Park to retire; Rhine steps in

Chadron State College President Janie Park announced Tuesday she was retiring effective May 11, and that Randy Rhine, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Services, would serve as interim president.

Park’s resignation seemed abrupt compared to other recent retirement announcements that were made many months in advance of their effective dates.

Although the retirement announcement was made a month and a day in advance of its effective date, Rhine thought the timing was logical.

“President Park’s timing makes perfect sense,” Rhine said Wednesday, adding that Park would have time for closure, and that this plan “was in place for some time,” meaning her retirement has been in the works for several months.

Rhine is working on the transition to make it as smooth as possible.

“I had a meeting with the steering committee yesterday after the announcement,” Rhine said. “We need to keep doing good work and stay focused.”

Rhine said that some restructuring would take place to allow him to manage both his current duties and his new ones.

“They’ll be some rearrangements,” he said. “There are some things I plan on keeping close to me. The first is enrollment management and the second is college relations.” He added that additional structures were put in place to allow the college’s administrative systems to function efficiently during the transition.

Rhine said he didn’t know if he would be leading the search committee for Park’s replacement; however, he said he has considered applying for the position.

“I believe I will be interested,” he said. “I do like Chadron State College very much. There are great people; great students here.”

After coming to Chadron State in 2005, Rhine said he has enjoyed his time and, at this stage in his career, “isn’t looking forward to another move.”

He said it was his preference to stay in his current role if he doesn’t apply for or get the presidential position, but said that the decision might not be his to make.

“It depends who is president; that might not be my decision,” he said.

Rhine said the greatest challenge the institution faces within the next year is the multiple capital construction projects and keeping them on track.

Citing the recent monetary appropriation for the Armstrong Gym’s renovation, plus the expansion of CSC’s residence halls, and the Rangeland Agriculture Center’s construction, Rhine said the college is “poised for some positive things.”

“It’s going to be a challenge to keep all of these tracking,” he said. “We need to be vigilant.”