790 10 9774 https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/0795b8a309f40d11c52c6f801529ce5e.pdf 3c0a9446039e2e77acb33fb2454baab8 PDF Text Text May1, 2025 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Kosine selected as Casper College's president Kylie Wheaton Chinook Writer On April 15 the Casper College Board of Trustees announced Brandon Kosine, Ph.D., as the college’s new president starting May 1. According to a press release by the college, the decision was unanimous and the board is very confident in Kosine’s ability to lead the college. The board was impressed with his work as interim president and looks forward to his continued leadership. In the same release Vice Chairman Todd Milliken said, “I am 100% convinced that we have selected the right candidate.” President Kosine said he is very excited to receive the position. He spoke about his time at the college. In the college’s release he said, “I came to Casper College to teach psychology and will soon be its president. I am humbled, honored, and privileged to continue serving Casper College and the Casper com- munity as president. I will continue to facilitate our strategic plan, which was passed last year, as well as the campus master plan, in order to move the college forward. I am also committed to increasing our collaboration with the Casper community, which has become my true home these last 13 years. I love Casper.” This decision was reached after a long, intense process, consisting of much deliberation and thoughtful planning. After a total of 66 applicants, the three finalists were announced in February. The finalists went through a final round of panels, meetings and interviews with Casper College before the April decision. Students celebrate Earth Day with first clothing swap Hailey Carr Chinook Writer In a creative effort to promote sustainability, students from the Biology Department at Casper College, with support from faculty member Kelly Keenan, organized the school’s first campus-wide clothing swap on Earth Day, April 22. The event encouraged students to refresh their wardrobes in an eco-friendly way — all without spending a dime. Keenan had long been interested in hosting a clothing swap on campus and saw Earth Day as the perfect occasion. After bringing up the idea in an environmental science course, she said she worked with a group of enthusiastic students to bring the project to life. “The goal was to offer a simple, sustainable alternative to fast fashion and highlight how much waste can be avoided by swapping instead of shopping,” said student volunteer Erin Asper. Leading up to the event, the group held several plan- Upcycled style with Riah Kylie Wheaton Chinook Writer Creativity has no limits for a Casper College student named Mariah Geis. She expressed herself through creating upcycled clothes. Last summer, Geis began creating upcycled clothes for sale under her personal brand Riah. Geis said her passion for upcycling began while taking a print making class at CC. “Everyone was printing on paper and I just thought it would be really fun to print on shirts” said Geis. “So, I went out and thrifted a bunch of shirts and started printing on them and people were like ‘I really want to buy one of these’ and I was like oh, this is a really cool, people really like my designs.” From there, Geis said she slowly started experimenting with sewing on patches which eventually led to her creating her own articles of clothing. Geis’s clothes slowly gained popularity, and she produces monthly drops consisting of 15-20 pieces per drop. Geis said one of her favorite drops was her first one entitled “Cowboys Love Fashion”. As Geis has dropped more and more collections, she’s gained more customers and is now more selective about the orders she takes. “Now I’m kind of in a place where I can be picky about what I do and don’t want to make,” said Geis. “I found out really quickly that I do have a taste and I do have a passion about what I’m making […] if I don’t love the design, I will recommend them to someone else.” Geis said she enjoys being able to be more selective on the pieces she makes because she ning meetings to coordinate logistics and design a smooth experience. From organizing drop-off and pick-up times to creating colorful flyers and digital advertisements, the team worked to make the process clear and approachable. “We really focused on keeping it simple and acces- sible,” Asper said. “It can get overwhelming if you overcomplicate it.” Participants were invited to donate gently used adult clothing and accessories in exchange for tickets, which they later used to "shop" from the curated swap collection. During the break between drop-off and pickup, volunteers sorted items and transformed the space into a thrift-storestyle setup. “We wanted it to feel like a fun, casual browsing experience — like stepping into a pop-up thrift store,” Asper added. — See Clothing swap Page 3 uses upcycling as a form of expression. “I like to think I dress pretty masculine. Like I will wear button ups, and I will wear sneakers and do things like that, but in my designs, I really cater to female clothing,” said Geis. “I think it’s a way for me to express my feminine side a little bit more.” CC student Marc Sanford helps make all this possible by being Geis’s photographer. Sanford said he is a good friend of Geis and has known her since sixth grade. Sanford said he works to help make Geis’s vision come to life. “I’m there to execute the vision she has,” said Sanford. “I just have to match the energy of what she’s trying to convey.” Both Geis and Sanford said the vibe varies from shoot to shoot, but they enjoy the creative challenge. As she continues to design new clothes, Geis said she is trying to be more thoughtful and intentional with how she is portraying the human body. Geis said she’s taken inspiration from RuPaul’s Drag Race when choosing how to design her clothes. “I’ve realized that I need to be paying more attention to the way I’m making the human figure look,” said Geis. “What shape is it giving? Like is it elevating your body or is it making it look worse? […] There [are] clothing choices that are going to make you look better and that’s something I’ve been focusing on lately.” Geis’s intentional and unique designs caught — See Upcycled Page 5 Photo Courtesy of Marc Sanford Mariah Geis, a Casper College student, found a passion for upcycled clothes in a print making class on campus. Now, she curates her own designs that the University of Wyoming fashion department plans to feature at the Kaleidoscope Fashion Show on May 3. Cattle and coordinates Bella McManus Chinook Writer Photo Courtesy of Sweetgrass Photography Nolan Hornecker is the 2025 Casper College Commencement speaker. He double majored in agriculural business and GIS. Nolan Hornecker, an agricultural business and GIS (geographic information system) major and the graduation speaker this year, wears a belt buckle with his family brand on it, passed down from his grandfather to his father, and now to him. The “shining cross” on the buckle— a cross with two beams of light shining from it— represents their family and Christian values. “I’ve got a lot of belt buckles, but this one means by far the most to me… it’s my own personal brand,” Hornecker explained. “It’s who I am and who I’m trying to be.” Hornecker is on his family’s brand registration with his father, Heath Hornecker, an agriculture instructor at CC. Being on the registration means that Hornecker will one day inherit its use. He plans to use it to continue running his own ranch like his family is currently doing. Heath said Nolan grew up around livestock and always expressed interest in the industry. Hornecker said his dad has always been a big role model to him. “I look up to both my parents, but I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with my dad being at the college here. I look up to what he does and the things he’s going out and doing… I look up to that and I want to have that ambition with the things that I want to do in my future,” Hornecker said. Hornecker’s GIS instructor, and CC’s interim Dean of the School of Science, Jeff Sun said that Hornecker is working on getting his FFA drone license to use in his future career. “You can tell he’s interested and likes it because he turns in good work,” Sun said. In a personalized class project last fall, Sun said, Hornecker worked with a group of students to fly drones over the college’s ranch and map out the hayfields. Hornecker said he’s always enjoyed maps and geography, and he said they are becoming much more prominent in the ag world. He’s looking forward to using his GIS degree and his ag business degree simultaneously, and he thinks it would be cool to use drones to spray seeds and fertilizer. As well as always having been interested in agriculture and geography, Heath said that growing up, Nolan enjoyed sports. He played football and baseball, participated in wrestling, and enjoyed skiing. Baseball was his big sport. Heath explained that his son loved the strategic side of the sport somewhat more than the athletic side and always enjoyed thinking about the statistics and technique that went into a game. “He likes to think of sports more like a chess game… It’s been fun to watch the mental side of that,” his dad explained. He said that Nolan carried this interest into his academic work as well, using strategy to do enough work to get the highest letter grade without having to get the highest percentage. After graduation, Hornecker plans to continue his schooling at a university. He said he’s loved his time at CC, especially the basketball games and rodeos, but he’s ready to get out of the wind. In the meantime, Hornecker said he will work over the summer building maps and doing data analysis for a local pipeline. “I think things happen for a reason. I think opportunities fall in place where they see fit,” Hornecker said about his time at Casper College. The graduation speaker said he wouldn’t change anything about his life or what brought him to where he is today, and the one piece of advice he would give to his younger self would be to enjoy his years in school and the people around him. “Enjoy it while you can because… it’s been a quick two years and graduation’s here in a month…. It’s gone quick,” he said. Hornecker certainly took his own advice and made the most of his time not just at Casper College, but in every aspect of his life. Using his two majors, he found a way to connect his education to his interests and the work he values. �Page 2 May 1, 2025 From the President's Desk Chinook Stance Why Parents Are “Softer” on our Younger Siblings Bella McManus Rose-tinted rants As the second oldest of five children, I often notice that my parents seem to let things slide with my younger siblings that they never would have with me. I always assumed it was because when their older children got to a point of needing less correction, they simply forgot that the younger children were still in a place of adolescence and rebellion, and were still very much in need of the guidance the older children received. As I’ve grown further away from my family, however, simply due to getting older and living more of my own life, I’ve been able to view my parents with a different lens. It seems to me now that because my parents had my sister and I when they were in their early twenties, they weren’t fully mature yet. I mean, my mom was only two years older than I am now when she had my older sister. I can’t even imagine having kids at this point in my life, especially as I often feel like I myself still need to be “parented.” So, as I see it, my parents were still growing up when they had kids. How can one be expected to raise someone well when they themselves are still figuring life out? Fast forward twenty years -- my youngest sister is twelve and my parents have both passed forty. Ironically, the older they’ve gotten, the younger they’ve acted. When my sister and I became teenagers, it seemed that they did too. They flirted with each other and joked more and were easier to relate to than ever before. They still disciplined us, but they weren’t as uptight. They weren’t as strict. I believe they finally reached a sort of relaxed state in their lives where they felt it was okay to finish living out the young adult versions of themselves that they had to put to rest the moment my mom became pregnant. This relaxed state may have resulted because my older sister and I were old enough to show them that they were doing a good job as parents, and because we were able to help watch our younger siblings some, we relieved some of the pressure on them. From this second teenager phase, they seemed to go through maturity again, but this time it wasn’t rushed due to the impending arrival of another family member; it was natural. They are the most calm and in-love versions of themselves that they have ever been, and I think it’s simply because they were able to not only complete that cycle of maturity, but also learn to heal and grow and move past whatever generational trauma they experienced. I believe this is why they are softer on our younger siblings; they are not as hard on themselves as they once were, and it extends to every aspect of their lives, including their parenting. As we wrap up another academic year at Casper College, I want to take a moment to congratulate each of our students on everything you’ve accomplished. Whether you’re completing your first semester or preparing to graduate, this is a time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the progress you’ve made. “ This year has brought its share of challenges and triumphs, and through it all, you’ve demonstrated resilience, determination, and a commitment to your goals. Earning college credits—whether one class, a certificate, or a full degree—is never easy. It takes dedication, discipline, and grit. You should be proud of what you’ve achieved. To those who will be returning in the fall: enjoy a well-deserved break this summer. Take time to rest, recharge, and refocus. We look forward to welcoming you back. Every semester is another step forward, and we are excited to have you continue your journey with us. To those of you graduating, transferring, or entering the workforce: congratulations on reaching this important milestone. You are ready. The knowledge and experience you’ve gained at Casper College have prepared you to take on new challenges with confidence. Whether you're starting a new job, continuing your education at a four-year institution, or exploring new opportunities, we believe in you and your ability to succeed. We send you off with confidence, knowing that you are ready to make a positive impact in your communities and beyond. Always remember success isn’t only measured in degrees or job titles, but in the character you bring to your work and the compassion you show to others. As president, one of the greatest joys of this role is seeing the unique paths our students take and the incredible things you go on to do. No matter where your next chapter leads, remember Casper College is always with you. You are forever part of the Thunderbird family, and we will support and cheer you on every step of the way. Casper College truly is an education for a lifetime! I encourage you to make the most of your summer. Spend time with family and friends. Enjoy Wyoming’s beautiful outdoors. Do something that brings you joy. You’ve earned it. Best wishes for a safe, restful summer and continued success in all that you pursue. Always remember success isn’t only measured in degrees or job titles, but in the character you bring to your work and the compassion you show to others. — Dr. Brandon Kosine, Ph.D., Casper College President caspercollegechinook.com Join our Chinook staff this fall! Interview & write Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore web development Create social media content The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu Learn how the U.S. immigration system allows family reunification through Family-based Immigration, including the process for petitioning a parent, spouse, or child, both domestically and abroad Saturday, May 17, 2025 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Inmigracion Basada en la Familia Hay mucho en juego a la hora de reunir a una familia. Descubra cómo y cuándo el sistema de inmigración de los EE. UU. permite que un padre, cónyuge o hijo emigre a los Estados Unidos. Revise el formulario de Petición de familiar extranjero y analice el proceso de petición de un familiar ubicado dentro del país o en el extranjero. Scan QR code for more information �May 1, 2025 Page 3 CHINOOK Clothing swap....................................... Although turnout was smaller than hoped, partly due to other clothing drives on campus, the atmosphere remained upbeat and supportive. Students who participated appreciated the chance to declutter, find new pieces, and support a good cause. Leftover items were donated to the Art Club’s clothing drive or earmarked for local thrift stores and shelters. The event not only aligned perfectly with Earth Day’s message but also sparked conversation about sustainable fashion and environmental responsibility. Organizers hope to expand and improve the swap in future years, potentially partnering with other student groups. “We’d love to see it become an annual tradition — or even just inspire people to try swaps with their friends,” Asper said. “The goal is to reduce waste and make sustainability something everyone can participate in.” With a strong foundation and a clear mission, the campus clothing swap proved that even small steps can make a meaningful difference. As organizers reflect on the event and gather feedback, there’s hope that next year’s swap will grow — drawing more students into the conversation on sustainability, one outfit at a time. continued from page 1 WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Get feedback on a draft Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu Hailey Carr/Chinook Ashlynn Johnson searches her closet for the perfect piece to bring to the clothing swap. �Page 4 May 1, 2025 CHINOOK . t p Se 5 2 0 7, 2 REGISTER NOW CC Students run FREE! Use promo code 2025CCSTUDENT when you sign up. Lookout Point Half Marathon • Downhill Half Marathon • 10K • 5K Sign up: caspercollegefoundation.org/tbird-trek Questions? Call 307-268-2325. Casper College provides equal opportunity in education and employment — caspercollege.edu/nondiscrimination. Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? The Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. HOW WE CAN HELP: • MyCCMoodle: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. Plus • Zoom Assistance: Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. lot m a ore! • Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. • Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. • Online Tutoring Guidance: Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. • Study and Work Spaces: Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. • Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! r You s our i cess ity! c u S r Prio Tyler Teresa Dave Katie FOR HELP OR MORE INFORMATION stop by Liesinger Hall, Room 132, or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Mike �May 1, 2025 Page 5 CHINOOK Upcycled................................................ the attention of the University of Wyoming’s fashion department. Geis will be featuring her new line “Business as Usual” as the head- line designer in the Kaleidoscope Fashion Show in Laramie on May 3. The opportunity is Geis’s first time showing on a runway and said she is very excited for the challenge. “I’m really familiar with […] photo shoots, live is going to be so different than what I’m used to,” said continued from page 1 Geis. “I’m going to have to think about like, okay how’s this going to look when someone’s walking in it, which is something I never really had to think about before.” Geis said she is very excited and looks forward to continuing to get her brand out there. Ready for the rodeo Tim Hubert Chinook Writer As regular season rodeo winds down, Casper College’s Interim Head Coach, Neil Williams is filling his coaching boots with unwavering confidence in his team of studentathletes. Williams is new to coaching rodeo but not to the sport itself. “I started rodeoing my freshman year of high school. I did it all the way through college and a little bit of pro,” said Williams. After the conclusion of his rodeo career, a mutual connection told him about the new head coach opening and encouraged him to take the job. He comes with the hopes of carrying on the traditions of the college’s successful program. He hopes to help the athletes get to the College National Finals Rodeo and perform at the highest level. Williams is all too familiar with performing in the CNFR. As a student at Casper College, Williams appeared in the CNFR all four years of his career, competing under the leadership of then Head Coach, Tom Parker. The team set its eyes on the CNFR, but the team first Hailey Carr/Chinook hopes to conclude the regular Junior Colten Powell competes in Saddle Bronc event at 69th annual Ropin and Riggin Days in season on a high note. The CC rodeo team competes in the Casper last month. final rodeo of the season in Laramie to at the University of Wyoming. The UW rodeo will be the team’s final opportunity to earn points and improve seeding. “If we hold our spot in second this weekend, we will get to take a team of six guys [to the CNFR]” said Williams. There are two ways to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo, and both are on the table this weekend. The first way to qualify for the CNFR is individual scores. Over the ten regular season rodeos, the CC cowboys and cowgirls earned points in their respective events with the hopes of placing in the top three in the region, effectively qualifying them for the CNFR. The other way to qualify for the CNFR is through team qualification. If the team finishes in the top two amongst other teams in the region, the team of six men or four women will compete in the finals. Currently four Casper College cowboys are qualified already for the finals, but if Casper can hold the current position of second place in the team standings, the program will qualify as a team and be able to send two additional athletes to the CNFR. Taking over as head coach in the middle of the season, Williams led the CC team for just the past three rodeos, including the Ropin’ and Riggin Days rodeo in Casper. Although at the conclusion of the regular season, Williams will only have seen his team compete at four rodeos, he shared the utmost confidence in this group. “Looking back at the standings, there's a reason they are in second place in the region,” said Williams. He spoke about how impressed he is with how the team performed in the limited action he watched this season. Casper’s James Perrin impressed Williams tremendously over the last couple of months. Perrin is in his third season with the Thunderbirds, and he is topping the leaderboards this season. The Canadian, small-town native is currently sitting in first place of all saddle bronc riders in the region. The T-Birds are all too familiar with the saddle bronc standings, as Perrin is followed by teammates Eastan West in second and Malcom Heathershaw in third place. Saddle bronc riding will be one of the biggest events for the Thunderbirds in this year’s CNFR, and fans should expect excitement and high-level competition. Casper College hosts annual lamb and pig sale Photo Courtesy of Anne Wood Casper College hosted its annual lamb and pig sale on April 5, drawing in buyers from all over the country and showcasing the hard work of students and faculty in the agriculture department.​​In the days leading up to the sale, students and staff organized the event, prepared animals, and ensured every detail was in place. The agriculture marketing class took on the responsibility of designing the promotional flyer and compiling the catalog for the sale, giving students valuable real-world experience in event marketing and coordination. The day before the sale, the college held a show to evaluate and place the animals, determining the order in which they would be sold. Agriculture Instructor Anne Wood spearheaded the event, overseeing operations and ensuring everything ran smoothly. Her leadership played a key role in coordinating both students and staff and in handling the logistics behind the scenes. On sale day, the atmosphere appeared energetic and fast-paced as students stepped into various roles to help the event run efficiently. Some students ran gates and assisted in getting animals ready for the ring while others managed buyer check-ins, handed out bidder numbers, and helped with payment processing and loadouts at the conclusion of the sale. Auctioneer Garrett Nunn kept the pace moving steadily throughout the day, helping the sale stay on schedule. CC students raised a portion of the animals offered as part of their hands-on learning while the remainder came from consignors across the region. “I was working in the office during the sale, helping check people out and process purchases,” said Karina Mysse, an agriculture student at CC. “It gave me a real-world look at how events like this are run and highlighted the importance of behind-the-scenes work.” The annual lamb and pig sale not only provides practical experience for students, but also helps strengthen community connections and support the college’s agricultural programs. Overall, the event was a great success and a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. caspercollegechinook.com �Page 6 May 1, 2025 CHINOOK Cindy Huckfeldt: Teaching Generations Natalie Benson Chinook Writer Cindy Huckfeldt taught multiple generations of students since she began teaching at age 36. Now that she’s retired from public school teaching after 23 years, Huckfeldt works at the Casper College Writing Center. Despite no longer teaching traditionally, Huckfeldt didn’t retire from teaching altogether. “I do this because it feeds that piece of me that still needs to teach,” Huckfeldt said about working at the writing center. For the majority of her teaching years, Huckfeldt taught middle school English. While she wanted to teach high school, Huckfedlt said that God kept placing her in middle schools where kids just needed someone to love them where they were and understand where they were at. Huckfeldt’s own middle school teacher influenced her feelings about students. “I didn’t learn to read until I was in seventh grade,” Huckfeldt said, “I had a very chaotic childhood, and we changed schools a lot. And when you're worried about safety, you're not worrying about your alphabet. My life was a lot calmer by middle school, and I had a teacher that handed me the right book at the right time.” Because of her experience, Huckfeldt was determined to help her own students, which definitely showed in her approach to teaching. Keenan Morgan, an education major and one of Huckfeldt’s former students, said, “I think that there are some teachers that you can tell don't care. But she wasn't like that. You could tell that she did and that if you needed something, you could probably go to her for it.” Morgan also shared how Huckfeldt helped him in middle school with a test that would make or break his grade over a book that he didn’t enjoy. While he still didn’t enjoy the book, Huckfeldt helped him understand where he needed to study and read, and he was able to pass the test. Morgan said she was also very understanding when it came to recitation tests, helping students in a way that acknowledged their fear of presenting, instead of just having them push through regardless of their feelings on the matter. Huckfeldt shared that many students who came through her class didn’t enjoy reading. She said some students didn’t have the skills and needed something to interest them so that they could practice, and others didn’t like to read because they had never been handed something that interested them. Huckfeldt said she empathized with the students and found something that would interest them, turning, as she put it, non-readers into readers. She also said that she loved how students brought new eyes and insights to books she had taught for years, or would say hilarious things that she still remembers fondly. While Huckfeldt enjoyed teaching at public schools, her time at the Writing Center is also enjoyable because of the difference in environment. She said she can still teach but doesn’t have to deal with meetings and parents, and she’s done working the moment she leaves. Huckfeldt said the writing center is also generally in a much lower stress environment where she can also work one-on-one with students, whether once or multiple times, and can give them the tools for future papers and assignments. Along with English, Huckfeldt also teaches quilting. “I have a group of little old ladies that I meet with once a week, and I do a lot of teaching and tutoring on that because they all love quilting, but not any of them had really any formal training,” Huckfeldt said with a laugh. “Come to think of it, neither have I, but I've got it figured out.” In her years of teaching traditionally at public schools and university, Huckfeldt taught students from ages 11 to 60. With the community quilting class, that number goes up to age 92, adding to the multiple generations that Huckfeldt taught. According to Huckfeldt, her favorite thing about teaching came in the connection with her students. Not only the connections day-to-day in the classroom, but also the connections with students she sees in the Writing Center, which aren’t as long term but are just as meaningful. To Huckfeldt, the compensation for teaching was the connections she made with the students. “It's the paycheck. You know? Teachers don't get paid tremendously well, it's not starvation, but… the payday comes in those relationships that work, and finding out, you know, “Mrs. Huckfeldt, I need to talk to you about what happened in my life”,” Huckfeldt Natalie Benson/Chinook Cindy Huckfeldt works with student Tim O’Brien at the Casper College Writing Center. said. As she’s getting older, Huckfeldt also said it might be time to begin the next chapter in her life. “It's getting probably time to retire again here pretty soon. I'm pushing 70 pretty awful hard,” Huckfeldt chuckled. “So it'll, you know… step out into the unknown again. …It’s good for your blood pressure.” Linda Cox: Career-long doctor, lifelong student Gentry Hiser Chinook Writer Reaching retirement age for most people signals the pinnacle of a life’s work and a well-earned time to relax, but for Linda Cox, retirement allowed time to further pursue a lifelong passion. Cox is a retired medical doctor turned student of dance and fine arts. Cox graduated from Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, Ill in 1985 with a Doctor of Medicine degree. She used her degree wisely and practiced medicine in Colorado and Florida before a job opportunity brought her to Casper. “I accepted a position here with the allergy group, Dr. Shaw, and everything seemed great. He was going to retire. I was going to take over the practice, but once I got here, I was treated kind of like a dog. It was horrible… So after about three weeks, it didn’t work out,” Cox said. She said she applied to other positions, including some out-of-state following her experience, before realizing that most practices seemed unlikely to recruit someone on the verge of retiring. While the job opportunity didn’t pan out, Cox didn’t let the move to Casper go to waste. “Meanwhile, I had driven by Casper College with my husband — it was really cold and icy — and I tried to find the dance department,” said Cox. With the permission of Jodi Youmans-Jones, CC dance instructor and NASD arts accreditation coordinator, Cox enrolled in ballet lessons. According to Youmans-Jones, “[Linda] had a whole life and then left that life and decided to go back to do something that she really wanted to do when she was 20.” Cox participated in any available dance class near her while she was still practicing medicine. When dance wasn’t available, she joined zumba classes instead, she said. Now that she is retired, Cox said, “Being back in college prevented this feeling of ‘you’re retired. What do I do with the rest of my life?’ It makes you feel young.” In 2022, Cox graduated with an associate degree in dance. Now, she’s pursuing another associate degree in fine arts. While Cox understood that CC offered the option to audit classes, she lives under the philosophy that, “Personally, I think if you’re pursuing it for something that counts, you work harder. You get more out of it.” Youmans-Jones said she believes Cox’s age comes with positives and negatives, just as an 18-year-old’s age does. “I think it brings an experience. I think it’s also— I’ve had to recognize… and she’s had to recognize that it’s also unearthing a lot of memories that are not always pleasant,” Youmans-Jones said. Cox often uses dance and art to process traumatic memories in her life, such as when she was diagnosed with breast cancer around her 60th birthday. Today, she’s over ten years cancer-free. Around the time of her diagnosis, she began using pendants she found in consignment shops to make jewelry as a form of therapeutic expression. “I got totally into jewelry making. That was my focus. I would wake up and spend a day just designing one strand of a piece I’m working on,” Cox said. She explained that, “Every piece has a story.” Cox gave many of her finished jewelry pieces away to friends and family. In 2023, Cox and Youmans-Jones published an article together entitled “Dance as a Healing Art.” YoumansJones cited both of their colorful personalities as the reason they get along so well. The article was presented as a lecture at the World Allergy Meeting by Cox and was later discussed at a World Health Organization assembly meeting. The article discusses the therapeutic benefits of dance. “Overall, the studies demonstrated that [dance interventions] provided benefits in several physical and psychological parameters, as well as executive function as compared with regular exercise alone. Impressive findings were that dance was associated with increased brain volume and function and neurotrophic growth function,” page one of the article states. Cox’ and Youmans-Jones’ article demonstrates both the creative and scientific sides of the brain coming together as one. Youmans-Jones said it was initially a struggle when Cox first came to Casper College to get her to see dance through a creative lens. “She really eventually pulled all the way back around and found, re-found her own creative side and her own way of expressing things,” said Youmans-Jones. Using her own history of Dance Medicine, YoumansJones said she had to guide an instructor that first worked with Cox upon her enrollment at CC on how to communicate with Cox’s medical brain. “First year with Jodi, she would get mad. ‘Want you to stop looking at your clinical side. Work on your creative side.’ And then towards the end of my degree, she said ‘I want you to get clinical,” Cox laughed. Cox continued, “It’s an interesting crossover. But when you think about it, there are similarities. Medicine is an art, too.” Moving forward, Cox hopes to research healing practices of art, and she’s in the process of developing an article detailing applications of therapeutic practices of art, just as she has with dance. She continues to take dance and art classes at CC, and hopes to use her knowledge to bring classes to the community via a community center. Bill Jenson: A hard working man of adversity Kadin Yeager Chinook Contributor Kadin Yeager/Chinook Contributor Bill Jenson, a Casper College volunteer and former long-time staff member, posed for a photo with the Chinook. In the Casper College Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym, the sounds of basketball players moving up and down the court mix with the washing machine and rumbling dryer. The cycle finished sound goes off followed by swift noises of laundry being moved around and folded to perfection. In that laundry room is a man who has worked to provide the nice and clean uniforms for every athlete in the gymnasium for the past three years now. The man who works in the laundry room is Bill Jenson. Jenson, for a long time, has been a staff member with the college with years of wisdom and experience. Jenson is now in his third year of volunteering with 24 years of work beforehand as a custodian. In total, Jenson has worked for 27 years at the college. When he moved to Casper, he had a friend who suggested him a night custodian job at Casper College. “After Mrs. Jenson passed away. I was going to quit,” said Jenson. “He said to come to the gym, and I’ll make sure you stay here, and I’ve worked here since.” Before working in Casper, Jenson went to the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he majored in business and says to have been quite the party animal. After college, Jenson worked at a bank as a bank teller in Cheyenne for 20 years. During his time working at the bank, he hadn’t missed a single day outside of vacation days. However, after 20 years went by, Jenson left the bank. “I left the bank because they quit paying interest on savings,” Jenson said. After Jenson quit his job as a bank teller, Jenson served in the Wyoming National Guard. Sometime later after serving in the national guard, Jenson moved to Torrington, Wyo. where he and his wife opened a restaurant called Paul’s family restaurant. After closing the restaurant, Jenson moved to Casper where from there he started to work for the college. Elizabeth Romsa, supervisor of campus services, helps Bill do everyday things and drives him to work from time to time. Romsa said she wouldn’t have the position she is in today had it not been for Jenson. “I didn’t have insurance at my former job, so my medical bills were a lot,” Romsa said. “Bill told me to come work at the college so I can help my son and that I can use him has a reference.” Romsa used to work at a restaurant here in Casper as a waitress. Jenson, who used to be a usual customer at that restaurant, would end up offering her a job at Casper College. Jenson doesn’t know when how much longer he plans to work for Casper College. However, he wants to keep going for as long as possible. “I was here for a couple of years, and I had prostate cancer, and I was gone for six weeks,” said Jenson. “So, I don’t know. It just depends.” Despite Jenson having past health problems, he has surpassed all of his family members. “My brother passed away at 78, my dad passed away at 78, and my mother passed away at 68,” Jenson said. Outside of being a party animal, Jenson likes to think of himself as someone who gets along with people very well and considers himself a very hardworking person. Jenson also values being respectful to others and wants others to keep doing the same. “Been a good citizen and respect others,” said Jenson. While Jenson’s future with the college may still be uncertain. One thing that is for sure is that he is a great contributor to the campus and has helped so many in the past. Jenson is the definition of a hard worker who has overcome obstacles and continues to provide a great service not only on campus, but to the community. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2025-05 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2025-05 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from May 2025. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2025-05 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/a4e7194e622ad89691893595166104c2.pdf 897612bf05dbaca10bd81b59615b5931 PDF Text Text October 1, 2025 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 A major move in CC marketing program Bella McManus/Chinook Ginny Garner is pictured above teaching a marketing class at Casper College. Garner worked to make changes in the marketing department to keep up with current industry trends. Bella McManus Chinook Writer Casper College will sunset its AS in marketing this year, replacing it with a new degree. Virginia Garner, Marketing and Hospitality Faculty at Casper College, said the advisory board met to address issues with the current marketing degree. Students transferring to universities were having to take different variations of the same classes at a “senior level,” and weren’t being properly equipped to enter the industry straight after graduating. Garner said the board discussed how to give students the skills they need to succeed in marketing rather than just the credits they need to transfer. This led them to create the Associate of Applied Science in Marketing. The degree, which is about three years in the making, launched this academic year, designed specifically to prepare students for the workforce straight out of CC. Garner recommends that students who want to transfer to a university go into business administration, which will get them to an advanced student business standing. Dustin Neal, a member of the marketing advisory board, said that marketing has “become a little watered down over the years.” He said that anyone can get a marketing degree, but oftentimes when they enter the workforce they lack valuable “hard skills,” such as design, web coding, photography, or communication. Neal said this new major allows students to get the degree but also focus on different skillsets, leaving graduates more qualified for the industry than many of their peers. The new AAS in marketing was designed with a strong foundation of marketing classes and a handful of business classes, and students can choose a concentration of entrepreneurship, content creation, or graphic design. Students also have the option to get a certificate in graphic design or entrepreneurship. “We call it our influencer degree,” Garner said. “Students leave here with all of these various skills that are applicable in the marketing field today.” While the degree is mostly an upgraded and rearranged version of the previous AS in marketing designed to better equip students, it does include two brand new classes: a marketing seminar and a digital marketing II class. Garner described the seminar as an entry level look at marketing, potential careers, issues, personal branding, case studies, and more, allowing new marketing students to explore the question, “where are your skills and where do you fit in?” Sasha Remp, an international student and freshman in the major, said she’s enjoyed the seminar class so far because it helps her see real-life examples of marketing and put it into practice. Students in the class are currently creating a marketing plan for the degree that will help promote the coursework to next year’s enrollees. Neal said that in a follow-up meeting about the degree, the advisory board began discussing the need for and development of an entire class dedicated to artificial intelligence, specifically its uses, purpose, ethics, and application. “We’re just now starting to see the big universities… getting it together,” Neal said. “So if Casper College… can jump on that quickly and execute it at a high level, it keeps them future ready.” Garner and Neal both said that another exciting part of the major is mentorship. Depending on what the student wants to pursue as a career after they graduate, there are marketing professionals in that industry willing to mentor them the entire time they are at CC. They will be there to share — See Marketing Page 3 Expressions: A stepping stone for creative pursuit Makiah Osborne Chinook Writer Photo courtesy of Patrick Amelotte Pictured above is the Expression staff visiting the World Heritage Site, "Taos Pueblo," in Taos, New Mexico. Listed from left to right: Natalie Plumlee, Zoe Von Gunten, Rowan Olson, Eddie Siebert, and Mike Olson. Expression Magazine at Casper College anchors the initiative that encourages every student to pursue creative work, providing tangible publications for future portfolios. Established in 1964, Expression is a student-run literary and arts magazine publishing the artwork of students and community members alike. Throughout the academic calendar, the student staff compiles original pieces, designing the magazine to fit the assigned theme of each year. Upon each annual release, a judging committee of one faculty member, one student, and one community member votes on the contents accepted into the final publication. Casper College English Instructor and Faculty Advisor of Expression Joseph Campbell said, “If it is creative, we want to see it.” The magazine’s content spans from conventional pieces such as poems and paintings to abstract ceramics and fashion design. Authentic creation finds commonality among the publications, as acceptance is not confined to a conventional box. Eddie Siebert, last year’s literary editor and current staff advisor, shared, “The goal to me at least, is to spread awareness to the fact that everyone on campus can be creative, and they are able to be a part of something that could help their career. Whether that's in schooling or in their job-life, if they want to be in art or be an artist, that (Expression) is a great avenue to get there.” As the school year proceeds, assigned students compile artwork for the current year’s issue, taking place at the end of each spring semester. Submission deadlines fall at the end of February. Traditional roles of the magazine staff include the president, general advisor, editor in-chief, and aligned personnel. Such a structure promotes student voice, not only in the magazine’s contents, but in production, editing, and publication. Expression initiates student recognition, even in the preparation process. Campbell explained, “For instance, if we're keeping up with things, you should be able to walk into Wind City Books and find a copy of Expression. You should be able to go to City Brew, over here on the East side, and find a copy of Expression so that our students are not just being recognized by their fellow students, but by the community as well”. Campbell said opportunities outside of Casper College arise from the acknowledgements of Expression. Expression, an addition to any portfolio, adds credibility and experience, both for student staff and student publications. “Submit. Now. Like I said earlier, ‘that poem, that short story, that amazing photograph you got of the mist coming in just right over your campsite -- that's not doing you any good just sitting on your hard drive,” Campbell said. “Get it out there. Let people know you have a creative eye -- you have a creative sense of how things can be put together. We want to see your work.” Expression Magazine promotes student voice and creative endeavors, encouraging students along their personal and professional career. Golden Age Scholarship opens door for senior students Taylor Crook Chinook Writer Casper College offers the Golden Age scholarship to Natrona County Residents who are 60 years or older to take classes at a reduced cost. The Golden Age Scholarship, which offers a seventy percent discount on tuition, applies to credit for both degreeseeking classes and community education classes. For degree-seeking classes, the maximum amount of credits the scholarship covers is 15 per semester. According to the Golden Age Scholarship page on the Casper College Website, the scholarship does not cover course fees, books, or supplies for a student. Larry Heinzman, a student currently enrolled in American Sign Language, takes community education classes with the Golden Age Scholarship. When asked if he would take classes without the financial assistance, Heinzman said, “I doubt it.” Heinzman, since learning about the scholarship from a friend, has taken a wide range of courses, including woodworking, electronics, German, and more. Heinzman said, “I need something to do -- to occupy my time -- to be with other people. And younger students keep me younger.” He then added that taking classes improves his quality of life, specifically within relationships. He said that it didn’t matter whether the relationships were formal or informal, but that the important part was getting to know other people and sharing with them. Like Heinzman, instructors also notice the impact of the program. Mark McCool, who teaches machine tool technology, said, “It’s lifelong learning. I think you need to because if not, not to say you get left behind, but things change and they are changing more so much quicker.” Heinzman also noted the importance of lifelong learning. He said, “I think the life of being a lifetime learner is important, whether it's formal or informal…I've had friends who sat and watched TV, and within five years they were dead.” McCool, having a multitude of students utilizing the Golden Age Scholarship, said that his classroom environment benefits from having an older adult present. He said, “He doesn't, like, do anything halfway.” He later added, “I would love to think that everybody in here would look up to that and think that's a great opportunity as a kind of a role model.” Heinzman highlighted some differ- — See Golden Page 3 Taylor Crooke/Chinook Larry Heinzman looking at the trophy case that holds and displays editions of the Expressions magazine before he heads into his ASL class. �Page 2 October 1, 2025 CHINOOK From the President's Desk Chinook Stance “ Why reading still matters Taylor Crook Off The Crook Charles Elliot once said, “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” Reading is a skill that should be practiced and utilized more often. From fictional fantasy to nonfiction novels on finance, reading is a vital survival skill essential for our schools, society, and minds. Reading can be useful, regardless of the age of the individual. When I was growing up in elementary school, I would come home from school and do my chores. Before I could relax, however, my Grandma would always make me read for at least 20 minutes a day. She didn’t care if it was a comic book or a novel; she just wanted me to read. At the time, I used to hate reading and would get quite frustrated with my Grandma. But as the years went on, I began to not only love reading, but to also see the influence those 20 minutes a day had on my education. I flew through the required novels for class, the grammar portions of our tests, and the skills of reading comprehension. Dayton Stone, a student advancing towards a degree in Secondary Education for English and Spanish, talked about the influence reading has on children and academics in general. He said, “Lower-class families are speaking only about 200 different words a day, not including the filler words such as and, or, etc. At the end of the year, this creates about a 1,000,000-word gap.” Dayton then talked about the influence of reading on bridging that gap, even just by being read to by someone else. “If you are read to daily, you hear 296,660 words per week,” he said. “It’s just about comprehension, generally speaking, in an academic setting. It helps with compre- hension of a new topic.” Reading is not just beneficial for an educational setting, however. As an adult, reading can reduce stress and worry, increase empathy, enhance vocabulary, create growth, help make informed decisions, and create longevity through increased brain activity. Reading fiction is sometimes frowned upon by avid non-fiction readers, but I would like to put an emphasis on how fiction builds empathy. While reading a fiction novel, even one with very little literary richness, readers are constantly placed in another person’s shoes. Readers live vicariously through other’s trials, tribulations, and triumphs. Thus, when another individual appears with a personal situation, it is not the first time one is trying to understand another’s feelings and experiences. Reading also promotes lifelong learning, a skill essential to adaptability and becoming a well-rounded person. Through reading, individuals are introduced to new ideas all the time, helping prevent their knowledge base and skills from becoming stagnant. To acquire these benefits, it is not necessary to read for hours on end. Even just a simple 10 minutes in the morning could be beneficial to one’s life. Coffee with a cop on campus One of the things I love most about a community college is the incredible variety of opportunities available to students both inside and outside the classroom. When you walk across campus, you see students engaged in learning, clubs meeting, athletic teams training, performances being rehearsed, and study groups gathering in nearly every corner. All of these moments represent the life of the college—and they represent opportunities for you. I want to encourage you to do something that may make all the difference in your college experience: get involved. Before I became a college president, I worked in leadership development and student activities. During those years, I saw firsthand the impact that involvement outside of the classroom has on students. The data was clear, and the personal stories were even more powerful: students who got involved in campus programs and activities not only performed better academically, they also developed stronger social networks, built leadership skills, and most importantly, were more likely to stay in school and complete their educational goals. Being involved doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some, it might mean joining a student organization that aligns with your interests or career path. For others, it could be I want to encourage you to do something that may make all the difference in your college experience: get involved. — Dr. Brandon Kosine, Ph.D., Casper College President competing in athletics, writing for the student newspaper, volunteering through service projects, or simply showing up for campus events and making connections. The key is that involvement is about finding your place and contributing to the larger community. College can be overwhelming at times, especially if you are balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. It might be tempting to come to class, finish your assignments, and then head home. But when you take that extra step—whether it’s attending a guest lecture, participating in student government, or joining a club, you open doors that extend far beyond the classroom. You gain experiences that strengthen your confidence, resilience, and ability to work with others. What I’ve learned through years of working with students is that involvement is one of the most powerful tools for success in higher education. Not only does it enrich your time in college, it also prepares you for life after graduation. Employers consistently look for graduates who can collaborate, communicate effectively, and lead with integrity. These are the exact skills that are developed when you engage with campus programs, organizations, and events. And beyond the practical skills, there’s something else you’ll find—something that may be even more valuable. You will form relationships that last. The friends you make in a student club, on a team, or in student government may very well be the friends you lean on five, ten, or twenty years from now. These are the kinds of connections that grow into lifelong friendships, built not just on shared classes, but on shared experiences. So my message to you is simple: take that step. Get involved. Don’t let these opportunities pass you by. Your time at Casper College is an investment in your future, so make the most of it, both in and out of the classroom. caspercollegechinook.com Bella McManus/Chinook A Casper College student visits with two officers during a Coffee with a Cop event on campus. The event toook place in the union on October 1. Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? Plus lot m a ore! The Casper College Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. MARK KATIE r You s our i s ces Suc iority! Pr HOW WE CAN HELP: DAVE MyCCMoodle: Online Tutoring Guidance: Zoom Assistance: Study and Work Spaces: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. TERESA Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. OMAR Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. FOR HELP OR MORE INFORMATION stop by Liesinger Hall, Room 132, or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! �October 1, 2025 Marketing... continued from page 1 insight on projects, homework, and coursework, Garner explained. Whether the student wants to go into marketing for healthcare, hospitality, television, radio, cosmetology, or something else, Garner assured that the student will be paired with a marketing professional that will help them thrive in said career field. “They should be able to walk out of here and be successful,” Garner said. Golden......... continued from page 1 ences between attending college when he was younger versus returning on behalf of the scholarship. “It's been a few years since I've been with young people, and it's nice to see that there's hope for our country, Hienzman said. He also said that they (younger students) come into class with a lot of knowledge, usually already knowing the basics of the subject. Golden age scholarship recipients aren’t only bringing connections to other students. Heinzman listed his connections to multiple instructors and faculty members. “They are very good people,” Heinzman said. “They’re friends.” Despite the added benefits of lifelong learning, mutual understanding, and connection, Page 3 CHINOOK Golden Age students sometimes find roadblocks within the scholarship. McCool noticed some struggles with the Golden Age Scholarship receipt experience. Regarding advertising for the scholarship, McCool said, “I think it’s not put out there enough…I didn’t really hear about it until I met the students.” McCool also said that some of the older students struggle to keep up with computers and technology. “It’s a wall at first, but you know, kind of turns into a little steeper hill and then a little not so steep,” McCool said. He then brought up that the younger students help the scholarship recipients with said technology. Beyond the classroom and its challenges with technology, the scholarship itself also changed in recent years. The Golden Age Scholarship now only covers 70% of tuition, when it once covered the full cost of tuition. Both Heinzman and McCool touched on the change in the percentage discounted, both remembering the change that took place in 2019. McCool noted that the discount was still inexpensive, even if the coverage wasn’t what it used to be. Both McCool and Heinzman would encourage eligible students to take advantage of the Golden Age Scholarship. Heinzman also said that the classes move fast in the college setting. “They move fairly quickly,” Heinzman. “This class covers in one day, probably, what you would cover in one week in high school.” Empower Change Seminar Join our Chinook staff! Interview & write Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore web development Create social media content The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Get feedback on a draft Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Bella McManus/Chinook Keynote speaker Damon West shakes hands with fellow seminar speaker and Casper College faculty member Terry Rogers after West's speech. Communication Instructor and Co-Director of Forensics Doug Hall served as the event's MC. Talks centered around the theme, "Empower Change: Turn struggle to strength." Contact: 307-268-2610 Contact: wco@caspercollege.edu 307-268-2610 https://writingcenter.caspercollege.edu/ Speed Friending Tired of awkward small talk? Looking to make new connections on campus? Speed friending is a fun, low pressure way to meet fellow students in quick 1-on-1 conversations - like speed dating, but for making friends! T-BIRD NEST October 21 5:30-7:00 p.m. Union/University building Room 202 A We’ll kick things off with a short group discussion to break the ice and end end with a chill debreif where you can reflect, relax, and reconnect Free snacks are provided - come for the convo stay for the vibes �Page 4 October 1, 2025 CHINOOK Behind the volleyball net Raymond Jackson Chinook Writer With the announcement of making #19 on the NJCCA National Ranking, it’s shaping up to be quite a year for the Casper College Volleyball Team. As the Lady T-Birds prepare for their next home game with Northwest College, they are sure to use the motivation, right skills, and leadership moving forward. Assistant Coach Kelly Wiedemann grew up in a volleyball family in Missouri. Coming out of junior college, she came to Casper where Head Coach Angel Sharman granted her the position of assistant coach for Lady T-Birds. She said she values the experience with Sharman and coaching players since 2023. “I think that trying to give our kids an experience where they grow as people and students and athletes when they come out of CC having more opportunities than they did coming in makes a big difference in people's lives,” said Wiedemann. “It made a big difference in mine and that is something that I hope that I can impart on our student athletes now and in the future.” Makenna Lorenzen, a sophomore and outside hitter for CC, also grew up with volleyball since elementary school. Hailing from Casper and majoring in elementary education, CC opened the door for her to pursue her passion further. During her experience, she grew to love her teammates and coaches who keep her going. “I think my teammates keep me motivated for sure”, said Lorenzen, “like when I'm having a bad game, they know, they can tell. So they just make sure to keep it positive and really fix my mindset and just say ‘you got this’!” The motivations of both the players and coaches carry on to their training and relationships. Wiedemann described technical skill as the foundation of the game. To her, it’s about what the player is doing during the game, opening up their focus on different strategies such as their direction and where to go on the court. This also includes muscle memory and visualizing the opponent's style of playing, all when trying to hit the ball and score across the net. “Whenever you do enough reps and you have that muscle memory, you don't have to think about those things [where to go], you can look across the net and be like, okay, what are their tendencies, where, who are they going to set, what are, what's open offensively and things like that,” Wiedemann says, “I like to focus more on the technical side of things because then it takes your focus off of those and it allows you to kind of broaden your vision.” According to Lorenzen, the team’s training consists of focusing on the basics by working on technical skills. She said that early on in the season, the team learns about passing, getting angles right to pass, hitting the ball, and working on footwork. Later on, they practice small drills to avoid any potential struggles they faced early on. Blocking, for instance, can be difficult when trying to close off a gap that the ball would land between. From a leadership perspective, Wiedemann said there is a balance between pushing the team to do better while not being too hard on them. The same is said even when it comes to interacting with Coach Sherman. By finding that common ground, Wiedemann believed that is what makes a good team leader. As a player, Lorenzen applies her leadership skills Submitted Photos Pictured to the left is Makenna Lorenzen, a sophomore outside hitter on the Casper College Volleyball Team. To the right is Assistant Coach Kelly Wiedemann. The two spoke to the Chinook about the team and season thus far. with overcoming challenges of her own. When it comes to a point where she is having a hard time or a negative mindset, she said she holds her head with a positive attitude and keeps trying. She also adds that humility factor of not being pretentious and selfcentered on your own team, including opposing players. As for leadership, Lorenzen said, “Being a team player, being as positive as much as you can, even when you're struggling -- it's hard because if you are not showing or giving other players like that positive stuff; it definitely can affect the other players around you… they'll match your energy and that's just like how the game will go basically… if everyone's just down on themselves, the game's going to be bad.” For the future of this season, both Wiedemann and Lorenzen say they look forward to it with a positive outlook, team relationships, and each of their philosophies of leadership. “We’re going to be a super fun team to watch, and I think we're going to get better and better throughout the year”, Wiedeman concludes, “I'm excited for this group and for their potential and the rest of our season for sure.” Women’s basketball focuses on hard work, strong culture Kaydence Parke Chinook Writer Submitted Photo Members of the Casper College Women's basketball team are pictured here walking along the Platte River Trails. The photo was posted to the team's Instagram page earlier this fall. The Neurodivergent Collective Do you have autism, ADHD, or think differently? Join us for community and support! The Casper College Women’s Basketball team demands full commitment on and off the court in order to build a strong team culture that shapes both players and coaches throughout the season. The commitment goes beyond wins and losses. Freshman guard Kennedy Davila and assistant coach Joslin Igo said the T-birds women’s basketball program is built on hard work, dedication, and a strong team culture that pushes athletes to grow not only as players but also students and people. In between individual and team practices, weight lifting, and conditioning the athletes have little free time, balancing academics and school events as part of their role in the program. But with all that hard work comes strong relationships. Davila said the team clicks well, and the leadership of sophomores makes the adjustment easier for the younger girls. Davila said, “I mean some of my best friends have come from basketball.” Igo, a former Casper College player and current assistant coach, runs the team's individual workouts, programs their weightlifting workouts, and runs drills in practices as needed. Igo said the mission starts early with the athletes they recruit. Igo said good people and smart kids off the court translates to on the court. She shared the program’s mission is to make sure the athletes are respected in the community and well thought of before anything else. “If you’re carrying yourself well off the court, you’re going to carry yourself well on the court.” Igo said. “Our goal and things is to win games, but I really think we just try to have good human beings on our team and that helps us win games.” The program would like to extend its reach in the community. The team takes part in community events such as the T-Bird Trek, suicide prevention walk, and a golf tournament fundraiser. The team plans to engage in more community events throughout the school year such as running drills with little kids in the Casper community. Lady T-birds basketball season starts with an away game in Colorado. The team's first home game is November 14 against Southeast Community College. Davila said historically the program does well and wins region nine championships. The team’s overall record was 28-7 in the 2024-2025 season. “I think we will be as successful as before,” Davila said. “Practices have been really good.” Igo said looking towards the upcoming season, the program's goals are to win the region, get active in the community, manage good grades, and carry themselves well. TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR TECH USE Meets FRIDAYS, 2-3PM Starting August 28 UU415 JOIN OUR GROUP TO HELP TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR TECHNOLOGY USE! WE WILL EXPLORE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF TECH, REFLECT ON OUR USE, DISCUSS TIPS, AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER. Topics are tailored for neurodivergent students and include: Understanding neurodiversity Executive functioning strategies for college success Sensory needs management Effective communication with instructors and peers Stress management and self-care Time management and organization Self-advocacy and accessing college resources SESSIONS WILL COVER Presented by the Wellness Center. Email: scarlett.verity@caspercollege.edu with questions PROS AND CONS OF TECH MINDFULNESS PRACTICES EMOTIONAL REGULATION SOCIAL MEDIA AND GAMES WEEKLY ON TUESDAYS, OCTOBER 7TH DECEMBER 2ND HACKING YOUR BRAIN AI COMPANIONSHIP SLEEP AND TECH USE ALTERNATIVES TO TECH 3 - 4 PM UU ROOM 415 �October 1, 2025 Page 5 CHINOOK Adult Learning Center empowers non-traditional students Jonathan Togstad/Chinook Included above is a photo of the Adult Learning Center, located in the Werner Technical Building on Casper College's campus. Jonathan Togstad Chinook Writer While many students succeed in a traditional classroom and education setting, others often find that the average public school classroom impedes their education. The Adult Learning Center is working to address this problem. Located in the Werner Tech building, the Adult Learning Center assists non-traditional students in GED/HiSet testing, career skills, college readiness, and many other partner programs. The center’s aim is to not only educate students who have struggled in the past, but to also assist students in overcoming the large barriers to education they may face. The center served 306 students last year – the number makes it the third-largest high school in Natrona County. A major program offered by the center is English as a second language, which assists students not only domestically but also internationally. Director of the Adult Learning Center, Kat Bohr-Buresh, emigrated from Germany as a child, and the center hired her to teach English as a second language in 2016. She said, “That was a really wonderful experience because the students and I had so much in common. Maybe my English skills were significantly higher at that point, but I could be their teacher and I had a lot of the same experiences.” Bohr-Buresh's teaching skills lead her to role director last year, where she now handles administrative needs and organizes student outreach programs alongside Wyoming’s state advocate for adult education and instructor Rochelle Hampton. Since the center is focused on the non-traditional student, the staff is flexible when it comes to class schedules and caters to the different ways someone might learn. For example, students can choose to take classes face-to-face, online, or take home a workbook. The center also offers a guided lab for students who want to learn at their own pace, but might need occasional help from an instructor. “Everyone can learn. They just have to do it in their own way,” said Rochelle Hampton. “I really like working with adults and helping them find those resources they need, and showing them that the classroom doesn’t always have to look like it does in a traditional school.” The non-traditional nature of the center’s teaching style attracts students who often encounter terrible experiences in the traditional school system. Students’ peers can be a hurdle to their education, for others certain teachers lead to a negative experience, and the parents of many do not see education as essential. The center prioritizes connecting students to other assistance programs, and Bohr-Buresh called these connections a crucial aspect of the center’s success. She said, “When you don’t have food to eat you can’t concentrate on class. And if you don't have transportation you can't come to class.” The center’s mission is both to educate students who were not able to graduate from high school, and to make that education possible by alleviating some of the struggles students endure. For the students who have utilized and taken advantage of the learning opportunities the center offers, they have been very successful in reaching their life goals. In addition to its other programs, the center works with the Casper Reentry Center to assist individuals with reintegrating into their communities, as well as their education goals. Former ALC student and current Casper College student Bryce Dacus completed the program and helped his peers. Dacus battled addiction issues and came out on top. Evan Fagerstone, another student who has had great success at the center, said that he started attending the center in a time of hardship. He could not attend public school due to time constraints, and the center helped him finish his schooling and look to his future. With all the education the center offers, Fagerstone said the most important thing he learned is to have confidence in himself. “Growing up, I never thought I could really do it. I never felt like I really amounted to anything growing up, so coming made me feel like, ‘wow, there’s a lot I can do.’” The center’s programs have and continue to make an impact on students who attend them, and have made education possible for so many. When participating in student outreach, Hampton said that many do not understand what the Adult Learning Center is. “They hear adult education, and they just automatically think college. They don’t realize that there’s this whole space that kinda fills in that gap between,” said Hampton. Outreach and awareness of the center’s many resources for students is important for enrollment and allows the center to reach more students in need of educational assistance. Hampton said the instructors are the biggest cheerleaders for students going through the program. Some of the students they are most proud of are not just ones that graduate but the ones that come back even with all of the struggles and hardships of life, said Hampton. “One of the biggest celebrations for the whole center is not necessarily when somebody gets their equivalency but when they’ve been gone for a while and they come back… Anytime we see a familiar face come through the door they’re welcome with open arms. It just makes our day.” Veterans Club fosters camaraderie, support at Casper College Kaleb Lundine Chinook Writer For many veterans, the transition from military to civilian life means losing the deep-seated camaraderie that defines service. The Veterans Service’s Club at Casper College is actively working to change that, one connection at a time. Kursten Larsen, the president of the Veterans Service’s Club at Casper College and, with Rhiannon Leinius, a member of the Veterans Service’s Club, shared their experiences with the Chinook Larsen is a former United States Marine. She served for five years as a Helicopter mechanic, including an eight-month deployment to the Middle Eastern region. Leinius is a current member of the club, and a very close friend to Larsen. The club is currently advised by Patrick Amelotte, an English professor at Casper College, and a Former US Marine. Larsen described Amelotte’s involvement in the club as “one of the best things that’s happened to us.” “My biggest motivation has to be supporting the community, especially the community of veterans,” Larsen said. “A lot of us have this very strong feeling that when we leave the military, we lose this camaraderie... So, the club really helped me find that.” Larsen said camaraderie continues to be her personal mission as president of the club. The club operating out of the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) in Gateway Building room 207, serves as a vital hub to the campus. Its core mission is to assist veterans in achieving academic success, working on career development, and reintegrating into civilian life. “The gap that we fill is the human aspect” Larsen explained. “The VA offers a lot, but it’s a very confusing and complicated system for many veterans. Many newer veterans suffer from things like imposter syndrome where they don't feel that they deserve the benefits that they had earned.” The Veterans Club bridges that gap by offering peer to peer guidance on topics like navigating VA claims and, GI Bill benefits, among other helpful resources. Beyond administrative help, the Veterans Club provides comforting space with study areas, noise cancelling headphones, laptops for school-use & most importantly a warm welcoming environment. Larsen shared an example to illustrate the impact the club has on its members. She Told a detailed story about an old Vietnam veteran who began visiting the center over the summer. “He came in and said there were so many people who just saw him as some crazy old man. But we sat and we listened... You could just see a relief overcoming him,” Larsen shared. “It was great to be able to see that and help this man.” Looking forward the club aims to expand its reach by hosting more inclusive events that accommodate veterans who often balance school, families, and jobs. A key opportunity for members is the chance to attend the national Student Veterans of America Convention, which primarily focuses on building leadership, networking and career development. While veteran focused the club also seeks to help build bridges with the wider Casper community through many volunteer events with organizations such as, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, The Platte River Revival and many other organizations in the local area. The Veterans Club also participates in annual fundraisers and charities like the T-Bird Dog Trek, and the Annual Wyoming Veterans ball. For those interested in joining or supporting the club the message is simple. “Please come. We would love to have more people... Whether you're a veteran or a civilian, everyone is A trek course for everyone Photo Courtesty of Cy Kranek Kursten Larsen and Josh Adrianos Kurstin Larsen (middle) thanks the many community members and their dogs for walking at the Veterans Club's annual "Dog Trek" on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Union/University Lawn. Over 40 participants walked their dogs 1.5 miles through the innercampus loop of Casper College. always welcome. The ultimate goal is to create a legacy of support that continues to serve students long after its current members have moved on.” Makiah Osborne/Chinook John Jorgensen and Jane Olson are pictured above on the final stretch of the T-Bird Trek. Makiah Osborne/Chinook Trek participants CY Kranak and Kurstin Larsen carry the Wyoming and United States flag on September 12. Makiah Osborne/Chinook Casper College alumni Derrel Carruth and Registrar Linda Nichols hand out medals to race participant Amanda Bratton at the Trek's finish line. �Page 6 CHINOOK INTERNATIONAL DINNER SERIES: COLOMBIA Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 5:30-7:30 p.m. Celebrate Colombia’s rich culture at Casper College! Enjoy authentic cuisine, educational displays, and presentations by Colombian natives. Explore art, music, food, exports, and more. Register by Wednesday, Oct. 22. Cost: $13 Fees: $28 Students with a valid student ID will receive 50% off the class fees, but hurry, spots are limited! Casper College provides equal opportunity in education and employment — caspercollege.edu/nondiscrimination. caspercollegechinook.com October 1, 2025 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2025-10 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2025-10 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from October 2025. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2025-10 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/7dd8df37605cae7cb34f8374312926d0.pdf 7c493bd7b7f60bbec6f00355a78ad9cc PDF Text Text November 1, 2025 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 The longevity of the bookstore at Casper College Makiah Osborne Chinook Writer Casper College is currently considering whether a physical bookstore will remain on campus or if students will transition to virtual textbooks henceforth. Considering textbook as a core component to student learning, decisions regarding their accessibility hold impact. Amanda Fisher, manager of the bookstore, said, “We have been a bookstore, and we have been at the college for so long.” She went on to say, “We’re now seeing that the new generation, they are so used to virtual learning that they don’t want books.” Fisher said that COVID affected the learning preferences of younger generations. She said students select virtual textbooks more commonly over hardcover copies. Fisher stated, "So now, we’re slowly transitioning to doing both (virtual and hard copy books) here.” According to the fall 2021 Digital Learning Pulse Survey: The Digital Transformation of the Community College, “Community college administrators are even more positive about the future use of digital materials, with 84% saying that they 'Somewhat agree' or 'Strongly agree' that they will include more digital materials and digital resources in their future course offerings” (Seaman, 2023). An uprise in virtual textbooks began during the COVID pandemic, aiding students with virtual learning from home. Global necessity turned into a common practice. As times and learning methods change, institutions continue to evolve as well. At CC, the concept of a virtual store has taken root, following the example of the University of Wyoming. Fisher said that UW shifted its bookstore process in response to an increase in virtual textbooks, supplying physical textbooks only from the requests of individual professors. Fisher said that the store on campus acts as a student merchandise shop that also aids textbook inquiries. Otherwise, students primarily access textbooks through Follett Access, the common textbook platform between both institutions. Fisher said, “We still have a lot of professors that are old-school, and they like to have their students have (physical) books. And we have some professors that are totally on board. They’re ready to make the transition. They’re ready to do all the things.” Fisher said the college as a whole is not ready to transition to a strictly virtual platform. Eric Atkins, a world languages instructor that is also on the bookstore committee, spoke on the topic. In an email, he said, “There are many different disciplines on campus whose instructors and students have diverse needs when it comes to course materials. A one-size-fits-all approach is not realistic, so finding the best way that the bookstore can meet the needs of educators and learners is important. Digital mate- rials may work for various classes and programs, but allowing for physical books, or making exceptions, when requested, seems reasonable. As the world evolves into a digital age, CC aims for student success beyond the classroom. This means contemplating whether learning is better achieved through traditional methods (hardcover textbooks), or through virtual platforms such as Follett Access. Some would say, the issue is a matter of institutional evolution versus quality preservation. Tannis Lovercheck-Saunders, history and gender and women’s studies instructor, said, “The digital world is great because it gets so many more resources available. However, I still think there’s a place for the hard copies because people need to realize that if you just exist in a digital world, you’re missing something.” Differing opinions claim otherwise, considering virtual learning as a more immersive approach. Fisher said, “I think virtual learning is awesome because there’s so much more... it’s more interactive.” Coinciding with this issue, textbook prices deserve evaluation. Ethan Fife, communication instructor and member of faculty senate, stated, “I feel like hard copy versus digital is a very qualitative answer. Some kids like it, (and) some kids don’t. But you know what every — See Bookstore Page 3 Makiah Osborne/Chinook Kyndel Kisner, a general studies major at Casper College, is pictured shopping at the campus bookstore, located on the first floor of the Union building. Navigating the parking puzzle at Casper College Kaleb Lundine Chinook Writer — See Bookstore Page 3 Kaleb Lundine/Chinook Pictured above is a no parking sign located outside the Liesinger Hall building. Bella McManus Chinook Writer A Fond Farewell The Education Department at Casper College will miss Kerri Mahlum as she wraps up her last semester at the college. The education instructor is retiring after teaching at CC since 2001. Mahlum’s textbook, “Positive Guidance for Young Children: A Proactive Approach” is coming out in January after being in progress for three years. Mahlum is in remission after receiving a cancer diagnosis two years ago, when she took a break from writing to get better. She said via email that she gave feedback on other textbooks and was asked by the publisher to write a textbook of her own with her specific interest. “I've always been passionate about helping children grow into great adults,” she said in her email, “and I think the best way to do that is to help them learn to be kind to themselves and others.” Mahlum was a student at CC before transferring to Union College for her bachelor’s, and then to University of NebraskaLincoln for her master’s. She moved back to Casper and taught elementary school until an adjunct position opened up for an intro to early childhood class, which she ended up teaching once a semester until the head of department retired and she took over the role. Mahlum said she was struck by how many similarities there were between her elementary school students and her college students. “People are people, you know? Kids get bored. Adults get bored,” she said. She said she used many of the same strategies on both children and adults by engaging her students, exciting them, and giving them things to do with their hands. Mahlum said, “Plus, teaching in the education department -- I wanted to make sure I was teaching my classes in a way that students would know that's how they need to teach children. I wanted to model that. So, I wanted to be a really good teacher.” The Director of the Early Childhood Learning Center at CC, Emily Calmes, who was a student of Mahlum’s, said that her personality, kindness, and willingness to be human stood out to her most. “She’s an instructor who is just so relatable…. She makes it feel like you’ve just known her forever,” Calmes said. Calmes started as a nursing student with Mahlum as her advisor before she switched majors to early childhood. She went on to get her masters in innovative early childhood from the University of A familiar challenge rears its ugly head “Parking.” Growing demands from both students and faculty have put pressure on the current college’s administration to develop a solution and fix the parking problem for good. “The challenge will be to make parking more accessible for students and faculty at the southern campus,” Mitch Masters, director of faculties at CC said. “Our parking -it's just not necessarily located where a lot of the classes are taking place, and we were looking at potential solutions.” Isaac Agee, a student and dorm resident at Casper College finds the parking situation inadequate. The primary complaints focus on limited parking around specific buildings. “Finding a spot to park, whether that be around Liesinger or Strausner hall, has Colorado, working in the ECLC the whole time. “So, she’s seen a lot of me in the last 20 years,” Calmes said about Mahlum. Calmes fondly thinks of how Mahlum calls her open-toed shoes “prison shoes,” and had told Calmes when she was a student teacher that if she didn’t buy “real shoes” then she would fail her class. “So I got a pair of close-toed shoes to wear just for student teaching and have not worn them since,” Calmes laughed. Mahlum said she is immensely proud of Calmes and all that she’s accomplished, saying that she continued to grow throughout the years and became an amazing leader in early childhood. While Mahlum is sad at the thought of the college losing “institutional memory” after she leaves, stating that she has things she remembers that the current staff could benefit from learning, she is truly looking forward to “goofing off.” Mahlum took her cancer diagnosis as an opportunity to reevaluate her life, making the decision to plan her retirement this year. She said she always works hard and plays hard, and she is looking forward to sleeping in, making bread, playing with always been a struggle,” Agee said. Many people needing to park around those two buildings end up parking on the side of the road or at the nearby Visual Arts building. “The solution is we try to get more people on board and utilize the parking that already exists," Masters stated, pointing to lots of parking located around the Gateway Building that often remains underutilized. “Maybe we need to try to change some of the culture on campus. Walking a little bit shouldn’t be the end of the world,” Master’s suggested. This philosophy is directly influencing long term planning on campus. With each new building or remodel, the college is now tasked with considering the long-term parking footprint. The question then becomes where to add more parking and what qualities may need to be sacrificed for the greater benefit of the people. One significant solution many have proposed is the demolition of Wheeler Terrace, which could serve as a significant piece of land for future parking. Masters’ said that this solution is currently being discussed. “There have been idea’s that future parking spaces could be utilized at Wheeler," Masters noted, suggesting that Wheeler could serve as additional parking for the nearby dorms, or the nearby sports fields located to the west of campus. However, Masters emphasized that "nothing has been decided 100% on what we're doing, and the project surrounding Wheeler itself remains in preliminary discussions.” Looking ahead, campus staff is planning to install potential upgrades around campus to enhance safety mea- — See Parking Page 3 Photo Courtesy of Kerri Mahlum Kerri Mahlum, retiring education instructor, is pictured in her — See Farewell Page 3 office. �Page 2 November 1, 2025 CHINOOK Chinook Stance The Importance of Side Questing Chinook reporters hit roadblocks with new interview restrictions Taylor Crook Off The Crook Casper College student journalists recently faced new challenges when trying to conduct interviews on campus, particularly with certain administrative departments. The issue made it all the way to the college’s executive council last month. This semester, multiple Chinook writers found that to speak with members of the Casper College Financial Aid Department, they first needed to submit a list of the questions they planned to ask in the interview. The department also requested the opportunity to read the final article for accuracy and to submit edits before official publication in the Chinook, a practice that has never been part of the Chinook’s reporting process. The Chinook has been in publication on campus since 1945. St udent jou r na list Kaydance Parke encountered this requirement when she inquired about the student loan forgiveness program. I ran into the same restriction while reporting on the Golden Age Scholarship, a scholarship that benefits older students at CC. Financial Aid asked me to conduct the interviews through email, provide the questions beforehand, and allow them to edit the final draft before publication. Lisa Icenogle, CC’s public relations editor and news coordinator, said, “Yeah, we could ask for questions ahead of time, and some people do want to see the story before it gets published because they want to know what’s going on.” Icenogle said financial aid reached out to her for advice. She said, “Somebody [financial aid] had called me and said they were concerned about what kind of information and I said, ‘You can always ask for questions in advance.” CC’s Director of Public Relations, Christopher Lorenzen noted that he prefers only qualified individuals speak on behalf of the college to avoid placing interviewees in difficult situations. Lorenzen also wondered that because the Chinook is published on CC’s website and accessible to anyone in the community, if the Chinook is considered “external media.” If so, the Chinook would be subject to a policy requiring all media inquiries to go through the public relations department. Executive Council unanimously agreed the Chinook is not an external media source -- a win for the student news room. However, that decision highlighted an inconsistency: professional media outlets aren’t held to the same prescreening standards. Dan Cepeda, a features editor and reporter for Oil City News, shared his recent experience writing about CC. “I do have to go through PR, and they will usually facilitate the interview as well as sit in during the process. However, they don’t ask for prepared questions in advance and have never asked to approve articles, which is something that we’d never agree to in the first place,” Cepeda said in an email. Lorenzen explained why Chinook writers faced more restrictions than Cepeda, who wrote a story in August about the closing of one of CC’s student housing options. Lorenzen said that Wheeler Terrace, the apartment building, was pretty straightforward compared to financial aid. “[It’s] something we’ve been working on for a long time,” Lorenzen said. “It was just lots of content and fairly easy to do.” In the Chinook’s case, PR suggested asking for questions in advance and for final article approval post-interview to make the interviewee in financial aid feel more comfortable. Lorenzen said there is not a written policy for such a process – it’s merely a sug- gestion. Later, he added, “I mean, you really can't edit a reporter's story.” Now that executive council concluded the Chinook is part of the campus community and not an outside media source, student reporters hope that means fewer restrictions when interviewing administrators moving forward. CC’s own "Students' First" document published in 2024 states that a “students first” culture puts “students above process.” A direct quote from the document reads, “At Casper College, education is not merely a transaction; it’s an ongoing, engaging, and passionate dialogue between educators, staff, students, and their families.” It also encourages staff to take risks and work through discomfort to benefit innovative thinking and support others.” By limiting interviews or imposing editorial oversight, departments risk violating these very principles while undercutting experiential learning opportunities for journalism students. CC students are not the only ones facing these roadblocks. It is happening across the nation. Brian Rosenzweig, a Herald Times reporter, wrote a story published on Oct. 23 about a first amendment issue at Indiana University where administrators reportedly interfered with student media operations. A lawyer for IU’s student paper cited Husain v. Springer (2007), which forbids administrative interference with student media speech at public universities — a precedent relevant to CC’s situation. While CC student reporters have not encountered outright censorship like IU students, they hit barriers much earlier in the process with departments avoiding interviews. Chinook student reporters struggled to learn and gain applicable experience of the reporting process because they were restricted before the writing process even began. Since Casper College’s Executive Council clarified the Chinook’s standing, student reporters hope campus leaders will recommit to the college’s “Students’ First” philosophy, putting education, experience, and free expression ahead of institutional discomfort. Bella McManus Rose-tinted rants Everyone should go on at least one side quest a week. It is the ultimate, and arguably the most fun, way to keep your priorities straight and your perspectives fresh. A side quest is essentially any impromptu adventure. Fishing at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday because playing cards was boring, soaking your jeans jumping in puddles after it rains, agreeing to a last minute weekend trip, go karting and drive-in movies with your sister -- side quests are the good moments that shape a great life. Side quests got their name because in roleplaying video games, there is a main plot that you must complete to win. Any optional or second- ary task is a side quest, because it does not help complete the main plot in any way. In life, side quests will not advance your career, pay your bills, or further your education. So, what’s the point? Why bother? Well, for one, you can’t plan them, so thinking of them in terms of something that needs to be intentionally added into life is useless. A true side quest is something that makes you step back and say, “I did not expect my day to end up here when I woke up this morning.” No one truly expects to find themselves at a park at midnight eating an 86-cent pie from Walmart, or on a walk with the sole intent of rescuing worms and slugs from the sidewalk after the rain drew them out. Making side quests a regular (yet still sporadic) part of your life starts with being able to look at things as an opportunity to go out and discover more about yourself and the world around you. Almost everything offers the potential to be enjoyable if you choose to find the fun. Even being stranded on the side of the road for five hours on your birthday – speaking from personal experience – can turn out for the best. I ended up meeting a lovely couple that took me into their home and fed me leftover pizza while I waited for my dad to rescue me. It is one of my favorite birthday stories to tell. Another practical way to embrace a side quest lifestyle is to say yes to more. Just because an outing wasn’t a part of your plan to begin with doesn’t mean it would be a bad thing to allow yourself to do Oftentimes we get too set in our schedule to try new things, especially if these new things seem pointless or frivolous. I believe that if it makes you smile, deepens your relationships, or brings just fun, then it isn’t pointless. We were not born to wake up, go to work, go home, and repeat. We were designed to discover and to explore the world with childlike wonder, yet when the time comes that we are able to do so with the freedom of adults, we no longer feel the desire to explore. These silly little side quests are a big part of what give life true value. Accepting that life is unpredictable and embracing its spontaneity allows us to enjoy it to the fullest. Lady T-Birds Undefeated in conference play Photo Courtesy of Chris Lorenzen Peyton Carruth digs a ball out of the net against Western Wyoming Community College. The Lady T-Birds are 10-0 in conference play and 22-7 overall. WRITING CENTER caspercollegechinook.com The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. The Neurodivergent Collective Do you have autism, ADHD, or think differently? Join us for community and support! Meets FRIDAYS, 2-3PM Starting August 28 UU415 Topics are tailored for neurodivergent students and include: Understanding neurodiversity Executive functioning strategies for college success Sensory needs management Effective communication with instructors and peers Stress management and self-care Time management and organization Self-advocacy and accessing college resources Presented by the Wellness Center. Email: scarlett.verity@caspercollege.edu with questions Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Get feedback on a draft Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 Contact: wco@caspercollege.edu 307-268-2610 https://writingcenter.caspercollege.edu/ �November 1, 2025 Page 3 CHINOOK Bookstore............................................... student likes? Cheap books.” An additional factor is the financial sustainability of hardcover versus virtual textbooks. Fife said, “What I see is generally, a lot of digital books do not actually give a significantly better price. That was always the sell of a digital book - that they were going to be significantly cheaper, but it turns out, when you are in a market that isn’t actually a market, that every student has to buy the book, there’s no actual incentive to reduce the price just because you converted it into a PDF.” Textbooks remain a constant necessity for students, though the conversation of the most viable option continues to cycle. Differing opinions, cultural shifts, and financial roadblocks lie at the center of an unanswered problem. Fisher said, “What is hap- pening is some students are just not buying books because it’s too expensive and they can’t afford it, so their grades are dropped.” In the process of compiling concerns and rising questions, Parking................................................... sures when it comes to parking lots. In the future, the college will work to install new LED lighting around the campus parking lots. “Definitely it is our goal to have more lighting around campus for safety precautions," Masters said. Another modern consideration being discussed is the implementa- tion of electric vehicle charging stations. While the college is currently without charging stations, Master’s acknowledged that the stations haved been brought up before, though plans to implement the stations have not been enacted. The challenge, as with many parking decisions, is balancing utility Farewell...... with space. "It makes sense, right?" Masters said. "But then at the same time it's like, well, if there's only two cars utilizing the charging stations, is it worth it taking up 10 spots?" For now, the colleges' approach to parking is one of strategic management rather than major expansion continued from page 1 the future state of the bookstore remains in question. “It is my understanding that a physical bookstore will remain on campus, though the size, form it takes, and content may be different,” Atkins said. continued from page 1 or implementation. The college sees abundant parking space, though it seems much of it is underutilized due to its less than desirable location away from popular classroom spaces. Still the path forward involves integrating parking considerations into new projects, whether that be potentially reclaiming land like the former Wheeler Terrace apartments or encouraging the campus community to utilize the existing, if slightly more distant, parking lots as a viable solution. As the campus continues to evolve and grow, so too will the ongoing effort to solve the campus’ parking puzzle. continued from page 1 her dogs, and traveling. She planned a week in London and hopes to one day go to Egypt to explore her more unspoken interest in Egyptology. She said that she will adjunct for classes at CC or the University of Wyoming if asked, because she loves teaching too much and doesn’t expect to ever stop. Something Mahlum said she would tell her younger self just starting at CC is to always put the students first, and she feels she lived up to this advice very well. “I know that's a cheesy phrase,” she said. “But I do think that's the thing I did well -- when I made decisions, it was based on what's going to be best for my students.” Calmes said that Mahlum truly led by example and shared such a passion for what she does that it is hard to imagine what the early childhood department will look like without her presence. While Mahlum is expecting, and hoping for, a quiet leave in December, Calmes said too many people love her too much for that to happen. Join our Chinook staff! TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR TECH USE Interview & write Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore web development Create social media content The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu JOIN OUR GROUP TO HELP TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR TECHNOLOGY USE! WE WILL EXPLORE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF TECH, REFLECT ON OUR USE, DISCUSS TIPS, AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER. SESSIONS WILL COVER PROS AND CONS OF TECH MINDFULNESS PRACTICES EMOTIONAL REGULATION SOCIAL MEDIA AND GAMES WEEKLY ON TUESDAYS, OCTOBER 7TH DECEMBER 2ND HACKING YOUR BRAIN AI COMPANIONSHIP SLEEP AND TECH USE ALTERNATIVES TO TECH 3 - 4 PM UU ROOM 415 Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? Plus lot m a ore! The Casper College Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. MARK KATIE r You s our i s ces Suc iority! Pr HOW WE CAN HELP: DAVE MyCCMoodle: Online Tutoring Guidance: Zoom Assistance: Study and Work Spaces: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. TERESA Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. OMAR Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. FOR HELP OR MORE INFORMATION stop by Liesinger Hall, Room 132, or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! �Page 4 November 1, 2025 CHINOOK Wheeler Terrace to be demolished Future campus apartment options uncertain Raymond Jackson Chinook Writer Following graduation in May, Casper College’s Wheeler Terrace apartment building closed for demolition. Casper College staff have not yet decided what to do with the original building site. Without Wheeler, the college’s apartment style housing options will be cut off entirely with plans for a new building still up in the air. Since opening its doors in 1970 for young families and sophomores, the building faced several issues with where and how it was built. Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Corey Peacock stated that the site suffered from asbestos insulation, underground water intrusion, and a general lack of upkeep. Peacock added that updates to its MEP system (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) would cause more problems than solutions. “For us to extend the useful life of that building, we would have had to have put a significant investment into replacing all of those systems,” said Peacock. “And the reason that we didn't want to do that with Wheeler is, and I wasn't alive when it was built, but it's not the best building site.” New apartments replacing Wheeler are still being considered, but the apartments would be built elsewhere. Peacock said a parking lot is being considered as an option for the Wheeler Terrace location. Several companies have been recruited to work on a comprehensive plan for such a building. Cyan, a company conducting CC’s housing study, is finding that students prefer apartment-style living on campus. In regards to the current on-campus living option – the residence hall – Residence Hall Area Coordinator Elizabeth Dobson said that improved air conditioning, flooring, kitchens, beds, and laundry facilities are several priorities in what the residence halls are looking to improve. “There's a lot of moving pieces and we can't just say ‘yeah we're going to build a new facility’ even though there's clearly a demand for it and we would love to fill that demand,” Dobson said. “There is so much to consider in terms of the long-term goals of our college and what projects we already have going… Raymond Jackson/Chinook Included above is a photo of Wheeler Terrace as it currently stands, closed off to the public for demolition. The apartment building opened on campus in 1970. it's a larger conversation that I'm lucky to be a part of.” With potential new housing opportunities, the budget for such a project is concerning. Peacock said that a 125-bed apartment style building comes in at an estimated $26.6 million to finance. An option for a 36-bed is estimated to cost $8.6 million. “That was the other side of what we asked this company to do was not only measure demand, but also look into what would it cost for us to build a new complex and how would we make that work in terms of how much we charge students to live there,” Peacock said. “The thing that students might not realize is when you look at academic buildings on a college campus like Casper College, a public campus, the state will usually fund about half of the cost of those buildings, and then we usually fundraise for the rest.” New housing at CC may be on the horizon, but work is being done to improve the current standard of living and availability of the residence hall. Without Wheeler Terrace, housing options are limited for the time being. However, students will still be able to live and thrive on campus and have their needs met, with or without additional options. “We of course have to operate from the perspective of it may not be in the budget -- it may not be in the financial card -- but I will always advocate that apartment style living options that are specifically available to students versus external outside of campus where they're available to anyone,” Dobson said. The role of AI in the college's education department Submitted Photo CC student Kurstin Larsen is pictured above working on developing a lesson plan for how to teach students to use AI responsibly. Kaydence Parke Chinook Writer At Casper College, Education Instructor Abigail Bishop is guiding future teachers to use artificial intelligence as a tool for inquiry-based learning. Bishop emphasizes using AI responsibly, showing future educators how to treat technology as a resource in learning rather than a replacement for human connection in the class- room. As programs like ChatGPT, Magic School AI, and Google Gemini spread through higher education, instructors everywhere are juggling with the unknown questions about academic integrity and creativity. Bishop works to embrace curiosity instead of fear. “It’s about how we maintain the integrity of what we’re doing and balance that with technology that can help make things more efficient for us,” Bishop said. Bishop teaches courses like Instructional Technology and Foundations of Education where she helps students explore responsible ways to incorporate AI in a real classroom setting. Bishop said she believes instructors should do their best to prepare students to use technology ethically rather than punishing students for showing interest in AI. Bishop practices a “school of thought,” where she guides students to use AI ethically and grants them second chances to make the work their own. She said it’s not a slap on the wrist for her -- it’s a learning process. “In higher ed we are dealing with basically a brain that’s still developing so our executive skills like planning, time management, task initiation -those are not all on board 100%,” Bishop said. “And for most students, the reason why they procrastinate is they just don’t even know where to start.” Bishop explained AI can be one of the tools that provide insight or structure to help students begin their work. Bishop said she integrates AI tools such as Magic School, a platform designed for educators, to help students learn the process of creating lesson plans and organizing classroom materials. She teaches them to use AI as a resourceful starting point rather than a final product. In her ITEC class, students give AI prompts and let it generate ideas, and then they modify the results to fit their unique classroom needs. Outside the classroom, Bishop applies AI to her advising process. She uses Google Gemini in Google Classroom to simplify communication and save time for both herself and her students. She built what she A glimpse at CC soccer Photos courtesy of Zach Nagy Above, Hedy Bechar takes the field against LCCC. Right, Brecklyn Arcibald races against competitors from Lamar Community College. calls an “all-in-one help document” that provides students with everything they might need -- from degree evaluation forms and program sheets to instructions for changing majors. She said the system allows students to access information quickly while still encouraging personal follow-up. Bishop said she approaches AI with curiosity. She thinks fear is inevitable but that’s where research becomes useful. She encourages her students to ask questions and experiment while maintaining ethics around AI. She said banning AI or ignoring it would only leave students unprepared for a rapidly changing future. Elementary education major, Brooklynn Carlen, said Bishop’s approach helped her feel more confident using AI in her coursework. Carlen said AI comes up in nearly every class she takes, whether that be good or bad. “I think as a future educator, it’s scary not knowing what the future holds as far as students actually retaining information. I just worry about future generations not wanting a social connection,” Carlen said. Carlen uses AI for assignments in ITEC when they are directed to do so. She explores lesson plans by giving AI a specific prompt and running with it. She explained that she rephrases AI content and makes it personable. She also argued that she believes AI can never fully replace face-to-face connection in the traditional classroom setting. Carlen said Bishop understands some students may want to explore AI, so she embraces the technology and explains to her students what other instructors dislike about AI. She went on to say that Bishop does a great job of explaining how to make their work unique. Carlen said that the inconsistency among instructors and AI creates anxiety for students who worry about getting in trouble for using AI, even when they follow the rules. She said most of her peers are cautious and try to tread lightly. Despite fears, Carlen believes every future educator should learn to use AI effectively. “Times are changing,” Carlen said. “I think it’s up to us to give AI a good reputation and influence older people who might be scared or not know much about it and teach them.” Looking towards the future, Carlen said she pictures AI eventually helping teachers personalize learning for every student. She said she would design an AI tool to help create lesson plans for kids with learning disabilities, like dyslexia. She said every kid learns differently, which can be hard to manage in a classroom. Bishop shared Carlen’s point of view. She said she believes AI will continue to change education but never replace human creativity or empathy. Bishop believes we’re built for connection, and technology should never take that away. Bishop said she hopes to see AI used as a resource for inquirybased learning rather than an out for students and instructors. She said educators that stay curious help their students do the same. “I think we need to approach it with curiosity because it doesn’t mean you have to use it or align with it, but using such a dualistic black and white way of responding to something like that is already happening, isn’t flexible,” Bishop said. “And that is actually going to end up doing more harm to students in the long run.” At CC, curiosity is defining how current and future educators approach this changing academic world. While AI continues to grow, instructors and students agree: the classroom will always need human connection. �November 1, 2025 Page 5 CHINOOK Nick Mesecher: Protecting CC's campus online Jonathan Togstad/Chinook Nick Mesecher, IT systems security analyst, posed for a photo. Mesecher works to protect Casper College online with cybersecurity. Jonathan Togstad Chinook Writer Nick Mesecher is protecting students and staff alike at Casper College by utilizing cybersecurity protocols. Technology advanced significantly in past decades, and scammers advanced along with it, making cybersecurity more important than ever. When it comes to online campus security, it’s even more important as campus data bases impact thousands of students and staff. Nick Mesecher started working at Casper College in 2016 where he started as System Administrator. He later transitioned to being the campus’ IT Systems Security Analyst. In the last 5 years of his work with IT he began to heavily consider the importance of cybersecurity. He said he’s now worked in IT for over 25 years total. Cybersecurity is now essential to the operation of college campuses and Casper College is no different. Mesecher said he deals with numerous phishing emails, which are emails that are attempting to steal your data, and analyzing the traffic that comes through the college’s systems on a daily basis. Using tools like Security Onion, he evaluates the data and seeks out where a threat or breach may occur. “I want to know if there's some area that we could get compromised and how to protect ourselves,” said Mesecher. Another way he is protecting campus is through an automated process that labels phishing or sketchy emails as quarantined, meaning there is a smaller chance of harm. He is also working with the campus’ Human Resources department to create an onboarding program for new and current employees to have a better understanding of how to identify a phishing email and how to report them to the IT department. Mesecher improved security in many ways since transitioning to his current role. He spent much of his time and effort on outreach and aware- ness to students and staff. For example, some may notice the Control Alt Defend newsletter sent to Casper College inboxes. Mesecher said the newsletter sat on his to-do list since taking his current position. The goal of the newsletter is to educate students and staff on cybersecurity procedures. Mesecher did a large awareness campaign for cybersecurity month and hopes to continue the newsletter. Mesecher and IT Network Coordinator Brian Clark, conducted another outreach event in hosting a movie night for Tron. They discussed how cybersecurity relates to the film and how students can become more knowledgeable about their online security both on and off campus. “I always think that our biggest threat is ourselves. Not teaching and not educating students and employees on how they should handle that type of stuff,” said Mesecher. “I think we just need to keep doing better at that. So I'm really working on more awareness campaigns.” Mesecher said the most common mistake users make is not slowing down. Many users see an email and open it immediately without checking the email address of the sender or content of the message. Mesecher offered some of the questions to consider when receiving an email that could be fraudulent: Were you expecting something from the sender? What actions are they asking you to do? Generally, is this something that person would even ask you to do? Mesecher emphasized the importance of thinking critically in cybersecurity situations to make sure the email is not spam, fraudulent, or harmful. He went on to say that transparency on campus is extremely important. Despite emphasizing guidelines and awareness campaigns to combat them, breaches still occur on campus. Mesecher concluded, “When somebody opens a phishing email and they go through and they give up their credentials, (then) I like to start the conversation…This wasn't your fault. This is not something that you should feel bad about. These are criminals. These are bad guys that are doing everything that they can to make your life hell.” caspercollegechinook.com Knowledge Enrichment for Youth KEY CAMP Looking for a rewarding way to spend next summer? Join the team at Casper College’s KEY Camp as a camp counselor, classroom assistant, nurse, or teacher! It’s a valuable experience for your resume and an opportunity to mentor academically inclined 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Contact Community Education at 307-268-3401 or comm_ed@caspercollege.edu for more information. caspercollegechinook.com � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2025-11 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2025-11 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from November 2025. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2025-11 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/cffc988517279702f86dc7865efed441.pdf 946e43cb41be355d5ece3d20d7dddae8 PDF Text Text December 1, 2025 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Health care job fair shares opportunities Jonathan Togstad Chinook Writer The Health Care Job Fair is an important annual event for people in the health care field and to those studying health science programs at Casper College. The college has hosted the Health Care Job Fair for at least 10 years according to the Dean of Health Science Dino Madsen. The fair continues to provide opportunities for students going into the medical field. Madsen said the purpose of the job fair is two-fold -- to expose health science students to employers and show the level of professionalism expected out in the field. He added that navigating private industry as a recent graduate can be difficult despite the knowledge base students acquired in school. The Health Care Job Fair exposes students to the requirements of transitioning to private industry. “There is an acclimation there where we go from education to private industry. And I think that showcasing our students to our private industry partners and letting them all work together helps with that transition,” said Madsen. The Health Care Job Fair is not only beneficial for students seeking a career in the industry, but also for employers looking for CC students. This year, 38 employers and businesses attended the event in an effort to make students aware of the many career paths the organizations provide. Lindee Zespy, a recruiter and representative for Banner Health, said the hospital is fortunate to have a relationship with CC and its students. Banner offers many opportunities to students, including shadowing and ambulance ride-alongs. Zespy said Banner Health and other organizations participating in the job fair are vital for student’s growth in the field of health care. “I think one of the things that sometimes can be hard is if someone's maybe not gotten the opportunity to maybe have that exposure,” Zespy said. “Part of what we want to do here (at the job fair) is talking about all of the different opportunities -- there's different ways to be in health care.” A few employers seek out students directly. A representative from Sidney Regional Medical Center, said she was at the job fair to find students from the respiratory program. They noted the difficulty of finding respiratory therapists, especially for a small hospital, and said they saw the job fair as a way to connect with students. This is the first year the medical center located in Nebraska attended the Health Care Job Fair, which demonstrates the interest in and potential careers for CC health science students across the country. Among the many employment and hands-on learning opportunities, the job fair also gives students the ability to network with members of the health care field. Tina Ogletree, who is a representative from Wind River Family and Community Health Care, said that networking in the health Jonathan Togstad / Chinook Students speak with employers about learning and job opportunities at the Health Care Job Fair at CC last month. The job fair is hosted on campus each year. care field is vital to new graduates' success. “In the grand scheme of things, it's really a small community. Especially in Wyoming…I've actually run into people that I worked on the east coast with out here,” Ogletree said. In addition to networking, the fair provided support programs for students looking into their futures. Casper College’s Career Service department assisted students in resume creation and elevator pitches to future employers. Christina Vencil, a social work instructor from the University of Wyoming, spoke to students interested in transferring. She said UW provides work study — See Job Fair Page 3 A new (virtual) reality Bella McManus Chinook Writer The virtual reality lab at Casper College is available in the library for students in both individual and class settings. Whether students want to practice their public speaking skills, study math or science, virtually tour art museums around the world, or gain experience as a teacher in a virtual classroom, the VR lab in the Goodstein Foundation Library is available to help. Students can even checkout one of the 25 headsets available and take it home. Library Director Katrina Brown said a statewide grant allowed all eight community colleges in Wyoming, as well as the University of Wyoming, to have VR labs on campus. The institutions focused on implementing labs in the nursing departments, as well as more accessible labs in the libraries. The Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) funded the grant, known as Phase II, which the governor put together. Jonathan Togstad, a work study for the IT help desk, assisted in demoing the lab in its early stages, and he explained that there are two settings for the headsets. One is focused on helping students practice communication and workplace skills such as interviewing, talking to people in the workplace, and public speaking. The other one, he said, consisted more of “prebuilt worlds,” in which students can practice situations involving EMS training, experience history in real time, or answer math and science questions to escape a labyrinth. Brown said that they are going to add a career technical education aspect to the VR program in January, which will allow students to practice safety protocols in the workplace. The college plans to increase marketing for the lab at that time, as Brown said only two classes used the headsets this semester. Brown said that since the headsets are for educational purposes, there is a limit on what apps can be downloaded and used on them, which is called Meta Horizon Management System. Brown explained, “As part of the statewide grant, there was a contract with a company that was getting all the headsets put into that HMS for us and supposed to be preloading all the software and doing that.” The company, called Mace, went bankrupt, and while Brown referred to it as a “hiccup” CC experienced while working out the details of the VR lab, she confirmed via email that there is not — See VR Page 3 Jonathan Togstad/Chinook Students speak with employers about learning and job opportunities at the Health Care Job Fair at CC last month. The job fair is hosted on campus each year. Diana Newman comes to Casper College Taylor Crook Chinook Writer The first thing students notice about Diana Newman isn’t her title, but her curiosity and connection. Before talking about school, policy, or even Casper College, Newman takes time to get to know CC’s students. Newman will ask about goals, hobbies, struggles, careers, and more, because she believes that knowing her students is one of the most important aspects of her position. Diana Newman, Casper College’s new dean of students, is excited for her role and the opportunity to work with the CC community. In the past, Newman worked roles at many different higher education institutions in Wyoming, such as the University of Wyoming and Laramie County Community College. Corey Peacock, CC’s vice president for student affairs and Newman’s predecessor, highlighted the benefit of her experience. “We knew that it would be easy for Diana to relate to and build relationships with Casper College,” Peacock said. “She’s highly qualified and has a lot of really great varied experience as a seasoned leader in higher education.” Residence Hall Coordinator Liz Dobson, Newman’s colleague, not only agreed with Corey, but said that Newman is able to collaborate community engagement with student life, enrollment, and retention. Dobson said that from the moment Newman arrived at CC, Newman clearly demonstrated her job expertise. Dobson then said that Newman is adaptable, and learns how to apply her skills to CC culture. Before furthering her education in higher education, Newman received her bachelors in mathematics. She explained the benefit her education provided her career, saying that when people ask her questions, she does not give a quick solution. “I’m literally a person who’s like, what’s the data say? How are we going to move the needle,” she said. “How are we going to make our situation better with that data? Because I believe in the numbers fully. I am a total extrovert, but I love how the numbers inform what we do socially.” Since starting at CC in September, Newman noted many things she loves about her role. “I get so many wonderful things I get to do every day,” Newman said. “I get to meet students, and honestly, I probably have one of the best jobs where I’m like, tell me about you, and tell me about your life, and tell me about what you’re studying. I get jonsed about getting to know a person and being able to help.” Newman later said she is empathetic to students who are struggling, and being able to lift students up is one of the most rewarding parts of working in higher education. “When the hurdles in life -- whether that is a challenge they’re facing from home, a challenge they’re facing in their classes, a challenge they’re facing in selfunderstanding, in health and wellness and in mental health -- I get to help Submitted Photo with access and reduce those barriers so Diana Newman, left, is pictured with Dr. Michelle Schutt, that they can be successful academically, President at Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts. Schutt was the Residence Director that hired Newman as an The two reconnected years' later at AACC's Workforce — See Newman Page 3 RA. Development Institute. �Page 2 December 1, 2025 CHINOOK From the president's desk Chinook Stance Dealing with procrastination takes time Raymond Jackson RayJayJax The topic of procrastination barely needs an introduction. The pain of holding off on something until the last minute is something that most people have felt. Despite this, people end up repeating that same scene over and over. Procrastination hurts, but people need to find the reason why. Once we get to the root of the problem, we need ways to rip it out. You are doomed to repeat the same mistake again and again if you do not find out what the problem of your procrastination lies. The problem can be different for everyone. It can be a lack of motivation where you can’t find any investment in what you need to do. It can be a way to cope with stress by not having to worry about what would drain the life out of you. It can be focusing on something more engaging instead. There are also distractions and even perfectionism at play. In my case, I struggle with all of the above. Depending on the task, I have a hard time finding the right motivation. As an example, I have a writing assignment that I get writer's block over. Days pass, and I hope to get an idea eventually. During that time, I get distracted by other activities. The due date creeps up even faster, and the procrastination gets worse from all of the stress. I rush things together, micromanaging every detail to make it as polished as possible. Not helping things is trying to meet the criteria of what the paper should be in a minuscule amount of time, all to get a better grade. As a suggestion to look for motivation, think of how you can be invested in the task at hand. Maybe if you need to get dishes done, set a goal for how many you can get clean in under 30 minutes. In the case of a writing assignment, set small goals throughout the week that are easily achievable. One day, write one paragraph. The next day, write another paragraph and so on. To help matters, take breaks in between to give you time to think and regroup. This is the Pomodoro method, where you spend 25 minutes working before taking a 5-minute break. When it comes to making things polished, remember that nothing has to be perfect. You can do better the next time around. The more motivation you find, the more digestible the work becomes. If that doesn’t help, schedule and plan a time to work on something. Work on that thing before losing focus. After that, take the day off before trying again the next day. This is called a flowtime method. Again, things work differently for everyone. In my case, I use both the Pomodoro and flowtime methods, and they work well for me when getting specific schoolwork done and on time. It is not a walk in the park for sure. It all just takes time, good discipline, and trying out new things. If you continue to procrastinate without looking into the root of the issue, you repeat a cycle of insanity hoping for a different outcome. As we enter the final weeks of the semester, I want to take a moment to recognize the determination and resilience you have shown throughout the fall semester. This time of year can feel both exciting and demanding with projects wrapping up, exams approaching, and the scramble to the end. In this busy time, I hope you are able to take a few moments to reflect on all you have accomplished and take pride in the effort and perseverance that brought you here. To our students who will soon be continuing their education at another institution, we are incredibly proud of you. The next campus you join will benefit from your curiosity and discipline, and the strong academic foundation “ you’ve built here. Remember that you will always be part of the Casper College family, and we hope you carry a piece of this place with you as you move forward. For those of you preparing to begin your careers, I want to acknowledge the significance of this moment. You are entering roles and industries that will benefit from your talent and training, and your readiness shows in the work you’ve done here. Whether you’re beginning a long-planned path or stepping into new possibilities, please know that I have great confidence in the impact you will make wherever you go next. And to our graduates—congratulations. Completing your program reflects many hours of dedication and personal sacrifice, but it also reflects your commitment to a goal that matters deeply. As you prepare to celebrate with those who have supported you, I hope you take a quiet moment to appreciate how far you’ve come. You have achieved something extraordinary, and we are honored to have been part of your journey. For those returning next semester, I hope the upcoming break offers time to rest and recharge. Whether you are heading home, staying nearby, or balancing work and family commitments, I hope you’re able to catch your breath a bit and find some true moments of rest. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year, and ready to continue your academic journey. As you look ahead to what comes next, I hope you feel proud of your work and effort, and confident in the path and life you are building. This season is a natural moment for reflection, and I hope it brings you a sense of accomplishment and clarity for the year ahead. Wishing you a safe, warm, and meaningful holiday season. Completing your program reflects many hours of dedication and personal sacrifice, but it also reflects your commitment to a goal that matters deeply. — Brandon Kosine, Ph.D., Casper College President www.caspercollegechinook.com Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? Plus lot m a ore! The Casper College Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. MARK KATIE r You s our i cess ity! c u S r Prio HOW WE CAN HELP: DAVE MyCCMoodle: Online Tutoring Guidance: Zoom Assistance: Study and Work Spaces: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. TERESA Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. OMAR Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. FOR HELP OR MORE INFORMATION stop by Liesinger Hall, Room 132, or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! �December 1, 2025 Page 3 Job Fair................................................... positions to students, as it is hard to juggle earning an income whilst studying at the same time. Dress for Success, a nonprofit that assists women in finding clothes for the workplace, also attended the event. The nonprofit located in downtown Casper runs off of donations. “There's enough reasons that people can't do what they want to do, and clothing should not be one of those things,” said Dress for Success Executive Director Amy White. White said students struggle to pay for their education along with other needs, and she hopes Dress for Success can alleviate the need for clothing. White said the nonprofit has attended the last three job fairs and plans to participate in many more. She hopes students will learn that Dress for Success is a resource they can utilize if they are in need of clothing, including scrubs for nursing students. White stated, “I believe that you only have that one chance to make an impression.” The event positively impacted students, especially the possibilities in health care and careers available to them. Kealanie Lamb is studying radiology at CC, she stated the event is important to her, as it allows her to see what opportunities are available in Casper and Wyoming. “I think learning about the opportunities that are available in the community and even surrounding communities is important. It's nice to have it all in one place,” said Lamb. VR........................................................... currently a third-party company taking Mace’s place, as the HMS is being handled directly by Meta. “Mace was used in the original provisioning and setup of the new equipment,” her email read. Chocolate Milk & Donuts, a company that was “helping with the statewide implementation of this whole VR immersive reality project,” according to Brown, helped establish relationships between schools across the state throughout development. When the grant ends, the company will no longer be funded to help Casper College with its new VR lab. Brown confirmed that the library will be on its own as far as continuing to manage part replacements, software updates, and these intercampus relationships, but the equipment is the college’s with many students and shared advice for students at Casper. “I think there’s a go for it mindset. Think about what you want to do and go for it. Think about the connections you have and go for it,” she said. Peacock, as the previous dean of students, talked about the position. He said the dean of students is an important position for daily interactions with students and that many people may not know the behind-the-scenes of student success. Peacock said, “We really wanted someone who would embrace our student’s first culture and understand the unique needs of a community college population and just be a good colleague to work with.” Peacock shared that Diana fit the requirements and stood out from the other applicants. “She had all the experience that we wanted in the dean of students plus extra things that we didn’t even advertise for,” Peacock said. “We knew that by hiring her, we would not only be getting a good dean of students, but a good leader for the student services division.” Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion to keep. Going forward, the library hopes to better market the VR lab to students as a great resource for all majors at CC. Brown said the library staff is discussing promoting the technology by setting up a booth in the Union building and allowing students coming in and out for meals to test the equipment and experience the virtual learning environment for themselves. continued from page 1 WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu The Health Care Job Fair offers many opportunities to health science students from employment to networking and hands-on learning with some of the most important players in the Wyoming health care field, as well as others from across the country. The event aids employers and students in finding the next steps forward in the health care field. continued from page 1 Newman................................................. professionally, and personally,” Newman said. While Newman spent many years in higher education before coming to Casper, she said she had the prospect of working at CC had excited her for a while. Newman said, “You know, growing up in Wyoming, Casper College has been a powerhouse in the community college realm. Even now, in Casper, you absolutely know about the influence of Casper College.” Newman mentioned that her husband is an alumnus of Casper College, and she recommends CC as a place to work, learn and earn a degree. Newman also said Wyoming, especially Casper, is a great place to live and aligns with her hobbies. She said she loves Wyoming and the outdoors, and she likes to take weekend drives through the mountains, especially in fall. “Fall is probably my favorite time because I love the color of the aspens. I look at my window and I’m like, ‘oh my gosh, the autumnal vibes that are existing in my office are fantastic. I have seen the glory of Casper from the fourth floor of the University Union,’” Newman said. In her few months at CC, Newman worked continued from page 1 Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 December 1, 2025 CHINOOK Home Front: A Veterans Post at Casper College Kaleb Lundine Chinook Writer For Casper College’s Daniel Gallegos, the journey from the front of a whiteboard had been anything but direct. It was a long voyage that took him from the halls of Natrona Country High school to the frontlines in Iraq. Following medical complications that ultimately forced him out of the military, Gallegos found new meaning, currently working with Wyoming Senator John Barrasso. Yet at every twist and turn, his journey led him back to where it all began; his hometown of Casper where he teaches political science. Gallegos is driven by a mission not only to teach but to encourage his students how to think and engage with the modern world. Gallegos, commonly known as “Mr. G”, is a political science instructor at CC. He teaches classes like POLS-1000 and INST 2350, giving new students a chance to ponder the world today. Gallegos said he particularly loves to teach POLS 1000 for that very reason. “And that's what I absolutely love because in my mind, I'm like, this is the last moment in that I can touch someone's mind and get them to realize how important their civic duty and their civic responsibility is and how government actually works” Gallegos said, reflecting on how his political science classes are the last way a student can inform themselves before going into society. Before teaching, Gallegos served as a sergeant in the military from 1998-2007. He deployed in countries across the Eurasian continent and served three tours. Ultimately, he left the military in 2007 due to unforeseen health complications, as Galleos was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes. After Gallegos' service, he went back to Casper College to pursue becoming a history teacher, though he found his stride when it came to political science. His experience as a veteran made Gallegos a perfect candidate to teach political science. Gallegos showed his professor his “love me book”, a scrapbook detailing his service in the military. “The things you did, political science majors dream of,” Gallegos said, detailing what his professor said reacting to his “love me book”. With this advice Gallegos scraped together the last of his GI benefits, and scholarship funding, and secured his master's degree in political science at Norwich University in Vermont and bachelor's degree at the University of Wyoming. Since then, Gallegos is active both on campus teaching his classes and working with Wyoming Senator John Barrasso to address veteran affairs. Gallegos is currently involved with many clubs and committees at CC such as the Honors Program, Native American Club, and Submitted Photo Daniel Gallegos, aka"Mr. G"posed for a photo with his POLS 1000 class earlier this semester. the Veterans Service’s club. Gallegos' involvement stems from a diehard commitment to serve students and ensure their future success. As a result, Gallegos brought in some elements from his time in the military to try and garner new success with the Honors program. “So, I took these ideas from my military background and kind of applied this kind of ethos to the honors program”, Gallegos said, citing the training he endured with his time at the military and applying it to the Honor program. With his new initiative, the Honors Program sees greater success with a higher number of honor roll students every year. Gallegos also serves as the head of the newly created Native American Club. He said it’s important for students on campus to connect with the Native American roots of the college, pointing to the mascot of the CC thunderbird. “We saw the mascot and they're like; there's no Native club, and so they approached and said, hey, what? I was like, yeah, let's do it,” Gallegos said. Since its inception the Native American club saw immense growth, with neighboring tribes from across the region convening to celebrate native heritage and participate in club powwow's. Gallegos’ die hard commitment to help students and promote thought largely stems from his admiration of the iconic superhero Captain America, seen with Captain America memorabilia scattered across his office. He became a fan after picking up a comic about the patriotic super, and it changed Gallegos’s life. “I was small, I was puny. And then I came across a Captain America comic book, and it fundamentally changed me. That you can be weak, you can be puny, but it's your character that you really get your strength from,” Gallegos said. From a self-described “puny” kid who had found his strength through Captain America to a sergeant who led soldiers in combat and now a prolific professor who leads students through civic thought. Gallegos’ life has been a testament to transformation; he has traded the battlefield for the classroom, but his mission remains the same, to serve, to protect, and build those around him. Gallegos’ commitment to students remains the same. I’m not going anywhere; they’ll probably find me dead at my desk. I love my students, I love what I do, and I'll be here forever.” Paralegal Instructor Amanda Nelson never stopped moving Submitted Photo Amanda Nelson sits at her desk at Casper College as she studies for law school and teaches full-time. Kaydence Park Chinook Writer In the chaos of teaching, court cases, law school, and parenting four kids, Amanda Nelson often laughs. Her husband, Eric Nelson, said when she’s extremely stressed, she starts laughing her way through it--a small habit that helps her push through a workload most people couldn’t handle. Nelson’s story is one of full-circle determination. Once a Casper College paralegal student, she is now the sole paralegal instructor revitalizing the program while also attending law school and raising a family. Through overwhelming workloads and long nights, she shows her students and family resilience because she lived it herself. Nelson started the paralegal program at 17-years-old, and she gave birth to her and Eric’s oldest son shortly before graduating from CC. She said becoming a paralegal student was exciting but challenging. Nelson explained she was tired and questioned if chaos and stress would be the rest of her life. She said she learned a lot from that time in her life--organization, time management, and determination. “All of that set me up for my future,” Nelson said. “I use a lot of those skills with what I’m doing now.” Nelson hesitated to apply for the paralegal instructor job because she didn’t know what that transition to teaching would look like for her life. She said she was up against many experienced individuals, but she also brought 15 years of experience and ties to the community. Now the only paralegal instructor, she said she loves her work, and it brings her joy to see young students excited for career opportunities. Since starting at CC, Nelson worked to revitalize the paralegal program. When she first stepped into the role, enrollment was low, but she expanded class offerings and increased accessibility. “She has changed the paralegal program’s offerings, and now they have hybrid, face-to-face, in person-you can pretty much do the program in any way you want,” Communication Instructor Bri Weigel said. “Imagine the work that it takes to be able to say, ‘no matter where you are, I’ll make it work.’” Weigel described Nelson as an “energizer bunny,” saying her energy and workload aren’t recognizable from the outside. To most people, Nelson seems upbeat and prepared, but Weigel said only those close to her understand the hard work she carries. Weigel said Nelson’s signature phrase--”it will be fine”--slipped into many conversations, like a reminder of her calmness through the chaos. Law school didn’t replace anything in Nelson’s life--it joined everything she already managed. Adding 30 to 35 hours of homework a week pushed her already packed schedule into something many may find impossible. According to Nelson, “I was terrified to start law school because I knew it was going to suck. There are a bunch of late nights and early mornings.” She explained that beginning anything new can be the hardest part, but she took the leap. That mindset followed her as she took on law school. Nelson said she knew the decision to go to law school was going to be tough while juggling everything she already had going on, but she wanted to keep working toward her future. Eric said she has always had that work ethic and compassion. “I’m proud because she’s definitely a hardworking individual, but at the same time, she can be kind and compassionate towards others,” Eric said. “She has more drive than any individual I’ve ever met.” Nelson said her experience as an overwhelmed student shapes how she teaches now. She stays accessible outside of regular hours and gives students room to be humans. She said she remembers what it felt like to juggle class, work, and family at the same time. She hopes her students remember that she was always willing to help them succeed, even years after they graduate. Nelson said she wants her students to feel comfortable reaching out even after they leave CC, whether they need career advice or just someone to tell them they can do hard things. Even with her packed schedule, Nelson still brings humor and honesty into her teaching. She said she leans on jokes, stories, and her own lived experiences to make the classroom feel human. “I can’t fake it – I’m just me,” Nelson said. “I want to be a teacher you can relate to, not one that’s just lecturing you.” Nelson’s life now looks nothing like it did when she first became a paralegal student, unsure of what the future would hold. As she juggles law school, a full teaching load, a busy household, and much more, she hasn’t lost the ability to laugh through the chaos. In many ways, her journey has come full circle. K9 Demonstration at CC Bella McManus/Chinook Officers Bryce and Andrea practice apprehension through bite work with K9 Buster. Casper College student Tate Wise suited up for the demonstration on campus last month. �ook te on December 1, 2025 Page 5 CHINOOK Larry Burger and the art of sound Makiah Osborne Chinook Writer Floating through the air, almost tangible, the sound of music surrounded Larry Burger all his life. Beginning in Dallas at the age of 11, the audio design instructor at Casper College said his parents gifted him his first guitar. With small garage sessions, a tour reaching over thirty states, and a lifelong abundance of knowledge, Burger now shines his light and love for music on anyone who crosses his path. Burger said, “Even at an early age, when I was in high school, we were a pretty well received band, so I was making hundreds of dollars on the weekend as a kid. While it was a hobby, I was starting to take it very seriously.” Burger said that his draw to music excluded any other hobby, evident by its pervasive effect on his life. Burger said, “We'd get done with school, and we'd hit the woodshed. Other kids were going to movies and out playing, and we were trying to be the ones performing for where they were going.” He explained that towards the end of high school, he played gigs six nights a week, working until 2 a.m. and then getting up for school the next day. The demanding schedule coincided with his dream to play for larger crowds, which came to fruition as he hit the road with his bandmates and the band called Sketch. Jumping from city to city, life on the road served the band well. Burger said the group played five to six nights a week, four hours a day, driving through the night to the next city, or sleeping-in, ready to hit the road. Burger said that after many years, he craved a sense of stability and an outlet outside of performing. He found the remedy through sound recording as he opened his own studio. Years later, Burger recorded music for the dean at CC. Subsequently, the dean offered him the job of audio design instructor. Teaching for the last 18 years, Burger’s impact is undeniable. Tyler Sanner, a prior student of Burger’s, turned friend and colleague, said that beyond his own intuition, Burger shaped his entire approach to his professional career. But even more, he saw Larry’s influence transpire leaps in his emotional growth, improving his life for the better. Sanner said, “I've also taken a lot of how he treats people in his life and tried to apply it where I can in mine as well, trying to be that good. (When) you see that example, you can't help but try to perpetuate that.” After graduating from CC, Sanner looked to apply his skills. Throwing his first festival, Sanner said excitement, but also the realities of the workload weighed upon his shoulders. Calling Burger, Sanner asked for a sliver of his time – anything to relieve the stress of the day. Taking a pause and wiping a tear from his eye, Sanner said, “He was there all day. He was there the entire time, doing all of it. How can you ask for better, right? You can't. Yeah, he's just there for you when you need him. That's huge.” Burger’s benevolent nature passed over everyone he met but prominently washed over Makiah Osborne/Chinook Teaching at CC for 18 years, Larry Burger sits in the sound studio at Wheeler Hall. his classroom. The Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Humanities, Julia Whyde, said, “I think Larry is the epitome of the CC, lifelong value of learning.” Noting his ability to learn and evolve, Whyde stated her respect. Whyde said, “His curiosity leads and his love for bringing people into a learning experience that is engaging is just so wonderful.” As music touched his life, Burger worked with Whyde to create the new certificate, “The Art of Sound Recording.” The certificate centered around audio literacy and the ability to create quality sound. Burger said he felt the need to impart this knowledge as Artificial Intelligence takes root in society. Burger said, “I'd like to with this last generation, that has a fighting chance, to really experience it. I'd like to be able to have them kind of stop, and take a breath, and reevaluate how much fun that is (physically making music).” He said there is no other feeling like playing an instrument, making a sound, and hearing a piece of art that clicks. Though reaping the rewards of performing, Burger said he considers his work at the college and his role as a teacher, as the most impactful work of his life. Speaking to this effect, Sanner said, “You’re going to walk in, and it’s (Burger’s greeting) always very, ‘Oh! You’re here!’ He seems to do that with everyone... That means something.” Through intentional kindness and a love for music, Burger spread his light. Burger said, “So if I can reach one or two, or a bunch of them (students), then that's probably worth it. You know, when we were performing and when we were popular, that was a wonderful reward also, but that's more fleeting. You know, that'll go and that was yesterday, and we can reminisce, but if I can help some students change the rest of their life, then that's pretty rewarding.” Joseph Campbell’s odyssey Raymond Jackson Chinook Writer Joseph Campbell, a Casper College English professor, said he wears two different hats while teaching English: composition and interpretation. Composition means teaching standard English grammar while focusing on the meaning of a particular novel with interpretation. Each day, he said he takes segments one at a time while going through classes. He spends one day of class on grammar, then interpretation in another class, then finally conferences with staff. Campbell is someone who is dedicated to his work and loves his position at CC. In addition, he has written stories, and has strong opinions about the importance of literature. “He has a great way of being able to break things down and make analogies and comparisons so that you can understand things. And the other part of his teaching is the love he has of writing and rhetoric and composition and literature, it's all through him,” said a fellow English instructor and close friend of Campbell, Jill Hughes. She sees Campbell as an acaSubmitted Photo Joseph Campbell, Casper College English instructor poses in front of "The Essence of Rex" statue located at the Tate Geological Museum. demic who works hard for what he does. Campbell is a Mobile, Ala. native and was raised in Mesa, Ariz. He attended the University of South Alabama and pursued his doctorate in English studies at Illinois State University from 1997-2005. He moved to the English Department at CC in 2010 where he has taught for 15 years since. During his journey, he said he met various people in the English department who influenced who he is as an instructor, such as Hughes. “I wanted to get to the sort of place that was like where I had grown up. A lot of my life was in Mobile, Alabama, but I grew up in Mesa, Arizona. So I wanted to get back to some place that was somewhat southwestern, as close as I could get.” said Campbell. When he landed on Casper College, he explained, “They were on my radar, and then when I came here and met the people, I thought, ‘this is exactly where to be.’” Since childhood, Campbell said he fell in love with literature and reading, citing his mother and favorite English instructor from childhood as his primary influences. He enjoys science fiction, inspired by Star Trek novels and its extended universe. He had published several books in his time in both science fiction and transgressive fiction, such as The Order and the Other. They all delighted the heart of his closest friend Hughes. “The genres he's interested in aren't genres I usually read. And so it's always quite interesting to me to read his stories because it's going to open up new ideas for me. After all, I don't usually read science fiction,” said Hughes. Though she doesn’t read transgressive fiction, it gives more to look into Campbell’s thinking process. Hughes said, “It’s fun to see something that a friend, somebody that you're really good friends with, has created and to hear about it when they're writing it.” Campbell reflected on his tenure since 2010. He said it’s special to see the excitement of students when they click with a subject and thrive upon it. Campbell added that he enjoyed seeing his first generation of students graduate and move on to their futures. He loves his job as an English professor and will continue for years to come. As a final word of advice, coming from someone who values the importance of literature, it would be to stay off the phone. “It brings out the absolute worst in people because none of us want to do hard work. No one wakes up in the morning going, ‘you know what I'd really love to do very hard work.’” Campbell explained. “They (phones) play to our worst instincts and they're winning… It's unreal how much they're winning and it's only going to get worse.” College hosts 2025 fall SkillsUSA Conference Jonathan Togstad/Chinook To the left, Skills USA students Seth and Gianna work on a task given by State Officer Corbin Above, Skills USA students work together in the Par 3 course competition stature located at the Tate Geological Museum. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2025-12 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2025-12 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 2025. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2025-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/f9501e5730b6b495ab3959e07b3b25e6.pdf 97b8e383129638a7ba4d365f9191c246 PDF Text Text March 1, 2026 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Building resistance to burnout Makiah Osborne Chinook Writer As students begin their college careers, a new workload is placed on their shoulders, all while balancing school, life, and work. While this combination can often feel overwhelming, college can prepare students for their futures, building their tolerance for the demands of life. However, through this acquisition of tolerance, burnout can commonly occur. According to a 2025 article from Organization of Science Insights titled, Student Burnout Statistics: Causes, Prevalence, and Impact, “For college and undergraduate students, approximately 40 percent to 55 percent report experiencing symptoms of burnout, with over 56 percent of university students reporting high emotional exhaustion globally.” As interviewees weighed their experiences, this exhaustive state occurs for many reasons. A lack of preparation after high school, participating in classes for unclear reasons, and a poor school-work-life balance ranked highly. Sophia Diaz, an engineering student at CC said, “I was top ten percent of my class out of 470 people, and so I think I went from being so accomplished academically, to struggling, (and) it was a weird switch in my brain where I had to remember that I am still the same student -- it's just that the work got harder.” After high school, some students find that they need a new approach to school, feeling unprepared for college. Many students expect the college workload to reflect their high school experience, but through this learning curve, many find dissonance that is discouraging. Diaz explained that the gap between high school and college is larger than she expected and has struggled accordingly. She proposed that through this transition, high school students need held accountable beyond mere attendance, standardizing quality work made through deeper thinking. As students enter college, some pursue their degree with a clear plan in mind, while others target gen-ed courses, leaving room for exploration before committing to a career path. However, with room to discover their passion, pushing through mundane classes can feel daunting. Sami Toombs, an undeclared student at CC said in a message, “As a student taking gen ed classes, I find myself feeling unmotivated and uninterested in some of my courses at times. Not working towards a major can feel daunting, (when) you’re not really working towards a big goal so why do you even try with your work?” Contrastingly, entering college as an undeclared student presents classes that one might not expect to enjoy, blooming an unexpected career path. Aliesia Edmunds, a media communications alumnus and current graphic design student said, “If you don’t have goals, your main focus here in college should be to stay curious and go and try out those classes that you don’t think you would. If you have a slight interest, just try it out.” Through curiosity and an intentional decision to keep learning, paths open and resistance to burnout can form. Along with a heavier school workload, students commonly juggle work, relationships, and creative endeavors. Diaz said, “I just felt like there was a lot of days where I didn't even know what day it was, what time of day it was; it was just work, school, work, school, work, school, and rinse and repeat.” Navigating so many tasks can feel challenging, though through time management and analyzing priorities, one can find balance. Though each step feels detrimental, it is the redundant effort to keep working that makes everything come together. It is common to struggle, but the college experience can build fundamental skills for life after school. Joey Tholl, a communications major at CC said, “Looking at adults, you realize that they started in the same position as you, really overwhelmed and scared.” Feeling overwhelmed and burnt out is not an experience spent alone but is the precipice to learning lifelong skills. Tholl continued, “But you realize that they’ve just learned and crafted their life and adopted and overcome whatever they’re dealing with, to make it to a point where they’re ... hopefully satisfied with their choices (and) in the life decisions that they’ve made.” Makiah Osborne / Chinook Joey Tholl, a current communications student at Casper College, is pictured walking between classes at Liesinger Hall. Talkin' T-Birds stand out Joey Tholl Chinook Writer Submitted Photo Josie House, Aniya Scott, Ivey Goff, Emma Andrews, Elizabeth Lehman, Samantha Lehman, Stephanie Mata, Austin Rozema posed for a photo at a recent competition. The 2025-26 Casper College Forensics Team is practicing, competing, and gearing up for nationals. The team practices on campus for an average of five to six hours a week. The forensics team, also known as the speech and debate team, formed on Casper College's Campus in 1978. Early founders and leaders, Gale Alexander and Gretchen Wheeler, “Took the program to new heights,” according to the current Co-Director of the Forensics Team and CC Communications Instructor, Doug Hall. The college hired Hall as director of the Forensics team in 2013, and now Co-Director Ethan Fife joined in 2021. They both became co-directors of the team in 2024. The team placed in the top five in the large school divisions at the Forensic Nationals, Phi Ro Pi, for the past 10+ years. The team takes an average of 12-17 students every year, and Hall established that joining is a year-long commitment. This year's team consists of eight students, and the captain of the team, Ivey Goff, said the team dynamic is pretty intimate, since the team is so small. She described the team this year as “tight-knit”. Members of the forensics team compete in a variety of events, most of which involve oral communication, as well as theatrical acting in other events. There are three realms underneath the forensics umbrella. Forensics encompasses debate, speeches, and acting events, with each category featuring a range of competitions and events. The team meets two times a week, from 3-5 p.m. The meetings are considered “class time,” and the students complete training or work together on events. Goff said they also choose events, so they must meet up with a coach for a minimum of thirty minutes per event. Along with this, students must practice and learn their pieces on their own time. Hall said that, in total, students usually dedicate about 12-15 hours of their time weekly. As for the competitions, Hall said the day of a competitor is very exhausting. The team often arrives the day before the competition, followed by a full day of supporting and competing. Goff said that the rounds usually start around 8-9 a.m. and the team competes until a minimum of 3 pm. While students aren’t busy actively competing, they hang out around the venue or support their fellow teammates. Goff said the team this year is very supportive and watches each other, so that every teammate sees someone supporting them in the audience. Awards and dinner often follow competition. Hall reiterated that the preparation and schedule take a toll on students, as they are competing and then jumping right back into regular schoolwork and other responsibilities. Goff is not only the captain of the team, but she also manages being a full-time student, From Delivering Babies to Diplomas Kaleb Lundine Chinook Writer For over 20 years, Lisa Coulters' hands were some of the first to welcome new life into the world. Now those same hands are responsible for shaping and leading the next generation of nurses at Casper College. Coulter is a Nursing educator on CC. She teaches Complex Care Nursing, commonly known as “fourth semester nursing.” Fourth semester nursing includes a diverse set of complex medical expertise such as precise surgery, advanced leadership skills, and specialized clinical rotations. Coulter throughout her life has always been interested in nursing and is teaching those same skills today. When Coulter was young, she was friends with a girl whose mother happened to be a nurse. Coulter and her friend would often go through and read her textbooks and play pretend doctor. As a direct result, Coulter felt inspired by the textbooks she read and decided to go into the medical field. Throughout her academic career, she studied hard. She earned her associate's degree in nursing at Casper College, followed by her bachelor's degree at the University of Wyoming. Later she went on to earn her master's degree at Walden University and achieve her Doctorates degree in nursing (DNP) at Capella University. Coulter started off her medical career by being a labor and delivery nurse, helping deliver babies at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. “I loved the idea of delivering babies, and so as a nurse, I helped deliver babies for 23 years,” Coulter said. Her drive to help out her community has been an essential tool in the long career she tenured. Coulter worked at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper from 1996 to 2018. During her time as a nurse, Coulter went abroad with her husband as a traveling nurse. She worked in the extreme heat and humidity of the Texas plains and then worked in the exceedingly cold and bitter conditions of the Arctic Alaskan tundra. Coulter now teaches joint lectures with her partner Heidi Loucks with 32 students. Coulter and Loucks teach what is called fourth semester nursing or NURS 2400. This is a special type and process of nursing that deals with typical cases many would see in the Emergency Room. This includes injuries and conditions, like shock, sepsis, burns, and acute respiratory illnesses. In her past, Coulter also taught many other classes at CC. She said her favorite class to teach was NURS 1200, or second semester nursing. “They were my favorite because that was their kind of aha moment when they really felt like they got to be nurses. They're starting to do like IVs and they get to go and have hands on with patients at the hospital. And you really got to see some light bulb moments, which is kind of exciting. I like to keep my classroom fun, lively,” Coulter said. Coulter said she often tries to bring fun elements to her class to keep the energy up. For example, Coulter uses a barbie doll with varying degrees of burns. She uses the doll to instruct her class on how to diagnose and treat types of burns. “I make them say, okay, tell me what happened to the patients. Um, how did they get their burns? What kind of burns are they? How many burns, what percentage of their body is burned? What kind of treatment would you expect on the way to the hospital? Once they get to the hospital, what kind of treatments are you expecting.” Coulter explained. For Coulter, her life's — See Forensics Page 3 Photo Courtesy of Oil City News Lisa Coulter posed for a photo. Coulter worked as an OB nurse delivering babies in Casper for over 20 years. She now teaches for the nursing program at Casper College. journey has come full circle. She starting by bringing children into the world, and now she helps train future nurses and medics to make their way into their future. �Page 2 March 1, 2026 CHINOOK Chinook Stance From the editor's desk Socials are wrecking your motivation By: Lawren Miller The Daily Lawr I don’t know about you, but some mornings I start my day off with a little Instagram to wake up, and tell myself I’ll just be on it for about 10 minutes. The time inevitably turns into 20 and then 30 minutes. Then I notice for the rest of my day, all I want to do is be on my phone instead of doing the necessary things that come with being a human in college. My mind is constantly craving distraction and release from responsibility, stress, and frankly real life. Little did I know that I was setting myself up to be distracted on purpose without even realizing it. How can we stop this from happening, or at least be better at spending less time on socials like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and so forth? What I’ve found is this little app called Opal. It is designed to block your apps more effectively than what is already built into your phone. You can set up study sessions or just time to be blocked from certain apps. You can set time limits on apps that distract you the most. You can also block offensive content that you don’t want to see on your phone at all. Another thing that helps is taking your phone and putting it in a completely different room all together, removing the distractions from your mind in the process. At first this is hard to do, but as time goes on, you start remembering what’s important to get done and realize you have less distractions, less stress, and ultimately more time to do homework and other important things. You realize friends and family are more important than how many likes you have on your most recent post and put face to face communication first. Isn’t that what’s truly important? Real connection? Join our staff this fall! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion The Chinook is a one-credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our Faculty Advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu Hello, Chinook readers! I’m so happy you’re here. My name is Bri Weigel, and I'm the faculty advisor for the Chinook. While you typically see a note from Casper College President Brandon Kosine in this space, I decided to write to you this month and explain what goes on behind the scenes at the Chinook. I’ll throw in some history too. I am an instructor after all – I just can’t help myself. Let’s start where it all began. The Chinook started on Casper College’s campus in 1945. The first issue is framed in Liesinger Hall’s Media Lab (LH 196) if you’re ever curious. The Chinook continues to serve as the voice of Casper College students to this day. I took the reins as faculty advisor for the Chinook in the fall of 2019. We started sharing the paper as a digital publication, publishing six times per year. You’ll see announcements of a new issue in October, November, December, March, April, and May of each year. We design a complete layout for every issue and share stories on our full-service website as well, caspercollegechinook.com. Outside of this space, all of the content you read on the website or within the layout is written by Casper College students. Staff members schedule and conduct interviews independently, and then they write and edit stories for publication. Staff must also submit a photo with their work and help with the final touches on the publication. Some students choose to work on designing the layout of the publication while others create advertisements. Additional tasks students might take on are promoting on social media, writing a column, submitting photo stories, or publishing content to the website. The Chinook is an ‘all hands on deck’ studentdriven operation, and staff members build a strong portfolio in their time working on the publication. The Chinook staff and I are proud to share our March 2026 issue, and we look forward to showcasing you and your accomplishments in the coming months. If you have story ideas, please reach out to me at brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu. Happy reading! The student-athlete grind Navigating classrooms, cleats, and chronic pain Lawren Miller Chinook Writer Casper College Women’s Soccer Team is full of determination, or in other words ‘Grit.’ To be a college athlete, mindset and determination is everything, and for the Lady Thunderbirds it's no different. Hard work earns rewards when there’s homework, practice, class, and extracurricular activities involved. The women’s soccer team engrains this idea into each of their players. Freshman women’s soccer player Alora Taylor said, “Soccer is about confidence, grit, and teamwork — and those are things I’ll carry with me no matter what I do.” Sports are more than just something one does; it’s lessons, perseverance, and goal setting. It becomes part of a studentathlete’s identity for life. Athletes are built up from people who have some experiences in the field. Assistant Coach Jocelynn Norcross spoke about the team. She said, “We’re a family more than a team. It’s always our family against their team.” Family. A group that provides reliability. Not to mention an almost perfect season this last fall, the team won or tied almost all their games until an unexpected and devastating forfeit counted as a loss against them. “We hadn’t lost any games all season, even though we tied some — but then we had to forfeit one because an ineligible player played. That was really unfortunate, and it changed everything for us” Taylor stated. Even in the face of disappointment the team stayed strong in its sixth season. The program started in 2020. “We’ve been the best team in the region since we started the program,” Norcross stated, talking about the success of teams that have come and gone at CC. Many student athletes juggle over other struggles of life in the background that adds to the pressure of the game they play. Taylor explained it’s not just the game on the players mind but balance. “It was hard to balance homework and school. You have soccer that you have to do… you got to grind.” Norcross added her thoughts. She said, “Some take a semester or two to kind of figure out that balance because it’s not quite like high school.” The players also face the prospect of both mental and physical pain. In players those physical and mental pains can be linked to the same issues. These can result in changes that the players don’t necessarily want. Taylor is no stranger to the physical and mental pain that comes with the demanding game of soccer.. She deals with a condition called patello- Photo Courtesy of wyo.sports.flicks Alora Taylor, a student-athlete on the Casper College Women's Soccer Team, is pictured playing against Truckee Meadows Community College in late August. The women's team is 11-4-2 overall in the 2025-2026 season. femoral syndrome that makes playing extremely painful. Patellofemoral syndrome is a common overuse injury of the knee. “It was super uncomfortable. I wasn’t able to train for a while. It was super hard mentally… My legs just couldn’t keep up. My body couldn’t keep up.” Taylor said. Norcross sympathizes with the women on the team because as she said, ‘they’ve got pretty strict schedules’ and ‘they’re not a typical student.’ Members of a group or team get stronger because of life experiences they’ve already had. This prepares them for what could come, making a lasting impact on their lives. Taylor said, “I’ve learned that grit, confidence, and teamwork aren’t just for soccer — they carry over into everything you do in life.” True ‘Grit’ changes the force one leads into life, even after an athlete leaves the field. www.caspercollegechinook.com �March 1, 2026 CHINOOK Forensics................................................ along with working. She said she manages by using the time in her day effectively around obligations. She tries to get things done during the day and uses time between classes and work to get things done. The forensic team not only prepares students for public speaking and nurtures collaborative skills, but it also prepares students for their future careers. Both Hall and Goff mentioned “Dress for Success,” speaking with students about proper attire in a professional setting. Goff also noted that she learned from the older students on the team about the norms and mirrored their behavior. She added that her coaches are good resources to share experiences and connections. Nationals, also called Phi Ro Pi, will take place in Washington, D.C. this April. According to Goff, nationals are like every other tournament, but with higher stakes. She also noted that it is held in hotels and meeting rooms, but for some events she has competed in an actual hotel room. She said the experience is very “Cutthroat, you make it or not”, but that she is excited to share the experience with her current teammates. As a freshman last year, Goff won Silver in the “Speech to Entertain” event. Goff said that if it weren’t for the forensics team, she isn’t sure if she would be at CC. She participated in some speech and debate in high school, and ended up in a conversation with Hall and Fife. They welcomed her to CC and the forensics team. Goff isn’t sure what her future holds, but she said she is better off because of her experience with the forensics team. Submitted Photo Aniya Scott, Austin Rozema, Stephanie Mata, Elizabeth Lehman, Emma Andrews, Samantha Lehman, and Ivey Goff posed for a team photo. Page 3 continued from page 1 �Page 4 March 1, 2026 CHINOOK From first semester doubt to career readiness Nursing program shapes future professionals Kaecen Paden Chinook Writer Three semesters ago, Casper College Nursing Student Pyper Wall endured doubts about whether she was built for the program. Today, as a fourth semester student, Wall said that being in the homestretch keeps her going and motivated. Like many students, Wall said her first semester proved a major adjustment from her typical high school classes. “First semester was a lot to get used to,” Wall said. “Like studying, I never studied before that. Now I study 24/7.” Wall said her labs within the first semester and clinical rotations in the second semester helped her build confidence, and marked a turning point. “They made me gain my confidence,” Wall said. “I was so scared of talking to any patient, but then I gained my confidence and was able to use my critical thinking.” Tina King, the director of the nursing program explains how the simulation labs the nursing program holds are essential towards the growth of the students, aiding in their abilities to make decisions under pressure. “The simulation specifically gives them a safe space to try Submitted Photo Nursing students pictured from left to right include Daniel Schoenwolf, Sierra Quinn, Pyper Wall, Shauna Palmer, Jaqueline Chimbo. The second row includes Jessee Driskill, Katelynn Englehart, Amber Holliday, Corinne Donnelly, Brooklyn Gebhardt, Brooklynn Colling, Olivia Goss, Diana Amaro Bahena, Ryker Tysver. Pictured in the third row is Dusty Studdard, Rylee Guest, Emma Graham, Jonica Toups, Carmen Hillstead, Brendan Genthner, Paighten Dedic, Kailie Pederson. and do it on their own,” King said. “We learn best from our mistakes. If I go in and make a decision and my patient has a negative outcome, it would be nice to go back in and try it with that different situation and see what the outcome is.” Wall’s cohort is now in the program’s final semester and the work load has increased. They have started using all of their knowledge gained from the previous three semesters in preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX. King said, “It highlights all their learnings over the previous three semesters and really just showcases their ability to think critically at the bedside.” Clinical rotations test the students abilities. They started their preceptorships where they work one-on-one with a regis- tered nurse in a clinical setting and practice their skills. “I have clinicals at least once a week. It depends on my preceptors schedule,” Wall said. “We have to have eight shifts of this rotation.” With the additional work load, students strive to find the balance between studying, homework, clinical paperwork, and their personal life. “The paperwork for that clinical takes a couple of days -- it takes most of my time up,” Wall said. “I’m also studying for future things that are coming up and then also working on online assignments we have due as well.” To help combat stress and additional obstacles, the program offers multiple solutions that a student can follow if needed. Heidi Loucks, a fourth semester educator said, “There is an academic success coordinator. She holds tutoring sessions, and they (students) can schedule one-on-one with her,” she continues “ The instructors are available for their students anytime -- we will help them.” The pressure put on the students from the rigours program positively helps the students with their growth. Casper College’s nursing program boasts a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX test students take upon completion of the program. Wi t h graduation approaching, students have started envisioning their path beyond the program and their future employment opportunities. King shared a local opportunity for nursing students at Banner Heath. She said, “Banner actually has a nurse extern program where they’ll hire them before they graduate. Third and Fourth semester usually.” Wall is hoping to follow that path post graduation. “I’m hoping to work at Banner. Wherever they want me,” Wall said. “I’m looking to get experience for the next two years to get my skills down.” As she reflects on the struggles faced throughout the program, Wall said she would choose it again without a doubt. “Oh yeah, I would definitely choose this program,” Wall said. “The instructors care.” In a few short months, Wall will replace her student badge for a professional one. For her and her classmates, the journey from their uncertainty to confidence shows more than just their growth, it marks the beginning of their career dedicated to their care towards others. CC Art Club helps students explore the world of art James Miller/Chinook Shown above is the Printmaking Studio in the Visual Arts Building where the Casper College Art Club meets on campus. James Miller Chinook Writer The Casper College Art Club has run for many years and continues to this day, giving students the opportunity to practice art outside of classes. The club meets every first and third Monday of each month and on certain Fridays for activities at 5:30 p.m. in the printmaking studio of the Visual Arts building. Casper College fine arts major and club president, Elise Ramsey, talked about the club and what it has to offer. She mentioned how the art club gives all students the ability to take part in making all kinds of art regardless of their major. “The art club is a good learning environment and a great way to expand your understanding of art,” she said. Ramsey joined the art club last year, and her fellow members elected her as president. Ramsey is currently majoring in Fine Arts at Casper College. The club president spoke highly of the visual arts professors and courses at the college. Additionally, Ramsey noted that the art club isn’t just reserved for people proficient at art. Anyone can join the art club regardless of skill or talent, and it isn’t closed off or reserved for people with experience or knowledge of art. The Casper College Art Club occasionally has group art projects on some Fridays everyone can work on. The club provides the necessary supplies for such projects as well. For example, the club hosted a pumpkin painting day last fall. The cost of supplies can prove problematic for the club, however. One of the challenges the art club faces is budget problems. Ramsey said there are times the club doesn’t have enough funding to afford some supplies for certain types of art, which can make it harder for members to practice the form or style of art they wish. The art club still manages to run in spite of this which truly shows the dedication the students and teachers in this club have. Club secretary, Rhiannon Leinius, mentioned how the club does provide supplies for the activities; however, they aren’t typically the best. “We tend to have cheaper supplies. All of the colored pencils and markers that we have are like Crayola from Walmart.” Leinius said. Another obstacle the club has overcome was the change of leadership. The former members graduated and the current members were confused on what to do. Leinius spoke about how no one helped out the newer members. Leinius said, “When it restarted in the fall, it was a completely new group of people, so we had a little bit of confusion and mismanagement just because we didn’t know what we were supposed to do.” The art club also travels to other cities across the country. Last year, the art club took a trip with some of the members and managers to the Denver Museum of Art. Ramsey said the club is currently planning a trip to New York City this year to spend a few days visiting different art museums across the city. The club plans to travel to New York from April 15-18 and visit several museums in the city. Another opportunity the club grants some members is the ability to sell their art. The art sales take place throughout the year, providing chances for artists to get their names out in the community. The next art sale will likely take place from April 2–3, and a portion of the proceeds will go to funding the club’s New York trip. “The goal of the art sale is trying to make enough money that everyone will be able to go without having to spend that much.” Leinius said. In addition, Art 321 is currently working on creating a pop-up in which students and club members could display their art. It would create another place for members of the art club the ability to show off their work. Art 321 will have a reception on March 5th at 5:30 p.m. for the pop-up. Ramsey stressed that the art club is a great opportunity to explore the world of art. Not everyone who joins the club will be great at all kinds of art, but that’s okay. In Ramsey’s own words, “The art club is a safe space to explore creativity. You don’t have to be good at art to join.” The Casper College Art Club has run for many years and continues to give students the ability to practice and learn art. There are many opportunities to truly explore different facets of art and travel the country. You should consider joining the art club if you are interested in art at all, as it may benefit you in more ways than one. You can also go to the art sale in April to help fund the New York trip and benefit the art program at the college as a whole if you don’t want to join the club but still want to help. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2026-03 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2026-03 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from March 2026. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2026-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/7302afae655de325e8793b3264e8d897.jpg 46d8441c18faff3d76e19541db7da403 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photographic print Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Open door Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Subject The topic of the resource Sand Bar (Casper, Wyo.) -- History. Description An account of the resource Photograph of an abandoned house with the door open as found in a Casper Star-Tribune photograph folder on the Sand Bar. This folder contains photographs of the people and places in Casper's old Sand Bar. It is part of a collection that consists of photographs and negatives created and/or used by the Casper Star Tribune from 1967 until the middle of 1995 according to a newspaper article on the donation from February of 2000. In the words of Special Collections Curator, Kevin Anderson, the photographs in this collection serve to document "events in our own lives, events in our own history." There were 19,000 envelopes that were gifted to the repository, which totaled between 330,000 and 460,000 images. Images in this collection may support the use of other collections in the repository or vice versa. Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NCA 01.ii.2000.01_SandBar-05 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource JPG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Casper Star-Tribune Photographs, NCA 01.ii.2000.01 PS WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Provenance A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource. This photograph was in the custody of the Casper Star-Tribune before it was gifted to Casper College. https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/a3752349a92caba1faea57d9774bce9b.jpeg c5db2453d62326d3c4fbccc660fe41e3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Posters Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Description An account of the resource This collection consists of digitized Wyoming Symphony Orchestra posters available for research use through the Goodstein Foundation Library. The archives of the Orchestra consist of programs, posters, photographs, scrapbooks, notebooks, records, and ephemera produced by the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra. Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Archives, NCA 01.i.2024.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NCA 01.i.2024.01_WyomingSymphony_Posters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Print Poster Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Opening Night with Carol Wincenc Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Description An account of the resource Poster in which the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Presents Opening Night with Flutist Carol Wincenc at Wheeler Concert Hall, Casper College, September 26-27th. This poster is a part of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Archives made available for research use by the Goodstein Foundation Library Special Collections. The archives of the Orchestra consist of programs, posters, photographs, scrapbooks, notebooks, records, and ephemera produced by the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Archives, NCA 01.i.2024.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NCA 01.i.2024.01_Posters, WSO, OpeningNightCW Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/44b2ed270bb18bf9ce85a023476395f1.jpeg 6e7b1f2e298992a8a4a7f0ae1fda482d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Posters Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Description An account of the resource This collection consists of digitized Wyoming Symphony Orchestra posters available for research use through the Goodstein Foundation Library. The archives of the Orchestra consist of programs, posters, photographs, scrapbooks, notebooks, records, and ephemera produced by the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra. Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Archives, NCA 01.i.2024.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NCA 01.i.2024.01_WyomingSymphony_Posters Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Print Poster Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Opening Night: Schubert, Brahms, and Beethoven Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Description An account of the resource Poster in which the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Presents Opening Night: Schubert, Brahms, and Beethoven at John F. Welsh Auditorium, NCHS, October 6th. This poster is a part of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Archives made available for research use by the Goodstein Foundation Library Special Collections. The archives of the Orchestra consist of programs, posters, photographs, scrapbooks, notebooks, records, and ephemera produced by the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Archives, NCA 01.i.2024.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NCA 01.i.2024.01_Posters, WSO, OpeningNight, Oct. 6 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/f4713df1cbcb0a1c8a242a7ce37952fe.pdf 5b0346d317bf357e78ee2fa5d7797f05 PDF Text Text ��������� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Casper College 1983 Thunderbird Annual Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1983 Subject The topic of the resource Casper College -- History.; Community colleges -- Wyoming -- History Description An account of the resource Digitized copy of the 1983 Casper College Thunderbird annual yearbook. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Language A language of the resource ENG Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Annual print yearbook Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Opening: Changes Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1983 Subject The topic of the resource Casper College -- History.; Community colleges -- Wyoming -- History Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Digitized copy of the Opening section for the 1983 Casper College Thunderbird annual yearbook. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Casper College Thunderbird Annuals, CCA 2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA2023.01_1983_Opening-Changes Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/1c1f8ac2a740b09b0f59cf806e8ee2e1.mpeg 5e01d6fe76089e623b9d814c5ebf5da3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A.E. Chandler Digital Photographs and Videos Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1949 Description An account of the resource These records contain photographs and videos of the Blizzard of 1949. Farmers are documented herding cattle while hay trucks pass in the background. There are 4 digital photographs and 5 video files. 3 of the latter have been uploaded. Type The nature or genre of the resource Image and Moving Image Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. A.E. Chandler Digital Photographs and Videos, NCA_01.v.2025.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NCA_01.v.2025.01_AEChandlerPhotographsandVideos Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Operation Haylift Video Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1949 Subject The topic of the resource Blizzards -- Wyoming -- History -- 20th century. Description An account of the resource Photograph of a United States Army plane used in Operation Haylift during the Blizzard of 1949. Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. A.E. Chandler Digital Photographs and Videos, NCA_01.v.2025.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context NCA_01.v.2025.01_AEChandlerPhotosandVideos_Trula01-Snow Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource MPEG