# Chadron State College

Chadron State College (CSC) is a public college in Chadron, Nebraska, United States. It is one of three public colleges in the Nebraska State College System. It practices open admissions.
The school opened in June 1911, although a previous institution dated from the late 19th century. The college has an enrollment of about 2,200 students. Five of its twenty-five major buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

## Presidents

The following is a list of the presidents of the college since its founding.
| No. | Name | Tenure |
| 1 | Joseph Sparks | 1911–1916 |
| 2 | Robert I. Elliott | 1916–1940 |
| acting | E.L. Rouse | 1939–1941 |
| 3 | Wiley G. Brooks | 1941–1954 |
| 4 | Barton L. Kline | 1954–1961 |
| 5 | F. Clark Elkins | 1961–1967 |
| 6 | Edwin C. Nelson | 1967–1973 |
| 7 | Larry G. Tangeman | 1973–1975 |
| executive secretary | Edwin C. Nelson | 1975–1986 |
| 8 | Samuel H. Rankin | 1986–1998 |
| 9 | Thomas L. Krepel | 1998–2005 |
| 10 | Janie Park | 2005–2012 |
| 11 | Richard R. Rhine | 2012–2023 |
| 12 | Ron K. Patterson | 2023–present |

## 2006 Spotted Tail wildfire

In late July 2006, the college was in danger of damage from a wildfire. The Spotted Tail fire was caused by a lightning strike on July 26 about seven miles (11 km) south of Chadron. By July 28, the wildfire reached the edge of Chadron and the college campus. Fire crews prevented the wildfire from reaching the campus. The Pine Ridge escarpment south of the college, including C-Hill, was deforested as a result of the fire.

## Facilities

The 281-acre (114 ha) campus has 25 major buildings, five of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Their replacement value is more than $60 million and they provide more than 1 million square feet (92,900 square meters) of floor space. Classrooms, laboratory, and research facilities are available in seven classroom buildings and the library.
The library contains the equivalent of more than 250,000 volumes. Its automated catalogue is part of the Nebraska State College network.
Since the 1980s, the college has built several new facilities, including the Edwin and Avis Nelson Physical Activity Center, a wood-fired heating plant, the Student Center, the Lindeken-Carillon Clock Tower, a softball field, the Chicoine Center athletic facility, the Eagle Ridge housing complex, and the Rangeland Complex. An outdoor track completed construction in 2020. Multiple buildings have been renovated since 2004, including Joseph Sparks Hall, which houses administrative and alumni offices; Edna Work Hall, a dormitory; the former Administration Building, now called Old Admin, which houses academic programs and classrooms; and Don Beebe Stadium, including the rebuilt Con Marshall Press Box and Elliott Field. The college's Math Science Building is currently being renovated and is planning to be reopened Spring 2022.
Students can live in seven housing spaces.

## Academics

Chadron State College is the only four-year and graduate-degree granting college in western Nebraska; it is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission with some programs and academic units also accredited by discipline-specific organizations. It offers more than 49 majors leading to bachelor's degrees and 8 professional studies options. Pre-professional programs in the health sciences are available, including the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) conducted jointly with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Training is offered in several academic and pre-professional programs. The academic areas are divided into the School of Liberal Arts; the School of Business, Mathematics, and Science; and the School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences. The college offers four-year degrees as well as graduate programs leading to master's degrees. Pre-professional training is offered for careers in medicine and law.
Through its distance learning programs, the college provides off-campus and online services throughout western Nebraska. Courses are available each semester in Scottsbluff at Western Nebraska Community College or the Panhandle Education Center. Courses also are offered at Alliance, North Platte, and Sidney.

## Student life

There are more than 50 student clubs and organizations on campus. Athletes have earned 97 All-American and 38 Academic All-American/Scholar-Athlete honors since 1980. In addition, the college has an Army ROTC program and a rodeo team.

## Athletics

Chadron State College, whose athletic teams are known as the Eagles, competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. Chadron State sponsors 12 varsity athletic teams: men's and women's basketball; men's and women's cross country; football; women's golf; softball; men's and women's track and field; women's volleyball; and men's and women's wrestling.

## Notable alumni

* Jim Anderson – Republican member of Wyoming Senate (2001–2015); member of Wyoming House of Representatives (1997–2000)
* Don Beebe – football player
* Val Logsdon Fitch – nuclear physicist (attended for three years before being drafted into U.S. Army in 1943)
* John Freudenberg – Associate Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court
* Garrett Gilkey – football player
* Jerry D. Mahlman – Meteorologist and global warming expert
* Joel Rickenbach – served in South Dakota House of Representatives – 1975 to 1984
* Steve McClain – Head basketball coach for University of Illinois at Chicago, coached University of Wyoming from 1998 to 2007
* Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga – Governor of American Samoa (2013–2021)
* Larry Riley – Professional basketball coach
* Togiola Tulafono – Governor of American Samoa (2003–2013)
* Tim Walz – Governor of Minnesota; Democratic candidate for Vice President of the United States in the 2024 United States presidential election
* Danny Woodhead – football player