Chadron State College (CSC) is a public college in Chadron, Nebraska. It is one of three public colleges in the Nebraska State College System. It practices open admissions.
The school opened in June 1911, although a previous institution dated from the late 19th century. The college has an enrollment of about 3,000 students. Five of its 25 major buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
History
Chadron State College was founded in 1909 by the Nebraska Legislature to provide a higher education institution in northwest Nebraska. The Board of Education of State Normal Schools selected Chadron as the location of its fourth institution in January 1910. The school opened in June 1911.
Presidents
The college has had fourteen presidents since its founding:
Joseph Sparks (1911–1916) Robert I. Elliott (1916–1940) E.L. Rouse (acting) (1939–1941) Wiley G. Brooks (1941–1954) Barton L. Kline (1954–1961) F. Clark Elkins (1961–1967) Edwin C. Nelson (1967–1973) Larry G. Tangeman (1973–1975) Edwin C. Nelson (1975–1986) Samuel H. Rankin (1986–1998) Thomas L. Krepel (1998–2005) Janie C. Park (2005–2012) Richard R. Rhine (2012–2023) Ron K. Patterson (2023-present)
2006 Spotted Tail wildfire
In late July 2006, the college was in danger of damage from a wildfire. The Spotted Tail fire was caused by a lightning strike on July 26 about seven miles (11 km) south of Chadron. By July 28, the wildfire reached the edge of Chadron and the college campus. Fire crews prevented the wildfire from reaching the campus. The Pine Ridge escarpment south of the college, including C-Hill, was deforested as a result of the fire.
Facilities
The campus has 25 major buildings, five of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Their replacement value is more than $60 million and they provide more than 1 million square feet (92,900 square meters) of floor space. Classrooms, laboratory, and research facilities are available in seven classroom buildings and the library.
The library contains the equivalent of more than 250,000 volumes. Its automated catalogue is part of the Nebraska State College network.
Since the 1980s, the college has built several new facilities, including the Edwin and Avis Nelson Physical Activity Center, a wood-fired heating plant, the Student Center, the Lindeken-Carillon Clock Tower, a softball field, the Chicoine Center athletic facility, the Eagle Ridge housing complex, and the Rangeland Complex. An outdoor track is under construction as of 2020. Multiple buildings have been renovated since 2004, including Joseph Sparks Hall, which houses administrative and alumni offices; Edna Work Hall, a dormitory; the former Administration Building, now called Old Admin, which houses academic programs and classrooms; and Don Beebe Stadium, including the rebuilt Con Marshall Press Box and Elliott Field. The college's Math Science Building is currently being renovated and is planning to be reopened Spring 2022.
Students can live in seven housing spaces.
Buildings
Residence Halls
Albert Kent Hall (1965) Eagle Ridge (2014) Edna Work Hall and Edna Work Wing (1932) High Rise (1967) Lyle Andrews Hall (1966) Wiley Brooks Hall (occupied by Math and Science faculty during Math Science Center of Innovative Learning renovation, 2020-2022)