(From Left) The Rock Award Winner Carissa Johnson, and Ambassadors of the Year Erik Hageman and Presley Smith pose for a picture in the Barton Gym Friday as part of the commencement day festivities.  

May 13, 2016
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska

Barton Community College has announced its 2015-16 Brant J. Ballhorst Student Ambassador of the Year awards.  Named in memory of Brant J. Ballhorst, the award recognizes two outstanding student ambassadors each year.  The winners this year were Presley Smith of Hoisington and Erik Hageman of Abilene.

 
May 13, 2016
Story by Joe Vinduska
Photo by Brandon Steinert

Audree Aguilera of Chase and Riley Chrisler of Natoma were named Barton Community College’s 2016 Outstanding Graduates.  Dean of Student Services Angie Maddy introduced them and presented their awards, after which they took the opportunity to address their fellow graduates during the college’s 46th commencement ceremony Friday.

Barton Director of Admissions Tana Cooper (right) presents a check for $1,060 to Gail Moeder with Camp Hope in the Barton Library on Monday. The money was raised by having “Going Casual for Camp Hope” days where faculty and staff could wear jeans for $5.  The campaign ran from October through April. Various faculty and staff departments coordinated and participated in the event and they plan to hold the event again next year. 

Great Bend Tribune
Published June 5, 2016

Part I

Great Bend Tribune
Published May 29, 2016

First, before today’s topic, let us all take a moment to remember all of those whose gave their lives protecting our country and freedoms as well as those who lost their lives protecting us in our everyday lives.  Memorial Day is the traditional beginning of summer yet there will be stories on June 20th marking it as the official start of summer.  Which is correct?  The reality is that both are.  The question is why?

Barton Coordinator of Fundraising and Special Events Coleen Cape (center) presents $500 scholarships to the Best in Show 3D Award winners Madalyn Gumpenberger and Drake Toll from Larned High School (left), Best in Show 2D Award winner Karina Tapia (far right) from Ellinwood High School and Director’s Choice Award winner Tristan Smith from Larned High School in the Shafer Art Gallery Thursday. Gumpenberger and Toll collaborated on their piece and split the award.

May 9, 2016
Story and photos by Joe Vinduska

This photo of a red-eyed tree frog was taken by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore at the Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, Kan. 

May 9, 2016
Story by Joe Vinduska
Photo by Joel Sartore

 
May 3, 2016
Story by Joe Vinduska

Barton Community College’s 46th commencement is set for 7 p.m. Friday, May 13, in the Barton Gymnasium.

After brief comments from administrators, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Mike Johnson will confer the degrees. Vice President Dr. Robin Garrett will present the graduates and College Trustees will award the diplomas.  Barton will also recognize two outstanding graduates who will also address the crowd.  Garrett will also recognize Barton's Distinguished Instructor Awards.

“Panda” is a pastel piece by Megan Haynie of Hoisington High School. 

May 2, 2016
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska

Students from Great Bend, Ellinwood, Larned and Hoisington high schools have their art on display as part of the Shafer Gallery’s “Vortex Exhibit” from May 2-4. The Shafer Gallery is open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is always free.

Great Bend Tribune
Published May 1, 2016

Risk management is always a hot topic in agriculture.  What is typically meant is managing financial risk through tools such as insurance, forward contracting or cropping/livestock production strategies to minimize the risk of failure.  We most often associate risk management with money, economic survival.  What can we do to stay in business and make sure our operation can stay in business and hopefully turn a decent profit?  Today, let’s focus on another form of risk management – avoiding serious injury and even death on the farm.