February 28, 2020
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska

The Academic Enrichment Fund (AEF) Campaign is one of the Barton Community College Foundation’s most significant annual fundraising efforts. The campaign runs throughout March and is unique because it allows donors to specialize their gift by choosing which department or fund they would like to benefit from their generosity. All the donations are used for academic scholarships and program enhancements. There is no minimum donation amount.

February 26, 2020
Story by Yuchen Wang Boswell and Joe Vinduska
Photos by Yuchen Wang Boswell

Students from Barton’s Central Kansas Upward Bound (CKUB) group volunteered with United Way of Central Kansas (UWCK) on Saturday.

More than 20 students and staff assembled more than 400 crafts and children literacy kits for UWCK’s child literacy program.  These items will be given to children in Barton and Pawnee counties to emphasize the importance of early childhood education.

February 21, 2020
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska

Great Bend High Schooler Lawton Smith isn’t your average teenager. He already runs his own business called Mid-America Fabrication and is taking welding at Barton Community College. While his true passion is designing parts, having skills as a welder is what helps hold it all together.

“I like making parts more than welding,” he said. “I spend most of my time cutting, preparing, grinding and fitting, but it all goes hand-in-hand when you’re working with metal.”

February 18, 2020
Story by Joe Vinduska
Photo by Brandon Steinert

The nursing program at Barton Community College has announced a secondary deadline accepting student applications for the 20-21 academic year until March 1. Those who applied during the first round of applications will receive priority status. Additional applicants from the secondary deadline will fill seats as available for both the Practical Nursing Certificate and the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing.

February 14, 2020
Story by Joe Vinduska

Barton Community College’s Center for Adult Education will soon begin its nine-week GED Preparation Class. Orientation classes are the first step to obtaining the Kansas State High School Diploma through the GED Prep Program. Students must attend all orientation classes March 9-11 to qualify for classes. The first day of actual classes is March 16. The center is located at 1025 Main St. in Great Bend.

February 15, 2020
Story and photo by Brandon Steinert

Sam Henke of Great Bend, is a 30-year-old single mother to five boys ages three to 14, is determined to rise out of poverty and create a brand-new life for herself and her children.  She is pursuing an education in Automotive Technology at Barton with her sights set on running her own auto repair business. A program called Journey to Resolve Poverty, formerly known as Circles, inspired her to take action and enroll.

February 11, 2020
Story by Brandon Steinert & Luis Palacios

Barton Community Colleges is calling all alumni of its instrumental music groups to participate in a reunion and performance celebrating the college’s 50th anniversary. Attendees are invited to play in the Pep Band at a basketball game on February 22, which will be the last home game performance of the season.