theHword.com

By living in Hastings, we are so privileged to be in a community that boasts not one, but two amazing colleges. Sometimes we forget the advantages we enjoy because of that fact, and sometimes we’re not aware of all the gifts the two colleges give to the entire community. So I thought it would be fun to think about some of the reasons I appreciate Hastings College and Central Community College.

Because a short H-Word article can’t begin to cover all the important information, what follows is a bare-bones list of wonderful connections between the colleges and citizens of Hastings.

Of course, anyone can take classes at the colleges. The tuition at CCC is remarkably affordable, online courses are available, and you can set your own schedule for many of the classes. The long list of majors and classes is remarkably varied. Hastings College has a 22-Plus program for anyone over age 22 who hasn’t been an HC student previously. The 22+ program gives you a 50% discount on tuition, and you can still apply for federal tuition aid.

If you’re not interested in taking college classes, both CCC and HC offer a host of other advantages.

Many Hastings College events are free and open to the public, including speakers brought in by the popular Artist Lecture Series, Womens History Month, Black History Month, and Religion in Life Week, among others. Student organizations also bring in exciting speakers, and those events are free and open to the public. Many community members belong to Hastings College Crimson Connection…for only $55 per year (family) or $40 individual, members have prepaid entry to athletic and cultural events, as well as invitations to special barbeques and soup suppers. Membership forms are at http://www.hastings.edu/downloads/crimsonconnection_membership2010.pdf. Many Hastings residents are avid fans of the HC sports teams, theater department, music department, and the art gallery. On my refrigerator is a mile-long list of events from the music department alone, and I have loved attending HC plays and speakers through the years.

At CCC, the public can sign up for cooking classes for adults and kids, arts & crafts such as pencil drawing, needle felting, tole painting, container gardens, flower arranging, dance, digital cameras, computers for boomers, Qi Gong, and many others. In the summer CCC offers the popular 3 week session, Kids at College. Anyone interested in teaching their “hobby” can contact Susan Rinker at srinker@cccneb.edu to set up a new class. To sign up for EMT and CPR classes, contact Amy Marshall at 461-2487 or amarshall@cccneb.edu. The Dental Hygiene program offers dental exams and cleaning for the public, and the auto mechanics class will do oil changes and more. In addition, CCC offers CNA and med aid classes and motorcycle riding classes. Who knew?

But most important of all, our community benefits from having the faculty, staff and students of the colleges among us. In our churches, organizations, and businesses, we benefit from the special skills and talents of all these members of our community. Whether because of a student working at an internship, CCC Culinary Arts students preparing and serving a wonderful meal, a faculty member presenting an informative program, peer educators organizing the AIDSWalk or Cystic Fibrosis Walk, or students singing in choirs, Hastings is enriched by their gifts. College students continue to make a huge impact on Hastings through their volunteer work and service learning activities.

I LOVE living in this college town!

About the author: Judy Sandeen

Born in Loup City, Ne, Judy Sandeen is a Registered Nurse who has held varied nursing positions throughout her career, most recently as Director of Campus Health Services at Hastings College. She is currently in her third year of retirement, and remains interested in public health and social justice issues. She is married to Jack Sandeen, and their children are Amy Sandeen, who now lives in Hastings, and son Eric and his family, who live in St Paul, Mn.