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January 23, 2019
Volume 145, Issue 15
washburnreview.org Established 1885
Dean Clark Coco announces retirement Morgan Holloway
Washburn Review morgan.holloway@washburn.edu
“If we had to go to war, I want Tech students with me,” said Dean Clark Coco. After seven years at Washburn Tech, Coco announced his retirement Jan. 10. He plans to retire at the end of June. Coco knew from third grade that he wanted to teach and coach. He started his career in Glasco, Kansas for two years as the head librarian of the school and teaching middle school science in Glasco, Kansas. Along with teaching, he spent more time out of the classroom as the assistant high school football coach, head basketball coach and assistant track coach. From Glasco, Coco picked up various coaching positions at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska and Yankton, South Dakota until he returned to high school basketball. His experience then led him to become a building principal at the girls Juvenile Detention Center in Beloit, Kansas for two years. Later he became the building principal in Cortland Scandia school district. Eventually, that led him to be superintendent of schools in Waconda until he stumbled into being president of the tech college in Beloit Hays. It was Coco’s grandson that led Coco and his wife here. Within the time frame of the year before moving to Topeka, the job opened up at Washburn Tech. Most people might look at going from president to dean a step backwards, however
Coco looked at it as an opportunity to share what Washburn University and Washburn Tech had to offer. “Washburn Tech is now home to five state-of-the-art labs featuring partners such as BSNF Railway, Case Construction, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Greenlee, Trane and Snap-on,” said Farley. “These efforts have evolved from Dean Coco’s relationship with National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), a network of education providers and corporations that supports, advances and validates new and emerging technology skills in the transportation, aviation and energy industry sectors.” Coco gives credit to all the changes that Washburn has had over the past seven years to the faculty and staff. “It was the staff and their commitment to students. I was just a little piece that brought a few ideas and opportunities to the campus. When I came in 2012, we laid down a simple process of where we wanted to go and they were gracious enough and bought into the idea we could do more and provide more. Our staff is the ones that do it every day,” said Coco. In Coco’s time at Washburn, he has created new career programs, founded the National Technical Letter of Intent Signing Day, set up new virtual opportunities through online courses, was named SkillsUSA Kansas Administrator of the Year in 2015, and helped with the plans for Washburn Tech East. Coco states that he will miss the people most when retiring. “To upgrade facilities, to bring
photo by Morgan Holloway
It’s cold outside, pass the Coco: Dean Clark Coco talks with students and faculty at Washburn Tech. Coco announced his retirement Jan.10, 2019.
some business industry things to our campus that we might not have had otherwise, to be fortunate enough to work with a staff that I’ve had a chance to work with, and a leadership team I’ve had a chance to work with. It’s not like this everywhere and it is truly a strong family atmosphere on this campus,” said Coco.
When reflecting on his career, Coco’s biggest regrets was never getting to spend enough time with students. He believes they are driven and they are at Washburn Tech on a mission. Coco states how important his students are to him. “I’ve been very blessed to have the opportunity to be with Wash-
burn University and Washburn Tech,” he said. Life has come full circle for Coco as he and his wife have moved back to Glasco, Kansas. When Coco retires he plans to travel, spend time with his four grandkids, play golf and maybe even return to coaching basketball.
photo courtesy of ipdigit.eu
A country divided: The controversial 2016 vote saw the U.K. almost evenly divided over the issue of leaving or staying in the E.U. at 52 percent wanting to leave and 48 percent wanting to stay. This has made the country and its inhabitants unsure of their future.
Brexit vote rocks the UK as the country prepares to leave union Matt Self
Washburn Review matt.self@washburn.edu
In the U.K. the most divisive issue of the present is undoubtedly the topic of leaving or staying in the European Union or as it has become known locally as, Brexit. On Jan. 15, the British Parliament voted 432 votes to 202 to reject Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal which would have made the transition for the U.K.’s departure from the European Union smoother. Now, there is a great deal of uncertainty in the U.K. as no set plan exists for the U.K. to follow when it leaves the European Union, which is set to occur on March 29. The
question of a new vote to be held for the people of the U.K. to decide whether or not they wish to stay in the European Union is still in question as well as whether the U.K.’s Parliament will vote to extend the deadline for when the U.K. is to leave the European Union. Shortly after the news of Theresa May’s defeat was released a vote of no-confidence was put forth by the opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, the head of the Labour party. May survived the vote of no-confidence, which is the second one she has faced since the Dec. 12 vote of no-confidence last year. If May had lost the vote, she would have been forced to resign and a general elec-
tion would have taken place, sending the country into more turmoil as the Brexit day approached. The British people have been severely divided on the topic of Brexit since the topic was put to a vote by the people on June 23, 2016. The divisions between those who wish to leave and those who wish to remain can clearly be seen by those who have taken to demonstrating their viewpoints while standing under Union Jack or European Union flags. Jack Van Dam, a residence hall coordinator at Washburn, who was in the U.K. at the time of the controversial Brexit vote says that the Brexit vote shocked everyone. “The people in England are very
divided on the issue. Conservatives and the far-right in England are very concerned with leaving while the Democrats and Labor Part are for staying in the E.U. as they enjoy the benefits of remaining,” Van Dam said. “Everyone was shocked at the time of the vote, people expected to remain in the E. U., no one is quite sure what will happen now that the date is approaching for the U.K. to leave.” Linsey Mogglemog, an assistant professor at Washburn’s department of political science, says that the Brexit deal will have long-term repercussions for the island nation. “I think that you could say that for the U.K., all other political matters
have taken the back burner. Everyone is worried about Brexit and no one is focusing on anything else,” Mogglemog said. “Many want to hold another vote before the March 29 date arrives or postpone the leave date to be able to draft a new exit plan.” The U.K.’s departure is not certain at the moment and the effects of Brexit cannot be fully contemplated yet. However, if the country doesn’t draft a new plan for their exit from the European Union soon or hold another vote to decide, once and for all, if they want to stay or leave the European Union then the country could be destined for a very difficult road in the next few years.
New Chess Club
LCETM
Joey Holley
Hunter Bentley
Check out the new chess club on campus that is all about promoting socializing with friends and community.
How the Leadership Insitute of Washburn has had an impact in the past nine years.
A junior marketing and entrepreneurship major, there is no doubt Joey Holley has a bright future ahead of him.
Get to know sophomore guard Hunter Bentley from the Washburn Women’s Basketball team.
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