December 2025-January 2026 Central Connection
December 1, 2025
NCCA honors individuals with CCC ties
Several individuals associated with Central Community College received awards from the Nebraska Community College Association (NCCA) at its annual conference Nov. 2 in Lincoln. They were:
Jon Abegglen
Distinguished Alumni Award
Jon Abegglen attended Platte College, the forerunner of CCC-Columbus, from 1971 to 1973. He then earned a business degree from Kearney State College, now the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK).
During his career, he has been a commercial real estate developer and manager and former senior vice president of commercial and agribusiness banking at First National Bank.
He joined the Central Community College Foundation Board of Directors in 2018, where he helped with the $20 million capital campaign for the construction of the CCC-Kearney building. He also has been involved in securing additional support for scholarships, programming and spaces for the CCC’s growing nursing program in Kearney along with an entrepreneurship and small business development center.
He has strong connections with UNK, the Buffalo County Economic Development Council, City of Kearney Redevelopment Authority, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Merryman Performing Arts Center, Platte Institute and the University of Nebraska Foundation.
Alison Feeney
Administrator/Staff Award
Alison Feeney, associate dean of career and technical sciences (CTS), joined the CCC-Hastings staff in 2021.
In this role, she established one of the first Walter Scott Jr. Career Pathway Scholars programs in the country. She also worked with the CCC Foundation on capital and scholarship campaigns for advanced manufacturing, automotive and autobody and spearheaded a manufacturing pathways partnership between the Hastings Area Manufacturing Association, Hastings Economic Development Corporation, area high schools and CCC.
She regularly helps with other campus and collegewide initiatives including the Verizon Innovation camp, Diesel Technology Days, Automotive Day, annual CCC car show and SkillsUSA. She also is a member of the Hastings Campus Welcome Committee and volunteers for tours and visits from prospective students, parents, employers and donors.
Feeney earned a bachelor’s degree from Midland University, a master’s degree from Hastings College and two master’s degrees in education administration from UNK.
Libby Theoharis
Faculty Member Award
Libby Theoharis joined the CCC staff in 2015 as an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) instructor, bringing with her a wealth of real-world examples from her work at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute in Omaha and GO Physical Therapy in Grand Island.
At CCC, she has developed a comprehensive, hands-on Level 1 pediatric fieldwork program (Getting it Write) that is designed to give OTA students real clinical experience.
She was involved in the successful OTA student ideation that involved a $2.5 million fundraising campaign to implement the state’s largest inclusive playground in Grand Island.
To support community needs, she partners with local organizations to help establish free pediatric occupational therapy clinics.
Theoharis earned her occupational therapy degree from Creighton University and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Tom Pirnie
CCC Board of Governors member Tom Pirnie was recognized as a nominee for the NCCA Governors Award.
He earned a certificate in electronics technology from CCC-Hastings in 1974 and was elected to the CCC Board of Governors in 1994.
As a trucking executive of GI Express and GIX Logistics, Pirnie’s expertise helped CCC establish Nebraska’s only heavy equipment operator program and expand the truck driving and diesel technology programs.
In 2023, the Pirnies provided the lead gift for the Grand Island inclusive playground. They also pledged $1 million toward student housing on the Grand Island Campus.
CCC Board of Governors gains new member
Trevor Lee of Gibbon was sworn in as a member of Central Community College Board of Governors at its November meeting. He is filling the District 3 seat left vacant with the resignation of long-time board member Sandra Borden.
“I am excited for Trevor to join us as he will bring a new dimension to our board with his many years of experience in community development,” said board chair Linda Heiden. “He brings insight into what the college can do to prepare our students for the workforce which is the mission of our college and we are looking forward to working with him.”
Lee is president of the Development Council for Buffalo County where he focuses on strategic projects and partnerships designed to strengthen the regional economy. He held similar positions in Beatrice, Ord and Ravenna. He has served on the board of the Nebraska Economic Developers Association for the past decade, most recently as past president, and represents Nebraska on the Heartland Economic Development board.
“The community college system has played a meaningful role in my own educational journey and continues to be vital partners in the work we do to grow greater Nebraska,” Lee said. “Whether it’s workforce development, rural innovation or lifelong learning, CCC is helping shape the future of our region and I’m excited to support that impact.”
Lee graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in political science and from the University of Colorado-Denver with a master’s degree in urban and regional planning.
News briefs
Winter commencement set for Dec. 12
Central Community College will honor its December graduate candidates during the Fifth Annual Winter Commencement ceremonies at 2 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the Raider Fieldhouse at the Columbus Campus.
The candidates were enrolled at one or more CCC locations, which include the Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings campuses and Holdrege, Kearney, Lexington and Ord centers.
The keynote speaker will be Traci Skalberg, executive director of the Central Community College Foundation, whose history with CCC goes back to her teens when she completed 47 credit hours first as a dual-credit student at Columbus High School and then as a first-year student at CCC-Columbus. She went on to graduate from Doane University, earn a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University, and become an Education Foundation Certified Leader through the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy.
As an adult, she reconnected with CCC by taking community education classes and now as a parent watching her daughter, Cara, graduate with this class.
Since returning to CCC, she has led the foundation in fundraising for projects such as the Pirnie Inclusive Playground in Grand Island and the Automotive Careers Training Center in Hastings and expanding scholarships and opportunities across CCC’s 25-county service area.
Gotschall receives Impact Award
Central Community College President Dr. Matt Gotschall has received the Impact Award from the Education Administration (EDAD) program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The annual award recognizes the impact EDAD graduates who have had an impact in their field, discipline, community or organization.
Gotschall, a 2003 EDAD graduate, was recognized for championing student success through initiatives in recruitment, retention, early college programs and workforce-aligned curriculum. Under his leadership, CCC consistently ranks No. 1 among Nebraska community colleges in credential attainment.
Gotschall and two other EDAD award winners were honored at a ceremony at UNL in October.
Black earns master’s degree
Joe Black, grants development coordinator, has earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Bellevue University.
In tribute: Jamie Plambeck, Howard Ransom
Jamie Plambeck
James Edward “Jamie” Plambeck, 79, of Hastings died on Nov. 11 at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.
He was born on May 12, 1946, in Broken Bow to Wayne and Pearl (Hayes) Plambeck. He graduated from Ansley High School, attended Kearney State College, served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 16, 1966, through Dec. 21, 1967, and graduated from Central Community College-Hastings with an associate’s degree in construction technology.
He married Rebecca Davis on June 8, 1969, in Palmer. He worked in construction, taught carpentry and masonry at CCC-Grand Island and worked in the maintenance department at CCC-Hastings until his retirement in 2016.
Survivors include his wife, daughter and son.
A private burial will be held in Rose Hill Cemetery in Palmer.
Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in Palmer was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Central Community College Foundation.
Online condolences may be left at www.jacobsengreenway.com.
Howard Ransom
Howard L. Ransom, 83, of Hastings died Nov. 16 at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.
Services were held Nov. 21 at Butler Volland Chapel with burial in Parkview Cemetery in Hastings.
He was born on July 4, 1942, in Hastings to Howard E. and Hazel (Martin) Ransom. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1960.
On April 26, 1962, he married Karen Grinstead at Redeemer Evangelical Church in Hastings. They shared 63 years of marriage before her death in 2025.
He spent his career working as a painter in the maintenance department at CCC-Hastings. He retired in 2007.
Survivors include his daughter, son, a sister, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the family for later designation.
Employee news
Columbus Campus
Dan Davidchik has been promoted from mechatronics instructor to associate dean of training and development.
Grand Island Campus
Madison Bowden has resigned as a custodian.
Alex Bray, mathematics and physics instructor, is transferring into the same position at the Columbus Campus, effective Jan. 1.
Natalie Ernstmeyer has joined the staff as a financial aid specialist.
Haley Koehn, has shifted positions from admissions technician to admissions recruiting coordinator.
Hastings Campus
New full-time employees include Gretchen Brosman, career and employment services specialist; Jane Fruge, apprenticeship coordinator; and Jenny Goc, career and technical services administrative assistant.
Taylor Schneider has resigned as an energy technology instructor.
David Tuberville has shifted positions from groundskeeper to custodial supervisor.
Kearney Center
Mirisa Hernandez has joined the staff as a nursing instructor.