April 30, 2013

commemorative

✮ inaugural edition ✮

U.S. Postage Paid Chadron NE 69337 Non-Profit Org. Permit No. 52

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 | ISSUE NO. 15

The Th h Voice V i off Ch Chadron h d State College since 1920

SEMPER VERITAS

Wes t ern R O O T S — chadron state ripe for growth as 11th president takes charge

Spike Jordan Opinion Editor

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warm sunny day in Chadron Friday made the perfect backdrop for the inauguration of Chadron State College’s 11th President, Richard “Randy” Rhine.

The festivities began with a luncheon in the Student Center. Rhine entertained several guests, including members from the Nebraska State College System Office and Board of Trustees; Nebraska Sen. Al Davis; family, and close friends.

After the luncheon, the dignitaries donned robes and gathered in front of Crites Hall, leading a faculty and staff procession across the Dean’s Green for the inauguration ceremony, which began at 3 p.m. in Memorial Hall Stan Carpenter, NSCS chancellor, delivered a welcome address. Rhine’s daughter, Army 1st Lt. Rachael Rhine, gave the order for the CSC ROTC Color Guard to post the colors.

Morgan Nelson, Student Trustee, gave the first moment of reflection, followed by introductions from various distinguished guests.

Former President Janie Park brought Rhine to Chadron State in 2005 and delivered the key note speech during his inauguration ceremony. She was excited to see Rhine follow in her footprints.

“I’m very happy for him,” Park said Friday afternoon, “It’s really satisfying to see him have this opportunity.”

A brief choral interlude by the CSC Concert Choir followed Park’s speech, and then Carter Peterson, chair of the NSCS Board of Trustees, performed the investiture.

Rhine’s inaugural address centered on the rising cost of education, and how he plans to lead and direct Chadron State College to better serve the students with not only a better education, but a more cost-effective education. see INAUGURATION, Page 4

Chadron State College's 11th President, Randy Rhine, smiles as he delivers his inaugural address Friday in the auditorium of Memorial Hall. | Photo by T.J. Thomson

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COMMEMORATIVE INAUGURAL EDITION | APRIL 30, 2013

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Chadron State College's 11th Presiden

Hannah Clark Reporter

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he is an affable woman with mahogany hair and bright eyes to match. She and her husband celmet in college, and they will cel ebrate their 30th anniversary this year.

Friendliness personified, she is Ann Rhine, wife of Chadron State College's 11th president.

On Wednesday, I was privy to Ann's renowned hospitality, as she agreed to chat about herself, her husband, and their new life at CSC. A black and white photo hangs in the Randy Rhine makes a point during his inaugural address Friday in the auditorium of Memorial Hall. | Photo by T.J. Thomson Rhine's living room.

It is of Ann, her two

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IN THE KITCHEN – Randy Rhine cooks excellent pulled pork, coleslaw, and grilled salmon, his wife, Ann, says. The grilled salmon, she says, is her favorite.

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children, and her husband, toting enormous backpa smiling at the camera. It was taken during a 26.2 m through the Beartooth Mountains, which the fam while they still lived in Montana. While summiting t ite peaks, a huge snowstorm caught the Rhines off-gu “It was white-out conditions,” Ann said, as she ges the picture, hanging above the couch. Fortunately, th couple of friendly hikers, who knew the area better th The hikers forged ahead and told the Rhines to “follo footsteps.”

On Friday, Randy Rhine took his first step into c presidency, and started on the trail ten previous pr traveled. It remains to be seen whether he will follow footsteps, or forge a new path of his own. Either way, firmed, President Rhine will have the unwavering su his wife and children; they will be hiking right alongs If an adventurous spirit is any sign of tenacity, the could not have picked a better support team. The Rhi two children serving in the armed forces: their elder d Lieutenant Rachael, and her husband Brandon were ab tend the inauguration, despite being stationed at Fort

APRIL 30, 2013 | COMMEMORATIVE INAUGURAL EDITION

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nt Randy Rhine has a history of cultivating consistent growth

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El Paso, Texas. In addition to being fluent in French, Japanese, and Latin, Rachael is pursuing her master’s in international diplomacy. The Rhine’s younger son, John, is currently serving as a U.S. Ranger. He and his wife, Randi, live in Savannah, Ga. “He was always an adrenaline junkie,” Ann said of her John.

She then showed me the single-star banner hanging in their window. The blue star, bordered by white and red, symbolizes a child is deployed. The sun-faded banner, for John who has been serving in Afghanistan, has been displayed for four years, but may be taken down soon, as there is a possibility of John's return.

Ann is not afraid to get hands dirty either, quite literally.

A look around her beautifully-kept home would show that within the past year Ann has had paint, dirt, and plenty of food on her hands. The Rhine home, also called the Chicoine house, after its craftsman and donor, is situated on the corner of 10th and Cedar. Vern Chicoine built the house, and then donated it to be used as CSC's presidential home, housing the college's leader and his or her family. Since their arrival in June, Ann has vivified the residency. Although architecturally beautiful, the walls were a sterile white, and that is certainly

not Ann Rhine's style. Now tactful accent walls break up the blank space, alternating between blues and brown, making Ann's home almost as inviting as her warm smile. Outside, wooden stakes protrude from her green backyard, outlining the two-year landscaping plan of her budding garden. In the garage, a metal rack supports a miniature greenhouse, where tender zucchini shoots and newly-sprouted thyme grow beneath sunlamps.

I detail the specifications of the Rhines' residence because it draws an apt comparison. Rhine inherited a well-built college, Chadron State. But it is a college that could use some more life. While touring the Rhines' backyard, as I listened to Ann discuss her landscaping and flora, I could not help but be excited as well. Just like how Rhine's enthusiasm for the students' education is evident, his wife's excitement over the familial student body is infectious.

“I want it to be welcoming,” she said of her home, but the comment might as well apply to the whole school. Ann is partnered with her husband in the mission to make Chadron State a college people want to attend. She acts as a hospitality ambassador; constantly hosting guests, from state board

"WALKING IN MEMPHIS" – Ann Rhine was born in "The River City" – Memphis, Tenn.

The city ranks 20th in terms of population in the United States with residency of 1.3 million in 2010, U.S. Census materials state.

ROOTS – Randy Rhine was born in "The Oil Capital of the World"–Tulsa, Okla. By population, the city ranks at 45th in the United States. It had a population of 951,880 in 2012, U.S. Census materials state.

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members to incoming freshman. Ann foments the college's interests with her infallible hospitality.

“It's your home as much as it is mine,” she said.

CSC’s former president Janie Park, in her keynote speech during Friday's inauguration, gave the Rhines a series of Irish blessings.

“May the frost never afflict your spuds,” Park said, to which the audience laughed. I personally laughed because try as that metaphorical frost might, it would never hurt Ann Rhine's garden, not really. Her tuberous roots would be safe, because the Rhines are growing people. After coming to Chadron in 2005, Rhine was made vice president of enrollment management, and grew CSC's numbers to more than 3,000. The Rhines know how to take something small, like CSC's enrollment numbers or an infant zucchini plant, and nurture it into something healthy and vital.

As our interview drew to a close, I asked Ann for any final comments about her husband. “He really cares a lot about the students,” she said, and smiled. With Ann's commitment to a warm and inviting world for students, it is clear she cares a great deal for them too.

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – Randy Rhine serves on the Post Playhouse's Board of Directors. The venue, established in 1967, sits on the site of the historic Fort Robinson State Park, near Crawford.

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COMMEMORATIVE INAUGURAL EDITION

INAUGURATION

APRIL 30, 2013 | The Eagle | csceagle.com

from page 1

Carpenter said he was also happy to attend the formal installation of Rhine as CSC’s new president, and was very optimistic about his future performance.

“Randy is very entrepreneurial,” Carpenter said. “I’d like to see him continue to work on increasing enrollments and to continue reaching out to the surrounding communities.”

Lane Swedberg, former Campus Activity Board vice president, delivered a “Randy is very second moment entrepreneurial. of reflection, followed by CarpenI’d like to see ter’s closing rehim continue to marks.

After a closwork on increas- ing recessional, inauguration ing enrollments the concluded, and and to continue the guests were invited to attend reaching out to a reception in Old the surrounding Admin. At the reception, sponcommunities.” sored by Creative Dining Ser–Stan Carpenter, vices, guests ate NSCS Chancellor hors d’oeuvres, listened to recorded music by a CSC faculty member, and browsed collections of student work.

A number of departments set up displays featuring work their students created and The Eagle provided tours of its newsroom while the Justice Studies Department offered guided tours of its forensic lab and mock courtroom.

Later that evening, a social hour, hosted by the Chadron State Foundation, took place in the Student Center’s Ballroom from 6–7 p.m. A formal, catered dinner began at 7 p.m. and was accompanied by a video conference with the Rhines’ youngest son, John, who delivered greetings from Afghanistan to his family.

After dinner and remarks by CSC administrators, Rhine and his wife, Ann, danced “The Tennessee Waltz” before being joined by others.

Three CSC music ensembles, the CSC Birds, Vocal Jazz Choir, and CSC Professors of Jazz, serenaded the evening.

NSCS Trustees Bob Engles, left, and John Chaney, both of Auburn, enjoy a moment of levity alongside CSC President Randy Rhine, third from left, and Nebraska Commissioner of Education Roger Breed, of Omaha, during Friday’s inaugural procession. | Photo by Jennifer Parker

Rhine clasps a folder during the inaugural procession. | Photo by T.J. Thomson

CSC’s 10th President Janie Park delivers the keynote address. | Photo by T.J. Thomson

Rhine’s presidential medallion features the college’s official seal. | Photo by T.J. Thomson

NSCS Chancellor Stan Carpenter thumbs through the inaugural program while waiting in the processional line. | Photo by T.J. Thomson