Chadron State College announces Homecoming schedule
CHADRON – Chadron State College will celebrate Homecoming Sept. 20-27 with a variety of events centered around the theme Once Upon a Homecoming.
The week of activities for CSC students, alumni, employees, and community members begins Saturday, Sept. 20, with a public Color Run starting at the Chicoine Center. Registration opens at 9 a.m., followed by the race at 10 a.m. Students can participate for free with advanced registration, while community members of all ages are invited to join by contributing basic hygiene items or shelf-stable food for the DOVES Program. Runners and walkers have the choice of a one-mile loop or a 5K course.
Race organizers will toss environmentally friendly colored chalk powder on the runners. The colors of teal, purple, and green represent Suicide Prevention Awareness, Domestic Violence Awareness, and Mental Health Awareness, respectively. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about important topics in an engaging way that fosters positive and productive conversations.
On Sunday, Sept. 21, the Night of Country Swing club will host its traditional Homecoming dance and bonfire from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Backyard area south of High Rise. The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department will be present, and s’mores supplies will be provided.
Monday, Sept. 22, will feature a sheet decorating competition for student clubs and organizations beginning at 5 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom and Scottsbluff Room. Each club will design a sheet to display on its Homecoming parade float on Saturday.
The schedule continues on Tuesday, Sept. 23, with two student events. A pickleball tournament will be at 5 p.m. at the tennis courts north of High Rise. Later, from 8 to 11 p.m., the Campus Activities Board will sponsor free student bowling and pizza at Hilltop Lanes on West 10th Street.
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, students are invited to a Late Night at the Pit event, the Silent Disco. From 7 to 10 p.m. in The Hub, participants will wear wireless headphones, enjoy food, and dance.
Homecoming traditions continue Thursday, Sept. 25, with the coronation of CSC’s Homecoming royalty from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at Elliott Field. Immediately afterward, students and employees will gather for the Lighting of C-Hill, a long-standing tradition that includes photos, T-shirts, and hot cocoa.
Friday, Sept. 26, offers a mix of alumni, community, and student activities. All students are invited to participate in making a mural at the south entrance of the Student Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Alumni are invited to a campus tour beginning at 1 p.m. at the Lindeken Clock Tower. Later in the afternoon, the COIL building will host an open house from 4 to 6 p.m., showcasing the Geoscience Museum, Herbarium, and Entomology collections under the theme Bugs, Plants, and Dinosaurs…Oh My! From 6:30 to 10 p.m., COIL guests can enjoy homemade ice cream before a planetarium presentation and film screening.
Athletics will take center stage as volleyball hosts Fort Lewis at 6 p.m. in the Chicoine Center. Homecoming royalty will be introduced during the game. The Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet will be at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom, with tickets for adults at $25 and $15 for attendees 18 and under.
Homecoming week will culminate Saturday, Sept. 27, with the annual Homecoming Parade at 9:30 a.m. starting at 10th and Main Street, proceeding north to First Street. Immediately after the parade, a student tailgate will take place in the parking lot south of Elliott Field, and the Alumni and Foundation Tailgate will be at 11 a.m. on Chicoine Plaza. The football team will host Colorado Mesa at 1 p.m.
Later Saturday evening, Slim Days will take place outside Wild’s and the Bean Broker. The gate opens at 4:30 p.m. and the first band will play at 5:30. Volleyball will wrap up the week by hosting Western Colorado at 7 p.m. in the Chicoine Center.
For more information about Chadron State College’s 2025 Homecoming, see the schedule online.
Eagle Success Summit highlights collaboration
CHADRON – A total of 169 Chadron State College employees participated in the inaugural Eagle Success Summit hosted on campus Aug. 29, according to committee co-chair and Director of the Office of Academic Success Chantel Merchen.
Merchen said the idea for the summit originated after she learned of a similar program at another college. When Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kimberly Paddock-O’Reilly asked Merchen and Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences Dr. Brittany Helmbrecht to co-chair a task force to improve communication and build relationships, the group saw the summit as an opportunity to try something new.
“As many know, you do not create sustainable change by doing what you have always done,” Merchen said. “You need to step out of your comfort zone, try something new, and get a team of amazing people around you, which is just what our committee did.”
The summit also served as Merchen’s capstone project for the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). She said her ELP cohort offered support throughout the planning process.
“We look forward to continuing this effort on campus, and we are still celebrating what a fun and engaging event we had,” Merchen said.
Survey results showed that 89 percent of participants were satisfied with the conference, and 84.6 percent said they were likely to attend again in the future. Additionally, the feedback provided suggestions for future improvements.
“CSC is committed to providing professional development relevant to the goals of the institution to our faculty and staff,” Paddock-O’Reilly said. “The feedback received will be used to help guide the planning process for next year.” Attendees praised the summit’s opportunities for networking and collaboration, as well as the quality of the keynote speakers.
A survey respondent noted the keynote speakers were knowledgeable and engaging, and that each session offered valuable learning. They also remarked the event felt carefully planned and executed.
Keynote speaker Dr. Laurie Schreiner said she was impressed by the event’s energy and focus.
“It’s unusual for an institution to have everyone at an event like this focused on student success—so kudos for centering on the student experience,” Schreiner said. “The level of energy and engagement in the room, along with the clear commitment to students, was impressive.”
She also commended the collaborative planning behind the summit.
“Collaborative engagement is the hallmark of a thriving campus, and I witnessed a high level of it firsthand,” Schreiner said. “Congratulations on involving so many people and providing a rich experience that was accessible to all.”
In addition to Merchen and Helmbrecht, committee members included Daniel Binkard, Dr. Lorie Hunn, Kayla Junge, Dr. Mary Keithly, Amanda Medaries, Stacie Mittleider, Taylor Osmotherly, Chris Singpiel, and Kaylee Summers.
CSC announces fall music performances
CHADRON – The Chadron State College Music Department has announced its fall schedule of performances and events, all of which are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
The season begins Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m. in Memorial Hall with All-State Chorus Audition Preparation Day intended for high school students who wish to be selected to sing in the All-State Chorus.
Guest Artist Alex Annan will perform with the CSC Faculty Jazz Combo in Memorial Hall on Monday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m.
Tenor/Bass Day will take place on Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall. A final concert for the workshop participants will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Chicoine Atrium of the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center.
The Concert Choir and Community Choir will perform Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. at the Chadron Arts Center. The Wind Symphony and Community Band will present a concert Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Hall Auditorium. The CSC Jazz Band and Jazz Combo will perform Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., followed by a Vocal Jazz and Faculty Jazz concert Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., both in Memorial Hall Auditorium.
The semester will conclude with the Holiday Concert Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall Auditorium.
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
| Sept. 10 | 2 – 5 p.m. | All-State Chorus Audition Prep Day | Memorial Hall |
| Sept. 15 | 7 p.m. | Guest Artist Alex Annan with CSC Faculty Jazz Combo | Memorial Hall |
| Oct. 8 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Tenor/Bass Day Workshop | Memorial Hall |
|
| 2:30 p.m. | Tenor/Bass Day Workshop | Chicoine Atrium |
| Nov. 2 | 3 p.m. | Concert Choir and Community Choir Concert | Chadron Arts Center |
| Nov. 7 | 7 p.m. | Wind Symphony and Community Band Concert | Memorial Hall |
| Nov. 10 | 7 p.m. | CSC Jazz Band and Faculty Jazz Combo | Memorial Hall |
| Nov. 18 | 7 p.m. | Vocal Jazz and Faculty Jazz Concert | Memorial Hall |
| Dec. 4 | 7 p.m. | Holiday Concert | Memorial Hall |
