts Theater.
The musical will take the audience through Junie B.’s adventures as she navigates the ups and downs of her first year of school and chronicles them in her beeswax journal. She deals with the loss of two kindergarten friends but finds a kindred spirit in Herb, the new boy in school, worries about having to wear new glasses and longs to play in the kickball tournament despite her injured toe.
Cast members are Jonah Felix of Alma; Raquel Bordy, Mark Buhman Trey Hill, Lorri Moore and Cat Tartibu of Columbus; Cara Skalberg of Grand Island; Celest Familio-Trainer of Platte Center; Josué Fuentes and Janey Parra of Schuyler; and Jorge Chavez of Shelby.
Crew members are Jimmy Eads, Michelle Garcia-Mora and Nyah Lewis of Columbus; Aries Deitrick of Doniphan; and Zahir Bautista of Schuyler.
Fine Arts Showcase
The Fine Arts Building also will be the setting for a Fine Arts Showcase at 3 p.m. on May 4. It will feature the art, music and dance of CCC students.
Mark this date
A groundbreaking ceremony has been set for 10 a.m. on May 2 for the Automotive Careers Training Center at Central Community College-Hastings. It will be held in the parking lot across from the Dawson gym.
The budget for the new facility is nearly $23 million with CCC covering 85 percent of the cost. The CCC Foundation has raised $3.1 million toward the $3.5 million goal to fill the gap. A recent $500,000 challenge grant has led the foundation to launch a Race to the Finish Line 30-Day Matching Challenge. During April, every gift and pledge will be matched up to the $500,000. To give, go to CCC Automotive Careers Training Center.
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Celebration planned at CCC-Grand Island Everyone is invited to bring family and friends for fun, food and community from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 26 at Central Community College-Grand Island. The planned activities include a Fun Walk with Raider Rex at 10 a.m., free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., a magic show at 12:30 p.m. Attendees also can sit for a caricature artist, enjoy CCC program activities and simulations, and connect with community partners. |
In tribute: Denette Drum, Diane Sinclair
Denette Drum
Denette Frances Drum, 74, of Columbus died Feb. 28 in Omaha.
Services were March 7 at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus with burial in All Saints Catholic Cemetery.
She was born on June 15, 1950, in Norfolk to Roy and Mary (Getsfred) Olk. She graduated from Scotus Central Catholic High School and completed trade school in Denver.
On Nov. 27, 1970, she married Greg N. Drum. While raising their children in Columbus, she helped her parents with their printing business. She also worked for 30 years in the Columbus Campus library.
Survivors include her husband, two children and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister.
McKown Funeral Home in Columbus was in charge of services.
Diane Sinclair
Diane R. Sinclair, 82, of Columbus died Feb. 21 at home.
Services were March 15 at Gass Haney Funeral Home with burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.
She was born on Sept. 15, 1942, on the family farm near Butte to Raymond H. and Margaret A. (Schmitz) Honke.
She graduated from Butte High School in 1959 and attended CE School of Commerce in Omaha for two years.
On Aug. 19, 1961, she married Gary Sinclair at SS Peter and Paul Church in Butte.
She worked at the Boyd County Courthouse until they moved to O’Neill. They moved to Columbus in 1973 where she managed the Columbus Campus bookstore for more than 20 years, retiring in 1999.
Survivors include three children, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, four sisters and a brother. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son and a brother.
Condolences may be left at www.gasshaney.com.
Employee news
Administrative Office
Sheila Kiiker has retired as full-time payroll specialist, a position she has held since 2015. For several years beforehand, she worked part-time in the Grand Island Campus’ Academic Success Center.
Prior to joining the CCC staff, she worked in Hastings in the office at Laird Motors and as office manager at Universal Hydraulics.
Kiiker is a graduate of Hastings Senior High School who went on to earn an associate of applied science degree in business from CCC and a bachelor’s degree in business from Bellevue University. She has served as a Sunday school teacher at Doniphan United Methodist Church.
She and her husband, Ron, live in Doniphan and have three children and three grandsons.
Grand Island Campus
Kellie Newhouse has completed 25 years of service at Central Community College.
She joined the staff on March 6, 2000, as an administrative assistant in the community and workforce education department. In this position, she supports the CWE health programs and Early College.
She is a graduate of Grand Island Senior High School and the Spencer School of Business with an associate’s degree in travel management.
Following graduation, Newhouse went to work at the business school, which later became known as Grand Island College. She served as regional director of admissions, taught travel management classes and was director of student services when the school closed.
Her work experience also includes serving as a darkroom developer at Bailey Photography and as assistant manager of the World of Toys and Hobbies and manager of T-shirts Plus at the Conestoga Mall. She even worked for the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus during their annual visits to the mall.
She and her husband, Craig, have a son.
Ricardo Ramirez has shifted positions from financial aid technician to Academic Success Center coordinator.
Hastings Campus
Brandon Stalvey, Student Success Center director, has been promoted to associate dean of student success and enrollment management for Grand Island and Kearney.