The CNH Top Tech Classroom in the new Agriculture and Transportation Complex at Barton Community College will be named the KanEquip Learning Center. College trustees approved an agreement for naming rights at their May 23 meeting.
Vice President of Administration Mark Dean reported that the recommendation for approving the name came from Lindsey Bogner, executive director of Institutional Advancement, and the Barton Community College Foundation. The Foundation Board of Directors approved a contract during their May board meeting.
Barton trustees have the authority to accept naming gifts for college buildings and facilities. The naming opportunities may be based on a sufficient monetary gift, honorary recognition, or other reasons the trustees may wish to provide a naming opportunity.
“Lindsey can certify that KanEquip has made a sufficient donation,” Dean said.
Bogner and the Foundation certified that a donation has been made with the Grow With Us capital campaign for the complex that justified the contract for naming rights.
The amount will not be made public in order to protect the privacy of Foundation donors, he said.
Contracts approved
In other action Tuesday, the trustees approved contract renewals for head coaches, management staff and administrators.
For head coaches, along with renewals, new contracts were approved for Sabrina Boyd, dance; Megan Besecker, volleyball; and Nathan Broekelman, wrestling. There was an open position for a head eSports coach. That was approved as well, for Franklin Skylar.
For management staff, new contracts were awarded to Krystall Barnes, director of grants; and Heather Panning, assistant athletic director and senior women’s administrator. There are positions open for an executive director of business, technology and workforce development; and an executive director of health, humanities and science.
For administrative contracts, a new contract was issued for Renee Demel, chief information officer.
Personnel
The board also approved routine personnel appointments. These included approving Skylar as the new eSports coach.
Other personnel approved for the Barton campus were Austin Downing, assistant men’s basketball coach; Annie Kassongo, assistant women’s basketball coach; and Logan Higbee; clinical coordinator for EMS. A position change/contract was approved for Eric Smith, psychology instructor. New contracts were approved for Mark Freeman, art instructor; Christian Rivas, criminal justice instructor and coordinator; Tanner Balsters, accounting instructor; and Donald Elliott, welding instructor.
An executive session was held for 40 minutes to discuss an individual employee’s performance. No action was taken after the open meeting resumed, other than adjournment.
Reports
In other business, the board heard reports:
• from Todd Mobrary, director of Institutional Effectiveness, on Strategic Planning;
• from Kurtis Teal, dean of Military Academics, Technical and Outreach Programs, on Barton services and regional locations; and
• from Karly Little, Barton Leadership Institute coordinator, who introduced the 2022-2023 Leadership graduates. These employees comprised the college’s seventh Leadership Institute class, which prepares Barton employees for future leadership roles in the institution. They are:
- Nicole Barr, Coordinator of Corrections Education
- Shelby Cunningham, Library Assistant, Circulation
Services
- Mary Doyle, Academic Advisor
- Maggie Harris, Chief Communications Officer
- Dr. Ann Ingala, Adjunct Instructor – Psychology
- Ray Kruse, Coordinator and Academic Advisor, EOC
- Nick Larmer, Assistant Director Emergency Medical
Services
- Jenny Payne, Academic Advisor, Fort Riley Campus
- Rita Thurber, Director of Student Support Services
